Time Out For Sophie
Written & Illustrated by Rosemary Wells
Age Level: 2 - 5                                                              
​Grade Level: PS – K

​Poor Sophie! She wants to be good, but it’s hard. She can only do it for so long before she does something naughty and winds up in time-out. First it’s her mom. Then her dad, but when Sophie tangles with grandma, there’s a twist on her time-out trouble. Sophie is such a great character that Rosemary Wells wrote 3 more books about her.  

Nightsong
Written by Ari Berk
Illustrated by Loren Long
Age Level: 4 - 8                                                         
​Grade Level: PS – 3

​Looking for a sweet story about a child trying his wings for the first time? This is it! Chiro wants to go to the pond by himself. His mom Ari pushes her fears aside and lets him go . . . with only this advice . . .  sing your own song. You’ll find a brand new world, and then, you can find your way home again. It’s great advice, for you. And me too!

​ Emily’s Perfect Christmas Tree
Written by Catherine Christensen
Illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal
Age Level: 4 - 8                                                          
​Grade Level: PS – 2

​Emily has trouble finding the perfect Christmas tree. She looks and looks, but there’s something wrong with each one. Emily winds up with the last tree, the worst one of all. Can she find enough Christmas spirit to be happy anyway? Read this cute story, and find out!

Aria Jones & The Guardian’s Wedia
Written by Malayna Jones
Age Level: 9 - 12                                                                                                  
Grade Level: 4 – 7
 
If you read the first Jagger Jones book like I did, you couldn’t wait to get your hands on this one. It didn’t disappoint! Little sister Aria gets to be the main character. It starts with a field trip to an Egyptian museum where a pair of statues pass her some bracelets. They’re really tickets to the past. Aria hurries home to pack her bag, grab Jagger, and answer a call for help. Tatia is Pharaoh now, after the death of her father, mother, and step-brother, and she’s dying too. The Gods have stopped talking to the royal family, but they sent Aria and Jagger to help Tatia. Can the siblings figure out how to save them in time? You’ll have to read to find out, but be prepared – you won’t want to put this book down.

PS – Book 3 is in the works, and I can’t wait to read it!
PPS – If you haven’t read Book 1, here’s the link to my review:
Rinda Beach - Beach Reads - Rinda Beach

Lily To the Rescue
Written by W. Bruce Cameron
Illustrated by Jennifer L. Meyer
Age Level: 7 - 10                                                                   
​Grade Level: 2 – 3

​I loved this story! I didn’t know I needed a mentor book for a dog story I’m working on, but this is perfect. The dog is telling the story from her point of view, from how she views her kids. I loved how he used words like ‘school’ or ‘playing ball’ to help you understand Lily. This book is SO WELL DONE!
 
The story – Lily was once a rescue dog who was adopted by the vet who ran the animal shelter. Lily comes in and ‘works’ with the other cats and dogs in the shelter. She plays with them, but that teaches them the social skills they need to be adopted. This adventure begins when Lily meets a crow with a broken wing. The best part – the author’s note that tells you about the real crow facts that the author wove into the story.
 
If you don’t recognize W. Bruce Cameron, maybe you recognize one of  his titles – A Dog’s Purpose. It’s so good that it made me laugh and cry. That’s incredible writing! He also writes chapter books for kids. He has 9 puppy books, and Lily was one of them. Now he also has 8 books in the Lily series. I can see why – this book is full of great characters!

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​If You’re Happy and You Know It
Written & Illustrated by Jane Cabrera
Illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal
Age Level: Baby – 2

This book is as cute as its cover! Baby animals act out the words for your little one. If they like this book, look up Jane Cabrera’s other Story Time titles.                     

Pax
Written by Sara Pennypacker
Illustrated by Jon Klassen
Age Level: 8 - 12                                                 
​Grade Level: 3 – 7

​This book is wonderful! Meet Pax and Peter. They’re together in the first 4 chapters, until they’re separated when Peter’s father is sent off to war. When they’re apart, so is their story. Peter tells his part in one chapter, and Pax in the next. Somehow the boy and his fox must each find a way to survive in a world of chaos. The ending is amazing! I love a story that can reunite two great characters in a totally believable way.