July 31 – Shark Week

About the Holiday

To the sorrow of many, Shark Week is coming to a fin-ish, but it’s never too late to indulge your love of these awesome marine animals! These denizens of the deep, and especially the Great White, are endlessly fascinating. Their toothy power, instantly recognizable fin, and the lore which has grown up around them, make them fearsome and awesome subjects for study and stories any time of the year. Today’s book—the first in an exciting new series—will satisfy all shark and adventure fans!

Thanks to Scholastic for sending me a copy of this book for review!

Max Beast: Sharknado Warning

By Maddy Mara

As Max manned the boat while his parents explored the wreckage of a superyacht that recently sank, he suddenly found himself fighting for survival against a massive shark that charged their boat, sending Max into the churning sea. Just before he went under, though, Max caught a glimpse of an unusual marking on the shark’s belly. Where had he seen that image before? There was no time to think about that, however, as the massive beast was about to attack. Max braced himself. But instead of rushing at him, the shark began thrashing, and Max could see that the strange marking was an infinity symbol.

It began pulsing red then ripped itself from the shark’s chest. The silver pendant floated in the water for a moment, and Max realized he’d seen this charm around the neck of a teenager, Hector, who’d barged in front of him and his parents in the dive shop where they’d gotten their snorkeling equipment. Suddenly, it “flew through the water toward Max like a magnet to metal” and “sank into Max’s skin.” Then things really started to happen. As the shark began losing its fearsome features and sprouting arms, legs, and a shock of hair Max recognized as Hector’s, Max was undergoing the opposite transition. In a moment, he was longer, stronger, had hundreds of teeth, sharper vision, and a fin and tail.

This transformation changes everything, and even thought Max and Hector don’t like or trust each other, they’re linked—not only because they’re both trying to locate the superyacht (Hector to loot it, and Max to stop him and find his parents) but because they can read each other’s thoughts. This ability comes in handy as they battle Hector’s cohorts and their spearguns, a giant squid, a dive cage, and other explosive underwater menaces as well as time, itself. Will Max achieve his aims and become a boy again, or will Hector win out? It’s time to dive in and see for yourself!

With nonstop action amid a dangerous setting and mysterious circumstances, Maddy Mara’s Max Beast: Sharknado Warning introduces readers to an appealing young hero who embraces his new persona and uses his intelligence and wits, while staying true to his principles as he overcomes adversity and solves a mystery. Fast-paced plotting, compelling characters, high stakes, and gripping dialogue sprinkled with humor as well as exhilarating black-and-white illustrations by Khadigah Khatib make this a book that will thrill all readers. They will eagerly look forward to Max’s next adventure in Max Beast: Tiger Terror.

Ages 7 – 10

Scholastic, 2026 | ISBN 979-8225002770

About the Authors

Maddy Mara is the pen name of Australian creative duo Hilary Rogers and Meredith Badger. Hilary is a writer and former publisher; Meredith is a writer and teaches English as a second language. Together they have written or created many bestselling series for kids, including Dragon Girls, Dragon Games, and Forever Fairies. Dragon Girls has over 1.5 million copies in print and is available in multiple countries and languages. They live on the lands of the Wurundjeri and Bunurong people in Melbourne, Australia. Their website is maddymara.com.

Shark Week Activity

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-shark-jar-craft

Shark Organizer Jar Craft

Are some of your favorite things scattered here and there? Would you like to be able to get a good clamp on them? Then here’s a craft you can really sink your teeth into! This shark organizer jar is easy and fun to make and a fin-tastic way to keep your stuff tidy!

Supplies

Wide-mouth plastic jar, like a peanut-butter jar
Gray craft paint
White craft paint
Black craft paint
Paint brush

Directions

Find a point in the middle of the jar on opposite sides of the jar
Mid-way between these points on the other sides of the jar, find a point about 1 1/2 inches above the first points
From the first point draw an angled line up to the higher point and down again to the lower point to make the shark’s upper jaw
Repeat Direction Number 3 to make the shark’s lower jaw
With the gray paint fill in the jar below these lines to make the shark’s head
Along the jawline, paint jagged teeth with the white paint
Add black dots for eyes on either side of the shark’s head
Let dry

You can purchase Max Beast: Sharknado Warning from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

July 30 – National Climb a Mountain Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

On National Climb a Mountain Day, we celebrate all those who reach for a summit both literally and metaphorically. Mountains, just by their sheer size and mystery, invite people who love a challenge to climb as high as they dare, either on a well-worn trail or by finding their own footing and handholds on the way up. This same resolve can be applied to more down-to-earth matters that someone would like to overcome as well. Just as with climbing a real mountain, progress through life’s obstacles, desired accomplishments, and mysteries can be achieved with one-step-at-a-time determination and courage—even if it is a bit scary as you’ll see in today’s book.

Ghost Town in the Mountains

Written by Lynn Becker | Illustrated by Roland Garrigue

In her spirited take-off on the perennial favorite sing-along She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain, Lynn Becker entices two children and their dog into the mountains up a long and winding road to a haunted ghost town, all the while warning them with a “turn back now! keep away!” or other challenge at every turn. Of course it’s impossible for the trio not to take a wee gander down the “tumbledown and tumbleweed-y” main street. It’s unthinkable they won’t be lured down the lurid alley to the cabin, “boarded up and creaky” where “hordes of “mice play hide-and-seek-y.” And it’s just as preposterous to think these intrepid trespassers won’t ascend the “shaky staircase” to the “. . . cluttered, stuffy, musty / spider-web-y, sneezy, dusty” attic.

Illustration copyright © 2026 by Roland Garrigue. Text copyright © 2026 by Lynn Becker. Published by Sleeping Bear Press, 2026.

What happens once these curious kids are at the tippy-top of this spooky dwelling? Well, they were warned! Let’s just say I know you would never touch what’s off limits or open what falls out of it. You would never release an ancient, bewitched relic that gives you the heebie-jeebies as it comes to life. You would never high-tail it out of there and seek the comforts of a nice, soft bed. Would you?

Back Matter includes a discussion of ghost towns, the history behind the folk song “She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain,” and the music and lyrics to “Ghost Town in the Mountains.”

Lynn Becker beguiles kids to follow a gutsy gal and her wary friend as they eschew all warnings on their way to an unexpected discovery with her spine-tingling verses that beg to be sung. Becker turns the jaunty cadence of her source tune into an opportunity to enthrall, with spunky admonitions, evocative vocabulary, and delightfully nimble rhymes—especially creating read- or sing-along fun with “-y” endings. With each page spread, short, onomatopoeic interjections between lines accumulate into a growing rambunctious refrain that kids will enthusiastically join in on throughout any read aloud. Becker’s dreamy ending ensures that kids tired to the bone will settle in for a good night’s slumber.

Roland Garrigue’s spooky ghost town, tucked away among magical(?) mountains, bathed in eerie hues of blue and purple, and haunted by spirits invite as much reader participation as Becker’s storytelling. Kids will love spying glowing eyes peeping from hidey holes, discovering hidden creatures, and keeping track of the ghosts, rats, and growing collection the children’s dog picks up along the way. The surprise reveal may have readers debating whether they’d be brave or skittish, bounding home with their guides on this spectral adventure.

At once chilling and charming, Ghost Town in the Mountains is sure to be a supernaturally favorite pick for any story time and is a must for all library and home collections for Halloween and all year around.

Ages 4 – 8

Sleeping Bear Press, 2026 | ISBN 978-1534113428

About the Author

Lynn Becker has worked in animation for film and TV. When she’s not writing picture books or book reviews, she’s out hiking near her home in Longmont, Colorado. Visit her at lynnbeckerbooks.com.

About the Illustrator

Roland Garrigue is from Paris, France and is a prolific illustrator of children’s books. He loves to travel and explore foreign cities, and he hopes his stories can transport his readers to equally exciting places. Follow him on Instagram.

National Climb a Mountain Day Activity

Ghost Town in the Mountains Coloring Page

What kind of ghost do you encounter on your mountain ghost town visit? Draw and color the ghost and where you find it (or it finds you!) with this Ghost Town in the Mountains Activity from author Lynn Becker’s website. You can find a Karaoke Sing-Along and the Book’s Trailer there too!

You can purchase Ghost Town in the Mountains from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

July 28 – World Nature Conservation Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Established in 1998, World Nature Conservation Day brings people from around the world together to wonder at nature’s diversity and raise awareness of the importance of protecting it and preserving our natural resources and ecosystems. Each person plays a crucial role in ensuring that Earth’s resources are treated with caring stewardship for ourselves and our future generations. To celebrate the day, research what you can do in your community and home to reduce waste, the use of harmful chemicals, and our carbon footprint while contributing to activities focused on preserving clean air and water, protecting endangered and threatened species, and finding new ways to leave our children a livable planet.

Enough to Share

Written by Mary Helen Berg | Illustrated by Sue Todd

Rare animals Spirit Bear and Sea Wolf live side by side in British Columbia, Canada’s Great Bear Rainforest, sharing “the ancient trees, the misty valleys, the stony shores, and the leaping fish.” In the past there has always been enough for both, but now climate change, deforestation, pollution, and overfishing threaten their survival. The resources that Spirit Bear and Sea Wolf have relied on are shrinking and growing scarcer. “Storms rage stronger.” Protection and food are harder to find.

Illustration copyright © 2026 by Sue Todd. Text copyright © 2026 by Mary Helen Berg. Published by Tielmour Press, © 2026.

In Mary Helen Berg’s stirring cautionary tale, lyrical passages complement factual paragraphs that introduce readers to the dwindling population of white bears and aquatic wolves, which feed on marine life and swim miles between islands in search of food, in British Columbia’s coastal temperate rainforest—the largest such rainforest in the world. She clearly exposes the toll that human damage is inflicting on this unique environment, not only for spirit bears and sea wolves but for the health of the land and waterways as well as the birds, fish, marine creatures, and other animals that call this area home.

Berg ties her story together with a haunting refrain that at once looks back to a fertile past and ahead to an unknown, possibly disastrous future, riveting readers to the immediacy of this environmental crisis. She leaves adults and children with hope, however, revealing how First Nations people, environmentalists, and the British Columbia government have teamed up to sign the Great Bear Rainforest Agreement, which protects part of the rainforest. Berg also invites readers to help “so that on a perfect fall day. . . there is enough for all to share.”

Back matter includes more information on the Great Bear Rainforest, Spirit Bears, Sea Wolves, and how people can help the cause by supporting specific organizations involved in protecting the Great Bear Rainforest and other endangered places as well doing simple things at home that contribute to the environment’s wellbeing.

Mary Helen Berg captures readers’ attention to two unique animals and the equally extraordinary place they live through her lively use of language and passion for her subject. Her eclectic storytelling envelops children on many fronts, helping them to understand the environmental issues while taking the wildlife of the Great Bear Rainforest into their hearts.

The stunning imagery of Sue Todd’s linocut illustrations will thrill young readers with their vitality and vivid perspectives. Her gorgeous color palette makes each page a showstopper that both adults and children will want to linger over and talk about.

Enough to Share is immersive nonfiction at its best, a story that is sure to engage young readers not only in the fate of the Great Bear Rainforest but in environmental conservation in general. The book is a must for public and school libraries as well as for the home collections of environmentally conscious and nature-loving children.

Ages 5 – 9

Tielmour Press, 2026 | ISBN 978-1998426218

About the Author

Mary Helen Berg writes fiction and nonfiction picture books that honor big feelings and encourage young readers to explore and protect our big beautiful world. A former journalist, she lives in Southern California, where she loves to hike, bike, kayak, and road trip. She has a degree in literature from the University of Michigan, and a masters in journalism from Columbia University. She and her husband have three grown children, one son-in-law, and one very anxious dog. Visit her at maryhelenberg.com.

About the Illustrator

Sue Todd is a Toronto-based professional illustrator who creates colorful art for books, magazines, products, posters, and public art. She is the illustrator of Mira and the Big Story and The Night Is Deep and Wide, among others. Blue Boat Home is illustrated in her new digital ink technique, a departure from her traditional hand-carved linocut style. In addition to illustration commissions, she is working on writing and illustrating graphic novels. Visit her at suetodd.com.

World Nature Conservation Day Activity

Spirit Bear Coloring Pages from the Royal BC Museum

In these two coloring pages from the Royal BC Museum, spirit bears are enjoying their natural habitat in the Great Bear Rainforest. Kids can grab their crayons or markers and give the bears’ background some color!

Spirit Bear and Salmon | Spirit Bear and Cubs

You can purchase Enough to Share from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

July 27 – It’s Shark Week

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

It’s Shark Week! In its 38th year of highlighting all things shark-related, the Discovery Channel is once again hosting one of the most iconic weeks of summer with education and entertainment revolving around these denizens of the deep, especially the Great White. But there are many more sharks in the sea – about 500 species! – and they’re all an important part of the world’s ecosystem. To celebrate ancestors of today’s sharks and the wonders of discovery, you’ll want to put today’s book at the top of your reading list!

Thank you to Random House Studio and Barbara Fisch at Blue Slip Media for gifting me a copy of this book!

Sharks in Kansas: The Ancient Sea in the Middle of America

Written by Melissa Stewart | Illustrated by Becca Stadtlander

When you think of finding sharks, you might consider the east and west coasts of the United States and South America, areas around Africa, or perhaps the waters off the coast of Australia. I’d hazard a guess, however, that the US midwestern state of Kansas would not be on your list. Melissa Stewart is here to change that.

In Sharks in Kansas, Stewart reveals that Kansas—yes, that state known for its “seven million acres of wheat, five million acres of corn, more than six million cattle, and almost two million pigs” that add up to “90 percent farmland” was once the home to sharks and a plethora of other prehistoric creatures. She begins with fossilized evidence that 85 million years ago what is now Kansas as well as “thirteen states and five Canadian provinces” was underwater in what scientists now call the Western Interior Seaway.

Illustration copyright © 2026 by Becca Stadtlander. Text copyright © 2026 by Melissa Stewart. Published by Random House Studio, 2026.

Stewart then transports readers back millions of years to experience the vibrant and strange creatures that plied the sea, land, and sky. As a herd of herbivore Claosaurus track the shoreline, “a Pteranodon glides across the sky in search of fish.” But what about the sharks, you ask? They’re in attendance too. Different types of sharks of various sizes, one nearly twice as long as a Great White, lurk in the water’s depths, waiting . . . Those early sharks aren’t alone, either. Quirky—and toothy—mosasaurs, plesiosaurs, and fish as well as mollusks that would never fit in a bucket vie for space and food.

So what happened to the Western Interior Seaway? Stewart takes readers on a fascinating tour through the changes that slowly occurred to the land, the creatures, and this body of water that was once so vital. You may wonder how people—both scientists and casual observers—know all this. As Stewart explains, they can see its effects in the fossils discovered under those fertile fields; in the “rippled sandstone” walls that stand as reminders of an “ancient shoreline” and which visitors to Dinosaur Ridge in Colorado can trace with their fingers; and in the towering “chalky white” Monument Rocks of Kansas, created by untold numbers of coccolithophore fossils. Stewart and Becca Stadtlander then team up to textually and visually explain how the Western Interior Seaway was formed and then displaced by land once again.

A master of setting a scene that envelops children in mysterious landscapes, Melissa Stewart introduces readers to prehistoric sharks and other sea creatures that once populated the Western Interior Seaway. Portraying dramatic encounters between marine animals, Stewart brings to life the vitality of this ancient ocean while clearly outlining how the seaway came to be and receded again.

Becca Stadtlander’s stunning gouache illustrations immerse readers in the prehistoric period, providing perspective on the size of these marine animals and diving into the depths of the Western Internal Seaway to witness the awe-inspiring interactions among them. Tails flick, teeth are bared, and chomps are taken for food and defense. The images of above-ground proof of the seaway’s existence will also entice kids to learn more about this ancient phenomenon.

Sharks in Kansas is extremely well-designed, with most pages containing sidebars that present illustrations of and facts about the creatures featured in that spread. There’s no flipping back and forth to a glossary at the end to discover the information readers want to know and match with what they see in front of them.

Children will be surprised and entranced by the strong science, dynamic storytelling, and riveting illustrations found in Sharks in Kansas: The Ancient Sea in the Middle of America. The book is a must for all library collections and will be a pored-over favorite for kids fascinated by science, marine creatures, and history.

Ages 4 – 8

Random House Studio, 2026 | ISBN 978-0593904718

Melissa Stewart has written more than 200 science books for children, including Whale Fall, winner of the AAAS/Subaru Prize for Excellence in Science Books; Feathers: Not Just for Flying, an ALA Notable Book; and Pipsqueaks, Slowpokes, and Stinkers: Celebrating Animal Underdogs, an SCBWI Golden Kite Honor title. She co-authored 5 Kinds of Nonfiction: Enriching Reading and Writing Instruction with Children’s Books and edited the anthology Nonfiction Writers Dig Deep: 50 Award-Winning Authors Reveal the Secret of Engaging Writing. Melissa maintains the award-winning blog Celebrate Science and serves on the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators board of advisors. Visit her at melissa-stewart.com.

Becca Stadtlander is an illustrator and fine artist. In 2019, she won the Golden Kite Award for Picture Book Illustration for Made by Hand: A Crafts Sampler. Picture books she has illustrated include Mr. McCloskey’s Marvelous Mallards, Sleep Tight, Farm, and On Wings of Words, which received four starred reviews. Her work is also featured in adult books, editorial publications, stationery, home decor products, and book covers. Visit her at beccastadtlander.com.

Shark Week Activity

Fintastic Shark Fun

Dive into some shark fun with this shark fin craft! Just follow the directions below!

Supplies

2 pieces of 8.5 x 11 gray cardstock paper
Ribbon
Tape
Scissors
Pencil

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-shark-fin

Directions

Tape the top of the two pieces of paper together
Fold them back together
Measure an inch up from the bottom of the papers (the un-taped side) and trace a straight line across both papers
Trace a shark fin outline onto your paper. The shark outline should stop an inch above the bottom
Cut out the fin on both pieces of paper. If you should cut through the tape, re-tape the tops together
Fold along the lines of both papers so the folds face towards each other.
Tape the folds so the fin becomes a triangle
Cut two slits parallel to the folded lines
Thread ribbon through slits

Sharks in Kansas Coloring Page and Reading Guide

Families and educators can find a Sharks in Kansas coloring page as well as a Reading Guide on Melissa Stewart’s website.

You can purchase Sharks in Kansas: The Ancient Sea in the Middle of America from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

July 22 – National Moth Week

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Did you know that some moths are even more beautiful than butterflies? It’s true! Adorned in vibrant oranges, greens, blues, and reds and with patterns more intricate than the finest fabrics, moths are some of nature’s loveliest creatures. There are even moths that mimic hummingbirds—right down to the fast-beating wings and a looong proboscis that looks like a beak. During the summer, moths love visiting fragrant flower gardens. National Moth Week celebrates these unique insects from July 18 through July 26. This week and all during the summer, take a little time to really look at the moths in your yard and learn more about them and their habitats.

Thanks to Sleeping Bear Press for sending me a copy of An Extraordinary Ordinary Moth for review!

An Extraordinary Ordinary Moth

Written by Karlin Gray | Illustrated by Steliyana Doneva

As a grayish-brown moth flits among the leaves framed by the full moon, he says, “I’m an ordinary moth, / as you can plainly see. / A dusty, grayish, dull insect— / nothing-special me.” Comparing himself to the Luna Moth “who floats in graceful green” and to the Spider Moth who’s “so cool at Halloween!,” he’s disappointed to be so much smaller than the Atlas Moth and not as pretty as a butterfly.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-an-extraordinary-ordinary-moth-luna — Image copyright Steliyana Doneva, 2018, text copyright Karlin Gray, 2018. Courtesy of Sleeping Bear Press.

But then a little boy runs through the yard shouting “‘A moth! A moth!’” The moth freezes against a wall, afraid and unsure and hoping to hide. But when the moth sees the excitement in the boy’s eyes, he moves “toward his joyful light.” He lands in the boy’s hands, uncertain still if he’ll be shooed away. And sure enough, the boy’s sister screams, “‘Ew, a bug!’” She swats at her brother’s hand, and the moth flies off.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-an-extraordinary-ordinary-moth-hiding — Image copyright Steliyana Doneva, 2018, text copyright Karlin Gray, 2018. Courtesy of Sleeping Bear Press.

The moth hears the boy correct his sister and insists “‘he’s my favorite kind!’” The moth then realizes that the boy is trailing him wherever he goes, watching. The boy’s sister thinks the moth is nothing special, but he disagrees. And as the moth alights on his finger, he shows her why. What looks like dust are really “‘scales that keep him warm at night” and have other beneficial features.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-an-extraordinary-ordinary-moth-web — Image copyright Steliyana Doneva, 2018, text copyright Karlin Gray, 2018. Courtesy of Sleeping Bear Press.

Hearing these facts, his sister is a bit more interested, but she still thinks his color is “kind of blah.” The boy explains that the moth is the color of tree bark and can camouflage himself during the day while he sleeps. Then at night he’s ready to fly, guided by moonlight and the scents he smells through his antennae. Now the little girl thinks the moth is pretty cool. She calls their mom to come and see, and when Mom wants to know what bug they found, “the girl says, ‘Mom—a moth’s an insect, / and our favorite kind!’”

Suddenly proud, the moth soars through the moonlight with a new self image—“So how ‘bout THAT?! / I’m someone’s FAVORITE! / Little grayish me— / proof of how / EXTRAORDINARY / ordinary can be.”

Back matter includes Ten Extraordinary Facts about Moths as well as an activity for constructing a Moth-Observation Box.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-an-extraordinary-ordinary-moth-mom — Image copyright Steliyana Doneva, 2018, text copyright Karlin Gray, 2018. Courtesy of Sleeping Bear Press.

Through her vivacious rhymes, Karlin Gray elevates the “ordinary” back-porch moth to star status with fascinating facts that will lure kids to discover more. The conversational verses echo a sweet sibling relationship while the moth, overhearing them, begins to appreciate himself. The bookending of the children’s story with the moth’s thoughts—first comparing himself to other moths and later realizing his own merits—will encourage readers to think about both the nature of nature and the importance of positive interactions with others. Told from the moth’s point of view, the story also has a deeper meaning, reminding readers that, like this moth, people also have special talents that make them exceptional. Taking extra time to really learn about another’s unique qualities and to get to know them is exciting and has benefits for all.

Steliyana Doneva’s gorgeous illustrations of moths and butterflies will dazzle insect-loving kids and convert the more squeamish. Doneva captures each delicate marking and texture of the little grayish moth as it flits in the light and camouflages itself on the wall and tree. The moth is also well spotlighted against Doneva’s vibrant backyard oasis where the little boy and his sister discover him. Nighttime scenes sparkle with starlight, and the full moon brings out the rich blues of an evening sky. The boy’s enthusiasm for moths and nature is infectious and will captivate young readers, enticing them to look closer at the world around them.

An Extraordinary Ordinary Moth is a beautiful, eye-opening book that would spur further discovery for nature and science lovers at home and in science or STEM classrooms.

Ages 4 – 8

Sleeping Bear Press, 2018 | ISBN 978-1-58536-372-8

Karlin Gray is not a lepidopterist―a scientist who studies moths and butterflies. But when her son announced that the moth was his favorite insect, she decided to take a closer look at the little creature. When she did, she learned some extraordinary things and was inspired to write An Ordinary Moth. Karlin is also the author of Nadia: The Girl Who Couldn’t Sit Still. She lives in Connecticut with her family. Visit her at karlingray.com.

Steliyana Doneva is a children’s book illustrator living in Sofia, Bulgaria. Her love of painting and drawing started in early childhood. Steliyana studied applied arts in Sofia, specializing in children’s toys. Then she graduated with a degree in graphic arts, where she found her love for children’s book illustration. Steliyana is very happy to be an illustrator for children’s books. By doing this she is immersed in a beautiful fairy-tale world where the soul can fly without restraint. Follow her on Instagram.

National Moth Week Activity

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-tree-branch-with-white-cocoons

Beautiful Moths Board Game

Moths go through many stages of metamorphosis—from egg to caterpillar to cocoon— before they finally emerge as a moth. In this game, help six moths emerge from their cocoons to win!

Supplies

Printable Tree Branch Game Board Template
Printable Moth Cards
Printable Moth Playing Die

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-moth-cards

Directions

Print a Tree Branch Game Board and set of Moth Cards for each player
Print one Moth Playing Die
Choose a player to go first
The first player rolls the die and places the matching moth card on one of the cocoons on the Tree Branch Game Board
Play then moves to the player on the left
Players continue to roll the die and place moths on each cocoon
If a player rolls a moth that they already have placed on their game board, they pass the die to the next player and wait for their next turn.
The player who fills their Tree Branch with moths first is the winner

You can find An Extraordinary Ordinary Moth at these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

July 20 – Global Hug Your Kids Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Today’s holiday may be the easiest on the calendar to celebrate! It’s purpose is simple—to show your child or children how much you love them by giving them a hug! And why stop at just one? Such closeness builds strong family bonds, helps with a child’s brain development and social and emotional learning, and even has benefits for their physical health. To celebrate today (and every day!) give your kids hugs throughout the day and tell them how much and why you love them!

Hello, Baby

By Sandra Magsamen

Every day seems to go by so fast! What with work at the office or from home, chores to do, shopping, or just trying to stick to a schedule, it’s a lot. And if you have a baby or toddler, the hours can fly by without even a moment to slow down and spend some snuggle time together. Sandra Magsamen understands! Her delightful board books are written to fit into busy schedules while expressing that special love you and your baby share.

Hello, Baby, Magsamen’s newest book, is as warm as a hug and filled with endearments that ensure little ones know how much they mean to their family and how much they are loved. Joyful rhymes are matched with adorable illustrations of smiling characters and bright colors for a peppy read aloud that will swell a child’s as well as adult readers’ hearts. Short and sweet, Hello, Baby is perfect for cuddly respites during the day—at snack time, nap or bedtime, to dry tears, or whenever an opportunity arises to share a special moment together.

Hello, Baby will be a much-loved addition to home libraries for new parents, grandparents and other family members as well as a favorite for public libraries and daycare centers.

Ages Baby – 3

Cartwheel Books, 2026 | ISBN 978-1546183945

About the Author

Sandra Magsamen is the author and illustrator of over 75 books for young children including I Love You, Honey Bunny, You’re My Little Chickadee, and Our Little Love Bug! As an artist, an art therapist, and a mom, she uses her creativity to remind people to express themselves and connect with others. Her lifestyle brands, products, and books are sold worldwide. Visit her at sandramagsamen.com.

Global Hug Your Kids Day Activity

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-hug-coupons

Free Hug Coupons

Everyone needs a hug now and then! With these printable Free Hug Coupons you can extend Global Hug Your Kids day to everyone in your family every day of the year! Why not fill a jar with these coupons and display it so that all your favorite people can get a sweet hug whenever they need it most.

You can purchase Hello, Baby from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

July 16 – Wild About Wildlife Month

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

The theme of this month-long holiday is simple: it’s all about wildlife. Whether you like mammals, birds, fish, or insects best, July is the time to celebrate the wondrous diversity of our planet’s wildlife. We may be halfway through the month, but you and your kids still have lots of time to explore the wildlife in your area and learn about the creatures that populate all parts of our world. Today’s book takes a humorous look at what you might expect—or not—during your explorations!

Thank you to Tundra Books for sending me a copy of this book for review!

Whale, That Was Unexpected

Written by Casey Lyall | Illustrated by Kathryn Durst

Every day of her long, long, long life, Maude—a bit cranky after all these long, long years—fished the “open sea.” Today was no different as she and her dog, Claude, stepped aboard the “trusty little boat” and left the harbor. “After all these years, Maude had seen everything,” that is until she, Claude, and their boat were swallowed by a whale. Inside the dark recesses of this behemoth, Maude lifted her lantern and took stock of the flotsam and jetsam floating below.

Illustration copyright © 2026 by Kathryn Durst. Text copyright © by Casey Lyall. Courtesy of Tundra Books.

Maude knew just what to do. She strung decorations, brewed tea, made snacks, and painted a sign that read: “Farewell Maude + Claude.” She unfurled the sign from the bridge and asked the narrator to “do the honors” for their going away party. The narrator obliged—barely. “Farewell, Maude. Farewell, Claude.” Maude was unimpressed. The narrator obliged—better: “Farewell, Maude, a grand old dame. Farewell, Claude, sixth of his name. Farewell, trusty little boat.”

But the whale wasn’t satisfied with crusty Maude and faithful Claude, and their boat was, apparently, too little. It sucked in an octopus and a crab, each requiring their own eulogies. The whale swallowed again . . . and again. It was getting tricky updating the sign. Even the narrator was slowing down. But once more, from the top, the party got into full swing. As the whale quieted, though, Maude decided “that’s all she wrote.” She lit the candle on the celebratory sandwich, which made the whale “Ah, ah, AH”—sneeze! Through the blowhole, the little boat shot into the air and safety. But is there something else lurking?

Casey Lyall’s nautical treasure sails along on deadpan humor, fueled by Maude’s cantankerous intrusions into the narrator’s storytelling and blasé acceptance of each newcomer. The cumulative eulogy is all the funnier for the interruptions and shenanigans of the growing crew, and both kids and adults will have a blast starting and restarting this hilarious send-off. Maude’s prompt for the narrator to speed up makes reading Lyall’s perfectly rhyming and rhythmic ode even more fun.

As kids set out to sea with Kathryn Durst’s sturdy Maude and her sidekick Claude, they’ll be charmed by and completely invested in this humorous duo. Durst gives them all the comforts of home on their “trusty little boat” as tea is formally laid on a barrel table and a tufted armchair and bucket footstool await calm seas. The first view of the whale is cleverly ominous, building suspense. The pair’s farewell pathos will have readers giggling, and as the doomed crew expands, their resigned acceptance of their fate provides plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. The final scenes just off the lovely coastal town offer surprise and delight.

Whale, That Was Unexpected is the catch you don’t want to let get away. Funny and loaded with personality, this fresh read aloud is one that kids and adults will love to share over and over.

Ages 4 – 8

Tundra Books, 2026 | ISBN 978-1774883617

About the Author

Casey Lyall lives in Southwestern Ontario where she also works at her local library (and waits for management to discover they’re actually paying her to have fun). When she’s not writing, Casey loves to bake, doodle and learn extremely groan-worthy jokes to tell her friends. Casey is the author of the humorous middle-grade mystery series Howard Wallace, P.I. and books A Spoonful of Frogs and Vampire Jam Sandwich. Visit her at caseylyall.com.

About the Illustrator

Kathryn Durst is a graduate of Sheridan College in Ontario, Canada. She has a background in animation, having interned with Pixar Animation Studios. Kathryn has illustrated numerous children’s books, including You’re In Good Paws, the Polite Predators books and the #1 New York Times bestseller from Paul McCartney, Hey Grandude! When she is not illustrating books, she can be found playing the accordion, growing vegetables, folk dancing or putting on shadow puppet shows. She lives in Toronto, Canada, with her grumpy mini dachshund named Chili Dog. Follow her on Instagram.

Wild About Wildlife Month Activity

Whaley Cute Bookmark

Don’t go fishing around for the last page you read! Use this Whaley Cute Bookmark instead!

You can purchase Whale, That Was Unexpected from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

About the Holiday

Max Beast: Sharknado Warning

By Maddy Mara

Shark Week Activity

Shark Organizer Jar Craft

Share this:

About the Holiday

Ghost Town in the Mountains

Written by Lynn Becker | Illustrated by Roland Garrigue

National Climb a Mountain Day Activity

Ghost Town in the Mountains Coloring Page

Share this:

About the Holiday

Enough to Share

Written by Mary Helen Berg | Illustrated by Sue Todd

World Nature Conservation Day Activity

Spirit Bear Coloring Pages from the Royal BC Museum

Share this:

About the Holiday

Sharks in Kansas: The Ancient Sea in the Middle of America

Written by Melissa Stewart | Illustrated by Becca Stadtlander

Shark Week Activity

Fintastic Shark Fun

Sharks in Kansas Coloring Page and Reading Guide

Share this:

About the Holiday

An Extraordinary Ordinary Moth

Written by Karlin Gray | Illustrated by Steliyana Doneva

National Moth Week Activity

Beautiful Moths Board Game

Share this:

About the Holiday

Hello, Baby

By Sandra Magsamen

Global Hug Your Kids Day Activity

Free Hug Coupons

Share this:

About the Holiday

Whale, That Was Unexpected

Written by Casey Lyall | Illustrated by Kathryn Durst

Wild About Wildlife Month Activity

Whaley Cute Bookmark

Share this: