Rutabaga's Reads 2026: Part 9

Welcome to this year’s first “Happy Hodgepodge” post! I started working on it in the last third of 2025. At least for now, these Hodgepodge posts will continue to feature stories for young and younger readers, which can so easily be overlooked compared to their middle-grade and YA “older sibling” counterparts. What have you been reading so far in 2026? Any recommendations?

100 Things to Know About Food (Nov. 4, 2025) by Sam Baer et al.

   Federico Mariani & Parko Polo, illustrators.

Junior nonfiction book.

This is a book filled with 100 facts about food. They are all fun and fascinating, and some may seem so out there as to be fantastical. For example, did you know that handkerchiefs and radiators are types of pasta? Yes! Handkerchiefs = fazzoletti and radiators = radiatore. Or that can openers were invented 48 years after the invention of cans? Find that hammer and chisel. Did you know that three billion cups of tea are drunk every day all over the world? Per person, Turkey leads the charge, followed by Ireland and the UK. How about that Michelin stars were invented to sell cars? Or that a fungal disease makes corn more nutritious? Hello, huitlacoche (or “corn smut,” which tastes “like a cross between mushrooms and corn”). A mud pie could be a healthy snack (if prepared properly) and milk from sleepy cows actually makes you sleepy!

            Beyond early-reader nonfiction, this is a junior nonfiction title, chock-full of 100 food facts. I knew a smattering of them, but there was a whole lot that I learned, too. The infographic-style illustrations catch the eyes with their bright, colorful palettes and varied page layouts. Some of the infographics take up the entire spread AND one might even have to turn the book the long way! The facts are fascinating and not because they’re designed to be, but because they just are. It’s an excellent book to read or peruse, and it’s definitely not only for older youth. Certainly not all of those facts made me hungry, but several of them did. Is it time for tea yet?

Earl & Worm: Snow Problem and Other Stories (Nov. 11, 2025) by Greg Pizzoli.

Early-Reader fiction chapter book.

<This is the third book in a series.>

In this collection of three stories, Earl and Worm are best friends, but it isn’t “snow” easy for Worm to wish Earl a happy birthday as evidenced in Snow Problem. Worm is excited to give Earl birthday wishes, but there’s snow to shovel and a path to salt. Earl gets what he’s always wanted in The Perfect Present. A camera! It gives him and Worm 10 pictures (like Polaroids), but none of them are turning out perfect. And then, in The Perfect Wish, Earl won’t tell Worm right away what he’s wished for in case it doesn’t come true. Worm becomes paranoid and fears that Earl wishes she’d made a different cake. Or, new fear unlocked, maybe he wishes he had a new best friend?!

            The second early-reader collection that I’ve read from Pizzoli is perfect for reading aloud and is accompanied by uncomplicated but complementing illustrations. The collection is simple but fun. Each story reminds readers of something different: how excitement may not be matched at the exact same time, that something perfect may not look exactly so and how a mind can find the worst scenario out of worry instead of waiting patiently for the answer. It is another charming story collection, and I’m glad that my local library carries it.

            Also by Greg Pizzoli: Earl & Worm: The Bad Idea and Other Stories

Fairy Tale Fixers: Cinderella (Aug. 12, 2025) by Deborah Underwood.

   Jorge Lacera, illustrator.

Junior fiction graphic novel.

<This is the first graphic novel in a series.>

Zicka Bicka Bow! Zacka Backa Bean! Zooka Booka Bim! Fairy is a rodent detective in a trench coat, and Mouse hires him to fix a fairy tale. Cinderella lives in a house with a stepmother and two stepsisters, and they are always so loud. They shout all the time! They shout when they’re mad, they shout when they’re happy. They shout when they’re elated about going to a royal ball where the prince plans to find a wife. Fairy and Mouse come to Cinderella’s “rescue” by swishing her into a ballgown, whisking her into a pumpkin carriage (“Uh–I was planning to bake a pie with that, but okay.”) and granting footman status to a cockroach. Also, she has big feet. Prince Edward, far from charming, is a “blathering banana brain.” Cinderella’s dream is NOT to marry a prince, though Phil, who doesn’t get out much (or ever), is, happily, quite the opposite of his princely cousin. The Fairy Tale Fixers will fix the story up, but it’s not the happily ever after you think you know.

            I’m always up for a fairy tale twist, though I didn’t foresee that I’d capture one in graphic novel form. This Case File #1 in The Fairy Tale Fixers is craftily imagined and wonderfully retold. Naturally, it reads quickly due to a lack of words compared to full novels, but the pacing is energetic, the colorful illustrations are playful, and the overreactions are dramatic. It’s an entertaining, high-octane adventure that buzzes with charm, wit and snark. It’s a winning series opener. Does anybody want pancakes?

This Book is About Nothing (Nov. 25, 2025) by Marco Anderson.

   Erica Salcedo, illustrator.

Children’s picture book.

Young Rio declares that this book is about absolutely nothing. It’ll be peaceful, and his quiet will be uninterrupted. So, naturally, everyone disrupts his story. From a turtle wearing a pot on its head to a dragon with an impressive beard and a unicorn with a flowing rainbow mane, it’s chaos. Rio wants it to STOP. The turtle thinks nothing is boring. Why can’t this book be about everything?

            Zip. Zero. Zilch. Rio has main character energy but in an introvert’s body. It’s a speedy story, but an entertaining one. The illustrations are wonderful accompaniments. There are “boring” pages with not much on them and busier pages infused with color and commotion. The story is simple, so it won’t overwhelm young readers, but also tastefully imaginative. I didn’t know this when I checked out the book from the library, but the author is a 14-year-old!

What Is Lunar New Year? (Dec. 2, 2025) by Vivian Jun Kirklin.

   Gregory Copeland, illustrator.

Early-Reader nonfiction chapter book.

<This is an official Who HQ book.>

Learn how many Asian communities celebrate Lunar New Year in Asia and around the world and how celebrations have evolved in major cities outside Asia like San Francisco, New York City and London. The book covers everything from the Chinese Zodiac animals to modern celebrations to the meaning of red envelopes in various cultures, the significance of honoring one’s ancestors and cleaning to sweep away bad luck. Readers learn about celebrations in other countries. For example, it isn’t called Lunar New Year in Korea, but Seollal. In Vietnam, it’s Tết Nguyên Đán (or Tết for short), and in Thailand, it’s Songkran, to name a few. It’s an important and beloved holiday, and this book looks to share its significance widely.

            Always informative in an easily understood way, this Who HQ series book celebrates a holiday that is culturally significant to over a billion people on this planet. Marketed as a book for young readers, its value isn’t only for the young, but for anyone who wants and needs to learn more, not just about holidays in other countries, but ones that may be happening in their own states. Kirklin’s writing and Copeland’s illustrations celebrate the gift of Lunar New Year and the first new moon of the year. If you’re fortunate enough to live in or near a big city that celebrates, I encourage you to join in the festivities!

Rutabaga's Reads 2025: Part 20

The year will soon come to a close, but here I am with a second “Happy Hodgepodge” post! As with previous Hodgepodge posts, this is geared for younger readers. What would a Hodgepodge post look like to you? What sorts of genres and age groups would you include?

The Fintastical Tales of Mari A. Fisch: Mermaid Mission (May 27, 2025) by Monica Brown.

   Emily Mendoza, illustrator.

Junior fiction chapter book.

<This is the first book in a series.>

Mermaid Mari Triton is trading in her mermaid tail for human legs and the moniker Mari A. Fisch. She’s been sent on a top secret mission by her parents above water a.k.a. on land. Her dad is King Adair Eryx Neptune Triton of the Land of Mer in the Kingdom of Oceana. Mari is investigating why humans pollute the ocean, but it’s a super confusing mission. Humans aren’t easy to comprehend. Her host sister, Stevie, worries about something called “popularity” and being cold, er, “cool.” And what’s this about having to be funny-mean, which is totally different from mean-mean? How can Mari complete her mission in getting people on land to care about the ocean when all they seem to care about are themselves? At least she has Blub the blobfish – undercover as Blub the bulldog – with her.

            Mermaid magic and relatable elementary school tussles combine in The Fintastical Tales of Mari A. Fisch series opener. This fantasy features playful, black-and-white illustrations, and the writing is manageable for emergent readers. The dozen chapters are all brief and end with a progress bar. Mari’s naivete in the human world offers good-natured humor, while the story overall gives caring guidance in navigating the bumps of growing up. This is a sincere introduction for the promotion of environmentalism. Even when readers don’t live near an ocean, there’s still plenty to be done to reduce waste and understand the importance of recycling and upcycling.

            P.S. I thought the end bit regarding the total reading progress was a fantastical idea! I would love knowing how many words I’ve read in each book I’ve read over the years. In this one, I read 5,783 words.

Jazzy the Witch in Broom Doom (July 15, 2025) by Jessixa Bagley.

Junior fiction graphic novel.

<This is the first graphic novel in a series.>

Thorny squashbottoms! In a town full of witches, Jazzy Ophelia La Luna St. James has always been unique. Her two moms and her grandma run the town’s broom (or besom) shop, but she has zero interest in flying. When it comes to flying lessons, to her extreme embarrassment in class, she’s unsuccessful. At the Enchantra School of Craft, Jazzy simply doesn’t excel (e.g. she forgets spells in spell-ing a.k.a. spellcasting). She acts as though it’s no big deal, especially once she discovers that she was born to cycle (i.e. ride a bicycle), until she goes one straw too far and Aggie, her best friend, puts her in her place with words and a spell. Despite Fiona, her pet bat, reminding her of her dire need to practice flying, she ignores her wise pleas. Fiona also hides her love of cycling from her two moms and Granny Titch (Mama Esmeralda’s mom), thinking there’s no way they can understand her love of cycling and her not-love of besoms. When the night before the Supermoon and the special flying parade are “suddenly” here, a desperate Jazzy goes to Aggie for help. Aggie, still hurt and angry at Jazzy, tells her, “You want to be your own witch? Then figure this out for yourself.” In tears, she meets Mimms, an older witch with her own unique interest, and is later reminded that, “A true witch makes her own magic.” Can she find the magic within herself in time for the Supermoon parade? Or will she be the only one with her besom still on the ground?

            I’m not familiar with this author/illustrator, and I don’t consistently read graphic novels, but this one is a delight. Bagley’s graphic novel about a young witch struggling with expectations versus her own passion is so realistic and very on par in our contemporary, very un-magical world. Young or young-at-heart, questions about who to be and how to be can pop up at any age. Bagley writes the affirming story in a way that’s playful with a darker color palette (purple, green, charcoal), the characters emotive and sweetly witchy. Themes explored include honesty and self-confidence. Jazzy is often one-track and narrow-minded, thus subtly encouraging readers to understand and embrace flaws as well as strengths. It’s a lively series opener.

Pumpkin Party: Ready-to-Read Level 2 (July 15, 2025) by Joe McGee.

   Ethan Long, illustrator.

Early-Reader fiction chapter book.

<This is part of an unnumbered series.>

With Halloween coming means party preparation is underway at Castle Dracula. Youths Vampyra, Franky and Wolfy are very excited. They have the wonderful idea to each choose a pumpkin from the castle’s pumpkin patch, carve them up and set small lights in them for the pumpkin-carving contest. They excitedly pick out their preferred pumpkin, but the pumpkins aren’t having it. Be carved with tools? No, thank you! Vampyra, Franky and Wolfy are disappointed. They really think decorating pumpkins will be fun. What if they can decorate them without having to carve them? Might they still pull off a pageant featuring the pumpkin patch?

            The not-at-all spooky Halloween story in the Junior Monster Scouts series is sweet and thoughtful. For anyone who enjoys Halloween, this story will be right up their alley, perhaps inspiring them to host a Halloween party, come up with the coolest costume, best games and awesome contests. It’s themed around finding a solution to an unexpected issue with the monster youth exhibiting thoughtful consideration of the pumpkins. The illustrations are bold with a twilight setting to help capture the sweet monsters and giving it a spooky, but not ever downright scary, edge. Now, who’s ready to decorate some pumpkins?

The Smart Cookie (Nov. 2, 2021) by Jory John.

   Pete Oswald, illustrator.

Children’s picture book.

<This is the fifth book in a series.>

On the corner of Sweet Street in a bakery near a river lives a cookie who hasn’t always felt smart. Cookie didn’t get the best grades. Cookie once wrote “doe” instead of “dough.” Another time, she added instead of subtracted. It felt like, “…my desk was a raft and that I was completely lost at sea.” When Ms. Biscotti assigns the class to create something original, Cookie is stressed until the right idea pops up. Not only will Cookie discover that one doesn’t have to be great at everything, she’ll also discover that one can be smart in many ways. Just like the Smart Cookie she is.

            The fifth book in the Food Group series whisks anxiety and insecurity with growing splashes of confidence and a generous portion of creativity to bake a delightful confection that is this picture book. It’s relatable, and John’s honeyed puns work well with Oswald’s playful, buoyant illustrations. There’s no room on this menu for woe. The story serves a plate of empowering and uplifting lessons and shows readers that we don’t need to measure ourselves by our successes. We all enjoy different things and are good at different things, and that is what makes us all smart cookies.

Where Is Tornado Alley? (Jan. 7, 2025) by Wes Locher.

   Dede Putra, illustrator.

Early-Reader nonfiction chapter book.

<This is an official Who HQ book.>

The term “Tornado Alley” was coined in 1948 after Captain Robert Miller and Major Ernest Fawbush did a cram session of studying tornadic patterns around Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma. They determined that many tornadoes in the United States were concentrated in states like Texas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Kansas and Iowa, though tornadoes aren’t exclusive to certain states. There are no official boundaries for Tornado Alley. It’s simply a nickname that “refers to an approximately 500,000-square-mile area within the United States.” This Where Is? book gives readers a history of Tornado Alley, the shift in tornadic patterns since Fawbush & Miller coined the term and advises readers on how to respond when there is a tornado in one’s area (and no, it isn’t to jump in your vehicle and be a storm chaser ... unless, of course, that is your passion and you have the armored vehicle and equipment to support it). The book also explains how tornadoes are formed and more.

            No matter where we live, we’ve all experienced weather phenomena. Minnesota has been my home virtually all my life, so tornado season has never been the exception, but the expectation. As with all Who HQ books, this one is informative in an easily understandable way (they are, after all, geared for youth ages 8-12). Tornadoes are impressive, but they are intimidating and terrifying, and the destruction they can cause should never be taken lightly. It’s an educational book that keeps the attention of the reader with illustrations and riveting facts. There’ll be no storm chasing for me, though. I’ll leave that to the passionate professionals.

Rutabaga's Reads 2025: Part 14

Welcome to 2025’s “Happy Hodgepodge” post! This is the first of what I hope will be two Hodgepodge posts this year, despite the fact that it’s already September. What are you currently reading?

Cat & Cat Adventures: The Staff of Knowledge (July 23, 2024) by Susie Yi.

Junior fiction graphic novel.

<This is the fourth graphic novel in a series.>

The cats of the Spirit Task Force, Squash and Ginny, are preparing for another mission when Magnus, Lotus and Fern arrive. Magnus informs them that the Staff of Knowledge, once hidden in the Starry Sea, is now in the Human World. When Squash tries to celebrate finding it, the three orbs scatter, and the Spirit World starts leaking into the Human World. “The surge of magic has ripped the fabric between them.” It’s a disaster. They trace the first orb to the dreaded vet clinic. They’re not the only ones trying to obtain the orb. There’s a troublesome kangaroo rat, and there are helpful crows called Kee and Caw. What is their connection to the Staff of Knowledge? Hijinks are sure to ensue, though a sea of buttery popcorn from the fabled Popcorn Island probably isn’t so bad.

            Fans of cats and lovers of cuteness will want to soak up this Cat & Cat adventure if they haven’t already. The lesson is understanding that it’s okay to ask for help, that even when you think it’s your fault something happened doesn’t mean you need to rectify it all on your own. The bright, colorful illustrations and adorably drawn characters delightfully complement the sparse writing. It’s an entertaining, hijinks-filled adventure for emerging readers and those readers who are young-at-heart looking for something quick and enjoyable to read.

            Book 1: The Quest for Snacks

            Book 2: The Goblet of Infinity

            Book 3: Journey into Unibear City

Earl & Worm: The Bad Idea and Other Stories (Apr. 1, 2025) by Greg Pizzoli.

Early-Reader fiction chapter book.

<This is the first book in a series.>

In this collection of three stories, Earl and Worm are best friends, but their start is rocky, as highlighted in Lemonade. Earl is a happy-go-lucky early-bird who enjoys music and talking. Meanwhile, Worm is cranky and doesn’t like new things. When The Bad Idea comes around, Earl and Worm are solid friends, but the unexpected happens when a “very, very sneaky” idea becomes a bad idea and a lesson is also learned. And in The Poem, Earl and Worm are longtime friends. Worm is trying to come up with the perfect finish to her poem, which she thinks should rhyme. When Earl’s suggestions aren’t as helpful as Worm wishes, she storms off. But what if perfection isn’t in the rhyming, but in telling the truth?

            Watching their friendship grow and unfold is like watching flowers bloom on a sunny day. The humor is dry but sweet and the stories for early readers simple but entertaining. The text is good for read-alouds, and the illustrations are colorful and friendly. These stories showcase the ups and downs of friendship while managing to be delightful and emphasize that seeming opposites can not only coexist but be strong friends and learn from one another. What a charming early reader debut from Pizzoli!

Mindy Kim and the Fun Family Vacation (Apr. 29, 2025) by Lyla Lee.

   Dung Ho, illustrator.

Junior fiction chapter book.

<This is the twelfth and final book in a series.>

Adventure is set to begin. Mindy and her family are in Korea, and it’s baby Charlie’s first international trip. Mindy’s most excited to visit Jeju Island, as it’s her first trip there, but the journey is off to a bumpy start. First, Charlie won’t stop crying on the plane, then it’s pouring rain. She wants to visit Hallasan (Mount Halla in English), Korea’s biggest mountain, and meet haenyeo, Jeju Island’s female free divers. (Some haenyeo can dive up to 60 feet deep without any equipment!) Jeju is so fascinating. Once its own country, locals speak the Jeju dialect, which is similar to Korean (e.g. harabeoji is grandfather in Korean and hareubang is grandfather in Jeju-mal). Jeju also has guardian statues made of volcanic rock, also referred to as hareubang. Mindy’s first visit to Jeju Island is set to be memorable, but will it be for the wrong reasons?

            The final chapter book in the Mindy Kim series ends how it should. The story looks like it’s swiveling toward in-the-eyes-of-a-child disaster before its tidy, positive wrap-up. This series has been a delight to read and meaningful to me, a Korean American (though I’m an adoptee with no connection to either birth parent). It’s realistic fiction for a youthful audience, engaging and absorbing, but easily accessible, and it may introduce some readers to another culture. It’s a valuable series highlighting family, culture, diversity and life lessons.

Mindy Kim Books 1-5: A compilation post

Mindy Kim Book 6: Mindy Kim and the Big Pizza Challenge

Mindy Kim Book 7: Mindy Kim and the Fairy-Tale Wedding

Mindy Kim Books 8-10: A compilation post

            Mindy Kim Book 11: Mindy Kim, Big Sister

One Drop (Mar. 11, 2025) by Kaitlin Sikes.

   Mel Cerri, illustrator.

Children’s picture book.

Zing! Zap! Plop! One drop of water waits to make its journey from cloud to aquifer, tributary to lake, eventually making it to the Atlantic Ocean. This one drop passes by an iceberg, rushes over an underwater waterfall and takes a turn into a mud castle moat. One day, the one drop “evaporates up, up, up into the clouds, where it waits…” What happens next?

            This adorable picture book is a visually dynamic story. Cerri’s illustrations are simple yet bold and vibrant. Despite the confines of a storybook, the art manages to feel expansive, the one drop’s enthusiasm evident as it traverses the world. I also really enjoy Cerri’s lettering art. Sikes’ prose is easy to follow along with, while encouraging young readers to understand terms like aquifer and estuary. There is educational backmatter to provide additional facts.

What Is the Story of Cinderella? (Feb. 4, 2025) by Dana Meachen Rau.

   David Malan, illustrator.

Early-Reader nonfiction chapter book.

<This is an official Who HQ book.>

Most know the story of Cinderella or Disney’s version of it, which is inspired by Charles Perrault’s famous version. The pumpkin carriage, the animals transformed into footmen, a fairy godmother and twinkling glass slippers. But do you know Rhodopis, Ye Xian or Zezolla? The variations of Cinderella stories over millennia is varied, but they all involve lost footwear. Multiple versions highlight kindness in spite of hardship and harsh treatment. Others are more “Grimm” and definitely involve bloody messes. The best-known versions are mentioned alongside lesser-known ones. There’s also a chapter dedicated to those actresses (and an actor) who have brought Cinderella to life from stage to screen.

            One of the many writers of Who HQ stories brings to the page one of the most well-known Disney princesses and her literary origins that began long before her animated film debut. The slim, early-reader nonfiction volume is informative yet dazzling and entertains across cultures and continents. Cinderella’s story – no matter the version or the original language – is there to charm and to inspire. It’s also for dreamers (singing A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes) and those who “keep building up impossible hopes.” I don’t need a prince, but I wouldn’t say no to attending a ball!

Rutabaga's Reads 2024: Part 12

Because all of these books are short and follow the level and genre theme of the first Hodgepodge post of 2024, I decided to complete a second Hodgepodge compilation. I love that there are books for all reading levels. Don’t knock them because they’re geared for youth. All readers must start at the beginning. I had to. You had to. We all have to!

All the Books (Oct. 1, 2024) by Hayley Rocco.

   John Rocco, illustrator.

Children’s picture book.

Chipmunk Piper Waterstone loves books so much that she takes hers everywhere she goes. She never leaves home without them. She also never shares them, not even with her friend Gregory, a raccoon. He decides to visit the library instead, which Piper does not understand the value of, as she’s never stepped foot in a library. Until her worst day, when her personal collection gets soaked by the rain. The local librarian, a kindly mole, invites her in out of the rain, and Piper is in awe of all the books the library holds. He explains that the books are hers, but also everyone’s. Having a library card only works if everyone is willing to share the library’s books. Is Piper ready for a library card?

             “All the Books” is an adorable ode to reading, libraries, librarians and sharing. Reading as Piper’s worst day becomes her best day is a delight with Hayley’s writing and John’s rich, warm illustrations. The anthropomorphized animals look to exist in a charming town with a honeyed, old-fashioned air. There are no iPhones in this story. The problem-solving is the warm-fuzzy type, but since this story is geared for four-to-eight-year-olds, that is not a detriment to this sweet tale.

The Mystery of the Snow Puppy (Jan. 1, 2022) by Fran Manushkin.

   Tammie Lyon, illustrator.

Early-Reader fiction chapter book.

<This is part of an unnumbered series.>

Kids everywhere dream of having their own pet, and Katie Woo is no exception. Katie has a new puppy named Koko, but the little white puppy is lost. Along with Pedro, the two best friends investigate. Many times the pair think they’re hot on Koko’s trail, but the clues don’t lead to her. Like any seasoned detectives, they don’t give up. “Burgers for supper!” might be a clue to solving this mystery.

            This Early-Reader (E-R) mystery is the perfect length for emergent readers wanting to read on their own and for those readers who like to solve mysteries along with the book’s characters. The text is simple with complementing, unfussy illustrations. The endpages include a Glossary, tips regarding mysteries, story questions and a guide on how to survey animal tracks.

Pizza and Taco: Best Christmas Ever! (Oct. 1, 2024) by Stephen Shaskan.

Junior fiction graphic novel.

<This is the eighth graphic novel in a series.>

For best friends Pizza and Taco (and for us, too, not coincidentally), Christmastime is approaching, and their lists detail everything that they expect Santa Slaw to bring them. They will spend the next few months being good children. They’ll even be pleasant toward Cheeseburger! When Pizza is disappointed that he didn’t receive everything on his Christmas list, and Taco mentions that he didn’t, either, they manage to turn their disappointment into positivity and festivity.

            This is my first Pizza and Taco graphic novel, and it’s a simple delight. Shaskan’s dialogue is unfussy, the story’s structure is uncomplicated, and his digital collage Photoshop illustrations are unpretentious. Fans will be reading this, especially as Christmas soon approaches, and beginning readers will be able to do much of the reading on their own. For those who are looking for a religious story, this is not it. It has a secular focus on Christmas festivities and gifts with a smidge of showing goodwill toward others.

The Quest of Danger (Nov. 7, 2023) by Stuart Gibbs.

   Stacy Curtis, illustrator.

Middle-grade illustrated fantasy fiction.

<This is the fourth book in a series.>

<Alert: Spoilers for those who haven’t read the previous stories.>

The peasant-turned-knight, Tim, and his ragtag crew of friends, Belinda the peasant-also-turned-knight-by-pretending-to-be-a-boy, Ferkle the highly intelligent village idiot (it’s the family business), Princess Grace of Merryland and Rover the fr-dog, have been rescued from certain death by Princess Piscina, a Kingdom of Merland princess. In return for rescuing them, her father, King Neptuna, obligates them to retrieve his stolen trident. They will journey to the magnificent city of Atlantis, which is the safest city on Earth and should never do anything like sink. Along the way, there will be krakens, plus a Cyclops with “no depth perception” and who’s “probably myopic.” When they reach Atlantis, they’ll have to confront their nemesis, Prince Ruprecht, and his evil, so-called-wizard adviser, Nerlim. Prince Ruprecht is scheming, which everyone knows is always sure to end in disaster. How will the group retrieve the trident and all of the other stolen treasures, while also overcoming a scheming prince, his nefarious wizard, traitorous knights and a band of pirates?

            To read the fourth story in the Once Upon a Tim series is to set sail on a seafaring quest where are encountered monsters of lore (with horribly sharp teeth) and an ancient city famously known to be lost. IQ Boosters return in this story to improve young readers’ vocabulary and surely impress parents, teachers and random passersby alike. Like the others, this book cascades with hijinks and hilarity. Yes, Prince Ruprecht is mired in his own cesspool of underhandedness and greed, and he keeps trying to kill Tim and his friends, but the danger never truly feels treacherous. Laughs come easily throughout the story.

            Book 1: Once Upon a Tim

            Book 2: The Labyrinth of Doom

            Book 3: The Sea of Terror

Where Is Yellowstone? (Nov. 5, 2024) by Sarah Fabiny.

   Stephen Marchesi, illustrator.

Early-Reader nonfiction chapter book.

<This is an official Who HQ book.>

Most people know that Yellowstone National Park is home to Old Faithful, the most famous geyser in the world, but did you also know that most of the world’s geysers reside in only five countries (the United States, Iceland, Russia, New Zealand and Chile) and that half of the world’s roughly 1,000 geysers are in Yellowstone alone? The Who HQ books, while slim, pack a lot of information into them. Readers discover how Yellowstone came to be, not only the United States’ first national park, but the world’s first national park. They’ll learn how many bison roam and even read a special segment on the Gray Wolf Project. Where is Yellowstone? It has land in three different states: Idaho, Wyoming and Montana.

            If you look back at my first “Hodgepodge” post of 2024, you’ll notice that I had read my first Who HQ book. I’d say my interest in the series is going strong, as I have now read over 80 of them and hope to read a couple more before this year ends. I have only visited Yellowstone once, when I was 12. Reading this E-R book has me wanting to plan a trip out west to visit it again through an adult lens. I love how detailed these books are, and they don’t gloss things over. For example, they are straightforward in saying the government originally told lies about the native tribes, so that visitors would think Native Americans had never lived there (they’d actually lived there a long time). This is a perfect book for explorers both young and young-at-heart. Please be respectful of the park, and all of its inhabitants. Remember, it may be fluffy and friend-shaped, but it can be very dangerous. Maintain a safe distance at all times. Happy exploring!

            P.S. Did you know that Yellowstone National Park is home to three plants unique to this area? They are: Ross’s bentgrass, Yellowstone sand verbena and Yellowstone sulfur wild buckwheat.

Rutabaga's Reads 2024: Part 4

Welcome to 2024’s “Happy Hodgepodge” post! What have you read recently that stands out?

Cat & Cat Adventures: Journey into Unibear City (Apr. 25, 2023) by Susie Yi.

Junior graphic novel fiction.

<This is the third graphic novel in a series.>

There’s a new magical mystery in the Spirit World. The Dragon Witch’s magical artifact collection is missing, and the entire region is covered in pink slime. Cats Squash and Ginny are on the case. They are determined to find the scoundrels who are wreaking devastation, and they’ll vacuum up the slime while they’re at it. They encounter a bread mushroom that leads to a secret tunnel and meet Magnus, king of the southern region of the Spirit World. They had no idea there was such a king! There’s a slime snail controlled by a conniving new foe. The foe is draining Spirit Magic from the artifacts, which is hurting the Spirit World. Squash and Ginny need to recover those missing artifacts, pronto. And if there happens to be a task force formed with a steady supply of free snacks, then all the better!

            Unibear City is the hub of the Spirit Realm, but not much of it is seen. It would’ve been fun to get a big-picture glimpse of the city. Fortunately, that lack does not take away from the colorful, vibrant graphic novel that it is. The text is uncomplicated and so will fit a variety of readers, including emergent readers. The characters are sweet, even when trying to be fierce, and helpfulness is a theme in each of the Cat & Cat Adventures. To date, these are the only graphic novels that I’ve checked out from the library, and I’ve never bought any, not even for gifts.

            Book 1: The Quest for Snacks

            Book 2: The Goblet of Infinity

Gorgeously ME! (June 4, 2024) by Jonathan Van Ness.

   Kamala Nair, illustrator.

Children’s picture book.

“I’m perfectly, happily, gorgeously me” is the repeating line of empowerment for the nameless kids throughout the story. With varying skin tones, a girl with blue hair, a boy in a tutu and youth with their own interests, abilities and skill sets, it shows that sharing individuality with the world isn’t always easy. In fact, it can be downright scary. With consistent, every day friendship, love and support, each of these kids can be assured they’re wonderful just as they are. “Fill those around you with hope, joy, and trust. / And turn gorgeously me into gorgeously US!”

            JVN’s rhyming text is lyrical, uplifting and energizing. It sparks joy and lets us all know that we are and should be loved and cherished for being who we are and not who naysayers assume we should be. It celebrates self-love and embraces differences. Blended with Nair’s sunny, high-spirited illustrations, I rather felt that bursts of sparkly confetti should’ve been raining down upon me and a delightful dance number should’ve been included. I love this story and am so pleased that it was available at my local library for checkout. Let’s all prioritize compassion, tolerance and inclusion, not only as a teaching tool for the young, but for all ages.

The Sea of Terror (May 9, 2023) by Stuart Gibbs.

   Stacy Curtis, illustrator.

Middle-grade illustrated fantasy fiction.

<This is the third novel in a series.>

Junior knights Tim and Belinda (a.k.a. Bull, since girls aren’t allowed to be knights), Rover the fr-dog, and Ferkle, a village idiot (even though he’s actually highly intelligent), have twice foiled the villainous prince to help Princess Grace, but their quests are not ended. The Queen of Merryland’s precious golden fleece and the Mystical Protective Amulet of Merryland have gone missing. The Kingdom of Dinkum’s queen accidentally took Queen Sunderfire’s fleece home with the amulet in a pocket. This kingdom lies across the Sea of Terror, which is “filled with dangerous beasts and a great number of other perils.” Tim, Belinda, Ferkle and the knights, including their leader, Sir Vyval, must face whatever dreadful perils the Sea of Terror houses, use every ounce of bravery and intellect they possess, for they are members of the Knight Brigade of the Great and Glorious Kingdom of Merryland. If they can face off against a bargleboar, they can defeat any other terror that finds them, thus making a cliffhanger ending unnecessary, right? Right???

            Like the first two stories in this illustrated, middle-grade fantasy series, this one is silly and ridiculous, which is the appeal of it. Gibbs’ story blithely takes from ancient sources (think Scylla and Charybdis and other nautical hazards such as sirens), but works them inventively, twisting them into something new and funny. For example, the sirens don’t lure sailors to their deaths with their beautiful voices, but rather the most awful, dissonant caterwauling with horrid lyrics, all singing these terrible songs simultaneously. A power ballad about filthy armpit hair overlapping a gloomy tune about maggots? Gross. Curtis’ black-and-white illustrations add pictorial comic relief and complement Gibbs’ writing as any skilled illustrations should. IQ BOOSTERs are again present. The tale is entertaining, the adventure both dangerous and hilarious. Remember that bargleboars are allergic to paprika, but stand way, way back if it sneezes or you will be covered in its snot. Ew!

             Book 2: The Labyrinth of Doom

Super-Duper Librarian (Jan. 1, 2021) by Fran Manushkin.

   Laura Zarrin, illustrator.

Early-Reader fiction chapter book.

<This is part of an unnumbered series.>

It’s a rainy Saturday, so Katie Woo decides that she and her parents should go to the library to check out books. As her friend Pedro says, going to the library is “great on any day.” There are books about so many things: dinosaurs, dragons … underwear! But is there a super-duper mystery book for Katie? Where is Miss Bliss, the Children’s Librarian, to help her out?

            While I have checked out Early-Reader (E-R) books from the nonfiction section, this is the first I’ve checked out from the E-R fiction section (likely to change as my nephew’s been starting to read books from this section). Katie Woo is a delight, and her love of books lends her an inquisitiveness that not everyone has. The story is simple, an excellent book type for young people segueing from being read to to reading on their own. The book includes a map of Katie’s neighborhood, a glossary, questions for the reader and an interview with Miss Bliss.

What Is the Story of Willy Wonka? (July 6, 2021) by Steve Korté.

   Jake Murray, illustrator.

Early-Reader nonfiction chapter book.

<This is an official Who HQ book.>

What is the story of the most famous fictional chocolatier? Willy Wonka first appears in Roald Dahl’s 1964 children’s novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. For others, maybe they didn’t discover him until the 1971 film starring Gene Wilder or even the 2005 film starring Johnny Depp. But most seem to know something about this zany factory owner, friend to Oompa-Loompas and lover of chocolate. Willy Wonka is mysterious, whimsical, wacky and wondrous. He’s utterly fantastic, if a bit chaotic, but how could you not be, filled with pure imagination as he is? Not only featuring Willy Wonka, this slim E-R book highlights Roald Dahl and mentions his other stories, amongst other factual tidbits.

            There are over 250 titles in the WhoHQ series published by Penguin Random House LLC, yet this is only the first one I’ve read! This chapter book is for early readers and is broken down into 11 chapters, plus an introduction and a bibliography. It gives many small facts, encouraging readers to explore the broader range of information out there. For example, getting a reading taste of Roald Dahl’s time in boarding schools, especially the one near the famous Cadbury’s chocolate company, has me wanting to read Dahl’s Boy: Tales of Childhood. It brings a compact trove of information. I will definitely be reading more of these titles. For now, I will don a plum-colored tailcoat and a fine top hat, so I can twirl into a world of pure imagination!

Rutabaga's Reads 2023: Part 17

Instead of trying to read every Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) in its entirety, I am doing “quick glances.” While this is my first Quick Glance ARCs compilation, it’s my fourth overall featuring ARCs. I am only featuring half of what was in the box, as I’ve had them for over one-and-a-half years and didn’t want to re-read the first chapters in all 10 ARCs.

            Disclosure: I’ve NOT been asked to provide reviews by the publishers, authors or the local Children’s Librarian. All opinions are expressly my own.

1. Barb and the Ghost Blade (May 31, 2022) by Dan Abdo and Jason Patterson.

Middle-grade fiction. Graphic novel.

The adult Berzerkers (a.k.a. Zerks) have all been captured. Barb, a Berzerker, must get to Maug Horn with her ragtag group of would-be Zerks. Maug Horn is the monster capital, so Barb and her little gang are not allowed. That won’t deter her in the least.

            While I’m not big on graphic novels, this one strikes me as a popular series (this is Book 2). The battles and mishaps look to be fairly comedic. Also, there’s a yeti named Porkchop. Who doesn’t appreciate a yeti in a story?

2. The Clackity (June 28, 2022) by Lora Senf.

Middle-grade fiction.

In Blight Harbor, the seventh most haunted town in America, shadows hide many things, including The Clackity. This creature lives in the shadows of the slaughterhouse, the one place that Evie Von Rathe’s Aunt Desdemona, the local paranormal expert, has forbidden her to go. When Des goes missing, to the slaughterhouse Evie goes.

            I surpassed the first few chapters of this ARC, such was my interest in it. It’s a fantasy horror for the middle-grade set. While there’s a creep factor, I doubt it’s one that’ll cause nightmares. For the youth you know who love scary stories or thriller novels, this (the first in a series) will hopefully sate their book thirst.

3. Eden’s Everdark (Sept. 6, 2022) by Karen Strong.

Middle-grade fiction.

There is a place called Everdark, a parallel world where the sun never rises, spirits linger between death and the afterlife and Eden’s late mother’s drawings are too real. The Witch of Everdark, beautiful and terrifying in equal measure, wants to make Eden her eternal daughter, thus keeping her in Everdark indefinitely.

            While I don’t know if it’s based on any specific mythology, reading the first two chapters already gives me folkloric vibes. It has fantasy, light horror and characters who know grief. I’m confident that it’s absolutely a book I’d enjoy.

4. Hither & Nigh (Oct. 18, 2022) by Ellen Potter.

Middle-grade fiction.

Join the Last Chance Club or be expelled from school. This is Nell Batista’s last chance. Strangely enough, the group is nothing like she imagines it will be, for their teacher starts giving them lessons in magic. Nell’s got street smarts, all the sharper since her beloved big brother went missing three years ago. It turns out that magic is real, and there’s a parallel NYC called the Nigh. Nell’s hoping the Nigh will hold the key to finding her brother.

            A story doling out magic, fantasy and adventure is absolutely one that I will read. My local library ordered this one in per my request. I would’ve happily read this ARC in its entirety, but I’ll check it out from the library instead.

5. What the Fact‽ (Sept. 20, 2022) by Dr. Seema Yasmin.

Teen (YA) nonfiction.

Real news. Fake news. Clickbait. The viral spread of information. Conspiracy theories. Your own biases and those of others. What is fact and what is fiction? How does one find truth in all the noise?

            It appears this book is to encourage the target age group – teenagers – to be freethinkers. And maybe it does, but I only made it through the Introduction, because it felt a lot like being talked at and not talked to. I do hope this book is actually quite insightful.

Rutabaga's Reads 2022: Part 6

While I’ve been an elementary school student volunteering in the school’s library, and I’ve been a patron of libraries, it’s only within the past year that I’ve worked in a library. I love libraries, but I’ll be the first to admit that I primarily buy my books. Books are one of my happy places. (Walt Disney World is another, in case anyone’s randomly wondering.) Working in a library means I want to check out books all the time, but I can’t, as my TBR shelf at home is already extensive enough.

            This post is dedicated to books I’ve checked out. I will say a few things about each book, but they won’t be like my regular write-ups (which I realize do get long).

Cat & Cat Adventures: The Quest for Snacks (Sept. 7, 2021) by Susie Yi.

   Format: Hardcover graphic novel

   Genre: Fantasy cartoon, fiction

   Target Audience: Cat-lovers and people who enjoy graphic novels

            Oh no! Squash and Ginny have run out of snacks! *gasp* Thanks to a magic wand and a magical portal, the two cats embark on a quest to Mewmaid Ocean for a catfish scale, a lava rock from Mount Lava and a jar of rain from the Enchanted Rain Forest. They make new friends along the way, like Coral (a catfish), Magma (a lava dog) and Lotus (Queen of the Enchanted Rain Forest and leader of the bun-fairies). Unfortunately, the rain forest is dry; it hasn’t rained in weeks, as the rain forest spirit is ill. Lotus has been making medicine, but two ingredients are missing, and it’s too windy for the bun-fairies to fly it up the giant rock. This graphic novel features problem-solving by two adventurous, spirited cats and is laid out in bright, bold, colorful illustrations with the expected sparse text. This magical setting encourages friendship and kindness with such fun cartoon cats that readers will look toward future installments. I found this delightful, and I don’t typically peruse graphic novels. In fact, this is the first one I’ve ever read (outside of one graphic novel ARC).

Harry Potter: Christmas at Hogwarts: Magical Movie Moments (Oct. 6, 2020) by Jody Revenson.

   Format: Hardcover

   Genre: Fantasy fiction

   Target Audience: Anyone who loves the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

            As someone who loves Christmas and is of an age where she watched every single Harry Potter movie in the theatre, this small book is practically nostalgic. It provides fun facts about the sets and costuming and more; there are so many bits of information I never knew. It would be a lovely addition to anyone’s Harry Potter collection.

Silly Jokes About Monsters (Aug. 1, 2021) by Michael Dahl.

   Format: Hardcover with pictures

   Genre: Joke book, shelved in nonfiction

   Target Audience: Humor-seekers of simple jokes

            It’s smart for young people to understand humor and sarcasm, but it can be hard to find clean jokes or jokes that make sense to youngsters of the 21^st Century. This joke book is one of a series. There aren’t more than a few jokes per page, and there are illustrations to accompany many jokes, making for a book that youth will get through quickly. The jokes are punchy and funny in a dad-joke kind-of-way. It includes an activity at the end, for those wanting to create their own monsters. For anyone looking for a joke book that is inoffensive, give this one, or the others in the series, a try.

Soof (Oct. 9, 2018) by Sarah Weeks.

   Format: Audiobook, read by Talitha Bateman (2h, 59m)

   Genre: Realistic fiction

   Target Audience: Readers looking for character-driven family narratives

            12-year-old Aurora (Rory) Franklin has many idiosyncrasies, like tapping three times, speaking in “Beepish,” and wearing her shirts inside out even after the tags have been removed. Doctors and specialists have ruled out an autism spectrum disorder. Rory is simply her own unique, quirky self. She is the only daughter of “older” parents (her mom gave birth to her at age 48). The relationship with her mother becomes estranged pending Heidi’s arrival. Heidi was a foster child of her parents before Rory came along. Heidi is said to be good luck, but Rory is immensely jealous, and it’s exemplified by her feeling of inadequacy compared to this Heidi she’s never met. Things worsen after a house fire and Duck, the family dog and Rory’s only friend, goes missing. Soof is a word from Heidi’s childhood, and it was her intellectually disabled mother’s word for love. Rory wonders if her mom has more soof for Heidi than for her in this middle-grade story, which does have a happy resolution. The tale is poignant, and Aurora is complex. While I could empathize with the emotional toil associated with a lost pet, I struggled with the character. For almost the entire story, she’s a brat. She’s not only blunt, she’s rude (even beyond her blah-blah-blahs and Beepish language). I did not connect with the character and therefore wasn’t a fan.

            P.S. This is the first audiobook I’ve ever listened to. For me, this format is not my style. I much prefer a physical book.

South Korea: Countries Around the World (Jan. 1, 2012) by Elizabeth Raum.

   Format: Hardcover

   Genre: Nonfiction, history/geography

   Target Audience: Those interested in a simple overview of South Korea (this is part of a Countries Around the World series, and my local library carries all of them except one)

            While certainly no in-depth reference book, this early-reader nonfiction book has a lot of solid facts about South Korea. It does show its time, though. Published in 2012, the book’s mention of K-pop doesn’t include BTS, as they did not debut until 2013. This book – and the others in the series – would be excellent introductions of countries around the world for younger readers. They’re immersive books. I enjoyed learning that the Korean dialect spoken in the South is called Hangugeo and in the North it’s called Joseonmal. The pronunciations are usually understandable between the South and North, but words are spelled differently.