Middle Grade Graphic Novel Roundup

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in order to provide honest reviews. All opinions are my own. 

Do you have a child in your life who loves graphic novels? Today we are sharing three middle grade graphic novels that range in types from fantasy to a book about siblings and friends on a trip to Japan. Between the three books the ages are 8 to 14. The first book is from The Wingfeather Saga. The Wingfeather Saga is four middle grade novels as well as an animated show. Today's book is the first graphic novel of the series! It is On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness by Andrew Peterson and illustrated by Alessia Trunfio. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12. 

Fun Stories Kids Will Love

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in order to provide honest reviews. All opinions are my own.

Are you ready for some fun stories that could be any day stories? Today we are sharing two books that are full of fun stories. One is a creative picture book, and the other is a collection of short stories featuring the beloved character, Maisy. We will start with the picture book. It is A Day Off School by Oliver Jeffers and illustrated by Kevin Waldron. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8. 

Fun & Educational Board Books

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in order to provide honest reviews. All opinions are my own.

Do you have a little one who loves board books and interactive books? Today we are sharing four new ones! Three of which are being released today!! One of them is about a Netflix movie that came out this summer, Swapped. We will start with that one. It is Ollie's Big Adventure by Maggie Testa. It is recommended for ages 2 to 5.

Wish You Well -- Middle School Novel Review

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own.

If you could wish for something for yourself, what would it be? Would it be to meet someone famous? Or go somewhere you've never been? Or do something you always wanted to but never would get the chance to? Today we are sharing a middle school novel about three kids who have different illnesses and decide that even though they are "too old" for wishes they will make them but only if all three of them can be at each other's. Then they each struggle with their choices, family, friendships and dealing with their illness. The book is Wish You Well by Jamie Sumner. It is recommended for ages 10+.

Golden Boy -- Young Adult Novel Review

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

It has been a while since I shared a young adult novel. Today we are sharing one that deals with grief, science, pets, family, ethics, morals, and so much more! It is also perfect for the start of school as high school football is a huge part of this book. The book is Golden Boy by A. J. Symon. It is recommended for ages 12 and higher. 

Picture Books About Community

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in order to provide honest reviews. All opinions are my own.

What does community mean to you? Many early childhood/elementary classes talk about community helpers in class, but how do kids really understand community? Today we are sharing three new picture books that have different themes on community. We will start with Luisa, at Your Service! by Sara Amini and illustrated by Juana Medina. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Paper and Sticker Crafts & Supplies -- A Relaxing Friday Review

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in order to provide honest reviews. All opinions are my own.

My summer has been a bit crazy, and my relaxing Fridays have been quite different this year. Our summer began with a trip to Connecticut to celebrate my father's life. We squeezed in a tour of Yale while there. When we returned home, we did laundry and packed up for a two-week road trip for more college visits. We made our way to Washington DC and Pittsburgh with several stops in between. Then it was time for our week at the Cape house. Then the rest of July was getting ready for a surgery, having the surgery and I've been recovering since. So my Fridays at the end of July and throughout August have been mostly watching television with Hazel and napping. The only crafts I have been doing is diamond painting. However, I look forward to getting back to other crafts soon. Today I am sharing some paper and sticker supplies for crafts and ideas! We will start with a Paint by Sticker book. It is Paint by Sticker (Official): Portraits by Workman Publishing. This is a craft book for adults or older kids. 

Wonder: A Song of the Seasons

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

We are in the dog days of summer, but back to school is quickly approaching. That means the change of seasons. Have you ever noticed each season has its own special wonders? Today we are sharing a beautiful picture book sharing some of the curiosities of each season and more. The book is Wonder: A Song of the Seasons by Julia Key and illustrated by Helen Cann. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8. 

Picture Books About Giving Back to Those Who Help Everyone

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Do you know someone who helps everyone? Whatever is needed they are there. What happens when they need help? Today we are sharing two picture books about such "people". The first book is Big Rig Pig written by Claire Tattersfield and illustrated by Rob Sayegh, Jr. It is recommended for ages 3 to 7. 

A Cozy Summer Day -- Picture Book Review

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Summer is officially here! Summer is a time many people find time to just relax. It usually means more outdoor activities and more time with family and friends. Who is ready for those hot days where you do something outside and then find a way to cool off? Join the animals of Acorn Village as they enjoy a beautiful summer day!! We are sharing A Cozy Summer Day by Eliza Wheeler today. It is recommended for ages 2 to 5. I would guess some older kids would enjoy it as well.

Simon the Scared Rottweiler -- Book Review & Giveaway

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Nicole S. Kluemper to bring you this post.

Are you anxious? Or is your child? Anxiety is a real thing and for some it can disrupt their lives. I have seen it in students who just shut down when they are anxious. It can cause missing out of fun things, not completing work, and many arguments. Today we are sharing a fun book about a dog who is anxious. He learns some coping skills, and they are even tutorials later in the book for the reader to try. The book is Simon the Scared Rottweiler by Nicole S. Kluemper, Ph.D. There is a giveaway at the end of the book.

Kestrel Takes Flight -- Novel in Verse

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Sometimes life is difficult. Sometimes family is difficult. And sometimes the hardest thing is escaping and standing up for yourself. Today we get to share a new book written in verse about a young girl and her mother who escape a tough situation. They escape to a ranch that raises dogs to help with bears. The book is called Kestrel Takes Flight and is by Joy McCullouogh. It is recommended for ages 10+.

Fun Animal Themed Books

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in order to provide honest reviews. All opinions are my own. 

Spring has sprung and to me that means animals return. Some animals stay through the winter, but many migrate or hibernate. I love seeing the animals. This year we had baby foxes living in our yard. Today we are going to share three books (one board book and two picture books) that are animal themed. And let's face it, most kids love animals! We will start with the board book. It is Maxine the Dog Gets a Job by Alexandra Garyn and Bryan Reisberg and illustrated by Susan Batori. It is recommended for ages 3+.

Hop's Tales: The Kind Bunny -- Picture Book Review & Giveaway

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with Evelina Ruimy and The Children's Book Review to bring you this post.

Spring has sprung here. Have you been seeing any bunnies in the yard? We haven't yet but that may be due to the foxes that moved in. Bunnies are seen as such cute animals and tend to be a sign of spring. Today we are sharing a beautiful picture book about a bunny. It is Hop's Tales: The Kind Bunny by Evelina Ruimy and illustrated by Siska Kalla. There is a giveaway at the end of this post. 

Van Gogh's Dog -- Creative & Fun Picture Book

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Who is your favorite painter? Or what is your favorite type of art? In elementary school I had an amazing art teacher who took the fifth grade to New York City to go the Metropolitan Museum of Fine Arts. First, you had to pass a test though. The test was on the Impressionists. I have loved Impressionist art ever since. Monet is my favorite and then probably van Gogh or Degas. Have you ever wondered what inspired them to paint their masterpieces? Today we are sharing a new picture book that is fictional but shares a thought about what may have inspired some of van Gogh's famous paintings. It is called Van Gogh's Dog by Georgia Larson and illustrated by Grace Helmer. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8. 

Fun Easy Reader Chapter Books

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in order to provide honest reviews. All opinions are my own.

Do you have an emerging reader who wants to try chapter books? Today we are sharing two new easy reader chapter books that will entertain the new readers. The first is Penelope Positano Sees It All by Katie Cotugno and illustrated by Amy Jindra Hodgson. It is recommended for ages 6 to 9. 

Earth Day Book Extravaganza for Ages 2 to 12

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in order to provide honest reviews. All opinions are my own.

Happy Earth Day 2026! There are many ways to celebrate Earth Day! One is learning about the Earth and the life on it. Another is doing something to help our world. Today we are going to share a roundup of books from board books to a middle grade book on topics including animals, plants, gardens, and being eco-friendly. We will start with the two board books from the same series. They are You Are a Garter Snake! and You Are a Robin! by Laurie Ann Thompson and illustrated by Jay Fleck. They are part of the Meet Your World Series. The series is recommended for ages 2 to 5.

New Picture Books About Accepting to Oneself

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Have you ever noticed an animal that doesn't seem to realize what animal it actually is? Or perhaps you have noticed an animal that seems the wrong size for the type it is. Animals just like people have personalities. They show up in so many different ways. I know I see it in my pets. Today we are sharing two newly released picture books about animals who are uniquely themselves. The first book is Gigantic by Rob Biddulph. It is recommended for ages 3 to 7.

Lulu Didn't Want a Dog -- Picture Book Review

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Do you have cats and dogs? Do they get along? We all know the old saying about them being enemies, but we also know plenty of people who have both and they get along. Today we are sharing a book about a cat and dog becoming friends. The book is Lulu Didn't Want a Dog by Laurel Molk. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8. 

Glory Be -- a Middle Grade Novel Review

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Life can be hard. It is extra hard when your dog is gone. You are not sure where, but he is gone. Was he stolen? You best friend doesn't seem to care and is acting strange. Perhaps the friendship is over. Oh, and your father is on one of his disappearances again too. Yup, life can be hard in the middle grades. This is the middle grade novel we are sharing today. It is called Glory Be by Jamie Sumner. It is written in verse. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12.