India – The Land of Festivals: A Monthly Guidebook to Diverse Celebrations (Indian Festival Series 1)
Written by Anuja Mohla
Illustrated by Gowthami Maruthapandiyan
This book contains a wealth of information with colorful illustrations about the diversity of life in India. The author covers each of the six major religions practiced in India. This book is organized by month.
Many of these celebrations, however, are based on the lunar calendar. Each page describes which religion is celebrated in that month and discusses the foods, rituals, customs, and types of celebrations. The reader learns native vocabulary and the significance associated with each.
This book is an excellent choice for teachers who want to explain Indian customs and culture and share multicultural traditions. Indian families can use it as a springboard to explain the rich culture of their homeland.
As a teacher, I appreciated the section at the end of the book that includes matching and recalling information about the festivals.
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Summer is… A Summer Read Aloud Rhyming Book for Toddlers and Kids. Fun and Educational Rhymes with Vibrant Pictures (Rhyme in Time)
Written by Barbara Pinke
Illustrated by Alvin Adhi
This book can be purchased on its own or as part of a series about the seasons.
Each page contains a single sentence about the summer season. The author includes the sights, sounds, and experiences that commonly occur during the summer. The multicultural illustrations portray a variety of emotions expressed by the characters.
Because the language is simple and easy to remember, it is easy for the youngest reader to pick up and recollect. Not only do children learn about the summer season, but they also develop language skills.
A fun read-aloud for teachers or parents of toddlers and preschoolers.
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This book lays out a fun detective mystery for elementary-school-age readers. A pair of pigs goes missing. The town is full of gossip about what happened. Is there a monster involved? How is the mayor adding to the mystery?
Will the town be safe again? Frida teaches readers how to think critically and ask the proper questions to be a successful whodunit.
Fun illustrations, interactive questions, and Let’s Talk About It Questions provide bonus activities for smart readers.
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Mouse Visits Everglades National Park (Mouse Traveler)
Written by Tricia Gardella
Illustrated by Ginger Nielson
A delightful adventure for primary-grade readers. A mouse gives us a guided tour of Everglades National Park. This intrepid traveler is delighted to find his bird friend at the park.
The bird volunteers to guide his friend. First, they visit many of the birds that inhabit the swamp. Readers learn about egrets and spoonbills. But the mouse wants to see alligators and crocodiles, so he moves on to the mangrove swamp.
Tired from his daylong adventure, the mouse uses his magic acorn to get home.
At the end of the tale, the author includes facts about the Everglades and questions to measure comprehension.
A fun book that contains an adventure story with knowledge about the Everglades.
Recommended to teachers and parents of elementary-age readers.
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This is not a potty humor book. It does introduce bathroom manners and etiquette for the young reader.
It contains lively rhymes and vibrant multicultural images. The author includes links to historic sites, horse racing, football, and living downtown. While these facts are interesting, the fact that they are not related is a bit distracting.
This book would be an excellent choice for parents who are potty training. Elementary school children will appreciate the humor of the read-aloud.
Recommended for ages three through eight.
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This book introduces Kaboose, a Rocky Mountain Bear.
The approach is unique. First, it is a charming tale about how a community of black bears awaits the birth of a cub. The author relates a story that explores the history of the Canadian Rockies and life in the Arrow Valley, exploring its sights, sounds, smells, and connection to railroad history.
The illustrations are expressive and colorful, and the characters are charming.
Looks like a promising new series for readers ages six to ten.
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Paromita emigrated from India many years ago, but she is now entering third grade in a new school.
Her teacher has difficulty pronouncing her name. All her classmates laugh. Paromita runs off to the bathroom to hide. She is proud of her Indian culture and the name her grandma bestowed upon her.
Paromita dances the traditional kathak dance. She takes advantage of the school talent show to wear traditional Indian clothing and perform her dance. Then Paromita goes further when she takes the stage and delivers an important message to her classmates.
The author delivers the message that we need to respect different cultures and the traditions they represent.
Recommended for elementary and middle school readers.
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Publisher’s Book Summary: Tall as the Sun is a heartfelt story that takes readers on a lyrical journey through the eyes of a child as they discover the magic of perspective during a day at the beach with Dad. As our little hero rises higher and higher on Dad’s shoulders, the world transforms into a playground of endless possibilities. From soaring with seagulls to reaching the top of sandcastles, each page brings a new adventure.
Praise: “It’s easy to picture grandparents or parents reading this book to a child before bed as they drift off to dream of sunny beaches, lulled by the rhythmic sound of ocean waves.” —Readers’ Favorite (5 Stars)
Stephanie Henson lives with her family in West Chester, Pennsylvania, with roots in Central New Jersey. She holds a degree in Communications and a Publishing and Professional Writing Certificate from Rider University, and spends her summers in Ocean City, NJ. An active member of SCBWI (Eastern PA Chapter), Stephanie was a 2024 SCBWI Virtual Conference Scholarship winner, and her work has been featured in both print and online publications.
She is the author of the children’s poetry collection In the Right Lane (a #1 New Release in Children’s Poetry) and the picture book No School, My Rules! (a #1 New Release in Children’s School & Education Books and a Tielmour Press best-seller). Tall as the Sun is her newest picture book, releasing with Watchful Wizard Publishing in May 2026.
Beyond her literary pursuits, Stephanie is a passionate advocate for underrepresented creators living with chronic illness, drawing on her own experience with autoimmune conditions. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, catching a show, watching Netflix, admiring sunflowers, cheering on sports, or sipping coffee.
A young girl shares her adventure sitting atop her father’s shoulders on a summer day at the beach. The world of the seashore transforms into multiple adventures as she spies sandcastles, seagulls, and crashing waves. She observes children playing on the beach, boats in the distance, fluffy clouds, and lifeguards standing watch. As daylight dwindles and settles into nighttime, she fondly recalls all the adventures that she shared with the father she loves.
The story uses magical language, including alliteration and repetitive rhymes. Soft colors complement the mood. The author invites elementary school-age readers to imagine themselves sitting tall upon a loved one’s shoulders.
Highly recommended as a bedtime story or fun read-aloud for eager young imaginations.
Readers who join us on this virtual book tour will have the chance to win one of four prizes. One grand prize winner will take home a special bundle featuring signed copies of No School, My Rules!, In the Right Lane, and Tall as the Sun, plus a curated book basket filled with fun, bookish goodies. Three additional readers will each win a signed copy of Tall as the Sun.
Ten Little Axolotls (Ten Little Adventures)Ten Little Axolotls (Ten Little Adventures)
Written by Kim Ann
Illustrated by Nejla Shojae
An adorable rhyming picture book about creatures with a tongue-twister name.
This vibrantly illustrated book features adorable sea creatures. It teaches tiny tots to count to ten. Readers also learn fun facts about axolotls and can download a free song.
Suggested resources for parents and teachers who want to teach toddlers and preschoolers how to count, sing, and have fun while doing it.
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Barbara Roman’s The Land Where Money Was Nothing is a thought-provoking and imaginative exploration of what society might look like if money did not exist. Roman invites readers to step outside the familiar structures of modern life and consider a world built on cooperation, trust, and shared responsibility rather than currency and commerce.
At its core, the book challenges deeply ingrained assumptions about value and success. Roman paints a vivid picture of a community where people contribute based on their abilities and receive what they need in return.
One of the book’s strengths lies in its simplicity. Rather than overwhelming the reader with complex economic theory, Roman uses clear language and relatable scenarios to illustrate her ideas. This makes the book approachable for a wide audience, including younger readers.
The Land Where Money Was Nothing succeeds in its primary goal: sparking curiosity and conversation. It encourages readers to imagine possibilities beyond the status quo and to reflect on what truly matters in building a fair and compassionate society.
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June 7, 2026
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