Author’s Purpose/Perspective/Bias

The Ultimate Book of Mythical Creatures by Aurore Meyer, Illustrated by Gabrielle Berger

October 21, 2026 by Kellee

The Ultimate Book of Mythical Creatures
Author: Aurore Meyer
Illustrator: Gabrielle Berger
Published September 15th, 2026 by Twirl Books

Summary: Discover the world of monsters, dragons, giants, and mermaids!

With more than 50 flaps, tabs, pop-ups, and rotating wheels, creatures from mythology and folklore come to life in this oversized, interactive book. Young readers will learn about creatures such as the Loch Ness monster, Bigfoot, Pegasus, mermaids, the phoenix, and many more!

Perfect for curious minds aged 5 and up, this book offers a hands-on introduction to mythical and legendary creatures from around the world.

•Supersized spreads with rich, detailed illustrations
•Over 50 interactive features to keep kids engaged
•Diverse content draws from mythology and folklore from around the world
•Perfect introduction for young children to mythology and folklore
•Captivating family read-aloud

About the Creators:

Aurore Meyer is a writer of games, documentaries, and workbooks for children and adults. She works near Bordeaux, France.

Gabrielle Berger launched her illustration career in 2018. She lives in Paris, France.

Review & Educators’ Tools for Navigation: This is such a fun book! It is exactly what it titled: An ultimate introduction to mythical creatures from all over the world, and the interactiveness definitely adds to the engagement. I loved that it is inclusive of the whole world yet does a good job of giving an introduction to so many but in a way that doesn’t feel like an encyclopedia.

Trent read the book, too, and he said the book was really cool! He said the pop-ups were really creative, and you can tell that the creators spent a lot of time researching and creating it. Also, he says that he liked that there was a mix of cultures represented in the mythologies.

There are so many ways this book could be used, but it will assist in any mythology lesson in any classroom, is a great addition to a mythology book collection in a library, AND it is a great book to have at home, too!

Discussion Questions:

What different countries and cultures did you find mythical creatures highlighted from?
There are many mythical creatures introduced in the book. Which introduction makes you want to learn more?
How do the interactive elements of the book add to the storytelling of the book?
How do the author choose to organize the book? What are some other ways the book could have been organized?
Which of these creatures have you heard of before? Where have you heard of them?
- Extension: An allusion is a brief, indirect reference and there are often allusions to mythology. Have you ever watched or read something with an allusion to a creature in this book?
Why do you think the author created this book?
There are mythical creatures introduced that are from different countries/cultures that are a bit similar. How do these creatures compare and contrast with each other?

Flagged Spreads:

Click HERE to view a video to see the pop-ups

Read This If You Love: Mythology, Pop-up Books

Recommended For:

**Thank you to Blue Slip Media & Twirl Books for providing a copy for review!!**

Instagram: @chroniclekidsbooks | @blue_slip_media
Facebook: @chroniclekidsbooks | Blue Slip Media

Brontosaurus Is Back! A Dinosaur’s Name and Return to Fame by Sarah Albee, Illustrated by Chris Hsu

October 14, 2026October 14, 2026 by Kellee

Brontosaurus Is Back! A Dinosaur’s Name and Return to Fame
Author: Sarah Albee
Illustrator: Chris Hsu
Published September 29th, 2026 by Charlesbridge

Summary: A hilarious and fascinating look at Brontosaurus’s comeback—perfect for dino fans and curious kids learning how science evolves over time.

A fun, fact-filled nonfiction picture book for ages 6 to 9 about a dinosaur’s disappearing act and return.

This is fun, lively, kid-appeal-filled nonfiction and tells the story of brontosaurus—discovered, discontinued, and then reinstated again.

Dino fans, come and get it! There’s so much to learn in this interesting book about naming, sloppy science, dueling paleontologists, and more! Sarah Albee’s signature humor and strong writing, coupled with Chris Hsu’s kid-friendly and accurate art, bring history to life on the page.

Praise: A classic case study in how the course of scientific advancement can run anything but smooth.

In the late 19th century, renowned paleontologist Othniel C. Marsh announced the discovery of scattered bones belonging to a sauropod he dubbed “Apatosaurus,” or “deceptive lizard.” At nearly the same time rival bone hunter Edward D. Cope proclaimed a similar find to be fossils of “Brontosaurus,” meaning “thunder lizard.” A later researcher’s determination that both actually belonged to the same genus touched off a century-long controversy, since, as Albee writes, scientific practice gives naming rights to the first finder. So even though “Brontosaurus was catchier,” and went on to become the common name with a “dino-dazzled” public, it fell out of official use. Until 2015, that is, when further discoveries led many researchers to change their minds and announce that the two actually were different dinosaurs. While laying out the bones of the kerfuffle with a fine sense of drama, the author also fleshes out her story with revealing observations about the evolution of our whole understanding of sauropod anatomy. Along the way she gives proper credit to Marsh’s original Sioux informants, as does Hsu in a period scene placed amid views of dinos, fossil bones, and skeletons, and racially diverse groups of modern museum visitors. A cheery glimpse of science in action, warts and all. —Kirkus Reviews

About the Creators:

Sarah Albee is the New York Times bestselling author of nonfiction books for kids. Her most recent titles are both nonfiction picture books: The Painter and the President: Gilbert Stuart’s Brush with George Washington, and Zero! The Number that Almost Wasn’t. Other popular titles include Troublemakers in Trousers: Women and What They Wore to Get Things Done; Fairy Tale Science; Accidental Archaeologists: True Stories of Unexpected Discoveries; and Poop Happened: A History of the World from the Bottom Up; and Alexander Hamilton: A Plan for America. She and her husband live in New York City and have three grown children. Visit her at www.sarahalbeebooks.com.

Sarah Albee: IG @sarahjalbee FB @sarah.albee

Chris Hsu is a picture book illustrator and animation background artist whose credits include FX’s Archer and Marvel’s Hit-Monkey. His illustration work is influenced by world history, art history and music, and current favorite non-art activity is watching his daughters and nieces play soccer on Saturdays.

Chris Hsu: IG @chrisillustration

Review: Happy National Fossil Day! Brontosaurus is Back is the perfect book to highlight today!

This text does so much: it shows the truth of how science is always evolving, how egos get in the way of scientific endeavors, how early paleontology worked, and how fossils help paleontologists. Sarah Albee is so good at balancing all the different goals of a nonfiction book while also making it interesting and engaging because Brontosaurus does all of this in an entertaining and informative way. I, personally, liked the funny bird sidekick to the narrator because it continued to remind the reader that dinosaurs are related to birds. I also think that the inclusion of the sidebars helped with bringing any needed extra facts back to the narrative to help keep the reader thinking outside of the narrative being told.

Also, oh man, I love the highlighting of two eager scientists trying to outdo each other and making mistakes–what a wonderful message for students! It is so important to do things slowly and correctly, not quickly and with mistakes.

The only thing I wish was that there was more explanation of the WHY brontosaurus came back–it just explains that there was a study in 2015 that said apatosaurus and brontosaurus are different but not exactly why; however, this is a perfect education opportunity!

Educators’ Tools for Navigation: The first thing I would have students do when finishing the book is look more into apatosauruses and brontosauruses and make a comparison and contrast on them.

This could also be a jumping off point for a debate because, as the book shares, “not all paleontologists agree,” so students can look at the evidence and decide what they agree with.

Discussion Questions:

Today is National Fossil Day! What did you learn about fossils in this book?
How did ego play into scientists not being correct on their fossil analysis when it came to the sauropods?
How is paleontology a bit of a sciene of guessing on top of a science of fossils?
Do you agree with the policy of using the first name assigned to a species being used if two species are being determined to be the same? Why or why not?
Why do you think that most did not care that some scientists said brontosaurus weren’t their own species?
Why were scientists wrong for over a hundred years on the shape of that apatosaurus’s head?
On the page with “A Closer Look,” what differences do you see between the two dinosaurs?
What are some ways that you see or learned that dinosaurs and modern birds are alike?

Flagged Spreads:

Read This If You Love: Dinosaurs, Science, Nonfiction Picture Books

Recommended For:

**Thank you to Charlesbridge & Blue Slip Media for providing a copy for review!**

Instagram: @charlesbridgepublishing | @blue_slip_media
Facebook: Charlesbridge Publishing | Blue Slip Media

Educators’ Guide for A Universe of Wishes Edited by Dhonielle Clayton

October 29, 2025 by Kellee

A Universe of Wishes
Editor: Dhonielle Clayton
Authors: Tara Sim, Natalie C. Parker, Libba Bray, Anna-Marie Mclemore, Kwame Mbalia, V.E. Schwab, Rebecca Roadhouse, Nic Stone, Jenni Balch, Dhonielle Clayton, Mark Oshiro, Samira Ahmed, Tessa Gratton, Zoraida Cordova, Tochi Onyebuchi
Published: December 8th, 2020 by Random House Children’s Books

Summary: From We Need Diverse Books, the organization behind Flying Lessons & Other Stories, comes a young adult fantasy short story collection featuring some of the best children’s authors, including New York Times bestselling authors Libba Bray (The Diviners), V. E. Schwab (A Darker Shade of Magic), Natalie C. Parker (Seafire), and many more. Edited by Dhonielle Clayton (The Belles).

In the fourth collaboration with We Need Diverse Books, fifteen award-winning and celebrated diverse authors deliver stories about a princess without need of a prince, a monster long misunderstood, memories that vanish with a spell, and voices that refuse to stay silent in the face of injustice. This powerful and inclusive collection contains a universe of wishes for a braver and more beautiful world.

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation and Discussion Questions:

Please view and enjoy the educators’ guide I created for We Need Diverse Books for A Universe of Wishes:

You can also access the educators’ guide here.

You can learn more about A Universe of Wishes on We Need Diverse Book’s page.

Recommended For:

Giant Rays of Hope: Protecting Manta Rays to Safeguard the Sea by Patricia Newman

March 11, 2025 by Kellee

Giant Rays of Hope: Protecting Manta Rays to Safeguard the Sea
Author: Patricia Newman
Published October 1st, 2024 by Lerner Publishing Group

Summary: Off the coast of Perú, gentle giants swim beneath the waves. Thanks to the work of Kerstin Forsberg, giant manta rays have become a symbol of hope for ocean conservation in the region. Mantas are a flagship species, and when they’re protected, the whole ocean ecosystem benefits.

Kerstin, who founded the organization Planeta Océano, has taken a new approach to ocean conservation. Previous conservation projects were often led by scientists from other places who didn’t work with the local people. When Kerstin decided to help manta rays, she sought the opinions of local fishers and educated them about the dangers of overfishing, bycatch, and poaching—things that affect both manta rays and fishers. She also involved local schools and teachers.

With the help of teachers, students, and fishers, Kerstin launched a project to identify and track manta rays and protect them, making the ocean a better place for all creatures. Dive in with author Patricia Newman and explore how taking care of the ocean can benefit everyone!

About the Author: Patricia Newman wants us all to know we are part of nature. As a Robert F. Sibert Honor recipient, she shows us how our actions ripple around the world, empowers us to find our own connections to nature, and encourages us to use our imaginations to act on behalf of our communities. Her nonfiction titles have received multiple starred reviews, Orbis Pictus Recommended Awards (NCTE), Green Earth Book Awards, and several Eureka! Awards. She is based in California.

Review: I love learning new things, and Patricia Newman always delves into topics in such interesting ways that will make any reader want to not only read the entire book but also want to investigate further to learn as much as possible about it.

In this book, I dove (pun intended) into the world of manta rays: their uncertain future, their truly phenomenal elegance and uniqueness, and lots of information about environmental factors. I also learned about how much difference one person can make. This book is a call to future activists, a call for all animal lovers, and a call for all humans to see more than what we normally see.

I am also impressed how Newman wrote an entire book about manta rays but by the end, the reader has thought about so much include flagship species, collaboration, negotiation, activism, the ocean in many different ways, cause and effect, and so much more.

Once again a truly fascinating and informative book has been gifted to us readers by Patricia Newman.

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation and Discussion Questions:

In the standards-aligned guide provided by Lerner, educators can find lessons about manta ray anatomy, bycatch simulation, the challenge of overfishing, plotting manta sightings, civic role models, and exploring plankton.

The guide’s objectives are:

To help students understand our unbreakable connection to the ocean and we affect it.
To encourage and empower students to become a voice for the ocean in their homes, schools, and communities.
To help students become better science communicators

The guide focuses on Ocean Literacy Standards & Principles as well as United Nations Sustainable Developmental Goals

You can also access the educators’ guide here.

Book Trailer:

Flagged Spreads:

Read This If You Love: Nonfiction books about animals, environmental issues, and/or conservation efforts

Recommended For:

**Thank you to the author for providing a copy for review!**

Educators’ Guide for The Hotel Balzaar by Kate DiCamillo, Illustrated by Júlia Sardà

December 10, 2024 by Kellee

The Hotel Balzaar
Author: Kate DiCamillo
Illustrator: Júlia Sardà
Published: October 1st, 2024 by Candlewick Press

Summary: In a wise and magical follow-up to The Puppets of Spelhorst, Kate DiCamillo revisits the land of Norendy, where tales swirl within tales—and every moment is a story in the making.

At the Hotel Balzaar, Marta’s mother rises before the sun, puts on her uniform, and instructs Marta to roam as she will but quietly, invisibly—like a little mouse. While her mother cleans rooms, Marta slips down the back staircase to the grand lobby to chat with the bellman, study the painting of an angel’s wing over the fireplace, and watch a cat chase a mouse around the face of the grandfather clock, all the while dreaming of the return of her soldier father, who has gone missing. One day, a mysterious countess with a parrot checks in, promising a story—in fact, seven stories in all, each to be told in its proper order. As the stories unfold, Marta begins to wonder: could the secret to her father’s disappearance lie in the countess’s tales? Book two in a trio of novellas bound by place and mood—with elegant line art by Júlia Sardà—The Hotel Balzaar masterfully juggles yearning and belief, shining light into every dark corner.

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation and Discussion Questions:

Please view and enjoy the educators’ guide I created for Candlewick:

You can also access the educators’ guide here.

Recommended For:

Bound to Dream: An Immigrant Story by Charles Ghigna, Illustrated by Anna Forlati

November 5, 2024 by Kellee

Bound to Dream: An Immigrant Story
Author: Charles Ghigna
Illustrator: Anna Forlati
Published September 28th, 2024 by Schiffer Kids

Summary: A heartwarming picture book about Carlo, a young Italian immigrant in 1800s New York City, that celebrates books and family as it instills the values of heritage, perseverance, and the love of learning.

Transcending borders and generations, Bound to Dream: An Immigrant Story follows Carlo as he leaves his home in Italy and travels far away to New York City to create a new life. Carlo finds a job as a bookbinder and learns the skills of the trade, cultivating a love of books, words, and stories that he passes to future generations.

Featuring stunning, atmospheric illustrations depicting Carlo’s immigrant journey, this picture book is based on the experiences of the author’s great-grandfather. The uplifting true story inspires children ages four to eight to learn about their family history and how it shapes and lives on in them today.

About the Creators:

Charles Ghigna—Father Goose® is the author of more than 100 books, including The Father Goose Treasury of Poetry, The Magic Box, A Poem Is a Firefly, Love Is Everything, and Fetch, Cat. Fetch! He has written more than 5,000 poems for children and adults. He was born in New York City and has lived in Homewood, Alabama, for the past 50 years. Visit his website at FatherGoose.com.

Anna Forlati has illustrated several books, and her work has appeared in many international exhibitions. She is a collaborator with the Onus Radio Magica Foundation. Her book My Dad, My Rock received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews. Anna was born in Padua, Italy. She received her degree in contemporary art and a degree in film history at the IUAV University in Venice.

Review & Educators’ Tools for Navigation: This story of resiliency and the love of literacy transcends time and place. Carlo comes to a new land, and although he is faced with hard times, he finds something he loves and puts his heart and work into that thing. This book is truly a story about how books can change lives. Oh, and make sure to look for how color is added into the illustrations when speaking about book

As a historical fiction picture book based on the author’s great grandfather’s story, Bound to Dream is a great inclusion when talking about immigration into America, America in the early 1800s, or family history. (My son also just did a passion project on the history of books, and this would have been a great resource for that also!)

Discussion Questions:

What character traits did Carlo display throughout the book?
How did Carlo’s love of books help him in his life?
How did the illustrator share the magic Carlo felt when reading with the reader?
How did the author learn this story if he never met his great grandfather?
What lessons can you take away from this story?
Why do you think the author chose to tell this story?
How does the title of the book connect with the story?

Flagged Spreads:

Read This If You Love: Picture books about the power of books, Picture books about immigration

Recommended For:

**Thank you to Schiffer Publishing for providing a copy for review!**

I, Too, Am Here by Morgan Christie, Illustrated by Marley Berot

October 8, 2024 by Kellee

I, Too, Am Here
Author: Morgan Christie
Illustrator: Marley Berot
Published September 10th, 2024 by Second Story Press

Summary: The street a young girl lives on is made up of families from all over the world. Her family shares with her their stories of journey and struggle. Her own story begins here in this country, but she is sometimes made to feel she does not belong. She listens to her family’s voices. They tell her she will soar, they tell her she is beautiful. She listens and she says I, too, am here.

A multigenerational story of immigration, racism, and what it truly means to belong. Inspired by Langston Hughes’ poem, “I, Too.”

About the Author:

Morgan Christie is the author of four poetry chapbooks, a short story collection, and a collection of essays. She has won the Arc Poetry Poem of the Year Contest, the Prairie Fire Fiction Prize, the Digging Press Chapbook Series Prize, and the Howling Bird Press Nonfiction Book Award. ‘I, Too, Am Here’ is her second picture book and she continues to work towards affecting change through reading and writing. Morgan is based out of Toronto.

Marley Berot is an illustrator with over ten years of combined personal and professional experience. Her portfolio includes cover art for Neuron, graphic design work for the Toronto International Film Festival, logo design, and book illustration. She runs her own online store called MarleysApothecary.com. Marley is very passionate about her work as an artist, and this can be seen in every piece she creates. She lives in the Toronto area.

Review: The author shares that, “In reading this story, she hopes young readers will learn to see the ways our words and actions can affect others,” and I truly believe they will. I don’t know how anyone could argue that the beautiful family in the story should have anything but happiness. I also love that the author “drew inspiration from Hughes’s poem to write this book because she wanted to remind everyone who’s been told or made to feel otherwise how much joy and wonder they bring to the people and places around them,” and this is a message that all young people, all PEOPLE, should hear loud and clear, which this picture book delivers in words and art.

Tools for Navigation: This picture book can be read along side Langston Hughes’s “I, Too” poem to look for similarities, how it was influenced, the themes of both, etc.

Discussion Questions:

Why does the narrator not understand the racism that his family faced?
What character traits would you use to define each of the characters in the story?
What should you do if you hear someone being racist (or prejudice in another way) towards a peer?
How does the history of slavery and the Jim Crow south still affect America today?
How was the book inspired by Langston Hughes?

Flagged Spreads: