Tag: humor

Cartoon style art shows a boy being dragged by an overflowing buffet of Thanksgiving foods with adult faces behind the food.
Posted in PB, So Many Good Books

The Great Thanksgiving Escape

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Perfect Picture Book Friday

The Great Thanksgiving Escape (Candlewick, 2017) by Mark Fearing is so hilarious. (I can’t believe I’ve never posted about it before!)

Gavin expects a boring day, but when cousin Rhonda suggests they escape the toddlers to the swing set in the backyard, the hilarity ensues.

I love this view of a Thanksgiving gathering from the point of view of a kid. “Great wall of butts,” anyone?

Mark is an author/illustrator who sometimes illustrates others books and sometimes writes and illustrates his own. See his books here. See what else he does here and read about Mark here. He’s also a good speaker, so if you can, attend an event where he’s talking.

A cartoon style rocket ship in front of a blue background. Also a purple nebula spiral and a small saucer style space ship with a critter inside.
Posted in PB, So Many Good Books

I Need Space

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Perfect Picture Book Friday

I Need Space* (Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2026) by Molly Harris and illustrated by Jon Corby at first appears to just be a simple look at playing in space, but it’s much more.

Rocco the rocket ship finds the playground so much fun. It’s a blast until some others don’t play nice. What’s a spaceship to do?

I love puns, so the title and parts of the text especially appeal. And the art is darling! I like the backmatter as well.

I think this story will be helpful for kids learning how to navigate life, which they all have to do, and will appeal to teachers and parents as well. Readers of Jenn Bailey’s award-winning Henry books, may enjoy this one, too.

Read about the author here and see Molly’s other books here.

Read about Jon here and see his books and some of his illustrations here.

*The book’s official release date was Tuesday. I received a copy for review from the publisher. All thoughts are my own.

fantasy style cover showing four children - one with knitting needles and yarn (Peri, main character), a girl with a magical wand, a boy with a dagger, and a girl with a bow. Behind them is a lit house on a cliffside with bare spooky looking trees.
Posted in MG Novels, So Many Good Books

Socks & Secret Quests

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Socks & Secret Quests: The Wandering Shop, Book 1 (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2026) by Triona Murphy and illustrated by James Firnhaber is a fun light-hearted fantasy. The author describes it as “Howl’s Moving Castle meets Dungeons & Dragons.” I’d definitely wondered if she’d been inspired by Diana Wynne Jones’ Howl books.

Peri is an apprentice in a magical shop that moves around and supplies adventurers with what they need. She worries that her magical abilities have not shown themselves. Although she’s a bit concerned about how fast she can knit sometimes. Then when a dark wizard takes the master shopkeeper, Peri goes out to find the closest adventuring team to get help. However, that team is really bad at cooperating. Can she pull them together to help her rescue Master Hema?

I really like how the story uses a mundane skill for so much more.

The book is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection for 2026!

This is the author’s debut book* that just came out the end of September. Obviously, it’s a series, so we can look forward to more about Peri. Read about Triona here. (Yes, she does knit–her patterns are here.)

See the some of the illustrator’s work here and here. Read about James here.

*I received an advanced paperback copy from the publisher. Opinions expressed here are my own.

Cover of The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman features a falling boy with papers, pencils, a backpack, a skateboard, and a pug all falling against a blue background
Posted in Award Winners, MG Novels, So Many Good Books

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman (Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2024) by Gennifer Choldenko is a heart-wrenching story. Of course, her middle grade novels often are.

Hank, almost 12, and his sister Boo, 3, haven’t seen their mom in a week. The food has run out, so have the scrounged coins. The landlord is threatening eviction through the closed door. With Grandma Mae gone, what can they do? A name and address written on an unsigned permission slip is their only hope.

You’ll love both kids–such sympathetic characters.

The book has too many awards to list, but you can see them here. Read fun facts about Newbery honor author Gennifer here. I love her Alcatraz books, but I think Notes from a Liar and Her Dog is still my favorite. Check out all her books here.

cover of Leif's Gift - shows a kd with a watering can in teh center, surrounded by plants. A green turtle is below him.
Posted in PB, So Many Good Books

Leif’s Gift

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Perfect Picture Book Friday

Lief’s Gift (Norton Young Readers, 2025) by Michael Wang and illustrated by Lenny Wen is amusing and educational.

Lief likes growing plants in his bedroom with his pal Hortus (a turtle). “Lief was devoted to foliage.” He asks for specific plants for his birthday, from the tooth fairy, from Santa Claus. He has quite a collection, but doesn’t think he has enough. But when his plants grow, and grow and grow, he has trouble finding things in his room. When Hortus is missing, Lief takes an honest look at his too wild room. How can he keep his plants but make them somehow less?

Backmatter shows how to propagate plants. And includes a list and illustrations of pet friendly plants.

This is the author’s debut picture book. On this page, you’ll find activities and videos for the book. Read about Michael here.

Read about the illustrator here. Lenny is an author as well as an illustrator and you can see her books here. Sample illustrations are on the main page of her website.