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Bixby the Peacock on Maple Street
Bixby the Peacock on Maple Street bursts with color, curiosity, and charm, a lively children’s story that transforms a simple neighborhood mystery into an unforgettable adventure. Shani T. Night welcomes young readers into the vibrant world of Bixby, a confident, radiant peacock who saunters through suburbia with effortless flair and a personality as bold as his feathers.
Bixby’s arrival on Maple Street immediately sweeps readers into a lively blend of whimsy and discovery. The rhyming text creates a rhythmic, almost musical flow, ideal for read-aloud moments with children ages 4–8. Night’s spirited word choices and vivid scenes spark laughter and wide-eyed fascination as Bixby weaves through gardens, sidesteps household pets, crosses busy streets, and carries himself as if the entire neighborhood is his personal stage.
Beyond its cheerful storytelling, the book quietly delivers genuine peacock facts, offering an engaging dose of learning within the playful narrative. This smooth fusion of imagination and information nurtures a child’s natural curiosity about the world, presenting knowledge in a way that feels inviting, light, and wonderfully accessible.
As part of the Interesting Tales series, Night once again turns everyday surprises into moments of magic. Bixby’s escapade reminds readers, young and old, that extraordinary wonders often wait just beyond the front door.
Bright, witty, and beautifully composed, Bixby the Peacock on Maple Street is a heartwarming celebration of exploration, nature, and the delight of storytelling. It deserves a spot on bedtime bookshelves, classroom collections, and in the hands of any young reader drawn to animals or unexpected adventures.
Pages: 29 | ASIN : B0FNGVM32L
Ellie Ment and the Material Matter
Ellie Ment and the Material Matter, by Bertie Stephens, is a quirky and fast-paced middle-grade adventure that blends science, humor, and environmental themes with a heavy dose of curiosity and chaos. It follows the story of Ellie, an 11-year-old self-proclaimed scientist living in the endlessly rainy town of Hapsie. After witnessing her brand-new school go up in strange purple flames, Ellie is drawn into a mystery that includes jam jar experiments, mysterious adults, glowing embers, suspicious teachers, a secret science club, and a new girl who seems just a little too perfect. Armed with a fierce love of science and a head full of questions, Ellie digs deeper into what’s really going on, and ends up discovering more about the world (and herself) than she bargained for.
The writing is seriously fun. Bertie Stephens has a wild energy in his prose that feels like Roald Dahl with a scientific twist. There’s a real rhythm to the way he plays with narration, slipping in clever asides and running gags that make you grin without feeling overdone. The world-building in Hapsie is rich in detail, from a pothole nicknamed “Stego-hole” to an art teacher who inexplicably wipes down students’ faces with talcum powder. It’s packed with oddball characters and moments that are both funny and surprisingly touching. I loved how the book never talks down to the reader; it trusts kids to understand big ideas, and that trust feels earned. The science woven into the story isn’t just accurate, it’s exciting. Ellie’s obsession with the periodic table, her experiments with rainwater, and her balloon hypothesis all made me want to pull out a notebook and start investigating things myself.
Ellie is a joy. She is relatable, sharp, stubborn, and delightfully flawed, but Kami, her main “rival,” didn’t feel quite as developed early on. I found myself wanting to understand her a bit more beneath the confident, polished surface. Some of that depth does come through later. I loved the fast pace and witty writing. While a few moments felt a little rushed or slightly tangled, there were still plot twists that surprised me in the best way. This is a story that’s bursting with creativity, warmth, and just the right amount of scientific mayhem.
Ellie Ment and the Material Matter is one of those rare stories that feels smart and silly in equal measure. It’s great for curious kids who love science, adventure, or just getting into a little trouble in the name of learning. Teachers and parents will appreciate its environmental message and the way it champions creative thinking without preaching. It reminded me how important it is to question the world around us and to never accept “that’s just the way it is” as an answer. If I had this book when I was eleven, I would’ve read it twice.
Pages: 284 | ASIN : B0F6T1ZMFX
Trusting Yourself
Rewilding follows a 12-year-old girl who finds solace in nature while struggling to keep her and her brother’s difficult home life quiet. Where did the idea for this book come from?
It started when a fledgling scrub jay landed in my woodpile. I knew there was a story in my family’s experience of trying to care for the bird. We made many of the mistakes that Joy eventually makes in the book. As Joy’s journey with nature and rewilding started to bloom, the darker challenges of her life also began to surface. At that time, I had a number of friends who were wrenching themselves out of gaslighting relationships. I began to wonder about Joy and what lots of kids deal with every day. I began to ask how do you solve a problem with no good answers? Where do you turn?
Is there anything from your own life that helped inspire your characters’ traits and dialogue?
One of my favorite artistic pursuits is collage. So often my books feel like little scraps of experience pieced together to create something new and cohesive. I have a few wild and wise older women in my life who helped inspire the character of Ezzie. And Joy’s younger brother, Ian, is absolutely modeled after my daughter, Mieke, who is full of exuberant energy and big feelings. She’s now twelve, but when I started writing the book, she was about Ian’s age. She liked to climb and jump on everything. I’m happy to report that she still does.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The theme of trusting yourself is very dear to me. So many of us grow up looking to others to tell us how to think and feel about ourselves. We look to others to see if we measure up, if we’re doing things the right way. But really, each of us is the expert on our own selves. We need to learn to listen to our inner voices.
Also, nature. It has always seemed to me that we humans are not here on this planet to dominate and control, but to care for and nurture and celebrate our home.
What is one thing you hope young readers take away from Rewilding?
I hope they see bits of themselves or others they know. I hope they find understanding and compassion for themselves and others. I hope those glimpses inspire them to look more closely at the world around them. Maybe that’s three things. Or maybe it’s all part of one big thing.
With her dad gone and her mom falling into depression, the responsibility of managing the household and caring for her younger brother, Ian, falls on her small shoulders. She struggles with the reality of wearing old clothes that no longer fit and constantly dealing with Ian’s hunger. Joy lives in fear that the school counselor might contact Child Protective Services due to their situation.
One day, a baby bird falls from its nest, reminding Joy of her dad’s warning, “You don’t know your own strength.” Desperate for help, Joy strikes a deal with their quirky neighbor, Ezzie, known as the “Ark Lady.” Through this new relationship, Joy, Ian, and her friend embark on a journey to restore the garden. In the process, they discover the concept of “rewilding,” which brings unexpected beauty and healing. This experience leads Joy to question her father’s views, opening her eyes to new possibilities and strengths within herself.
Polar Post: An Erutuf National Park Novel
Polar Post follows siblings Reese and Dean and their hilariously food-motivated golden retriever, Tutu, on their third magical trip to the mysterious and whimsical Erutuf National Park. This time, they’re whisked off to the Arctic, where talking animals, pirates in tuxedos, and frozen palaces await. The kids land smack in the middle of a secret mission to hide an important map from sneaky villains, and it’s up to them (with some help from a card-trick-loving polar bear) to keep the park safe. It’s playful, unpredictable, and full of heart.
Dean’s steady stream of puns and dad-joke humor is remarkably well-executed. Lines like “King Henry the 1/8!” had me laughing early on, and the witty one-liners continue throughout the book. Tutu is another standout with her fixation on treats and spontaneous dog-centric observations (“Treats are things!”) add a layer of charm and levity that made me smile consistently. The humor never feels forced; instead, it strikes a natural, effortless tone that captures the playful dynamic of sibling banter in a genuinely engaging way.
Then there’s the whole magical adventure part, which hit that sweet spot between fantasy and nature-loving wonder. The idea of a national park that teleports kids to different ecosystems and lets them talk to animals is just… genius. The ice palace, with its glittering walls and crazy sled tunnel, was like a dream. And I loved how the book layered in real facts about polar bears, narwhals, and climate issues, but in a way that didn’t feel preachy. Dean’s virtual reality moment on glacier ice? Gave me actual chills. Kathy Cherry has this way of sliding in learning moments without killing the vibe. It’s smart.
I also appreciated the sibling dynamic between Reese and Dean. They feel like real kids. Reese is the organized, logical math-lover, while Dean’s just vibing through life with a joke in one hand and a snack in the other. Their bond felt warm and familiar, but not sugarcoated. And it was nice to see that Reese had some nerves, especially about the pirates. She’s not just the “smart” one; she’s a full person with worries and hopes. The scene where she uses math as a calming technique in the maze? Weirdly beautiful.
Polar Post is a heartwarming, funny, and clever story with a whole lot of imagination. It’s clearly aimed at middle-grade readers, but honestly, I had a blast reading it as an adult. If you’re a teacher, a parent, or just someone who loves talking animals, secret missions, and a little eco-magic in your stories, this one’s for you. Highly recommend.
Pages: 106 | ASIN : B0DK89TZWQ
Rewilding
At its heart, Rewilding is a tender, poignant middle grade novel about twelve-year-old Joy, who finds herself juggling way more than any kid should. While taking care of her younger brother Ian and hiding their struggling home life from nosy adults, Joy stumbles into something unexpectedly healing: nature. Between dodging Child Protective Services and trying to keep her family from falling apart, she begins to rewild a neglected yard and, in the process, slowly begins to rewild herself.
Joy’s narration is painfully real, funny in all the right ways, and completely heartbreaking when it needs to be. Right from chapter one, when she eavesdrops on a conversation between the school counselor and her brother, we’re dropped into a world where Joy is already carrying the emotional weight of an adult. “Big clumsy Joy strikes again,” she says after barging into Bertie’s office, and that moment hits like a brick. She’s trying so hard to hold things together that you want to jump into the story and tell her she doesn’t have to. But that’s the thing, she does have to. No one else will.
The themes Gerlits weaves through the story of neglect, gaslighting, mental illness, and body image are handled with honesty and subtlety, but they never weigh the book down. Joy’s relationship with her own body, for instance, is explored quietly and compassionately. She’s constantly aware of her size, of how her clothes don’t fit right anymore, of how people react to her strength. And then comes the moment when Joy discovers a baby bird in the woodpile and makes the quiet but profound decision to care for it. The scene is deeply moving. When she gently says, “You trust me,” to the fragile creature in her hands, it becomes a powerful symbol of her own longing to be trusted, needed, and capable. For a brief instant, everything else in the story seems to pause around that simple, tender exchange.
But what I loved most was the metaphor of rewilding. Not just the literal ecosystem restoration Joy does in the ARK yard, but the way she’s unknowingly restoring herself. Her home life is rough. Her mom is barely functioning, her dad is unreliable, and her little brother is too young to understand the danger they’re in. Yet Joy never gives up. She mows the lawn, feeds her brother, protects her mom’s dignity, and tries (with mixed results) to raise a bird. The passage in which Joy resolves to clean up the yard to prevent others from suspecting neglect is among the most emotionally wrenching in the novel. It reveals a fierce, protective love intertwined with a desperate desire to maintain control over an unraveling situation. The moment is rendered with striking authenticity and emotional depth.
Rewilding isn’t just a story for kids. It’s for anyone who’s ever tried to make the best of a messy situation. It’s for anyone who’s ever felt unseen or overwhelmed or not strong enough, only to discover they are. I’d recommend this book to middle grade readers who like realistic stories with heart, but also to adults who remember what it was like to be young and scared and brave all at once. This book doesn’t shy away from hard truths, but it also offers hope in the shape of a baby bird, a patch of wildflowers, and a girl who learns she really does know her own strength.
Pages: 288 | ASIN : B0DZCJYQHW
Cora’s Garden Rescue: Nurturing Nature, Growing Kindness, and Saving Our Community’s Green Spaces (Cora Can Collection Book 2)
Cora’s Garden Rescue is a heartwarming children’s book about a little girl named Cora and her friends who team up to revive Grandma’s neglected community garden. The garden starts as a dull and lifeless place, but through teamwork and care, they transform it into a vibrant haven for plants, animals, and people alike. It’s a tale about friendship, love for nature, and how small efforts can make a big difference.
I absolutely loved the characters in this story. Cora is so determined, and her excitement for nature really shines through. My favorite part was when she meets Buttercup, the lonely butterfly, and promises to help. It felt like the butterfly was almost magical, whispering its plea for help. The way the kids came together, each bringing their unique touch, like Finn setting up the bird feeder and Jace collecting rainwater, was so sweet and inspiring. It reminded me of childhood adventures with my own friends, though we weren’t nearly as organized.
The writing is simple but packed with meaning. I liked how each part of the garden’s revival had its moment, from cleaning up trash to planting flowers. When the animals returned, it felt so rewarding, especially when the birds started singing again and bees buzzed around the flowers. The scene with Cora finding the caterpillar was adorable; her little pep talk to it about becoming a butterfly made me smile. It’s small details like this that make the story charming and relatable.
I can’t go without mentioning the illustrations by Remesh Ram. They’re bright, colorful, and full of life, just like the story. One page, where the garden is finally thriving and the sun is setting, is absolutely beautiful. You could sense the accomplishment and how much it meant to make Grandma happy.
This picture book is a feel-good read that’s perfect for kids who love nature or anyone who enjoys a story about teamwork and kindness. It’s especially great for families or classrooms, as it has plenty of teachable moments about caring for the environment. I’d recommend it to kids around 4-8 years old, though adults reading along will find it just as delightful.
Pages: 34 | ASIN : B0DNNL16ZQ
Environmental Responsibility
Jeremy and the Beetle Takedown follows a young boy in science class who discovers the world of entomology and is instantly fascinated with the subject. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
My son’s school project inspired me to write Jeremy and the Beetle Takedown. It got me thinking about how hands-on experiences can inspire kids and I wanted to capture how even the smallest discoveries—like learning about insects—can make kids’ eyes light up with excitement.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I wanted to show that by asking questions, exploring, and working together, kids can solve problems and better the world. I also wanted to highlight environmental responsibility, like how invasive species affect ecosystems, and show kids that even the tiniest things they do can have a big impact.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with the illustrator Beatriz Gouveia?
Working with Beatriz was amazing! She brought the characters and the story to life in ways I never imagined. We had such a blast throwing ideas back and forth. Her work added so much to the story, and it was great to see how the illustrations made the adventure even more enjoyable for readers.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
Yes! Jeremy and the Beetle Takedown starts the series. The second book, Sarah’s Gene-ius Discovery, came out on April 25th, taking kids into the world of DNA and genetics. Jeremy, Sarah, and friends will keep exploring new STEAM topics, solving real-world problems, and showing how curiosity and teamwork lead to big discoveries. Stay tuned for more adventures!
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Jeremy and his friends set off on an adventure to observe insects, but their bug-watching turns into a mystery they must solve to save their beloved ash trees. Can they do it in time?
This picture book unlocks the fascinating world of Entomology, a branch of zoology dedicated to insects, inviting young explorers to learn about non-native insects, and how they impact our planet. It features simple vocabulary, easy science experiments, and a glossary that supports young readers aged 5-10.
This is an introductory book that explores concepts for early grades in a fun and engaging way.
Visually stimulating and educational
Acclaimed, trusted and informative
Great for classrooms and summer camps
Perfect for curious children who love to ask, “Why?” or “What?”
Encourages continual student-led learning
Perfect for kids interested in bugs and insects
Why get this book?
Entertain and educate kids to pursue science
Developmentally appropriate for early grade readers
High quality, picture book illustrations
Easy-to-follow information and activities to engage young scientists
Written/illustrated by parents, teachers, and experts
So, join Jeremy and his friends as they work to restore balance to their environment. Read along as they discover and learn.
The Esperanza – Chasing Hope – Book 2 of The Terracolina Trilogy
In The Esperanza: Book Two of the Terracolina Trilogy, Carla Kessler weaves a compelling continuation of twelve-year-old Thomas’s journey, blending themes of fantasy, friendship, and self-discovery. Returning from three intense days in the magical world of Terracolina, Thomas grapples with the rigid expectations of his parents, leaving him yearning for purpose and autonomy in a world that often feels stifling. Though faced with the prospect of math camp instead of adventure, Thomas finds solace in his friendships with the savvy Sai and popular Jax, uncovering new ways to impact both his human world and Terracolina. Amidst personal struggles and looming ecological threats, Thomas embarks on a search for meaning, confronting both inner turmoil and external perils.
Kessler delves deeply into Thomas’s complex emotions, especially his grief and desire for acceptance. The emotional weight of the story resonates as Thomas faces rejection from his parents, who seem unyielding and cold. This dynamic brings up frustration and sympathy, and readers may question whether Thomas’s inclination to escape to Terracolina was driven by the emotional void in his family life. As Grumog’s dark influence grows, Thomas’s journey toward healing and self-acceptance continues to unfold. The friendships he fosters, particularly with Sai and Jax, inject the story with camaraderie and hope, making his path all the more touching. The book introduces a challenging continuity issue that may unsettle dedicated readers of the trilogy. In the first book, Thomas physically enters Terracolina, with real time elapsing in the human world. In The Esperanza, however, he now accesses Terracolina in a dream state, where no time passes back home. This change creates a dissonance, as book two revises details from book one, suggesting Thomas camped in the woods before dreaming his way into Terracolina—a stark departure from the original narrative. While a minor flaw, this inconsistency detracts slightly from the immersion in an otherwise well-crafted, poignant story. The Esperanza remains a rich story of healing, growth, and acceptance, embracing the challenges of grieving and finding one’s place in the world. Thomas’s struggles, his earnest journey to overcome them, and his loyal friendships make him an endearing and relatable character. The story feels deeply personal, and readers may find themselves wanting to reach out and support him as he navigates this turbulent path. With the final book yet to come, hopes and expectations build for a satisfying conclusion to this heartfelt trilogy.
For Middle-Grade readers, The Esperanza offers a magical, emotionally resonant adventure, interwoven with messages of resilience, self-confidence, and the power of small actions to effect change. This fantasy tale, with its touches of adventure and thought-provoking themes, is sure to captivate young and old alike.
Pages: 230 | ASIN : B0DHB2FWMS
LITERARY TITAN 