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We are BIG Traction Man fans in this house, so when I saw this listed as a great summer read over at The Guardian, I got pretty excited. And for the record--absolutely NO need to be under 5 to enjoy it. Traction Man is the thinking person's Action Man (also known as GI Joe in this country.) And with his faithful side-kick Scrubbing Brush, he will be prepared for anything. I could not find a US

I've made no secret of my fan girl admiration of M.T. Anderson, nor my love of the w00t!-worthy Pals in Peril series. So let's all give a big 'Huzzah!' for the return of Lily, Katie, and Jasper Dash in a brand new adventure, due for release in October. Now that the Enola Holmes series is finished, and Larklight seems content to remain a trilogy, "Pals in Peril" has sole possession of the top spot

Scholastic, in their ever successful attempts to tease fans of The Hunger Games and Catching Fire, have added to their Hunger Games site a widget that is simply too cool for school: it's a countdown clock to the release (and I'm guessing that word can be used in regard to more than just the publication date) of Mockingbird. The final volume in Suzanne Collins' dystopian trilogy must be the

I know it's not even summer yet, but I'm already looking forward to the fall and the latest installment in the Alvin Ho series. Alvin in September is the best thing since back-to-school shopping. And not nearly as scary. (You can read more about this upcoming release here)

.....after opening his magic pink refrigerator, and visiting New York and Paris, Dodsworth arrives in London in November. I have just this to say--please come to Boston!

Okay, when I saw the title of this book in the Publisher's Weekly Fall Children's preview I got excited because I had images of cockney wide-boys dancing in my head. One look at the cover has disabused me of that notion, and a visit to Urban Dictionary has enlightened me to the fact that "geezer" is a term used in the US as well as the UK, although the connotation is completely different. I guess

I've just spent a thoroughly pleasant hour or so perusing a new Scholastic catalog, and I have discovered that a lot of my favorite series have new books coming out in September and October! I will be making space on my To Read Pile for:Julian Rodriguez: Invasion of the Relatives by Alexander StadlerIt's been a long wait for this sequel to Trash Crisis on EarthMarsupials by Nic BishopAfter

According to a report in Publisher's Weekly, 2010 is the 65th anniversary of Tove Jansson's classic series about a family of sprites that look like adorable anime hippos, and there is a big marketing drive planned for the occassion. While Finn Family Moomintroll does not have the strong following in the States that it does in Europe and, particularly, Japan there is hope that the new campaign,

My day just got a whole lot brighter! New Babymouse--huzzah!

I thought my bummer of a Friday had taken a turn for the better when I saw in a Listening Library catalog Jasper Dash and the Flame-Pits of Deleware by M.T. Anderson. I've been waiting ages for this book to be released. But as I looked on-line for ordering information for the book, I kept hitting dead ends. Baker and Taylor shows a hardcover edition coming out in September 2009 from Simon and

Well, after this morning's Newbery Committee announcement, this is sort of a no brainer! It's one of those books that I've been meaning to catch the next time I saw it come across the circ desk. But now that it's the 2009 winner, I'll step up my efforts. I've already ordered a second copy for our collection. I wonder how the imminent release of Coraline in theatres played into this, if at all.

After enjoying The Night Tourist so much, I'm pleased to see that a sequel is coming out in April. I have to admit that I thought the first book was pretty well contained, so while I'm happy to read more adventures, I'm almost not sure that that's necessary. At any rate, we can all look forward to a Night Tourist movie, at some point.

Some of my favorite Early Reader series are returning with new installments. September brings us the further adventures of Fly Guy, that slightly scrotal but totally lovable insect (and I don't often show affection for any sort of bug) and his owner, Buzz. And for fans of the softer, less-manic tales of friendship, there is a new Houndlsy and Catina book to savor.

I have so much admiration for writers who can create a story of limited, sometimes pre-dictated, vocabulary, and still offer a story that is fun to read. Dr. Seuss and Else Holmelund Minarik are the standards by which Early Reader authors are judged, but Mo Willems (Elephant & Piggie,) Tedd Arnold (Fly Guy,) Cynthia Rylant (take your pick!), James Howe (Houndsley & Catina,) Lola M. Schaefer (Mittens,) Keith Baker (Mr. & Mrs. Green) have all risen to the challenge.

Looking for some hot releases for the first half of 2008? Publisher's Weekly has kindly compiled a list of titles scheduled for release up to the end of June. I myself am eagerly awaiting The Pigeon Wants by Mo Willems. Check out The Pigeon Wants a.....contest as well if you want to try and win a school visit from Mr. Willems himself! All those years working for Sesame Street have made the Pigeon website just about the most entertaining character site on the web.