Webster the Beagle and His Adventures at the River, written by Frank Payne, with illustrations by Romney Vasquez.
This is the story of Webster the beagle and his adventures at the Rappahannock River, whose tale of hope will inspire you to never give up on your dreams. Sometimes we think we’re lost, when really, we’re just hoping to be found. Webster the Beagle and His Adventures at the River is the highly anticipated second book in the Webster the Beagle series, which was inspired by Payne’s late beagle of the same namesake.
Through this heartfelt and beautifully illustrated book, Payne hopes that readers understand how special life is on a river – especially when it’s with your best friend. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the Webster books benefit charities local to the Richmond area, including SPCAs, Richmond Animal Care and Control, Henrico and Richmond Counties, VA Little Leagues, and the Medical College of Virginia Children’s Hospital.
“Webster always gave back to his community as a therapy dog and loved everyone he met,” said Payne. “The new book was written for my love of Webster, the Rappahannock River, and the adventures we would have together while there.”
I found this story delightful and loved the beautiful illustrations!
A Tall Tale: How the Ostriches Got Their Long Necks and Long Legs, written by Scott Sollers, with illustrations by Alejandro Echavez
This is the story of two rival communities living in valleys separated by a ridge. The Have-Alls live in a fertile, beautiful valley with their leader, Chief Somebody, and their prized pets, the Squatz. In the other valley, one more desolate and barren, live the No-Haves and their leader, Chief Nobody. The No-Haves, always jealous of the Have-Alls’ pets, decide to gather the Squatz for themselves. What results is a fierce tug-of-war that changes the two communities—and the Squatz—forever!
Through this heartfelt and beautifully illustrated book, Sollers teaches young readers what it means to be selfless, while at the same time, teaching them the virtue of forgiveness.
Sollers created this book and other nighttime stories for his daughter, Stephanie, when she was a youngster. Originally, he handwrote and illustrated these stories, and finally had the inspiration to get them published.
I love the messages in this book especially teaching children the lesson of forgiveness!
Conor McGlauflin, the incredible author / illustrator behind the delightful picture book Sock on the Loose,is back and teaming up with his wife Hannah Zisman on Think a Thought, a picture book that asks the question “What’s a thought?”
Thoughts can be good, like feeling cozy in your bed—and they can be bad, like wondering if there’s a monster instead. You have the power to hold on tight to these thoughts, or push them away. But what happens when you’re caught in a storm of thoughts, loud and scary?
Think a Thought offers a primer on practicing mindfulness for the youngest of readers, providing a read filled with words of affirmation to help find calm. It’s a particularly important read, as anxiety and depression levels increase among kids. I absolutely love how this book simplifies what a thought is and that a child has power over their thoughts.
A BITE ABOVE THE REST by Christine Virnig
A boy moves to a Halloween-themed town only to realize there may be more to the tourist trap than meets the eye in this fast-paced romp of a middle grade novel perfect for fans of The Last Kids on Earth and Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library!
This one is perfect for Fall and the upcoming Halloween holiday! Middle school kids will be entranced and love the characters and the suspense!
And, yes..Halloween will be here before we know it!
Self Disclosure: I received free copies of the above books to feature. Cover images were also provided.
