Mailbag Monday / In My Mailbox / Book Haul Mar 6th, 2017
It’s a book haul, y’all!
Incase you missed it…I GOT A NEW JOB! Yep, I am a store manager again after not being one for over 16 years. It sure is taking a lot of getting used to. Figuring out how to manager work, school, and blogging is a job all by itself y’all. I’m trying though. I swear it!
Anyway, these are the books we have received to feature here on WeAreWordNerds over the last two weeks. I hope you take a second and check them out.
New Books In My Mailbox Week of Feb 19 – Mar 5, 2017
This week, we received: a few new kidlit books, some middlegrade, and some graphic novel/comics!
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More Details:
Sugar Changed the World: A Story of Magic, Spice, Slavery, Freedom, and Science by Marc Aronson AMAZON | GOODREADS
Released: 2017-04-04 No. of Pages: 176
The Story: When this award-winning husband-and-wife team discovered that they each had sugar in their family history, they were inspired to trace the globe-spanning story of the sweet substance and to seek out the voices of those who led bitter sugar lives. The trail ran like a bright band from religious ceremonies in India to Europe’s Middle Ages, then on to Columbus, who brought the first cane cuttings to the Americas. Sugar was the substance that drove the bloody slave trade and caused the loss of countless lives but it also planted the seeds of revolution that led to freedom in the American colonies, Haiti, and France. With songs, oral histories, maps, and over 80 archival illustrations, here is the story of how one product allows us to see the grand currents of world history in new ways. Time line, source notes, bibliography, index.
Frankie by Mary Sullivan AMAZON | GOODREADS
Released: 2017-04-04 No. of Pages: 40
The Story: Frankie is EXCITED! A new home? A new bed? A new ball? But wait. Nico is already here. Nico’s home. Nico’s bed. Nico’s ball. Sharing is hard . . . Will Frankie find a place here too? The latest book from the Geisel Honor–winning author-illustrator Mary Sullivan features not one but two adorable pups with big personalites as they struggle to get along and find their places in the pack. At turns humorous and heartfelt, it appears that man isn’t dog’s only best friend when there is another dog to play with . . .
Curious George Plays Soccer by H. A. Rey AMAZON | GOODREADS
Released: 2017-04-25 No. of Pages: 24
The Story: When George sees his friend Gracie playing soccer in the park, he’s eager to join in—so eager that he grabs the ball with his hands and throws it in the net! Lucky for George, there’s a soccer camp starting at the rec center where he can learn the basic rules of the game and all about dribbling, passing, and what it means to be a team player. George has fun—and gets into a little mischief—at camp, but it’s not until the final game that he finds the perfect position for him. When he does, he proves to his teammates, coach, and himself that he’s their MVM—Most Valuable Monkey!
Curious George Discovers Recycling (science storybook) by H. A. Rey AMAZON | GOODREADS
Released: 2017-03-28 No. of Pages: 32
The Story: Curious George wants to help clean up the planet, and recycling seems like a good place to start—but where does he begin? Follow along with George as he learns about what recycling is, how it works, and what else he can do to reduce his monkey paw print. Readers will learn the difference between recycling and trash, what happens to the things we throw away, and other ways to help keep our planet clean. Based on Curious George, the Emmy Award-winning PBS TV show, this story also includes fun facts, real photos, experiments, activities, and more. Learning about science has never been so much fun!
Snail and Worm Again by Tina Kugler AMAZON | GOODREADS
Released: 2017-03-28 No. of Pages: 32
The Story: In this silly sequel to Snail and Worm, the dynamic duo are back for more fun and giggles in three new comic shorts brimming with quirky humor and unflappable friendship. At turns clever and sweet, these laugh-out-loud stories are perfect for readers coming out of their own shells and making the transition between picture books and chapter books.
Shell, Beak, Tusk: Shared Traits and the Wonders of Adaptation by Bridget Heos AMAZON | GOODREADS
Released: 2017-04-04 No. of Pages: 32
The Story: We think of evolution as a tree with branches that make clear, linear sense—with one animal and its traits clearly derived from one that came before it genetically. But what about animals who share key traits but aren’t on the same family tree? This is called convergent evolution, and it’s the big idea that Bridget Heos tackles in a kid-friendly way in Shell, Beak, Tusk. From mammals to reptiles, and everything in between, Heos manages to make some intriguing comparisons—and bring to life theories of evolution and convergentevolution in bite-sized, easily digested chunks of fun facts, illustrated with full-color photography throughout.
Princess Sparkle-Heart Gets a Makeover by Josh Schneider AMAZON | GOODREADS
Released: 2017-04-11 No. of Pages: 32
The Story: Amelia and her dog are best friends . . . until Princess Sparkle-Heart comes along. Soon, Amelia and Princess Sparkle-Heart are doing everything together: having tea parties, attending royal weddings, keeping each other’s secrets. Princess Sparkle-Heart may be an awesome princess doll—but is she any match for a jealous canine? Look out, Princess Sparkle-Heart! This witty parable of sibling rivalry has all the giggle-inducing visual detail and kid-appeal of the author’s previous work, plus an unexpected twist that makes for a satisfyingly delicious ending.
Bull by David Elliott AMAZON | GOODREADS
Released: 2017-03-28 No. of Pages: 200
The Story: SEE THE STORY OF THESEUS AND THE MINOTAUR IN A WHOLE NEW LIGHT Minos thought he could Pull a fast one On me, Poseidon! God of the Sea! But I’m the last one On whom you Should try such a thing. The nerve of that guy. The balls. The audacity. I AM THE OCEAN! I got capacity! Depths! Darkness! Delphic power! So his sweet little plan Went big-time sour And his wife had a son Born with horns and a muzzle Who ended up In an underground puzzle. What is it with you mortals? You just can’t seem to learn: If you play with fire, babies, You’re gonna get burned. Much like Lin-Manuel Miranda did in Hamilton, the New York Times best-selling author David Elliott turns a classic on its head in form and approach, updating the timeless story of Theseus and the Minotaur for a new generation. A rough, rowdy, and darkly comedic young adult retelling in verse, Bull will have readers reevaluating one of mythology’s most infamous monsters.
An Alphabet by Oliver Jeffers AMAZON | GOODREADS
Released: 2017-03-07 No. of Pages: 26
The Story: The New York Times bestselling alphabet/story book from the artist of The Day the Crayons Quit is now available in an abridged edition for the littlest learners! The perfect introduction to both the alphabet and to the world of Oliver Jeffers! This clever and funny board book from the #1 bestselling illustrator of The Day the Crayons Quit and creator of Stuck gives center stage to Oliver Jeffers’ whimsical illustrations as it helps parents and toddlers connect through learning and art. A must-have. Praise for Once Upon an Alphabet: An Amazon Best Book of 2014! A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year! A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year! * “The silly, spare, slightly surreal text occasionally rhymes and endlessly surprises. An utterly delightful alphabet book.”–Kirkus Review, starred review * “With wry humor, equally droll ink illustrations, and a solid dose of alliteration, Jeffers creates delightful mini-narratives for each letter of the alphabet.”–Publishers Weekly, starred review * “An altogether stimulating, surprising, and satisfying reading experience.”–School Library Journal, starred review* “Whimsical, funny, occasionally tragic, and highly entertaining, this collection of (sometimes) interlocking tales is brilliantly inventive.”–Horn Book, starred review “Jeffers knows how to catch the attention of his young audience while challenging their imagination, intellect and vocabulary. This whimsical exploration of letters and language begs to be read over and over again.”–BookPage “Handsome, humorous and clad in bright tomato-red, [this] is the sort of book you may want to rush into the arms of imaginative, good-natured children between 4 and 10 years old. [T]his is no traditional abecedarian exercise.The stories are wonderfully varied, sometimes philosophical and often end surprisingly; the drawings are just as quirky and unpredictable.”–The Wall Street Journal “[W]itty from A to Z . . . no one would blame you for having a copy even if there are no kids in the house. Think of it as Edward Gorey for the preschool set — and their hip parents.”–The Washington Post
A Little Stuck by Oliver Jeffers AMAZON | GOODREADS
Released: 2017-03-07 No. of Pages: 28
The Story: From the illustrator of the #1 smash The Day the Crayons Quit comes another bestseller–a giggle-inducing tale of everything tossed, thrown, and hurled in order to free a kite!When Floyd’s kite gets stuck in a tree, he’s determined to get it out. But how? Well, by knocking it down with his shoe, of course. But strangely enough, it too gets stuck. And the only logical course of action . . . is to throw his other shoe. Only now it’s stuck! Surely there must be something he can use to get his kite unstuck. An orangutan? A boat? His front door? Yes, yes, and yes. And that’s only the beginning. Stuck is Oliver Jeffers’ most absurdly funny story since The Incredible Book-Eating Boy. Childlike in concept and vibrantly illustrated as only Oliver Jeffers could, here is a picture book worth rescuing from any tree.
Gone Camping: A Novel in Verse by Tamera Will Wissinger AMAZON | GOODREADS
Released: 2017-03-28 No. of Pages: 112
The Story: Hiking in the great outdoors, catching fish, watching the stars come out at night—camping is fun. Until it’s time to sleep. Then, Lucy wonders, what kinds of creatures lurk in the dark? With only her brother and grandpa as tent-mates, will Lucy be able to face her camping fears? Filled with a variety of poetic forms—from aubade to haiku—as well as exuberant art and helpful writing tips about rhyme and rhythm, this entertaining companion to the award-winning Gone Fishing is packed with family humor and adventure. So grab a flashlight and get settled in to experience the joy of campfires, s’mores, and storytelling!
But Then I Came Back by Estelle Laure AMAZON | GOODREADS
Released: 2017-04-04 No. of Pages: 320
The Story: Gayle Forman meets Francesca Lia Block in this dazzling story about two coma girls and the boy who connects their lives. From the author of This Raging Light, a debut that New York Times bestselling author Morgan Matson calls “remarkable.”“Something does exist. I saw. It’s a place. Like this but different.”“Okay, so let’s say we do reach her, that something like that is even possible. Then what?”“Then we ask her to come back.”Eden: As far as coma patients go, Eden’s lucky. She woke up. But still, she can’t shake the feeling that she might have dragged something back from the near-afterlife.Joe: Joe visits the hospital every day, hoping that Jaz, his lifelong friend, will wake up. More than anything, he wants to hear her voice again. But he’s not sure anyone can reach her.Eden & Joe: Even though she knows it sounds crazy, Eden tells Joe that they might be able to talk to Jaz. Opening themselves up to the great unknown—and each other—Eden and Joe experience life: mysterious and scary, beautiful and bright.
Journey Across the Hidden Islands by Sarah Beth Durst AMAZON | GOODREADS
Released: 2017-04-04 No. of Pages: 352
The Story: The traditional Emperor’s Journey is meant to be uneventful. But as the princesses Seika and Ji-Lin—twin sisters—travel to pay respects to their kingdom’s dragon guardian, unexpected monsters appear and tremors shake the earth. The Hidden Islands face unprecedented threats, and the old rituals are failing. With only their strength, ingenuity, and flying lion to rely on, can the sisters find a new way to keep their people safe?
The Legion of Regrettable Supervillains: Oddball Criminals from Comic Book History by Jon Morris AMAZON | GOODREADS
Released: 2017-03-28 No. of Pages: 256
The Story: Meet the lesser of all evils!Every hero needs a villain. But not all villains are dangerous—some are incompetent, comical, or just . . . weird. In his follow-up to The League of Regrettable Superheroes, author Jon Morris presents over a hundred of the strangest, most stupefying supervillains to ever see print in comics. Meet D-list rogues like Brickbat (choice of weapon: poisonous bricks), Robbing Hood (steals from the poor to give to the rich), Swarm (a crook made of bees; Nazi bees), and many more. Drawing on the entire history of the medium, The Legion of Regrettable Supervillains affectionately and hilariously profiles oddball criminals from the history of comics.