Little Cat's Luck by Marion Dane Bauer, Jennifer A. Bell (Illustrated by)

Little Cat is feeling discontent.  She can't find a special place just for her in the house.  She's searched but nothing works.  When she watches a leaf fall off the tree outside and jumps on the screen, she finds herself outside.  Surely she can find a special place there?

Simon & Schuster's Books for Young Readers and Edelweiss let me read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published February 9th.

She spends the day looking for the "right" place, but has no luck.  She's found out that the dog has kibble and water by his dog house but he's a big dog with a big bark and he even scares the people walking by.  A mouse tells her he sleeps on the back porch at night, so it might be safe to sneak in then and get something to eat.  She'd go home but she was following the yellow leaf and doesn't know where home is.  She decides to sleep in the doghouse.

That night reveals why she was looking for a special place.  She's having kittens!  She thinks she's very sick and calls for help.  The dog shows up and watches her family be born.  Now he thinks the kittens are his!

The interesting part about this story is that the author could have stopped in several places, but she continues the story.  This makes it a more interesting read and gives an imaginative child an opportunity to write their own chapters if they wish.  Who knows how many more adventures the cat and the dog can have?

Rhoda's Rock Hunt by Molly Beth Griffin, Jennifer A. Bell (Illustrated by)

This book brought back childhood memories so I had to read it.  After all, I'm still a rock collector...

The Minnesota Historical Society and Edelweiss gave me the opportunity to read this book for review (thank you).  The book will be published in October.  The illustrations are lovely, you won't want to miss them.

I liked this book a lot.  Rhoda is backpacking and keeps finding rocks she likes.  It can be their shape, how they feel, if they have a sparkle, or she just likes them.  She wants to keep them so she's told as long as she carry them, that's fine.

As they work their way into the lake over a few days, Rhoda finds more and more rocks.  When she finally reaches the lake, she finds even more!  You won't believe what happens next.  She can't even lift her backpack!  What's she to do?

When I was young, my mom and dad would take me down to the creek in the summer time.  We'd wear our tennis shoes to protect our feet from glass and then we'd walk up and down the creek grabbing stones that talked to us.  They were mostly agates.  But I've been fascinated by rocks since then.  Even did some work with tumbled stones.  Maybe you should look at the pretty rocks by your feet, too!

Rhoda finds a unique solution to her problem so she doesn't have to live at the lake.  What would you do with your rocks?

Big or Little? Kathy Stinson, Jennifer A. Bell

This is a board book that begs the question:  Are you a big girl or a little girl?  This little girl is some of each!

Annick Press and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you).  It has been published, so check with your local bookstore for a copy.

This is a cute board book with a little one trying to decide if she's big or little.  She knows when she ties her shoe she's big.  But when she can't find the arms on her shirt and has to ask for help, she knows she's little.  She has a couple more big and little moments to get the point across.  The illustrations are bright and colorful and show you a very sweet young girl.

If you have a young one growing up, they will love this book.  They'll probably be pointing out big and little things they can do!

My favorite part is at the end when the girl admits she doesn't mind being little if it means being carried to bed by Mom.  Being carried to bed is the best thing in the world when you're small.  I still remember my Dad carrying me in to bed after we came back from visiting my Grandparents who lived out of town.  Special moments like that don't disappear...