<p>Happy Monday!</p><p>Our little corner of Substack is growing and more and more kidlit-lovers are finding their way to this space. </p><p>I couldn’t be happier! </p><p>I’m so grateful for the conversations I have and the incredible people I meet here and want to continue to nurture and grow it. I’ve included a poll a bit further down this post and invite you to share your wants and wishes for a community of kidlit love! </p><p>Keep scrolling to see the new books that caught my attention this week and then press play on my most recent podcast episode with Melissa Taylor. It’s exactly the sweet treat you need to read right now. =)</p><p>Happy reading and listening!</p><p>Stephanie</p><p><strong>Book Birthdays and Other Book Reviews🎈🎁📖🎂📚🎉</strong></p><p>Here are the newly released books that have made their way to me along with other books that I have read and reviewed:</p><p>🎉FIRST NIGHT AT DAD’S by Elizabeth Rudnick (<a target="_blank" href="https://amzn.to/4ctBAul">Amazon </a>/ <a target="_blank" href="https://bookshop.org/a/13963/9781523529209">Bookshop</a>)</p><p>This is an absolutely beautiful book that many families will feel comforted by. It’s a heartfelt picture book about one of the big milestones kids in the midst of a divorce or separation face…spending their first night at the other parent’s house. But while the house may be different, the love, the rules (!) and the stars in the sky can be found everywhere. It’s love in a book.</p><p>🎉 CHERNOBYL, LIFE, AND OTHER DISASTERS by Yevgenia Nayberg (<a target="_blank" href="https://amzn.to/4sTJSjY">Amazon </a>/ <a target="_blank" href="https://bookshop.org/a/13963/9780823460588">Bookshop</a>)</p><p>This gorgeous graphic novel follows strong-willed Genya as she sets her mind to attending art school in 1980s Ukraine, amidst the turmoil of Soviet control, the Cold War, and the unfolding Chernobyl nuclear disaster. Readers who are curious about life elsewhere, particularly in the face of disaster, will find what they’re looking for here, but so will those dreaming of inspiration for a creative life and future.</p><p>🎉QUEEN OF THE WOLVES by Rick McIntyre & David Poulsen (<a target="_blank" href="https://amzn.to/4vTBGmM">Amazon</a> / <a target="_blank" href="https://bookshop.org/a/13963/9781778401954">Bookshop</a>)</p><p>This is book #3 of The Chronicles of the Yellowstone Wolves series by renowned wolf expert Rick McIntyre and award-winning author David A. Poulsen. In this book, we learn about the 06 Female: brave, intelligent, and beautiful. She’s bold enough to survive on her own, and strong enough to take down a fully grown elk by herself. </p><p>🎉FIDDLEHEAD FOREST by Jana Curll (<a target="_blank" href="https://amzn.to/3OL8oWt">Amazon</a> / <a target="_blank" href="https://bookshop.org/a/13963/9781778401046">Bookshop</a>)</p><p>This is the second graphic novel in the Little Habitats series, following the beloved Barnacle Bay. Each book in this series explores a different ecosystem, from oceans to forests, and more! It’s bright and colorful and full of fascinating facts!</p><p><strong>E219: Food, Family & Identity: TOVA’S SWEET SOLUTION by Melissa Taylor</strong></p><p>On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Melissa Taylor about her debut picture book: TOVA’S SWEET SOLUTION.</p><p>This is a heartfelt and deliciously sweet story about creativity, resilience and the magic of family. It has a special place in my gluten-free heart and will make you burst with all the warm feelings, too.</p><p>Come listen as we talk about the inspiration behind this heart-warming book and the personal inspiration behind it, the delicate and delightful illustrations that might cause your belly to grumble and Melissa’s beautiful hopes for readers of all ages.</p><p>Here is the book featured in this episode. You’ll find links to my Amazon and Bookshop affiliate stores below. Thanks for your bookish support!</p><p>TOVA’S SWEET SOLUTION by Melissa Taylor (<a target="_blank" href="https://amzn.to/4bZqZqF">Amazon</a> / <a target="_blank" href="https://bookshop.org/a/13963/9781636551906">Bookshop</a>)</p><p>Here’s where you can find Melissa online:</p><p>Website: <a target="_blank" href="https://imaginationsoup.net/">https://imaginationsoup.net/</a></p><p>Instagram: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/imaginationsoup/">https://www.instagram.com/imaginationsoup/</a></p><p>Imagination Soup Consulting: <a target="_blank" href="https://melissataylortips.substack.com/">https://melissataylortips.substack.com/</a></p><p>Imagination Soup: <a target="_blank" href="https://imaginationsoup.substack.com/">https://imaginationsoup.substack.com/</a></p><p>I’d love to know what you think of this episode. Share your comments below!</p><p>Thanks for sticking with me to the end of this post! I’m thinking about starting a private community to complement this newsletter and would love to know what features might interest you. Vote for all you’d like to see included!</p><p><strong>KidLit love is multiplied when it’s shared! 🩷</strong></p><p>Here are some free ways to support this newsletter and spread my love of chilren’’s literature far and wide:</p><p>🩷 Like and comment on this post so we can connect!🔄 Restack and add your favorite nugget from the podcast.📷 Take a screenshot of your favorite part and text it to a kidlit friend.💌 Forward this email to a fellow kidlit colleague so they can join the book love too!⌨️ Refer a friend and earn prizes….<a target="_blank" href="https://alitlife.substack.com/p/invite-your-friends-to-read-a-lit">including courses and coaching sessions with me!</a></p><p><p>Thanks for reading the KidLit Love newsletter! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work!</p></p><p></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://kidlitlove.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_1">kidlitlove.substack.com</a>