Welcome to Litsy!

This was such a cute middle grade book!

The book had excellent themes which were appropriate for the age range (ages 8+). It centered around friendship and teamwork. I loved that they were a ragtag basketball team and that each member brought something special to the team.

The characters were adorable. I loved Bermudez.

Full review: https://oddandbookish.wordpress.com/2026/01/13/review-the-basketball-tournament-...

Who will build the biggest snowman? Another cute winter book. This focused on helping one another out. Another book for Sloane.

😊 Happy Reading 😊

Getting ready to take the kittens to get adopted (NOT ready 😭) so I gave them a bath. They were not amused whatsoever but it wasn‘t as bad as I thought it‘d be. Left to right: Butterbean, Cera, Bear & Nougat.
🐈‍⬛

it‘s bathtime! lots of
cattitude to go around —
now we‘re freshershest. 🧼🐈‍⬛

#haikuhive #haikuaday #poetry #catsoflitsy #kittens #butterbean #cera #bear #nougat

“The illustrations are simple but full of humor as the animals take on characteristics of humans and contemporary society (e.g. eating in an upscale restaurant, sitting in a classroom, visiting a museum complete with paintings of mice in the medieval wedding portrait by Jan van Eyck, and gazelles portraying The Kiss by Gustav Klimt).”

Read the full review here:
https://wowlit.org/on-line-publications/review/xvii-4/6/

“But the sea was full of wonderful creatures, and as he swam from marvel to marvel Swimmy was happy again.“

I would use this book to inspire students to create art with water color, and teach them about the ways a paint brush can be used to create shapes and feelings. I would talk about the intentionality it takes to use water color paintings.

The illustrator uses shapes and lines to create different animals in the ocean. She uses the organization of shapes to create great sea of fish, creating a realistic, yet painting vibe. The colors add a calming feature to the book.

“ Always stick with your buddy“

Students can act out their own safety tips in pairs—one giving the rule and the other acting it out, just like Officer Buckle and Gloria. They can also make safety signs to hang around the school to show peers ways to be safe.

Officer Buckle and Gloria (Picturebook, Caldecott Medal, 1995) tells the story mostly through its pictures. The bright colors make the book cheerful and fun. The round shapes of the characters make them look friendly. The smooth lines keep the pictures clear and easy to follow. The composition puts Gloria‘s silly actions in the center, so the pictures show the humor.