The Sassy Bookworm

Book Review: Twelve Days of Autumn by Sherri Maret, illustrated by Thomas Hilley 🍂📚

Rating: 5 Stars

I absolutely loved Twelve Days of Autumn by Sherri Maret, illustrated by Thomas Hilley — it’s the kind of cozy, feel-good picture book that I found myself smiling over from the very first page. This is a warm, seasonal reimagining of the familiar “Twelve Days” tune, but instead of gifts, each day brings a new glimpse into how animals and nature gently shift as fall arrives. Think turkeys trotting along trails, a curious turtle peeking out to watch the world change, and little moments that show how wildlife prepares for cooler weather. It’s a celebration of autumn’s colors and rhythms, told in a singable, rhythmic way that makes it perfect for reading aloud. 🍂📖😊

What really sold me were the illustrations — they’re rich, inviting, and full of the small details that make picture books memorable. Hilley’s art gives the story warmth and motion; you can almost feel the crunch of leaves and the cool, bracing air of the season. The cover alone is beautiful and instantly gives the book a charming, autumnal vibe that drew me in. 🎨🍁✨

This book is wonderfully versatile: it works as a cozy bedtime read, a classroom read-aloud, or a seasonal addition to any child’s home library. The text is playful and accessible for little ones, and the cumulative structure (like the original song it echoes) invites kids to join in and anticipate the next day’s discovery. If you’re looking for a sweet, educational, and visually lovely book to celebrate fall and teach kids a bit about wildlife and seasonal change, Twelve Days of Autumn is a perfect pick. Five stars from me — it’s a delightful gem that I’ll happily return to each autumn. 🌙📚🍂

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

Book Review: 364 Days Until Halloween: Does Halloween Have You Spooked? by Allison Edwards, Jennifer Zivoin (illustrator) 🎃📚

Rating: 4 Stars

I picked up 364 Days Until Halloween by Allison Edwards thinking it would be a sweet seasonal read for the little ones—and it delivered. I’m giving it four stars because it’s charming, comforting, and beautifully illustrated. 🧡

The story follows Kai, a character who’s understandably nervous about Halloween. Instead of forcing him into spookiness, the book gently walks him (and the reader) through the year’s changing moods until he’s ready to see Halloween as something magical rather than scary. The rhyming text is playful and easy to read aloud, and the scenes emphasize small, brave steps, unexpected friendships, and the idea that a little light can chase away a lot of fear. It’s exactly the kind of reassurance a child needs when costumes and shadows start to feel overwhelming. ✨👻

Visually, the book is a win. The cover is eye-catching and sets the tone perfectly, and the interior art is bright, lively, and full of personality—ideal for keeping young readers engaged. The illustrations complement the rhythmic lines and add warmth to the message about facing fears with kindness and support. 🎨🌟

Who will like this? Parents and caregivers trying to soothe a Halloween-anxious child will find this a great go-to. Teachers can use it in circle time or during unit lessons about emotions and courage. And honestly, anyone who enjoys a gentle reminder that bravery isn’t about being fearless but about taking small steps forward will appreciate it. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦📖

Bottom line: 364 Days Until Halloween is a cozy, feel-good read that does a lovely job of helping kids (and their grown-ups) reframe fear into curiosity and courage. I’d happily recommend it for read-alouds, classroom story time, or anyone looking for a gentle Halloween confidence booster. 🍂🕯️

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

Book Review: Grandmother Moon by Wunneanatsu Lamb-Cason, Trisha B. Waters (Illustrator) 📚

Rating: 4 Stars

I picked up Grandmother Moon expecting a sweet picture book and left feeling gently moved. Wunneanatsu Lamb-Cason’s debut (with luminous art by Trisha B. Waters) is a tender little story about a young girl and her grandmother on their regular drive from the city back to the reservation. As the moon seems to follow them, the grandmother shares songs, stories, and teachings about Grandmother Moon — her place in the world, why she’s honored, and how she watches over everyone. The narrative is simple and comforting, anchored in family ritual and Indigenous knowledge, and there’s helpful backmatter that expands on the lunar cycle and the different names the full moons have throughout the year. 🌙📚

I was immediately drawn in by the cover — it’s charming and warm, and it sets the tone perfectly. The illustrations inside are equally lovely: a watercolor-like style that feels soft, rich, and intimate. Every spread is captivating; the art does a lot of storytelling on its own, adding depth and atmosphere to the grandmother’s words. It impressively weaves in history, cultural teachings, and ancestral wisdom without ever feeling heavy-handed. I appreciated how the modern setting (a car ride between places) blends naturally with timeless traditions, reminding the reader that these stories and protections travel with us wherever we go. 🚗✨

Overall, I’d give Grandmother Moon four stars. It’s a beautifully illustrated, heartfelt introduction to Indigenous lunar traditions and the bond between grandparent and child. It’s perfect for shared reading with young listeners, and I’d happily recommend it to families and classrooms looking for stories that honor culture, care, and the gentle watchfulness of the moon. 🌕

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

Book Review: Wanda Hears the Stars: A Blind Astronomer Listens to the Universe by Amy S. Hansen, Wanda Díaz Merced, Rocío Arreola Mendoza (illustrator). 🌟📚

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I picked up Wanda Hears the Stars with zero expectations beyond a pleasant picture-book read, and I came away quietly amazed. This is the true story of Wanda Díaz Merced, an astrophysicist from Puerto Rico who, as she pursued her love of the night sky, began to lose her sight — and then found a completely new way to “see” the universe. 🌟🎧

The book follows Wanda from childhood curiosity about the stars through college, when her vision started to fail, to her ingenious discovery: sonification. Instead of giving up on data she could no longer view, Wanda and other scientists converted astronomical data into sound — chimes, beats, and rhythms that let her listen for patterns and anomalies. Those sounds became tools for discovery and a way to keep participating fully in scientific work. The narrative also highlights Wanda’s advocacy for making science accessible, and the collaboration between Wanda and coauthor Amy S. Hansen that brought this story to young readers. The refrain of resilience — “Never give up!” — feels earned, not preachy, and the book gently shows how curiosity and determination can reshape a whole field. 🔭🎶💪

What really sells the book, for me, are the illustrations and the design. The cover is instantly charming and inviting — it pulled me in before I even read a word — and the interior art carries that same warmth. The pictures are lively and expressive, giving emotional texture to Wanda’s journey without overwhelming the nonfiction facts. The layout and pacing work well for the 6–9 age range: clear, engaging, and just detailed enough to spark questions. 🎨📚

Reading it, I kept thinking about how important it is to see (or hear) role models like Wanda in kids’ books — a scientist of color who adapts creatively to a disability and makes real contributions to her field. The book doesn’t flatten complexity; it presents scientific ideas in a way children can grasp, while also celebrating persistence and inclusion. 🧑🏽‍🚀🤝

If you’re looking for a picture-book biography that’s uplifting without being saccharine, that introduces a cool scientific technique, and that offers genuine representation, Wanda Hears the Stars is a fantastic pick. It’s a delightful, inspiring read that I’d happily recommend to families, teachers, and any little STEM-curious person. 🌠📖

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

Book Review: Annapurna’s Bounty: Indian Food Legends Retold by Veena Gokhale 📚

Rating: 4 Stars

I just finished Annapurna’s Bounty: Indian Food Legends Retold by Veena Gokhale, and it’s the sort of book that leaves you wanting to read one more story and then go raid the kitchen. Gokhale reimagines a set of traditional Indian food tales — ranging from royal intrigues to humble domestic moments — and stitches them together with warmth, wit, and a modern sensibility. The result is part short-story collection, part cookbook, and wholly charming. 🍽️📚

The stories themselves are short and varied: gods and goddesses, wanderers and refugees, tricksters and saints all turn up, and food is never just food. It’s a bargaining chip, a symbol, a comfort, or the fulcrum of a lesson. Gokhale plays with the emotional and symbolic weight of meals — how a shared pot of dal can heal, how a spice can mark identity, how a simple offering can change a life. There’s a light magical realism here; the divine and the everyday sit side by side in ways that feel familiar and fresh at once. ✨🍛

After each tale, Gokhale includes a vegetarian recipe “from” one of the characters. The collection covers a nice geographic spread of Indian cuisine: staples like dal and mango lassi mingle with regional dishes such as avial and Bengali khichari, and there are inventive twists on classics — I’m still thinking about samosas filled with peas and coconut. The recipes are friendly to home cooks: they’re not overcomplicated, and most come with useful tips, substitutions, and suggestions to extend or adapt the dish, which I appreciated. If you’re the kind of reader who likes to pair a story with a snack, this book practically demands it. 🥥🥟

What I liked most was how humane and accessible the whole book feels. Gokhale balances timeless mythic elements with contemporary concerns, so the stories don’t feel stuck in the past. Even when a tale leans on fantastical elements, the emotional core — generosity, hunger, pride, reconciliation — is immediately relatable. The tone is gentle rather than preachy; the author seems intent on celebrating the way food connects us rather than lecturing about culture or tradition. 🤝❤️

If I had a quibble, it’s only that I wanted more: more stories, more recipes, more of that voice. But as a compact, satisfying read that doubles as a source of kitchen inspiration, Annapurna’s Bounty hits the spot. I’d recommend it to anyone who loves food-centered fiction, wants approachable vegetarian recipes with an Indian flavor, or simply enjoys a book that feeds both the imagination and the appetite. 📖🍽️

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

Book Review: The Alchemy of Flowers by Laura Resau 🌱📚

Rating: 4 Stars

I picked up The Alchemy of Flowers on a whim — the cover alone is so gorgeous it practically begged me to take it home — and I’m glad I did. Laura Resau’s debut is a quietly magical, modern-day reimagining of The Secret Garden that leans into atmosphere and slow-blooming mystery. I’m giving it four stars because it’s an enchanting, emotionally satisfying read, though a few threads could have been tightened. 🌸

The story follows Eloise, a woman whose life has been bruised by loss and failed attempts to build a family. When she finds an unusual help-wanted notice in a French gardening magazine, she jumps at the chance to leave everything behind: a remote job tending the Jardins du Paradis, rustic lodging inside ancient walled gardens in the South of France, and a strict, enigmatic rule — no children allowed. The job description itself is delightfully strange (the garden’s fertilizer has a certain... unconventional requirement), and it sets the tone for the novel’s blend of earthy charm and whimsical oddity. 🇫🇷🌿

Living within the garden walls with three other caretakers, Eloise begins to heal. The writing does a lovely job of conveying how the garden seeps into her bones — the flowers seem to hum and coax her open again, and small rituals of planting and tending become almost sacred. There’s also a slow-burning, believable attraction to the handyman, Raphael, which adds a tender human anchor to the story. 💚🌺

But Resau doesn’t keep things purely pastoral. The estate has rules and secrets: workers aren’t supposed to be outside at dusk, a shadowy “Goddess of the Garden” is rumored, and Eloise keeps glimpsing a childlike presence — giggles, flickers of movement — that may or may not be real. As she peels back layers of the garden’s history, the novel moves from gentle healing into the darker, more urgent territory of protecting someone who might be in danger. The stakes escalate in a way that felt earned and kept me turning pages. 🌒🔍

What I loved most: the atmosphere. The gardens themselves are practically a character — lush, sensory, and full of small, bewitching details. The plot is well constructed, with a satisfying balance of cozy moments and creeping unease. The supporting cast is warm and well-drawn, and Eloise’s emotional arc — from broken and guarded to open and brave — is handled with care. Resau’s voice is tender and slightly whimsical, which suits the material perfectly. 🌿✨

If I have any quibbles, it’s that a couple of the mysteries could have been resolved with more clarity, and the pacing slows a touch in the middle. But those are relatively minor in the context of such an evocative book. 🕰️📖

All in all, The Alchemy of Flowers is a delightful, atmospheric read with heart and a hint of magic. If you like stories about second chances, gardens that feel alive, and a little bit of folk-mystery folded into your romance, this one’s worth a visit. 🌷💫

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️