E224: Unforgettable Verse: MY BROTHER OLIVER by R.L Toalson

Happy Monday!There has been a lot of upheaval in the world of children’s literature over the past couple of weeks and the only thing I know for sure is this: Children’s literature matters more than ever and I am proud to be a part of the profession sharing books that might be exactly what a reader needs next to feel seen, heard, acknowledged, inspired and part of something bigger than themselves. Keep scrolling to see the new books that caught my attention this week, too. There are A LOT of amazing books celebrating their book birthdays!Book Birthdays and Other Book Reviews🎈🎁📖🎂📚🎉Here are the newly released books that have made their way to me along with other books that I have read and reviewed:🎉EVA TO THE MAX by Rebecca Caprara (Amazon / Bookshop)This is a fast-paced, exhilarating novel-in-verse about a young motocross phenom, chasing her dream no matter the risks. Motocross is Eva’s life. Nothing beats the rush she feels ripping it up on the course… except maybe the moment just after the race when she removes her helmet, and the other riders realize they just got smoked by a twelve-year-old girl. Readers will love this!🎉THE BOY, THE FATHER, AND THE BEAR by Per Gustavsson (Amazon / Bookshop)Well, this was an unexpected reading adventure. This beautifully illustrated book is a gentle meditation about the nature of life and finding your place in the world no matter what. It’s about love, loss and the roots that keep us anchored to those we love.🎉WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT CANCER by Dr. Sanjay Juneja (Amazon / Bookshop)Sometimes, readers face hard things in their lives and books can help. Whether they have cancer, or they know someone with cancer, they will have a lot of questions. Luckily Dr. Sanjay Juneja is an expert at having these tricky conversations. This book breaks everything down and empowers readers with knowledge. 🎉LYDIA LOVES BUGS by Heidi E.Y. Stemple & Yuliya Pankratova (Amazon / Bookshop)I don’t like bugs, but I loved this book. Lydia collects bugs for show-and-tell and invites readers into the buggy world that her and her entomologist Mom love so much. The end matter was awesome: a list of all the real bugs mentioned in the book!🎉NEIL, THE AMAZING SEA CUCUMBER by Amelia Tonta (Amazon / Bookshop)Neil is a sea cucumber…an ACTUAL cucumber. This book is a true delight and is told in gorgeous illustrations and first-person narrative straight from the cucumber. You have to read this one!🎉UNICORNIA UNICRON RESCUERS: ADVENTURE IN MERMAID LAND by Ana Punset (Amazon / Bookshop)This is the first book in a new full-color series set in the magical Unicornia universe featuring a perilous journey to Mermaid Land! It’s bright and colorful and full of the most delightful magic. I’d like to visit. =)🎉IS THIS A PLUM? by Dan & Finn Ojari (Amazon / Bookshop)I cannot stop reading this book! This delightfully clever keepsake picture book is full of visual tricks and rhyming reveals to inspire wonder while making you chuckle—brought to life by an Oscar-nominated animator and based on his seven-year-old son’s original idea and drawings! It’s a keepsake, for sure. 🎉MUSIC OF THE BELLS by Anitha Rao-Robinson (Amazon / Bookshop)This is one of the most gorgeous picture books I have ever seen. It’s full of rich color and showcases a beautiful Indian dance. It reminds us to stay true to ourselves and take pride in who we are. Stunning. 🎉DINOS LOVE DONUTS by Ben Okon (Amazon / Bookshop)If you laughed your tricera-tops off at the best-selling Unicorns Love Ice Cream and Monsters Love Brownies, you’ll be jelly-rolling on the floor laughing with Dinos Love Donuts! This is a delightful book that readers will beg to listen to again and again!E224: Unforgettable Verse: MY BROTHER OLIVER by R.L ToalsonOn this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with R.L. Toalson about her newest middle grade novel-in-verse: MY BROTHER OLIVER.This is a beautiful and unforgettable novel-in-verse about a boy struggling with guilt as his family reels from the fallout of his older brother’s extreme depression and tries to hold onto hope. It’s truly stamped on my reading heart forever.Come listen as we talk about Rachel’s overall philosophy on writing for children, her deeply personal connection to the book, the many themes inside the pages and her beautiful hopes for readers. This one is unforgettable.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!MY BROTHER OLIVER by R.L. Toalson (Amazon / Bookshop)Here’s where you can find R.L. Tolason online:Website: https://www.racheltoalson.com/Substack: I’d love to know what you think of this episode. 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