Tag Archives: animal fantasy

Engaging Chapter Books: The Mighty Macy, Raquel Reyes, The Avian Adveturers, and Heartwood Hotel

Posted on May 29, 2026 by Katy K.

I talk about three new chapter books and one older but very popular book – all aimed at about middle elementary school-aged kids, including books by Kwame Alexander, Angela Cervantes, Heidi E.Y. Stemple, and Kallie George. Continue reading →

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Dog Stories: Elf Dog and Owl Head and The Eyes and the Impossible

Posted on October 27, 2023 by Katy K.

Continuing on with my Cybils reading, I have two beautifully illustrated stories of dogs, both great for reading aloud as well as independent reading. I confess I’m more of a cat person myself, but these doggos still won me over. … Continue reading →

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4 Unique Fantasy Books for Kids

Posted on March 6, 2019 by Katy K.

Seeing as how it’s March already, I’m going to try to finish reviewing all my Cybils books this week, so I can move on to the books I’m reading this year.   Dragonfly Song by Wendy Orr. Pajama Press, 2017. This … Continue reading →

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Truth-Tellers: Endling #1 and Heartseeker

Posted on November 1, 2018 by Katy K.

Two Cybils nominees star main characters who know when the truth is being told – and the danger this puts them in from those in power. Last. Endling #1 by Katherine Applegate. HarperCollins, 2018. Byx is one of the last … Continue reading →

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Two animal fantasies: Escape from Baxter’s Barn and Brilliant

Posted on November 22, 2015 by Katy K.

This is the time of year when I’m reading much, much faster than I can write about all the books I’m reading. Here are two Cybils-nominated fantasies about animals. Escape from Baxters’ Barn by Rebecca Bond. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2015. When … Continue reading →

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Three Cybils-nominated MG Spec Fic Books

Posted on February 9, 2015 by Katy K.

Friends, I am still trying to catch up with all the books I read for the Cybils back in December. These books deserve their own full-length reviews, but I’m keeping it brief in the interests of getting them out there. … Continue reading →

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Nuts to You

Posted on February 6, 2015 by Katy K.

Look! The new Amelia Bloomer list is out! Animal fantasy is not normally my thing, but this Cybils finalist avoided many of the usual pitfalls and was unexpectedly charming. Nuts to You by Lynne Rae Perkins. Harper Collins Childrens, 2014. … Continue reading →

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The True Blue Scouts of Sugarman Swamp

Posted on June 16, 2014 by Katy K.

This was the last of the Cybils Middle Grade Spec Fic finalists, which I’m just now getting around to reviewing. As a bonus, in the meantime, it was also named a National Book Award Finalist. The True Blue Scouts of … Continue reading →

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The Cats of Tanglewood Forest

Posted on August 28, 2013 by Katy K.

The Cats of Tanglewood Forest by Charles De Lint. Illustrated by Charles Vess. I was slightly hesitant when checking out this book, as animal fantasy has never really been my thing. However – Charles De Lint and Charles Vess! De … Continue reading →

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Scratch9

Posted on August 12, 2013 by Katy K.

This is another artist that we discovered at Kids Read Comics. By “we” in this case, I mean my love and my son, who brought this home several years ago and have read it several times over. They were shocked … Continue reading →

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