Book Delight with Chrissie Wright

In this "Help! My kid needs a book!" episode, Chrissie responds to listener requests for middle-grade book recommendations. FEATURED BOOKS Spooky Graphic Novels WELCOME TO FERAL and LAST EXIT TO FERAL by Mark Fearing ALL THE LOVELY BAD ONES by Mary Downing Hahn THE OJJA-WOJJA by Magdalene Visaggio SCURRY by Mac Smith Realistic Graphic Novels DUEL by Jessixa Bagley THE CUPCAKE DIARIES by...

In this Booklist episode, Chrissie recommends 8 short middle grade books. Each book clocks in at ~200 pages or less, but appeals to kids ages 8-12. FEATURED BOOKS The Remarkable Rescue at Milkweed Meadow by Elaine Dimopoulos Wedgie and Gizmo  by Suzanne Selfors The Sasquatch Escape by Suzanne Selfors The Guardian Test by Christina Soontornvat Whatever After, Best Wishes , and Upside Down Magic by...

In this Forecast episode, Chrissie shares the ten kidlit releases she is most looking forward to in March 2024. She also shares a speed round of ten more next-in-series that the kids in her library can't wait to read. FEATURED TITLES: Picture Books  The Good Little Mermaid's Guide to Bedtime by Eija Sumner, out 3/5 The Book That Can Read Your Mind by Marianna Coppo, out 3/12 Spider in th...

In this Reading Raves episode, Chrissie shares her favorite kidlit she read during February 2024. FEATURED BOOKS Graphic Novels Break by Kayla Miller Poppy and Sam and the Mole Mystery by Cathon Ellie in First Position  by Brian Freschi and Elena Triolo The Adventures of Invisible Boy  by Doogie Horner Ink Girls by Marieke Nijkamp Bunny vs. Monkey by Jamie Smart Spirited: Day of the Living Liv by...

On this week's "Help! My kid needs a book!" episode, Chrissie responds to listener requests for funny books for kids. FEATURED TITLES Funny Picture Books to Read Aloud in Storytime CHEZ BOB by Bob Shea LLAMA DESTROYS THE WORLD by Jonathan Stutzman, illustrated by Heather Fox FLUFFY MCWHISKERS, CUTENESS EXPLOSION by Stephen W. Martin, illustrated by Dan Tavis ARE YOU A CHEESEBURGER?...

In this Forecast episode, Chrissie shares the ten kidlit releases she is most looking forward to in Feburary 2024. She also shares a speed round of ten more next-in-series that the kids in her library can't wait to read. FEATURED TITLES: Picture Books The Door That Had Never Been Opened Before by Mrs. and Mr. MacLeod, out 2/6 Lucky Duck  by Greg Pizzoli, out 2/6 The Teeny-Weeny Unicorn by Sha...

In this Reading Raves episode, Chrissie shares the standout books she read during January 2024. This episode features 10 titles: 7 graphic novels, and 3 middle grade. FEATURED TITLES Graphics A First Time for Everything by Dan Santat Poppy and Sam and the Leaf Thief by Cathon Stories of the Islands by Clar Angkasa The Untimely Passing of Nicholas Fart by Josh Crute K Is in Trouble by Gary Clement...

In this "My kid needs a book!" episode, Chrissie responds to 5 listener requests for kidlit they want more of in 2024. Middle Grade Novels in Verse: Alone by Megan E. Freeman Moo   by Sharon Creech A Work in Progress by Jarrett Lerner The Deepest Breath by Megan Grehan Something Like Home by Andrea Beatriz Arango Nonfiction for an 8 Year Old who likes learning about topics: Packing for M...

In today's booklist episode, Chrissie shares 8 favorite backlist picture books that can be described as dark, weird, and funny. FEATURED TITLES: DARK // WEIRD // FUNNY The Barnabus Project by the Fan Brothers Fortunately by Remy Charlip The Great Zapfino   by Mac Barnett and Marla Frazee How Dinosaurs Went Extinct by Ame Dyckman and Jennifer Harney The Incredible Book-Eating Boy by Oliver Jef...

In this deep dive episode, Chrissie shares what she wants more of in kidlit in 2024. Resources mentioned on the show: ALA Newbery Terms & Criteria Moonbow: A Conversation with Jon Klassen Books mentioned on the show: The Skull by Jon Klassen Maurice   by Jessixa Bagley Dinosaurs Don't Exist by Mark Janssen What If One Day by Bruce Handy The Rock from the Sky by Jon Klassen Carol and the P...

It's here! It's time to share my favorite reads of 2023. In this episode, Chrissie shares her 10 favorite kids nonfiction books and 10 favorite grown-up reads of 2023. FEATURED BOOKS: Kids Nonfiction ANIMALS IN PANTS by Suzy Levinson, illustrated by Kevin and Kristen Howdeshell BUTT OR FACE? A HILARIOUS GUESSING GAME BOOK FOR KIDS by Kari LaVelle FUNGI GROW by Maria Gianferrari, illustra...

It's here! It's time to share my favorite reads of 2023. In this episode, Chrissie shares her 8 favorite middle grade books and 10 favorite graphic novels of the year. FEATURED BOOKS: Middle Grade THE BOOK THAT NO ONE WANTED TO READ by Richard Ayoade and art by Tor Freeman FIREFLY SUMMER by Morgan Matson FOREVER TWELVE by Stacy McAnulty THE REMARKABLE RESCUE AT MILKWEED MEADOW by Elaine...

It's here! It's time to share my favorite reads of 2023. In this episode, Chrissie shares her 10 favorite picture books and 4 favorite short chapter books of the year. FEATURED BOOKS: Picture Books 100 MIGHTY DRAGONS ALL NAMED BROCCOLI by David LaRochelle and Lian Cho DIM SUM PALACE by X. Fang DINOSAURS DON'T EXIST by Mark Janssen EVERGREEN by Matthew Cordell HOW DOES SANTA GO DOWN...

Note: audio quality in this episode is mixed. Thank you for your understanding. Maybe Santa will bring Chrissie a new microphone… In this Reading Raves episode, Chrissie shares her favorite kidlit that she read during the month of November. FEATURED BOOKS Short Chapter Book DORY FANTASMAGORY: CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT YOU by Abby Hanlon Middle Grade THE ISLANDS OF ELSEWHERE by Heather Fawcett Graphi...

This week on Book Delight we are welcoming guest Melissa LaSalle aka @thebookmommy to discuss giftable nonfiction. Today, Melissa is book-talking high-interest, new-release browseable nonfiction. Melissa is a book blogger at www.whattoreadtoyourkids.com , and kids book buyer at Old Town Books in Alexandria, VA . Every year, Melissa puts together a holiday gift guide of great books to give to kids....

In today's booklist episode, Chrissie shares recommendations for each of the 5 kinds of nonfiction as categorized by author Melissa Stewart : 1 - Active 2 - Browseable 3 - Traditional 4 - Expository 5 - Narrative FEATURED BOOKS: Active Nonfiction THE COMPLETE COOKBOOK FOR YOUNG CHEFS by America's Test Kitchen Kids THE COMPLETE BAKING BOOK FOR YOUNG CHEFS by America's Test Kitchen Ki...

In this deep dive episode, Chrissie answers the question: why does reading nonfiction matter for kids? We explore 2 big reasons: # 1: Reading depends heavily on prior knowledge , and one of the best ways to build prior knowledge is by reading nonfiction. #2: Kids love it, and encouraging kids to read what they love makes them lifelong readers. Articles and resources referenced in this episode: Dan...

In this Reading Raves episode, Chrissie shares her 10 favorite kidlit books she read during the month of October. FEATURED BOOKS Short Chapter Books THE APARTMENT HOUSE ON POPPY HILL by Nina LaCour PETS RULE!: MY KINGDOM OF DARKNESS by Susan Tan THE STORY OF GUMLUCK THE WIZARD by Adam Rex THE SKULL by Jon Klassen Graphic Novels THE MAGICIANS by Blexbolex THE FIRST CAT IN SPACE AND THE SOUP OF DOOM...

In this episode, Chrissie responds to listener requests for short chapter book recommendations. FEATURED BOOKS Chapter Books to Read Aloud to a First Grade Class: OUR FRIEND HEDGEHOG by Lauren Castillo CORNBREAD AND POPPY by Matthew Cordell FABLED STABLES by Jonathan Auxier THE STORY OF GUMLUCK THE WIZARD HENRY LIKE ALWAYS by Jenn Bailey SEARCH FOR A GIANT SQUID by Amy Seto Forrester GEEGER THE RO...

In this booklist episode, Chrissie shares 9 silly spooky books to read aloud. FEATURED TITLES New Release Not-Scary Picture Books for Spooky Season: SEE THE GHOST by David LaRochelle and Mike Winouhtka SI. NO! by Rhode Montijo I WILL READ TO YOU by Gideon Sterer and Charles Santoso Backlist Spooky Season Picture Books ZOMBIES DON'T EAT VEGGIES by Megan Lacera and Jorge Lacera THERE'S A G...

In this booklist episode, Chrissie shares 13 chapter books that are especially fabulous as read alouds. FEATURED TITLES Sweet & Cozy OUR FRIEND HEDGEHOG: THE STORY OF US by Lauren Castillo CORNBREAD AND POPPY by Matthew Cordell THE APARTMENT HOUSE ON POPPY HILL by Nina LaCour Silly Animal Stories RABBIT AND BEAR: RABBIT'S BAD HABITS by Julian Gough MEGABAT by Anna Humphrey FRANK AND THE B...

In this bite-size Deep Dive episode, Chrissie answers the question: what is a chapter book? In this episode, she defines chapter books as books that are: highly illustrated  one big story told across several chapters  ranging in word count from 2,000 to 10,000 words  150 pages or fewer written with readers ages 4-9 in mind Resources mentioned in this episode: Word Count Dracula blog post by Jennif...

In this episode, Chrissie shares her favorite reads from the month of September. Articles mentioned in the episode: "Let the Kids Get Weird" on LitHub The Undies Case Cover Awards 2022 by Travis Jonker FEATURED BOOKS Picture Books BITSY BAT, SCHOOL STAR by Kaz Windness STICKLER LOVES THE WORLD by Lane Smith MY DOG JUST SPEAKS SPANISH by Andrea Caceres DUCKWORTH THE DIFFICULT CHILD by Mic...

In this episode, Chrissie responds to 5 listener request for audiobook recommendations. Books discussed in the episode: Dragon Stories for a WINGS OF FIRE fan: THE LOST RYU by Emi Watanabe Cohen WHERE THE MOUNTAIN MEETS THE MOON by Grace Lin WARRIORS series by Erin Hunter Fantasy Adventures for a HARRY POTTER fan: WINTERHOUSE trilogy by Ben Guterson EVA EVERGREEN, SEMI-MAGICAL WITCH by Julie Abe A...

In this deep dive episode, Chrissie shares 7 reasons why audiobooks are awesome, especially for kids! 7 reasons why audiobooks are awesome: Audiobooks are inclusive. Audiobooks are the same for your brain as reading on the page. Audiobooks provide a model of fluency, expression, and prosody. Audiobooks build background knowledge. Audiobooks build vocabulary. Audiobooks are fun. All reading matters...