Category: Non-Fiction

Posted in Fiction, Intermediate, Non-Fiction, picture books, Preschool Reads

It’s AANHPI Month!

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

What’s AANHPI? It’s Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and May’s dedicated to recognizing the contributions and influence of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have and continue to have on American culture and history. Here are some books to think about when putting together collections and displays.

If Lin Can, by Richard Ho/Illustrated by Huynh Kim Liên & Phùng Nguyên Quang, (Apr 2024, Charlesbridge Publishing), $18.99, ISBN: 9781623543723

Ages 7-10

Posed as both a narrative and a series of thought-provoking questions, this picture book biography of basketball star Jeremy Lin touches on the obstacles Lin encountered on his way to becoming the first Taiwanese American to play in the NBA and inspiring “Linsanity” among fans. The story emphasizes Lin’s perseverance over racism and those who underestimated him, paralleled with Asian-presenting children encountering similar obstacles and connecting with Lin, who they see on TV or in the newspaper: “Have you ever tuned in to a radio, / turned on a television, / or opened a newspaper, / and discovered someone who looks like you?” Liên and Quang’s expressive illustrations show Asian-presenting children being ignored or bullied by light-skinned children, adjacent with Lin’s similar experiences. An inspiring addition to sports biographies and picture book biographies.

Read more about Jeremy Lin at the Jeremy Lin Foundation webpage, his Basketball Reference page, and his Instagram.

 

 

Archie Celebrates an Indian Wedding, by Mitali Banerjee Ruths/Illustrated by Parwinder Singh, (Apr 2024, Charlesbridge Publishing), $17.99, ISBN: 9781623544188

Ages 4-8

The second Archana (her nickname is Archie) story focuses on Archie and her family preparing to celebrate her Uncle Poppy’s wedding to Julie. Archana, an Indian girl, helps acclimate Julie’s niece Emma, to the excitement of an Indian wedding and helps calm Julie. Emma is a stand-in for the reader, who Archie guides through the wedding celebration, explaining food, clothing, henna painting, and customs like the ceremony and stealing the groom’s shoes. Vibrant art captures the lively atmosphere, and Emma and Archie become friends as they become cousins after the wedding. A fun additional purchase for picture book collections, Archie Celebrates an Indian Wedding is the companion to Archie Celebrates Diwali (2021). An author’s note about Indian weddings and a glossary complete the book.

Raising World Children has more fun facts about Indian weddings.

 

 

Other books to display/read/purchase:

 

Continental Drifter, by Kathy MacLeod,
(Apr. 2024, First Second), $14.99,
ISBN: 9781250813749

 

 

Fried Rice & Marinara, by Mike Yam/Illustrated by Laura Dong,
(Apr. 2023, VOOK Books), $17.99,
ISBN: 9781737726951


Pie in the Sky, by Remy Lai,
(May 2019, Henry Holt & Co), $21.99,
ISBN: 978-1-250-31410-9


Jhupli’s Honey Bee Box, by Achintyarup Ray/Illustrated by Shivan Choudhary
(Oct. 2023, Amazon Crossing Kids), $17.99,
ISBN: 9781662514678

 


Anni Dreams of Biryani, by Namita Moolani Mehra/Illustrated by Ghaaya Prabhat,
(Sept. 2022, Two Lions), $17.99,
ISBN: 9781542030410

Posted in Intermediate, Middle Grade, Non-fiction, Non-Fiction, picture books

More Earth Day Reading!

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

There’s more Earth Day reading to be discovered!

Water : Discovering the Precious Resource All Around Us, by Olga Fadeeva, Translated by Lena Traer, (April 2024, Eerdmans Books for Young Readers), $18.99, ISBN: 9780802856227

Ages 8-13

Never let it be said that beautiful picture books are only for younger readers. This informative book about water has beautiful illustrations and is loaded with information about water: how much of it is on Earth; why it rains; why it’s so powerful, even how we get the water for our tea (or coffee!). Touching on the scientific and historical, Fadeeva answers questions with direct, easy-to-read factual text and backs it up with numbers that will put things into context: for instance, letting a faucet run while you’re brushing your teeth? That wastes about 2.6 gallons (10 liters) of water per minute! Jellyfish are composed mostly of water: 99%, to be exact, while a watermelon is 96% water. Fadeeva takes great care to make readers aware that we need to protect this amazing resource for our future: only 3% of the world’s water is fresh, unsalted water; of that, 1% of the world’s fresh water is accessible for human use. Fadeeva offers tips for conserving water and discusses issues impacting our world’s water supply, like microplastics and climate change. Colorful acrylic illustration accompanies the text and keeps readers tuned into the pages. Water is a companion book to Wind: Discovering Air in Motion (2023) and includes characters from the book.

Home, by Isabelle Simler, Translated by Vineet Lal, (March 2024, Eerdmans Books for Young Readers), $18.99, ISBN: 9780802856203Ages 5-9

Visit the homes of 27 different animals in this gorgeous book. From the comet moth’s silky apartment to the common tailbird’s haute couture bedchamber, Simler adds wit and playfulness to her subjects, each animal describing their dwelling in verse. The red ovenbird says, of their Mud Bungalow, “I sculpt it, layer by layer, like a potter. / And hidden under its clay dome you’ll find its distinctive feature”, while the carrier snail delights in its shell-covered shelter: “The exhibition’s taking place on the outside. / My cabinet of curiosities can be visited at any time”. Lush digital illustrations have deep natural colors and incredible texture, and back matter includes a glossary and recommended resources. This is the Architectural Digest of the animal world, complete with endpapers boasting blueprints of companion human dwellings. This one is a delightful choice for nonfiction collections.

Home has starred reviews from Booklist and Shelf Awareness.

 

 

Lola Meets the Bees, by Anna McQuinn/Illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw, (Apr. 2024, Charlesbridge), $16.99, ISBN: 9781623543839

Ages 3-6

A new Lola book in time for Earth Day! This time, Lola and her mom are off to meet Zora, a friend of Lola’s mother, who is also a beekeeper! The three have lunch together as Lola watches the bees go from flower to flower, and then it’s time for Lola to don a special suit so that Zora can give her an up-close look at the hive. Beardshaw’s cheerful illustrations pair with McQuinn’s simple and engaging narrative, giving readers an introduction to beekeeping and bee colonies; as Zora gives Lola seeds to plant and create a “small wild place” for bees of her own, McQuinn raises awareness of a major problem facing bee colonies: the growing lack of wild spaces where they can live and proliferate. Lola Meets the Bees is another wonderful Lola story and a terrific Earth Day selection.

Anna McQuinn’s website has a section dedicated to Lola’s activities with flowers, if you need extension ideas for Earth Day or Lola storytimes.

 

Posted in Early Reader, Intermediate, Non-Fiction, Non-Fiction

Elise Gravel turns her microscope to Club Microbe

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Club Microbe, by Elise Gravel, (Apr 2024, Drawn & Quarterly), $17.95, ISBN: 9781770467026

Ages 5+

Elise Gravel makes some of the most fun science series: Club Microbe joins the ranks of Mushroom Fan Club and The Bug Club, making adorable cartoons out of subjects kids would normally scrunch their noses up at. Club Microbe is all about microorganisms: viruses, algae, bacteria, you name it, Gravel is fascinated with them. Gravel convinces readers that microbes get a bad rep because of a few creeps, like the coronavirus and rabies lyssavirus; there are loads of good microbes, like the bacteria that makes yogurt, or the germs that live in our intestines and help us digest our food (and make a little body music). There are microbes that help fight climate change, and microbes that help form snowflakes. Microbes are found everywhere on the planet – even volcanoes! – and without them, we’d be a dead planet. Gravel warms to her subject; her enthusiasm shines through, and her illustrations make expressive, brightly colored blobs of all sizes and shapes. A fun introduction that will delight any reader. Get a free virus printable and other science printables at Gravel’s author website.

 

 

Posted in Non-Fiction, picture books, Preschool Reads

Funky Flamingos? But of course!

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis
Flamingos are Pretty Funky: A (Not So) Serious Guide, by Abi Cushman, (June 2024, Greenwillow Books), $19.99, ISBN: 9780063234444

Ages 4-8

Abi Cushman has a companion book to Wombats are Pretty Weird (2023), and it’s all about flamingos. Friendly Joey the Snake is back as our guide through the world of flamingos, with more amusing commentary (we find out who he was named for this time). Cushman fills Flamingos with fun facts and entertaining dialogue from the birds themselves, especially the “Lesser Flamingo” who is not really thrilled with their name. You may have heard that flamingos get their pink pigmentation from their food, but did you know that during mating season, a gland near their tail provides an oil that they can use as DIY makeup? Or that their nests look like little volcanoes? You may also not want to wade out in water to catch a better look at a flamingo: they can withstand water that’s boiling hot or corrosive chemicals. Yikes! Side-bars and cartoon art, speech balloons and labeled pictures all facilitate learning, and informational backmatter, including glossary, make this a good addition to your animal collections. Visit Abi Cushman’s author webpage for some free downloadable resources!

Want a fun extension activity? This flamingo craft from Simple Mom Project is easy to print and assemble.

 

Posted in Non-Fiction, picture books

Jackie and the Books She Loved – a different look at Jackie after JFK

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Jackie and the Books She Loved, by Ronni Diamondstein/Illustrated by Bats Langley , (Nov. 2023, Sky Pony), $19.99, ISBN: 9781510776425

Ages 4-8

While most remember Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis as President John F. Kennedy’s wife and JFK Jr.’s mother, she had a storied career in publishing. Diamondstein and Langley bring that Jackie to younger readers, beginning with her book-loving childhood and accomplishments, her career as a journalist, and her key role in helping her husband win the Presidency, thanks to her newspaper columns. Diamondstein concentrates on Kennedy Onassis’s post-JFK life in New York as an editor, her interest in helping young women writers, and her commitment to putting the author first. Langley’s illustrations keeps Jackie in the center of the action and includes her trademark scarves and sunglasses. Back matter includes a timeline of Jackie’s life, an author’s note, and a sampling of the many titles she edited. A solid addition to picture book biography collections, Diamondstein treats her subject with respect and affection, making Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis much more than a former First Lady.

Posted in Intermediate, Middle Grade, Non-fiction, Non-Fiction, picture books, Preschool Reads

Animals, Animals, Animals!

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Search for a Giant Squid, by Amy Seto Forrester/Illustrated by Andy Chou Musser, (Apr. 2023, Chronicle Books), $14.99, ISBN: 9781797213934

Ages 6-9

Choose your own adventure, nonfiction style! Readers can learn about the elusive giant squid while navigating their own adventure. The stage is set: the team is going on an expedition to find a giant squid. Readers can choose a scientist, a submersible, and a dive site, and each choice leads to a different adventure. Does every adventure end with a squid encounter? Maybe, maybe not, but there is a lot to learn and see. Colorful illustrations, a diverse and inclusive group of scientists to choose from, and comic book pacing, word bubbles, and explanations make this a great way to engage readers and interest them in STEM studies. Search for a Giant Squid has a starred review from Booklist.

 

The Wild Life of Animals, by Mike Barfield/Illustrated by Paula Bossio, (Aug. 2023, Kane Miller), $19.99, ISBN: 9781684646494

Ages 7-11

With comic book art and pacing, this look into the “secret lives of astounding animals” is a fun, informative add to animal collections. Organized by habitats and lifestyles, The Wild Life of Animals covers areas including oceans, rivers and swamps, grasslands, deserts and polar regions; nocturnal animals get their own section. Profiled animals tell their stories from their personal experience, with a sense of humor to educate and entertain: the Pygmy Hippopotamus, for instance, yawns, showing their tusks and teeth, and coyly asks, “is this a warning or am I just yawning? Come any nearer and you’ll soon find out!” A glossary is there to help readers learn new terms. Originally published in Great Britain earlier this year, this is a good volume for intermediate learners who enjoy animals; the graphic novel format makes this an excellent add to nonfiction and graphic nonfiction shelves.

 

LifeSize Deadly Animals, by Sophy Henn, Aug. 2023, Kane Miller), $17.99, ISBN: 9781684645671

Ages 3-8

Fans of Steve Jenkins’s Actual Size books will enjoy this look at some of the deadliest animals on the planet. Opening the book, readers are greeted by lifesize rendering of a harpy eagle’s talons, outstretched and ready to grab… your nose? Your arm? Page after page of life-sized color illustrations, accompanied with factual, easy-to-read text, present predators like the dragonfly (don’t laugh – you’re not a small insect!), the black caiman (so many teeth), or a lion (spiky tongue). Spreads lead up to the fold-out great white shark’s mouth, big enough to swallow… the reader? Back matter includes statistics on profiled animals, including how many LifeSize books it would take to measure one. A good companion series to the Actual Size books. LifeSize Deadly Animals is the fourth in the LifeSize series.

 

Who Made This Mess?, by Laura Gehl/Illustrated by Aleksandar Stojsic, (Aug. 2023, Capstone), $18.99, ISBN: 9781684466290

Ages 4-8

This laugh-out-loud farm mystery is perfect for a rollicking read-aloud. Nighttime moos, missing carrots and splattered mud, what is going on at the farm? The rhyming verse and pictures give readers just enough clues to make a guess… and the reveals hilariously defy expectations! Endpapers show silhouetted animals, wide-open eyes showing through; cartoon artwork is appealing and made for fun readalouds. A sweet story about relying on assumptions and keeping an open mind, this is a great way to get new students ready for a new school year. Pair this up with Sandra Boynton’s Barnyard Dance and Doreen Cronin’s Click Clack Moo books for hilarious barnyard fun.

 

Posted in Fiction, Fiction, Graphic Novels, Intermediate, Middle Grade, Non-fiction, Non-Fiction

Graphic Novel rundown

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

As I continue scaling Mount TBR, I’ve got some good graphic novels to share!

Batcat, by Meggie Ramm, (March 2023, Amulet Books), $13.99, ISBN: 9781419756573

Ages 7-10

Batcat is a round, pink, half-bat and half-cat who lives alone in their oak tree home on Spooky Island. They love mushroom pizza and junk food, video games, and being alone – until the day when a ghost decides to haunt their home. Batcat is besides themselves: the ghost is SO RUDE! The ghost is constantly talking, and commits the cardinal sin of eating Batcat’s ice cream. Fed up, Batcat heads to the Island Witch for a spell to get rid of the ghost, and ends up on a journey for the ingredients to mix up the spell. First, Batcat has to go to the Cavernous Caves, where bats tell Batcat that they aren’t batty enough to be a bat. Then, it’s off to the Whispering Cemetery, where the cats that live there tell Batcat that they’re not committed to being cat enough. Batcat is frustrated and sad: why do they have to be one thing or the other? That’s the whole point of Batcat: it’s perfectly fine to be yourself, and don’t let anyone pressure you into being something you’re not comfortable with. Batcat is a delightful story about embracing our own individuality, delivering a strong, sweet message to readers throughout the story: “The Island Witch was neither a good witch nor a bad witch. She was somewhere in between. Batcat liked that, as they were neither one thing nor another themselves”. This message runs throughout the story, and some readers may notice the bright, vibrant colors running throughout the story map to the colors of the Nonbinary flag. Full of humor and moments of self-awareness and acceptance, Batcat is an adorable story about finding friendship and discovering our place in the world.

Batcat has a starred review from School Library Journal.

 

 

History Comics: Rosa Parks & Claudette Colvin: Civil Rights Heroes, by Tracey Baptiste/Illustrated by Shauna J. Grant, (Jan. 2023, First Second), $19.99, ISBN: 9781250174215

Ages 9-13

The History Comics series is another nonfiction graphic novel win. The kids in my library love them, and First Second’s strong author and illustrator teams make for a winning combination of solid writing, pacing, and art. Rosa Parks & Claudette Colvin: Civil Rights Heroes brings Claudette Colvin’s story to the forefront. Most people think that Rosa Parks was the first person to refuse to move to the back of the bus during the Jim Crow South, but 15-year-old Claudette Colvin was actually the first. Narrated in Colvin’s voice, readers get a summation of life during segregation and the seeds of activism planted by her teacher, Mrs. Lawrence, who told her class the unvarnished truth about history: “Are you who theysay you are? Or are youwho you say you are?” The narrative moves into Colvin’s arrest and trial, her civil rights work, and how Parks and Colvin knew one another long before Rosa Parks’s defining moment in Montgomery, which led to the Montgomery bus boycott. While covering history, Baptiste also gives a glimpse into Colvin’s and Parks’s life, providing a look at the people behind the legends. Baptiste, a bestselling middle grade author, knows how to write for her audience and provoke feelings of frustration, anger, and the desire for change. She does not shy away from the ugly side of history, touching on Emmett Till’s violent murder and Recy Taylor’s rape at gunpoint. Grant’s expressive illustrations bring Baptiste’s words to life and keep readers engaged. Afterwords from Baptiste and Grant complete the back matter. An essential addition to civil rights, social justice, and graphic novel nonfiction collections.

The Zinn Education Project has webpages dedicated to Colvin, including a Day in History link to March 2, 1955, when she refused to give up her bus seat, with links to more resources. There is a wealth of information on the Montgomery Bus Boycott, including History.com, Encyclopedia Britannica, the National Women’s History Museum, and the Encyclopedia of Alabama.

 

Codex Black (Book One): A Fire Among Clouds, by Camilo Moncada Lozano, (Apr. 2023, IDW Publishing), $16.99, ISBN: 9781684059591

Ages 12+

Set in 15th century Mesoamerica, the first book in the Codex Black series is an adventure bringing together Donají, a teen Zapotec girl who sets out on a journey to find her father, and Itzcacalotl, a teen Mexica warrior, who happens to have wings. Together, along with the god that lives inside Donají’s poncho, the two face monsters and defend villages, while trying to solve the mystery behind Donají’s father’s disappearance. Originally a webcomic on Tapas, Codex Black: A Fire Among Clouds makes a seamless transition to graphic novel. Lozano weaves a hero/heroine’s journey with fantastic and historical elements, rich in pre-Columbian history. The vibrant artwork, the expressive characters, the historical clothing, and cultural details are all breathtaking. Perfect for middle school into high school readers, this is what to hand your readers that have moved beyond (but never away from) Rick Riordan and Rick Riordan Presents adventures.

Want to learn more about the differences between Webtoons and Tapas? Check out this helpful article. Teachers Pay Teachers has some good resources for Mesoamerican studies, too: Tony the Tourist has reading passages; Teaching to the Middle has passages on Mayan religions; Mama Made Resources has reading comprehension on the Olmecs; Carroll’s Curations has a Mesoamerican Overview presentation on Powerpoint, and SimplyKristalClear has a Mesoamerican Geography document.

 

What Happens Next?: Talent Show Troubles, by Jess Smart Smiley, (Apr. 2023, First Second), $12.99, ISBN: 9781250889263
Ages 7-10

The Choose Your Own Adventure model works so well with this funny graphic novel about Megan, a tween targeted by seagulls and determined to do her part in making the school talent show a success. As readers make choices throughout the story, they’ll encounter dogs pooping backstage, a sick stage manager (or is it more?) and a wanted bandit – and that’s just a few of the wacky events in store for readers. Each turn of the page brings new decisions and consequences; there are over 100 paths and 29 endings available, meaning a LOT of re-reads in this book’s future. Bold cartoon art and hilarious dialogue makes this a graphic novel that readers are going to enjoy the first time and the hundredth time. What Happens Next?: Science Fair Frenzy just hit shelves in June, so pair them up. Booktalk this one to your storytellers who enjoy having some control over the outcome of a story.

Jess Smart Smiley’s webpage has links to events, animated stickers, and info on joining his First Readers Club, where readers can read his newest books for free while giving him feedback.

More to come!

Posted in Intermediate, Non-Fiction

Kids Ask About Bears

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Bears (Kids Ask About), by Christopher Nicholas/Illustrated by Pedro Julio Gonzalez, (Jan. 2023, Sequoia Kids Media), $20.99, ISBN: 9798765400319

Ages 7-10

This intermediate nonfiction series takes the big questions that come up and intersperses fun facts. There are lots of questions about bears: Where do they live? Which bear is the biggest? Which one is the smallest? What’s up with the koala: is it really a bear? Presented in a question-and-answer format, Kids Ask About: Bears is illustrated in full-color, with realistic images and photos of bears throughout. Questions and answers show up in speech bubbles; bulleted lists and callout speech bubbles provide additional facts. Colorful fonts are eye-catching and the facts are brief and easy to read and remember. A table of contents allows readers to go directly to questions they want to read about: “Where do polar bears live?” “How do sloth bears get their name?” “Do all bears eat animals?” Very user-friendly and kid friendly, the Kids Ask About series is a nice addition to your nonfiction collections. Visit the Sequoia webpage for printable companion worksheets, activity sheets, and coloring pages.

Posted in Intermediate, Non-Fiction

Do You Know: Boats and Water Transport and Musical Instruments

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Do You Know: Boats and Water Transport, by Laurence Muguet, (Apr. 2023, Twirl Books), $16.99, ISBN: 9782408042554

Ages 5-8

The most recent Do You Know? book in the Twirl series is a good summer reading choice: it’s all about boats and water transportation. Originally published in French in 2021, the English translation reads easily for intermediate readers and introduces them to all sorts of watercraft. Beginning with the basics: “What is a boat?”, informative text and labeled illustrations take readers through different kinds of watercraft and where they dock, including shipyards, ocean liners, and riverboats. Thought-provoking questions invite discussion. There is an easily searchable index, fun facts run throughout the book, and the writing is clear and easy to undertand. This a good purchase for intermediate nonfiction collections.  Originally published in France, Do You Know: Boats and Water Transport seamlessly translates into English.

 

 

Do You Know: Music and Musical Instruments, by Julie Delas, (Aug. 2023, Twirl Books), $16.99, ISBN: 9782408042530

Ages 5-8

The newest Do You Know? book is all about music and musical instruments, and is a fun and informative read. Originally published in French (2020), the translation is flawless and easy to read. Bright illustrations show a variety of people singing and playing instruments together. Music instruments and history cover a global scale, from medieval times to today’s popular music like rap and K-Pop; instruments featured include the Australian didgeridoo, Senegal’s kora, and the Inuit qilaut drum from Canada. The book covers jobs in music, venues, and dance, making this a helpful volume to have in your 700s. Fun facts, prompts for discussion, and review sections round this volume out. A full index makes for easy searching. This may be my favorite Do You Know? yet.

Posted in Intermediate, Non-Fiction

Mini Doodles: Fun prompts and activities

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Gina Perry, who has written one of my most popular storytime books (Small, 2017), has turned her illustration talents to activity books. Normally, if it doesn’t circ, I pause before blogging about it, but these books are adorable and they’re super handy to have around if you want to have a program that calls for some creativity. At 8 bucks a pop, you can put some budget money in and pick up a few of these to have on hand.

Let’s Draw Dinosaurs, by Gina Perry, (June 2023, Bushel & Peck Books), $7.99, ISBN: 9781638192022

Ages 4-8

How adorable are these dinosaurs? Gina Perry’s illustration is playful and kid-friendly, and her suggestions and prompts are so much fun; it’s like she’s standing there, encouraging kids to be their creative selves: “Now, let’s just get some teeth on these dinos, what you do you think?” Some prompts are original: “Write your name in bones”, complete with bone alphabet to help provide a frame of reference. Her instructions are clear and simple, and her line illustrations are bold, clear, and easy to follow. Let’s Draw Dinosaurs is sure to make budding artists out of kids (and adults: you know you want to make an Apatosaurus valley).

 

Let’s Draw Magical Creatures, by Gina Perry, (June 2023, Bushel & Peck Books), $7.99, ISBN: 9781638191612

Ages 4-8

If dinosaurs leave you wanting more, Gina Perry also has magical creatures to play around with. Let’s Draw Magical Creatures is all about drawing unicorns, dragons, mermaids, fairies, and more. Easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions show readers how to create their drawings, and fun prompts offer readers the chance to engage their imaginations and put their drawings in different settings: put gnomes on stumps, have a dragon face-off, or have unicorns gallop across a field en masse. Adorable creatures, fun prompts, easy-to-read and easy-to-follow instructions: it’s all in this series.

If you’re looking to circ these, try putting those “please do not write in book” strips across the cover (we do it with our test prep books with some success). Want more Gina Perry? Visit her website, where she has activity kits and drawing sheets in the spirit of the Mini Doodles series!