A Duo Review of Time-Traveling Chickens Bawk to the Future & Nugget and Tenders's Eggcellent Adventure by Kaz Windness

Time-Traveling Chickens Bawk to the Future by Kaz Windness
Publisher:  Simon Spotlight
Published:  August 25th, 2026
Format Read:  Hardcover
Number of pages:   112 pages
Source:  Publisher in exchange for an honest review

In a top-secret laboratory, chickens Nugget and Tenders are supposed to become bigger and stronger after ingesting Dr. Dipping-Sauce's special formula.  Unfortunately, the doctor accidentally gives them a Super-Smart serum instead.  Deciding not to stick around while the doctor discovers her mistake, the pair break out of their cage and uncover Big Chicken's secret plan for world domination through the creation of a mindless edible chicken army.

At the same time, the Time B.U.C.K.E.T (Biologic Unearthing Chrono-Kinetic Exploration Tool) is preparing to travel back to the late Cretaceous period, where the C.L.A.W (Collecting Lost Artifacts, Wow!) is supposed to retrieve a T-Rex feather.  Instead, Nugget and Tenders are accidentally caught in its grasp and whisked back in time.

Now stranded in the Cretaceous period, Nugget and Tenders come face to face with a T-Rex that has been terrorizing a triceratops named Dinner and his family.  When the triceratops points out the similarities between Nugget and the mighty predator, Nugget decides that he needs to change history once and for all.  After all, how can a creature descended from the king of dinosaurs end up as food?  

Time-Traveling Chickens Nugget and Tenders's Eggcellent Adventure by Kaz Windness
Publisher:  Simon Spotlight
Publishing:  November 24th, 2026
Format Read:  Hardcover
Number of pages:   112 pages
Source:  Publisher in exchange for an honest review

Book two of the Time-Traveling Chickens series begins moments after Nugget and Tenders return to the present, only to discover that their efforts to stop Dr. Dipping-Sauce and the evil scientists from turning chickens into food have failed.  To make matters worse, the doctor's boss, Mr. Kernel, has plans for their baby chick, Waffles.  In addition to creating a mindless edible chicken army, he intends to build a C.L.U.C.K (Chicken Lunar Underground Control Kiosk), create an Egg Pod Launcher, and install Waffles as president to advance his plans of world domination.  If Nugget and Tenders hope to stop him, they'll need a bigger B.U.C.K.E.T. and the greatest minds in history to help them build a Mech Rex.

My thoughts:  Each of the Time-Traveling Chickens chapter books is approximately 112 pages long and divided into short chapters filled with black-and-white illustrations accented with splashes of red.  These stories are delightfully silly and packed with chicken and egg themed humor that will appeal to readers transitioning to chapter books and graphic novels.  The fast-paced adventures, quirky acronyms, and over-the-top villainous schemes reminded me of the fun I had reading Captain Underpants as a volunteer reading buddy.   

Guapo's Stories: Guapo and the Mystery of Goodness Grove by Janet Zappala, illustrated by Lara Calleja

Guapo and the Mystery of Goodness Grove by Janet Zappala, illustrated by Lara Calleja
Publisher:  Mascot Kids
Publishing:  November 10th, 2026
Format Read:  Hardcover
Number of pages:   38 pages
Source: Books Forward

Opening Lines: "In a sunny grove near Guapo's home stood a very sad-looking tree."

Guapo and the Mystery of Goodness Grove is the third book in Guapo's Stories.   In the latest story, Guapo and his friends are exploring the grove when they spot a tree with bare branches, a cracking trunk, and a heavy lean that makes it look ready to fall.  Worried, they try to bring the struggling tree back to life.  They water it every day, but nothing changes, until they discover a baby robin that has fallen from its nest.  After returning the robin to the nest, they notice the sad tree beginning to sprout new leaves and it looks livelier.

Soon after, a young girl named Valentina arrives in the grove with her puppy.  Guapo explains the tree's mysterious improvement, and Valentina suggests that maybe their acts of kindness helped the tree heal.  From that moment on, everyone makes an effort to do good deeds for one another and spread kindness throughout the groove.    

Guapo's tales are inspired by real animals, a rescue steer weighing over 3,000 pounds, along with a donkey, pig and goat, and the authors daughter, Valentina and her puppy.  It's a sweet story that shows young children the joy small acts of kindness can bring and the impact they can have on the world around them.  The illustrations are colorful and playful, and I especially enjoyed the inclusion of photos of the real animals that inspired the story.   Further books in the series include Guapo's Giant Heart:  The True Story of the Calf Who Kept Growing and Guapo's Great Rescue:  Clay Finds a Forever Home.  

The story is especially timely, with World Kindness Day coming up on Friday, November 13th, 2026.    

The Brave Fuzzy: A Microbiome Story by Eliana Miao and Pen & Pipette, illustrated by Johanna Gousett

The Brave Fuzzy:  A Microbiome Story by Eliana Miao and Pen & Pipette, illustrated by Johanna Gousett
Publisher: Pen & Pipette
Published:  September 29th, 2026
Format Read:  E-book
Number of pages:   32 pages
Source:  Books Forward and the Publisher
Opening Line:  "Take a pause. Listen closely. You might make out the faint rustle of a village by the river."  

In a village by the river, the blue fuzzies are very busy at work.  From time to time, wild storms sweep through, damaging their homes.  Although they are grateful to rebuild afterward, they recognize that not everyone is fortunate enough to have a home. 

One day, an orange fuzzy arrives in the village.  At first, the blue fuzzies are hesitant to accept the newcomer.  However, one "brave fuzzy" reaches out in friendship, recognizing that the orange fuzzy seems lonely and believing that everyone deserves to be seen and valued.  As the two fuzzies begin working together, more fuzzies arrive.  Soon there are a diverse group of fuzzies all contributing to help prepare for the next storm. Through their combined efforts, the village grows stronger.  Vines begin to sprout throughout the community, helping protect from future storms.  

The Brave Fuzzy was written by Eliana Miao and is credited to Pen & Pipette, a literary nonprofit she founded while in high school.  Its mission is to ignite a passion for science in children through teen-led classroom visits for students in PreK through second grade that introduces STEM concepts in engaging ways.   To learn more, visit penandpipette.org    

The first thing that captured my attention while reading The Brave Fuzzy was the gorgeous watercolor artwork by Johanna Gousett.  The illustrations are so warm and inviting and I love how they beautifully capture the gentle nature of the fuzzies.  I especially appreciated how one fuzzy recognizes the orange fuzzies loneliness and that the response is to reach out in friendship.  The message of empathy and inclusion really stood out to me and is one of the book's greatest strengths. 

At the back of the book, the authors explain that the fuzzies represent the microbes that live inside our bodies.  Readers learn that these microbes collectively form the microbiome, which plays an important role in digestion and communicates with the body in ways to improve your health.  The book emphasizes the importance of "feeding your fuzzies" by eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables so they can thrive.

I found the connection between the fuzzies and the microbes to be an imaginative and accessible way to introduce this complex scientific concept to young children.  My only wish was that more of the scientific information had been woven into the story itself rather than presented separately in the back matter.  Overall, I thought The Brave Fuzzy is a charming story with appealing illustrations and messages that emphasize kindness, while introducing children to the concept of the microbiome.  It is both an educational and enjoyable read.  

**A huge thank you to Books Forward and the Publisher for the E-book in exchange for an honest review.**

Bitsy Bat, Snow Star by Kaz Windness

Bitsy Bat, Snow Star by Kaz Windness
Publisher: Beach Lane Books/Simon & Schuster
Publishing:  October 27th, 2026
Format Read:  Hardcover
Number of pages:   48 pages
Source:  Publisher in exchange for an honest review
Opening Line:  "Bitsy Bat woke up to a white world outside." 

Bitsy Bat wakes up to her first snowfall.  Usually, her family hibernates for the winter, but this year the snow arrived early.  She's excited to try all the fun winter activates with her friends from school.  However, playing in the snow turns out to be cold and wet, and sledding is much scarer than she imagined.  

Bitsy then goes inside where she worries that her friends won't like her anymore.  Then she finds Enzo the owl and Mo in the reading nook.  They explain that they like the snow, but not necessarily playing in it.  Slowly, Bitsy realizes that it's okay not to like the same things as everyone else.  Sometimes it's more important to be honest about how we really feel.        

According to the publisher's description, this third installment in the popular Bitsy Bat series is told from an autistic perspective and celebrates the qualities that make each individual shine.  Extensive backmatter provides information about autism, including terms and definitions that explain neurodivergence, what autistic masking is, and the importance of showing empathy to others.  An author's note shares the authors experiences as a person with autism and what she hopes readers will take away from the story.  Overall, this is an adorable book that delivers a beautiful message about friendships that support what makes us different.  It would make a cozy winter read-aloud while encouraging empathy and inclusion. 

**A huge thank you to Simon & Schuster for the hardcover in exchange for an honest review.**

The Adventures of Odysseus: A Graphic Novel of The Odyssey by Nicolás Schuff, illustrated by Mariana Ruiz Johnson and translated by Lawrence Schimel

The Adventures of Odysseus by Nicolás Schuff, illustrated by Mariana Ruiz Johnson and translated by Lawrence Schimel 
Publisher:  Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
Publishing:  October 27th, 2026
Format Read:  E-book via Edelweiss+ 
Number of pages:   194 pages
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review.

From Goodreads:  "Now that the Trojan War is over, Odysseus can't wait to reunite with his family. He sets sail and expects to be home in just a few weeks—but over ten years of adventure lie ahead! Can the hero and his crew survive singing Sirens, escape witches and nymphs, outwit a man-eating Cyclops, and make it home to Ithaca at last?" 

Opening Lines: "In this book you will find a new version of a very famous story, known as the Odyssey, which is almost three thousand years old and was told for the first time in ancient Greece."

It's wonderful to see so many graphic novel adaptations of Homer's Odyssey being published.  They make this classic tale much more accessible to young readers.   I recently finished reading the deluxe edition by Gareth Hinds and thoroughly enjoyed it, so I was eager to pick up this version as well.  Nicolás Schuff's retells Odysseus's epic journey after he incurs the wrath of Poseidon, daringly escapes from a Cyclops and as he faces various other obstacles and dangers.  Through it all, Odysseus remains determined to return to his beloved wife.

The artwork is distinctive, featuring full-page illustrations in a striking color palette of burnt orange, yellow, red, black and shades of blue.  Despite depicting violent events, such as the blinding of the Cyclops, deaths of Odysseus's men, and the killing of animals, the illustrations feel more playful than frightening.  Rather than showing graphic details, the artist uses crossed-out eyes to indicate when characters have died. Each page also contains a substantial amount of text, making this adaptation suited to readers who are ready for a more in-depth retelling.  I especially appreciated the descriptions that accompany each newly introduced god or goddess and felt they helped the reader to keep track of the many figures from Greek mythology.   This is an engaging introduction to The Odyssey that would work well in both classrooms and libraries.  With its blend of adventure, mythology and excitement I can see young readers who enjoyed Percy Jackson enjoying this too. 

**A huge thank you to Eerdmans Books for Young Readers for the E-book via Edelweiss + in exchange for an honest review.**

10 Billion Spheres: A Rather Inconvenient Guide to the Multiverse Jordan Bridger

10 Billion Spheres:  A Rather Inconvenient Guide to the Multiverse by Jordan Bridger
Publisher:  Independently Published
Published:  July 21st, 2026
Format Read:  E-book
Number of pages:   129 pages
Source: Author in exchange for an honest review.
Opening lines from prologue:  "WARNING:  This is one of those annoyingly self-aware books where the narrator feels the need to jump in and share his two cents.  Sorry it's the way of the universe."

The prologue introduces the World Finder, whose job is to navigate Kismet, a sphere of chaos.  Serving as the story's narrator, he observes the universe through a telescope known as the Sphere-Seer, and somewhat amusingly, he has a weakness for ice cream.  It is the World Finder who witnesses a "disturbing event that involves a murder.  A mystery.  Two annoying teenagers and a band of very awkward heroes." Intrigued by what he sees, he becomes determined to help the children on their quest. 

From there we meet two alien orphans, Isra and Arwen, who are on the run after their parents, researchers of the Breite Esfera Levem, mysteriously vanished.  In their sorrow, the siblings create a storm that begins following them.  After witnessing a holographic image containing ancient script and the three cryptic words, they see a ship fall from the sky.

The siblings soon find themselves swept into a topsy-turvy adventure that includes a Forever Ship where time moves differently, they receive a cryptic message from the voice of their deceased grandfather, travel to the InterMedia, across Space and enter a mirror universe where they encounter a solar amphibian king and a Phorusrhacid bird-like creature that can teleport.   Their quest to uncover the truth about their parents takes them from "HERE to THERE, which is HERE now" and through a series of absurd and comical destinations to unlock a keyhole in the sky that sucks them through a vortex.  Just to name a few of their various destinations.    

 10 Billion Spheres: A Rather Inconvenient Guide to the Multiverse feels a bit like what I image reading The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams would be like, with its humor and wildly imaginative settings.  It also shares some of the clever wordplay found in The Phantom Tollbooth, including the personification of History. 

The constant shift in locations however left me with mixed feeling about the story's direction, and I was disappointed by the abrupt ending.  While the story aims to highlight the friendships that develop among this unlikely band of heroes, I didn't feel there was quite enough time to establish those relationships.  As a result, I never connected with the main characters as deeply as I would have liked.  Since this is only the first installment in a planned twelve-book series, some of the story's threads are clearly being set up for future volumes.  That said, I enjoyed the World Finder's narration and am interested to see how the various characters and storylines will eventually converge.  Included at the back of the book is A Rather Inconvenient Field Guide to the Multiverse, with a list of terms and definitions and the directions for to How to Play Grave Robbers From Outer Space.  

I Need Space by Molly Harris , illustrated by Jon Corby

I Need Space by Molly Harris, illustrations by Jon Corby
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books & Simon and Schuster
Publishing:  October 27th, 2026
Format Read:  E-book, Hardcover
Number of pages:   32 pages
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review

Rocco loves playing with his friends in their big outer space playground, they can slide, swing and even use the merry go round.  But playtime for Rocco has become chaotic with some not following the rules.  Continuously dealing with the hoggers, line-cutters, toy stealer's and roughhouser's, Rocco finally had enough and he blasts off to the edge of the solar system before he loses his cool.  After a few moments of floating in silence and a chance to reflect, he is finally ready to return to his friend and figure out ways for everyone to have fun together on the playground.

I Need Space is an adorable social-emotional learning book that introduces the idea of boundaries, showing how situations can sometimes be stressful or overwhelming, and that coping may require taking a break or using different relaxation strategies.  I can see this as being super helpful in a pre-kindergarten or kindergarten classroom as it is super engaging with its vibrant colorful illustrations by Jon Corby and is very informative in providing practical strategies that younger children will understand and can implement.  I absolutely adore the illustrations where Rocco and his friend are modeling making up their own games and respecting the rules of the playground.  I also love how these two pages show how Rocco was once happy and becomes irritated and overwhelmed by rule breakers.  How in the end he internally realizes that he needs to make a change.  This is such a valuable teaching tool and will certainly open up discussions about sharing and the value of stepping away to take a break.   

  

MOLLY HARRIS is the author of picture books The Big Squeeze, Whirby, and I Need Space.  She is a technical writer by trade who enjoys world traveling and working on too many projects at once. Originally from Massachusetts, she now lives in Ireland with her husband and two sons. Visit her at MollyHarrisBooks.com.

JON CORBY is an illustrator and children’s book designer. He earned his BFA in illustration from Syracuse University and is currently based in Pennsylvania. I Need Space is his debut picture book. Learn more about his work at JonCorbyArt.com.