You Feta Watch Out by Linda Reilly

You Feta Watch Out by Linda Reilly

I read the first four books in this series in the fall and had to wait for this one to be released. I got it for Christmas but just read it in February due to my never-ending TBR and library checkouts.

It was good timing because I needed a cozy escape from reality, though, and this did the trick! I think this book progressed the side storyline of Carly and Ari nicely and it felt like that story was happening organically. Too often the romantic storylines of cozy mysteries either feel forced or rushed. While Carly and Ari are pretty innocent overall, I buy the sweetness and their relationship journey overall. I hope the series continues so we get to see their wedding, which should be happening soon!

I also love how the other characters are becoming more dimensional, for he most part. I loved getting to see more of Carly's sister, Norah. I also loved the development of Nina, and hope to see more from her. Suzanne seemed a bit pulled back this book, and I wonder if she's going to go away in the next, or if something's going on in her life she didn't really address... (Yes, I know it's fiction, but c'mon, I'm invested!) It was interesting to have some new players in this mystery, but I have to say I loved Grant coming back for the holidays. I'd read a side series starring him, even if it focused on food and music instead of mystery.

Overall, I think this was a great fifth book in the series. It was cozy, moved the overarching story along, and made me want to read more. I've recommended this series to a lot of people who seem to enjoy it as well, so give it a try!

Storytime Activity Ideas for Lefty by Mo Willems and Dan Santat

Lefty by Mo Willems, Illustrated by Dan Santat

My son and I are both left-handed (like Dan Santat) and love Dan Santat illustrations (...like Dan Santat, surely?) so I wanted to read this book with him. He's a bit too old for it now, but there are some interesting facts in there that he loved learning to share with his (right-handed) friends. 

It's a fun book and I can picture reading it aloud in a classroom or library, like all Mo Willems and Dan Santat books! 

Activities I would do as a librarian would include: 

• polling the class or storytime group to see who is left-handed and who is right-handed
• tracing hands on paper and coloring them (for younger kids) or drawing things that make you you (for older kids)
• giving them a word to try and write with both their left and right hands
• draw the same picture with both left and right hands
• toss beanbags into a basket with left and right hands

What activities would you incorporate into a storytime or lesson using this book? What have you tried? I'd love to hear how it went!