Blog Tour: A Forest, A Family, A Harbor, A Home

Is there anything better than a day spent in nature? If you’re a longtime reader, you know how much I love trees, the ocean, and the beauty of the natural world. I especially enjoy picture books that capture a strong sense of place and encourage readers to appreciate everything nature has to offer. Add a loving family to the mix, and you have the makings of a truly memorable story.

That’s why I’m delighted to share A Forest, A Family, A Harbor, A Home by Nikki McClure. Kirkus gave this beautiful picture book a starred review, calling it “soft, stunning, and cozy as a hug.” When it comes to picture books, I can’t think of a better description!

 

Learn More About the Book: 

 

 

A Forest, A Family, A Harbor, A Home

Created by Nikki McClure

Ages: 4-8 | 48 Pages

Publisher: Norton Young Readers (2026) | ISBN-13: 978-1324125105

Publisher's Book Summary: "Gorgeously handcrafted, rooted in the nature and landscape of the Northwest, and threaded with the experience of child- and parenthood, A Forest, A Family, A Harbor, A Home is a rich and deeply felt meditation on the intimacy of home, the wonder of the world, and the magic of discovery."

 

Readers can purchase their own copies of A Forest, A Family, A Harbor, A Home at Bookshop, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and Norton. Also, to learn more about Nikki McClure, visit her website and connect with her on Instagram. 

 

The Giveaway: 

 

I've partnered with Norton Young Readers to host a giveaway for the beautiful picture book, A Forest, A Family, A Harbor, A Home by Nikki McClure. Readers who follow along on this virtual book tour will have the chance to win a hardcover copy. Good luck!

 

The Best Halloween Books for Kids to Enjoy This Month

Halloween is fast approaching! It's a great time of the year to curl up with the little one in your life and share a slightly spooky or festive Halloween read. Today I am highlighting my favorite Halloween picture books as well as some favorites for beginner readers.

 

Picture Books for Halloween:

1.  It's Pumpkin Day, Mouse! by Lauren Numeroff

2.  Eeek! Halloween! by Sandra Boynton

 

3.  It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown by Charles M. Schulz

4.  Biscuit's Pet and Play Halloween by Alyssa Satin Capucilli

5.  The Berenstain Bears Trick or Treat by Stan and Jan Berenstain

6.  Where is Baby's Pumpkin? by Karen Katz

 

7.  Five Little Pumpkins by Ben Mantle

8. Three Little Witches and the Old House by Peggy Archer

 

9.  Happy Halloween, Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt

10.  Room on the Broom by Julie Donaldson

 11.  The Little Shop of Monsters by R.L. Stine

12.  The Berenstain Bears Go on a Ghost Walk by Stan and Jan Berenstain

 

 

 

 

13.  The Widow's Broom by Chris Van Allsburg

14. Duck and Goose: Find a Pumpkin by Tad Hills

15. Creepy Pair of Underwear! by Aaron Reynolds

16.  Pumpkin Jack by Will Hubbell

 

 

17.  Too Many Pumpkins by Linda White

18. The Big Book of Monsters by Hal Johnson

 

 

19.  Little Blue Truck's Halloween by Alice Schertle

20. Curious George Haunted Halloween by H.A. Rey

 

 

 

  

21. Scary, Scary Halloween by Eve Bunting 

22. The Great Pumpkin Pancake Party by Celeste Pewter

 

 

23.  M is for Monster by Patrick Lewis

24.  The Good, the Bad, and the Spooky by Jory John

 

 

 

 

25.  Pig the Monster by Aaron Blabey

26.  Creepy Carrots! by Aaron Reynolds 

 

 

 

27. The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams

28.  The Crayons Trick or Treat by Drew Daywalt

 

 

 

 

  

29. Ghost Town in the Mountains by Lynn Becker

30.  The Pumpkin Thief by Alice Hemming

 

31.  How to Catch a Witch by Adam Wallace

32. Chicka Chicka Tricka Treat by Julien Chung

 

 

 

 

 

33. Click, Clack Boo! by Doreen Kornin

34. Aggie and the Ghost by Matthew Forsythe

 

 

 

 

 

35. This Year, a Witch! by Zoey Abbott

36. Scritch! Scratch!: An Itchy, Witchy Halloween Tale by Teri Sloat

 

 

 

 

 

37. The Haunted Playground by R.J. Palacio 

38.  Mother Boo: Poems From Spookytown by Vikki VanSickle

 

 

Beginner Chapter Books:

 

 

1.  A Ghost Named Fred by Nathaniel Benchley

2.  A Good Night for Ghosts by Mary Pope Osborne

 

 

 

3.  The Haunted Castle on Hallows Eve by Mary Pope Osborne

4.  Vlad the World's Worst Vampire by Anna Wilson

 

5.  Shadow in the Woods and Other Scary Stories by Max Brallier

6.  Nate the Great and the Halloween Hunt by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat

 

7.  The Notebook of Doom series by Troy Cummings

8. Yarn Is Everything! by Aaron Reynolds  

9.  In a Dark, Dark Room by Alvin Schwartz

10. The School is Alive! by Jack Chabert  

 

 

 

 

 

11. Sleepy Hollow Sleepover by Ron Roy

12.  The Haunted Hotel by Ron Roy 

 

 

 

 

13.  Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz

14. Haunted USA by Heather Alexander

 

 

 

 

 15. Beneath the Bed and Other Scary Stories by Max Brallier

16. Troubling Tonsils by Aaron Reynolds

 

 

 

17. Never Kick a Ghost by Judy Sierra

18. Monster School: First Day Frights by Dave Keane 

 

 

 

19. Ghostly, Ghastly Tales by Anastasia Garcia 

20. Monster Blood: Graphic Novel by Maddi Gonzalez and R.L. Stine (or any from this series) 

Shop All Books Here:

 

Let me know in the comments below if any of your favorites made my list and if you have any recommendations for me.