Plant a Kiss
By Amy Krouse Rosenthal, Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
HarperCollins, $14.99
Amy Krouse Rosenthal, who grew up in Lake Forest, presents another charming picture book for children of all ages. In minimalist fashion, she imagines a literal interpretation of the saying “plant a kiss.” A young girl, known in the rhyming text as Little Miss, plants a kiss in the ground. After careful tending, a delicately sparkling sprout grows, and the girl decides to share her wondrous harvest with the world, diligently traveling to the farthest corners to do so. (for ages 4 and up)
Love in a Nutshell
By Janet Evanovich & Dorien Kelly
St. Martin’s Press, $27.99
Number-one bestselling author, Janet Evanovich teams up with award-winning author Dorien Kelly to deliver a lively novel of romantic suspense. Kate Appleton needs a job, her husband has left her, she’s been fired from her position as a magazine editor, and the only place she wants to go is to her parents’ summer house in Keene’s Harbor, Michigan. She needs a job and is hired to spy on the employees at a brewery. Someone has been sabotaging the company, and Kate is just new enough in town that she can insert herself into the business and spy for the boss. But Kate runs into several problems: She dislikes beer, no one seems to trust her, and she ends up falling for her boss. Filled with humor, heart, and lovable characters, Love in a Nutshell is delicious fun. (for adults)
The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight
By Jennifer E. Smith
Poppy, $17.99
Jennifer Smith, who grew up in Lake Forest, is back with another wonderful story for teens. This fast-paced love story begins when 17-year-old Hadley is on the way to her father’s wedding. She misses her flight to London where her father will marry the woman he left his family for. While it seems the worst day of her life, it turns into one of the best days of her life when she meets the perfect boy in the airport. Set over a 24-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver’s story will make you believe that true love finds you when you’re least expecting it. (for ages 12 and up)
Hugs from Pearl
By Paul Schmid
HarperCollins, $14.99
Friendly little Pearl loves to hug her friends at school, but her porcupine quills unfortunately make it “a little ouchy” for her pals. Something must be done, and Pearl tries many solutions (pincushions, an extra long bath, asking her mom for a “quill cut”) until she is inspired by bees on a thorny rosebush, using her mom’s special rose-printed pillowcase, she fashions a sort of quill-cover that allows her to hug her buddies without harm. (for ages 2 and up)
—Sue Boucher of Lake Forest Book Store
