February may be the shortest month of the year, but there are times when it feels like the longest. For us, this winter has been pretty wacky --- some days have been rainy and warm, others have been snowy and freezing. But no matter what the temperature, our favorite winter escape is always a good book.

Along with regular updates of our Cool New Books feature --- where we tell you about Kate DiCamillo's new book THE MIRACULOUS JOURNEY OF EDWARD TULANE --- and our monthly reviews section, we have reviews of THE ADVENTURES OF VIN FIZ by Clive Cussler and THE BLUE DJINN OF BABYLON: Children of the Lamp Trilogy, Book 2 by P. B. Kerr. We're also updating three of our series features with their latest titles --- MOSTLY GHOSTLY #8: DON'T CLOSE YOUR EYES! by R. L. Stine, THE LADY GRACE MYSTERIES, Book #5: EXILE by Lady Grace Cavendish, and FRAMED: Nancy Drew (All New) Girl Detective #15 by Carolyn Keene.

In this month's Poll we'd like to know what some of your favorite series titles are, and our Question asks what series YOU would like to see featured if you ran things around here.

On Thursday, March 2nd, we celebrate Read Across America, the country's largest reading event. We hope you have some Seussational events planned! Click here for more news about this.

Spring still may seem months away, but you can drown those winter blues with a good book. Find it at Kidsreads.com.

Happy reading from all of us.

Carol Fitzgerald for Kidsreads.com

February's roundup of Cool New Books includes THE ADVENTURES OF VIN FIZ, international bestselling author Clive Cussler's first novel written just for kids, and THE MIRACULOUS JOURNEY OF EDWARD TULANE, in which Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo takes readers on an extraordinary journey involving a rabbit who is lost and waiting to be found. We're also featuring SPIRIT WALKER, the second installment in Michelle Paver's adventure series Chronicles of Ancient Darkness about a boy who can talk to wolves, and the continuation of Children of the Lamp, a wildly entertaining and magical adventure trilogy by P. B. Kerr.

THE ADVENTURES OF VIN FIZ by Clive Cussler
The lives of 10-year-old twins Casey and Lacey Nicefolk change dramatically following the arrival of Mr. Sucoh Sucop to their parents' herb farm. The mysterious man leaves them a magic box that can transform any toy --- including Casey's model airplane --- into a life-sized reality. Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman.

THE BLUE DJINN OF BABYLON: Children of the Lamp Trilogy, Book 2 by P. B. Kerr
In book two of this trilogy, 12-year-old twin djinn (or genies) John and Philippa Gaunt must retrieve the powerful book of magic stolen from the leader of all the djinn. Their quest leads them into their most dangerous and exciting adventures ever as they battle evil forces and attempt to restore Philippa's good standing in djinn society. Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon.

ULYSSES MOORE #1: THE DOOR TO TIME
Eleven-year-old twins Jason and Julia move into an old mansion on the coast of England with their family. Their new home is filled with twisting tunnels and strange artifacts from around the world. Jason and Julia, along with their new friend Rick, begin an adventure filled with intrigue that is out of this world. Reviewed by Sarah Sawtelle

THE LADY GRACE MYSTERIES, Book #5: EXILE by Lady Grace Cavendish
When the famed Heart of Kings Ruby belonging to a mysterious and exotic young princess goes missing, the finger is pointed at Grace's dear friend Ellie, the laundry maid. Grace must prove her friend's innocence, find the true thief, and restore the stone to its rightful owner. Reviewed by Shannon McKenna.

MOSTLY GHOSTLY #8: DON'T CLOSE YOUR EYES! by R. L. Stine
Max has been awake for 48 hours. He's so exhausted that even having his crush, Traci Wayne, at his house can't energize him. What's the worst that can happen if he does doze off? He might very well sleep forever. Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon.

FRAMED: Nancy Drew (All New) Girl Detective #15, by Carolyn Keene
A prince from a relatively minor royal family, who has come to River Heights to deliver a painting to a friend of the royal family, is arrested by federal authorities and jailed. His family is convinced he stole the painting, but Nancy and her dad believe otherwise.

February offers two wacky and wonderful opportunities for kids who love movies based on books to head to the theater. The first is Nanny McPhee, which is based on Britain's Nurse Matilda series from the 1960s. If you're not familiar with the books, here's all you need to know: they're fun and fantastical --- think Mary Poppins meets Harry Potter --- and we're sure you'll love them.

On February 10th, the much-anticipated film version of the Curious George books by Margret and H. A. Rey climbed and swung its way into theaters. Starring the hysterical Will Ferrell as The Man in the Yellow Hat, this adaptation of one of the most beloved children's book series ever published is destined to be a classic.

To celebrate the film release of Curious George, Houghton Mifflin has a number of outstanding books that pay tribute to the inquisitive chimp and his pal with the big yellow hat.

THE DELUXE MOVIE STORYBOOK
Curious kids will love this illustrated story based on George's animated adventure. Includes a full-color pull-out poster.

A JUNIOR NOVEL
Kids can read about George's movie adventure in this novel that features an eight-page color insert with scenes from the film.

MEET CURIOUS GEORGE: A PICTURE READER
A Curious George adventure perfect for fans who are just beginning to read on their own --- simple pictures stand in for some words in this rebus reader. Includes full-color illustrations from the motion picture.

CURIOUS GEORGE'S BIG ADVENTURES
A storybook that includes six activity pages and bonus stickers.

TOUCH AND FEEL BOOK
Small hands can experience what the elements of George's world might feel like in this interactive board book.

STICKER FUN BOOK
Features scenes to decorate and matching games.

More information about the movie can be found here. And please be sure to check out our Curious George series feature to satisfy your curiosity!

In case you missed them when we posted them last month, the following awards were announced in late January. They were awarded to books that were cited as great books for children by the American Library Association:
 
-John Newbery Medal
-Randolph Caldecott Medal
-Coretta Scott King Award
-Schneider Family Book Award
-Theodor Seuss Geisel Beginning Reader Award

Heroes don't have to wear capes and wield superpowers --- they come in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes they use typewriters, needles and thread, or even baseball bats and dancing shoes to change laws and open the minds of millions. From soldiers who fought during World War I to a woman who simply kept her seat on a public bus, you'll meet a multitude of amazing individuals from all walks of life in this list of titles we've assembled to commemorate Black History Month in February. We hope these books, steeped in their grand deeds and rich cultural history, will inspire you to become a hero in your own way.

THE CASE OF THE MISSING MARQUESS: An Enola Holmes Mystery by Nancy Springer
What would you do if you were the young sister of none other than Mycroft and Sherlock Holmes? Elementary, my dear reader! You would leave home to track down your missing mother and on the way stumble into solving another mystery. And that is exactly what Enola Holmes does in this mystery-adventure story that takes place in 1880 England. Reviewed by Robert Oksner.

THE FRUIT BOWL PROJECT by Sarah Durkee
Rock superstar Nick Thompson visits the kids in 8th Grade Writer's Workshop to talk about writing. He gives the class two weeks to complete an assignment --- each student must tell an interesting story, reflecting his or her style --- using seven seemingly ordinary elements. Reviewed by Paula Jolin.

THE YEAR OF THE DOG by Grace Lin
It's the Chinese Year of the Dog, and as Pacy celebrates with her family, she learns that this is the year she is supposed to "find herself." As the year goes on, she struggles to find her talent, makes a new best friend, and discovers just why the Year of the Dog is a lucky one for her after all. Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman.

HANNE'S QUEST by Olivier Dunrea
Hanne is the smallest, quietest, and youngest hen in Mem Pockets' henhouse. But when the hens learn that Mem might lose her farm, it is little Hanne who volunteers to embark on a quest to save them all. Reviewed by Carole Turner.

FREE BASEBALL by Sue Corbett
Sue Corbett's second middle-grade novel is a warm and satisfying story of a boy who desperately longs to be reunited with the father he never knew and to spend more time with his busy and distracted mother.

What series titles would you like to see featured on Kidsreads.com?