Friday Finds | October 2, 2026
"There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate's loot on Treasure Island." - Walt Disney
Welcome to this week's Friday Finds, where I'm easing into October with a mix of comforting reads, warm sips, and a little nostalgia.
This week, I'm featuring children's author Michelle Olson, whose playful photographic storytelling brings friendship, feelings, and everyday childhood moments to life in such a distinctive way. From there, I'm settling in with two very different recent reads - Delaware Keepers and Soldier's Joy - and warming things up with an easy Honey Vanilla Latte that feels just right for a cooler day.
And because some stories stay with us long after childhood, this week's reader question is all about the books we still remember fondly from growing up.
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🌟 Featured Author Spotlight
Michelle Olson's path to children's books started in a wonderfully fitting place: sitting on the floor of the library's children's section with her kids. As she tells it, a light bulb went off - though not before she alerted the librarians to the 'broken' fixture. That moment led her to notice how few picture books use photographs to tell their stories, and eventually inspired the creation of Bellie Button Books.
Today, Michelle combines photography and handcrafted characters to create playful stories that help young readers explore friendship, feelings, confidence, and everyday social-emotional challenges.
💭 My Reflections
What first caught my attention about Michelle's books was how different they look. Her button characters and photographic storytelling immediately stand out from more traditionally illustrated picture books, but there is also plenty happening beneath that playful presentation.
Her stories give children approachable ways to think about emotions, friendships, embarrassment, bullying, and other situations that can feel very big when you are small. I also appreciate the extra thought she puts into making her books useful for parents and educators, with social-emotional learning themes and supporting reading activities.
If Michelle Olson is new to you, these two books are a lovely introduction to the warmth, humor, and creativity of Bellie Button Books.
📚 Start Here: My Featured Reviews
- Bonnie Blue Button Is a Bully → Review
A thoughtful children's story about bullying, friendship, and learning how our choices affect others. - Emily Was SO Embarrassed → Review
A relatable look at embarrassment and big feelings, told through Michelle's distinctive photographic storytelling.
Coming soon: I'll be sharing my review of Sometimes Grandpa Calls Me Herman in November.
See all my Michelle Olson features →
Learn More About Michelle Olson
Website • Amazon • Goodreads • Author Hub
✨ Featured Author Spotlight introduces readers to authors whose work has been featured on the blog, along with my personal reflections and a few recommended places to begin.
🪑 From My Reading Chair
Every book resonates with someone. These are the ones that stayed with me this week.
🌿 On the Blog This Week
Delaware Keepers: Life at the Edge of the Sea by Dave Tabler
The lights that still stand along Delaware's coast now guide memory rather than ships.
Discover Delaware Keepers by Dave Tabler, a richly researched history of the lighthouse keepers and families who guarded Delaware's coast and read the author guest post about his fascination with Delaware.
Read the Review & Guest Post →
Also This Week
Soldier's Joy by M.F. Jones
Two soldiers. Two centuries. One haunting connection between the past and present.
Some stories remind us that the past has a way of reaching into the present, sometimes in ways we least expect.
Read my review and the author's guest post. →
🌿 Community Corner
📚 P.J. Gudka's October Sale
Regular Friday Finds reader and commenter P.J. Gudka is celebrating October with a special sale on her latest thriller, Perfect. The eBook is just $0.99 for the entire month.
P.J. announced the sale with her usual sense of humor: "Now you have no excuse not to buy an eBook copy because it's literally less than a dollar. And nothing is less than a dollar these days. But my book is!"
She chose October partly because it's her favorite month of the year and, as she puts it, autumn is the perfect time to curl up on the couch with a good thriller. October is also a rainy month where she lives in Kenya, which makes staying in with a book especially appealing.
🏆 BBNYA 2026 Final Round
The competition for the Book Bloggers' Novel of the Year 2026 is now in the final round of judging.
I'll be watching for the upcoming announcements and sharing more as the competition moves toward its final results.
☕ Sip & Savor: Honey Vanilla Latte
Warm, creamy, and just sweet enough, this Honey Vanilla Latte is an easy little treat for a cool morning or an afternoon reading break. Honey adds a softer sweetness than flavored syrup, while vanilla makes the whole cup feel extra cozy.
Honey Vanilla Latte
Makes: 1 serving
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup strong brewed coffee or 2 shots espresso
- 3/4 cup milk of your choice
- 1 to 2 teaspoons honey, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of cinnamon, optional
Instructions
- Brew the coffee or espresso and pour it into your favorite mug.
- Stir in the honey while the coffee is hot, then add the vanilla.
- Warm the milk in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until steaming but not boiling.
- Froth the warm milk with a handheld frother, whisk, or by carefully shaking it in a tightly covered heat-safe jar.
- Pour the warm milk over the coffee and spoon the foam on top.
- Finish with a tiny drizzle of honey or a pinch of cinnamon, if desired.
Cozy tip: For a slightly richer latte, use whole milk or add a small splash of half-and-half. Prefer it less sweet? Start with one teaspoon of honey and add more only if needed.
🎁 Featured Find
Blind Date with a Book Box
A cozy surprise for readers who like a little mystery with their next book.
Why I Picked This
Blind Date with a Book boxes are such a fun idea, especially once the weather turns cooler and curling up with a surprise read sounds even better. This one lets you choose a preferred genre, then adds a mix of bookish extras depending on the box level you select.
The basic option includes a new book with a Goodreads rating of 3.0 or higher, along with small reader treats such as stickers, bookmarks, a highlighter, a book log, paper clips, and a little sweet treat. The larger boxes add more cozy extras, including things like a candle, tea or hot chocolate, hand cream, a heated eye mask, and other bookish goodies.
The listing currently starts at $34.99, depending on the option selected. I think this could make a fun autumn treat for yourself or an easy gift for a reader who enjoys surprises.
This section may contain affiliate links, which help support the blog at no extra cost to you.
📖 This Week's Reader Question
What is one children's book you still remember fondly from growing up?
Was it a bedtime favorite, a book you checked out over and over from the library, or one that stuck with you for some other reason? Tell me in the comments - I'd love to hear which childhood stories still have a place in your memory.
📜 More Friday Finds
Missed a week? Browse previous editions of Friday Finds for more book reviews, author spotlights, reader favorites, recipes, and discoveries.
Browse the Friday Finds Archive →
Thank you for spending part of your week with me. I hope you have a peaceful, joy-filled weekend filled with good books and little moments to savor.
Until next week's Friday Finds,
Gina
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Michelle Olson has such a charming and creative journey. I love how a simple moment in a library led her to develop such a distinctive way of storytelling. The combination of photography, handcrafted characters, and meaningful social-emotional themes sounds like a wonderful way to help children understand the big feelings that come with growing up.
Fridolin by Franz Caspar is my childhood storybook I'm still fond of and still have it 🙂
Michelle’s book are so adorable. I’ve read more than I've reviewed yet.
Looking that one up! Love these childhood memories.
As a kid I read "The Adventures of a Two-Minute Werewolf" by Gene De Weese from the Weekly Reader Book Club over and over until the book's spine cracked.
Years later I wrote urban fantasy thriller novels featuring the modern-day remnant of an ancient clan of werecats. 😼😼😼
What an amazing journey from childhood favorite to Pawley & family. Well done!