Bera the One-Headed Troll by Eric Orchard

5 stars A reluctant hero, a lost baby, and a witch who will do anything to find them. I loved everything about this. Wonderful artwork with a perfect blend of weird, sweet, spooky, and beautiful. Bera is a pumpkin farmer who lives on an island with her loyal owl friend, Winslowe. After rescuing a human…

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Burt the Beetle Lives Here! (Burt the Beetle #2)

by Ashley Spires 4 stars Burt’s used to sheltering under leaves, but when he sees the cool homes other insects create, he sets out to find the perfect one for himself. Will he find shelter in time? An engaging story that works in interesting nonfiction information. Learn about why insects need homes in the first…

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Pluto!: Not a Planet? Not a Problem! (Our Universe #7)

by Stacy McAnulty Illustrated by Stevie Lewis 5 stars Told with humor and engaging artwork, this adorable nonfiction picture book lets Pluto tell his story. He talks about his place in the solar system, his planetary family, his features, and the history of his discovery and reclassification. Such a fun book. The illustrations are so…

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A Garden in My Hands by Meera Sriram

Illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat 4 stars It’s the day before a wedding and a young girl patiently waits as her mother applies henna designs to her hands. While she does, she shares stories and memories to pass the time. Rich, lush illustrations and a heartwarming story of celebration, spending time together, and sharing family history….

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Fairest of all (Whatever After #1) by Sarah Mlynowski

2 stars The mirror in the basement is not all it seems. After knocking on the mirror three times, Abby and her brother, Jonah, are transported into a fairy tale realm. While trying to help a young girl, they realize they’ve changed the ending of her story. Now they must set things right and find…

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The Wishing Spell (The Land of Stories #1) (Audiobook)

by Chris Colfer 3 stars Twins Alex and Conner are having a hard time adjusting to life after the death of their father. When their grandmother gives Alex her book of fairy tales, the siblings are transported inside into the Land of Stories. Now the two must search for the items of the Wishing Spell…

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Heartless Prince: Volume 1

Story & Illustrations by Angela De Vito Written by Leigh Dragoon 2 stars A kidnapped princess, a prince’s stollen heart, an orphan with mysterious abilities, and a witch out to ruin them all. I thought this was a standalone when I started it, but later found out it will be part of a trilogy. There…

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The Worry Balloon by Mónica Mancillas

Illustrated by Betty C. Tang 4 stars The first day of school has arrived, but with it comes Isla’s worries. With her Mami by her side, Isla practices mindfulness, visualization, and positive thinking to battle her anxiety and blow the worry balloon away. Beautiful illustrations. Nice visual representations of how Isla’s feelings influence how she…

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