The Weeding Handbook: A Shelf-by-Shelf Guide by Rebecca Vnuk

4 stars As someone who recently took over a position at my library that involved weeding, I found this guide extremely helpful. It is a great place to start for those new to weeding or looking for a more systematic structure to the process. The book gives information on the basics of weeding before going…

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Deadendia: The Watcher’s Test (Deadendia #1)

by Hamish Steele 5 stars A fantastic adventure featuring demon-possessed pugs, ghost collectors, spells gone awry, a celebrity-themed amusement park, and a cast of unforgettable characters. A little bit of romance, some mystery, and a whole lot of creepiness make for a very fun reading experience. I’ll admit, I watched the Netflix adaptation first. While…

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Aster and the Accidental Magic (Aster #1) by Thom Pico

Illustrated by Karensac 5 stars A fantastic adventure with some serious Hildafolk vibes and a charm all its own. As a sort of inverse to Hilda, the sassy and sarcastic Aster moves from the city to what she sees as the boring wilderness with nothing to do. However, this wilderness is not all it seems. As Aster…

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Kevin’s Kwanzaa by Lisa Bullard

Illustrated by Constanza Basaluzzo 3 stars A nice introduction to the celebration of Kwanzaa. Told in four short chapters, this picture book goes through some of the basics of preparing and celebrating. This includes decorating a unity cup, enacting the seven principles, and setting up the candles and lighting them over seven days. It also…

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My Aunt is a Monster by Reimena Yee

5 stars What an adventure. It starts with tragedy then blooms into something magnificent. Mystery, adventure, secrets, feuds, and an agency bent on chaos. I want more of this world! Beautiful, imaginative artwork, which I’ve come to expect from Yee by now. She never disappoints. I absolutely loved Walteranne Hakim Whimsy’s character design and Safia…

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Our Day of the Dead Celebration by Ana Aranda

5 stars For more bookish thoughts, see my blog: Craft-Cycle A delightful picture book depicting a family’s Day of the Dead celebration. There is so much joy packed into each page. It goes through various traditions such as making alters, decorating sugar skulls, writing poems, and sharing stories. With each task, the connection to family…

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The Tin Forest by Helen Ward

Illustrated by Wayne Anderson 5 stars A wonderful book with a sweet story of hope and imagination. Ward’s lyrical text tells the tale of a man who lives alone in a place filled with waste. Each night he dreams of a tropical forest swarming with life, but each morning he awakes to the world of…

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Holi Hai! by Chitra Soundar, Illustrated by Darshika Varma

5 stars A wonderful story to celebrate Holi. At first, Gauri is excited to celebrate with her family and welcome spring with colorful gulal. But when she doesn’t get her favorite color, her excitement turns to anger. A great story with an emphasis on forgiveness, acceptance, new beginnings, and love. The book shares various aspects…

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The Terribles: Welcome to Stubtoe Elementary (The Terribles #1) by Travis Nichols

3 stars A hilarious collection of interconnected stories, comics, and infographics. Perfect for fans of anything Dav Pilkey and Mo O’Hara‘s My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish series. Venture to Creep’s Cove and meet the students of Stubtoe Elementary. From Frankie, the fringe scientist, to Quade, the politest sasquatch you’ll ever meet, to Lizzie the reptilian kaiju with anger problems, and…

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