I’m Kinda Chubby and I’m Your Hero Vol. 2 by Nore

Translated by Philip Reuben 4 stars A heartfelt conclusion to the series. After his successful stage performance in the first book, Ponjirou is invited to audition for a TV show. Meanwhile, Konnosuke must come up with the perfect recipe for the pastry shop. Together, they help make each other’s dreams come true. In this volume,…

Read More

The Queen of Chess: How Judit Polgár Changed the Game

by Laurie Wallmark Illustrated by Stevie Lewis 4 stars A wonderful celebration of Judit Polgár that covers her journey to become the youngest grandmaster at the time. Well-told. The story focuses on the first 15 years of Polgár’s life. Wallmark nicely captures the tension of chess matches and the excitement of victory. Provides a nice…

Read More

I’m Kinda Chubby and I’m Your Hero Vol. 1 by Nore

Translated by Philip Reuben 4 stars This is such a sweet story. Ponjirou is a stage actor hoping to make it big. His confidence grows when he receives fan gifts from a fancy patisserie. Konnosuke is a dedicated pastry chef who wants to be the best. He has a hard time opening up about his…

Read More

My New Life as a Cat Vol. 1 by Konomi Wagata

Translated by Molly Rabbitt 3 stars After a near-death experience, Nao wakes up… as a cat. His human body is in a coma and he has no idea how he wound up in his new form. While he tries to figure it out, he’s taken in by a high school classmate, Chika, and renamed Nyao….

Read More

We Are a Song by Lorian Tu

4 stars A touching tale of all the individual pieces that come together to make a family. Arturo and Emilyn visit their family members to pick up supplies for a party. Along the way, they cherish the different elements of their Chinese and Cuban heritage and find inspiration for a poem. Such a sweet story….

Read More

The Magic of Forests: A Fascinating Guide to Forests Around the World

by Vicky Woodgate 4 stars Join feline explorer, Mimi, on a journey through the forests of the world. In this book, you’ll discover what makes a forest, types of forests and habitats within them, and the many ways forests and trees benefit humans, other plants, animals, and the planet. The book includes maps, biographies, timelines,…

Read More

Once Upon a Zombie: Tales for Brave Readers by Deborah Underwood

Illustrated by Kaley McCabe 5 stars A hilarious early reader perfect for those looking for spooky stories with more humor than scares. Features three zombie-themed fairy tales: “Little Red Zombie”, “Hansel and Gretel Zombie”, and “Three Little Zombies”, perfect for zombie bedtime stories. Cute, spooky artwork featuring eyeballs, brains, and fairy tale characters fed with…

Read More

A Kids Book About Disabilities by Kristine Napper

5 stars Another great book in the A Kids Book About series. The information is presented in an all-text format with different fonts, styles, colors, and positions. The presentation was engaging while still focusing on the topics covered. The first-person narration helps connect with the reader. This book covers crucial messages about normalizing disabilities, providing…

Read More

All We Need is Love and a Really Soft Pillow!

by Peter H. Reynolds and Henry Rocket Reynolds 5 stars An absolutely adorable picture book about the necessities of life. This is such a sweet book. I absolutely loved it! Poppy is sure that all he and his child need is love. But Little One keeps suggesting more and more comforts to make their simple…

Read More

Mermaid and Pirate by Tracey Baptiste

Illustrated by Leisl Adams 3 stars A sweet picture book that shows that you can be friends even if you don’t speak the same language. The mermaid and the pirate both love storms. But when the pirate’s ship starts sinking, the mermaid rushes in to help. It doesn’t work out how either of them expect….

Read More