How to Write a Poem

by Kwame Alexander and Deanna Nikaido Illustrated by Melissa Sweet 3 stars A wonderful exploration of the creative process by finding inspiration around you, questioning the world, and uncovering the words within you. The artwork is so dynamic and fun. Engaging collages featuring circular and natural imagery that pair wonderfully with the text. A breathtaking…

Read More

Kimchi, Kimchi Every Day by Erica Kim

3 stars A sweet picture book dedicated to the versatility of kimchi. Follow the character through each day of the week as she enjoys a different dish featuring kimchi. Told in simple and catchy rhymes, this is a soothing and fun read. The art style is so cute. Kim used cut paper on hanji to…

Read More

The Sheep, the Rooster, and the Duck by Matt Phelan

3 stars A tale of secret societies, spies, fantastic inventions, and flight. Adventure, humor, and history combine as the story interworks historical events with fantastical elements. A fun blend of text and illustrations to advance the story. A historical flight taken by a sheep, a rooster, and a duck; a plot to steal the plans…

Read More

Oona and the Shark by Kelly DiPucchio

Illustrated by Raissa Figueroa 3 stars I enjoyed this one more than the first book. As with the first one, Figueroa’s illustrations are fantastic. It was really fun to see all of Oona’s inventions and I loved all of the unique details included. In this one, Oona attempts to befriend a quiet shark. Nice way…

Read More

Hoop Dancer Determination (Jake Maddox Sports Stories)

by Stacy Wells Illustrated by Jesus Aburto 3 stars Nice story overall. Tobias loves hoop dancing, but is self-conscious about what his peers will think. Will he face his fears and showcase his skills at the talent show? A nice way to learn about some of the basics of hoop dancing. Tobias must deal with…

Read More

Living With… Asthma by Nancy Dickmann

with consultant Marjorie Hogan, MD 3 stars An interesting non-fiction picture book about asthma. The book covers what causes asthma, testing for asthma, how it relates to allergies, and how they are treated. The content is simplified for a young audience. The book is formatted with short breakout sections with interesting information, charts, bolded terms…

Read More

Living With… Allergies by Nancy Dickmann

with consultant Marjorie Hogan, MD 3 stars An interesting non-fiction picture book about allergies. The book covers what causes allergies, common allergens, various symptoms, and how they are treated. The content is simplified for a young audience. It goes through various concepts such as allergens in an easy to understand way. The book is formatted…

Read More

Little Witch Academia Vol. 1

by Yoh Yoshinari Art by Keisuke Sato 3 stars A nice blend of events from the anime along with original mini-stories. Great for those who want more after watching the show. I especially loved the character design section at the end. It delivers on all the personalities from the show. Nice art style. Fun humor….

Read More

Taking on the Plastics Crisis by Hannah Testa

3 stars A nice intro for young readers on why plastics are a problem and how to get more involved. Loved the push for changing local habits and fighting for large-scale solutions. This book offers a very basic look at the issues surrounding plastics, making it a good starting point. The small size makes it…

Read More

Hobgoblin and the Seven Stinkers of Rancidia (Hazy Fables #1)

by Kyle Sullivan Art by Derek Sullvian 3 stars A hilarious adventure featuring a foul-smelling protagonist, a stinky take on a classic fairy tale, and a daring plot to reinstate democracy in Rancidia. This book was delightfully gross. Perfect for fans of the style of humor of The Adventures of Captain Underpants and The Day My Butt Went…

Read More