Personal rating of 4 out of 5 stars
by Priscilla Pardini Illustrated by Joanne Scholler Bowring 4 stars I’ve lived in Milwaukee for over 10 years and while I’ve heard the name Betty Brinn plenty of times, I didn’t really know anything about her. This was such a great biography to correct that. The book is quite text-heavy but I found the story…
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4 stars An engaging tour through the ages, celebrating art from around the world. Follow a young artist as she questions what makes art, how to create it, and how long it takes. Her questions are answered by famous artists throughout history, from Frida Kahlo to the sculptors of the Temple of the Feathered Serpent,…
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Illustrated by Ani Bushry 4 stars A vibrant picture book told in catchy rhymes and an infectious beat. Bhangra Baby wants to join in the fun of the Punjabi folk dance. With the help of his family and friends, he learns the moves and spends the night dancing and celebrating. Bold, colorful illustrations. An adorable…
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Illustrated by Shiho Pate 4 stars A delicious story about patience, practice, perseverance, and family. Hiro sets out to make the perfect bowl of ramen just like his dad and his dad’s dad. He’s watched his dad thoroughly and taken detailed notes. But once he gets started, things don’t go to plan. Adorable artwork. I…
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Illustrated by Brittany Jackson & Tajae Keith 4 stars Parker’s day is not going well. She’s missing her friend and her siblings are being too loud. Her mother helps her remember ways to feel better by breathing, exercising, and having some quiet time. A great example of how to deal with big feelings. This is…
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Illustrated by Charlene Chua 4 stars A delightful and delicious story full of family, food, and love. Jin is disheartened when his sisters are asked to help prepare the family’s Lunar New Year’s feast and he never is. When he asks to help, his aunties only shoo him away, assuming he will just get in…
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Illustrated by Carolina Godina 4 stars Delightfully creepy and well written. Nice variety of story structures including poetry, short stories, an epistolary, a play, chat fiction told through text messages, metafiction, and even stream of consciousness from a family dog. In terms of kid’s horror, I think this one hits the mark well for middle…
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by Fiona Cook Illustrated by Roux 4 stars An nice introduction to the Wheel of the Year, its different spokes, and holidays and activities associated with each. While this is aimed at children, the book also works for adults looking for ways to connect to nature and discover their own inner magic. Each section includes…
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by Roxanne Chester Illustrated by Abraham Matias 4 stars A wonderful resource for beginning conversations with children about unhoused populations and the importance of treating individuals with kindness and empathy. There are few examples of unhoused individuals in children’s books. When they do show up, they are often presented in stereotypical ways. Chester’s book is…
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4 stars A hilarious picture book, perfect for Easter time. The narrator is sure they’ve found the Easter Bunny, but the bunny is adamant that they’re just a normal rabbit. Follow along, look for clues, and decide for yourself. Such a fun read. Cute illustrations. I’m always a sucker for fourth wall breaks. A silly…
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