Waffles + Mochi: Pickle Party! by Frank Berrios

Illustrated by Sarah Rebar 5 stars An absolutely adorable pickle-filled adventure. Kennedy wants to have a pickle party for her birthday, but Waffles accidently drops the last jar. Determined to set things right, Waffles and Mochi learn all about making pickles and the time it takes to make them. Well-written, especially for an early reader….

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Lauren McGill’s Pickle Museum by Jerdine Nolen

Illustrated by Debbie Tilley 3 stars An odd little adventure dedicated to pickles. Lauren McGill is obsessed with pickles. She loves everything about them. After an eventful field trip to a pickle factory, her classmates realize how great pickles are too. Now Lauren doesn’t feel special and isn’t sure she likes pickles anymore… until inspiration…

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Before the Ships: The Birth of Black Excellence by Maisha Oso

Illustrated by Candice Bradley 5 stars A lyrical tribute to Black history, culture, and resilience. Fighting against Black history being boiled down to only slavery and the Civil Rights Movement, Oso highlights the complexity and diversity of Black history in the time before the transatlantic slave trade. She explores rulers, warriors, creators, builders, and stargazers…

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She Who Knows by Nnedi Okorafor

4 stars A fantastically crafted story. Najeeba has heard the Call and knows it is time to travel the Salt Roads. But only men and boys are supposed to experience the Call. Follow Najeeba on her unprecedented journey beyond her home to travel the Salt Roads with her father and brothers, change her family’s prospects,…

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Bella Ballerina by Sharon M. Draper

Illustrated by Ebony Glenn 3 stars A cute, rhyming picture book following a young ballerina’s first recital. Gorgeous illustrations with lovely movement. I love that the dancers include both girls and boys with different skin tones and hair textures. At the back there is a glossary of the terms used in the book including different…

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My Hair Is a Book by Maisha Oso

Illustrated by London Ladd 5 stars Stunning! A fantastic ode to hair and heritage. Through poetic text, the narrator connects hair to history, telling tales of iconic figures, sports, dance, and afternoons spent in the kitchen together. It connects family, culture, strength, and love. Beautifully written. I especially enjoyed all the creative wordplay. The artwork…

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Afro Unicorn: The Land of Afronia, Vol. 1 by April Showers

Text by Terrance Crawford Illustrated by Ronaldo Barata 2 stars Nice to get a longer adventure about the Afro Unicorns. This one focuses on Unique and Divine as they make their way to the Festival of Crowns. Along the way, they learn one of the crowns has gone missing. The story itself was okay. A…

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We Are Afro Unicorns by April Showers

Illustrated by Anthony Conley 3 stars A sweet introduction to the Afro Unicorns and their magical world. Fun characters, high energy, and nice reminders of how unique, divine, and magical the reader is. The illustrations are adorable. A nice little read. I really enjoy the Afro Unicorn characters. Goodreads

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