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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The Trouble with Teachers (Angela Anaconda #1) by Barbara Calamari

3 stars I absolutely loved this show as a kid. I had no idea there were novelizations. This book adapts the episodes “You’re So Vain” and “The Substitute”. In the first, Angela Anaconda gets some unexpected attention after her poetry assignment is misinterpreted. Then Angela finds inspiration for her rainforest project with a substitute teacher…

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Prunella by Beth Ferry

Illustrated by Claire Keane 5 stars Absolutely adorable. A gorgeously-illustrated tale of being yourself, following your passions, and finding your people. To the surprise of her green-thumbed parents, Prunella was born with a purple thumb. While she loves all things prickly, sticky, stinky, and odd, the other children don’t share her interests. So Prunella makes…

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Feeling Boo by Alex Boniello and April Lavalle

Illustrated by Olivia Chin Mueller 3 stars A sweet story about friendship, sadness, and listening to others. Ollie has the boos and his best friend, Ellie, will do whatever it takes to chase those sad feelings away. But sometimes we have to slow down and just sit with our sadness in the company of good…

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Bear in a Bathrobe by Maddie Frost

5 stars An absolutely adorable story about anxiety, bravery, friendship, and doing hard things. Bear would much rather stay home in his bathrobe than spend time outside with his friends. After all, anything can happen to a bear on the ice. But after his friends share what makes them feel safe and brave, Bear just…

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