Pengrooms by Paul Castle

3.5 stars Such a sweet story. Pringle and Finn make fantastical custom cakes for various animal couples and help make their weddings perfect. When it’s time for the penguins own wedding, the other animals return the favor. This is so cute. The illustrations are adorable. A nice gentle story without a big conflict. Also includes…

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The Secret Ingredient by Paul Castle

3 stars Another adorable cake-themed adventure featuring Pringle and Finn. In this one, the penguin couple delivers various birthday cakes to their animal friends until it’s time for a very special birthday cake and a new addition to the family. Sweet artwork with lovely details. A gentle story that makes for a soothing read. These…

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My Shadow is Purple by Scott Stuart

4 stars A sweet rhyming tale about embracing who you are and accepting others’ true selves. The school dance is here and the narrator is excited to attend. But when they’re forced to choose between pink and blue, they don’t see where their purple shadow fits in. With a bit of encouragement, the students find…

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‘Twas the Night Before Pride by Joanna McClintick

Illustrated by Juana Medina 4 stars An adorable rhyming story providing a kid-friendly introduction to the history of Pride and its continued relevance today. Loved the themes of family, acceptance, standing up to injustice, and being yourself. Adorable pictures. The rhymes are a little clunky in areas, but overall this was such a sweet read….

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Fake Chinese Sounds by Jing Jing Tsong

4 stars After a summer spent studying for Chinese school, playing soccer, and bonding with her grandmother visiting from Taiwan, Měi Yīng is excited to start fifth grade. But then she becomes the target of new kid Sid’s racist jokes. Should she ignore him like everyone suggests or stand up to his ignorance? Great themes…

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My Sister, The Cat Vol. 2 by Senko

Translated by Liya Sultanova 5 stars Another adorable collection featuring Neneko and Nekota. Heartwarming slice-of-life comics with plenty of cute sibling antics. From cooking together to helping with a fear of the dark, this book is so sweet. I love Neneko and Nekota so much. As with the first volume, the artwork is so cute….

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Goosebumps: Deep Trouble by R. L. Stine

2 stars This one was okay. Took a quick dive into fantasy, which was unexpected. Based on the cover, I thought there would be more sharks in this one. Growing up, I was always too scared to read Goosebumps because of the covers. But now that I’ve read a few as an adult, I realize…

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I Think Our Son Is Gay, Vol. 3 by Okura

Translated by Leighann Harvey 5 stars Another fantastic collection of comics. There are so many interesting interactions at play in this volume from secret crushes to coworkers, parents and siblings to friends. We see more dynamics between Hiroki and his father in this volume, which were well done. I loved how the family countered Akiyoshi’s…

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Moon by Alison Oliver

3.5 stars A sweet celebration of nature, play, and the freedom of embracing one’s wolfy ways. The story follows a little girl named Moon whose every moment of the day is accounted for. One night she journeys out to learn to be free and a little bit wild. I absolutely love the colors in this….

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Mage and the Endless Unknown by SJ Miller

3 stars An odd little story filled with darkness, horrors, and unexpected light. A mostly wordless tale about a little mage who sets off into a world of mysterious monsters to help heal the cursed land. The artwork is hauntingly beautiful. Loved the blend of cuteness and horror. Great for fans of Over the Garden…

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