All You Need by Howard Schwartz, Illustrated by Jasu Hu

4 stars A delightfully simple story that lists what humans need in splendid poetic style. Through the illustrations, the reader watches a life unfold. Jasu Hu pulls from her own life story and depicts her artistic journey, celebrating homecoming, happiness, and the cyclical nature of love and life. Though it is simple, it is beautiful….

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What Will My Story Be? by Nidhi Chanani

4 stars A beautifully-crafted tale of the power of sharing stories. Chanani’s book celebrates creativity, imagination, inspiration, and the wisdom passed down through stories. It basks in the potential of words and lets their stories blossom and unfold. The main character both learns from the past and looks into the future to create her own…

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I Am Thinking My Life by Allysun Atwater, Illustrated by Stevie Lewis

3 stars A sweet picture book about the power of thinking. The illustrations in this book are phenomenal! I easily got lost in the fantastical details and wonder on each page. They are beautiful and engaging. Loved the whimsical world colliding with reality. Personally, I just couldn’t quite get behind the entire message. It promotes…

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Black is a Rainbow Color by Angela Joy, Illustrated by Ekua Holmes

5 stars A stunning book that celebrates black identity and culture. Lyrical and rhythmic, this picture book has wonderful layers that readers can build upon. References to black history, literature, and music are woven into the each line. Works wonderfully for entertainment, inspiration, and education. At the back of the book is additional information that…

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The Book With No Pictures by B. J. Novak

5 stars This book has no pictures and it doesn’t need them. A humorous read aloud filled with silly noises, meta humor, and fun fonts sure to insight laughter and engagement. Novak forces adults to not take themselves so seriously and play up the text when reading to children. Some of my best memories as…

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The Sunflower Sword by Mark Sperring, Illustrated by Miriam Latimer

4 stars An adorable story about imagination, kindness, and unexpected friendships. This sweet tale follows a little knight who longs to swoosh and whoosh a sword like the bigger knights. His mother bestows him with a sunflower instead and he learns there’s more to life than fighting dragons. I’ve got a soft spot for stories…

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The Princess and the Pony by Kate Beaton

4 stars A charming read featuring a warrior princess, an adorable pony, a great battle, and a few pony farts thrown in. Fun, humorous, and heartwarming. Beaton shows the importance of being true to yourself and embracing your interests, even if they don’t fit with who others think you should be. Promotes helping others and…

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Sing, Aretha, Sing! by Hanif Abdurraqib, Illustrated by Ashley Evans

3 stars A lovely picture book that goes beyond Aretha Franklin’s career as a singer and delves into her activism and faith. Abdurraqib’s text is lyrical with some lovely images created. He focuses not just on Franklin’s most well-known song, but how it inspired others to act and its continued effect in bringing people together…

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