The Gingerbread Man: Buttons on the Loose by Laura Murray

Illustrated by Mike Lowery 3 stars A cute little early graphic novel. Join the Gingerbread Man as he searches for his missing buttons in this adorable rhyming tale. Cute artwork. Great rhythm and rhyme. Short and simple story with dynamic illustrations. A nice next step for those who enjoy the picture book series and a…

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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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Gorgeously Me! by Jonathan Van Ness

Illustrated by Kamala Nair 4 stars An adorably sweet book with wonderfully bright illustrations. Told through flowing rhyme and a catchy refrain, the book encourages self-love and acceptance, teamwork, helping others, and individuality. Beautiful messages and a soothing rhythm. The artwork is absolutely beautiful. Gorgeous details and colors. A wonderful, heartfelt read. Goodreads

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The Reindeer Remainders by Katey Howes

Illustrated by Marie Hermansson 4 stars Told with rhythm and rhyme, this book provides a fun and heartwarming presentation of prime numbers and remainders. A new student has joined the class of twelve and every reindeer is welcoming. But when they have to split up into groups to prepare for Showcase Night, they have a…

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My Shadow is Pink by Scott Stuart

3 stars A sweet representation of being your full self. It’s about liking what you like and not worrying about how your interests fit into gender norms. Nicely highlights how interests and activities are not only for one gender or type of person, though it does still seem to come from a binary perspective. The…

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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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When I See You by Brynne Barnes

Illustrated by Brianna McCarthy 4 stars A truly fantastical story of an expectant mother imagining the place where her unborn child waits and dreaming of their adventures together. The artwork is stunning. Beautiful colors and imaginative scenes. They pair perfectly with the otherworldly images of the lyrical text. While the themes of the story will…

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Next Level: A Hymn in Gratitude for Neurodiversity by Samara Cole Doyon

Illustrated by Kaylani Juanita 4 stars Another fantastic book from Doyon and Juanita. An absolutely gorgeous story that celebrates the value of different ways of thinking, neurodiversity, and challenging the status quo. This lyrical story follows a mother and child as they communicate and interact with each other throughout the day, spending time together and…

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