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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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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The Book That Almost Rhymed by Omar Abed

Illustrated by Hatem Aly 5 stars Hilarious and heartwarming. A sweet adventure told with creativity and humor that celebrates the ups and downs of sibling relationships. The narrator wants to share his perfectly rhyming story, but his sister comes along and changes his words. The new story takes them to unexpected places with unforeseen obstacles,…

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Bhangra Baby by Kabir Sehgal & Surishtha Sehgal

Illustrated by Ani Bushry 4 stars A vibrant picture book told in catchy rhymes and an infectious beat. Bhangra Baby wants to join in the fun of the Punjabi folk dance. With the help of his family and friends, he learns the moves and spends the night dancing and celebrating. Bold, colorful illustrations. An adorable…

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The Mommies on the Bus by Hannah Eliot

Illustrated by Airin O’Callaghan 3 stars A sweet little book to celebrate moms, set to the tune of “The Wheels on the Bus”. The illustrations and text wonderfully capture some of the ways moms show they care, from providing snacks and reading nonverbal cues to zipping up coats and holding the door. Gorgeous illustrations. Loved…

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Buffalo Fluffalo by Bess Kalb

Illustrated by Erin Kraan 3 stars A The Pout-Pout Fish-style story featuring a grumpy bison. Buffalo Fluffalo wants to be alone. The other animals offer him gifts and ask him to spend time with them, but all they get back is a gruff rebuke. A cute book with nice messages of being kind to others, accepting…

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