Mothman Baby! by Elias Barks

Illustrated by Zoe Persico 4 stars Another sweet bedtime board book from Hazy Dell Press. In this one, join Mothman Baby as he swoops through West Virginia, visiting friends and doing good deeds. Adorable illustrations. Rhythmic, rhyming text. And a paranormal nighttime journey. The book features 6 chunky flaps to open to reveal strange happenings…

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Bigfoot Baby! by Elias Barks

Illustrated by Meg Hunt 4 stars Spend the day with Bigfoot Baby as they visit friends and explore their forest home. A sweet, rhyming book with adorable illustrations. This chunky board book includes 6 thick, sturdy flaps for readers to discover what’s hidden in the forest. Sweet and whimsical. Great for bedtime. Goodreads

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The Guardian Test (Legends of Lotus Island #1)

by Christina Soontornvat Illustrated by Kevin Hong 4 stars Given the short length of this book, I wasn’t sure how developed it would be. My worries were unfounded because Soontornvat has done it again. This is a to-the-point story with beautiful world building, great characters, and fantastic messages. Plum is content living with her grandparents…

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Sir Callie and the Champions of Helston (Sir Callie #1)

by Esme Symes-Smith 2.5 stars I’m really conflicted about this one. I went into it excited to read an epic fantasy about a non-binary child who dreams of being a knight in a world that enforces a strict gender binary of girls using magic and boys training to fight, going up against an unknown evil…

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Gigi and Ojiji (Gigi and Ojiji #1)

by Melissa Iwai 5 stars A sweet story about a young girl developing a relationship with her grandfather after he comes from Japan to live with them. Gigi is excited to read with him, play tag, and teach her dog, Roscoe, new tricks. But when he arrives, he isn’t quite how she expected and she’s…

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Speak Up! by Rebecca Burgess

5 stars What a great read. I loved this book! It tackles so many great issues (misunderstandings with parents, fights with friends, bullying, sensory sensitivities) along with an entertaining plotline about secret internet fame. Burgess provides a great example of a parent trying to look out for their child and doing what others tell them…

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Taking on the Plastics Crisis by Hannah Testa

3 stars A nice intro for young readers on why plastics are a problem and how to get more involved. Loved the push for changing local habits and fighting for large-scale solutions. This book offers a very basic look at the issues surrounding plastics, making it a good starting point. The small size makes it…

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enemies (Berrybrook Middle School #4) by Svetlana Chmakova

4 stars When her sister, Letty, teases Felicity about never finishing her projects, Felicity sets out to win the Pitch the Future competition. To do so, she must team up with her friend and come up with a great idea to change the world. But along the way, she has to face disagreements of ideas,…

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Hobgoblin and the Seven Stinkers of Rancidia (Hazy Fables #1)

by Kyle Sullivan Art by Derek Sullvian 3 stars A hilarious adventure featuring a foul-smelling protagonist, a stinky take on a classic fairy tale, and a daring plot to reinstate democracy in Rancidia. This book was delightfully gross. Perfect for fans of the style of humor of The Adventures of Captain Underpants and The Day My Butt Went…

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Hush Now, Banshee!: A Not-So-Quiet Counting Book

by Kyle Sullivan & Derek Sullivan 4 stars A delightfully sweet counting book filled with Irish folklore. Banshee wanders through the forest, looking for someone to play with. But everyone is having quiet time. Can she learn how to enjoy quiet time with her friends? I loved that despite her volume, her friends still want…

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