Missing Violet by Kelly Swemba

Illustrated by Fabiana Faiallo 5 stars A sweet picture book for helping children cope with the death of a friend or classmate. Violet is Mia’s best friend. She brings sunshine to every day. But after Violet dies, everything changes. With the help of others, Mia is able to learn ways to remember, grieve, and say…

Read More

The Boy and the Gorilla by Jackie Azúa Kramer

Illustrated by Cindy Derby 4 stars A gentle story of grief and loss that presents ways to keep a person with you after they are gone. After the death of his mother, a young boy must cope with the ways his life has changed and the grief he feels at her absence. A wise gorilla…

Read More

All are Welcome: A Cat’s Café Collection by Gwen Tarpley

5 stars Absolutely fantastic! Heartwarming, silly, fun, empathetic, and warm. Another wonderful collection from Tarpley. The loveable cast of Cat’s Café returns along with some sweet new additions to the mix. I absolutely adore the cozy world Tarpley has created. It’s such a wonderful place filled with acceptance, joy, and love. Hardships and troubles exist,…

Read More

Cursed Princess Club Volume Three by LambCat

5 stars I love this series so much! A club dedicated to cursed royalty who help and support one another. Such a great concept. In this volume, the Cursed Princess Club investigates Gwen, the Pastel Princesses revolt against their father’s strict rules, a new prince shows his interested, and an old villain returns from the…

Read More

It Rhymes With Takei by George Takei

Adapted by Steven Scott & Justin Eisinger Illustrated by Harmony Becker 4 stars A great graphic autobiography that explores Takei’s acting career, education, political involvement, friendships, family, sexuality, and activism. Nicely written. This book takes on a lot of material and does not disappoint. A wonderful focus on activism and the joy of living as…

Read More

Why Waste Food? by Andrew F. Smith

3 stars Serves as a nice overview of food-related waste. The book goes through the food production system, pointing out various waste problems along the way. This includes waste at the farm, in manufacturing, in supermarkets and stores, in restaurants, and at home as well as food packaging waste. Presented in an easy-to-understand format, the…

Read More

When the Lake Burns by Geneviève Bigué

Translated by Luke Langille 2 stars I was initially drawn in by the mysterious title and the gorgeous color palette, but this story was not for me. It somehow feels like it dragged out while also being underdeveloped. It’s like the start of a story. There were aspects of greed/pride, poverty, grief, and friendship that…

Read More

Huda F Wants to Know? (Huda #3) by Huda Fahmy

5 stars Another hilarious, touching, and insightful story based on Huda Fahmy’s high school experiences. Huda has her whole junior year figured out. At least, she thinks she does. Until her parents announce they’re getting a divorce. Now she’s having a hard time dealing with her grades, her sisters, her parents, and her best friend….

Read More