Oh Deer! by Phaea Crede

Illustrated by Erica J. Chen 4 stars A delightful and humorous story about finding balance between social and alone time. Jasper the introverted Sasquatch is looking for a hobby. He thinks turnip gardening will be a great way to keep busy. What he doesn’t anticipate is the battle against the group of deer that wants…

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Freeze by Chris Priestley

3.5 stars Delightfully creepy. Sure to send a shiver down your spine. Maya’s class is given the task of writing winter-themed creepy stories. Seems simple enough. But then some seriously strange things start to happen. And Maya can’t shake that there’s something off about the new girl in her class. Are Maya and her friends…

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Shark Girl by Kate Beaton

3 stars An odd little story with nice age-appropriate messaging about ethical fishing practices. The story follows Shark Girl who, after witnessing human irresponsibility and greedy fishing practices, decides to take revenge by starting a mutiny. A nice blend of humor and an examination of human nature. Showcases both the good and the bad of…

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Lily the Pond Mermaid by Lucy Fleming

3 stars A sweet story about a pond mermaid and her overwhelming worries. Lily does everything she can to help her friends who live in and around the pond. But she worries that the responsibility is just too much for her to handle alone. After a major storm, Lily finds the courage to talk to…

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Little Bird Laila by Kelly Yang

Illustrated by Xindi Yan 5 stars A touching story filled with sweet moments and delightful humor. Laila is used to translating things from English to Chinese for her parents. But one day, she decides to do something bigger. She sets out to teach them English. Together, the family learns from one another, figuring out all…

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Poems of Parenting by Loryn Brantz

5 stars A sweet, heartwarming, humorous collection of poetry focusing on the ups and downs of parenting. Accompanied by charming line art, these touching and hilarious poems explore the chaos and joys of raising children, from the endless laundry and cleaning to the never-ending tiredness to experiencing every wonderful little thing children do as they…

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A Song for You and I by K. O’Neill

4 stars A ranger who loses sight of who they are. A shepherd more focused on music than the sheep. Follow Rowan and Leone as they find the confidence to be their true selves. A gentle fantasy filled with stunning landscapes, soft moments, deepening connections, and fun characters. Not surprising for O’Neill, but the artwork…

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Please Pay Attention by Jamie Sumner

4 stars Following a traumatic school shooting, Bea takes up horseback riding to help her cope. We see glimpses of Bea’s life before and after the shooting, learning about her experience with cerebral palsy, her adopted mom Max, and her attempts to get her Little, Josie, to come out of her shell. A heartbreaking story….

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