Hanukkah Bear by Eric A. Kimmel

Illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka 4 stars A humorous tale of mistaken identity. Bubba Brayna, a 97-year-old who makes the best potato latkes in the village, is preparing for a visit from the rabbi on Hanukkah. So when a guest arrives who looks like the rabbi, talks like the rabbi, and has the rabbi’s beard, Bubba…

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Junkwraith by Ellinor Richey

4 stars Such a cool concept which worked beautifully in this format. A fascinating look at connection, possession, and trying to live up to other’s expectations. In a bout of frustrated, Flo throws away her ice skates. Doing so creates a powerful junkwraith, set of attacking her memories. To break the curse, Flo ventures into…

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Li’l Rabbit’s Kwanzaa by Donna L. Washington

Illustrated by Shane W. Evans 4 stars A sweet picture book celebrating Kwanzaa. Li’l Rabbit’s Granna is sick and his family is too busy taking care of her to put together their Karamu feast. Li’l Rabbit sets out to find a special Zawadi for her and ends up making an extra special Kwanzaa for them…

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Morning Sun in Wuhan by Ying Chang Compestine

4 stars An interesting look at the initial outbreak of Covid in Wuhan through the eyes of a thirteen-year-old. Mei loves cooking, improving her skill through an online cooking game. But when the pandemic spreads, Mei faces being separated from her family, a city-wide shutdown, food shortages, neighbors turning on each other, and those around…

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Binny’s Diwali by Thrity Umrigar

Illustrated by Nidhi Chanani 4 stars A sweet story of one girl’s victory of goodness and light. Binny is tasked with sharing her favorite holiday with her class, Diwali. Plans are set, jalebis and pedas are made, but when it comes time to present, Binny doesn’t know what to say. Remembering the the guiding lights…

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The Weeding Handbook: A Shelf-by-Shelf Guide by Rebecca Vnuk

4 stars As someone who recently took over a position at my library that involved weeding, I found this guide extremely helpful. It is a great place to start for those new to weeding or looking for a more systematic structure to the process. The book gives information on the basics of weeding before going…

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The Wanderer by Peter Van den Ende

4 stars A wonderful and fantastical journey through dark and light, kindness and maliciousness, familiar and strange, hopeful and bleak, all to find the way home. This beautiful wordless art book is packed with detail and imagination. A real treat to explore the imagined worlds, meet fascinating creatures, and find friends and foes. Definitely worth…

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It’s Raining Pigs & Noodles by Jack Prelutsky, Illustrated by James Stevenson

4 stars Another fun collection from Prelutsky, complete with wonderful illustrations from James Stevenson. Filled with silly tales told with Prelutsky’s characteristic wit, wordplay, and flowing style. I especially enjoyed the visual poems such as the spiral formation of “I Am Stuck Inside a Seashell”, the fading text of “Hello and Good-Bye”, the back and forth…

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