Waffles + Mochi: Pickle Party! by Frank Berrios

Illustrated by Sarah Rebar 5 stars An absolutely adorable pickle-filled adventure. Kennedy wants to have a pickle party for her birthday, but Waffles accidently drops the last jar. Determined to set things right, Waffles and Mochi learn all about making pickles and the time it takes to make them. Well-written, especially for an early reader….

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At Blackwater Pond: Mary Oliver Reads Mary Oliver

5 stars A wonderful collection of poems read by Mary Oliver herself pulled from throughout her writing career. A fantastic listen. Featuring birds, plants, and the natural world, Oliver reflects on beauty, virtue, death, and more. I loved listening to these poems and especially hearing Oliver tell them. She reads each poem with her own…

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The Baker and the Bard by Fern Haught

5 stars An adorably cozy fantasy story. After an important pastry order is placed, bakery apprentice Juniper sets out with Hadley the bard to collect special mushrooms for the recipe. On their journey, they stumble upon a mystery. Something is eating all the farmers’ crops… something big. Looking for inspiration for their songs, Hadley convinces…

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Adventure Time: The Fionna and Cake Compendium Vol. 1

5 stars Fast-paced adventures featuring battles with the Ice Queen, an epic Card Wars tournament, and mini-quests. This volume compiles Adventure Time with Fionna & Cake #1-6 (Natasha Allegri, Betty Liang), Adventure Time with Fionna & Cake: Card Wars #1-6 (Jen Wang, Britt Wilson), and a variety of short comics (ND Stevenson, Lucy Knisley, Kate…

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Before the Ships: The Birth of Black Excellence by Maisha Oso

Illustrated by Candice Bradley 5 stars A lyrical tribute to Black history, culture, and resilience. Fighting against Black history being boiled down to only slavery and the Civil Rights Movement, Oso highlights the complexity and diversity of Black history in the time before the transatlantic slave trade. She explores rulers, warriors, creators, builders, and stargazers…

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My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic Volume 6

By Heather Nuhfer Illustrated by Amy Mebberson 5 stars This volume will have you on the edge of your seat. The ponies set out along with Princess Luna and Spike to rescue Rarity. Their journey will take them to great lengths and encounters with the sinister and surprising. Nice blend of humor and adventure. Pinkie…

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Barefoot Skateboarders by Rina Singh

Illustrated by Sophie Casson 5 stars A fantastic story of how a village in Janwaar, India was transformed by a skate park. In Janwaar, there is a firm divide between the Adivasis and the Yadavs. But as children from both groups gather at the new skate park and make their own rules, that divide starts…

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Serendipity by Stephen Cosgrove

Illustrated by Robin James 5 stars Pure magic! After spending years on an iceberg, a mysterious egg hatches and a curious sea creature is born. Not knowing who or what she is, she journeys to the Island of Capri for answers. Along the way, she meets new friends, helps others, and learns about the troubles…

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Hilda and Twig: Hide from the Rain (Hilda #6) by Luke Pearson

5 stars A brand-new adventure featuring Hilda and Twig. This is everything I love about the Hilda series. Cozy, adventurous, humorous, and sweet. Back in the wilderness, Hilda is on the lookout for adventure. Twig just wants to make it home in one piece. When the pair get caught in the rain, they seek shelter…

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