Death & Sparkles by Rob Justus

3 stars A chaotic adventure featuring Death, a unicorn celebrity, and a trio of alien lizards looking to better humanity. Fun humor, adorable artwork, and an unexpected (yet sweet) new friendship. Having Death as a main character, it does dive into some dark humor at times, but has a unique balance with Sparkles rounding it…

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Lily and the Night Creatures by Nick Lake

Illustrated by Emily Gravett 3 stars Dealing with her own chronic illness and feelings of inadequacy, Lily is not looking forward to the addition of a new baby in the house. But when she returns home to find a mom who is not quite her mother and a dad who is not quite her father,…

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Bo the Brave by Bethan Woollvin

Also published under the title I Can Catch a Monster 4 stars A delightful adventure that takes the reader through the Frightful Forest, the Sea of Secrets, and the Peaks of Peril in search of monsters. Bo wants to go on a monster hunt, but her brothers tell her she is too little. She sets…

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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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Quest Kids and the Dragon Pants of Gold by Mark Leiknes

3 stars A whirlwind adventure starring an elf kid, a wizard-in-training, a rock troll, an impulsive leader, and a flatulent pig-dog-thing. The Quest Kids set out to rescue a town, but may have bitten off more than they can chew. Along the way, they must face a golden-pants-wearing dragon, an invisible forest, acid swamps, a…

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The Sister Who Ate Her Brothers and Other Gruesome Tales

by Jen Campbell, Illustrated by Adam de Souza 5 stars A delightfully dark collection of tales spanning the globe. From Korea and Japan to Norway and Ireland to Nigeria and South Africa. A nice selection, all with a gruesome or spooky leaning. I especially enjoyed that Campbell’s selection highlighted many brave, creative, clever, and quick…

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Aster and the Accidental Magic (Aster #1) by Thom Pico

Illustrated by Karensac 5 stars A fantastic adventure with some serious Hildafolk vibes and a charm all its own. As a sort of inverse to Hilda, the sassy and sarcastic Aster moves from the city to what she sees as the boring wilderness with nothing to do. However, this wilderness is not all it seems. As Aster…

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My Aunt is a Monster by Reimena Yee

5 stars What an adventure. It starts with tragedy then blooms into something magnificent. Mystery, adventure, secrets, feuds, and an agency bent on chaos. I want more of this world! Beautiful, imaginative artwork, which I’ve come to expect from Yee by now. She never disappoints. I absolutely loved Walteranne Hakim Whimsy’s character design and Safia…

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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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