Not Like Every Day: Finding Calm During School Lockdown Drills

by Stephanie V. W. Lucianovic with resources by Dr. Christina Chester Illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard 5 stars A touching story to help children deal with anxiety about lockdown drills. Henry reminds himself that the lockdown is just a drill. It’s not real. But that doesn’t change how he feels about it. Even after the drill…

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The Salt Princess (Everlasting Tales #2) by Anoosha Syed

5 stars A fantastic story featuring a clever and mischievous princess, a kind and understanding prince, and beautiful artwork. Four princesses tell their father how they love him. But when Princess Amal compares her love to humble and common salt, the king banishes her from the kingdom. She finds a new home and comes up…

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Chang’e on the Moon (Everlasting Tales #1) by Katrina Moore

Illustrated by Cornelia Li 5 stars A gorgeous retelling of the story of Chang’e and how she became the moon goddess. The story focuses on Chang’e’s courage, kindness, and love of the Earth, and her relationship with her husband, Hou Yi. Well-told. The book wonderfully presents the tale’s action, romance, and lessons of kindness, selflessness,…

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The Secret of the Jade Bangle (The Nguyen Kids #1) by Linda Trinh

Illustrated by Clayton Nguyen 4 stars A heartwarming story of family, tradition, loss, and connection. In the first book in The Nguyen Kids series, we follow Anne, the eldest Nguyen sibling. After the passing of her beloved grandmother, Anne inherits her iconic jade bracelet. But this bracelet has a secret. Follow Anne as she uncovers…

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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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We Are Lion Dancers by Benson Shum

4 stars An adorable story about two siblings learning different aspects of lion dancing, from the costume itself to the accompanying instruments. Sweet, simple, and filled with great information. Adorable illustrations. Such a sweet read. Also includes a note in the back explaining the origins of lion dancing. A wonderful way to learn about lion…

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Just What to Do by Kyle Lukoff

Illustrated by Hala Tahboub 5 stars An absolutely beautiful story about being there for those you care about when they’re grieving. As different people in his life experience loss, the narrator wants to help them, but they all seem to need different things. The narrator learns there is no one-size-fits-all approach and that just being…

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My Little Pony: Legends of Magic, Vol. 1 by Jeremy Whitley

Illustrated by Brenda Hickey 3.5 stars Learn about some of the lost legends of Equestria. As Sunburst explores Star Swirl the Bearded’s study, he finds previously unknown legends written by the famous wizard himself. Diving into the stories, he learns of Equestria’s history and its secrets. The six stories center around the Elements of Virtue:…

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