Illustrated by Geeta Ladi 5 stars A fun story sharing how the brain feels when it’s seeking different sensory input. Sometimes it is busy like a bee, wants to touch everything like an octopus, or is slow like a sloth. I love that each state is presented without negativity. Instead the story celebrates all the…
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Illustrated by Danica Novgorodoff 5 stars I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. The novel-in-verse genre at its finest. I absolutely loved this book. Well-written with engaging characters, powerful themes, and a wonderful story. Includes themes of friends growing apart, loss, grief, guilt, racism, crushes, masculinity, family, and societal expectations. There was…
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4 stars An engaging tour through the ages, celebrating art from around the world. Follow a young artist as she questions what makes art, how to create it, and how long it takes. Her questions are answered by famous artists throughout history, from Frida Kahlo to the sculptors of the Temple of the Feathered Serpent,…
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Illustrated by Robert Paul Jr. 5 stars A wonderful celebration of Black men as role models, from entertainment to law, activism to sports. The narrator finds inspiration through different famous men, which inspires him to take an active role in his community. Told through lyrical text and a powerful refrain, this book celebrates both contemporary…
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Illustrated by Ani Bushry 4 stars A vibrant picture book told in catchy rhymes and an infectious beat. Bhangra Baby wants to join in the fun of the Punjabi folk dance. With the help of his family and friends, he learns the moves and spends the night dancing and celebrating. Bold, colorful illustrations. An adorable…
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Illustrated by Erin K. Robinson 5 stars A gorgeous, soothing homage to libraries and reading. As a librarian, I may be a little bias, but this book is absolute perfection. The lyrical text celebrates the different versions of ourselves we live out when we read and the wonderful places our imagination can take us. The…
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Illustrated by Brittany Jackson & Tajae Keith 4 stars Parker’s day is not going well. She’s missing her friend and her siblings are being too loud. Her mother helps her remember ways to feel better by breathing, exercising, and having some quiet time. A great example of how to deal with big feelings. This is…
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Illustrated by Lenny Wen 3 stars A delicious story of community, family, and generosity. Every Saturday, Carina visits Tia Mimi’s to make empanadas. But this week, Tia Mimi is volunteering at the food center, which leaves Carina to collect all the ingredients herself. Along the way, she finds that her diverse neighbors all have their…
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Illustrated by Dung Ho 5 stars Another lush, heartwarming, gorgeous read from Joanna Ho and Dung Ho. Through poetic text, the narrator describes how her eyes are different from her adoptive family’s and how their loves connects them. It explores the narrator’s relationship with her adoptive father and mother, and her curiosity about her birth…
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Illustrated by Airin O’Callaghan 3 stars A sweet little book to celebrate moms, set to the tune of “The Wheels on the Bus”. The illustrations and text wonderfully capture some of the ways moms show they care, from providing snacks and reading nonverbal cues to zipping up coats and holding the door. Gorgeous illustrations. Loved…
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