The Flower of the Witch by Enrico Orlandi, Translated by Jamie Richards

4 stars A fast-paced adventure story that blends mythology, coming-of-age themes, and questions of what it is to be a man. The artwork has a cartoon-y style but with a darker aesthetic. It pulls together some great folklore elements (ravens, shapeshifting, skulls, walking dead, demons, spirits). I really enjoyed the sinister elements in the artwork,…

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Sheets (Sheets #1) by Brenna Thummler

5 stars Fantastic. Absolutely fantastic. I’ve seen a lot of hype about this book and it is much deserved. I wasn’t sure what to expect at first, but was sucked into the blending of Marjorie’s and Wendell’s worlds. A girl whose family owns a laundromat befriending a sheet-donning ghost has got to be one of…

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The Book With No Pictures by B. J. Novak

5 stars This book has no pictures and it doesn’t need them. A humorous read aloud filled with silly noises, meta humor, and fun fonts sure to insight laughter and engagement. Novak forces adults to not take themselves so seriously and play up the text when reading to children. Some of my best memories as…

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The Sunflower Sword by Mark Sperring, Illustrated by Miriam Latimer

4 stars An adorable story about imagination, kindness, and unexpected friendships. This sweet tale follows a little knight who longs to swoosh and whoosh a sword like the bigger knights. His mother bestows him with a sunflower instead and he learns there’s more to life than fighting dragons. I’ve got a soft spot for stories…

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The Bad Guys: Episode 2: Mission Unpluckable by Aaron Blabey

3 stars Another hilarious adventure featuring Mr. Wolf and his fellow Good Guy Club members attempting to right wrongs and shake off their “bad guy” reputations. In the second episode, the team joins forces with another misunderstood critter to rescue the mistreated chickens from a Chicken Farm. They must come to terms with their own…

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The Bad Guys: Episode 1 by Aaron Blabey

3 stars An exciting adventure featuring a misunderstood wolf, his attempts to turn around the reputation of carnivores from land and sea, and the mayhem that ensues along the way. I enjoyed the twist on the gray area between “good” and “bad” and the theme of carnivores being misunderstood. Similar style to picture books like Misunderstood…

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The Princess and the Pony by Kate Beaton

4 stars A charming read featuring a warrior princess, an adorable pony, a great battle, and a few pony farts thrown in. Fun, humorous, and heartwarming. Beaton shows the importance of being true to yourself and embracing your interests, even if they don’t fit with who others think you should be. Promotes helping others and…

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The Golden Hour by Niki Smith

5 stars A stunning graphic novel that perfectly captures the beauty of everyday life cut with the shattering effects of anxiety and PTSD. Manuel works to navigate a world that no long feels safe after witnessing a traumatic event involving gun violence. With the help of some new friends, a supportive therapist, and a love…

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