Disney’s Kilala Princess, Volume 5 by Rika Tanaka

Illustrated by Nao Kodaka Translated by Christine Dashiell 3 stars The conclusion of Kilala’s adventure. While there were definitely ups and downs in this series, the ending was pretty satisfying. Kilala and her friends make it to Agrabah and meet Aladdin and Jasmine. They must defeat Jafar to earn the sixth gem to get Kilala…

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Disney’s Kilala Princess, Volume 4 by Rika Tanaka

Illustrated by Nao Kodaka Translated by Christine Dashiell 2.5 stars Kilala and Rei continue their request to collect the gems for the tiara and save Paradiso, visiting different Disney princesses. But this time they are joined by Sylphy, a woman claiming to be Rei’s fiancée. Will she help or hurt their cause? We get two…

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Disney’s Kilala Princess, Volume 3 by Rika Tanaka

Illustrated by Nao Kodaka Translated by Christine Dashiell 2.5 stars Rei has gone back to Paradiso, leaving Kilala with the tiara. But when Kilala gets a lead on the seventh princess, she ventures off to find out more. On her adventures, she has some fairy encounters, meets a new princess, and learns of a betrayal….

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Disney’s Kilala Princess, Volume 2 by Rika Tanaka

Illustrated by Nao Kodaka Translated by Kathy Schilling 3 stars The second volume takes Kilala under the sea. She and Rei are separated and she must journey through the ocean with the help of some new friends to find him. Another fun fast-paced adventure. Adorable artwork. I’m really enjoying getting new storylines with Disney princesses…

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Disney’s Kilala Princess, Volume 1 by Rika Tanaka

Illustrated by Nao Kodaka Translated by Kathy Schilling 3 stars An adorable little adventure featuring some classic Disney princesses. Kilala dreams of being a princess, finding her true love, and living happily ever after. But in the meantime, she’s happy to support her friend Erica in the Princess Contest. That is until a strange boy…

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Into the Goblin Market by Vikki VanSickle

Illustrated by Jensine Eckwall 5 stars Lyrical, magical, and a powerful homage to sisterhood. A captivating read inspired by Christina Rossetti’s poem, “Goblin Market”. Rather than adapting or retelling Rossetti’s lengthy original, VanSickle’s version introduces a new set of sisters, Millie and Mina, and a fantastical market filled with tempting treats, eerie songs, and enticing…

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Beanie the Bansheenie by Eoin Colfer

Illustrated by Steve McCarthy 5 stars The sweetest book about banshees that I have ever read. Bansheenies (baby banshees) typically bond with the first person they see, allowing them to learn when that person will die. Through happenstance, Beanie’s story is not quite so straightforward. Instead of simply telling her human, Rose, when her death…

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Rumaysa: A Fairytale by Radiya Hafiza

Illustrated by Rhaida El Touny 3 stars A fun new twist on the classic fairy tales Rapunzel, Cinderella, and Sleepy Beauty. Told through interconnected stories, the book follows Rumaysa who is locked away in a tower where a witch makes her spin straw into gold. I really enjoyed the endings in this book. The heroines…

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