The Magic Callaloo by Trish Cooke

Illustrated by Sophie Bass 5 stars Absolutely stunning. Weaving together a Rapunzel narrative with the history of enslaved Africans using cornrow patterns to navigate their journey to freedom, Cooke creates a compelling, empowering, and magical tale. Wonderfully written with flowing narration. A lengthy text but certainly worth the read. I love how empowering the narrative…

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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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Lily the Pond Mermaid by Lucy Fleming

3 stars A sweet story about a pond mermaid and her overwhelming worries. Lily does everything she can to help her friends who live in and around the pond. But she worries that the responsibility is just too much for her to handle alone. After a major storm, Lily finds the courage to talk to…

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A Song for You and I by K. O’Neill

4 stars A ranger who loses sight of who they are. A shepherd more focused on music than the sheep. Follow Rowan and Leone as they find the confidence to be their true selves. A gentle fantasy filled with stunning landscapes, soft moments, deepening connections, and fun characters. Not surprising for O’Neill, but the artwork…

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ParaNorthern and the Chaos Bunny A-hop-calypse by Stephanie Cooke

Illustrated by Mari Costa 3 stars This book really delivers on the magic, the chaos, and the bunnies. Join a young witch, Abby, as she prepares to spend fall break with her friends Silas, a pumpkinhead; Hannah, a ghost-like entity from another dimension; and Gita, a wolf-girl. She’s looking forward to having fun and practicing…

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The Girl from the Other Side: Siúil, A Rún, Vol. 8

by Nagabe Translated by Adrienne Beck 4 stars Ah, my heart can’t take this! In order to save Shiva, Teacher must make an unbearable decision, but can their relationship withstand his choice? Beautiful artwork. An intriguing story. I absolutely adore these characters. This volume takes quite the turn. We also get a peek at how…

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Lonely Castle in the Mirror, Vol. 1

Story by Mizuki Tsujimura Illustrated by Tomo Taketomi Translated by Jacqueline Fung 4 stars I watched the anime adaptation and absolutely loved it so of course I had to check out the manga. The first volume did not disappoint. Plagued with intense stomach pains, Kokoro is staying home again. But today is different. Today she…

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