The Boy and the Gorilla by Jackie Azúa Kramer

Illustrated by Cindy Derby 4 stars A gentle story of grief and loss that presents ways to keep a person with you after they are gone. After the death of his mother, a young boy must cope with the ways his life has changed and the grief he feels at her absence. A wise gorilla…

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All are Welcome: A Cat’s Café Collection by Gwen Tarpley

5 stars Absolutely fantastic! Heartwarming, silly, fun, empathetic, and warm. Another wonderful collection from Tarpley. The loveable cast of Cat’s Café returns along with some sweet new additions to the mix. I absolutely adore the cozy world Tarpley has created. It’s such a wonderful place filled with acceptance, joy, and love. Hardships and troubles exist,…

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Cursed Princess Club Volume Three by LambCat

5 stars I love this series so much! A club dedicated to cursed royalty who help and support one another. Such a great concept. In this volume, the Cursed Princess Club investigates Gwen, the Pastel Princesses revolt against their father’s strict rules, a new prince shows his interested, and an old villain returns from the…

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When the Lake Burns by Geneviève Bigué

Translated by Luke Langille 2 stars I was initially drawn in by the mysterious title and the gorgeous color palette, but this story was not for me. It somehow feels like it dragged out while also being underdeveloped. It’s like the start of a story. There were aspects of greed/pride, poverty, grief, and friendship that…

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Villains Are Destined to Die, Vol. 1 by Suol

Original Story by Gwon Gyeoeul Translated by David Odell 4 stars A gorgeously-illustrated, immersive story of romance, danger, and video games. When normal mode proves too easy, it’s time to play Daughter of the Duke’s Super Love Project on hard mode. Unfortunately, that means playing as the villain, Penelope. And when the player wakes up…

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A Monstrous Bedtime by Kerilynn Wilson

5 stars A sweet picture book that highlights the importance of a good bedtime routine. While the human child is ready for bedtime, the monster under her bed isn’t sleepy. Together, they go through the bedtime routine in this adorable story of friendship and imagination. Delightful, humorous illustrations. A very cute story, simply told with…

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Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell

5 stars Romance and gore collide in this surprisingly sweet story that encourages you to slay the real monsters in your life. How do I put into words what this book is about? Shesheshen is a shapeshifter content living away from the human world with her bear companion, eating anyone who disturbs her. But after…

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Muted, Vol. 1 by Miranda Mundt

3 stars After her demon-summoning ritual takes a dramatic turn, Camille Severin is left in her childhood home to hone her skills for her next attempt at the ritual. But slowly Camille begins to uncover her family’s secrets and realizes everything is not as she’d always believed. Magic, mystery, and secrets dwell in the Louisiana…

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Where Are the Eggs? (Storytelling Math) by Grace Lin

4 stars Another fantastic math-based story. Mei walks through her yard, looking for where her chickens have laid their eggs. She points out the location of each egg, using prepositions and spatial relationships such as under, on, and next to. The straightforward narration and simple story are perfect for the intended audience. Adorable illustrations. The…

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