by Shinobumaru Translated by Jason Muell 4 stars A foundling human taken in by spirits, a young exorcist who is the natural enemy of her world, and a bookshop that caters to the spirit realm. A really fun world to dive into. I loved meeting all of the different spirits and learning about the dynamics…
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4 stars Beautifully written. I absolutely love Nethercott’s writing style. Lyrical and stunning to visualize. Siblings Bellatine and Isaac haven’t seen each other in years, but reunite to claim a strange inheritance. They are both surprised to receive a house with chicken legs. Together they embark on a journey filled with unexpected encounters, close calls,…
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4 stars Delightfully spooky. An unexpectedly sweet story featuring an old house in the woods, a skull, and a brave girl looking for a place to stay. After running away from home, Otilla comes across a house whose sole occupant is a kindly skull. Little does she know, the skull has a secret and that…
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Illustrated by Marcus Cutler 3 stars A humorous rendition of Inuit folklore showing that you don’t always get it right on the first try. During the creation of the world, Guk breathes life into two animals. A walrus whom she gives a large pair of antlers and a caribou with a set of long tusks….
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by Vicky Woodgate 4 stars Join feline explorer, Mimi, on a journey through the forests of the world. In this book, you’ll discover what makes a forest, types of forests and habitats within them, and the many ways forests and trees benefit humans, other plants, animals, and the planet. The book includes maps, biographies, timelines,…
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Art by Lorenzo Mattotti 3 stars Nicely told. This is a pretty standard version of the Hansel and Gretel story. We get all the elements we’ve come to expect: the siblings abandoned in the woods, the trails of stones and breadcrumbs, the house made of gingerbread, and the hungry old woman in the forest. Lorenzo…
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12 Traditional Stories from Indigenous Tribes Across North America by Tom Pecore Weso Illustrated by Gloria Félix 4 stars A nice collection of stories from tribal nations throughout North America. The stories cover different topics from creation to explaining nature to codes of conduct. Groups included are the Menominee, Navajo/Diné, Athabascan, Cherokee, Zuni Pueblo/A:shiwi, Cheyenne,…
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Translated by Alex Dudok de Wit 3 stars A standalone tale loosely based on the Tibetan folktale, “The Prince Who Turned into a Dog”. This book is all Miyazaki. Stunning settings, a strong woman with agency and determination, fascinating creatures, rich backgrounds, and intentional ambiguity. Slow-paced story that puts more emphasis on the visuals than…
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4 stars A powerful story with unforgettable characters. Alternating between three tales, follow three very different characters as they try to fit into the world around them. Jin Wang is the only Chinese-American student in a school that never lets him forget he’s different. The Monkey King masters various skills in order to distance himself…
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by Lindsay Christina King Illustrated by Carolyn Frank 5 stars Such a wonderful read! At the start, we are introduced to Skye, who shares stories from her grandfather about the natural world. They explain the origins of animal characteristics such as raccoon’s black mask, beaver’s large teeth, and rabbit’s long ears. Each story ends with…
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