I Am Stuck by Julia Mills

5 stars An absolutely adorable book. Turtle is stuck. Various animals pass by, offering advice. But it isn’t until a friend comes along to weather the storm with him that Turtle sees what he needed all along. I loved the message that even if your friends can’t fix your problem directly, having them around can…

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Twistwood Tales by A. C. MacDonald

5 stars So weird and I love it! Welcome to the Twistwood Forest where there’s always something creeping through the trees. Is it a Smolem, a human-eating lollipop, a pair of robber duckies, or a friendly Imagician? Dive in to find out. I’ve read a few of these comics online, but it was great to…

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The Boy Who Tried to Shrink His Name by Sandhya Parappukkaran

Illustrated by Michelle Pereira 4 stars A sweet picture book about practice, confidence, identity, and friendship. Zimdalamashkermishkada is starting a new school and is worried about his long name. He tries to shrink it down to make it easier for his classmates and teacher to say. But through practice and repetition, a new friend helps…

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The Worry Balloon by Mónica Mancillas

Illustrated by Betty C. Tang 4 stars The first day of school has arrived, but with it comes Isla’s worries. With her Mami by her side, Isla practices mindfulness, visualization, and positive thinking to battle her anxiety and blow the worry balloon away. Beautiful illustrations. Nice visual representations of how Isla’s feelings influence how she…

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Beneath by Cori Doerrfeld

5 stars A stunning picture book with a heartfelt message and beautiful artwork. Finn is in a bad mood. When Grandpa suggests going for a walk, Finn reluctantly agrees. Along the way, Grandpa shares a wonderful message of remembering what’s beneath, both in one’s surroundings and within other people. Though the story may appear simple…

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Gender Identity for Kids

A Book about Finding Yourself, Understanding Others, and Respecting Everybody! by Andy Passchier 4 stars A helpful guide for understanding and discussing gender identity. Promotes acceptance, respect, and understanding. The book covers sex vs. gender, gender identity, the gender binary, gender expression, and difficulties related to gender such as coming out, mental health, and bullying….

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Invisible Differences: A Story of Asperger’s, Adulting, and Living a Life in Full Color

Story by Julie Dachez Illustrated by Mademoiselle Caroline In collaboration with Fabienne Vaslet Translated by Edward Gauvin 4 stars This graphic memoir follows Marguerite through her daily life, showing her routines and interactions. No matter how hard she tries, Marguerite doesn’t feel like she quite fits. When she’s diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, suddenly everything comes…

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Basil and Oregano by Melissa Capriglione

4 stars This was such a sweet book! Basil dreams of being a fabulous magiculinary chef. But first, she must become top student at Porta Bella Magiculinary Academy and earn the scholarship that goes with the title. When she meets Arabella Oregano, the daughter of a famous chef, things start to heat up. Basil must…

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Hungry Ghost by Victoria Ying

5 stars This book contains a content note for depictions of disordered eating. A hauntingly beautiful story of friendship, loss, family, and healing. Valerie has always tried to be a “good” daughter. To her, that means giving in to her mother’s concerns about her gaining weight, even if it means taking unhealthy measures to comply….

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What’s The T? by Juno Dawson

Illustrated by Soofiya 5 stars A fantastic read that is educational, supportive, affirming, and inclusive. What a great book. Dawson brings a touch a humor to a topic that can often be scary, stressful, and frustrating. She also offers advice and support along the way. While the book is targeted toward teens and young adults…

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