You’re Strong, Smart, and You Got This: Drawings, Affirmations, and Comfort to Help with Anxiety and Depression

by Kate Allan 4 stars Another beautiful collection of artwork featuring magical, adorable animals and positive affirmations. Throughout the book, Allan writes to her younger self, offering wisdom, words of encouragement, and recognition that things will be hard but it will all be okay. I absolutely adore the artwork. Beautiful depictions of animals and creatures…

Read More

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

4 stars A powerful exploration of what it is to be a Black man in modern America. Through a letter to his son, Coates lays out the different worlds Black men inhabit and the never-ending assessment of risk as they navigate those worlds daily. Through an examination of history and reflections on his own personal…

Read More

An American Sunrise by Joy Harjo

4 stars Fantastically written, this collection explores history and the human connection to the land. Through stunning verse, Harjo shares stories and imagery of her tribe’s forced removal from their ancestorial home, her return to her family’s land, stories of her family’s legacy, her own personal experiences, and creative new tales featuring well-known characters from…

Read More

Every Day I Read: 53 Ways to Get Closer to Books

by Hwang Bo-reum Translated by Shanna Tan Narrated by Rosa Escoda 3 stars A delightfully cozy collection of essays about the joys and comfort of books and reading. Bo-reum shares different ways to read more and connect more deeply with the books you read. Nicely written with an interesting blend of literature, memoir, and moments…

Read More

Hiawatha and the Peacemaker by Robbie Robertson

Illustrated by David Shannon 4 stars From death, destruction, and war to unity and peace, this book tells the story of Hiawatha and the Peacemaker, whose work to unite the Six Nations of the Iroquois people with the Great Law of Peace set a blueprint for democracy in America. Hiawatha is angry and devastated after…

Read More

The Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq

by Jeanette Winter 4 stars The powerful story of Alia Muhammad Baker, the brave librarian who save 70% of her library collection during the Iraq War. The book focuses on Baker’s efforts to move the books to safe locations as the war nears Basra. It ends with a message of hope amid the chaos. The…

Read More

The Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World, 3rd Edition

by Susan Veness 3 stars Uncover hidden magic in this interesting guidebook that dives in to all things Disney World. I really enjoyed reading about some of the hidden magic to look for around Disney World. Veness provides a variety of different details, some of which are obvious while others are a bit more cryptic…

Read More