Pink, Blue, and You!: Questions for Kids about Gender Stereotypes by Elise Gravel

with Mykaell Blais 4 stars A sweet introduction to gender and stereotypes that encourages children to reflect on what they’ve been taught about self expression and interests. The book discusses the difference between sex and gender, explains gender identity, introduces common stereotypes regarding gender, and highlights famous people who have gone against those stereotypes and…

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Rainbow Dash: Reading Rainboom! by Tallulah May

Illustrated by Zoe Persico 5 stars Absolutely adorable. When Rainbow Dash and Twilight are recruited to mentor the fillies at Junior Speedster Flight Camp, Rainbow Dash is sure they will love A. K. Yearling as much as she does. But she just can’t get them interested in the stories. It’s not until she and Twilight…

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Pinkie Pie: Big Baking Bonanza! by Tallulah May

Illustrated by Zoe Persico 5 stars Absolutely adorable. A sweet story with a touch of humor. Pinkie Pie is invited to compete in the Best Baker’s Big Baking Bonanza competition. But when she forgets her trusty cookbook, she isn’t sure she has what it takes to win. She’ll have to come up with some creative…

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Lonely Castle in the Mirror, Vol. 2

Story by Mizuki Tsujimura Illustrated by Tomo Taketomi Translated by Jacqueline Fung 4 stars Another fascinating volume. Within the castle, Kokoro finds relief from the anxiety and pressure she feels in the outside world through connecting with the other students. But as summer begins, tensions rise and they realize they all have their own secrets….

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Disney’s Kilala Princess, Volume 1 by Rika Tanaka

Illustrated by Nao Kodaka Translated by Kathy Schilling 3 stars An adorable little adventure featuring some classic Disney princesses. Kilala dreams of being a princess, finding her true love, and living happily ever after. But in the meantime, she’s happy to support her friend Erica in the Princess Contest. That is until a strange boy…

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Super Spinach (Adventures in Fosterland) by Hannah Shaw

Illustrated by Bev Johnson 3 stars Spinach spends her time at the animal shelter watching all the other kittens play and get adopted. But she’s stuck in her own cage. She has pectus excavatum, which means her rib cage is too small, making it hard for her to run and play like the others. But…

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Plain Jane and the Mermaid by Vera Brosgol

5 stars Absolutely fantastic. Easily one of my new favorite books of all time. I wish I had this book as a kid. Jane has learned to accept her plainness. But after her parents’ death, her cousin is set to inherit everything including the house she lives in. Her only chance is to find someone…

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The People Remember by Ibi Zoboi

Illustrated by Loveis Wise 5 stars A fantastic book that blends the principles of Kwanzaa, Black history, poetry, and breathtaking artwork. Through moving verse, Zoboi takes the reader though time, recounting significant events in American history. The book remembers the joyful and freeing times as well as the dark and violent ones. From the Transatlantic…

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