Lonely Castle in the Mirror, Vol. 3

Story by Mizuki Tsujimura Illustrated by Tomo Taketomi Translated by Jacqueline Fung 4 stars Another great volume that continues the story nicely. Summer has come to a close and a new school year begins. And with it, March comes ever closer along with the deadline to find the key. Continuing the events from the previous…

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Food-Related Stories by Gaby Melian

3 stars A little book with a lot of heart. A sweet collection focusing on the power of food and connection. Follow Melian in this mini-memoir as she discovers her love of cooking, explores all her senses, and revisits memories of food and family. A nice look at the meaning we place on food, cooking,…

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101 Tips for a Zero Waste Kitchen by Kathryn Kellogg

4 stars A nice start for learning about food waste and ways to reduce other waste in your home. A helpful little guide. Nicely written. There are a lot of basic tips in here (reusable bags, shop seasonally) which work well for beginners as well as tips for using things like watermelon rinds and strawberry…

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The Friendly Four by Eloise Greenfield

Illustrations by Jan Spivey Gilchrist 5 stars A fun story about four friends coming together for one epic summer. I really enjoyed this picture book in verse. Drum can’t wait for summer to be over so he can see his friends at school. But when a new family moves into his neighborhood, his summer gets…

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Not Like Every Day: Finding Calm During School Lockdown Drills

by Stephanie V. W. Lucianovic with resources by Dr. Christina Chester Illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard 5 stars A touching story to help children deal with anxiety about lockdown drills. Henry reminds himself that the lockdown is just a drill. It’s not real. But that doesn’t change how he feels about it. Even after the drill…

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Hidden Strings by K. J. Mist

2 stars After the death of her grandmother, Tessa’s family takes over the Fairy Tale Family Fun Park & RV Campground. They hire a new puppeteer to run the puppet show, but instead of cute stories like her grandmother told, Liza tells spinechilling ones. As strange things start happening on the campground, Tessa wonders if…

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The Women Who Caught the Babies: A Story of African American Midwives

by Eloise Greenfiled Illustrated by Daniel Minter 5 stars A truly stunning collection of poetry showcasing African American midwives throughout time. The poems travel from Africa to America, sharing experiences through enslavement, emancipation, and into the modern era. Wonderfully written and expertly crafted. The dreamlike illustrations are beautiful and demonstrate the power, strength, care, and…

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Too Old For This by Samantha Downing (Audiobook)

Narrated by Elizabeth Wiley 4 stars Lottie Jones spends her days gossiping at church bingo, cooking with her friends, and buying presents for her grandchildren. What she does not want is for her past as a serial killer to interfere with her new life. Though she hasn’t killed in years, a meeting with an investigative…

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Missing Violet by Kelly Swemba

Illustrated by Fabiana Faiallo 5 stars A sweet picture book for helping children cope with the death of a friend or classmate. Violet is Mia’s best friend. She brings sunshine to every day. But after Violet dies, everything changes. With the help of others, Mia is able to learn ways to remember, grieve, and say…

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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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