Mandeep’s Cloudy Days by Kuljinder Kaur Brar & Samrath Kaur (ARC Review)

September 27, 2024

Spending time with her dad makes Mandeep’s days shine. They have cha parties, perform Bhangra shows, and best of all, they write jokes together in her favorite unicorn journal. But when Dad starts a job as a truck driver, he starts being away from home most of the week. Without Dad, storm clouds start taking over Mandeep’s sunny days, casting a shadow on all the things she used to love doing. Can anything help Mandeep feel better?

The dynamic author-illustrator team behind the National Council Teachers of English Notable Children’s Book winner My Name Is Saajin Singh brings a new poignant story about father-daughter relationships, how we cope with being separated from our loved ones, and how to find glimpses of light in our days even when clouds threaten to settle in… Read More Mandeep’s Cloudy Days by Kuljinder Kaur Brar & Samrath Kaur (ARC Review)

— book review, children's, comic/graphic novel, middle grade —

Bog Myrtle by Sid Sharp (Review)

September 26, 2024

Two sisters, one stubbornly cheerful (Beatrice) and one relentlessly grumpy (Magnolia), live in a drafty old house with a family of helpful spiders. When Beatrice is gifted magic yarn from a giant forest spider obsessed with sustainability named Bog Myrtle, she and the spiders set to work knitting up a perfectly warm sweater.

But greedy Magnolia sees only the opportunity for profit, and quickly converts the old house into a magic sweater factory. The exhausted spiders are driven to strike, and Bog Myrtle is not pleased . . .

Bog Myrtle is a witty modern folktale that touches on themes of capitalism, environmentalism, labor rights, and being a nice person… Read More Bog Myrtle by Sid Sharp (Review)

— book review, children's —

5 Tremendously Silly Munsch Stories by Robert Munsch & Michael Martchenko (Review)

April 3, 2024

With over 80 million books sold across the globe, Robert Munsch is the authority on funny kids books!

Along with Michael Martchecko’s instantly recognizable illustrations, Munsch’s zany spins on everyday situations are the perfect gift for any kid who loves to laugh.

5 Tremendously Silly Munsch Stories includes:
The Paper Bag Princess
Angela’s Airplane
Thomas’ Snowsuit
Stephanie’s Ponytail
Show and Tell… Read More 5 Tremendously Silly Munsch Stories by Robert Munsch & Michael Martchenko (Review)

— ARC review, book review, children's —

Sam Francisco, King of the Disco by Sarah Tagholm and Binny Talib (ARC Review)

October 17, 2023

A toe-tapping adventure celebrating optimism in the face of adversity about a community of cool cats who just want to have fun.

Superstar DJ Sam Francisco’s party is keeping his neighbor Buzzkill Bill awake. Bill tries everything to shut it down—he sends his dogs, then pest control, the fire department, and the police! When Bill finally succeeds in pulling the plug, things look bleak, but luckily it’s the people (and the cats) who make a party, not the fancy equipment.

Written in verse, this exuberant celebration of dance, music, and self-expression begs to be read aloud over and over. Young readers and adults alike will delight in the humor, charm, and energy of Sarah Tagholm and Binny Talib’s fantastic felines led by Sam, the David Bowie of cats. Featuring a silver-foiled cover for full disco effect, readers are introduced to many musical genres, as each of Sam Francisco’s adversaries are gradually won over by the beat… Read More Sam Francisco, King of the Disco by Sarah Tagholm and Binny Talib (ARC Review)

— book review, children's, comic/graphic novel, middle grade —

The Wolf Suit by Sid Sharp (Review)

April 19, 2023

Bellwether Riggwelter is, once again, out of blackberries. This time, rather than tiptoe through a forest full of predators, he comes up with a new plan. He will keep himself safe by blending in—he will sew a Wolf Suit! The disguise works perfectly . . . sort of. Bellwether realizes he can’t enjoy the forest in a bulky suit, and he may not be the only creature in the forest who feels that way. Perhaps not everyone is as wolfish as they appear.… Read More The Wolf Suit by Sid Sharp (Review)