The Wizards of Once is a terrific new fantasy by Cressida Cowell, the creator of How to Train Your Dragon. This is the first in a new series, introducing the 2 main characters, a Wizard boy named Xar and a Warrior girl named Wish. The book has the best illustrations: spell books, snow cats, giants, […]
When Mo Willems decided to end his much loved (and brilliantly funny) Elephant and Piggie series, he did have some good news. There would be a spin-off series called “Elephant and Piggie Love Reading” which would bring in celebrated guest authors and illustrators to tell an easy reader story created in the Elephant and Piggie […]
Writer/illustrator Mordicai Gerstein, the Caldecott winner for the amazing The Man Who Walked Between the Towers, delivers yet another visually astounding picture book that mixes wonder with adventure. The story is relatively simple: in a seaside community, a fisherman’s son notices a whale tangled up in a net. Remembering a time when he almost drowned, the compassionate […]
Beyond the Bright Sea is perhaps the best new middle grade historical novel I read this year. (And it is listed in our 101 Best Kids Books of 2017!). It is the beautifully written story of a young girl who arrived at her adopted father’s island in a boat just a few hours old. As […]
The red-haired fox of Jeremy Renner’s new graphic novel spends his days sneaking around the local barnyard and his nights munching on turnips. Yeah, things aren’t going too well. The problem is simple. But even still, there is little hope that he will be able to fulfill his carnivore dreams. None of the animals lower […]
Matt Phelan has made quite a name for himself, creating breathtaking historical fiction graphic novels, and his most recent book, Snow White: A Graphic Novel, holds to his high standard. Set in 1928, in New York City, Phelan creates a story told as if a silent black and white, noir film were transformed into a […]
This exuberant and funny sharing book begins before author/illustrator Madeline Valentine gives us the title page. A mouse and chipmunk are having a great time playing chase and hide & seek. On the title page we see an acorn fall. We flip the page and the story officially begins with the furry creatures hearing and […]
Sweet, light family story in the Penderwicks/All of a Kind Family mode, but done by a brand new author. Their grumpy reclusive landlord has suddenly, after 6 years, decided not to renew the Vanderbeeker’s lease – just before Christmas! Watch the Vanderbeeker kids jump into action to try to save the day: a cozy book […]
Pashmina is the first graphic novel wholly created (written and illustrated) by an Indian American. It is a beautiful feminist coming of age story about a teenager who learns about her mother’s difficult choices in India. Full of magical realism (the pashmina transports her in full color images to a legendary India), this story is also […]
Here’s the perfect holiday book for girls who love the Nutcracker story or ballet. A young girl during the Harlem Renaissance learns (while dreaming of the Nutcracker) to stand up and join in the music making by playing the drum! The illustrations by James Ransome are gorgeous and bring this period of history to life. […]
