I Am a Spicy Nugget by Loryn Brantzas
I am not the audience for this book, I Am a Spicy Nugget by Loryn Brantzas. This is due to the fact that the illustrations were “awkward” for me. Plus the story itself just did not have a “solid” hit in my “like this book” category. However, if you want a more modern take on the feelings theme, especially on anger, this can be a fun book. The character of our story asks their mother if they can have a penguin and feed them carrots. […]
Mindful Tots: Loving Kindness (Bilingual Vietnamese & English) (Barefoot Bilinguals) by Whitney Stewart
My book dealer from Barefoot Books is at it again. Several months ago I received a package of goodness (or books) and accidentally put it with my Christmas goodies, so I didn’t find it until recently. Then just the other day, I had a new package with more amazing titles. Between the two I found a few that I have read (but physical copies now) and many new ones. One of the new ones was Mindful Tots: Loving Kindness (Bilingual Vietnamese & English) (Barefoot Bilinguals) […]
Homesick by Audrey Vernick and Liza Garton
Have you ever been homesick for your home, family, a friend or place? Mostly likely you answered yes. However, have you ever thought that maybe your home is homesick for you when you go away? In Audrey Vernick and Liza Garton’s picture book (due August 2026) Homesick, that is what happens. The child of the story goes off to their grandparents home. The house became sad, missing its child and the story goes through the emotions. We even see how the parents mention how things […]
Emily Saw a Door by Mel Rosenberg
Robin and the Stick by E. B. Goodale
Recently two books (one due mid April 2026, the other late February/early April 2026; both read via an online reader) I read did not “grab me” in the way I had hoped. They were nice, but I was not the audience for them. I figure that probably a toddler to about six or so would be a good reach. They would be good bedtime stories or just relaxing stories. Both have interesting concepts and deal with self-confidence and imagination. Both have their own distinct style […]
Snow Kid by Jessie Sima
Snow Kid by Jessie Sima was another one of those books I almost didn’t read. And then when I finally did read it, I almost didn’t review. You see, I am not the audience for it. Not really. Sure I can recommend it to the parents and grandparents who buy books for children, but it is for them, not the single woman who just adopts all the children as her nieces and nephews. You see, Snow Kid is a book that is simple text and […]
Shrinking Violet by Laurel Snyder and LeUyen Pham
The book, Shrinking Violet by Laurel Snyder and illustrated by LeUyen Pham is a fun and sweet story dealing with the common themes of fear and bravery. We also have friendship and how that ties into overcoming the fear to be brave. While the themes are not new, the presentation gives things a fresh and clever take. The colors and details are rich, but not “too much” and allow focus on the story. The only real issue I had (since I read this due late […]
