The Ghost of Blanes Museum by Lau Moraiti
The Ghost of Blanes Museum by Lau Moraiti (both text and illustrations) is due late May/early June 2024. I had a “do I/don’t I read it” relationship with this book. I was not sure I really wanted to read it, but the cover kept pulling me in. I finally had one too many cosmic hints that said, “Read it already!” And I finally read it via an online reader copy. In the end I am not sure why I waited so long! Yet, I think […]
Lunar New Year (Celebrations & Festivals) by Natasha Yim
Martina Has Too Many Tias by Emma Otheguy
The Masjid Kamal Loves by Ashley Franklin
Lali’s Flip-Flops by Farhana Zia
I was in the mood for picture books, and when I went looking for one, I found four. (I was surprised I only found four). And when I started to really look at them, I realized they were all culturally based. And due to the shorter nature of them, it would be hard to write individual reviews, so here is a “Around the World ” in four books themed review. All are currently available and all are good reads and I will probably read the […]
Skeletina and the greedy Tooth Fairy (Skeletina and the In-Between World) by Susie Jaramillo
The publisher’s description on Skeletina and the greedy Tooth Fairy (Skeletina and the In-Between World) says it all. It is a companion story to the first book, Skeletina and the In Between World. This time our heroine helps a little girl navigate the dreams and teaches her about the truth. Susie Jaramillo’s story is fun, but for me, it was not as good as the first. There is nothing wrong with book two. It is cute, funny and it is straightforward. Which is probably why […]
The Carnival Prince by Daniel J. O’Brien
When I saw The Carnival Prince I said, “Self, try it.” And Self said, “No, it looks odd. That cover is too big…too bold…too bright. Too computer-made-looking.” And I said, “Self, just read, okay? You know not to judge a book by its cover.” And Self said, “Fine.” And did. Then it said, “You know what? That wasn’t half bad.” And it was not half bad. It is a nice solid 3 or 3.5. I did not WOW best book ever. But I did say, […]
Skeletina and the In-Between World by Susie Jaramillo
Skeletina likes living in the In-Between world where she is the queen of her castle and can play with her friends who live there. And her favorite friends are the ones who are still living. You see, the living can enter this other realm in their sleep. And Skeletina has taken it upon herself to help those who come over. She tries and capture the critters who help create nightmares. She talks and listens. She learns and plays. It is a happily ever after. And […]
Blancaflor, the Hero with Secret Powers: A Folktale from Latin America: A Toon Graphic by Nadja Spiegelman
While focusing on one story in Blancaflor, the Hero with Secret Powers: A Folktale from Latin America: A Toon Graphic you will see multiple stories come together due to the collective ideals of storytelling around the world. This version of Blancaflor by Nadja Spiegelman and Sergio Garcia Sanchez highlights the Latin influences of this wonderfully illustrated story of women’s strengths and hidden talents which we see unfolding to save the prince/her love. The story is simple, Blancaflor is the daughter of ogres. Her father gave […]
