The Sunflowers: Vincent van Gogh's Search for Beauty by Zahra Marwan
As many of you know, I am in the bookselling business. Currently I am behind the scenes, but I occasionally still “hand sell” a book (usually via an email or over the phone, not on the sales floor). And because I am in retail, it might seem odd I would go to the library as I practically have access to any book I want. But sometimes you just have to. I want to see if I would like a book before I buy it, or […]
Seven: A Most Remarkable Pigeon by Sandra Nickel
Seven: A Most Remarkable Pigeon by Sandra Nickel and illustrator Aimée Sicuro is a story about a pigeon, their pigeon community and being yourself. Being yourself is not a new theme, however, with pigeons as the main character it helps make it fresh. This is partly because we learn pigeon behaviors and pigeons are not usually a serious character in a story. This fun read is due early May 2025 and I read via an online reader copy. Which I’m glad I did read before […]
A Color of His Own by Leo Lionni
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst and Ray Cruz
I noticed there was a reading challenge at my local library. I figured it was for kids so I didn’t pay attention to it. Yet, one day I looked at it and noticed one of the categories was “Love Triangle.” Now, I know kids are a lot more mature than I was, but I still don’t think a “Love Triangle” would be in a kids Reading Challenge Bingo. Then, after looking at the libraries website, I noticed that it did say for young adults and […]
Botticelli's Apprentice by Ursula Murray Husted
Botticelli’s Apprentice is a nice cozy read that is not just a “girl wants to paint because can’t because, you know, “girl” story.” While this book is not a “perfect five” (there are a few things I was not 100% liking (sorry Blue, you’re cute, but OMG what a problem pup!) it is almost there. It was a book I read in almost one sitting (and probably would have if it hadn’t been online). Ursula Murray Husted has a story that is about the time, […]
Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass by Meg Medina
I read the graphic novel Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass. I had wanted to read the novel first, but never got around to it. But I found the graphic novel, read it and then found the novel version. And having read the graphic novel first, it was hard not to compare the two, but I tried not to. However, there is a large difference between the two. While the graphic novel has a “today” feeling (21st century) there is a less modern feeling […]
Author vs. Illustrator by Bob Lentz and Donald Lemke
The Unlucky Kid by Bob Holt
Like Lava in My Veins by Derrick Barnes
There is a new genre, (or at least newish to me) that I call “Picture Book Graphic Novel.” I am sure there are others out there, but I have recently found three within a few weeks of each other. This means that the graphic novel panel format is done in the larger, traditional sized picture book and aimed at the picture book crowd, but can allow the older reader access as well. The first two were read via online reader’s copies and the last in […]
