Picture Book Review: Summer Books

Just a few books perfect for the first day of summer:

Unicorn has always wanted to be a mermaid and Kitty-corn has just the way to make it happen. 

This is a sweet story about dreams and friendship and just being yourself. 

This author and illustrator duo is a must have for library collections. 

It's Mermaid Day! All the mermaids come together to celebrate the ocean. 

The pictures are bright and fun to pour over. There's a lot to look at in this book. There are games, dancing, and food. This is such a fun book and perfect for summer. 

* Book sent for review

Library Recommendation: A must have book for your library mermaid collection. 

Parrotfish has a secret power and he's dying to share it with his friend, the hammerhead shark.

This is a funny book, but it's also chock full of information. Readers will be eager to also learn the secret. 

BookTok: Lunar New Year Love Story

I was super excited to have this book sent for review! 

And here's my review for BookTok

 

@yabooknerdlibrarian You will want to put this one in your reading list! Thank First Second for the review cooy! #lunarnewyear #graphicnovel #yabook #booktok #lovestory ♬ original sound - Jennifer @YA Book Nerd 📚📚📚

Picture Book Review: Friendship Books

Bunny is helping organize the Spring Fair but she decides to put up a message board for folks to ask for help, Soon she's so busy helping everyone that she barely has time for the fair. Luckily her friends have an idea.

Kindness and friendships are the key to this cute story. It's ok to ask for help and it's ok to receive help. 

Kitty is painting a portrait but things get a little messy. Luckily friendship makes it easy to be your messy no so perfect self together. 

A great message about not being perfect and just being yourself. Great illustrations. Another fantastic book from this winning author - illustrator team 

Graphic Novel Review: Friends Forever

* Book 3 in the Friends series *

Shannon's in 8th grade and now has a solid group of friends. But she's still anxious and insecure. Shannon's figuring out how to be happy, how to be herself, and how to feel "normal."

My Thoughts: I adore this series - it's so thought provoking. Because Shannon goes through tough times. Middle school really is the worst. There are SO many feelings in middle school.  Friendship drama is so hard. Feeling insecure is terrible. It's hard figuring out boys. This book is heart wrenching and sad but also hopeful. I hope that this series continues through high school.

And this illustrations are amazingly good.

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: This is a must have series for your school and public libraries.

Picture Book Review: Itty Bitty Kitty Corn

 

Kitty dreams of being a unicorn but her friends tease her. Kitty keeps pretending - until she meets a unicorn. Kitty is sad to meet the unicorn until the unicorn confesses a secret. They both see each other and become the best of friends.

A really sweet book about being seen - even if you can't be the create you'd most like to me. It's about celebrating differences and similarities. And it comes from a dynamite author and illustrator team!

Library Recommendation: Another must have picture book for your school and public libraries

Picture Book Review: Grace Goes to Washington

Grace learns about the different branches of government as she and the rest of the student council decide how to spend money from the school's fundraiser. Everyone has a different idea.

I loved this second Grace book. It talked about compromise, government, voting, and kindness. The message from the book is great. The illustrations are amazing. I loved the quote from Martin Luther King, Jr. about a kind world. There's also an author's note about getting involved. I hope there are many more Grace books to come.

A must have book for your school and public libraries.

Princess in Black: Mysterious playdate

Princess Magnolia has a play date - but what happens when monsters come out during it?  She has to take long breaks. There's no monster in sight, but the alarm sounded. Plus there's another monster fighter in the area, who could it be? And does she know the Princess in Black's true identity?

My Thoughts: I was finally able to get my hands on this book; it came out in September. It was super cute. I loved how the monster blended in. I loved the play date - both as the Princesses and as monster hunters. Another winner for the series!

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library
Final Thoughts: If you don't have this series in your library, what are you waiting for?

Graphic Novel Review: Real Friends

Shannon's best friend moved away. While she found a new best friend, it just wasn't the same. When Adrienne moves back, Shannon couldn't be happier. Everything will be back to normal.

Except it isn't. Adrienne's happy to be friends with Shannon, but she wants to hang out with other girls too. She becomes friends with the popular girls. Shannon joins them, but the popular girls don't seem to like her as much. And they are sometimes mean.

Shannon wishes they could break away from the group. But then she might have no friends. Is having no friends worse than having mean friends?

My Thoughts: A hard book to read, but I devoured it. It's hard to read because it's true and it hits home. Middle school is the worst for friendship and figuring out life. Girls are mean. You're insecure. It's just a cycle. I really liked this book and how it ended. It should be required reading for all middle schoolers because it's that good and that important. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library

Librarian Recommendation: Buy this one immediately. And give it to everyone!