Staff Picks by Tag

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Let's Do Everything and Nothing By Julia Kuo, Julia Kuo (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Julia Kuo, Julia Kuo (Illustrator)
$18.99
ISBN: 9781250774347
Availability: On our shelves now at one or more of our stores
Published: Roaring Brook Press - March 22nd, 2022

As a kid, every moment seems so big. As an adult, we rush past the small events. This book, with its lyrical prose and lush images, reminds us to take the time to slow down, speed up, and share in all the moments inbetween.


Review by Alex

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Eyes That Kiss in the Corners By Joanna Ho, Dung Ho (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Joanna Ho, Dung Ho (Illustrator)
$17.99
ISBN: 9780062915627
Availability: On our shelves now at one or more of our stores
Published: HarperCollins - January 5th, 2021

A little kid celebrates how her eyes are like her mother's, her grandmother's, and her baby sister's. A beautiful book of belonging.


Review by Alex

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Cress Watercress By Gregory Maguire, David Litchfield (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Gregory Maguire, David Litchfield (Illustrator)
$19.99
ISBN: 9781536211009
Availability: On our shelves now at one or more of our stores
Published: Candlewick - March 29th, 2022

Cress Watercress adventures into Hunter's Wood with her mother, and her little brother Kip. Cress is frustrated and sometimes frightened by her new surroundings and the new creatures she encounters. There's humor, along with some menace, in this complex neighborhood and Cress is no simple bunny - she's taking risks and avoiding them too, wondering what to want and what's enough. Gregory Maguire's writing is energetic and surprising - every character has a distinctive voice: "Make a note of it!" 

The luminous, jewel-toned illustrations from David Litchfield saturate the pages and set this book entirely apart. I can't decide if this is a perfect solo-reading adventure or chapter-a-night read-aloud, but I loved Cress Watercress.


Review by Laura

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Grow: A Family Guide to Plants and How to Grow Them (In Our Nature) By Riz Reyes, Sara Boccaccini Meadows (Illustrator) Cover Image
$22.99
ISBN: 9781419756658
Availability: On our shelves now at one or more of our stores
Published: Magic Cat - March 1st, 2022

This beautiful book is full of cool and useful information about some of our favorite fruits, herbs, veggies, fungi, and flowers! Whether you want to grow your own kale or learn about the history of the pineapple, this is the book for you. 


Review by Alyson

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Make Meatballs Sing: The Life and Art of Corita Kent By Matthew Burgess, Kara Kramer (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Matthew Burgess, Kara Kramer (Illustrator)
$18.95
ISBN: 9781592703166
Availability: On our shelves now at one or more of our stores
Published: Enchanted Lion Books - September 7th, 2021

Longer-format non-fiction picture book – a favorite! About the amazing life of Sister Corita Kent, an amazing and tireless artist and teacher. Kent used many techniques, including screen printing, for her art that pursued themes of social justice and community.


Review by Laura

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High Rhulain: A Tale from Redwall By Brian Jacques Cover Image
$9.99
ISBN: 9780142409381
Availability: On our shelves now at one or more of our stores
Published: Firebird - March 13th, 2008

I started reading this series when I was 8, I am now 34 and I still re-read it and get new things out of it. Does your kid looove the Warriors series? Their mind will be blown by the world of Redwall. Imagine, if you will, an egalitarian community of woodland creatures who fight tyranny, go on epic quests, and throw the best parties with the most scrumptious and elaborate meals you've ever read about. 

Every creature, big or small, shy or outgoing, regardless of gender, is valued and has an important role to play. Sometimes it's a formerly enslaved squirrel, or maybe a mute badger grandmother, or perhaps a young ottermaid who has perfect aim with a slingstone...


Review by Anje