*Review* School is Full of Superheroes by Michael Dahl

Genre: Children's 4-8 years

Published: January 1, 2024

Pages: 36

DC Comics’ Greatest Superheroes celebrate teachers, librarians, cafeteria workers, and other heroic school figures in this superpowered picture book.

Where in the universe do the most powerful heroes assemble? School, of course! In this action-packed picture book, Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and other DC Comics superheroes mirror the heroic tasks of real-life school figures. A principal leads their school toward a common goal, just like Aquaman commands his schools of sea life. A teacher demonstrates compassion with the same energy as the Amazon Princess, Wonder Woman. School custodians clean classrooms with the lightning-quick speed of The Flash. Written by award-winning author Michael Dahl, this powerful picture book is a Thank You to essential school workers, showcasing their everyday heroism. The perfect Teacher Appreciation gift or an inspiring read-aloud for any young student.

I received a copy of this book through Netgalley. This is my honest review. 

This is a story that seeks to compare the roles of teachers and staff in schools with very recognizable DC superheroes. It's clear the goal is to help the kids relate to the teachers and staff a little more by using characters that they idolize on the screen. It was cutely done. 

The illustrations were so bright and bold. They held true to the appearances of the superheroes used and really helped to show the similarities in a fun way. This would definitely be a good book to read with your young children who are a little newer to a school setting. Overall I give School is Full of Superheroes 3.7934 out of 5 stars. - Katie 

Amazon

Omar Lozano is an artist who have been working in most aspects of the entertaining industry, from comics, children books, to ads and movies. Although he studied business he has always been into art as passion and then as profession.

Michael Dahl is the prolific author of the bestselling Goodnight, Baseball picture book and more than 200 other books for children and young adults. He has won the AEP Distinguished Achievement Award three times for his nonfiction, a Teacher's Choice award from Learning magazine, and a Seal of Excellence from the Creative Child Awards. Dahl currently lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

*Review* Treasures of the Lochs by Hunter White

 

Genre: YA Fantasy

Published: September 12, 2023

Pages: 395

A long-lost treasure, a deadly chase, and a magnificent beast of legends

For almost three hundred years, people have searched for one of the greatest treasures in history—the lost gold of the Scottish Jacobites. Following his father’s death and a brazen late-night break-in at the United States Naval Academy, Lieutenant Carter Porter, his life and career in tatters, unwittingly joins the quest.

In Scotland, Hassie Douglass, a spirited young employee of a luxury inn situated on the picturesque shores of Loch Ness, thinks her prayers have been answered when she stumbles across four old gold coins that may be part of the Jacobite treasure. But she can’t tell anybody how she really found them; they would think she had lost her mind. Who would believe she followed a strange, ethereal voice emanating from the loch? Struggling to accept what she heard, she can’t deny that the gold in her hand is real.

The allure of such a valuable cache draws evil, like the moth to a flame. No sooner does Carter receive a strange bequest from his late father and Hassie’s find is publicized than a shadowy, well-armed group of mercenaries attacks each of them. Soon, Carter’s and Hassie’s fates are joined, and their survival depends on solving more than one ancient mystery while facing their worst nightmares.

Blending historical fact and Scottish legend within an action-packed adventure, Treasures of the Lochs is an exciting, powerful story of faith, friendship, and redemption.

I received the audiobook version of this through Netgalley. This is my honest review. 

This book had a National Treasure vibe to it, but set in Scotland, mostly. The main characters are trying to find a historical, but also mythical, treasure while avoiding people who want the treasure for themselves. Sounds familiar, right? And much like National Treasure there was a fair amount of historical information. As I'm not well versed in Scottish history, I cannot speak on the veracity of that information. There was one rather unexpected twist that I thought was a really nice touch though. 

The narration was solid. The opposite gendered voices didn't come across as caricatures, and at least to my American ear, the Scottish accents for the Scottish characters were well done. 

Overall I give Treasures of the Lochs 3.1785 out of 5 stars because although it was entertaining, it also felt a lot like a story I was already familiar with. - Katie 

Amazon

Hunter H. White practices law in Houston, Texas, where he lives with his wife of over thirty years. He has had a lifelong love of creative writing, and publishing this book has been a dream come true.

https://hunterwhiteauthor.com/

*Review* Blue Ribbon Radishes by Kimberly Derting and Shelli R. Johannes

Genre: Children's 3-8 years

Published: January 1, 2024

Pages: 36

Poppy is determined to win a blue ribbon for her cucumbers at the county fair. But Vincent Van Goat is always butting in—as goats do. He gobbles up her cucumbers before the big day! Poppy must come up with a new plan. Luckily, she knows a lot about fast-growing vegetables—and Vincent’s eating habits. If Poppy works hard enough, she might be able to present something at the fair after all. But will it be enough to win a blue ribbon?

I received a copy of this book through Netgalley. This is my honest review. 

This is a cute story about a girl named Poppy who wants to win  a blue ribbon at the county fair with produce. Her best friend, Vincent Van Goat, eats her first crop, so she builds a fence to keep him out of her radishes. Unfortunately, those radishes just aren't quite good enough to win a prize. But she still leaves with a ribbon for her wonderful goat Vincent. 

This book used really simple and easy sentences, making it great for an early reader. And I honestly kind of liked the twist that Poppy didn't win a ribbon for her produce in the end. The illustrations were really fun and colorful as well. Overall I give Blue Ribbon Radishes 4.0038 out of 5 stars. - Katie 

Amazon

Kimberly Derting is an award-winning author of young adult novels as well as the co-author of Penny, the Engineering Tail of the Fourth Little Pig, and the popular Cece Loves Science picture book series. In college, Kimberly studied biology, but her real experiments are done at home, where she wrangles three kids, one husband, two dogs, a cat, and a rabbit named Thumper.

Shelli R. Johannes is the author of Shine Like a Unicorn, the Theo Thesaurus series, and Florence Nightingale, a new chapter book in Chelsea Clinton's She Persisted series. Shelli is also the co-author of Penny, the Engineering Tale of the Fourth Little Pig, and the Cece Loves Science picture book series. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her British husband, two teens, two needy Goldendoodles, and one super sassy bird.

*Review* The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune

 

Genre: Fantasy

Published: March 17, 2020

Pages: 393

Linus Baker is a by-the-book case worker in the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. He's tasked with determining whether six dangerous magical children are likely to bring about the end of the world.

Arthur Parnassus is the master of the orphanage. He would do anything to keep the children safe, even if it means the world will burn. And his secrets will come to light.

The House in the Cerulean Sea is an enchanting love story, masterfully told, about the profound experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected place—and realizing that family is yours.

This was the pick for one of my book clubs (I'm in eight of them now because I'm in my book club era) and I absolutely adored it. I had made it my walking on the treadmill book and found myself walking longer than intended because I just didn't want to put the book down. 

At first this book gave me some serious Orwell 1984 vibes with the way Linus' department operates. I really thought I was about to be told that the truth is whatever the department says it is. That aspect had me intrigued, but I fell in love when Linus arrived at the island. 

I just can't decide which child I love most. At times I was sure it was fierce Talia, but then it was mischievous Lucy. And yet then along came sweet Chauncey and shy Sal popped up to break my heart. I genuinely have an easier time picking a favorite between my actual children than these fictional ones. 

Then there was the budding relationship between Linus and Arthur. It was really nice having two fairly average looking people also finding love, since most romances feature wildly attractive MCs. 

Overall I give The House in the Cerulean Sea 5.000172 out of 5 stars. - Katie 

Amazon

TJ KLUNE is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling, Lambda Literary Award-winning author of The House in the Cerulean Sea, Under the Whispering Door, In the Lives of Puppets, and the Green Creek Series for adults, the Extraordinaries Series for teens, and more. Being queer himself, Klune believes it's important—now more than ever—to have accurate, positive queer representation in stories.

*Review* The Bounciest Monster on Mill Street by Sarah Sparks

 

Genre: Children's 3-6 years

Published: October 2, 2023

Pages: 32

Becks needed to twirl. She needed to wiggle.
She needed to dance. She needed to giggle.
She needed adventure, excitement, and thrill…
But that also meant, Becks never sat still.

Becks is known for her boundless energy and zest for life, but one day it gets her into a heap of trouble! From muddy messes to a cake catastrophe, and a high-flying journey to the stars—join this high-spirited monster on an unforgettable bouncing escapade down Mill Street (and beyond).

With lively illustrations and playful rhymes, this award-winning adventure is filled with chaos, unexpected challenges, and page after page of laughs. It's a book packed with so much monster-sized fun your child will want to read it again and again!

I received a copy of this book through Netgalley. This is my honest review. 

This was a cute rhyming story about a monster who bounces all over the place until she ultimately makes a huge mess in her kitchen that she then has to clean up. She realizes that all of her bouncing is maybe a bit of a problem, so she makes the effort to be a little less bouncy at times. 

This was just a really silly story, great for the little littles, because it will keep them entertained. The illustrations were really fun and colorful too, which will also help keeping your littles engaged in the story. Overall I give The Bounciest Monster on Mill Street 3.9418 out of 5 stars. - Katie 

Amazon

Sarah Sparks is the author of the Monsters on Mill Street book series. She’s a born storyteller who's been crafting tales as long as she's been chasing adventures. As a teen, she took a leap of faith, hopping on a plane to Edinburgh with dreams of becoming a journalist and barely enough cash in her pocket for bus fare and a coffee. But that leap led to more than just memories; it kickstarted a flourishing career with Sarah's knack for narrative evolving into a booming communications business. Outside of work, she's the mom of three vibrant kiddos, who've grown up on a steady diet of adventure tales and whimsy. Now, Sarah's sharing her stories with young readers everywhere, hoping to spark imagination and bring the wonder of childhood to life on the page.

*Review* Casalvento by Gudrun Cuillo

 

Genre:

Published: June 6, 2023

Pages: 313

Romance and family secrets intertwine in Tuscany.

Erika Germoglio is a self-made woman who has it all—a successful career and a well-connected fiancé—then suddenly has even more. An Italian grandfather she has never met wills to her Casalvento, a house and a vineyard, and Livernano, a medieval village turned bed-and-breakfast, both in the Chianti region of Tuscany.

When Erika travels to Italy to settle the affairs of her inheritance, she meets Paolo, Casalvento’s intelligent, compassionate, and strikingly handsome estate manager and wine maker. And she learns the inheritance comes with a catch—to keep or sell Casalvento and Livernano, she must live there and learn the business of the two estates for five months.

Should she uproot her New York life and embrace all Italy has to offer? And if she chooses Italy, which man will be by her side? Erika struggles with that question while fulfilling the stipulations of the will and trying to make sense of a series of letters left for her by her late grandfather, Craig’s unpredictable attitude when she calls home, and her own feelings whenever she sees Paolo.

Set in the real Casalvento (House of the Wind) of Radda and Livernano in Chianti Siena, Italy, debut author Gudrun Cuillo’s Casalvento will captivate your heart and make you wonder if not only in vino veritas, but also possibly in vino amore e felicità.

I received the audiobook version of this through Netgalley. This is my honest review. 

This story had a bit of an Under the Tuscan Sun feeling to it, likely because they're both set in Italy and while I logically know different regions of Italy operate differently, like California and Kansas are very different, emotionally it's all the same to me. It was really obvious to me that Craig wasn't the perfect fiance he was pretending to be, so I was thrilled that Erika was getting away from him for a while. 

That being said, I didn't feel particularly invested in the story after Erika arrived in Italy. I wasn't bored, but I also wasn't on the edge of my seat wanting to know what would happen next. But it would have been a nice easy beach read if I wasn't land locked in the mountains. 

The narration was acceptable. The diction was easy to understand and the opposite gendered voices didn't feel like caricatures. Overall I give Casalvento 3.1783 out of 5 stars. - Katie 

Amazon

Gudrun Cuillo spent her childhood in Leibnitz, Austria. As a young adult, with her instinctive artistic flair, she joined the opera as an artist-in-residence for stage scenery and makeup. That work eventually took Gudrun to New York to continue her education.

While enjoying traveling throughout the U.S., Gudrun came to Florida where she fell in love with a successful entrepreneur and Broadway producer, Robert Cuillo, who was also Italian American. They married and in the ensuing years they established Casalvento Winery in Radda, Chianti Siena, Italy, and restored Livernano, a nearby medieval village, to its original splendor.

Gudrun has had two career passions: winemaking, which has garnered numerous awards and much recognition for Casalvento Winery, and writing. In her debut novel, Gudrun combines her life experience with her gift for storytelling.

Gudrun spends her time between Austria, Italy, and Palm Beach, Florida.

*Review* Ninja Kitties Kitlandia is In Danger by Rob Hudnut

 

Genre: Children's 5-8 years

Published: May 18, 2022

Pages: 52

Combining an empowering story with engaging play, kids will learn to always be themselves and join Bee-Bee as he learns the same lesson! While his royal kitty siblings are training, Bee-Bee is self-conscious about his own honey powers – he thinks they’re nothing compared to all the cool things his siblings can do and wishes he was more like them. But when Kitlandia falls under attack, Bee-Bee’s honey-sticking powers are exactly what the Ninja Kitties need to save the town and defeat the evil scheme of the Fang Gang. An uplifting Ninja Kitties picture book for kids that teaches them why comparison is the thief of joy, children will also learn to always be themselves because they’re unique in their own special way! There’s only one of them in the entire world – and that’s something special in itself! Also included are exciting activity pages for kids that will help them further their comprehension of the story and its lesson, from crossword puzzles and word searches to mazes, trivia, and seek and find games.

I received a copy of this book through Netgalley. This is my honest review. 

This is a cute story about the Ninja Kitties, focusing mostly on Bee Bee. She feels less important than the other Ninja Kitties and just wants to quit. He just doesn't see how his honey powers can measure up to the powers of his ninja siblings. But when the Fang Gang attacks to dam, it's the stickiness of Bee Bee's honey powers that help to hold it together, saving the day.

I appreciate the message of this story that just because our skills may be different and seem less obviously helpful doesn't mean that they aren't worth something. And you know, sometimes you just need to have faith in yourself. The illustrations were bold and colorful as always and would still make a great coloring book. Overall I give Ninja Kitties Kitlandia is in Danger 4.0638 out of 5 stars. - Katie 

Amazon

Award-winning professional artist Kayomi Harai worked as a commercial art illustrator and animal portrait artist in her native Japan before moving to California. Known for her watercolor paintings of bright-eyed cats in precarious situations, her lifelike artistry has captivated collectors for years. Her works have been exhibited around the world, and are licensed in collectible plates, figurines, puzzles, t-shirts, prints, posters, and greeting cards.