School Library Journal has given a starred review to The Goblin Twins (Crown) by Frances Cha, illustrated by Jaime Kim

See the full review below:

K-Gr 2–At 601 years old, Doki and Kebi are considered babies to the other dokkaebi, a cross between a goblin and spirit with a penchant for tricking humans. Despite the fact that they are twins, the pair could not be more different. For instance, Doki is averse to frightening people, much preferring to give them gifts of gold or silver and enjoy his three abandoned books. Kebi, meanwhile, arguably adores frightening people a bit too much. After learning that they must leave their home, Kebi resists moving into graveyards with their fellow dokkaebi and insists that they find the most haunted house in New York City. They leave Seoul, searching high and low for the perfect home and eventually find a dwelling that is perfectly suited to both of their tastes. Then they prepare for Halloween. The story’s comical conclusion is a frightful delight as the duo participate in the holiday. Cha’s writing is excellently paced and entertaining, while the digital illustrations are filled with bright colors and bring the charming characters to life. A concluding author’s note describes the prominence of dokkaebi in Korean art, history, and folklore, dating back to 37 BCE. VERDICT. Doki and Kebi will find a home in any collection. ­Recommended for purchase.–Olivia Gorecke

The book will be on sale September 5, 2023

Pre- order the book here

(Atheneum) by Jenna Beatrice, illustrated by Erika Lynne Jones is featured in an article in the Washington Post titled It’s Okay for Libraries to be Loud! Take it From Me, a Librarian. The article celebrates the book and talks about the importance of libraries focusing on programs for kids, which can (and maybe should!) get loud.

In addition, the book has been included on Laura Bush’s 2023 Summer Reading List. The list is intended as a resource for parents and caregivers to keep their youngest readers through middle schoolers engaged in reading over the summer break.

Read the article here

See the full list here

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The Historical Novel Society has a great review of All Aboard the Schooltrain (Scholastic) by Glenda Armand, illustrated by Keisha Morris. The book tells the story of third-grader Thelma in 1930’s Mississippi and how her family becomes part of the Great Migration out of the South.

The Historical Novel Society was founded in the UK in 1997 and has since become an international resource for reviews of the best historical novels.

Read the review here

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Publishers Weekly gives a rave review to Abuela’s Super Capa (HarperCollins) by Ana Siqueira, illustrated by Elisa Chavarri. The review says “Chavarri’s hand-painted acrylic gouache and cut-paper illustrations pop with crisp vibrancy.”

Read the Full review here

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Tiny Spoon vs. Little Fork (Hippo Park) by Constance Lombardo, illustrated by Jason Patterson and Dan Abdo has been named an honor book by the Children’s Book Council Anna Dewdney Read-Together Awards.

Congratulations, Constance!

See the awards announcement here

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Shadra Strickland is the guest on The Reading Culture podcast, in an episode entitled Inflection Point: Shadra Strickland Puts the Dash in Author-Illustrator. In the episode, Shadra shares her reading challenge; to encourage reading picture books that make us want to move!

Here the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify.  or here on the Reading Culture Podcast website.

For Shadra’s Reading Challenge, click here

Because of You, John Lewis (Scholastic) by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Keith Henry Brown has been named to the Children’s Book Council Children’s Favorites Award List: Grades 3-5.

See the full list here

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Kirkus has given a starred review to Not A Monster (Charlesbridge) by Claudia Guadalupe Martinez, illustrated by Laura Gonzalez. The book explores the traits of the axolotl; a water based salamander, the Aztec origin myth about the species, and the way pollution is affecting its natural habitat: the canals of Xochimilco in Mexico City.

Kirkus calls the artwork “sublime and earthy.”

Congratulations Laura!

See the full review here

Not a Monster will be published May 9, 2023. Pre-order it here