This book reminds me of the “How are you peeling” series of books from about 15 years ago. There is a party going on but by who and where. The best part of this book is not the story, the illustrations. The illustrations are actual items such as lemons and donuts and cakes and dogs etc. with add ons like googly eyes. It’s a fun story to get kids active and involved because they’re going to want to make their own stories similar once they read this one 

 

This book picks up right where 11 left off. Emma and Ray have made their way back to the shelter after what happened at Golden Pond. However, we now have new information. From the beginning of this book, you know that there is a human factor looking for the children and out to destroy them. Approximately halfway through the book we also find that there’s a time jump, and we go from being just 2 1/2 months from escape to a year and nine months from escape. In that time the children have been looking for the seven walls. They have few and far between clues, but it is the only hope of their getting into the human world. This series continues to be amazing. According to the notes on the inside of the book this is also when the anime premieres is around the same time book 12 was published. 

 

The battle to take out the hunting ground is still on. There is only one demon left. He’s big, he’s bad, he’s dangerous, and will the kids be able to take him out, maybe? Volume 11 is full of action and full of planning and observation. It moves towards the future of deciding which way the kids will go. But 12 is needed now 

 

In this book Emma has been separated from Ray and this is entirely the Emma show. She is stuck in a town that is technically a hunting ground and her and her new friends.  Her new acquaintances are going to make sure that they make it out alive and the hunting ground no longer exists. This volume was full of action full of blood full of war but the monsters they are a falling. I cannot wait for volume 11 

 

This simple to understand book not only has the various Pride flags, what they mean, where they came from, and  what each flag represents.  I will say the very first few pages and the last pages both about the standard rainbow flag and its newest version, rainbow with diamond is completely repeated.  There was no new information there, it could be cut at the end.  But other than that, this is a great resource. 

 

Chicken Soup for the soul has entered the picture book arena.  Overall, I guess the story works.  I do love the illustrations.  But there is just something about a kid demanding now repeatedly.  I guess this is a great example of gentle parenting that uses reason instead of strict parenting that focuses on obeying.  Maybe for me it is a generational thing.  So, while I didn’t really like it, I can very much see how some families will love it. 

 

This story is loosely based on a Yiddish Folktale called It could Always be worse.   In this book the kids in school hate their lunchroom because it is crowded and noisy.  So, the principle starts adding things to the lunchroom and packing it tighter. Once all things are again emptied out the kids realize they had it pretty good at the start.  I like the parable of this story, but overall, I just did not like the story.  I get the reasoning behind it, but they make the principle seem mean or uncaring.  She smiles while reading the kids letters, but that smile almost seems sinister.  Maybe I am not in the right frame of mind while reading this, but it was just okay, not something I find memorable or that I would want in my collection. 

 

This was an interesting book.  I love how the Spanish language was present throughout without translations (unless you looked in back).  It was a family slipping from one language to another without missing a beat.  It made the book feel very real life.  The story is of a granddaughter making Flan with her grandmother, and accidently breaking the Flan plate.  This was a great intergenerational and intercultural story.  It could be used for some many different story times or activities and I can see it on school library shelves for quite a while. 

 

This book is about loving and taking care of yourself and learning to do so from childhood.  While still a picture book (if a bit long) it is divided into sections (or chapters) each focusing on a different aspect of loving yourself.  It includes sections like Gratitude the Attitude, Be true to Yourself, Acceptance is Beautiful, and Resilience.  Each section has a sing song rhyming patter that works quite well at getting the point across and many parts have additional information or activities for practice.  Plus, the 70’s psychedelic illustrations match perfect to the words.  While an older style, it feels fresh, new, and amazing. 

 

This chapter book, in the form of a picture book, was wonderful.  It is about a stork who thinks their house is haunted.  They call up their friend Pig who says hire a medium and have a seance to figure out who the ghost is and what they want.  Hilarity ensues.  This book was just cute.  It was a bit tongue in cheek with an older style comedy, that all worked well together.  In the past this book was banned for occult teaching, and disobedience to parents.  I see none of that here.  Okay, the occult yes, but not in a bad way.  In a real way, in a fun way.  What I do see if a little issue with consent that I would address if this book were in my collection, but overall, this is a wonderful story I would love to have in my collection.