Do not mistakenly think this is a middle grade book like the author's last book.  It is not.  The mermaids are thirsty because they want to get drunk.  These are party mermaids looking to have fun.  One of the group says, hey I can give us legs and we can walk on land to find more bubbly drink.  And she does exactly that.  But she forgets to tell them she doesn’t know the counter spell.  This book is about the mermaid's life on land, and the hunt for the counter spell.  It is funny, it is heartfelt.  This is not the little mermaid.  It is better.  It is about a found family, and all the joys that can bring.  It is incredibly inclusive, and it feels natural, not forced.  I loved this all around and think my book club will as well. 

 If you are a fan of Jenny Han, the Kissing Booth books, then you will love this book.  Alison Greene has always dreamed of being valedictorian of her school.  She is so close, but it is a tight race.  She will do anything for extra brownie points or consideration.  Even produce the schools annual play.  This year is Shakespear, and it may just kill her.  The book is all about Alison growing into a person and learning that there is more to school experiences than good grades.  There is a sapphic romance between Allison and an actor, but it is not the main point.  I love how this book shows off how confused someone can be.  Allison has never made a big deal about being gay.  To her, she is out, but only family and her best friend know, so is she really out?  And why does she have to be out?  She doesn’t need the big scene, or so she thinks.  This book is charming.  Allison may be the main character and most things revolve around her, but it has a great secondary cast that will keep a smile on the reader's face and maybe even laugh out loud.  This book is Netflix ready and is awaiting it’s curtain call. 

 This story is way to long.  And the author tries to tackle to many subjects in one telling.  He even warns the reader he will do just that.  He sends a bunch of animals to Christmas Island Australia for camp. In This camp they learn about or experience all things going on in the world right now: species diversity devastation, pandemic, climate change, morality slide, etc.  It is just too much all at once. 

 This is such a simple story, but it’s heartfelt message will last forever.  It feels like your grandfather telling you of the time all the Christmas lights went out.  Which is what happens in this book.  And the grandfather remembers long ago Christmases without the lights, and with simple stars cut from gold paper.  Not only is this story beautiful, so are the illustrations.  They have an old world feeling, but they seem lit from behind the pages.  This was a wonderful story that should be passed on to new generations. 

 Mostly I like this Book.  Leilong is a big boisterous green dino.  He just wants to go to the library for story time.  Overall this book is exactly what you expect from the title.  However, I do wonder if the author is a librarian, or bothered to talk to a librarian about policy because there are multiple times where the librarians in the story tell Leilong he can not come in because he doesn't have a card.  They don’t even offer to get them a card.  I do not know of a single public library in the US that will not let you enter the building without a card.  Usually you only need the card to walk out of the door with materials, or to download digital materials.  I have never heard of a library that makes you show your library card to attend story time.  So except for that mistake, I do like this book. 

 When was the last time a picture book made you want to cry with happiness?  This one right here, this almost did it.  This book is all about what kids do not like being asked.  It starts with “I can think of better things to ask than if I’m a goy or a girl.”  And you have all forms of questions about why people are the way they are.  And so many topics are covered in such a smart way.  It is simply lovely.  I constantly recommend The Human Race by Jamie Lee Curtis as a way to explain how people are different.  This book is going on the same list because it doesn't try to explain the human race, instead it says, who cares, I am human, and I have value!.  I absolutely LOVED This BOOK!. 

 

Jo Ellen Bogart 

 This book has a giant flaw.  At first it seems innocent and cute, until you realize the mice are resorting to violence to get what they want.  Elephants are big and they like to look at the sky.  They do not pay attention to where they are walking.  Mice are little and constantly in fear of the elephants crushing them.  The story mentions that someone tried to talk to the elephants, but they were closed minded and didn’t listen.  So the mice retaliated by asking their cousins to help out by dropping pepper all over the elephants to make them sneeze and look down.  The mice are complaining that the elephants are bullies, but they really are not.  They are not intentionally trying to step on the mice.  However the mice purposely cause the elephants to be sick.  I think the author mislabeled who the bully was. Plus as I read this, I see so many issues that you would see in our news, groups of people mad about how things are going down, and wanting to do something like kick people out of the country, or threats to “take over” or even do harm to people.  This book goes entirely in the wrong direction.  It’s almost like a certain orange political figure telling their followers to “stop the steal” only in this case it is mice saying, hey those guys are bullies, just because they are big.  I really wanted to like this one, and I just can't. 

 I liked this book.  The overall message is to not bottle or in Berta’s case box everything in.  Emotions, feelings, etc.  They need to come out sometimes and that is okay.  I don’t like the cover.  It is not indicative of the lush drawings found in the pages.  Pump up the cover and this book is sure to fly off library shelves. 

 This book was a sweet listen.  Two ladies who fall in love on the subway, but destined to be apart until the time gap can be filled.  Yes this is a time travel novel.  I didn;t expect that, and while that is one of my least favorite tropes, here it works.  Jane is stuck.  She has been stuck on the Q train for over 40 years, but does not realize that time has passed.  August is cynical, and trying to find the meaning of life, and a path for her future.  She had an interesting childhood which has left her closed off, and warry around cute girls.  This was a fun romp of a romance.  Sometimes it felt too long and drawn out but in the end it was worth it.  The surrounding cast of characters are a riot.  It feels like boho New York has come to life between the pages.  Overall this was a fun read.  Casey McQuinton is on a hot streak.