Reviews written by Connie Reid, Site Manager

What I Liked: I loved the message in this book that gifts from the heart don’t have to be expensive. Those crafted and created with love are worthy and nothing to be ashamed about. This was so relatable to how I felt as a kid and how I see my...

What I Liked: I love the concept of this book! In this spiral-bound book, the text is written twice. One side is for the teacher to read and the other side is for the class to see the picture and words. This is perfect for sharing with a group. The...

What I Liked: This simple board book embodies all the joys of getting ready for Halloween. The cats enjoy time at a pumpkin patch, carving their pumpkin, dressing in costume, getting treats, and happily cuddling in their bed. Young children will be able to identify with these events and get...

What I Liked: In this sequel to Once Upon a Broken Heart, we find Evangeline determined to not fall for the Prince of Hearts, Jacks. However, that is easier said than done when he is the only one who comes to her rescue over and over when her new husband,...

What I Liked: I enjoy King Nikolai Lantsov’s wit and determination to provide for his struggling kingdom. He faces enemies all around his borders and has little money to help his people recover from the civil war. Now the darkness that infected him before has started making appearances against his...

What I Loved: Marie Lu’s characters are fully developed with the ability to make the audience ache for their suffering. We see that especially with Talin. The time has finally arrived that the Karensa Federation has won the war against Mara. Talin had the choice to become a Skyhunter and...

What I Loved: This was a very quirky plotline that was irresistible to my middle-grade reader. The premise is that Evil Librarians control the Hushlands (I love the name!) which is the world we all know. Information is controlled by the libraries and we believe what has been presented to...

What I Liked: There’s nothing quite like starting a book with an elephant stampede through an expensive tourist attraction to get a reader hooked right from the beginning. Teddy was on site when someone took a shot at Rhonda the Rhino inside her enclosure. The good news is she is...

What I Liked: Stuart Gibbs explores the plight of animals in this latest addition to the Funjungle series by focusing the plot on human/animal conflict that results from habitat loss. Teddy would like very much not to be involved in any more mysteries after too many near-death experiences in past...

What I Liked There is a lot going on in this book and once again Teddy is the best one to solve the case. He has the support of those at Funjungle now that they have seen him solve too many cases to underestimate him. However, the...

What Worked: Blade Breaker continues as an epic high fantasy fit for those who enjoy the world-building and the journey as much as the eventual destination. The book continues to be told from the alternating perspective of at least one person on all sides involved. In this clash of good...

What Worked: Through the illustrations, color pallet, and gentle words we can feel the character’s deep emotions for the friend that has moved away. This book would be really great for children who are working through their own emotions of grief and longing for friends and family that have moved...

What Worked: Calling all Train fans! This sturdy board book is filled with vibrant photographs of different types of trains. Using words, it has rhymes and rhythms that can be explored as a musical extension during or after reading. I love books that give some suggestions or guidance...

What Worked: This was a darling book filled with vibrant photographs of animals and children. This book is perfect for building a vocabulary of body parts and animals for young children or English language learners. The chosen animals are common favorites of children sure to delight them when...

What Worked: Biscuit and the Great Fall Day is a wonderful addition to the Biscuit series. It follows the tried-and-true format that is so beloved of the little girl and her dog Biscuit having fun together. This book takes place at an apple orchard where the little girl is very...