Reviews written by Cherokee Crum, Blog Manager and Staff Reviewer

Unfamiliar with Christina Rossetti’s classic poem, Into the Goblin Market by Vikki VanSickle is the perfect reminder for children not to trust the fae, or strangers who have deals that are too good to be true. This is a spooky but fun story that...

I have enjoyed everything I've read by Lynn Painter to date, but I think Fake Skating takes the win. It has just about everything I could want in a YA romance: hockey, fake dating, miscommunication (even if it is stretched a little too long), dislike to lovers...

Checking You Out was my first introduction to Jennifer Chen's work. It's an adorable and cheesy YA romance with a fantastic concept. I loved the idea of finding love through a secret mysterious admirer at the library. It was so cute that they (Dylan...

I Survived the California Wildfires, 2018 is an exciting graphic novel that does a great job of bringing a real-life disaster to life for a younger audience. The illustrations are bold and action-packed, which really helps to capture the intensity and urgency of a...

I really loved You Are the Land by Steph Littlebird. It’s a quiet story that reads more like a gentle affirmation, something you slow down with rather than rush through. What stood out to me most is the feeling the book leaves you with. It’s...

Big Brain Puzzles: Plant Pandemonium! doesn't have a story, it's all about the puzzles! The illustrations are what immediately stood out to me. They’re bright, fun, and engaging without feeling overwhelming. Every page feels inviting, and the artwork really makes the experience enjoyable. ...

Sweet & Salty! King Arthur Baking Company’s Cookbook for Young Bakers is an outstanding cookbook that truly earns a place in any kitchen, not just for kids, but for beginners of all ages! While it’s designed with young bakers in mind, I was pleasantly surprised by how much...

The Grand Hotel of Feelings Workbook is a wonderfully creative and engaging resource that stands out from traditional “feelings” workbooks in the very best way. Rather than simply labeling emotions or filling in repetitive prompts, this workbook invites readers into an imaginative emotional world where feelings are treated like guests...

The Hex Girls: A Rogue Thorn offers fans of Scooby-Doo a fresh opportunity to spend time with one of the franchise’s most beloved side groups. Rather than centering on Mystery Inc. as a whole, this novel places the Hex Girls, especially Thorn, firmly in the spotlight, giving readers a deeper...

Brain Quest Write & Erase: Alphabet Skills is a bright and practical, kid-friendly workbook that makes early literacy practice feel interactive. It is designed to help young learners build foundational alphabet skills, this activity book blends solid educational content with engaging formats that don’t feel like chores....

Faster Than a Jet, Bigger Than a Whale is a wonderfully informative and visually engaging nonfiction book that takes readers on an exciting journey through scale, size, speed, and comparison. It presents familiar and unfamiliar facts side by side in vivid, creative ways that really make you think....

Bored by Felicita Sala is an absolutely delightful picture book that turns a feeling many parents know well into an opportunity for creativity, wonder, and unexpected adventure. Boredom. The premise is simple but powerful: when a child finds herself with nothing to do, her imagination becomes...

Wild Faith Devotional for Kids is a thoughtful and engaging devotional that uses the wonder of the animal kingdom to spark curiosity and reflection in young readers. Written by Valerie Ellis and illustrated by Jen Bricking, this book offers 52 devotions, each centered around a different animal and paired with...

Everything You Know About the Human Body Is Wrong! by Emma Young, illustrated by Maribel Lechuga, is a nonfiction book that surprises and entertains while it educates. From the very first pages, the sheer amount of fascinating facts packed into this book is astounding. There were plenty of things I...

Dolly Parton’s Billy the Kid Dances His Heart Out is a lively and energetic picture book with a lot of heart and plenty of color. Written by Dolly Parton and Erica S. Perl and brought to life with adorable illustrations by MacKenzie Haley, it offers vibrant visuals and a playful...