"There is no time of day or night that is not magical here.” – Kirkus Reviews
From the Kirkus review for The Faraway Forest: Hester’s Big Dream by Debbie Fong (Chronicle Books):
“The book kicks off with a warm orange sunset and concludes beneath a deep blue, starry sky; there is no time of day or night that is not magical here. The Faraway Forest’s denizens are universally kind, inviting types. Wally the raccoon, star of the previous book in this series, makes an appearance, though readers can start with this title and not miss a beat.”
Congrats, Debbie!
School Library Journal review: Chibi Big Emotions (How to Draw Kawaii Manga series) by Misako Rocks!
School Library Journal review: Chibi Big Emotions (How to Draw Kawaii Manga series) by Misako Rocks!
“Rocks! (Bounce Back) takes readers step-by-step through the process of illustrating chibi characters in this upbeat how-to book. Chibi is the Japanese word for small, and chibi characters are toddler-shaped, cute, and highly emotional. Artists often use chibi versions of characters to express strong feelings, and some manga characters, such as the Guardian Characters in “Shugo Chara!” are always drawn as chibis. While many how-to-draw manga books focus only on character designs and ignore the rest of the manga-making process, this book starts with the basics, explaining how to render chibi faces and hair, then moves on to full bodies, fashion, and how to use chibis for different kinds of storytelling. Younger students may struggle to follow the instructions, but budding artists of all ages can enjoy copying the super-cute illustrations. Some of the pages are designed to be drawn on, but they also have QR codes that allow users to print pages for their own use. Other QR codes in the book link to the author’s video tutorials. VERDICT With a cheery tone and lots of examples to reference, this is a great how-to book for budding manga artists.”
"A droll sequel… [with] a nuanced view of what it means to be a hero.” – Kirkus Reviews
From Kirkus' review of Punycorn and the Princess of Thieves by Andi Watson:
Multiple quests bring ogres, hooded necromancers, and unlikely heroes to Verdigris Forest, domain of the feared Robin, Princess of Thieves.
In this follow-up to 2023’s Punycorn, our unicorn hero searches for a grimoire and mystical weapons, dubbed “Nosepicker” and “Spork of Slaughter,” all of which have been stolen. This quest draws the doughty if diminutive unicorn into a rematch with hulking Sir Ogre, equally thick of brain and brawn, and the ogre’s clever little sister, Sixsmith. Into the scrum, Watson pitches both a set of pacifistic (though scary-looking) necromancers and a robber who turns out to be the most principled of thieves.
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"A powerful graphic novel focused on five teens who have desperately crossed the border into the U.S." - Ms Magazine
"This is a powerful graphic novel focused on five teens who have desperately crossed the border into the U.S. to better their own lives and those of their families.
The author’s proceeds go to organizations supporting unaccompanied refugee minors."
From Ms Magazine's "June 2023 Reads for the Rest of Us" on UNACCOMPANIED by Tracy White
Kirkus Reviews: UNACCOMPANIED by Tracy White
From Kirkus Reviews:
"A documentary-style account dramatizes the situations of many teen asylum seekers.
Spare, striking, black-and-white illustrations portray five teens fleeing dangerous situations and making hazardous journeys to the U.S.... This fast-paced, relatable work is informative and enlightening, treating its subjects with respect."