Can You Find Taylor? Seek-and-Find Board Book - ADVISABLE

Can You Find Taylor? Seek-and-Find BOARD BOOK. Tiger Tales, 2025. $10. 9781664351851

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, ADULT - GIFT - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Enjoy nine pages of Taylor Swift hunting. Lots of pages also have 13 other things to find. Swifties young and old will have a fun time searching on each page. Even after searching, you can still spend time enjoying each scene.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Castle in the Sky: The Official Cookbook by Studio Ghibli - GIFT

Castle in the Sky: The Official Cookbook by Studio Ghibli, 64 pages. VIZ Media, 2025. $17.

Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - GIFT

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SOME

This cookbook tells an abbreviated version of Sheeta’s story from the movie in order to showcase its recipes in context—like the breakfast Sheeta and Pazu share in a cave and the stew Sheeta makes for the airship pirates. Then there are extra recipes at the end that are inspired by the movie—including candy shaped like the crystal necklace!

Each recipe includes a difficulty indicator; the majority of them are labeled as “easy,” and only one is at the highest level of “difficult.” I love the idea of getting young readers more excited about the characters and action by using the recipes in this cookbook to add more immersion to the experience—not to mention developing a new skill. The mature content rating is for mentions of alcohol, and the violence rating is for mild assault, battle scenes, and gun use.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

Santa’s Workshop by Design Eye (Quarto) - ESSENTIAL

Santa’s Workshop by Design Eye (Quarto), 2023. $30. 9781836001027

BUYING ADVISORY: GIFT  - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

The elves at the North Pole have come together to write a handbook about the goings-on in their workshop and home. And because they are elves, they have made things extra special by including an interactive workshop with a large cast of characters to make-up your own stories with.

Being as I am, I put the workshop together without seeing the instructions on the last page of the booklet - and I did just fine.  I can think of three little ones (besides myself) that I want to gift this to this Christmas. I will also be buying a set to add to my personal Christmas decorations!

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (Story Fold Classics) - ADVISABLE

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (Story Fold Classics), 263 pages. Design Eye (Quarto), 2024. $15. 9781836001423

BUYING ADVISORY: GIFT - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Design Eye has taken the classic Christmas story and published it in a very beautiful cover, with illustrated and colored pages.  What makes this version really special, and best suited as a gift, is that as you read the book you fold each page (lines provided), so that by the time you finish the book you now also have a Christmas display piece.  

I haven’t finished the book, so I haven’t seen the final product, but I have my suspicions.  As someone who is book-folding-challenged, I appreciate the guiding lines. This seems to be the first in what I hope is going to be a series of collectable foldables. It would be fun to read this aloud at bedtime together and mark your progress with the folds.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

runDisney: The Official Guide to Racing Around the Parks by Scott Douglas - GIFT

runDisney: The Official Guide to Racing Around the Parks by Scott Douglas, 136 pages. Disney Editions, 2024. $20

BUYING ADVISORY: GIFT - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Douglas, a professional runner and avid Disney fan, gives us the low down on running in general and about all of the Disney events in particular. The running advice is very practical and useful, and takes up most of the book. Sprinkled in are photos from Disney events - to keep up the Disney interest. You definitely have to plan way ahead to attend a Disney event, so knowing which races are available at what time of year is a big help. Then you can spend time on the event website to know when tickets are available and how much you need to budget! If you are or know a Disney fan and runner, this is a A+ gift for any occasion.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Life Log by Lea Redmond and Andrea Tsurumi - OPTIONAL

Life Log by Lea Redmond, illustrated by Andrea Tsurumi, 96 pages. NON-FICTION. Chronicle Books, 2022. $15. 9781452166247

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - GIFT - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

This is an interactive book meant to be personalized by writing and coloring in it, so it would NOT be a recommended purchase for a library. It teaches ways to collect data and log observations, patterns and details using different infographic techniques. The first ten pages are very wordy in describing various infographics. Once you make it through the text-heavy intro pages, the book is filled with about a dozen fun data-collecting activities like "Bubble Gum Contest - which brand blows bigger bubbles?" and "The Life of a Pencil - how long does my pencil last?"

I think the data-collecting activities in this book are a fun way to encourage non-digital activity and could be enjoyed by a child on their own or with family or friends. Some of the activities require documenting over time, while others can be done in one afternoon. I think the book does a good job of showing that observation and collecting data can be interesting and fun, and some of the activities are things I'd enjoy doing with my own kids.

Angie Campbell - EL Librarian https://www.kingsenglish.com/book/9781452166247

Eragon by Christopher Paolini and Sidharth Chaturvedi - ESSENTIAL

Eragon by Christopher Paolini, illustrated by Sidharth Chaturvedi, 360 pages. Young Adult Knopf (Random House), 2023. $46 

Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: PG (loss, grief, danger);  Violence: PG-13 (battles, killings) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS, ADULT, GIFT - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

15yo Eragon discovers he is more than a poor farm boy, but a Dragon Rider, when he discovers a blue rock that hatches into a dragon. Adventure, magic, and incredible danger ensue as he finds himself thrust into a power struggle that could save or destroy the Empire. 

This is the first illustrated version, and it coincides with the 20th anniversary of the book's hardcover release. The illustrations are beautifully done and add to the mystique of the book. Fans of the Inheritance Cycle will love it. The book's size is larger (9 1/2x11) but will make a statement on any bookshelf. The main characters come from a wide variety of races and cultures found in fantasy. 

Michelle in the Middle 

Sacred Days, Sacred Songs by Michael D. Young - GIFT

Sacred Days, Sacred Songs by Michael D. Young, 85 pages. NONFICTION. Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2024. $16.

Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: HS, ADULT - GIFT

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Young presents two hymns for each day of Holy Week, Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday. Each day focuses on an attribute of Christ and talks about the history of the hymns and those who wrote them.

Following along with this book is a beautiful way to use music to celebrate the Easter season. There is power in the magic of lyrics, and the songs mean more when they are coupled with the history of how they came to be written. We are not the first ones to hear and sing these songs with sincerity, and we will not be the last.

Songs are included from European, American, and African American writers. The violence rating is for discussions and  mild descriptions of blood, animal sacrifice, and crucifixion.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Kawaii Cafe Bubble Tea by Stacey Kwong and Beyah del Mundo - GIFT

Kawaii Cafe Bubble Tea by Stacey Kwong and Beyah del Mundo, 123 pages. Rock Point, 2024. $15.

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - GIFT

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Stacey and Beyah share a little bit about their journey into the boba business as they share some of their recipes with boba fans!

The cookbook was surprisingly informative regarding different kinds of boba, though they keep it short and sweet to not bore readers. I also appreciate how they foster creativity in their readers, giving some building blocks and encouraging readers to try their own variations.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Love Every Day by Alexandra H. Solomon, PhD - GIFT

Love Every Day by Alexandra H. Solomon, PhD, 300 pages. NONFICTION. PESI Publishing Inc, 2023. $25.

Language: PG-13 (22 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: R; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: ADULT - GIFT

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

We all need a little reminder of the worth of our relationships—that they are worth putting hard work into. Solomon encourages readers with a short tip to read each day of the year about love, connection, and relationships. These tips cover a range of love: loving yourself, loving your family, and loving your partner.

Solomon shares some of her personal experiences as well as practical examples from what she’s seen in her practice as a clinical psychologist, and I found the examples to be the most interesting parts. Most of the examples are much shorter than I would have expected; Solomon points out the little things we tell ourselves and each other that make big differences.

Solomon is clear that these daily tips are not only for heterosexual couples and most of the examples are given without pronouns. Note that uses of “eff” and “effing” are not uncommon. The mature content rating is for mentions of alcohol, drugs, and pornography; implied masturbation; and for discussions of sex, orgasm, foreplay, and genitalia. The violence rating is for brief discussions of abusive relationships, including sexual abuse.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

HANGED! Mary Surratt & the Plot to Assassinate Abraham Lincoln by Sarah Miller - ESSENTIAL

HANGED! Mary Surratt & the Plot to Assassinate Abraham Lincoln by Sarah Miller, 333 pages. NON-FICTION Random House Studio (Random House). 2022. $19 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG-13 (death of Lincoln, hangings) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS, ADULT, GIFT - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Mary Surratt will go down in history as the only women hanged for treason by the United States Government for her role as a conspirator in the death of Abraham Lincoln. Was she truly the evil villain the press painted her out to be or was she a victim of proximity and the power of public perception? 

 Meticulously researched, all dialogue in the book is from primary source documents. This is a fascinating look at civil rights during a perceived threat. The reader is left to determine for themselves whether they think Mary is innocent or guilty. Anyone who is a fan of history, cold cases, or the miscarriage of civil rights, will find this a gripping read. The only downside is the book's length, which is longish. Well written, this is an engaging story of an intriguing woman during a difficult time in history. 

 Michelle in the Middle

The Imagineering Story by Leslie Iwerks - GIFT

The Imagineering Story: the official biography of Walt Disney Imagineering by Leslie Iwerks, 721 pages. Disney, 2023. $35. 

BUYING ADVISORY: GIFT - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Hardcore Disney lovers – especially those yearning for more background information about the history of Disney and the Imagineers – will fall in love with this masterwork by Leslie Iwerks – the granddaughter and daughter of two Disney Legends – Ib and Don Iwerks. Leslie draws from personal interviews and rich Disney source material to bring to life a comprehensive look at the history of Imagineering. At 700+ pages, it is weighty – only a few photographs grace the pages. 

 Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

The Art of Alice & Martin Provensen by Alice and Martin Provensen - GIFT

The Art of Alice & Martin Provensen by Alice and Martin Provensen 240 pages. NON-FICTION, Monograph Chroma Chronicle/Blue Apple. 2022 $35 

Content: G. 

BUYING ADVISORY: ADULT - GIFT 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Alice and Martin Provensen wrote and illustrated more than 40 children's books, this is a collection of their art. Many of their books were "Little Golden Books" and the art style and is reminiscent of that time. There are also illustrations of their trips to Europe, as well as their Caldecott winning book "The Glorious Flight". The book includes an interview with their daughter, who sprinkles in quotes from her parents' speeches along with her own memories growing up with them on their lovely farm. Also included is the full text text of their Caldecott acceptance speech, and an address the following year at ALA. 

I would consider this a coffee table book, directed to an adult audience. What text there is is in very small print, and it's not the text of their books. Only the illustrations from the books, and their original art are included. I know some lovely retired librarians who will adore this book. 

Lisa Librarian

The Official Disney Parks Cookbook by Pam Brandon & the Disney Chefs - GIFT

The Official Disney Parks Cookbook: 101 magical recipes from the delicious Disney vault by Pam Brandon & the Disney Chefs, 185 pages. Disney Editions, 2022. $20

Mature Content: PG (some recipes use alcohol)

BUYING ADVISORY: ADULTS, GIFT - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Brandon brings us 101 new recipes from across the Disney universe – from inside the parks, of course, but also the resort kitchens. Includes simple snacks and sophisticated entrees. When my daughter saw the recipe for the Batuuan Ronto Wrap, she was sold! Because of the alcoholic drink recipes, though, more a gift or personal buy than a school library purchase.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

Diary Svetlana Chmakova - GIFT

Diary Svetlana Chmakova, 90 pages. INTERACTIVE Jy (Yen Press). 2019. $13 

Content: G. 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - GIFT 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

13yo Jaime Thompson is a scientist/engineer, and he hates that the kids in the middle school Science Club tease him because he is friends with a girl. Peppi gets teased, too, by the kids in Art Club. They are working together on a Time Capsule project, to be opened in 100 years. But when Jaime sees some artwork of Peppi's (hearts around the name Jesse) his friends tell him she must like someone. Now Jaime's afraid he will lose his friend. Maribella is living temporarily with her grandmother while her parents work out some things. So she's left Berrybrook Middle and is living in an old-fashioned town and going to a new school. She has trouble making friends on her first day but gets invited to a sleepover. It doesn't go well. 

Diary is just that. A Diary. Includes an 18-month calendar/scheduler, stickers, 2- 26 page graphic stories; a drawing lesson and 68 "sketch a day" entries, some with ideas; a cartooning tutorial, blank diary pages, and several spots for recorded stuff about your favorite people. A great gift for a fan of the Berrybrook Series, but not recommended as a library purchase (which is unfortunate, as the series is alphabetical - Awkward, Brave, Crush, Diary, Enemies) The characters, as always are multicultural and diverse. 

Lisa Librarian

An Advent Carols Countdown by Michael D. Young - OPTIONAL

An Advent Carols Countdown by Michael D. Young, 98 pages. NONFICTION, SHORT STORIES. Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2022. $16.

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL; GIFT - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Twenty-four Christmas songs – one for each day of December leading up to Christmas. Each section has the lyrics of a carol, a QR code to listen to the song, and some background information about where and when the song came from. Young has compiled some new Christmas stories to share this upcoming Christmas season – and maybe a new song, too!

I didn’t know that so many different countries, languages, writers, and composers brought my favorite Christmas songs to life. Some of the carols mentioned have roots stretching back to 129 AD and some have only been around as I know them since 1995, putting songs next to each other in a familiar way that their original creators could not have foreseen. Young talks about songs that have traveled through Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, the Holy Land, the United Kingdom, and America, which has helped me feel more united with Christmas celebrators around the world – and it’s only August!

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen 

Life is Better with Friends by Micol Ostow - OPTIONAL

Life is Better with Friends by Micol Ostow. PICTURE BOOK. Scholastic, 2021. $18. 9781338787306

BUYING ADVISORY: ADULTS – OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Ostow gives as a bobblehead-like look at the Friends tv show. 

Another case of the subject matter not matching a picture book audience. At least I hope adults don’t watch the show with elementary aged children. But adults who know the show will enjoy this look back at the six Friends. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling, designed and illustrated by Minalima - ESSENTIAL

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling, designed and illustrated by Minalima. Scholastic, 2020. $38. 9781338596700 

Content: G (some danger) 

 BUYING ADVISORY: GIFT, EL, MS, HS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

You are probably familiar with Harry Potter – the books and the movies. You may already own the illustrated version by Jay Kim. However – you have never seen Harry Potter the way Minalima has treated it. Worth every single penny of the $38 price. And better than the first illustrated version because this one is the perfect size for a library shelf! Illustrations on every page – mostly color, and several pull-open interactive bits (move the eyes on one of the portraits, open Harry’s Hogwarts letter, etc.). Love, Love, Love it! This is a gift-giving must for so many people on my list! 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

The Unofficial Disney Parks Drink Recipe Book by Ashley Craft - ADVISABLE

The Unofficial Disney Parks Drink Recipe Book by Ashley Craft, 224 pages. Adams Media (Simon), 2021. $17

Content: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: GIFT - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Craft has written the perfect complement to her previous book – The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook – by giving a wide range of Disney drinks to round out your next gathering. I love the tidbits of history that accompany each recipe. If you drink your way around the park (with or without alcohol), you will very much enjoy not just reading about the various drinks, but also trying out the recipes - both with or without alcohol. I will caution – many of the drinks require what can seem like exotic ingredients. But ready-made syrups are available commercially and the effort to recreate that Disney touch will dazzle your family and friends. Throw on some Disney tunes, think back to those days at the Parks, and sip your cares away. 

 Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook by Ashley Craft - HIGH

The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook by Ashley Craft, 226 pages. Adams Media (Simon), 2020. $22. 9781507214510 

BUYING ADVISORY: GIFT - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

How much do you love Disney? Especially the Disney parks! And the food? Of course you do, just like I do. Craft not only gives us recipes based on actual food served in the past or present in Disney’s US Parks, but she organizes the recipes by park and gives snippets of history. I was drooling by the time I finished. I love that the book is not recipes inspired by Disney food, but she has tried to replicate the actual food we all fell in love with. Many of them are very simple – others will take some skill, but the fun is in the memories as much as they are in the food. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS