Righton Books

Fancy Dogs by Tini Malina

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Fancy Dogs by Tini Malina
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For the dog lovers in your life, no matter the age. This book will put a smile on your face and make you nod in agreement. The pictures are cute and the rhymes are silly. I loved the book Selma: The Story of a Stellar Spider, and Tini Malina is showing how versatile an artist she is: from a simple story full of meaning and open to multiple interpretations to something that will put a smile on your face. I can’t wait to read more from this author!

Fancy Dogs by Tini Malina, (List Price: $19.95, NorthSouth Books, 9780735846272, October 2026)

Reviewed by Erika, Righton Books in St Simons Island, GA

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Why You Should Read Children’s Books, Even Though You Are So Old and Wise by Katherine Rundell

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Why You Should Read Children's Books, Even Though You Are So Old and Wise by Katherine Rundell
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This book is short and small and oh-so-sweet. It’s great for gifting to a friend or loved one who shares your nostalgia for children’s books or who perhaps needs a gentle reminder that children’s books can ignite the imagination, reinforce a sense of justice, and expand our perspectives on the world – all in a playful, emotionally unapologetic, and visually appealing manner.

Why You Should Read Children’s Books, Even Though You Are So Old and Wise by Katherine Rundell, (List Price: $17.99, Knopf Books for Young Readers, 9798217230747, September 2026)

Reviewed by Burch, Righton Books in St Simons Island, GA

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Man Overboard! by Kathleen Rooney

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Man Overboard! by Kathleen Rooney
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This is a book you can easily read in one sitting, and I did, because I needed to know what would happen to Kick and what had caused him to find himself floating in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico. Told as a stream of consciousness, we get to float alongside Patrick “Kick” Kilpatrick for almost twenty-four hours as he reflects on his life, takes in the world around him, and has hallucinations in which he converses with sea creatures. You end up feeling very close to this man, and I found myself hoping for a happy ending because I genuinely liked him. But I won’t tell you what happens, because that would ruin the journey for you. A feel-good book, in my opinion. An easy read that glues you to the page from the very first sentence.

Man Overboard! by Kathleen Rooney, (List Price: $27, Gallery Books, 9781668212387, July 2026)

Reviewed by Erika, Righton Books in St Simons Island, GA

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Sea Melt Lover by Yuki Kazami

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Sea Melt Lover by Yuki Kazami
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Incredibly beautiful art. I hope the tiger man got eaten by the Good Boy eels.

Sea Melt Lover by Yuki Kazami, (List Price: $15.99, Seven Seas, 9798897651412, June 2026)

Reviewed by Meagan, Righton Books in St Simons Island, GA

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Toad on the Go by Jashar Awan

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Toad on the Go by Jashar Awan
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I loved the colorful pictures of Toad on the Go, a book about making mistakes and realizing that it’s okay and that all of us make them. Simple story that can help kids admit their mistakes and feel safe… a useful skill in this day and age.

Toad on the Go by Jashar Awan, (List Price: $18.99, Tundra Books, 9781774883501, June 2026)

Reviewed by Erika, Righton Books in St Simons Island, GA

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Land by Maggie O’Farrell

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Land by Maggie O'Farrell
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I loved this book. It is set in Ireland in 1865 after the Great Famine and is chock full of the rich history and mystery and tragedy and beauty that this country lends to many of its novels. It is the multigenerational story of a cartographer and his wife and children who live a rural existence near a mystical, magical copse. The book is beautifully written, and I highly recommend it.

Land by Maggie O’Farrell, (List Price: $32, Knopf, 9780593320648, June 2026)

Reviewed by Burch, Righton Books in St Simons Island, GA

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Every Exquisite Thing by Laura Steven

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Every Exquisite Thing by Laura Steven
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I loved Our Infinite Fates, so when I saw Laura Stevens was coming out with another book, I went wild with excitement. Laura’s way of telling a story is so compelling, and it keeps you focused. I absolutely loved this retelling of Dorian Gray, and it made me want to re-read the classic. Laura did an amazing job setting the story in today’s times, in a fictional academy called Dorian Drama School. She mixed themes that are extremely important in this day and age for girls struggling with their image, self-love, and acceptance. In the right hands, it can be a very powerful book. Laura condemns the beauty industry that forces women to chase an impossible standard, and she does this in a fast-paced, thrilling mystery retelling. I really enjoyed the ending too. It leaves the door open to the mystery of the painter, and I can’t wait to see what Laura will write next!Personal note (not part of the review): I wish there were no explicit scene in the book. I feel this can make it more difficult for the book to reach its audience. Without the open-door scene, this book could easily be recommended to younger young adults and reach a much wider audience.

Every Exquisite Thing by Laura Steven, (List Price: $15, Wednesday Books, 9781250346797, May 2026)

Reviewed by Erika, Righton Books in St Simons Island, GA

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Axolotl-Ella by Kate Messner

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Axolotl-Ella by Kate Messner
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A fun retelling of Cinderella featuring a very empowered Axolotl. What’s not to love? Perfect for the rebel little princess in your life. The book is also filled with interesting facts about these magnificent amphibians!

Axolotl-Ella by Kate Messner, (List Price: $18.99, Ten Speed Young Readers, 9780593837993, June 2026)

Reviewed by Erika, Righton Books in St Simons Island, GA

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Miles Ahead by Minh Lê

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Miles Ahead by Minh Lê
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This book is so adorable. First, seeing Miles pack for his road trip was absolutely adorable, especially when he packs books instead of clothes… I feel seen! The story is just so sweet and sends a great message when it comes to giving. Highly recommended, especially for baby showers.

Miles Ahead by Minh Lê, (List Price: $18.99, Knopf Books for Young Readers, 9780593569207, April 2026)

Reviewed by Erika Patoni, Righton Books in St Simons Island, GA

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The Underwearwolf by Gideon Sterer

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The Underwearwolf by Gideon Sterer
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Who doesn’t love a good story featuring UNDERWEAR? This book will make you laugh out loud, and it will be the perfect gift for that kid in your life who starts giggling at the sound of certain words… like underwear! A laugh-out-loud book, perfect for Halloween but also a book that can be enjoyed all year round.

The Underwearwolf by Gideon Sterer, (List Price: $19.99, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 9781665955584, May 2026)

Reviewed by Erika, Righton Books in St Simons Island, GA

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Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

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Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
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When I first read this novel, it was as if scales fell from my eyes. As Hurston writes, I began to see life “like a great tree in leaf with the things suffered, things enjoyed, things done and undone. Dawn and Doom in the branches.” Get it. Read it. Period.

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, (List Price: $27.99, Amistad, 9780063068537, January 2021)

Reviewed by Jim, Righton Books in St Simons Island, GA

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The Outermost Mouse by Lauren Wolk, Kristen Adam (illus.)

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The Outermost Mouse by Lauren Wolk, Kristen Adam (illus.)
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I was a few pages into this story, and I knew I would have ended up crying. What a beautiful story based on a real house in Cape Cod that stood in the sand dunes for half a century, then was taken away by a storm. I will keep on dreaming that the little mouse landed on a safe place and was able to still enjoy the house, and they had a lot of fun adventures. A tale of the power of Mother Nature and how fleeting possessions are.

The Outermost Mouse by Lauren Wolk, Kristen Adam (illus.), (List Price: $18.99, Dutton Books for Young Readers, 9780593407776, May 2026)

Reviewed by Erika, Righton Books in St Simons Island, GA

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Goldfinches by Mary Oliver

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Goldfinches by Mary Oliver
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Goldfinches by Mary Oliver is a beautiful book with gorgeous artwork and a gentle, thoughtful tone. It’s a wonderful introduction for kids to a great contemporary poet, while still being meaningful and enjoyable for adults. The illustrations are stunning and pair perfectly with the poetry, making this a lovely book to read together or enjoy quietly. This is a great pick for families, classrooms, and anyone who appreciates nature, poetry, and beautiful art.

Goldfinches by Mary Oliver, (List Price: $18.99, Viking Books for Young Readers, 9780593692417, March 2026)

Reviewed by Erika Patoni, in St. Simons Island, Georgia

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The Second Life of Snap by Erin Entrada Kelly

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The Second Life of Snap by Erin Entrada Kelly
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Perfect for fans of The Wild Robot. Kelly created a wonderful story about the friendship between a girl, Zuzu, and her guardian robot, Snap. The book, in only 176 pages, covers a lot of important themes, like AI, climate change, and class. In a dystopian future where the wealthiest control the population with the help of machines, a group of kids tries to get by until an old guardian robot is added to the mix. The book also teaches the power of human connection. A great read. I would not be surprised if Kelly gets another award with this one!

The Second Life of Snap by Erin Entrada Kelly, (List Price: $19.99, Greenwillow Books, 9780063485952, May 2026)

Reviewed by Erika, Righton Books in St Simons Island, GA

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The Feather Wars by James H. McCommons

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The Feather Wars by James H. McCommons
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At a time when species loss is many orders of magnitude greater than the natural background rate, this is an uplifting tale of how a wide range of people — ornithologists, hunters, birders, naturalists, scientists, and capitalists came together in an unlikely alliance to save wading birds and songbirds from the brink of extinction, transforming the American conservation movement in the process.

The Feather Wars by James H. McCommons, (List Price: $33, St. Martin’s Press, 9781250286895, March 2026)

Reviewed by Jim, Righton Books in St Simons Island, Georgia

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