Tubby and Coos

Everything Grows in Jiddo’s Garden by Jenan Matari

Childrens, Juvenile Fiction, Middle Eastern & Arab American

This beautiful picture book, inspired by the true story of the author’s grandfather being expelled from Palestine during the Nakba, is a true honoring of Palestinian culture and a celebration of love, belonging, and connection to the land. The gorgeous illustrations and story about discovering who you are through the land made me cry into my coffee. A truly wonderful book that belongs on every child’s shelf!

Everything Grows in Jiddo’s Garden by Jenan Matari, (List Price: $19.95, Crocodile Books, 9781623716110, September 2025)

Reviewed by Candice Huber, Tubby & Coo’s Traveling Book Shop in New Orleans, Louisiana

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The Girl from the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag

Banned Books, Comics & Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Young Adult Fiction

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This adorable graphic novel about a shape-shifting selkie and a teen lesbian who hasn’t fully accepted her queerness is heartwarming and heartbreaking all at the same time. This is a great book for young queer people with a diverse cast of characters and a lovely sapphic romance that you can easily devour in one sitting. Can’t wait to get this into the hands of young readers!

The Girl from the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag, (List Price: $14.99, Graphix, 9781338540574, June 2021)

Reviewed by Candice Huber, Tubby & Coo’s Traveling Book Shop in New Orleans, Louisiana

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The Water Outlaws by S. L. Huang

Adult Fiction, Epic, Fantasy, Fiction

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Get the audiobook

This is a long book and took me forever to read, but I really fell in love with the bandits of Liangshan, and the second half of the book is packed with action. Worth a read for sure, especially if you like Chinese martial arts!

The Water Outlaws by S. L. Huang, (List Price: $18.99, Tordotcom, 9781250847980, May 2024)

Reviewed by Candice Huber, Tubby & Coo’s Traveling Book Shop in New Orleans, Louisiana