There’s always that one book that’s so weird it’s wonderful. If that’s your holiday jam, Stickler will definitely stick with you. And yeah, we all know that one kid who really might just love a really cool stick for Christmas.
A Stickler Christmas by Lane Smith, (List Price: $18.99, Random House Studio, 9780593815281, October 2024)
Reviewed by Angie Tally, The Country Bookshop in Southern Pines, North Carolina
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Rene and Glumfoot have a fine dining establishment in an enchanted wooded area. An ogre comes for a meal, and they get more than they bargained for. Teamwork saves the day! If you like books about ogres, this book has it all!
The Café at the Edge of the Woods by Mikey Please, (List Price: $19.99, HarperCollins, 9780063345492, October 2024)
Reviewed by Sheri Bancroft, Novel. in Memphis, Tennessee
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Somewhere, sometime, you may come across a rock. When you do, remember that it’s not just a rock. It holds memories. And like memories, rocks come in all shapes and sizes. Some happy, some blue, some too big to understand. So, if you see a cool rock, take it, I won’t tell.
When You Find the Right Rock by Mary Lyn Ray, (List Price: $18.99, Chronicle Books, 9781797214580, September 2024)
Reviewed by Jamie Kovacs, Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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The Hotel Balzaar reminds me a bit of a Wes Anderson film. The story plays out as collection of highly stylized scenes, gathered into Acts, with the artifice on full display alongside the narrative. Not unlike watching a play unfolding upon a stage, and all to a very pleasing effect! The Hotel Balzaar brings an experienced reader a familiar setting and a familiar character in Marta, a curious young girl living out of sight in an old but posh hotel where her mother is a maid and her father is away at war. The hotel and its denizens are described in just enough rich detail to make it real but not so much as to get in the way of its magical story. Marta and the mysterious Countess, who arrives one day with a glorious parrot upon her shoulder and stories to share, are quite dynamic and engaging characters for a novella-length book.A great companion piece to the first of the Norendy Tales, The Puppets of Spellhorst.
The Hotel Balzaar by Kate DiCamillo, (List Price: $17.99, Candlewick, 9781536223316, October 2024)
Reviewed by Tracy Billing, Carmichael’s Bookstore in Louisville, Kentucky
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I want to crawl inside this book, eat LOTS of bread, curl up with a dragon next to a cheerful fireplace, and take a long nap. Devin Elle Kurtz’s glowing illustrations and cozy, atmospheric storytelling make The Bakery Dragon an instant cold-weather classic.
The Bakery Dragon by Devin Elle Kurtz, (List Price: $18.99, Knopf Books for Young Readers, 9780593710968, October 2024)
Reviewed by Talia Smart, Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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Is this really a book, or is it actually a dog? Find out what happens when a dog chases a rabbit, gets lost in the woods, and is cursed by a witch. For kids who love dog stories and adventure and for parents who love adult humor in children’s books.
Open Me…I’m a Dog by Art Spiegelman, (List Price: $18.99, TOON Books, 9781662665486, October 2024)
Reviewed by Jenny Gilroy, E. Shaver Bookseller in Savannah, Georgia
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As a 90s kid who LOVED Reading Rainbow, this book sparked a lot of nostalgia for me. LeVar Burton is a true inspiration and the story behind the book is very cute.
My Friend LeVar by Ezra Edmond, (List Price: $17.99, Charlesbridge, 9781623543174, October 2024)
Reviewed by Annastasia Williams, The Bottom in Knoxville, Tennessee
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As a lefty in a world that wasn’t made for me, I love this. It’s so cute, fun, and perfect for kids trying to embrace their “left-handedness.” (Luckily, I’ve never had to put up with much other than the smudging of words on paper and fitting in desks weird.)
Lefty by Mo Willems, (List Price: $24.99, Union Square Kids, 9781454951483, December 2024)
Reviewed by Niamh Kenny, E. Shaver Bookseller in Savannah, Georgia
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Those etchings you see on frozen windows, that’s frostfire — snow dragon breath — you know. Of course they live in snowbanks and happily dine on pinecones, and if you’re quiet and if you believe, maybe you’ll see one. I am absolutely in LOVE with this magical snowy title, and if you believe, maybe you should invite a snow dragon onto your bookshelf.
Frostfire by Elly MacKay, (List Price: $18.99, Tundra Books, 9780735266988, October 2024)
Reviewed by Angie Tally, The Country Bookshop in Southern Pines, North Carolina
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Beautifully illustrated, this is a compelling story of a boy with a very important question he needs to know the answer to. Loss, grief, bravery, and love are a staple here. Sometimes we just need to “know.”
Drawn Onward by Daniel Nayeri, (List Price: $19.99, HarperAlley, 9780063277168, October 2024)
Reviewed by DM Capriola, Little Shop of Stories in Decatur, Georgia
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Well, that was one of the most whimsical things I’ve read in a bit, which is saying something. Absolutely stunning art with a heartwarming story to match of a wee Bansheenie who, through happenstance, doesn’t truly bond with her human, and so shenanigans ensue. In the vein of fairy tales, this one deals with death and possibilities and love. More suitable for older children due to the more complex storyline and themes, but a feast for the eyes and ears.
Beanie the Bansheenie by Eoin Colfer, (List Price: $17.99, Candlewick, 9781536240665, November 2024)
Reviewed by Lauren Brown, The Story Shop in Monroe, Georgia
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Cozbi Cabrera’s beautiful illustrations really make this poem by Leslé Honoré sing! This will be a book that all ages can enjoy; as a read aloud for littlest listeners, as a shared read for older kids who can also enjoy the details in the artwork, and as a lovely gift for adults.
Brown Girl, Brown Girl by Leslé Honoré, (List Price: $18.99, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 9780316314039, November 2024)
Reviewed by Johanna Hynes, McIntyre’s Books in Pittsboro, North Carolina
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Dive, Dive into the Night Sea opens vertically. I mean, physically, the book’s orientation is 90 degrees from typical; which was delightful to discover! A lone diver, cloaked in darkness, plunges into the night sea. Together we descend, down, down, to where hidden creatures and their dwellings are revealed. Cleverly illustrated pages buoy the children’s story along with flaps that open to offer the science behind the scene. Thea Lu’s beautiful, monochromatic book shines light into the inky depths, a blend of picture-book storytelling and engaging non-fiction. Great for children with an interest in the ocean and its creatures or science in general. Or anyone with a strong sense of curiosity!
Dive, Dive into the Night Sea by Thea Lu, (List Price: $19.99, Candlewick Studio, 9781536234152, October 2024)
Reviewed by Tracy Billing, Carmichael’s Bookstore in Louisville, Kentucky
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It’s picture day at school, and Molly doesn’t want to wear the dress her Mom picked out; it doesn’t even have pockets! I loved this picture book that celebrates personal expression and the importance of being your true self. Bright, playful art with a wonderful message, Molly’s Tuxedo is a picture book winner!
Molly’s Tuxedo by Vicki Johnson, (List Price: $18.99, little bee books, 9781499813142, June 2023)
Reviewed by Caleb Masters, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
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A girl named Wednesday who can see ghosts tasks herself with helping a restless soul cross over while also trying to fit in at her new school. This is a lovely story about friendship, grief, and starting over. I appreciated the level of diversity in this book, as well as the portrayal of what a modern family can look like. The paranormal aspects were a bit intense at times, but I think it’s perfect for readers who are interested in ghost stories.
The Secret Dead Club by Karen Strong, (List Price: $17.99, Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, 9781665904506, August 2024)
Reviewed by Becca Naylor, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
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