The books Southern indie booksellers are recommending to readers everywhere!

Children

The Mystery of Locked Rooms by Lindsay Currie

, ,
The Mystery of Locked Rooms by Lindsay Currie
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.
Get the audiobook

For anyone who wants to experience the mystery and suspense of an escape room, this book is for them. I was on the edge of my seat rooting for the “Deltas” to figure out clues as they frantically searched for a treasure in the funhouse.

The Mystery of Locked Rooms by Lindsay Currie, (List Price: $16.99, Sourcebooks Young Readers, 9781728259536, April 2024)

Reviewed by Judith Lafitte, Octavia Books in New Orleans, Louisiana

The Mystery of Locked Rooms by Lindsay Currie Read More »

Treehouse Town by Gideon Sterer

, ,
Treehouse Town by Gideon Sterer
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.

Just below the canopy built on sticks and stilts, thats where you’ll find treehouse town With sunset lookout towers, nooks for books, and soft willow tree beds treehouse town has something for everyone. Snuggle up, with a sweet story and illustrations that have stories of their own, this one is the perfect read-together.

Treehouse Town by Gideon Sterer, (List Price: $18.99, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 9780316592628, February 2024)

Reviewed by Angie Tally, The Country Bookshop in Raeford, North Carolina

Treehouse Town by Gideon Sterer Read More »

Love Is My Favorite Color by Nina Laden

, , ,
Love Is My Favorite Color by Nina Laden
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.

This might just be my favorite picture book of the year. This is a story of how to live well at any age, how to show wonder, joy, appreciation, and understanding. It’s the perfect read along, and the illustrations feel both of-this-world and deeply magical.

Love Is My Favorite Color by Nina Laden, (List Price: $18.99, Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books, 9781665913096, January 2024)

Reviewed by Morgan DePerno, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Love Is My Favorite Color by Nina Laden Read More »

Snail by Minu Kim

, , ,
Snail by Minu Kim
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.

What a delightful book. I absolutely adore the illustrations, black and white drawing with minimal use of color.

Snail by Minu Kim, (List Price: $22, Pushkin Children’s Books, 9781782694069, March 2024)

Reviewed by Keeshia Jacklitch,Bookseller, Bookmarks in , North Carolina

Snail by Minu Kim Read More »

The Book That Can Read Your Mind by Marianna Coppo

, ,
The Book That Can Read Your Mind by Marianna Coppo
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.

Is this a picture book? A magic trick? It’s pure fun! You will want to read this over and over again.

The Book That Can Read Your Mind by Marianna Coppo, (List Price: $17.99, Chronicle Books, 9781797229010, March 2024)

Reviewed by Rae Ann Parker, Parnassus Books in Nashville, Tennessee

The Book That Can Read Your Mind by Marianna Coppo Read More »

Ferris by Kate DiCamillo

, , ,
Ferris by Kate DiCamillo
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.
Get the audiobook

Ferris Wilkey’s summer is not relaxing. Her sister wants to be an outlaw and her grandmother starts seeing a ghost. Before the summer ends, an act of kindness will bring light and joy to her entire household and found family.

Ferris by Kate DiCamillo, (List Price: $18.99, Candlewick Press, 9781536231052, March 2024)

Reviewed by Rae Ann Parker, Parnassus Books in Nashville, Tennessee

Ferris by Kate DiCamillo Read More »

Max in the House of Spies by Adam Gidwitz

, , ,
Max in the House of Spies by Gidwitz, Adam
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.
Get the audiobook

Gidwitz has done it again, creating a tale – and a hero – full of humor and heart. You’ll laugh, cry, and cheer for Max as he takes on bullies, both big and small, from the schoolyard in London right back to where he started in Nazi Germany. But this time, he’s trained as a British spy…

Max in the House of Spies by Gidwitz, Adam, (List Price: $18.99, Dutton Books for Young Readers, 9780593112083, February 2024)

Reviewed by Maggie Robe, Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Max in the House of Spies by Adam Gidwitz Read More »

No Cats in the Library by Lauren Emmons

, ,
No Cats in the Library by Lauren Emmons
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.

Easily one of the most precious picture books I’ve ever seen!!!! Clarisse is a sweet little stray who loves books, and the library calls to her. The only problem – she isn’t allowed in! Lovingly illustrated, the happy ending to this book made me tear up for sure.

No Cats in the Library by Lauren Emmons, (List Price: $18.99, Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books, 9781665933681, March 2024)

Reviewed by Jordan April, Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill, North Carolina

No Cats in the Library by Lauren Emmons Read More »

My Thoughts Have Wings by Maggie Smith

, ,
My Thoughts Have Wings by Maggie Smith
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.

My Thoughts Have Wings is the perfect book to soothe anxiety at bedtime. Lovely illustrations and an encouraging message about replacing all of your “what if?” worries with happy thoughts that make your imagination take flight. Can’t recommend this one enough!

My Thoughts Have Wings by Maggie Smith, (List Price: $19.99, Balzer + Bray, 9780063214583, February 2024)

Reviewed by Jessica Nock, Main Street Books in Davidson, North Carolina

My Thoughts Have Wings by Maggie Smith Read More »

You Grow, Girl! by Rose Rossner

, , ,
You Grow, Girl! by Rose Rossner
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.

You Grow, Girl! is a perfect book to gift the plant lover in your life. With fun illustrations and cute puns, this picture book would be a perfect gift to add to an Easter Basket or for a new baby. Full of hope and encouragement!

You Grow, Girl! by Rose Rossner, (List Price: $12.99, Sourcebooks Wonderland, 9781464218583, March 2024)

Reviewed by Jessica Nock, Main Street Books in Davidson, North Carolina

You Grow, Girl! by Rose Rossner Read More »

Love, Escargot by Dashka Slater

, , ,
Love, Escargot by Dashka Slater
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.
Get the audiobook

OOOh La La! Escargot, the adorable French gastropod, is back for another adventure. Today is Snailentine’s Day, and Escargot is (slowly) on the way to a tres bonne fete with canapés, crudités, dancing, and beautiful cards to exchange with the one who makes you feel magnifique! Silly, fun, and just a little French, Escargot is sure to become a giggle-inducing read-together favorite.

Love, Escargot by Dashka Slater, (List Price: $8.99, Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR), 9780374391492, November 2023)

Reviewed by Angie Tally, The Country Bookshop in Southern Pines, North Carolina

Love, Escargot by Dashka Slater Read More »

Soy Sauce! by Laura G. Lee

, ,
Soy Sauce! by Laura G. Lee
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.

They. drew. with. Soy. Sauce. Soy sauce is such an integral part of seasoning… everything! (Even my taco meat gets a healthy zotz of soy sauce!). The cooking onomatopoeia in big comic book-style bubbles and splats reminds me of Ramen for Everyone. Truly, these are life principles. Food means love.

Soy Sauce! by Laura G. Lee, (List Price: $18.99, Algonquin Young Readers, 9781523528387, January 2025)

Reviewed by Lisa Yee Swope, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Soy Sauce! by Laura G. Lee Read More »

José Feeds the World by David Unger

, , , ,
José Feeds the World by David Unger
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.

This picture book tells the inspiring story of Jose Andres and his World Central Kitchen, and the many people around the world he has helped in the aftermath of disasters. This book highlights the power of one person’s idea and the way one can mobilize and inspire many. This would be a great book to share with a young reader who has questions about why disasters happen and what we can do to help those affected.

José Feeds the World by David Unger, (List Price: $18.99, duopress, 9781728279527, January 2024)

Reviewed by Kate Storhoff, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

José Feeds the World by David Unger Read More »

Today by Gabi Snyder

, , ,
Today by Gabi Snyder
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.

Beautiful illustrations reminding kids (and their families) to appreciate the fleeting moments of perfection life allows in an imperfect world. Pause and make memories – what a gorgeous book for magical read-a-longs.

Today by Gabi Snyder, (List Price: $18.99, Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books, 9781665924856, January 2024)

Reviewed by Alissa Redmond, South Main Book Company in Salisbury, North Carolina

Today by Gabi Snyder Read More »

The Wild by Yuval Zommer

, , ,
The Wild by Yuval Zommer
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.

This book is absolutely gorgeous. It is a gentle introduction to the concept of why conservation is important. Perfect for Earth Day readalouds.

The Wild by Yuval Zommer, (List Price: $18.99, Doubleday Books for Young Readers, 9780593708989, February 2024)

Reviewed by Jill Hendrix, Fiction Addiction in Greenville, South Carolina

The Wild by Yuval Zommer Read More »

Scroll to Top