John Staughton, Senior Reviewer

A young mushroom heroine is the protagonist of Lamellia: The Wizard in the Forest, a whimsical and meaningful children’s book by Gloria D. Gonsalves. Written in simple language, but heavily laden with symbolism relating to acceptance, race, cultural differences and oppression, this story is surprisingly dense for a children’s book, but the underlying message is continually compelling. Gonsalves has created a unique new world and boldly filled it with timely and relevant wisdom for a younger generation.

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Author Corey Wolff has delivered a powerful allegory about growth, change, trauma, and independence in The Journey of an Acorn. This simple children’s tale is a quick read, but its message of boldly forging your own way in the world, and helping others along the way, is timeless for readers of any age. Rich with evocative imagery, this is a charming and well-penned fable that can be read again and again.

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Penned from the whimsical perspective of a child, My Mommy Does Weird Things by Amelie Julien is a fun and heartfelt read for both children and parents. Focusing on some of the strange responsibilities of mothers, and how funny some of them must look to children, the book inspires empathy as well as laughs. The full-page illustrations are vibrant and engaging, and the translated text is well done – though “bizarre” may have been a better choice for the title. Most of all, the subject matter is universally relatable, with each page offering amusing insights about parenthood.[…]

Thomas Trimble spins a tall and entertaining tale with Mystery in the Mine, a quick and spooky read with a keen sense of history. When Michael Bishop inherits an old mine, he doesn’t expect the supernatural assistance that seems to be leading him to untold riches. Though the narrative relies a bit too much on exposition, rather than action and dialogue, this charming ghost story focuses on the value of hard work, hope, and a bit of luck to uncover your own personal riches.

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Childhood innocence and grown-up cruelty clash in Cape of Storms by author Bianca Bowers, a gripping coming-of-age tale woven through one of the darkest periods in South African history. Rosalinde is the precocious and endearing protagonist, an 8-year-old whose life is shaken and eyes are opened over the course of two shocking decades. With the South African landscape as a beautiful but sinister setting, this novel is a gripping and unforgettable account of one of humanity’s great failures, told with sensitivity and eloquence from a uniquely powerful perspective.

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