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Diego the Smelly Dog, written by A.G. Russo with illustrations by Alona Baulina, is the story of the unique friendship between Ava and Diego, a smelly stray dog who shows up at her house. Ava is not allowed a pet because of the expense, so she must bring him to the shelter, but will anyone pick an old dog as their companion? A heartwarming tale with a happy ending, the story is both dramatic and tender, sending an important message about caring for those who may be unwanted and neglected. Finely illustrated with pictures that tell a story even […]

Lucky Red: A Lunar New Year Tale by Mika Mayen is an enchanting children’s picture book to discover the legend behind the Lunar New Year. One day a man in red arrives at a village by the sea and promises the villagers to rid them of a terrible beast, colorfully brought to life by illustrator Icha Jati. While some of the language may be a bit complex for young children and need explanation (“plagued” or “bleakness,” for example), the eye-catching illustrations are incredibly vivid and expressive throughout, and the captivating storyline offers important cultural instruction. All told, this is an […]

Pebbles and the Biggest Number by Joey Benun, illustrated by Laura Watson, is an immaculately designed book for children that will help them discover the world. When Pebbles the butterfly realizes that he has never counted beyond the number of flowers in his garden – 42 – he sets off on a quest to find the highest number. Complete with interesting scientific facts, such as the temperature of the sun, each page is also a learning experience, alongside Pebbles’ engaging quest. Some of these facts are a fair bit more advanced than the story, but all in all this is […]

Jackie TuLight retraces the steps of her difficult life in Jackie Strong Self, a candid and clear-minded memoir with a dense focus on childhood neglect, nearly fatal injuries, systematic injustice, and overcoming trauma. While healing from years of illness and abuse, Jackie had to muster up her inner strength and faith in God to make her own way in life and become a leading computer technologist, resulting in a life story that is at once harrowing and uplifting. With an unadorned and direct style, Jackie Strong Self is an engaging and inspiring read for TuLight’s open honesty, telling a […]