Children’s Book Reviews

A fanciful collection of short stories centered around an imaginative fictional holiday, Tales for Tra-La-La Day by Steve Michael Reedy is a magical anthology of festive fables.

From stories about the origins of a sacred song to dire parables about overconsumption and greed, each story adds a new and intriguing facet to this tall tale of a town, bursting with the energy of a beloved fairy tale realm in the making. “The Iceling Queen” is one of the most touching pieces in the collection, providing a compelling backstory for the creative holiday, but each story has the gleam of brilliance […]

A quick and charming children’s book about being yourself, Cake, Lemonade and Sprinkles by Aishah Hight offers a bright burst of wisdom for young readers.

It’s London’s birthday, and while all of her friends have come up with great ideas for costumes to wear to the party, London doesn’t feel particularly inspired. Debating whether to imitate her friends or choose a costume that will please her mother, London is worried that she’ll be embarrassed at her own celebration. London’s mom encourages her to dream up a costume that feels true to her identity, and not necessarily what other people may […]

Recounting a nostalgic adventure with a magical creature looking for a home, author Ana Cortes spins another heartwarming tale in Marco, Pablo, and Olivia: Bella The Alpaca. The three siblings once again face their fears and learn valuable lessons in confidence, forgiveness, and friendship as they work together to find their way home.

Just a week into their new lives on the coast of Ecuador, the siblings at the heart of this colorful series think back to a fond memory of their previous home when they tried to adopt a magical alpaca they had discovered in their yard. Their […]