Tag: Children’s

Chip And Chatti Save The Farm by Heidi Paul

Gosh, how long has it been since I’ve held a physical copy of a children’s chapter book in my hands? It was a genuine, nostalgic pleasure to read this in the company of my dog-nephew Mario, as he kept me company during downtimes in an otherwise frantic (if super fun!) performance week. Set in a …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2025/05/15/chip-and-chatti-save-the-farm-by-heidi-paul/

How Do I Wonder? by Gianna Davy & Brenda Rodriguez

This was a delightfully whimsical picture book about encouraging children to wonder about the world around them. Whether discussing science, art or feelings, it exhorts kids to stay curious and questioning about both realities and possibilities. Brenda Rodriguez’ illustrations are terrific: colorful, diverse and really bringing Gianna Davy’s questions to life. I also really admired …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2025/05/13/how-do-i-wonder-by-gianna-davy-brenda-rodriguez/

Where Are You, Brontë? by Tomie dePaola & Barbara McClintock

As soon as I opened this children’s picture book and read the front flap, I knew that I, like Ralph Wiggum on the bus that one time, was in danger. It had been a long, stressful weekend already. Did I want to cry, which I knew I would most likely do reading this book? The …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2025/05/05/where-are-you-bronte-by-tomie-depaola-barbara-mcclintock/

Casey’s Cases, Vol 1: The Mysterious New Girl by Kay Healy

Oh my goodness, what a smart and funny way to start an advancing reader’s graphic novel series! It’s Casey’s eleventh birthday, and she’s thrilled to be able to open two of her presents before school, saving the rest for her birthday party later on. She’s especially thrilled to discover that she’s been gifted a magnifying …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2025/04/09/caseys-cases-vol-1-the-mysterious-new-girl-by-kay-healy/

Disney Classic Graphic Novel: Atlantis by Mike Mignola, Greg Ehrbar & Claudio Sciarrone

Lol, Live Action this, Disney. I actually haven’t seen the movie that this graphic novel is based on, tho I vaguely remember the criticism of it being generally positive. While the story was originally created by Mike Mignola (who also provides the cover art here,) this adaptation was written by Greg Ehrbar, with lead pencils …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2025/04/07/disney-classic-graphic-novel-atlantis-by-mike-mignola-greg-ehrbar-claudio-sciarrone/

Monti And Leo: A Mystery In Pocketville by Sylvie Kantorovitz

This second Monti & Leo book finds the two best friends embroiled in a series of conundrums, one light-hearted but one decidedly serious, as collecting mania comes to Pocketville! Mrs Sheep has generously allowed her collection of figurines to be displayed at the local library. As the Pocketvillians ooh and aah over the scope of …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2025/03/24/monti-and-leo-a-mystery-in-pocketville-by-sylvie-kantorovitz/

Bitsy Bat, Team Star by Kaz Windness

Bitsy Bat loves school, but is a little worried when new kid Enzo Owl threatens to take the Fastest Flier title away from her. Concerned that her friends will no longer think she’s special, she hyperfocuses on proving that she’s the best. But when race day comes and one of her classmates winds up in …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2025/03/12/bitsy-bat-team-star-by-kaz-windness/

I’m Lucky To Have My Parents by Radostina Nikolova & Yana Popova

What a moving, necessary book. I fully admit that I’m not terribly cognizant of the existing literature on the topic in the English language, but I’m super glad that Papercutz had this translated from the original Bulgarian (courtesy of Borislava Pancheva) in order to reach a wider audience. That topic is how kids can deal …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2025/03/06/im-lucky-to-have-my-parents-by-radostina-nikolova-yana-popova/

When I Hear Spirituals by Cheryl Willis Hudson & London Ladd

The spiritual is a proud musical tradition created by enslaved Black people in America, who channeled the rhythms and singing of their African origins into subversive songs of solidarity and guidance, using their owners’ Christianity as a cloak for their own defiance. Cheryl Willis Hudson discusses the history of the genre in this gorgeous picture …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2025/02/27/when-i-hear-spirituals-by-cheryl-willis-hudson-london-ladd/

Murdle Jr. Vol 1: Curious Crimes For Curious Minds by G.T. Karber

subtitled Solve Your Way Through 40 Puzzle Mysteries! I’m about to admit something deeply embarrassing for a puzzle aficionado: I think regular Murdle is too hard. Perhaps that is not even the best way to describe my reservations regarding the online game. I just think that certain information is implied in a way that requires …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2025/02/24/murdle-jr-vol-1-curious-crimes-for-curious-minds-by-g-t-karber/