Carina Felina
Carmen Agra Deedy
Illustrated by Henry Cole
Scholastic Press
August 15, 2023
Ages 4-8

This hilarious and clever story is a retelling of a classic folktale set in Havana, Cuba. Pepe is a handsome parrot that falls helplessly in love with Carina Felina, a hungry, blue cat. Pepe invites her over for a home-cooked dinner of crackers and fresh coffee. But Pepe doesn’t know he is Carina’s dinner. Pepe is only the beginning of Carina’s meal. She gobbles up a florist, an oxcart man, and a wedding party. She eyes a pair of crabs and snatches them up, too. Can the pair of crabs outsmart Carina to save their friends? 

Cole’s sketches come to life with multi-colored soft brush finishes. They present visual humor, revealing Carina’s full belly of all the characters trapped inside. The artwork is also a great representation of the setting. Deedy and Cole continue to expose readers to Cuban culture by using bilingual words and their translations. Readers can point out the characters and name them both in Spanish and English by the end of the book. Children will find this book intriguing with the repetition of Carina’s phrase “I’m Carina Felina! I do what I like, I eat what I wish. Step out of my way, or be my next dish!” and more use of verse. The cumulative story’s predictability is great for growing early readers. Carina’s persistent, outrageous behavior of swallowing characters whole is amusing but compelling, which will delight in a storytelling setting.

Carina Felina
Carmen Agra Deedy 
Illustrated by Henry Cole
Scholastic Press
August 15, 2023
Ages 4-8

This hilarious and clever story is a retelling of a classic folktale set in Havana, Cuba. Pepe is a handsome parrot that falls helplessly in love with Carina Felina, a hungry, blue cat. Pepe invites her over for a home-cooked dinner of crackers and fresh coffee. But Pepe doesn’t know he is Carina’s dinner. Pepe is only the beginning of Carina’s meal. She gobbles up a florist, an oxcart man, and a wedding party. She eyes a pair of crabs and snatches them up, too. Can the pair of crabs outsmart Carina to save their friends? 

Cole’s sketches come to life with multi-colored soft brush finishes. They present visual humor, revealing Carina’s full belly of all the characters trapped inside. The artwork is also a great representation of the setting. Deedy and Cole continue to expose readers to Cuban culture by using bilingual words and their translations. Readers can point out the characters and name them both in Spanish and English by the end of the book. Children will find this book intriguing with the repetition of Carina’s phrase “I’m Carina Felina! I do what I like, I eat what I wish. Step out of my way, or be my next dish!” and more use of verse. The cumulative story’s predictability is great for growing early readers. Carina’s persistent, outrageous behavior of swallowing characters whole is amusing but compelling, which will delight in a storytelling setting.

Baller Ina by Liz Casal takes readers on a leaping journey with Ina, a multitalented athlete. During her school’s basketball game, Ina uses her graceful dance skills such as tendu, passé, and grand jeté. With the help of her pink tutu, she helps lead her team to victory. The combination of colorful and neat illustrations with rhyming text is great for children storytimes.

Check it out along with other picture books we’ve gotten this month below!

Baller Ina
Written by Liz Casal
Published by Alfred A. Knopf
Available Now!

Bear Helps the Forest (Maybe You Help, Too)
Written by Karen Lynn Williams and illustrated by Andrés Landazábal
Published by Charlesbridge Publishing
Available Now!

Cinderella and a Mouse Called Fred
Written by Deborah Hopkinson and illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky
Published by Anne Schwartz Books
Available Now!

Give
Written by Jen Arena and illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Bell
Published by Alfred A. Knopf
Available Now!

Lolo’s Sari-Sari Store
Written by Sophia N. Lee and illustrated by Christine Almeda
Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Available Now!

Mine!
Written by Candace Fleming and illustrated by Eric Rohmann
Published by Anne Schwartz Books
Available Now!

Author Annie Hunter Eriksen shares Steve Ditko’s strange journey creating Spider-Man in Along Came a Radioactive Spider: Strange Steve Ditko and the Creation of Spider-Man. Steve is an introverted child, making artwork that is shadowy and doesn’t fit the mold of other handsome superheroes. But these characteristics make his work stand out. Steve produces the nerdy and awkward teenager that is transformed into a superhero by a spider bite. He puts forth a representation of drawing inner strength over super strength. This biography is perfect for young Marvel fans.

Check it out along with other non-fiction books we received this week!

Along Came a Radioactive Spider: Strange Steve Ditko and the Creation of Spider-Man
Written by Annie Hunter Eriksen and illustrated by Lee Gatlin
Published by Page Street Books
Available Now!

Born Reading: 20 Stories of Women Reading Their Way into History 
Written by Kathleen Krull and Virginia Loh-Hagan and illustrated by Aura Lewis
Published by Simon and Schuster
Available Now!

Hands-On Science: Matter
Written by Lola M. Schaefer and illustrated by Druscilla Santiago
Published by Charlesbridge Publishing
Available Now!

The Lobster Lady
Written by Alexandra S. D. Hinrichs and illustrated by Jamie Hogan
Published by Charlesbridge Publishing
Available Now!

Our Blue Planet
Written by Leisa Stewart-Sharpe and illustrated by Emily Dove
Published by A Paula Wiseman Book
Available Now!

Stand as Tall as the Trees: How an Amazonian Community Protected the Rain Forest
Written by Patricia Gualinga and Laura Resau and illustrated by Vanessa Jaramillo
Published by Charlesbridge Publishing
Available Now!

Bitsy Bat: School Star
Written by Kaz Windness
Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers  

Bitsy Bat is bold and fun at home, but when she gets to school, she realizes she is different. Windness is an autistic author that created Bitsy Bat, who is a lot like her. They both don’t like a lot of noise or bright lights. Bitsy has trouble fitting in so she comes up with an idea where all her classmates share what makes them special. This story is a perfect tool to teach children about the autism spectrum. 

Breathe Like a Bear: First Day of School Worries
Written by Kira Willey
Illustrated by Anni Betts 
Rodale Kids 

Bear and Bird are both anxious about their first day of school. They meet Owl on their path who teaches them about breathing and mantras which soothes their nerves. The text includes prompts that guide children through a repeated exercise to help change their mood and promote mindfulness with endearing woodland digital illustrations. 

Our Classroom Rules!
Written by Kallie George
Illustrated by Jay Fleck  
Rodale Kids 

Going to school doesn’t have to be scary, it can be fun when everyone looks out for one another! George plays with the double meaning of rules and teaches children what school will look like for them. It covers a range of topics. Children learn to be on time, manners, the importance of sharing their ideas and expressing themselves, and trying new things. This story enforces a strong community, supports emotional learning, and is perfect for preschool and kindergarten children starting class for the very first time.

Salat in Secret 
Written by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
Illustrated by Hatem Aly 
Random House Studio

Muhammad turns seven years old and is gifted a salat rug, which he is determined to use to pray five times a day–on time. But one of the times interferes with his school schedule and he’s afraid to ask Mrs. Baker for a space to pray. The vibrant illustrations of ink washes and textures contribute to the mood and themes of overcoming anxiety in a school setting and acceptance of diversity.

Shy Robin and the First Day of School 
Written by Jamie Kim 
Candlewick Press 

Robin is a hippo that is big and brave at home, but becomes shy when she arrives at school. She meets a shy otter named Marco, they become friends, and learn they can be more courageous together. This charming book uses spot art and spreads in a new environment to assure shy children they are not alone in feeling nervous. 

Rocket Says Speak Up! written by Nathan Bryon and illustrated by Dapo Adeola is a motivating picture book for library lovers. Rocket discovers that her favorite place to visit, her town’s library, is going to shut down for good. She is outraged and becomes an activist, inspired by Rosa Parks, and rallies the community together. They stage a peaceful protest and raise enough money to save her precious library. Children and parents will be encouraged by Rocket to participate in activism in effective and appropriate ways.

Check it out along with other picture books we received this week!

Cookie Queen: How One Girl Started Tate’s Bake Shop
Written by Kathleen King with Lowey Bundy Sichol and illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki
Published by Random House
Available Now!

The First Day of Peace
Written by Todd Shuster and Maya Soetoro-Ng and illustrated by Tatiana Gardel
Published by Candlewick Press
Available August 8th!

If You Get Lost
Written by Nikki Loftin and illustrated by Deborah Marcero
Published by Anne Schwartz Books
Available Now!

My Bollywood Dream
Written by Avani Dwivedi
Published by Candlewick Press
Available August 8th!

Rivka’s Presents 
Written by Laurie Wallmark and illustrated by Adelina Lirius
Published by Random House Studio
Available Now!

Rocket Says Speak Up!
Written by Nathan Bryon and illustrated by Dapo Adeola
Published by Random House
Available Now!

Author Zaila Avant-Grade became the first Black American student to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee in 2021. In her first book, Words of Wonder from Z to A, Avant-Grade shares 26 of her favorite words with poetic thoughts and their fascinating origins. Some of the words include kindness, hope, and resilience. These colorful pages and words are inspiring to young children across America.

Check it out along with other books we’ve gotten this month below!

Marcus Stroman: The Spin
Written by Marcus Stroman
Published by Aladdin
Available September 26th!

Name your Numbers: With a Pop-Up Surprise
Written by Smriti Prasadam-Halls and illustrated by Edward Underwood
Published by Candlewick Press
Available Now!

Peppa Pig and the Day at the Farm
Published by Candlewick Press
Available Now!

Salat in Secret
Written by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow and illustrated by Hatem Aly
Published by Random House Studio
Available Now!

Show your Colors: With a Pop-Up Surprise
Written by Smriti Prasadam-Halls and illustrated by Edward Underwood
Published by Candlewick Press
Available Now!

Words of Wonder from Z to A
Written by Zaila Avant-Garde and illustrated by Keisha Morris
Published by Doubleday Books for Young Readers
Available Now!

All You Have To Do
Autumn Allen
Kokila
August 1, 2023
Ages 12 to 17

It’s a privilege to attend an elite school, but as a Black kid, it has always come with its challenges. Kevin is a freshman at Columbia College in 1968, participating in a sit-in at his institution following Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination. When he discovers his school is removing people from their homes to further expand, he takes action. Gibran is completing his senior year at a prep school in 1995. He rallies Black students to petition a “Day of Absence” to attend the Million Man March. They encounter resistance and criticism. Gibran and Kevin are connected in their avocation to change society despite the personal cost.  

Allen manages time travel with dual timeline narratives almost thirty years apart. The point of views alternate with chapters, revealing the struggles each character faces. Gibran and Kevin’s stories are similarly paced, written so each reaches their personal transformations simultaneously. Both characters fight for racial equality but risk losing the opportunities their families worked extensively to provide. Kevin may continue to push Dawn, his little sister, away for good if he throws away his future. His frustration with societal issues is stronger than his relationship concerns. Gibran may not graduate from his prep school or keep his scholarship to the college of his choice. His anger typically overrides his rational decisions. Both characters allow their ambition and courage to battle society. Themes of acceptance, power, and racial identity are explored through overlapping connections and characters. A tribute to generations that have fought and continue to fight for social justice.  

This review is based on an ARC that did not include the images used in the final publication.  

The Skull written by Jon Klassen is a riveting retelling of a Tyrolean folktale. A skull lives in this large abandoned house on a barren hill. Otilla is a brave girl that escaped a terrifying danger, when she stumbles upon the quiet house. She befriends the skull in his lonely home. They both become frightened when night falls. Can they both brave the uncertainties? The enchanting text is paired with monochromatic and shadowy artwork that is mysterious and enticing. Middle grade children will love this mystifying and creepy tale.

Check it out along with other Halloween themed books!

Crimson Twill: Witch in the Country
Written by Kallie George and illustrated by Birgitta Sif
Published by Candlewick Press
Available Now!

Deephaven
Written by Ethan M. Aldridge
Published by Quill Tree Books
Available September 5th!

Ham Helsing: Raising the Stakes (#3)
Written by Rich Moyer
Published by R.H. Graphic
Available Now!

Peekaboo Pumpkin
Written by Camilla Reid and illustrated by Ursela P. Arrhenius
Published by Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Available Now!

The Skull
Written by Jon Klassen
Published by Candlewick Press
Available Now!

When Ghosts Call Us Home
Written by Katya De Becerra
Published by Page Street Publishing
Available October 3rd!