These are fun stories that feature Orisha characters as mythological magical figures from the TJ Young Universe. This has Shango & Thor, Eshu & ObatalThese are fun stories that feature Orisha characters as mythological magical figures from the TJ Young Universe. This has Shango & Thor, Eshu & Obatala and Oya as characters on missions. This works as a fun and dynamic expansion of this story universe. These short stories also function as background to the overall series narrative but are also fully contained and interesting short stories on their own. I think this serves as a fun introduction to the series for new readers.
This audiobook is narrated by Nekia Renee Martin and John Joseph Rogers. These stories have slight sound effects between chapters. The Interludes offer explanations and background on the stories and are vpiced by the author. This is a high quality audiobook production which in my limited experience always makes these more accessible for children.
Thank you to Antoine Bandele, Bandele Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own. ...more
This is a high quality audiobook production with a full soundtrack narrated by Melinda Sewak. This uses background noises and even voices like childreThis is a high quality audiobook production with a full soundtrack narrated by Melinda Sewak. This uses background noises and even voices like children cheering, to enhance the story. The background soundtrack really enhances the story and helps to keep children interested.
This is a sweet story about welcoming and including the members of the community especially when they are in need of a friend. This is very short and ideal for younger children, toddler age, as a fun introduction to audiobooks during bedtime or story time reading. I also think this could be beneficial for early or new readers to read along with the audio. The concepts and sentences are very early reader friendly.
Thank you to Rachel Tawil Kenyon, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own....more
I really liked the world building in this story. Glory Brown lives in the Seam, at the Light Inn. Which has been in the Brown family for generations aI really liked the world building in this story. Glory Brown lives in the Seam, at the Light Inn. Which has been in the Brown family for generations as a sanctuary for travelers of the Seam. The Inn is important and provides a much needed public service but Glory yearns for more. She ultimately finds the adventure she is seeking when Marcus enters her life through a hedge.
This has magic, monsters, smart kids and supportive adults. Sometimes in middle grade novels it feels like parents are creatively removed from the action. I know this is so the kid can carry the story but it often leaves the adults absent or in some cases negligent. I liked that this story managed to focus on the kids but also included the parents actively supporting the kids. I don't want to spoil the story but I truly enjoyed how this played out. I think the basic premise of children having Moxie helped to support this adult involved structure. I'm an adult so my preferences don't matter in this genre. I'm just sharing what I liked.
Though this story is written at a middle grade level, I think it would appeal to grade schoolers as well. This is also a good book for parents to read with or to grade school age children who may not yet have the skills to read this on their own yet. Parents, teachers, and librarians build a love of reading in children by introducing kids to books they can all love.
This is delightfully narrated by Tyla Collier. Tyla has a rich and melodic voice which enhances this story beautifully. This is a perfect audiobook for immersion reading. The narration truly adds to the experience of this novel and I highly recommend consuming this on audio.
Thank you to Alby C. Williams, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own....more
The illustrator of this picture book is JiaJia Hammer. The illustrations are crisp, colorful, and inviting.
This is a sweet and timely children's pictuThe illustrator of this picture book is JiaJia Hammer. The illustrations are crisp, colorful, and inviting.
This is a sweet and timely children's picture book focusing on how kindness can make a hard day better. This highlights representation for multiple kids while encouraging them to be the change they needed for someone else. This is truly what we need to be teaching children in these troubled times.
Thank you to Megan Murphy, Familius, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ebook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own....more
This is fast paced and action packed, much more than the first novel in this series. I was surprised and delighted with how quickly this story moved. This is fast paced and action packed, much more than the first novel in this series. I was surprised and delighted with how quickly this story moved. Abeni is in a new environment and I found the world building a treat. Much like with the first novel in this series, this felt like well established mythology. This novel was darker with violence that felt more real world than fantasy. This featured Abeni and her support crew in a more mature situation. This sophomore installment in the series felt leaner but in a positive way. I truly adore the world of Abeni and look forward to her next escapade. This audiobook is narrated by Nneka Okoye. Nneka was a delightful improvement over the narrator of the first novel in this series. Her narration enhanced the story by leaps and bounds
Thank you to P. Djèlí Clark, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own....more
The illustrator of this is Tequitia Andrews.The illustrations are colorful, soft, and have a sweetness to them. The illustrations are inviting and relThe illustrator of this is Tequitia Andrews.The illustrations are colorful, soft, and have a sweetness to them. The illustrations are inviting and relevant to the story itself.
This is a sweet book perfect for younger children. This has more illustrations than dialogue and feels like it was written for toddler age children. This is also important for grade school-age kids, maybe pre K-grade 2. My toddler aged grandson loved the illustrations and kept hugging my tablet as I was reading the story. It was somewhat adorable.
Thank you to Alexs Pate, Capstone, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ebook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own....more
This is a nonfiction book about Sea Turtles. This starts on a beach in the Yucatán Peninsula before a female sea turtle is hatched and the narrative fThis is a nonfiction book about Sea Turtles. This starts on a beach in the Yucatán Peninsula before a female sea turtle is hatched and the narrative follows her until she lays her eggs on the same beach. This is interesting, informative and told in an extremely engaging tone. I like that the author shares her own story about her interest in marine biology and encourages children to explore the world around them.
My granddaughter loved this. We googled Sea Turtles after this so she could see what they looked like. She is in 3rd grade and not in love with audiobooks so I was surprised this held her interest.
This features a high quality audiobook production with a musical soundtrack narrated by Kate Coventry. Kate has lovely and inviting voice, perfect for children books. The music was softly in the background and did not interfere with hearing the narration.
Thank you to Maddalena Bearzi, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own....more
This high-quality audiobook production has full musical soundtrack, sounds of kids playing outside, grilling sounds, conversation background noises, aThis high-quality audiobook production has full musical soundtrack, sounds of kids playing outside, grilling sounds, conversation background noises, all of which play underneath the narration of Melinda Sewak. Melinda has a rich and melodious voice, which manges to convey building excitement and joy very thoroughly.
This takes place at a recent Juneteenth neighborhood celebration. There are kids playing and families barbecuing, tables set up selling incense and jewelry with a real festival atmosphere. This talks quite a bit about traditional Black Juneteenth foods and drinks, like red drink and red beans and rice.
This educates about the first Juneteenth using age appropriate language and why this holiday exists. I love that this focuses on how Juneteenth celebrations started and how they've evolved over the decades into recent years. This is an important holiday that's only been legal a few short years. This gives facts and focuses on freedom but only mentions slavery very lightly without exactly defining what it was to be enslaved. This is appropriate for young kids.
Thank you to Kortney Nash, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own....more
This is a high-quality audiobook production with a full soundtrack, jump rope sounds, and playground noises with narration by Melinda Sewak. Melinda'sThis is a high-quality audiobook production with a full soundtrack, jump rope sounds, and playground noises with narration by Melinda Sewak. Melinda's voice is soft, excited, and inviting. It feels like I'm sitting on my front stoop and watching kids playing double dutch on the sidewalk.
The main character is walking the reader through what it feels like to watch others play a game she wishes to participate in, but she is struggling with confidence before her peers. The character uses her skill with hula hooping and skating to build her courage for the double dutch game. This is a sweet story about trusting yourself and how our family and community encourage us.
Thank you to DeAnn Wiley, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own....more
This is the adventure of Will and his father on a 'land run' in Oklahoma. This begins in post-Reconstruction Era Texas and includ4.5 Stars Rounded Up
This is the adventure of Will and his father on a 'land run' in Oklahoma. This begins in post-Reconstruction Era Texas and includes a history filled adventure about Western expansion. I have seen very little media that features Black folks settling the West post Civil War. This is educational, interesting, and fun, a sure-fire combination to keep many kids interested in this story.
This is ideal for grade school-age kids, maybe 2nd or 3rd grade and up. I really wanted to listen to this with my grandkids, who are the target age for this novel. This is laid out well to do a chapter a night with newer readers or to allow older readers to move at their own pace.
I've been introducing my grandkids to immersion reading, and I think this audio is perfect for immersion reading. The narrator of this audiobook is Christopher Hampton. Mr. Hampton has a voice that is rich with emotion and excitement. His narration brought the character of Will and his journey to life. This would also work for middle school readers. There's quite a bit of adventure, and the story itself is interesting.
Thank you to Jewell Parker Rhodes, Hachette Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own....more
This is a high-quality audiobook production with a musical soundtrack, classroom, playground, and traffic noises with voice narration by Tara Novie. TThis is a high-quality audiobook production with a musical soundtrack, classroom, playground, and traffic noises with voice narration by Tara Novie. The music is light, engaging, and doesn't detract from the narration of the story. Tara's voice held a lot of emotion and excitement, which really appealed to my grade school-age grandkids.
This is about the last day of school and doesn't follow a main character. It's instead written to the reader themselves. It's reflective of the accomplishments they've made as students over the preceding school year. I've been done with school for decades, but this made me nostalgic for my own school days, especially grade and middle school.
Thank you to Maggie C. Rudd, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own....more
This is a high-quality audiobook production with a light instrumental soundtrack dominated by drums and rhythm. This is beautifully and excitedly narrThis is a high-quality audiobook production with a light instrumental soundtrack dominated by drums and rhythm. This is beautifully and excitedly narrated by the author, Adiba Nelson. The audio is engaging and fun.
This is about a Sunday wash day ritual for Yadira. I love this books focus on the joy and expression involved in natural Black hair styles, the accouterments, and style. During the process of fixing her hair, Yadira'a Mami, tells her the story of Orisha Oshun's creation story. This is a beautiful expression of West African historical mythology and how it relates to the modern Diaspora and grounds us with the root knowledge of our ancestors. I am advance ordering this for my granddaughter. My own small Oshun:)
Thank you to Adiba Nelson, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own....more
This high-quality audiobook production has a full soundtrack with fart sounds, which plays underneath the narration of Tim Campbell. The music is instThis high-quality audiobook production has a full soundtrack with fart sounds, which plays underneath the narration of Tim Campbell. The music is instrumental and mostly happy sounding if a bit cartoonish. Honestly, Tim's narration is what sells this hilarious and very short comparison. He manages to deliver quite funny lines using an ironically serious but understanding voice. He has a few chuckles, too.
There isn't really much of a story involved. This is also very true. I admit that I had never thought of the similarities between feelings and farts, but the author made her case. I fully agree. I laughed through this entire short story. This is short, cute, and feels tailored for small people full of big emotions. After all, you can't hold feelings or farts in forever, as the book wisely points out.
Thank you to Christopher Willard, Tara Wosiski, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own....more
This is a high-quality audiobook production with a full soundtrack attached that is narrated by Melinda Sewak. The music plays underneath the narratorThis is a high-quality audiobook production with a full soundtrack attached that is narrated by Melinda Sewak. The music plays underneath the narrators voice. The music is primarily spa music, nature sounds with light instrumental music added. It creates an atmosphere of wonder for the story.
This focuses on Ms. Khan's art class as they explore a forest ecosystem. The uniqueness of the inhabitants of the forest is highlighted by each student finding something that reinforced the beauty of human diversity. I asked to review this for the diversity angle, which is important now more than ever. However, I found myself charmed by the exploration of forest ecosystems. What a delightful description of underground fungi networks!
This also features a diverse group of kids as students tackling ethnic, racial, and disabilities which are part of what makes each individual unique. This is beautifully handled and a delightful story.
Thank you to Roz MacLean, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own....more
This is a high-quality audiobook production with a musical soundtrack and narrated by Melinda Sewak. I love the soft ragtime/jazz feel of the soundtraThis is a high-quality audiobook production with a musical soundtrack and narrated by Melinda Sewak. I love the soft ragtime/jazz feel of the soundtrack. It's fun and I think helps to get kids excited about the story.
This is primarily a biography of engineer Yvonne Clark. Yvonne is compared to a superhero living in your own neighborhood. What I find the most interesting is that Yvonne managed all of this in the 1930s, which is the height of the Jim & Jane Crow Era. This isn't addressed in the book because the story is kept at kid appropriate levels.
The musical soundtrack plays throughout the entire story. It plays lightly in the background and works to enhance rather than detract from the story.
This story is perfect for grade school-aged children. This has the feel of a Black History Month selection. I highly recommend this educational and fun story.
Thank you to Allen R. Wells, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own....more
This sweet children's audiobook is narrated by the author, Tameka Fryer Brown, beautfully. This has a soft soundtrack laid beneath the audiobook narraThis sweet children's audiobook is narrated by the author, Tameka Fryer Brown, beautfully. This has a soft soundtrack laid beneath the audiobook narration that enhances the listening experience. There's soft instrumental music and sound effects like children laughing.
This all about how a younger child is growing up and praises their accomplishments. Like what a good helper they are or how resilient their spirit is. This is a love letter from a mother to their child. It's full of compliments, affirmations, and love. It is a very sweet and loving story.
Thank you to Tameka Fryer Brown, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own....more
This is a sweet story about Princess Minna, who lives in a Castle Tall-Towers with her parents, the King, Queen, and Raymond the wizard. This has mostThis is a sweet story about Princess Minna, who lives in a Castle Tall-Towers with her parents, the King, Queen, and Raymond the wizard. This has mostly simple language and is a perfect transition for newer readers to chapter books. My grandkids read the words they knew, and we worked on the larger words they needed help with. They really liked the way the words of the story were part of the illustrations. It was cleverly done, and they seemed to really enjoy reading the word illustrations. This incorporated elements of other fairy tales, like kissing frogs that my grandkids enjoyed. The focus on unicorns was a hit with my unicorn obsessed granddaughter.
The illustrator of this picture book is Sahar Haghgoo. I love how bright and engaging the images are. My youngest grandson kept taking my tablet from me so he could point at the pictures. He's too young to read, but the illustrations were a hit with him.
Thank you to Kirsty Applebaum, Nosy Crow Inc., and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ebook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own....more
This ebook was made available for me to read and review by Elliott Smith, Lerner Publishing Group, and NetGalley.
The illustrator of this picture ebookThis ebook was made available for me to read and review by Elliott Smith, Lerner Publishing Group, and NetGalley.
The illustrator of this picture ebook is Subi Bosa. Subi does a fantastic job. The illustrations of the characters are warmly colored and beautifully rendered. With pops of brightly colored objects that help to enhance the text. Like the brightly striped Barbers Pole in the corner of the barber shop.
This book is part of a series featuring Bo and his grandfather, Roger, better known as Pop-Pop, and largely set in the Grandfather's Barber Shop. This book in the series focuses on the celebration of Juneteenth with a community picnic. This features important information about this newest of American holidays as well as relevant cultural information. I look forward to reading this with my grandkids. Juneteenth is a favorite holiday of theirs.
I love the setup for this series and look forward to reading about more of Bo's adventures in the future.
Thank you to Elliott Smith, Lerner Publishing Group, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ebook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own....more
This ebook was made available for me to read and review by Cicely Lewis, Lerner Publishing Group, and NetGalley.
The illustrator of this picture book iThis ebook was made available for me to read and review by Cicely Lewis, Lerner Publishing Group, and NetGalley.
The illustrator of this picture book is Anastasia Magloire Williams. Maglore's illustrations are brightly colored and inviting. I adore how Maglore illustrates an afro. The afro is so stunningly drawn that it conveys movement on the page. I love it so much because hair features prominently in this story.
This ebook is part of a series about a Black girl, Imani, whose very hair is magic. Imani's grandmother, Grandma Dottie, mom, and Aunt Netta also share this hair magic.
In this edition of the series, Imani is hosting a sleepover with her friends Keisha, Alejandra, and Penelope. They are telling ghost stories by flashlight when they hear something creepy. The story follows Imani and her brother, Isaiah, as they use detective skills to determine the source of the creepy noises.
This is adorable, fun, and beautifully illustrated. I plan to pick up the rest of Imani's adventures for my granddaughter.
Thank you to Cicely Lewis, Lerner Publishing Group, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ebook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own....more