https://www.kidlightbooks.com2026-06-27 04:45:00https://www.kidlightbooks.com/children-s-book-reviews/arty-too-reviewI was thrilled to read the sequel to Arty by Penny Schneider. Arty Too is filled with all the excitement of Penny’s first graphic novel. Arty, the friendly betta fish and Slug, a silly, purple-loving sea slug, are on another adventure and make a new friend, Shelly, who happens to be deaf.2026-06-04 03:10:00https://www.kidlightbooks.com/children-s-book-reviews/when-god-makes-scribbles-beautiful-by-kate-rietema-illustrated-by-jennie-poh-picture-bookThis beautiful book sees the difficult things in a child’s life as scribbles that grow if he lets them. When he asks God for help, he learns how the bad things can be changed into something better than he imagined.2026-06-03 02:45:00https://www.kidlightbooks.com/children-s-book-reviews/pedal-balance-steer-written-by-vivian-kirkfield-illustrated-by-alison-jay-picture-bookThis is the inspiring true story about Annie Londonderry’s bike ride around the world. Times were tough in Boston in the 1890’s, so when Annie saw an ad promising $10,000 to the first woman to circumnavigate the world on a bike, she taught herself to ride.2026-06-02 16:32:00https://www.kidlightbooks.com/children-s-book-reviews/arty-by-penny-schneiderIf you are looking for a funny graphic novel for kids about friendship, check out Arty by Penny Schneider. Arty is a betta fish who would rather have a friend than fight. Slug is a purple-loving sea slug. The fun details, jokes, and lively expressions make this a delightful read.2023-08-22 06:00:00https://www.kidlightbooks.com/children-s-book-reviews/a-book-for-bearBear loves to read like his friend Ellen, but he wants to find a book of his own. The problem is he’s a bear and bears aren’t allowed at school or the library or in bookstores. Ellen is determined to help Bear and won’t give up until they find a solution.2023-03-07 04:37:00https://www.kidlightbooks.com/children-s-book-reviews/it-s-a-rhap-catIt’s a RHAP, Cat, the second book in the Ellie & Co Series, combines art and Renaissance history in this exciting middle grade mystery adventure.2022-12-28 17:08:00https://www.kidlightbooks.com/children-s-book-reviews/wei-to-go-ellie-co-bookWei to Go is a unique mystery filled with adventure, humor, and Asian culture. Ellie will capture the attention of middle-graders as she finds clues and travels around Hong Kong.2021-09-25 04:34:00https://www.kidlightbooks.com/children-s-book-reviews/long-way-down-by-jason-reynolds-young-adultWow! This memorable novel deserves every award it received. Jason Reynolds tells this dramatic story involving teenage gun violence in short powerful poems. Reynolds has explained, setting the entire book in an elevator, he wanted to mimic the feelings of anger, pain, and helplessness.2021-08-07 05:01:00https://www.kidlightbooks.com/children-s-book-reviews/ruby-moon-by-jenny-knipfer-young-adult-adult-fictionI knew I would like Ruby Moon from the first page. The poetic prose and introduction to Jenay’s vulnerable side hooked my attention. Author Jenny Knipfer begins her novel in the present, revealing Jenay’s guilt for some horrific accident she caused. I was intrigued, wanting to know more, and not disappointed as the story slowly unfurled.2021-03-11 05:15:00https://www.kidlightbooks.com/children-s-book-reviews/a-soul-as-cold-as-frost-by-jennifer-kropf-young-adult-fantasyFrom the first page, I knew this was going to be something special. And it was even better than I expected. I’m not one to usually read fantasy novels, but the poetic descriptions of this magical world author Jennifer Kropf created sparkled.2020-12-11 05:08:00https://www.kidlightbooks.com/children-s-book-reviews/beautiful-beast-by-ej-hill-young-adultWhen I started reading this retelling of the original fairytale, I couldn’t help focusing on the similarities and differences to the original story and Disney version, the main difference being the beast is female. But author, E.J. Hill’s beautiful writing soon carried me into her unique version of the story. Her intricate plot details wove together with vivid descriptions to create something new and unexpected and drew me into her mysterious world.2020-10-12 11:47:00https://www.kidlightbooks.com/children-s-book-reviews/roam-by-ch-armstrong-young-adult-fictionAbby Lunde appears to be an average teen at her new school since moving to Minnesota with her family, but she has secrets. Since her mother’s scandal, they lost everything—jobs, friends, and even their home. Aside from handling the typical teenage mood swings and fears, Abby must deal with living in her family’s van in a Walmart parking lot. She is humiliated, having to sponge bathe in public restrooms and depend on soup kitchens for meals. Abby is angry and blames her mother for ruining their lives...2020-09-23 11:16:00https://www.kidlightbooks.com/children-s-book-reviews/fade-to-white-by-tara-k-ross-young-adult-fictionFade to White is an exceptional young adult novel. Author, Tara K. Ross has a beautiful writing style that drew me in from the first page. I love her character’s humor and honesty in relating the difficult topic of living with a mental illness. Aside from the typical teenage insecurities, Thea has severe anxiety issues, panic attacks, and pulls her hair out to release stress. Her anxious thoughts multiply after reading about the death and suicide of a classmate.2020-08-07 06:40:00https://www.kidlightbooks.com/children-s-book-reviews/let-s-dance-by-valerie-bolling-illustrated-by-maine-diaz-picture-bookEvery page of Let’s Dance is delightful and invites participation. Clap, tap and twirl through the pages! Valerie Bolling captures the essence of each dance from many different cultures in fun, musical words that flow in perfect rhythm. The illustrations are gorgeous and fit each style of dance perfectly.2020-07-28 12:40:00https://www.kidlightbooks.com/children-s-book-reviews/wink-by-rob-harrell-middle-gradeWink is a book that touched my heart. I enjoyed the humor and blinked back a few tears from tender scenes created by the author, Rob Harrell. As a seventh grader, Ross has enough teenage angst to deal with before finding out he has eye cancer. He wants to fit in with his peers, blend in with everyone normal, but the eye treatments force him to stand out. Just when he thinks he couldn’t be more embarrassed, another side effect pops up to draw more attention his way.2020-07-11 07:27:00https://www.kidlightbooks.com/children-s-book-reviews/taste-your-words-by-bonnie-clark-illustrated-by-todd-bright-picture-bookTaste Your Words is a delightful story with hilarious illustrations. After Amera and her friend argue and share some mean words, Amera’s mom suggests she tastes her words before letting them out of her mouth. From that moment, Amera tastes everything she says. Her mean words fill her mouth with yucky flavors like pickle juice and rotten eggs. But when she realizes nice words taste yummy like chocolate or sweet oranges, she is encouraged to be kinder and think before she speaks.2020-07-03 12:40:00https://www.kidlightbooks.com/children-s-book-reviews/gabby-makes-a-friend-by-chris-elle-dove-illustrated-by-sofie-schollaert-picture-bookGabby Makes a Friend is a wonderful story of friendship between two very different characters, Gabby, the Golden Retriever and Katie, the caterpillar. From the first day the puppy meets this little Katie, they quickly become best friends and enjoy playing together until the day Katie disappears for a while. No matter how different they are or how they change, their friendship remains the same.2020-06-27 20:22:00https://www.kidlightbooks.com/children-s-book-reviews/great-grandma-s-gifts-by-marianne-jones-picture-bookGreat-Grandma’s Gifts is a charming picture book with sweet, colorful, childlike illustrations. Arlene had her mother’s talent for sewing. When she grew up, Arlene shared her gift with her children, and later with their children, by the many wonderful things she was able to make for them. This is a great book to teach children appreciation for the elderly and remind them that their grandparents were young once too.2020-06-19 01:57:00https://www.kidlightbooks.com/children-s-book-reviews/the-imaginaries-by-emily-winfield-martin-middle-gradeThis unique book for tweens leaves stories for the imagination on every illustrated page. Emily Winfield Martin describes her paintings as “illustrations for stories that didn’t exist.” In The Imaginaries, she has collected her paintings throughout the years and united them with short, poetic thoughts.2020-06-18 00:11:00https://www.kidlightbooks.com/children-s-book-reviews/her-shining-eyes-by-jeanette-morris-middle-grade-fictionIrina’s young, teenage life changes instantly when her sick mother is sentenced to jail time and she is dropped off at a boarding school. Although she faces many challenges, Irina holds onto her dream of becoming a professional violinist until a bully steals her violin and leaves her hopeless.2020-06-17 09:14:00https://www.kidlightbooks.com/children-s-book-reviews/that-pesky-dragon-by-julie-sykes-picture-book“Izzy’s dad had a farm. And on that farm, there was a herd of cows…a flock of sheep…some chickens…two dogs…three cats…and a dragon.” The fire-breathing dragon causes chaos on the farm; his breath hard-boils eggs and turns their cow’s milk to yogurt. And he won’t go away.2020-06-17 09:08:00https://www.kidlightbooks.com/children-s-book-reviews/russell-the-sheep-by-rob-scotton-picture-bookRussell the sheep can’t sleep. What will he do? The simple text is witty and adorable to match the illustrations. The hilarious details on each page are captivating. Russell is the cutest, fluffiest insomniac. The perfect story to snuggle with at bedtime. A+++ from me.