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Whimsical and endearing, Tony Philips’ The Pig Who Loved Gluffles: And One More Story illuminates the essential lesson of how one’s actions can influence the rest of the world. When a pig discovers the last crazed gluffle in the forest, he’s faced with a moral dilemma: eat the gluffle, or save it, allowing more to grow for everyone’s further enjoyment. Philips’ rhyme scheme is impressive, creating a poetic narrative that’s fun to follow, and his illustrations are colorful and engaging, though the characters don’t always feel integrated with the background. Overall, The Pig Who Loved Gluffles tells a cheerful but […]

Amusing and lighthearted with brightly expressive illustrations, Harley Griffon’s Beard is a delightful book for children about one little dog’s mischief, written by Nana Piercy and illustrated by M. Daamoouche. When Harley’s owner tries to clean her beard one day, the dog runs out the door and gets into an even bigger mess, meeting creepy crawly denizens of her neighborhood along the way. Inspired by Piercy’s own dog, Harley’s travels are evermore charming, as they feel more like a real-life adventure. Though there are some complex words for young children, the spirited rhymes and illustrations tell such an engaging story […]

Martin Patin’s charming novel, Roebell Sandwich, follows the ups and downs of a 12-year-old boy’s life in Queens, N.Y. during the 70s and his pursuit of fame. When Paul Roebell achieves his dream of being on TV, his success is countered by failures he must learn to accept. Though the story lacks a distinct climax, this supports the feeling of Roebell’s monotonous daily life, and Patin’s themes of masculinity and identity keep the story alive. Both lighthearted and realistic, Patin provides readers with an entertaining dive into 70s nostalgia that also makes a comment on contemporary issues.

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