Attractive enough, but so vague as to be nearly useless. More a stilted but dreamy picture book than anything actually informative. (And as much as I like the idea of nods to the artists style, seriously, can we have some actual examples of his art, more than two small photos in the end material?! I'm really not digging this narrative nonfiction trend where bios of artists don't actually include much of the artists work.)

Another great introduction to a batch of badass women. Not a be all and end all, but an amazing starting place with a highly readable pace. Also greatly appreciate the broader approach to the use of mother and matriarch. (I feel like the casual style would do better in teen with the first book, but I think the use of mother in the title is why the few libraries that have it put it in adult...)

A complex and complicated history of African-American culinary history, as well as American and world history in general in light of the long history and legacy of slaves brought from Africa to the Americas. Worth reading slowly and thoughtfully. Provocative.

Good read, short but lots of information. A nice mix of more and less well known ladies. I like their summaries of other women they wanted to include in the back, and that they do have a research and resources page, though I really wish it had a bibliography. (And better art, I really don't like the art style.)

I listened to the audiobook version of this memoir by Michael McCreary, a 22-year old stand-up comedian who is on the autism spectrum. The book was written in 2019, so it gives recent information on Autism Spectrum Disorders and supplemental graphs and pictures are provided at https://www.annickpress.com/Books/F/Funny-You-Don-t-Look-Autistic. The author tells his own story of growing up autistic, what behaviors led to his diagnosis as a child and how humor and comedy became a positive outlet for him. The audiobook is 3 hours and 37 minutes and covers a variety of aspects of autism, including the spectrum of developmental disorders, reactions from neurotypical people, social struggles in school and suggestions on how to better communicate and understand some on the autism spectrum. The book is appropriate for anyone age 12 or older and the publisher offers a lesson plan with the option for the book to be taught in a classroom. The lesson plan covers aspects of writing a memoir, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and the role of comedy in a person’s life. Parents, family, and friends of an autistic person will find the book offers some insight into what their loved one is experiencing.

Torn on this one. It's very sweet, but despite being based on her life, I feel like it really shouldn't be in non-fiction. Even in kid's books I'm not big on non-fiction books putting specific thoughts in people's heads unless those people have written or spoken along those lines. So I'm suuuuper not big on non-fiction books showing animals thinking like people. I'm also iffy on how she turned herself into a tween/teen and glossed entirely over her injuries. It's lovely to have a thoughtful and positive portrayal, and first hand, view, I just wish it had emphasized more on the training and working together and less on an imaginary dog's POV and a quasi-fictional view on her. Two separate books-maybe a more real non-fiction and then a picture book might have been more appropriate here?

Graphic format is good for this, but I think given how slim the story framework was I think a straight up comic with more visuals on the concepts and not bothering with the comic book inspiration parts might have worked better. (Also should I worry that I don't really get subatomic physics even when it's in a comic format and aimed at teens?)

This one fits a little oddly. It seems like the plot and writing are a little young for the length. I'm wondering if it'd be good for reluctant readers. All the underwear jokes do make it seem like a good choice for captain underpants fans or the younger end of Hilo fans!

It's wonderfully illustrated, but not much of a biography. I'm not keen on biographies that make statements about the subject's interior life, or on books about artists that never show examples of the artists work. (Or in general, on books that compare women to animals, even though I get it's meant to be a positive bridge.)

Vivid imagery of a fantastical time and place with colorful characters. A magical circus at turn of the century Europe / Northeastern US. Conjures the feeling of "The Prestige" and Tim Burton films, with two main characters caught in the crosshairs of an epic Game. I enjoyed living in the circus, with all its wondrous tents and entertainers, but fell out of love once the danger and death started to kick in. Couldn't feel strongly about the two main characters falling in love and what happened to them, but I greatly enjoyed the setting and imagery of the book.