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The Kids Are All Right

Creole Magic School and Chinese Folklore Meets Videogames and More

Hey readers! I hope the warm weather is treating you nicely. If the outdoors are particularly alluring to you right now, grab a book and a blanket, I’ve got some good picks for you this week.

two children's books cut into the shape of the capital letter R

Letter Book

This Etsy shop repurposes discarded books and turns them into cute decor. You can stick with one for a cute first initial decoration or go all out and spell an an entire name, or some other adorable message. $15

New Releases

cover of wildseed witch by marti dumas

Wildseed Witch by Marti Dumas

This is a fun, fresh series-starter about a Hasani, a girl in New Orleans who learns she’s a witch when a burst of emotion, prompted by her father’s growing relationship with his new girlfriend, reveals her witchy powers. Heading off to a magic school based off Creole magic seems like a good way to distract Hasani from her parents’ split, but it’s not turning out to be what she expected either.

cover of zachary ying and the dragon emperor by xiran jay zhao

Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor by Xiran Jay Zhao

If you’re looking for a fun, rollicking fantasy look no further than this new one that combines Chinese folklore and videogames. Zack hasn’t had a lot of chances to learn about Chinese myth, so he’s not prepared when he learns he’s destined to host the spirit of the First Emperor of China. So of course things go wrong and the Emperor ends up linking to Zack’s gaming headset instead.

Riot Recommendations

cover of Knight Owl by Christopher Denise, showing an illustration of a small own dressed in knight's armor holding a lance

Knight Owl by Christopher Denise

For a painfully cute picture book, please look no further than this one about an owl who aspires to knighthood. While on patrol, Owl has to defend the castle, and despite his tiny size, he brings all of his bravery and all of his wit to a noble defense.

cover of Watercress by Andrea Wang and Jason Chin, showing illustrations of a young girl gathering watercress by the side of the road

Watercress by Andrea Wang and Jason Chin

When a young girl’s parents stop by the side of the road in Ohio to forage for watercress, the girl is embarrassed and worried someone will see. But her embarrassment recedes as her mom tells her about the food scarcity endured in their homeland of China, and the young girl forges a new connection with her heritage.

Until next week!

Chelsea