The illustrations by David Roberts are nothing short of spectacular. They capture the spirit of the late 50s and early 60s, with a playful nod to American design history. The diverse classroom and quirky character designs make each page a visual treat, with plenty of details to keep both kids and adults engaged.

What makes this series stand out is its perfect blend of action and humor. The colorful, fun illustrations leap off the page, drawing you into a world filled with quirky characters and high-stakes battles. The themes of friendship, teamwork, and finding strength in protecting those you love are woven seamlessly into the story, making it as heartwarming as it is exciting.

What truly makes this book remarkable is how well it has aged. The trails Kibling covers are still being maintained, providing hikers with the same breathtaking views and peaceful retreats that she so lovingly described decades ago. As a local, I can attest that the places highlighted in this guidebook remain as enchanting as ever, offering a perfect blend of natural beauty and historical significance.

"Better to Be Lucky than Smart" is not just a collection of stories; it's a celebration of a life well-lived. It reminds us of the importance of embracing opportunities, no matter how diverse or challenging. Bill Mares' memoir is a fitting tribute to his legacy and is highly recommended for an inspiring and heartfelt read. His memory, and his words, will continue to inspire all who read this remarkable book.

As the 8th book in the Tintin box set, "Tintin: The Crab with The Golden Claws" marks a significant milestone in the series with the introduction of the beloved Captain Haddock. This addition to the storyline does not disappoint and adds a delightful new dimension to Tintin's adventures.

What stands out in "Tales from the Con" is its ability to poke fun at the conventions while celebrating them simultaneously. The comic puns, pop culture references, and general goofiness are mined for good laughs. Yes, some jokes border on the kind of puns you'd scold your dad for, but many more are genuinely entertaining and clever.

What makes "Plain Jane and the Mermaid" stand out is how Brosgol hints at a rich world-building without overwhelming the reader. The underwater environment, filled with selkies and mermaids, is beautifully illustrated and adds depth to the narrative. Each page is a visual treat, capturing the magic and danger of the ocean depths.

If you’re a fan of clever wordplay and pun-tastic humor, "All Puns Blazing" by Geoff Rowe is a must-read. Arranged by specific topics and themes such as food, transport, family, sports, Christmas, and more, this book is jam-packed with jokes that will make you laugh and groan in equal measure.

I have been researching and designing my FATE Core adventure module for my ‘Appliance’ game and found Mindjammer Press’ cosmic fantasy roleplaying game, ‘The Chronicles of Future Earth’, an excellent resource. 

This quick and powerful read follows a young girl who goes back to visit her mother’s hometown after a storm.  A great backstory is touched regarding her mother’s passing and the seemingly normalized magical creatures that live next to this seaside fishing village.

What I appreciated the most from this book is how some proverbs are like those of the Zarma and Hausa people.  This does make it hard to determine where some of these sayings originated, but it does say a lot about how some phrases and sayings resonate throughout all of West Africa.

What I appreciated about this book, as I have daughters and work as a disability advocate in my day job is how Ben naturally includes into the story strong female characters and normalizes the inclusion of folks living with disabilities.

I really enjoyed the build-up of mysteries and the reveal of backstories while the reader learns more about Wyatt and Adeline.

The book has a pretty good pace and fits well within the teen superhero genre. It has heart and Eric did a great job showing the reader what a supportive and competitive sibling relationship looks like.

This is a great children’s book and has a great message for kids, and that is all about following your dreams, and being kind can make you feel good. Amy Baron also found an amazing illustrator for ‘The Gentle Bulldozer’ with Rogerio Coelho. His friendly and accessible style is a perfect companion to Baron’s story.

I have been enjoying reading some of the comics that I bought through doing Proxibid. One of them is the old New Universe series ‘Kickers Inc’. Jim Shooter created the line of in celebration of Marvel Comics’ 25th anniversary.

As a reader, I knew I was reading a horror comic, but my logical brain was trying to make sense of what was happening and was hoping that I would get some answers at the end of the story, but frankly, I am glad I did not. It made the story’s horror last longer in my mind.

This anthology compromises seven stories of Direct Support Professionals on their duties of support folks living with disabilities. Green Mountain Support Services sponsored the comic and it was written by Mike Luoma and illustrated by several Vermont cartoonists.

This past week I read ‘Kerry and the Knight of the Forest’ by Andi Watson it was a delightfully thick YA graphic novel that reaches over 260 pages. The story is about a boy named Kerry who gets lost in the woods and a waystone helps him find his way out of the forest.

‘Baba Yaga’s Assistant’ was geared towards the young adult audience, but at the same time had some pretty adult themes of the death of family members, while discussing the importance of finding one’s own life path based on the values and wisdom established by multi-generational households.

One of my favorite things about this is the repartee between characters. It is reminiscent of the 90s in the sense that the original Image Comics superhero teams were built from a similar story premise and the 90s movies were also a great era of witty banter.