Book Reviews | Here Wee Read- Part 16

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Book Reviews

Book of the Week: Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn by Kenard Pak

City Shapes by Diana Murray: A Book Review

Book of the Week: What is a Child? by Beatrice Alemagna

Book of the Week: Whoosh! by Chris Barton

Miles & Mia A to Z: A Book Review

The Genius of Leonardo da Vinci: A Book Review

Leo Can Swim by Anna McQuinn: A Book Review

Bad Hair Does Not Exist/Pelo Malo No Existe: A Review

How to Sell Your Sister For Fun and Profit: A Book Review

The Importance of Being 3: A Book Review

Storytime Children’s Magazine: A Review Plus a Discount!

5 Women Authors to Watch Plus a Giveaway!

hereweeread

✨ COVER REVEAL! ✨

Publishing January 13, 2026 from author @tamekafryerbrown and illustrator @alleannaharris, Prayer Is published by @mackidsbooks. Check out the synopsis below.

When we lie down to sleep or bless our food before we eat, we pray. But what is prayer?

Prayer is gratitude. Prayer is love. Prayer is a gift from God that everyone can use in times of need. It can be said in a shout or a whisper, in the pews of a church or on the living room couch. Prayer is simple—anyone can do it.

With simple, sweet, contemplative text from award-winning author Tameka Fryer Brown and sweet illustrations from rising-star artist Alleanna Harris, Prayer Is is a gentle exploration of the different meanings of prayer seen through the eyes of a girl and her family—the perfect gift for baby showers, christenings, birthdays, or any moment in a child’s life.

Available for pre-orders now wherever books are sold.

#childrensbooks #childrensbookstagram #picturebookoftheday #picturebooks #picturebookstagram #readeveryday #readdaily #booksforkids #picturebooksforkids #hereweeread #bookstagram #kidsbookstagram #booksforchildren #readingismagic #readmorebooks #readingisfundamental #prayeris #prayerisbook

Passover is a time for storytelling, tradition, and togetherness; and these picture books capture all of that and more.

“Sharing Shalom” by Danielle Sharkan is a gentle reminder that peace and kindness start with us.
“An Invitation to Passover” by Rabbi Kerry Olitzky shows how every family brings something special to the seder table.
“Next Year in the White House” by Richard Michelson tells the inspiring true story of President Obama’s first seder in the White House.

Whether you’re passing down traditions or discovering them for the first time, these books are a beautiful way to bring the meaning of Passover into the hands and hearts of young readers.

Which one will you be reading this season?

#childrensbooks #childrensbookstagram #picturebookoftheday #picturebooks #picturebookstagram #readeveryday #readdaily #booksforkids #picturebooksforkids #hereweeread #bookstagram #kidsbookstagram #booksforchildren #readingismagic #readmorebooks #readingisfundamental #passoverbooksforkids #passover2025 #passoverchildrensbooks #barackobama #seder

Spring has officially sprung, and that means it’s the perfect time for reading about blooming flowers, gardening, and rainy day adventures to capture the joy and wonder of the season. #springhassprung🌸 #springishere

#childrensbooks #childrensbookstagram #picturebookoftheday #picturebooks #picturebookstagram #readeveryday #readdaily #booksforkids #picturebooksforkids #hereweeread #bookstagram #kidsbookstagram #booksforchildren #readingismagic #readmorebooks #readingisfundamental

Sometimes, a little music can turn into something big.

Mary, the queen of style and flair, loves to add a little sparkle wherever she goes. One day, while strumming her ukulele, she gets a grand idea: why not start a band?

With her signature confidence and creativity, she gathers her friends and they get to work. But when the music sounds more like mayhem than melody, Mary has to step up, take the lead, and bring everyone together; just in time for the big performance.

Recommended for ages 4-8.

Be sure to check out the other books in this series: Mary Had a Little Glam and Mary Had a Little Plan. Written by @tammisauer. Illustrated by @vanessabrantleynewton. Published by @unionsqandco.

#maryhadalittlejam #maryhadalittleplan #maryhadalittleglam #vanessabrantleynewton #tammisauer #childrensbooks #childrensbookstagram #picturebookoftheday #picturebooks #picturebookstagram #readeveryday #readdaily #booksforkids #picturebooksforkids #hereweeread #bookstagram #kidsbookstagram #booksforchildren #readingismagic #readmorebooks #readingisfundamental

There’s something special about living in a state that truly values its libraries. Libraries are places where stories, resources, and community come together. Investing in a library means investing in everyone. A well-funded library makes a town richer in ways that go beyond money.

Shoutout to @newcanaanlibrary for being the prettiest library I’ve ever seen so far in the state of Connecticut. Let me know your favorite Connecticut library in the comments.

P.S. Libraries are currently under attack by the current U.S. administration. Please support your local libraries and museums. They need us now more than ever before.

#librariesrock #librarylife📚 #librariesofinstagram #librariesofinstagram📚 #librariesofct #ctlibraries #newcanaanlife #newcanaanlibrary #librariestransform #librarygram #shelfiesunday #librarylover #librarylove #connecticutgram #connecticut_igers #connecticutlife #connecticutliving #hereweeread #literaryroadtrip #hereweetravel

From the Olympics to the U.S. Navy, the Asian American women featured in this book have led, innovated, and inspired across every field imaginable.

Girls to the Front celebrates the incredible achievements of 40 Asian American women who helped change the world. This book encourages young readers to tap into their own greatness.

Women Featured: Mary Tape, Umpeylia “Sugar Pie” DeSanto, Susan Ahn Cuddy, Sunisa “Suni” Lee, Zarina Hashmi, Cristeta Comerford, Anna May Wong, Grace Lee Boggs, Christine Ha, Kimora Lee Simmons, Vicki Manalo Draves, Amy Tan, Dr. Chien-Shiung Wu, Tammy Duckworth, Lucy Liu, Gyo Fujikawa, Kalpana Chawla, Helen Zia, Ny Sou Okon, Vera Wang, Geena Rocero, Patsy Mink, Gabriella Wilson (H.E.R.), Dr. Erika Lee, Chloe Kim, Margaret Cho, Maya Lin, Yuri Kochiyama, Kristi Yamaguchi, Tye Leung Schulze, Ali Wong, Dr. Kazue Togasaki, Merritt Moore, Nicole Ponseca, Miyoshi Umeki, Joy Cho, Dorothy Toy, Ruby Ibarra, Dr. Mabel Ping-Hua Lee, and Kamala Harris.

Perfect for young dreamers and leaders ready to make history. Ages 8-12 and up. Published by @harperkids @ninamataart

#childrensbooks #childrensbookstagram #picturebookoftheday #picturebooks #picturebookstagram #readeveryday #readdaily #booksforkids #picturebooksforkids #hereweeread #bookstagram #kidsbookstagram #booksforchildren #readingismagic #readmorebooks #readingisfundamental #womenshistorymonth2025 #womenshistory #womenshistorymonth

Women are trailblazers, innovators, and history-makers. These newly released picture books celebrate three Black women who broke barriers and changed the game.

From Yvonne Clark paving the way in engineering, to Jacci Gresham making her mark in the tattoo world, to Mavis Staples using her voice to build bridges instead of walls; these stories inspire courage, creativity and change.

Which one are you excited to read first? 👇🏾

Books featured in this reel:

Yvonne Clark and Her Engineering Spark
Make Your Mark: The Empowering True Story of the First Known Black Female Tattoo Artist
Bridges Instead of Walls: The Story of Mavis Staples

#childrensbooks #childrensbookstagram #picturebookoftheday #picturebooks #picturebookstagram #readeveryday #readdaily #booksforkids #picturebooksforkids #hereweeread #bookstagram #kidsbookstagram #booksforchildren #readingismagic #readmorebooks #readingisfundamental #womenshistorymonth #womenshistory #womenshistorymonth2025