Naja Marie Aidt, Denise Newman
[isbn]
I typically stay away from memoirs like this. As a mother, my greatest fear is the death of my own child. But this mother's journey is worth the anguish. That first shower after her son's death... having to divide a lock of his hair with her ex-husband... I was ripped apart with each page, but also, her words put me back together again and I am better for it.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Kwame Alexander
[isbn]
Go to page 81 and read "Good Night." This look into his marriage... it's so relatable. Kwame Alexander's memoir reads like a love letter to his family. One that is open and honest and full of the good and bad. And at the center of it all is food. I love the mix of poetry and essays, with a sprinkling of recipes throughout. If you pick up this book, try the fried chicken on page 125. Yes, it's good.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Katherine Center
[isbn]
Hannah Brooks is probably the last person you'd expect to be a bodyguard. That's why, when action star Jack Stapleton needs someone to protect him from his stalker, she's the perfect choice. The two agree to enter into a fake relationship to spare Jack's mom's fragile state of mind. Hilarity ensues. I mean, how can you be afraid of cows? This book gave me the giggles and I really needed the giggles.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Alexandra Elle
[isbn]
The inner-child reflection and affirmation on page 134 shook me hard, broke me open, and forced me to really examine the childhood trauma I've been trying to heal all my life. Do not pick this book up unless you are prepared to ugly cry as you look your trauma in the face and remind yourself that you are worthy of love in all forms, but most especially self-love.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Stephanie Schroeder, Teresa Theophano
[isbn]
This is an important book that works to destigmatize so many elements about mental illness experienced by those in the LGBTQ+ community. The voices in this anthology are diverse and creative. The comic on page 88 by JR Sullivan Voss is my favorite and I love the poetry from Gabriella M. Belfiglio. But the most important part of this book is the list of mental health resources I can turn to when existing becomes too painful.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Justice Williams and Roc Rochon and Lawrence Koval
[isbn]
I am an overweight, queer, BIPOC woman and this book hits home. Yes, I am fat. And yes, I love playing sports and working out. These things CAN exist in the same space. The fitness industry is finally changing and people like me are actually being treated like humans instead of being shamed and shunned. This book gave me hope.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Samira Mehta
[isbn]
There is a unique pain when you live life in the various intersections of human identity. The loneliness can be suffocating because you feel like you never quite fully relate to anyone. You have to find your own joy. Mehta's honest reflections made me laugh and cry. This book made me think of how even the smallest actions can cause great pain or spark deep healing.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Miriam Schulman
[isbn]
Whatever stage you're at in your creative-business journey, this book is extremely useful. It is easy to read and she backs up her words with relevant facts and stats. Chapter 7 alone makes this book worth it because it addresses money and pricing which, as an artist, I hate dealing with.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Masaaki Nakayama
[isbn]
Nightmare fuel. Perfect for fans of Junji Ito. The monster seems like it's from some creepy urban legend and it's looking for victims to tease, torment, and torture. The story jumps around, and you get to see all the horrific ways people fall prey to this monster running around modern-day Japan. I think if this story were in full-color, I wouldn't be able to get through it...
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Morgan Harper Nichols
[isbn]
If you feel broken, turn to page 44. There is no single path to healing, no one cure-all. This book is something I flip through when my grief feels too heavy. I see this collection of poetry as spiritual instead of religious... I am not religious at all and found the words in this book unbelievably healing.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Rodney Stotts, Kate Pipkin
[isbn]
We forget sometimes how powerfully healing our connection to nature can be. Rodney grew up in a bad neighborhood, disconnected from the land, and heading toward a life full of crime. When he goes to work for a conservation group, his life changes. The journey he goes through, the pain of his mother's death and losing his friends... I cried. He found his path and shows just how important second chances are.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Mike Prada
[isbn]
Basketball looks nothing like it did 75 years ago. This book goes in depth into the "3 point era" and the evolution of the game. I loved the feeling of nostalgia as I read about these players I grew up watching; like Karl Malone talking about running "pick-and-rolls," and how Scottie Pippen became the perfect player to put in against these tactics. This is such a fascinating read for anyone who loves basketball.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Rebecca Ollerton
[isbn]
Reading this was so eye-opening for me. As a mother to a child on the spectrum, I absolutely devoured this book. Reading about firsthand experiences has really helped me to try and understand and empathize with my child. This is an amazing anthology.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Alison Mariella Désir
[isbn]
Désir's feelings of alienation and "otherness" are so relatable to me as a BIPOC woman living in the PNW. The first few pages where she lines up the history of running as a sport alongside important moments in Black history is absolutely striking. Reading her words, I felt like I was running alongside her, cheering her on as she overcame depression while always carrying around the shared awareness BIPOC know so well: many spaces will not always... (read more)
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Carolyn Hays
[isbn]
I honestly have no idea how I would react to a surprise visit from a caseworker for child services, but I definitely hope I'd be as strong as Carolyn Hays. All her family was doing was loving her child enough to allow them to express their gender the way their child wanted and someone anonymously reported them to child services. Their story made me ugly cry. Every parent should read this book.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Daniel Lieberman
[isbn]
Even athletes struggle with that voice inside telling them that a nap sounds better than running. Why is that? Lieberman does a great job explaining how humanity evolved from being "naturally" active to having to want to move. I loved how he used Jane Austen to explain Darwin's theory of natural selection. And I learned so much about how the human body uses energy. Definitely a great read if you're interested in exercise science.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Minnie Small
[isbn]
If you have ever struggled to finish a sketchbook or you’ve always wanted to start one, this challenge is for you. This book is full of great exercises that makes those blank pages less intimidating and (dare I say it?) fun. I love Minnie Small’s approachable teaching style and definitely enjoyed working through these prompts. Do you find the first page of a sketchbook daunting? The first prompt on page 10 will change your life.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
N. K. Jemisin
[isbn]
N. K. Jemisin is undoubtedly one of the most creative voices out there today. Her Great Cities Duology wraps up with The World We Make and I have decided I am obsessed with New York and the concept of cities personified. Jemisin's writing is vibrant and powerful and I always lose myself in her books. I definitely believe that this is urban fantasy at its best.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Alison Cochrun
[isbn]
A Powell's meet-cute, snow days, and a queer love trapezoid is apparently the perfect equation for a holiday romance book because I stayed up until 3 a.m. reading this and wishing it was already winter. Ellie trying to make ends meet while struggling with her art career is so relatable to me, and I fell in love with Jack's quirky family. Not your typical holiday romance novel and that's what makes it so good.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Emma Smith
[isbn]
This is less of a commentary on the power of the written word and more of a love story dedicated to the history of physical books. I personally prefer holding an actual book in my hands and flipping through pages, so finding out how books evolved from scrolls to mass market paperbacks is super fascinating. Thoroughly researched and well written, I had so much fun learning all the different ways the book has taken shape throughout time.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Melissa de la Cruz
[isbn]
Dona Esmeralda is from the country of 7,000 islands and eats all the food that naughty children don't want to eat. What happens when she gets her hungry little hands on real food? This is such an adorable (and definitely less scary) take on a Filipino folktale. It made me laugh so hard and also brought back a lot of memories of my own childhood.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Jarrett Melendez, Danica Brine
[isbn]
Utterly adorable. Ben's finished college and now he's the only one of his friend group who hasn't been able to land a job in his field (definitely relatable..). Deciding he just cannot move back in with his parents, Ben applies for a job at a restaurant. He immediately develops a crush on Liam, one of the chefs, and adorably awkward moments ensue. This story is so sweet and cute. I loved it.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund Broka
[isbn]
This book hurt... in a good way. It isn't my typical read — there's no smut, it's filled with negative tension, and the main characters' past relationship is shrouded in mystery for a good few chapters. But the story hooked me. It felt real and very emotional. Katrina and Nathan went from writing partners (who wrote a bestselling novel together) and best friends to... nothing. Just, all of a sudden, their friendship ceased and all that's left are... (read more)
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Lynn Painter
[isbn]
This book was a fun ride. Olivia is a bit of a hot mess and feels like she's had bad luck all her life. While she's trying to pull herself together after hitting rock-bottom, Olivia gets a text from a wrong number and their conversations are delightfully entertaining. When Mr. Wrong Number ghosts her, it seems like her brother's best friend starts to see Olivia in a different light and their conversations turn delightfully entertaining.... (read more)
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Amy Lea
[isbn]
This is such a fun read. Crystal is a curvy, confident, plus-size fitness influencer (hello, goals!) with a gym nemesis who looks just like Chris Evans. The way they prank each other made me giggle so hard. And the SPICE? I'll never look at a locker room the same way again...
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Lauren Layne
[isbn]
I adore pen-pal romances. This one has an enemies-to-friends-to-lovers story. People-pleaser Gracie Cooper meets a charming man via a dating app but *PLOT TWIST*? he has a girlfriend: his friends signed him up as a prank one drunken night. Gracie and "Sir" continue to chat as friends while a big company tries to buyout her family business. I love what happens when Gracie decides to take charge of her life and follows her own path.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Megan Madison and Jessica Ralli and Isabel Roxas
[isbn]
It is super important to me that my children understand consent. I want to keep them safe and help them keep others safe. This book does a wonderful job of using age appropriate language and examples to show how to say 'yes' and 'no.' I really appreciated the part where they highlight that sometimes a 'yes' can later turn into 'no.' And I am so happy they used the proper names for body parts.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Priyanka Naik
[isbn]
I adore this cookbook. It's perfect for the adventurous foodie, especially for "Meatless Mondays." The book is broken down into different regions of the world but my favorite recipes in the book are definitely from India.The home fries on page 35 are AMAZING.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Crayola LLC , Lisa Solomon
[isbn]
The history of Crayola is so interesting. I love all the pictures showing how the crayon both changed and stayed the same over time. I can still remember the joy I felt as a kid, opening a fresh box of crayons: how they smelled and looked lined up perfectly in their box. This book fills me with so much joy.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Schele Williams, Tonya Engel
[isbn]
I was so excited to share this book with my children. It is beautiful and moving. The author did a great job writing honestly about one of our country's darkest moments in history while keeping it age appropriate. It opened up some great conversations in our family. I can't wait to share it with my friends and their children.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Kyrie McCauley
[isbn]
This book grabbed me from the first line of chapter one. My father's mental illness made parts of my upbringing chaotic and I related to a lot in this novel. Powerful and painful. Heartbreaking and haunting. A deep exploration of domestic violence and a beautiful reminder that there is a sunrise waiting for you tomorrow.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Joy Harjo
[isbn]
Harjo's memoir is both gritty and glittering. Her experiences with domestic abuse, poverty, and addiction are sometimes heart-wrenching, but on the other side of her journey is poetry, music, and art. A stunningly intense and beautiful read.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Lynda Barry
[isbn]
If you have ever wanted to draw and thought, "I can't even draw a stick figure," pick up this book. Lynda Barry and I share the same philosophy: everyone has the ability to be creative. While this book focuses on the beautiful marriage of words and pictures, I love that the exercises really bring out a passion for drawing regardless of your skill level.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
David Larochelle, Mike Wohnoutka
[isbn]
Right now, my 5-year-old is working on how and why we apologize. He doesn't always get it. I love that this book validates his feelings and fears but also emphasizes the importance of saying sorry. It also gives examples of how NOT to apologize and I think that's just as important. A difficult topic with simple explanations and cute illustrations. Honestly, I think some adults could benefit from reading this book as well.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Karla Clark, Zoe Persico
[isbn]
This little book is adorable and so relatable. I read this to my daughter and she was so excited to pretend to be Mommy for the night. The illustrations practically glow and the rhymes were so fun to read. It is currently one of my daughter's favorite bedtime books.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Miranda Paul, Ebony Glenn
[isbn]
Even though my kids are very young, it's important to me that they know they have a voice and when to use it. This book does a wonderful job of taking a difficult topic and breaking it down into simple examples of when to speak up. I love the simple illustrations showing a diverse group of characters. I also loved the conversations this book started in my family.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Casey Cep
[isbn]
This book reads like a detailed Law and Order episode. The story is actually told in 3 parts. 1) A murderer who killed for life insurance money. 2) The lawyer who defended both the murderer AND, eventually, the murderer's killer. 3) The journalist who spent years trying to tell this fascinating tale. This book is full of interesting details and courtroom drama. And I love that it shed some light on one of the most mysterious modern American... (read more)
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Alice Oseman
[isbn]
Ridiculously cute. This comic perfectly captures that sweet pain of having a crush. You know what I mean? You cringe because it's relatable but also smile because it's adorable. The story takes it's time so you can bask in the emotions the main characters go through. Fair warning: Like a lot of good stories, there's a cliffhanger at the end. But, I think it's worth it.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Trungles
[isbn]
This has become my new favorite deck. I love the ethereal, magical illustrations. Tarot decks are becoming more inclusive in their representation and this deck does it beautifully. I love that the creator included 4 different versions of the Lovers card so you can choose the one that resonates with you. Gorgeous art, an easy to read guidebook, and a cute storage box.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Jessie L. Kwak
[isbn]
There are so many time management books out there, but this is the first one I've read that comes from someone who runs a creative business — and writing is definitely a business. This book was super helpful, especially for someone like me who works a day job on top of my illustration business. She gives examples of how she organizes and manages her time and also how to customize her system to fit your life. A great read for any creative person... (read more)
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Laura Knetzger
[isbn]
Rhino-B and Stag-B are best beetle buddies and have amazing adventures in the bug world. They have a close run-in with a frog, escape a giant, help a spider in her library, and even explore some spooky caves. I love that no matter what problems arise, they solve them together and stay friends. Such a cute collection of stories. Perfect for fans of the Narwhal and Jelly books.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Lucy Bellwood
[isbn]
It's like Lucy Bellwood's demon is my inner critic's twin. Instead of running away from her negative thoughts, she gave them a shape and debates the little imp. Beautifully vulnerable, unbelievably relatable. If you've ever suffered from impostor syndrome, anxiety, and fear of failure (or even success), pick up this book.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Karen Schneemann and Lily Williams
[isbn]
Every young person (with or without a uterus) should read this graphic novel. Sasha makes three new friends when every woman's nightmare happens: she gets her period while wearing white pants. The story that follows is everything I wish all friendships had. I love all the diversity in this book and how it doesn't shy away from serious topics including endometriosis. I wish I had this book growing up.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Minh Le and Dan Santat
[isbn]
I am a child of immigrants and this story hits really close to home. My grandmother and I had a language barrier as well, but shared a love for picture books. As an artist, I love that the boy and his grandfather draw pictures together to form a special bond all their own. A very beautiful story.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Michel Lauricella
[isbn]
This is an amazing reference for artists who want to have a better understanding of human anatomy. While this is not for beginners, I think it is a great reference guide for figurative artists. The book focuses on écorché references (human figures drawn without skin) and gives a better understanding of how muscles connect and move. I absolutely love drawing from this guide and it has helped me so much.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Tiffany Dahle
[isbn]
This book has really yummy and EASY recipes. Some of my favorites are Pancake Donuts with Maple Glaze, Smart Cookies, and Giant Birthday Cookie Cake. I'm not a huge baker, but this book is easy to follow with my children and produces delicious treats. I love that it also includes decorating tips and substitution and measuring tricks. Perfect for me and my little bakers.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Kate Hannigan, Patrick Spaziante
[isbn]
This book is a marvelous blend of genres. It is a historical fiction superhero story with strong female characters. Set during WWII, Josie decides she wants to use her skills to help in the war effort. And she will not let anyone say she can't. A wonderful adventure story with diverse characters and a great message.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
JP Coovert
[isbn]
If you're interested in making comics like Dog Man by Dav Pilkey or Smile by Raina Telgemeier, this is a great guide. It goes over basic supplies, scripting, art techniques, and even has a simple project for printing your own comic. This guide is geared toward children, but as an artist, I enjoyed reading it myself!
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Ryan T Higgins
[isbn]
A very silly tale about a grumpy bear and his mistaken identity. When Bruce goes out to forage for eggs, he brings them home and they end up hatching! This is such a funny book. I loved reading it aloud to my kids.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Kira Willey
[isbn]
This book has been amazing for my son who has anxiety. There are so many exercises in this book and each one is easy for my son to follow. Even my 2-year-old sits down to try the techniques with us. They love pretending and playing and this book turns mindfulness into imaginative play.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Hannah Templer
[isbn]
At first glance, this looks like just another fun sci-fi space adventure. But it is so much more than that. Lesbian gladiators in mech suits are trying to liberate princesses who are being forced into marriage. I found myself relating to these characters who felt trapped by a misogynistic society. The writing is fast-paced, the art is beautiful, and I loved watching them take on and mess up the patriarchy.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Lupita Nyong’o and Vashti Harrison
[isbn]
I got the chills reading this book. It is so beautiful. As a person of color, there were times when I was told I was ugly because of the color of my skin. It happened a lot when I was a little girl. This book teaches us to love and accept ourselves. It reminds us that beauty also comes from within. I really wish I had this book as a kid. I'm so glad it exists today for my children.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Alice Schertle and Jill McElmurry
[isbn]
Little Blue and his friends take shelter from the storm, in the barn where it's nice and warm. When the storm has finally passed, it's time to go to bed at last. Both of my kids had so much fun saying good night to everyone. So cute, with lots of fun rhymes. It's a great story for bedtime.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Kirk Scroggs
[isbn]
This book is like the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, but with a superhero twist. The story follows Russell Weinwright (a tribute to Swamp Thing creators Len Wein & Bernie Wrightson), an adopted middle schooler on a quest to find out more about his parents. Plot twist: He's green, has weeds for hair, and a frog living in his arm. This book is Russell's journal. It's super funny and is full of hilarious drawings.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Heather Corinna, Luke Howard, Isabella Rotman
[isbn]
This book goes over an uncomfortable topic and presents it in a way that is relatable and super easy to understand. I love that this is a graphic novel, because a lot of what happens during puberty is visual and can be the root of a lot of self-hatred. But this book reminds the reader that everyone feels weird at this age and that's OK. I wish I had this book growing up.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Americas Test Kitchen Kids , Maddie Frost
[isbn]
This interactive board book is a favorite with my kids. They love pretending to help make these adorable cupcakes. My daughter's favorite page is where she has to shake the book to mix everything together. So much giggling! I love that it encourages helping out while also engaging the imagination. If your kids liked Press Here by Hervé Tullet, they will love Stir Crack Whisk Bake.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Paulina Cassidy
[isbn]
The Spiritsong deck is based off of the traditional Rider-Waite-Smith system, however, Paulina Cassidy has switched up the suits for a nature theme that pairs well with the animals on her cards. Wands are acorns, swords are feathers, cups are shells, and pentacles/coins are crystals. The artwork is gorgeous: ethereal and soft but still powerful. The deck comes with a little guidebook with inspiring messages for both the upright and reversal... (read more)
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Rick Remender
[isbn]
This is an excellent cyberpunk story. It follows two hit men, one addicted to technology/drugs and the other desperately trying to clean him up. The social commentary kind of slaps you in the face. I love the technology vs. nature theme as well. The story is a blend of Mad Max and Blade Runner, with a dash of Akira thrown in for good measure. And the art absolutely blew me away. Intense and tragic. Love it.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Kimberli Johnson
[isbn]
Graphic novels are already a wonderful way to get children to read and this graphic novel goes a step further by being dyslexia-friendly. Emiline, our heroine and knight in training, can do lots of hard things like confronting trolls. However, reading is something she struggles with. The letters dance on the page when she tries, but she doesn't let that stop her. She is determined to become a great knight. Everything about this book makes it... (read more)
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Joyce Wan
[isbn]
Bright. Beautiful. Colorful. This board book has 15 diverse and inspirational women, all reminding us to follow our dreams. The illustrations are very sweet. My 2-year-old daughter likes to point out all the things she knows the words for. I love that at the end, there's a small blurb about each of the women featured in this book.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Kresley Cole
[isbn]
Werewolves and vampires hate each other. Everyone knows that. So when Lachlain finds the woman destined to be his mate, he is more than a little disappointed to find that she's a vampire. Emma wants nothing to do with him — in fact, she's terrified of the crazed werewolf. This book is full of sass and excitement. I love the world Kresley Cole has created.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
David F. Walker and Chuck Brown and Sanford Greene
[isbn]
The Sangeryes are a family of monster hunters who live in Harlem in the 1920s. The family seems to be getting smaller while the monsters are getting stronger. This story does a great job of balancing action and energy with heavy themes like racism and family dynamics. I can't decide what I like better: the art or the story. Good thing I don't have to choose.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Chungah Rhee
[isbn]
This is a great book for anyone interested in meal prep. I use her recipes all the time (page 135 is my all time favorite: Korean BBQ bowls, YUM). Her recipes are easy for me to adapt to my own style of cooking. I know the book itself seems like a little investment, but at $0.26/recipe, I think it's well worth it. And I've saved a lot by using her book for my weekly work lunches!
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Daniel Haack, Isabel Galupo, Becca Human
[isbn]
This is a sweet story about a lady knight who falls in love with a princess. What I adore about this book is that it normalizes LGBTQ+ love and reminds us that queer stories aren't inherently "mature." LGBTQ+ children need these stories as well. The art is bright and lively and shows beautifully multicultural characters. Representation matters so much for children and I am so glad that this book exists. It is a great follow-up to Prince and... (read more)
Recommended by Rose H.
|
JP Ahonen
[isbn]
This is basically your average comic about the challenges of everyday family life... except the kids are named Lilith and Leviathan and they have a three-headed dog. There are so many Instagram webcomics out there, but this one is so unique and makes me laugh every time. This comic is like a satanic Calvin and Hobbes and I love everything about it.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Cori Doerrfeld
[isbn]
My little wild child loves this adorable board book. If you have your own wild baby, this is a great book to read together. My almost-2-year-old daughter giggled the whole time. The story is told in such a delightful, energetic rhyme that it's hard not to smile. AND the sweet ending got me extra cuddles.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Jenn Bailey
[isbn]
My sweet and gentle son struggles socially. He recently told me that he wanted a friend and my heart broke into a million pieces. I picked up this book to show him that other children also struggle with making friends. And that hopefully, going to school will help him. He gave me a hug after reading this book and asked me to read it again.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
David Litchfield
[isbn]
Billy doesn't believe his grandpa when he's told a friendly giant has quietly helped the town in the past. When Billy learns that the giant hides because people aren't always friendly or nice, he tries his best to make it up to the giant. The illustrations in this book are breathtaking and magical. It's a quiet book with an important message that I love.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Monique Fields
[isbn]
As the mother of two biracial children, this book made me cry. It highlights a little girl's struggle to discover her own color/identity. Some of her friends think she's black. Some of her friends think she's white. She doesn't think she's either. Her parents insist that "color is just a word," but she still wants one all her own. I love that she persists until she discovers a color and identity all on her own. Beautiful.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Cleo Papanikolas
[isbn]
As an illustrator, one of my goals is to try and be creative every day. This journal makes it easy for me to do some art every day. The prompts are interesting and insightful. My favorite was one of the first exercises where you simplify your art kit. Painful, but I love the end result.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Samantha Dion Baker
[isbn]
This book is so inspiring and beautiful. Even though I am an experienced illustrator, I learned a lot from this book. The chapter on inspiration was such a great read for me. I found myself relating to a lot of what she wrote — we both have two kids and it can be difficult finding time to draw! She also talks about the different materials she uses and other techniques to incorporate into your sketch journal. Just looking at the little watercolors... (read more)
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Robin Hobb
[isbn]
I picked up this book because I love dragons. It was my first Robin Hobb book. It was definitely not what I expected. In this world, dragons have made a resurgence, but they're heavily flawed. And they, along with their keepers, must make a journey to the ancient homeland of the dragons. The dragons are cranky, stubborn, and have no idea what to do. Their keepers are desperate for a new life. The first book is emotional and does a great job... (read more)
Recommended by Rose H.
|
James Gurney
[isbn]
If you're interested in getting started in fantasy art and/or traditional painting, this is a great resource book. James Gurney runs through the process of gathering reference material, sketching out ideas, and even delves a bit into color theory and composition. I loved reading about his process and how he got started in art. He also talks about different possible careers for illustrators/artists, which is something not every art book will talk... (read more)
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Nichole Mara and Alexander Vidal
[isbn]
We all have feet. Even animals! This book is a great way to introduce animals to a child by finding something they can relate to — feet. The book breaks down the animal kingdom into different kinds of feet: Polar bears have snow feet, while tortoises have slow feet. The simple illustrations are very cute and colorful. My toddlers love picking out all the different animals when we read this together. So much fun.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Lisa Kleypas
[isbn]
I used to be a snob and refused to read romance novels. A friend saw me as a challenge and handed me this novel to read. I was hooked. It starts off with Beatrix writing letters to a soldier away at war. He thinks it's Beatrix's friend writing the letters and when he finds out the truth upon his return home, it's both emotional and hilarious. I loved this one so much that I ended up going back and reading the rest of the series after finishing... (read more)
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Kevin Hearne
[isbn]
This urban fantasy series is hilarious and full of magic. Atticus O'Sullivan is a druid. He is, in fact, the last druid to walk the earth. And all he wants is to live in peace in Arizona, running his occult bookshop. That peace is interrupted when he is discovered by a Celtic god who has held a grudge against him for about 2,000 years. This series has gods, faeries, and all kinds of other magical creatures. A super fun read. Great for fans of The... (read more)
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Derek Sullivan
[isbn]
My sassy 18-month-old LOVES this book. She has demanded we read it every night since bringing it home. Santa tries to get Krampus to settle down for bed... I'm sure she finds it relatable. The art is adorable and the rhymes make it so much fun to read aloud.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Jaye Garnett, Olga Demidova
[isbn]
The illustrations, textures, and interactive features make this book so much fun for little ones. My three-year-old is obsessed with the moon and loves this book. All the little flaps and sliding components keep him engaged while the words have helped expand his vocabulary. It is also sturdy enough to stand up to wear and tear from my one-year old.
Recommended by Rose H.
|
Cat Seaton
[isbn]
I love retellings of old fairy tales and this one does not disappoint. It's based off of an old Scottish fairy tale with the same name. There is a feisty female protagonist, lots of magic, and an obscure prophesy that makes things difficult for everyone involved. The characters are diverse with people of color, a nonbinary character, and even one with prosthetics. The artwork is lovely and I loved reading it. Can't wait for volume two.
Recommended by Rose H.
|