Author: Alisha Helms

The Tiny Chef: and da mishing weshipee blook / Rachel Larsen, Adam Reid, Ozi Akturk

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The Tiny Chef: and da mishing weshipee blook
By: Rachel Larsen, Adam Reid, Ozi Akturk
Genre: Children’s, Picture Book
Number of Pages: 40
Published: September 15, 2020
Publisher: Razorbill
Dates Read: October 20, 2025
Format: Library Book / Hardcover

From The Tiny Chef Show comes a storytime adventure about Tiny Chef and his hunt to find his missing recipe book.

I didn’t become a fan of Tiny Chef until recent months, so I am a bit late getting my hands on a copy of this book to read from the library. I could hear Tiny Chef through the pages, so it was a fun read for me (because sometimes you do need to read it aloud to understand what Chef’s saying).

One of the fun things I like about Tiny Chef is that he is so relatable and even though he’s tiny, he’s still got big emotions. We can all learn from Tiny Chef.

Overall, any lover of Tiny Chef will love this book and anyone who hasn’t met Tiny Chef, this is a good little place to start.

Spooky / Sally Anne Garland

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Spooky
By: Sally Anne Garland
Genre: Children's, Picture Book
Number of Pages: 40
Published: August 5, 2025
Publisher: Sunbird Books
Dates Read: October 20, 2025
Format: Library Book / Hardcover

When a family moves into a new house, they quickly realize they’re not alone. With patience and care maybe their new housemate will come out of the shadows.

What an adorable children’s book about not only moving into a new house and the adjustments that come with that, but also the adjustment that comes with a new furry member of the family.

This is adorable artwork, but also – the cat carrying around its little toy mouse in its mouth was the most adorable thing.

I know this is a children’s book, so maybe I am thinking too much into this for a children’s book, but I want to know what Spooky was doing before the family moved in, because it mentions the house had been empty for a while. It only really takes the family a day to figure out that there’s a cat in their house and to start leaving it food and water, but that still means they were all alone for a bit!

Overall, this is adorable and any cat lover will love this but this is also a good story about adjustment and patience for children.

Mona’s Eyes / Thomas Schlesser, Hildegarde Serle (Translator)

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Mona’s Eyes
By: Thomas Schlesser, Hildegarde Serle (Translator)
Genre: Fiction, Art
Number of Pages: 432
Published: August 26, 2025 (1st Published January 31, 2024)
Publisher: Europa Editions
Dates Read: September 11, 2025 - October 18, 2025
Format: ARC / Audiobook / Hardcover

Mona may not have her eyesight for much longer, so her grandfather wants her to learn about beauty while she still can. So, every Wednesday for the next year, her grandfather takes her to see a new masterpiece. Only one, and they discuss it in detail, giving Mona the opportunity to learn the meaning of generosity, doubt, melancholy, loss, and revolt.

I started listening to this as an audiobook and then quickly went out and purchased a copy of it because I loved how the author would describe the works of art – and then to find out the artwork was in the inside of the book’s dust jacket! It did take me looking up the author to make the connection he’s an art historian, which is why he was able to write about the artwork the way he was.

I’m not the biggest art museum lover. I can absolutely appreciate artwork and look at pieces, but not to the extent Mona and her Dadé did on their visits. They would break down the technique used and Henry would give Mona historical context for the pieces as well.

As much as I enjoyed the visits to the museums, you also get a glimpse of Mona and her homelife as well as her school life – both of which I wish we dug more into. 

Overall, a beautiful book art lovers are sure to enjoy but I also think this is a book where those who may not have a deep connection with art, would still enjoy and maybe begin to appreciate art.

*Thank you Europa Editions and Edelweiss+ for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Brume (Volume 1): The Dragon Awakens / Jérôme Pélissier, Carine Hinder (Illustrator)

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Brume (Volume 1): The Dragon Awakens
By: Jérôme Pélissier, Carine Hinder (Illustrator)
Genre: Graphic Novel, Children’s
Number of Pages: 64
Published: September 20, 2025 (1st Published January 1, 2023)
Publisher: Hippo Park
Dates Read: September 10, 2025
Format: Hardcover

Brume is convinced she’s the village’s next witch after Naïa vanished years ago. After she briefly believed she turned a local village woman into a pig, she adopted a new pet she named Hubert and took him home. Once she fed him some chocolate croissants, the pet was happy to tag along on Brume’s adventures. When her adoptive father gives her a book of spells he found with her when he found her in the woods years ago, Brume opens her own shop and tries to use the spells in the book.

After trying to stop her friend Hugo’s glasses from fogging up, Brume accidentally casts the whole village into a dense fog. On the adventure to undo her work, Brume, Hugo, and Hubert go off into the forest where only witches are allowed.

This was such a cute and adorable graphic novel! I immediately knew I wanted to read this by just seeing the cover alone! A little girl (Brume) with a wand and a small pig tugging on her dress with a dragon in the background is so eye-catching! I may also be a slight sucker for familiars and animal sidekicks because I wish I had one.

The artwork of this graphic novel is colorful, expressive, and easily digestible. Each page catches your eye and keeps your attention – I would always make sure to relook at each page after reading the dialogue to make sure I wasn’t missing anything.

I did think Brume was a bit mean and disrespectful to those around her. I know some of it was her confidence in herself as well as her ignorance of her abilities, and sure, you could chop it up to just being an ornery child, but it all just comes across as rude. I hope in the next volume she grows up a bit in those areas.

Overall, the story and the panels were fantastic and I can’t wait to share it with others when it’s officially out in English in late September. Those who love a spunky little witch who will stop at nothing to show she’s a true witch, this graphic novel would be for you (even though of all ages!)

*Thank you Hippo Park and Publishers Weekly for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Automatic Noodle / Annalee Newitz

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Automatic Noodle
By: Annalee Newitz
Genre: Science Fiction, Novella
Number of Pages: 163
Published: August 5, 2025
Publisher: Tordotcom
Dates Read: September 5, 2025 - September 7, 2025
Format: Hardcover

While San Francisco rebuilds from war, a group of abandoned food service bots take over their own delivery app account and rebrand as the best hand-pulled noodle shop in the neighborhood. There’s just one little snag – someone-or something- is negative-review bombing their restaurant’s page and plummeting their ratings! Can the bots figure out who’s doing it and put a stop to the review bombing before it’s too late for the restaurant?

One of my supervisors sent me the link to this when it was first announced and I immediately put it on my TBR. Why?

  1. Look at this cover and tell me you’re not intrigued!
  2. Robots who start a noodle shop?!
  3. It’s a novella (and novella just hit different)

So, after reading it, what are my thoughts?

Did I know there was such a thing as a cozy sci-fi? Sure – but I hadn’t read one yet! Also add in some found family and challenge the norms and you’ve got yourself this novella!

It was an amazing read filled with an alternative America, commentary on identity, fear, and challenging biases. Though it was about robots, they were definitely stand-ins for how we as people can treat others based on gender, sexuality, and immigration status.

Overall, a wonderful novel, perfect for those who love sci-fi and want a cozy little read about a hand-pulled noodle shop run by robots.

Now excuse me while I go find a hand-pulled noodle shop to go try!

*Thank you Tordotcom and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Mur, the Kitty-Knight / Igor Shnayder, Roman Dubina (Illustrator)

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Mur, the Kitty-Knight
By: Igor Shnayder, Roman Dubina (Illustrator)
Genre: Children’s, Fantasy
Number of Pages: 110
Published: August 8, 2025 (1st Published July 3, 2023)
Publisher: Independently Published
Dates Read: September 3, 2025
Format: eBook

Meet Mur, a brave young kitten who becomes a knight in the magical world of animals. He protects others and tries to make the world a better place as he solves mysteries and learns lessons along the way.

As soon as I saw what this book was about, I wanted to read it. A little courageous kitty-knight who fights for good? Sounds adorable. On top of that, the illustrations from Roman Dubina were beautiful and fantastic – I always looked forward to seeing what I was reading.

This is a great chapter story book, meaning each chapter is its own story, and perfect for a read along with the littles, or simply helping young readers to read smaller chunks (though I have a feeling they’ll be dialed in way past one chapter at a time!). Each of the stories tended to have a small lesson of core values that could be talked about after.

Overall, this is a wonderful read for children, especially those who like cats and adventures! But, I could also see adults enjoying these fable tales too!

*Thank you so much for the author for reaching out to me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Pocket Bear / Katherine Applegate, Charles Santoso (Illustrator)

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Pocket Bear
By: Katherine Applegate, Charles Santoso (Illustrator)
Genre: Middle Grade, Magical Realism
Number of Pages: 272
Published: September 9, 2025
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Dates Read: September 2, 2025
Format: ARC / eBook

Zephyrina is a trash-diving, chaos-loving cat, who has been deemed “The Cat Burglar” by the neighborhood due the treasures she brings back home. Some of those treasures are stuffed toys and when they’re brought back, the daughter of the home will clean them up, make any repairs needed, and then put them up for “adoption” at her Second Chances Home for the Tossed and Treasured. Pocket, the unofficial mayor of Second Chances Home is Zephyrina’s best friend and he’s who both welcomes and looks after the stuffies during the night while the humans sleep.

When Zephyrina brings back a teddy bear a local collector has her eye on, things turn interesting at home.

I already knew when I saw Katherine Applegate had a new book coming out that I was going to want to read it – I also knew I would probably get at least a little teary eyed because that’s what she does to me in all her books. The concept of this book being about a little pocket bear – a tiny teddy bear born during WWI that was designed to fit into the pocket of a soldier’s jacket with their eyes sewn a bit higher than normal so that they’re always looking up – was already getting me emotional because, as a young girl, I would get emotionally attached to stuffed animals, and you’re telling me soldiers would take these little teddy bears with them into battle?! Secondly, his best friend is a cat, so I was already obsessed!

If you mix together some historical fiction, current events, and Toy Story you’ve got yourself Pocket Bear. Though this book is aimed at younger audiences, I’m 33 and absolutely loved it. I think anyone who ever had any connection to a stuffed animal would adore this book. Also, anyone who loves cats would enjoy this as well since Zephyrina is the narrator.

Overall, this is an adorable book that readers of all ages would enjoy and appreciate, especially those who wish magic upon their stuffed animals.

*Thank you Feiwel & Friends and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Tall Water / S.J. Sindu, Dion MBD (Illustrator)

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Tall Water
By: S.J. Sindu, Dion MBD (Illustrator)
Genre: Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction
Number of Pages: 256
Published: August 12, 2025
Publisher: HarperAlley
Dates Read: September 2, 2025
Format: Library Book / Hardcover

Trigger Warnings: civil war, violence, death

Ever since Nimmi turned sixteen, she’s yearned to meet her mother in Sri Lanka to ask her why she refuses to leave the island. Her father is going back there for the first time since the war as a reporter on assignment, but he refuses to take her, telling her Sri Lanka is too dangerous.

But when Nimmi has a dream about her mother asking to come find her, Nimmi knows she must go. Sneaking a purchase of an airplane ticket, her father is livid when he sees her at baggage claim in Sri Lanka – but by then it’s too late and he agrees to help Nimmi make contact with her mom. Nimmi tags along with her father and his guide, past checkpoints and armed soldiers, increasing the knowledge of war that rages there.

The day after Christmas, disaster strikes and a tsunami hits the island. Now, stranded amid the destruction, Nimmi must try and reunite with her family.

Besides this graphic novel having interesting characters and plot, this also offers a lot in the cultural and historical context of Sri Lanka. Because, okay, I knew about the 2004 tsunami and the devastation it caused throughout the Indian Ocean, but I don’t think I realized that Sri Lanka was going through a Civil War at the exact same time. It’s also just kind of crazy. It’s brought up that there are tourist areas and then there are the war areas and that people would still go on vacation there?! That’s wild to me.

Overall, this is a beautifully done graphic novel that brings up the themes of emotional, physical, and mental ramifications of both civil war and the tsunami as well as empathy, bearing witness, and coming of age.

*Thank you HarperAlley and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

My Sister the Werebeast / Alina Tysoe

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My Sister the Werebeast
By: Alina Tysoe
Genre: Graphic Novel, Middle Grade, Fantasy
Number of Pages: 320
Published: October 7, 2025
Publisher: First Second
Dates Read: September 2, 2025
Format: ARC / eBook

Mira and Rosie are in charge of watching their little sister, Peanut, as their parents are away fighting magical beings. Being in charge shouldn’t be anything they can’t handle – even if Peanut has flooded the house with her tears, or made friends out of the leaves in the backyard, or can now breathe fire, oh, and can shapeshift into an (adorable) fluffy werebeast. No problem! Mira and Rosie will just hide her powers until their parents come back…

I have loved Alina Tysoe for quite some time and have followed their What’s Up Beanie art through Instagram, so as soon as she announced this I knew I needed to get my hands on it ASAP.

I am used to reading shorter stories on Instagram from Tysoe, so it was a fantastic surprise when this graphic novel ended up being 320 pages! This blends the perfect amount of fantasy, sibling dynamics, humor, and cute art. All the characters were pretty flushed out and you really got to understand the family.

Gosh darn it –  is Peanut the cutest!!

The way this ended makes it seem like there will be more to the story (I really hope). I also read this as a digital advance copy, I will be purchasing a physical copy of this in early October when it comes out.

Overall, this is a perfect read for all ages who like soft fantasies during the fall weather instead of horror (think Halloweentown!), and those who love adorable and expressive art.

The Summer War / Naomi Novik

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The Summer War
By: Naomi Novik
Genre: Fantasy, Novella
Number of Pages: 144
Published: September 16, 2025
Publisher: Del Rey
Dates Read: September 2, 2025
Format: ARC / Paperback

Twelve-year-old Celia accidentally curses her oldest brother, Argent, to a life without love when he leaves in the middle of the night. As Argent wanders both our world and the realm of the Summerlings (a place that’s been fighting Celia’s realm every summer for over 100 years), becoming a well known and famous knight, Celia tries to figure out how to break the curse. As she gets older, Celia is the perfect marriage match for the prince because she is a sorceress.

This novella had quite a lot in it for just the 144 pages it had. I also don’t want to get into much more of the summary because it kind of ruins the later half of the book to be honest.

I really loved the Scholomance series and those were my first books of Naomi Novik’s I’ve read, so I was curious to read outside of that universe. I didn’t fall in love with this universe as much as I did with Scholomance, but I didn’t absolutely hate it or anything either as it was still a delight to read.

Overall, I can see those who like shorter fantasies enjoying this book, as of course there’s just a touch of magic mixed with a bit of a modern fairytale.