Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor

Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor

I can’t believe it took me so long to read Nnedi Okorafor! I can see why everyone raves about her whenever talking about diverse SFF done right.

Akata Witch is about a twelve-year old girl named Sunny, who discovers she has magical powers and can see the future reflected in a candle’s flickering flames. Sunny has always felt different from other kids–she has albinism and because of this has been ostracized her whole life. But when Orlu, a boy from her school, introduces her to a whole new world of magic, she makes new friends and discovers her own powers all while trying to take down a serial killer terrorizing the children of her city.

While this book contains a lot of familiar fantasy elements–especially for Harry Potter fans–because the setting and world-building are so unique, the book still felt very fresh and exciting. (Spells that require a knife instead of a wand?!? So awesome.) My biggest issue was with the pacing, which didn’t build smoothly to the climax, but rather moved in fits and starts. You very much get sucked in to the main character and her world, but not so much the overall plot.

Definitely recommended for older MG/young YA readers who want a brand new fantasy world to read about. I’m going to have to check out her books for adults!

#youngadult #tween #AkataWitch #NnediOkorafor #middlegrade #multiculturalfantasy #harrypotter #fantasy

Picture Book Review: Kayla the Great and the Magic Red Dress by Stephanie Davis

Kayla the Great and The Magic Red Dress

by Stephanie Davis; Illustrated by Robert Paul, Jr.

Kayla the Great and the Magic Red Dress is about a little girl named Kayla and what happens when she loses her favorite red dress. Despite the fact that I could tell this book was self-published from first glance at the cover, I was interested to read this book because it was the first picture book I’d been asked to review that featured a biracial child.

Both my kids liked the story. Pre-K monkey specifically told me, “I love this book!” when I asked for her opinion to put on my blog. However, after the first read, she wasn’t really interested in reading it again. Likewise, toddler monkey sat quietly when I read it to her, but the book was slightly too long to hold her interest. My impression was that neither the text nor the illustrations were as polished or tightened as they could’ve been, and the book design was very poor (especially the font choice).

However, this is an okay story with a simple, easy-to-understand storyline, and I have a feeling that families with a “Kayla” in their life may very well be happy with this one. The main character looks a lot like one of my friend’s daughters, and I do love that about this book.

Disclaimer: Review based on free copy provided by the author.

#picturebookreview #StephanieDavis #prekmonkey #KaylatheGreatandTheMagicRedDress #selfpublished #RobertPaulJr

Mommy Read it Again: Apple Pip Princess by Jane Ray

The Apple-Pip Princess by  Jane Ray

Intricate illustrations combine with a gentle, earth-friendly storyline in this fairytale picture book.

I took this home from the library, figuring my Pre-K Monkey would be drawn to the pink cover and “Princess” title, and I also ended up falling in love with it myself. Sadly, this appears to be one that you’ll have to request from the library!

#JaneRay #picturebook #prekmonkey #libraryfind #TheApplePipPrincess #mommyreaditagain #fairytale