Melissa Rafson Friedman - Bullet List Book Reviews

Shaped by Love: An Ode to Mom Bods by Nikki Powers and Amanda Calatzis

Sat, 04 Apr 2026 13:35:00 +0000

-First of all, THANK YOU!

-A lyrical story about mother and child relationships

-Body positivity and female power!

-Physical and emotional transformations displayed artistically

-Amazing embroidery layered throughout the illustrations

-Great gift for new moms or Mother's Day

Firefly Song by Colleen Paeff and Ji-Hyuk Kim

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 22:24:00 +0000

-The true story of Lynn Frierson Faust and the Great Smoky Mountain Discovery

- Dazzling, synchronous, nighttime performances in Elkmont, Tennessee by lightning bugs

-Summer magic mixed with science and STEM

-Girl Power!

-Informational fiction

-Shows beauty in the illustrations and the natural world

The Fig Tree by Constantia Manoli and Leah Giles

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 15:08:00 +0000

-A story about building friendship and peace in Cyprus

-A universal story about war and conflict

-Serious, yet light, bright, and heartwarming

-Eye-opening even for adults (I was not familiar with the Green Line dividing Greek Cypriotes and Turkish Cypriotes.)

-Favorite quote: "...the fruit really does taste the same-- no matter which side you are on."

Forests by Nell Cross Beckerman and Kalen Chock

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 22:55:00 +0000

I had this book on preorder at my library, and it finally came in! It was worth the wait!
Informational picture book best for ages 6-8 years old
The pictures and words are BEAUTIFUL.
The sidebars of information about forests are fascinating
Explores forests near, far, on land, and undersea
Storytelling mixed with facts
Third in a series called Adventures through Nature (check out Caves and Volcanoes)
Orchard Books 2025

Not Enough Lollipops by Megan Maynor and Micah Player

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 16:19:00 +0000

A delicious tale of cooperation, decision making, and generosity, when Alice has to decide how to divvy up her winning wagon of lollipops.
Colorful!
Sweet (in more than one way!)
Lots of laugh out loud speech bubbles.
Great for Mystery Reader Read Alouds
Best for ages 4-8 years old
Penguin Random House 2022

Image: Penguin Random House

Books I'm Loving Right Now

Sat, 12 Oct 2024 15:08:00 +0000

I give myself a self-proclaimed writing weekend every fall to read, write, research, and get my head back in the game. Here are some new books I read and loved:

Everywhere Beauty is Harlem The Vision of Photographer Roy DeCarava by Gary Golio and E.B. Lewis
Rebecca's Prayer for President Lincoln by Jane Yolen and Laura Barella
A Grand Day by Jean Reidy and Samantha Cotterhill
Abuelo, the Sea, and Me by Ismee Williams and Tatiana Gardel
The Most Perfect Persimmon by Hannah Chung

Images: Goodreads

One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia by Miranda Paul and Elizabeth Zunon

Sat, 12 Oct 2024 14:49:00 +0000

A sensory filled, nonfiction story about recycling plastic bags.
Themes of community, environmental impact, perseverance and ingenuity
Set in Gambia, Africa, the story follows Isatou's inspiring true story
Excellent female role model
A glimpse into a Gambian culture and geography
Picture of the author and the Isatou Ceesay at the end.

Image: Thriftbooks.com

A River of Dust by Jilanne Hoffman and Eugenia Mello

Tue, 30 Jan 2024 00:24:00 +0000

A lyrical journey following the Dust that links North Africa and the Amazon
Gorgeous illustrations, the cover literally shimmers!
Informational fiction from the Dust's perspective
Amazing how nutrients can travel and nourish life and landscape thousands of miles away.
Various geography, culture, flora, and fauna are on display.
Q&A for curious minds in the backmatter
Chronicle Books 2023

Nothing Ever Happens on a Gray Day by Grant Snider

Fri, 05 Jan 2024 21:30:00 +0000

The title caught my attention because it is definitely that gray-time-of-year-Relatable!
Readers follow a girl biking through her town.
Quiet and lyrical
Children will be encouraged to appreciate nature and combat boredom.
Beautiful black and white illustrations with POPS of color!
At first read, I found it too slow, until its message lingered throughout the week when I would sigh at the cold gray skies! WOW!
Great for children 5-8 years
Chronicle Books 2023

The Mexican Dreidel by Linda Elovitz Marshall, Ilan Stevens, and Maria Mola

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 18:50:00 +0000

A magical and imaginative story of friendship as readers twirl across Danielito's grandmother's Mexican neighborhood.
Jewish joy of visiting a grandparent for Chanukah
Diversity in languages, skin tone, and religion
Introduces Spanish/Yiddish/Hebrew/Ladino words-- Janucá , Bobe, trompos, buñuelos
Picture book great for children 4-8
Kar-Ben Publishing October 2023