A is for Asian American: An Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Alphabet (Arts and Culture Alphabet)
by Virginia Loh-Hagan, Tracy Nishimura Bishop (Illustrator)

4 out of 5 stars

This book follows the alphabet and gives facts about the history of Asian heritage in the United States. It was really interesting to learn how Americans have migrated from all over the world, bringing their own unique traditions.

Each page has a short rhyme that tells us something about Asian heritage, and then a much longer section with several paragraphs going more in-depth to explain the history, the origins of the tradition, or the people involved. We learn about Lunar New Year, bubble tea, anime, K-pop, etiquette, zodiac signs, and Asian cuisine. We learn about the first Asian American in outer space, the winners of the National Spelling Bee, Olympic athletes, writers, politicians, and martial artists like Bruce Lee.

I loved the beautiful illustrations in this book! The artwork is really colorful and has delicate lines.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

My First Brain Quest ABCs: A Question-and-Answer Book (Brain Quest Board Books, 1)
by Workman Publishing

5 out of 5 stars

Little readers will have fun answering the questions as they go through the alphabet with funny animals. Each page has three questions; you have to think of more words that begin with that letter, answer a question about the color of an object in the picture, or count up objects or people in the picture. On some pages, the question might actually be an activity to do, like “Can you dance like a dragon?” The questions are always different, and are sure to get little readers thinking carefully to find the answers.

The Secret Stream
by Kimberly Ridley, Megan Elizabeth Baratta (Illustrator)

5 out of 5 stars

A small headwater stream flows along, past animals, insects, and birds who rely on the water for their livelihood. Insects lay their eggs, and the larva hide under sunken leaves. Fish and worms and flies all live in the water. Birds eat the insects that fly above the water and even dive for small fish. River otters dart and play. Turtles explore the banks. Beavers build a dam, creating a small pond. Ducks, deer, owls, and even a fox all find their way to the stream. Eventually, the little stream merges into a larger river, and continues its journey.

How Plants Talk
by Helena Haraštová, Linh Dao (Illustrator)

4 out of 5 stars

Plants can communicate and take steps to survive in difficult conditions. If a plant gets stressed out in its environment, it might shed its flowers to conserve energy. Plants put out roots to gather in nutrients and even fight for territory underground. If one plant is getting eaten by a caterpillar, it will send out signals to other plants nearby. They will start to secrete a strange smell or toxic substance to discourage caterpillars from eating them. Plants put out sweet smells to attract pollinators like bees. There are lots of things that plants do to survive and thrive!

A Flower is a Friend
by Frieda Wishinsky, Karen Patkau (Illustrator)

3 out of 5 stars

Flowers have many friends among birds, insects, and small animals. Bees and butterflies help to spread pollen. Snails eat old dead plant material. Spiders and frogs eat insects that are harmful to the flowers. A little field mouse might fall asleep inside a tulip and then carry pollen to other areas. Even ladybugs eat the little aphids that would kill the plants, and dragonflies eat mosquitos and gnats.