“Max and Bird” is the third book of the ‘Max’ series created by the award-winning and New York Times bestselling writer and illustrator of picture books – Ed Vere. This review contains spoilers. Two distinctive characters with different ideas about friendship. Who is going to stay true to its values? “Max is a kitten.” He conforms to the notion that…

A fantasy tale about kindness and forgiveness is the debut picture book “Umbrella” by the Guatemalan-born author and illustrator Elena Arevalo Melville. This book review contains spoilers. Clara is a primary-age girl who feels lonely because of the absence of friends. Otherwise, ‘the park would have been perfect ….’ Until she discovers a magical umbrella that brings joy to her…

“Gina from Siberia” is written by the American mother and daughter team – Jane Bernstein and Charlotte Glynn. Jane Bernstein is the receiver of two National Endowment for the Arts Fellowships in Creative Writing, and Charlotte Glynn is a filmmaker. The spectacular pictures created by Anna Desnitskaya, a Russian illustrator nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, enhance the book’s…