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Book Review: Peace Train by Cat Stevens, Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds

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Peace Train by Cat Stevens, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes This beautifully illustrated, audio read-along book brings to life the timeless message of peace and unity, inspired by Cat Stevens’ classic song Peace Train. Originally written over 50 years ago, the song’s message remains profoundly relevant today—and perhaps even more so. The story follows a young boy playing guitar and singing the song as he rides the peace train, joined by a diverse and multicultural group of children from all over the world. Reynolds’s lively and engaging illustrations radiate warmth and a sense of embracing community, capturing the universal desire for harmony. While the song was penned decades ago, its message about hope, kindness, and working together to create a better world resonates deeply with today’s readers. It’s a powerful reminder that peace begins with each of us, making this a meaningful and inspiring read for children of all ages. The combination of Reynold...
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Book Review: Rainbow Fish Finds His Way by Marcus Pfister, Illustrated by Marcus Pfister

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  Rainbow Fish Finds His Way, Written and Illustrated by Marcus Pfister Review Read Time: 1-2 minutes In this delightful addition to the beloved Rainbow Fish series, Pfister masterfully combines vibrant illustrations with a heartfelt story about friendship, courage, and listening to wise advice. The narrative begins with Rainbow Fish and his friend, the Striped Fish, swimming during an approaching storm. Despite his friend’s warnings to seek shelter, Rainbow Fish’s curiosity about his shimmering blue scales leads him to ignore caution. When the storm hits, Rainbow Fish is caught in the turbulent waters, knocked unconscious, and swept away from his friends. He awakens in an unfamiliar, lonely place, where he encounters a spiked puffer fish and is soon helped by a kind sea scallop and others who assist him in finding his way back. The story is lively and talkative, engaging young readers with its gentle lessons about resilience, friendship, and the importance of listening. Pfister’s ...
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Book Review: Here WE Go Digging For Dinosaur Bones, by Susan Lendroth, Illustrated by Bob Kolar

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Here We Go Digging For Dinosaur Bones by Susan Lendroth, illustrated by Bob Kolar Estimated read time: 1 minute This engaging and colorful book features diverse illustrations starting from the front cover, including detailed dinosaur skeletons. It’s a fun sing-along story set to the tune of “Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush.” The book opens with the song lyrics on the first page, along with a brief introduction about the discovery of dinosaur bones—covering everything from construction workers to children playing in the field. Each subsequent page repeats the song and offers simple, accessible explanations about fossils and dinosaurs, making it both entertaining and educational.  Perfect for young children interested in dinosaurs and fossils, this book combines rhythm, fun, and learning seamlessly. I’d give it a solid 4 stars for its engaging approach and vibrant illustrations. CF 4/28/26
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Book Review: Arlo Needs Your Help by Cortney Cinco, Illustration by Olga Sall

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Book Review: Arlo Needs Your Help By Cortney Cino | Illustrated by Olga Sall | Published by Whimspire Books ⭐⭐⭐⭐ / 5 stars Estimated Read Time: 2–4 minutes Thank you NetGalley and author Courtney Cino for providing an advance copy of Arlo Needs Your Help.    Courtney Cino is a children’s author and the founder of Whimspire Books, which launched in 2023, a longtime healthcare marketer, and the mom of three girls. Why this book matters: Kids are losing attention faster than ever in our digital age. This book fights back - and wins. Arlo Needs Your Help is an interactive picture book about a monarch butterfly caterpillar trapped by well-meaning kids. Your child doesn’t just listen. They participate - moving, pointing, responding.  What works: The interactive format is one of this book's biggest strengths. The author makes children reading  interact using directionals and physical motions, making it even more fun. This keep-them-guessing approach is perfect for maintai...
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Book Review: God In The Machine, by S. Maitra

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Review: God In The Machine by S. Maitra Courtesy of NetGalley & BookBaby 
 Estimated Read Time: 2 minutes 
 Star Rating:  ★★★★☆  (4/5)   What does an unapologetic atheist have to say about God? More than you’d expect—especially when that “God” is AI.   S. Maitra, a Stanford lecturer and former tech entrepreneur, isn’t making a case for religion—far from it. She’s sounding an alarm: We are building systems that feel omniscient—and starting to trust them as if they are.   Maitra introduces “The God Principle”—a safeguard to ensure AI never presents itself as all-knowing, infallible, or beyond question. Because the real danger isn’t artificial intelligence.  
 It’s artificial authority.   What makes this book stand out is the lens. Maitra’s atheism reframes the argument—it’s not theological, it’s behavioral. This isn’t about defending belief. It’s about questioning where belief is being misplaced.   The book is timely and relevant, capturing a cu...
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Book Review: FROS, FADES, and BRAIDS: A BRIEF HISTORY OF BLACK HAIR IN AMERICA by Sean Qualls

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FROS, FADES, and BRAIDS: A Brief History of Black Hair in America by Sean Qualls Sean Qualls, a Brooklyn-based writer, illustrator, and artist known for his versatile work across painting, drawing, and collage, brings his distinctive talent to this succinct yet compelling exploration of Black hair in America. An honor recipient of the Coretta Scott King Award for his illustrations in Before John Was a Jazz Giant, Qualls combines visual artistry with insightful storytelling in this accessible volume. Fros, Fades, and Braids offers a concise but impactful overview of the cultural significance of Black hairstyles—afros, fades, braids—and their deep roots in history and identity. I devoured it in a single sitting, and its brevity belies the richness of its content. The narrative is sharp, engaging, and thoughtfully highlights how these styles symbolize resistance, pride, and cultural expression within Black communities. Qualls’ own illustrations are a highlight—vibrant, expressive, and met...
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Review: The Absolute Path | Author: E. J. Albert

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  Estimated Review Read Time: 3–4 min | Star Rating: ★★★☆☆ The Absolute Path | Author: E. J. Albert; Courtesy of Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op    E. J. Albert is a spiritual teacher and author whose work blends philosophy, self-mastery, and personal experience to guide readers toward authentic living and mind mastery. At first glance, The Absolute Path feels dense, contemplative, and even a little heavy—but that weight is intentional. Albert isn’t trying to entertain; he’s asking you to turn inward, observe your thoughts, and confront  This book is a spiritual guide for readers seeking deeper understanding of themselves. Born from Albert’s personal struggles, it explores the mind, emotions, and ego as tools for authentic living. It is principle-based rather than step-by-step. Albert’s central message is clear: self-mastery and authenticity require constant observation of the mind and ego. The prose can be challenging, and applied examples are scarce. For reader...
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Book Review: Enshittification: Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse—and What to Do About It

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Review: Enshittification: Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse—and What to Do About It by Cory Doctorow Narrated by the author Courtesy of Macmillan Audio Estimated Read Time: 2–3 minutes Star Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5) If you’ve ever wondered why Amazon search feels pay-to-play, why Apple takes a 30 percent cut from app developers, or why once-beloved platforms now feel extractive rather than helpful, Cory Doctorow has a word for it—and a compelling explanation. In Enshittification , Doctorow names and dissects a pattern most users experience but rarely see explained. Platforms begin by serving users well. Once users are locked in, they shift to serving advertisers and business customers. Finally, when switching costs are high and competition is weak, platforms extract maximum value from everyone—users, creators, and suppliers alike. Doctorow grounds his argument in concrete examples. Amazon’s marketplace, once optimized for consumers, now captures roughly 40–50 percent of many sellers’ re...
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Book Review: Make Magic Book: The Book of Inspiration You Didn't know You Needed by Brad Meltzer Brad Meltzer/ A Book That Won't Teach You Anything New (And Why That Might Be the Point)

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Brad Meltzer is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of thirteen thrillers, six nonfiction books, and the host of History Channel’s  Lost History.  His work often blends storytelling with themes of character, leadership, and moral courage.   Candidly, when I finished Brad Meltzer’s Make Magic, my first reaction was, this didn’t change how I think about kindness, empathy, or compassion. And that’s true. Adapted from Meltzer’s 2024 commencement speech at the University of Michigan—delivered at his son’s graduation—this is a fast, one-sitting read (30-45 minutes) built on familiar truths. If you’ve spent years reading philosophy, Stoicism, leadership, or personal development, there’s nothing here that feels groundbreaking. But after sitting with it, I realized that critique might actually miss the book’s purpose. Make Magic isn’t trying to advance wisdom. It’s trying to protect it. The Stoics reminded us long ago that we don’t suffer from a lack of principles—we suffer fro...
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Book Review: Human Again: In the Age of AI by J. D. MacPherson

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Estimated read time: 2 minutes Review: Human Again: In the Age of AI by J. D. MacPherson Courtesy of NetGalley and Book Whisper  I approached this review from two perspectives, one as an avid supporter of the AI revolution, the other from the lens of how AI would view the author’s written work.  Most books about artificial intelligence focus on knowledge : what AI can do, how it works, and why it matters. J. D. MacPherson makes a more important distinction. In Human Again , she argues that the real advantage in an AI-driven world isn’t knowledge—it’s insight . Data is abundant. Understanding is not. . Written in clear, engaging language, MacPherson shows how humans and AI can work together not to accumulate more information, but to extract meaning from it. Her concept of INK —Insight versus Knowledge—runs quietly but decisively through the book. AI can surface facts at scale; humans provide context, judgment, values, emotion, and direction. When the human element and AI the a...
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