Last summer, my grandma visited us from Canada for a few weeks. She had a lot of life hacks and liked to call things easy, except she’d say it like “E-Z.” When I’m tending to my philodendrons, I think of that hard emphasis “E-Z” because […]
July 2020
Review: Goosebumps Offers the Perfect Blend of Wry, Spooky Nostalgia
Hello, hello, hello, my fronds! It’s me, Count Olaf — just kidding. I’ve been slow to post this week because work has me l-e-v-e-l-e-d. I’m back with a kid lit blog, though. This week, I read not one, not two, but three books, not to […]
A Short and Simple Guide to Spider Plants
Introduction Don’t ever talk to its son or its son’s son or its son’s son’s son or its son’s son’s son’s son ever again! There’s no other word to describe the spider plant other than prolific. When given adequate water and sunlight, they grow incessantly. Spider […]
Review: Merci Suárez Changes Gears Is a Winsome Story About Intergenerational Immigrant Family Love
Meg Medina’s Merci Suárez Changes Gears explores family and school drama with warmth and nuance. I recently picked up Meg Medina’s lovely Merci Suárez Changes Gears on sale for $7. This whim of a purchase turned out to be a great decision because I thoroughly […]
A Short and Simple Guide to Schefflera (Arboricola)
Introduction The schefflera, or umbrella plant, is just one of those plants that looks both whimsical and elegant. As the colloquial name suggests, the leaves resemble little umbrellas, clustering in pinwheels from thin stems. The foliage is a striking green color, glossy when unfurling. The […]
Review: One Crazy Summer Layers Revolution With Emotional Nuance
One Crazy Summer is a salient read that illuminates revolutionary ideas and emotional nuance through a child’s perspective. Rita Williams-Garcia’s One Crazy Summer initially drew me in because its setting is Oakland, a city that’s near and dear to my heart. For a whirlwind of a […]
A Short and Simple Guide to Sansevieria Plants
Introduction Sansevierias, aka snake plants, exude a timeless sense of cool. They flaunt a sculptural look and marbled patterning, so it feels like I’m bringing in a green piece of art to my space whenever I buy one! In addition to their effortless beauty, these […]
Review: Jacqueline Woodson’s Harbor Me Is a Radical Exercise in Empathy
Jacqueline Woodson’s Harbor Me explores systemic American violence with a gentle force. Of all of the kid lit I’ve been reading lately, Harbor Me has been one of the most intense reads. I considered myself a Woodson fan since picking up Red at the Bone, a […]