Seven months of reading and writing 4 and 5 star 🌟 book reviews. My total for 2026 is 131 books including 15 books in July! (apologies for bad math in June’s post)
Books read in July
July reading included:
6 picture books
2 chapter books
3 middle grade books
4 adult books
To see more great books from previous months check out the links below.
I'm a reading specialist and award winning educator from Chicago. While living in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado for nine years, I spent time hiking on the trails with my Goldendoodle Charlie and friends, writing, working in a literacy program at the Boulder Public Library, and mentoring writers and teachers. I love visiting schools. My books combine STEM and Kindness. "Aliana Reaches for the Moon" a picture book that draws inspiration from the moon and the curiosity of children, inviting children to be creative, explore, and experiment. "An Accidental Hero: A Mostly True Wombat Story" a picture book told in the form of a newscast which skillfully balances the serious subject of forest fires with compassion and humor to help children navigate this important topic through the real events of 2020. I moved to Northern New Jersey in 2025 and am working on new projects.
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Thank you, Lynette! I’m trying to read widely to expand my understanding of the world as a lifelong learner. We don’t know what we don’t know. And of course being in the field of children’s literature, I am reading a lot of those books.
Thanks, Carol! I really enjoy it and I am now enjoying having a proficient reader here so a few of the books are being read to me but I am still writing the reviews. 😊
Hi Laura, I hope you’re doing well. I have a new picture book coming out in Sept. (should have been July, Lol). I was wondering if you’d like to read and review it. I’ll attach the ARC just in case : ) and links to review. GoodreadsÂÂ
B&N Thanks for your consideration!
KimÂÂ
Doll Trouble (Clavis Publishing, 2026)Goat’s Boat Won’t Float (The Little Press, 2024) Unraveling Fairy Tales (In the Vine Press, 2020) KimALarson.com FB Instagram X Sign up for my newsletter!
It was so good! I listened to the two Jupiter audiobooks back to back when we were dealing with the bad air quality from the fires and my eyes couldn’t manage any reading. The crying didn’t help. I’m loving Heartland and it will be on my August list!
Laura Roettiger Books 
You’ve done very well for yourself!
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Thank you, Lynette! I’m trying to read widely to expand my understanding of the world as a lifelong learner. We don’t know what we don’t know. And of course being in the field of children’s literature, I am reading a lot of those books.
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I don’t know how you do it. That’s a HUGE amount of books!
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Thanks, Carol! I really enjoy it and I am now enjoying having a proficient reader here so a few of the books are being read to me but I am still writing the reviews. 😊
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Hi Laura, I hope you’re doing well. I have a new picture book coming out in Sept. (should have been July, Lol). I was wondering if you’d like to read and review it. I’ll attach the ARC just in case : ) and links to review. GoodreadsÂÂ
B&N Thanks for your consideration!
KimÂÂ
Doll Trouble (Clavis Publishing, 2026)Goat’s Boat Won’t Float (The Little Press, 2024) Unraveling Fairy Tales (In the Vine Press, 2020) KimALarson.com FB Instagram X Sign up for my newsletter!
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You’ll need to send it to me – it doesn’t appear as a comment.
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I have yet to read Orbiting Jupiter. I need to put it higher on my list!
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It was so good! I listened to the two Jupiter audiobooks back to back when we were dealing with the bad air quality from the fires and my eyes couldn’t manage any reading. The crying didn’t help. I’m loving Heartland and it will be on my August list!
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