Mini Reviews: (Middle Grade) The Cozies, Krista Kim-Bap, The Toad Who Loved Tea

I've read several middle grade and children's books so far this year, but I don't always have a big long review to say about them so I haven't been posting each with their own review. (Plus there are so many YA and adult novels I want to review, and there are only so many days in the week!) So I thought I'd try out a post with several "mini reviews" for these shorter books. Let me know what you think of this format, yeah?

The Cozies: The Legend of Operation Moonlight

Author: T.L. Fischer
Illustrator: Kory Fluckiger

Kindle Edition, 172 pages

Published October 22nd 2017 by BookBaby

Rating: 4 Stars
★★★★☆
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Review: Really cute juvenile fiction book reminiscent of The Borrowers with cute imaginary creatures. Starts off a little slow but was very enjoyable. I would have adored this book when I was about 12.

Krista Kim-Bap

Author: Angela Ahn

Paperback, 183 pages

Expected publication: April 18th 2018 by Second Story Press

Rating: 5 Stars
★★★★★
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Review: I really loved this story. Krista is eleven and I felt like the reading difficulty was appropriate for that 10+ age range, while at the same time introducing themes of culture, family, friendship, growing up, and self discovery. I also am slightly obsessed with Korean food, so I loved all the great descriptions of Korean food and culture in this book. This book is definitely accessible for a young audience, but at the same time I really enjoyed reading it at age 32 as well. I’ll definitely be on the lookout for more by Angela Ahn.

The Toad Who Loved Tea

Author: Faiz Kermani

Paperback, 62 pages

Published January 28th 2018 by Matador

Rating: 2 Stars
★★☆☆☆
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Review: I’m confused as to whom this book is targeted. It’s about a toad who infiltrates a human tea shop and steals people’s tea, eventually learning to talk and be their mascot. It should be geared at early readers but the language is way too high level for the age that would enjoy the content (eg names like Lady Lobsterpants and Baroness Blabberbelly). I could understand the more advanced language if it was set up as a picture book that someone would read to a 6-8 year old, but it’s set up like an early reader chapter book with very short chapters and few pictures.


*I received copies of each of these books from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.