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Cats of Rome is a visually arresting ode to the feline wanderers of the Eternal City. From lounging in ruins to surveying ancient columns like the living room tigers they are, these cats exude a quiet majesty that feels both timeless and wild. The gothic undertones of the backdrops—crumbling stone, ivy-cloaked walls, and shadowed alleys—give the book a dreamy, slightly haunted charm. It’s a perfect coffee table addition for any cat lover, especially those who appreciate a bit of mood with their meow.

Some images felt slightly blurry, which was a shame, as I’d hang several of these shots on my walls if I could get my hands on high-resolution versions. Still, the way the photographer captured the untamed glances of these cats, set against Rome’s ancient decay, more than made up for the technical imperfections.

A special thanks to NetGalley for offering the reading option via Thorium—hands down a much smoother PDF experience than Adobe Acrobat.

Beneath the Surface dives into deep waters – literally and emotionally – and surfaces with a story that’s thoughtful, respectful, and rich with educational potential. Aimed at middle-grade readers, this book blends adventure, science, and heart in ways that both kids and adults can appreciate. It’s a particular delight for parents and teachers, especially those looking to align with NGSS7 standards without sacrificing storytelling.

While the characters are Chinese and the author is not, Welton handles cultural representation with clear effort and care. I especially appreciated that she avoided the all-too-common food metaphors often used to describe characters of color – something that, while prevalent in literature generally, still shows up in children’s books and can unintentionally reduce identity to something exotic or consumable. Her restraint here speaks to a thoughtful approach that’s important in stories meant to shape young readers’ perspectives. The cultural dynamics, especially the emotional expectations placed on the young protagonists, felt honest and specific, at times, a little biting – in a good way.

That said, the book isn’t without its bumps. The layout at the beginning, due to the publisher’s oversight, unfortunately detracts from the otherwise polished feel of the story. The introduction also felt somewhat perfunctory – like it was ticking a box rather than drawing readers in. However, once the story finds its rhythm, it becomes loquacious in the best way, with immersive underwater exploration and narrative depth that reveal how well thought-out the book truly is.

While I initially hoped for more visuals – especially during the deep sea exploration scenes – the vivid language more than made up for it. The words dragged me under, painting immersive underwater landscapes that made me wish I could see even more. In a sequel, I’d love to see those moments brought to life visually as well, to match the richness of the prose and deepen the reader’s journey.

Welton also knows how to build momentum. The later chapters, tighter, better paced, end on satisfying cliffhangers that will keep kids eagerly turning pages. I hope future installments lean even more into this strength.

Beneath the Surface is a solid contribution to the growing body of STEM-focused children’s fiction, especially for classrooms and home learning environments. I look forward to seeing what’s next – hopefully with more visuals, more story, and even deeper dives.

As an amateur cook, I can’t really speak to how good the recipes are – but as a fan of stand-up comedy, this book is an absolute gem! I loved reading every word of it and would go down the rabbit hole of home-cooked Italian food just for the joy of hearing Matteo’s sassy preaching in my head!

I picked up Accidentally on Purpose because I’m also gay and asian (and the cover photo is absolutely adorable.). I was curious to see how Kristen Kish’s story might resonate with me. Unfortunately, the book didn’t pique my interest in terms of depth or connection. While it offers glimpses of her life, it reads more like a repetition with a heavy emphasis on self-reflection that seems like a robotic process of connecting dots. The prose is sparse. it doesn’t draw you in. It’s more like dry, introspective musings like a kid’s essay, and it’s hard to get invested in her story.

As someone who’s unfamiliar with Kish before picking up the book, I don’t feel particularly compelled to learn more about her after. This reads like a book made for her established fans, capitalizing on buzzwords like Asian, gay, and adopted. Unfortunately. It doesn’t do enough to stand on its own merits and feels more like an obligatory offering than a compelling narrative.

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