(4) 4-6 Treasury of Glorious Goddesses series. In each novel, a goddess relates her story, enhanced with details from her culture of origin and her (imagined) motivations. Back matter adds historical context and dim black-and-white artifact photos, while a chart separates myth from fiction. Though the choice to voice the goddesses with a shallow tween giddiness may exclude some readers, others will find this an easy entry point to mythology. Bib., glos. $ Review Covers these Treasure of Glorious Goddesses titles: Call Me Athena, Call me Ixchel, Call me Isis

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Maria Monescillo. Mary Wrightly is polite (maybe excessively). When shopping for a birthday gift for her little brother, her meekness results in others snatching up each toy she spots; satisfyingly, she ultimately speaks up and lands the perfect gift. This soft-spoken story uniquely underscores both the importance of manners and of (politely) standing up for oneself. Monescillo's pastels are as sweet-natured as the protagonist.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by William Maughan. This is a slight collection of spooky tales that relies heavily on the accompanying free app. Without an introduction, the book jumps into brief accounts of real-life hauntings, with atmospheric but murky oil paintings opposite the text on each double-page spread. Gimmicky and light on substance but still diverting and slightly scary. Bib.

Reviewer: April Mazza

(4) 4-6 Thinking Girl's Treasury of Dastardly Dames series. Illustrated by Peter Malone. Profiling some of history's most notorious women rulers, this series employs crisp writing along with an appealing mix of dramatic paintings and photographs (mainly of places and items). The main texts deliver plenty of gory details; most volumes include sidebars highlighting cultural specifics. It's a little all over the place, but the series, with its sharp hook, should appeal to a diverse readership. Review covers these Thinking Girl's Treasury of Dastardly Dames titles: Agrippina, Catherine de' Medici, Cixi, Cleopatra, Marie Antoinette, and Mary Tudor.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(4) 4-6 Thinking Girl's Treasury of Real Princesses series. Illustrated by Albert Nguyen. This series highlights the accomplishments of "real princesses" from a wide range of geographies and time periods; these women helmed armies, sailed ships, and led nations. Each (uninspiringly designed) volume opens with a pronunciation guide and includes maps, timelines, archival photos, and sections on food, clothing, and customs. Nguyen's cartoonish illustrations and Bridges's cheekily humorous text are entertaining. Review covers these Thinking Girl's Treasury of Real Princesses titles: Artemisia of Caria, Hatshepsut of Egypt, Isabella of Castile, Nur Jahan of India, Qutlugh Terkan Khatun of Kirman, and Sorghaghtani of Mongolia.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(4) 4-6 Thinking Girl's Treasury of Real Princesses series. Illustrated by Albert Nguyen. This series highlights the accomplishments of "real princesses" from a wide range of geographies and time periods; these women helmed armies, sailed ships, and led nations. Each (uninspiringly designed) volume opens with a pronunciation guide and includes maps, timelines, archival photos, and sections on food, clothing, and customs. Nguyen's cartoonish illustrations and Bridges's cheekily humorous text are entertaining. Review covers these Thinking Girl's Treasury of Real Princesses titles: Artemisia of Caria, Hatshepsut of Egypt, Isabella of Castile, Nur Jahan of India, Qutlugh Terkan Khatun of Kirman, and Sorghaghtani of Mongolia.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(4) 4-6 Thinking Girl's Treasury of Real Princesses series. Illustrated by Albert Nguyen. This series highlights the accomplishments of "real princesses" from a wide range of geographies and time periods; these women helmed armies, sailed ships, and led nations. Each (uninspiringly designed) volume opens with a pronunciation guide and includes maps, timelines, archival photos, and sections on food, clothing, and customs. Nguyen's cartoonish illustrations and Bridges's cheekily humorous text are entertaining. Review covers these Thinking Girl's Treasury of Real Princesses titles: Artemisia of Caria, Hatshepsut of Egypt, Isabella of Castile, Nur Jahan of India, Qutlugh Terkan Khatun of Kirman, and Sorghaghtani of Mongolia.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(4) 4-6 Thinking Girl's Treasury of Real Princesses series. Illustrated by Albert Nguyen. This series highlights the accomplishments of "real princesses" from a wide range of geographies and time periods; these women helmed armies, sailed ships, and led nations. Each (uninspiringly designed) volume opens with a pronunciation guide and includes maps, timelines, archival photos, and sections on food, clothing, and customs. Nguyen's cartoonish illustrations and Bridges's cheekily humorous text are entertaining. Review covers these Thinking Girl's Treasury of Real Princesses titles: Artemisia of Caria, Hatshepsut of Egypt, Isabella of Castile, Nur Jahan of India, Qutlugh Terkan Khatun of Kirman, and Sorghaghtani of Mongolia.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(4) 4-6 Thinking Girl's Treasury of Real Princesses series. Illustrated by Albert Nguyen. This series highlights the accomplishments of "real princesses" from a wide range of geographies and time periods; these women helmed armies, sailed ships, and led nations. Each (uninspiringly designed) volume opens with a pronunciation guide and includes maps, timelines, archival photos, and sections on food, clothing, and customs. Nguyen's cartoonish illustrations and Bridges's cheekily humorous text are entertaining. Review covers these Thinking Girl's Treasury of Real Princesses titles: Artemisia of Caria, Hatshepsut of Egypt, Isabella of Castile, Nur Jahan of India, Qutlugh Terkan Khatun of Kirman, and Sorghaghtani of Mongolia.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(4) 4-6 Thinking Girl's Treasury of Real Princesses series. Illustrated by Albert Nguyen. This series highlights the accomplishments of "real princesses" from a wide range of geographies and time periods; these women helmed armies, sailed ships, and led nations. Each (uninspiringly designed) volume opens with a pronunciation guide and includes maps, timelines, archival photos, and sections on food, clothing, and customs. Nguyen's cartoonish illustrations and Bridges's cheekily humorous text are entertaining. Review covers these Thinking Girl's Treasury of Real Princesses titles: Artemisia of Caria, Hatshepsut of Egypt, Isabella of Castile, Nur Jahan of India, Qutlugh Terkan Khatun of Kirman, and Sorghaghtani of Mongolia.

Reviewer: Hannah Rodgers Barnaby

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Taeeun Yoo. Everyone in Noot's Thai village decorates umbrellas with flowers and butterflies; when Noot paints playful elephants on hers, her family tells her to stop. The king, however, approves; in an emotionally satisfying (though abrupt) ending, he names Noot the Umbrella Queen "because she paints from her heart." Linoleum prints with pencil illustrations featuring attractive umbrellas illuminate the setting.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Sophie Blackall. In a story set in a bygone era in China, a girl's wish to continue her education rather than marry is fulfilled when her perseverance with her at-home studies attracts her grandfather's notice. In a celebratory New Year's Day climax, Ruby's grandfather presents her with a letter of acceptance to a university. Inspired by the life of the author's grandmother, the quietly feminist story is complemented by illustrations as graceful as calligraphy strokes.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute