This time, our assignment was Spider-Man: The Other – Evolve or Die. With the upcoming Spider-Man movie reportedly drawing inspiration from this storyline, Jordan and I both sat down to read it before we see what makes it onto the big screen.

Barillaro’s warm illustrations and graphic-novel-style passages make the world feel expansive and alive. Some pages invite you to pause and absorb the artwork, while the more dramatic sequences give the adventure a cinematic quality.

I first became interested in this book after having Nancy as a guest on my podcast. She was kind enough to send me a copy, and I'm grateful she did. As someone who spends a lot of time reading children's books, interviewing authors, and sharing stories with my own kids, I found it to be a fascinating look behind the scenes of children's publishing.

The artwork is breathtaking. Every page feels like it could be framed, with sweeping landscapes and expressive characters that pull you into the story. It's one of those graphic novels where you occasionally stop reading just to admire the illustrations.

I've had the creators on my show several times over the years, so when they sent me a copy of the newly remastered Volume One, I was excited to finally sit down and experience the story in its collected form.

Unlike many picture books, Be You doesn't tell a traditional story. Instead, it's a collection of gentle encouragements for children as they grow and discover who they are. The message is simple: be curious, be brave, be kind, be creative, and most importantly, be yourself.

The story follows Lily-May as she prepares to share something special with her classmates. While she starts out feeling nervous, she ultimately introduces them to a wonderful concept: slowing down and noticing the world around them. What follows is a gentle celebration of curiosity, mindfulness, and finding joy in everyday moments.

The moment I saw it on the shelf, I was flooded with memories. This was one of those books I remember fondly from growing up—a collection that always seemed to have something interesting waiting inside. Finding it again all these years later felt a little like reconnecting with an old friend. 

This vintage paperback is packed with the kind of fast-talking, absurd humor that doesn’t show up much anymore. Poor Cosmo Topper once again finds himself dragged into supernatural chaos thanks to the endlessly mischievous George and Marion Kerby. What follows is part ghost story, part screwball comedy, and part social satire, all wrapped together with Smith’s playful writing style. 

What I appreciated most is that the book does not turn Roxie’s family into a lecture. Her parents are capable, loving, funny, and real. Their blindness is part of the story, but it is not the whole story. That makes the book feel honest in a way young readers can understand. 

The Golden Book presentation adds a lot to the charm too. The illustrations have that warm nostalgic feel that instantly transports you back to childhood, even if you’ve never seen this exact edition before. It feels familiar in the best possible way.

Each story is short, gentle, and just the right length to wind things down without dragging things out. Of course, this is Curious George, so there’s always a little bit of mischief mixed in—but it’s toned just right for bedtime. Nothing too wild, just enough to keep things fun and engaging before lights out.

The story follows a man returning to his childhood home in Prague, where he discovers three keys that unlock memories, history, and imagination all at once. It’s a layered, thoughtful story—but honestly, the artwork is what pulls you in and keeps you there.

What makes this book stand out is how personal it feels. The stakes aren’t abstract—they’re rooted in family, loss, and conviction. The backdrop of the Vietnam era adds weight, but the real strength of the story is in Lisa’s determination and the emotional core that drives her forward.

The story follows a tiny snail with big dreams who hitches a ride on the tail of a massive whale. Together, they travel the world—past icebergs, volcanoes, and faraway shores—before the adventure takes a turn and the little snail has to step up in a big way.

The futuristic setting gives the book a unique flavor. Instead of ancient Greece, we get spaceships, strange alien worlds, and quirky companions like the Recorder and Ariel. It almost feels like a Saturday morning cartoon in comic form—fast-paced, colorful, and never taking itself too seriously.

What stood out to me most, though, was the tone. There’s a calm, almost meditative rhythm to the book. It moves at a gentle pace, mirroring the quiet routine of the snow monkeys themselves. It’s the kind of story that naturally slows things down—perfect for winding down at the end of the day.

There’s no big storyline here, just a gentle introduction to an animal and its world. It’s the kind of book you read slowly, pointing things out, letting little ones take it in at their own pace. It’s sturdy, easy to hold, and designed for those early reading moments where attention spans are short but curiosity is high.

Illustrated by Lisa Barlow and Damien Barlow, the book introduces groups of colorful, silly monsters that each make their own sounds and movements. The idea is simple but brilliant—kids are invited to growl, stomp, wiggle, roar, and generally act out what the monsters are doing on the page.

What makes Primitives work so well is the balance between action and bigger ideas. On the surface, it’s a fast-moving survival story filled with danger, travel, and strange encounters in a broken world. But underneath that, the novel wrestles with a deeper question: if humanity caused its own downfall, does it deserve a second chance?