This is the first time I’ve ever asked someone to do a five-word review guest post, and I’m so excited to introduce Lexi Hall! She’s a children’s writer and illustrator living in Boston, where she works as the children’s bookseller at Beacon Hill Books & Café (imagine being surrounded by all those picture books!). She’s also pursuing her MFA in children’s book writing and illustration, and is even illustrating a forthcoming picture book, Enough Elizabeths.
I asked Lexi to find five new picture books that she digs, and I can’t wait to see what caught her eye. Let’s find out!
One Light
Author: Christie Matheson
Illustrator: Anuska Allepuz
Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
24 September 2024
40 pages
Lexi’s five-word review: Timely. Powerful. One spark ignites.
4.5 out of 5 lights in the darkness
Perfect
Author: Waka T. Brown
Illustrator: Yuko Jones
Quill Tree Books
1 October 2024
40 pages
Lexi’s five-word review: Love-mended treasures. Accepting flaws. Tender!
4.75 out of 5 kintsugi teacups
Pig Town Party
Author: Lian Cho
Illustrator: Lian Cho
HarperCollins
29 October 2024
40 pages
Lexi’s five-word review: Mix-up, costume contest, pig-giggle fest!
4.25 out of 5 mud cakes
Sari Sisters
Author: Anitha Rao-Robinson
Illustrator: Anoosha Syed
Viking Books for Young Readers
22 October 2024
32 pages
Lexi’s five-word review: Sharing precious milestones, sisterly-love story.
4.5 out of 5 sari dance parties!
The Verts
Author: Ann Patchett
Illustrator: Robin Preiss Glasser
HarperCollins
17 September 2024
40 pages
Lexi’s five-word review: Crowded party? Solo-celebration? Honoring differences.
4.25 out of 5 tinfoil stars
Lexi Hall is a children’s writer and illustrator from Pittsburgh PA. Growing up, she fell in love with writing and illustrating her own little stories to share with her friends. Now, she lives and works in Boston, MA as the children’s bookseller at Beacon Hill Books & Café, where she is spoiled with daily access to all the picture books she can read!
Lexi is pursuing her MFA in children’s book writing and illustration from Hollins University. She has illustrated for Hollins University Magazine and The Big Kit & Lil’ Kaboodle children’s magazine. She has also illustrated an upcoming 2025 picture book written by author Heather Harris Bergevin, Enough Elizabeths, with Lucky Rabbit Publishing.
Website: www.lexihall.com
Instagram: @lexi.paints