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@MaryLanniReads

@marylannireads.bsky.social

27 followers 27 following 49 posts

I am a book reviewer with a focus on stories written for kids, tweens, and teens. I also host authors interviews, and I am a passionate advocate for youth literacy. Look for me at www.maryrlanni.com or on YouTube @MaryLanniReads!

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@MaryLanniReads @marylannireads.bsky.social · 2h

Today's featured #bookreview is a reimagining of Hansel and Gretel by the acclaimed Stephen King and Maurice Sendak. A little light horror, just in time for the Halloween season.

youtu.be/ng7T73jwxdY?...

#fairytale #hanselandgretel
@mauricesendak.bsky.social
@stephenking.bsky.social

Book Review: Hansel and Gretel

YouTube video by @MaryLanniReads

@MaryLanniReads @marylannireads.bsky.social · 1d

Today's featured #bookreview is an amusing story about a chicken who embraces her inner dinosaur. Funny and lightly educational, this is a memorable introduction to the evolutionary connection between dinosaurs and contemporary birds.

youtu.be/V9afY4lWxhQ?...

#picturebook #chickens #dinosaurs

Book Review: Lena the Chicken (but Really a Dinosaur!)

YouTube video by @MaryLanniReads

@MaryLanniReads @marylannireads.bsky.social · 2d

Today's featured #bookreview is a wordless picture book about an unlikely friendship and a shared love of dance. Check it out here!

youtu.be/5GiFTtT19gA?...

#ballet #picturebook #polarbear #harlemchildrensballet

Book Review: The Polar Bear and the Ballerina

YouTube video by @MaryLanniReads

@MaryLanniReads @marylannireads.bsky.social · 3d

Today's featured #bookreview is a humorous and educational story about the life cycle of krill and how important this animal is to the global ecosystem. Give it a listen!

youtu.be/g25ELD1qCy0?...

#picturebook #nonfiction #krill #storytime

Book Review: Good Eating: The Short Life of Krill

YouTube video by @MaryLanniReads

@MaryLanniReads @marylannireads.bsky.social · 4d

Today's featured author interview is with Lance Rubin, author of Zed Moonstein Makes a Friend! Check out our conversation, and then make sure to read Zed's story, too.

youtu.be/iYOSiLrFZ5A?...

#middlegradereads #authorinterview #kidlit

@lancerubinparty.bsky.social

Author Interview: Lance Rubin

YouTube video by @MaryLanniReads

@MaryLanniReads @marylannireads.bsky.social · 5d

Hey, kidlit authors! Do you have a book that you'd like to get the word out about? Do you love talking about writing in general? Please consider connecting with me for an interview!

More info at the link below:

www.maryrlanni.com/author-interviews

#kidlit #authors #authorinterview

Author Interviews

Interviews Alphabetically (click the arrow!)

www.maryrlanni.com

@MaryLanniReads @marylannireads.bsky.social · 6d

Today's featured #bookreview is an empowering picture book for older readers, complete with detailed illustrations. Check it out!

youtu.be/dJYPLLlpqfQ?...

#picturebook #fairytale #threesisters @penguinrandomhouse.bsky.social

Book Review: The Witch in the Tower

YouTube video by @MaryLanniReads

@MaryLanniReads @marylannireads.bsky.social · 7d

Today's featured #bookreview is a graphic novel version of the classic, award-winning One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia. Give it a listen!

youtu.be/DcLAJ0A6fmU?...

#middlegradereads #graphicnovel

Book Review: One Crazy Summer (Graphic Novel)

YouTube video by @MaryLanniReads

@MaryLanniReads @marylannireads.bsky.social · 8d

Today's featured book is the sixth in a graphic novel series by @caleatkinson.bsky.social about a boy and his ghost best friend. It's sweet and just a bit spooky, just in time for the Halloween season.

youtu.be/GvON9jpB_QQ?...

#bookreview #middlegradereads #graphicnovel #friendship #ghosts

Book Review: Simon and Chester Super Business!

YouTube video by @MaryLanniReads

@MaryLanniReads @marylannireads.bsky.social · 9d

Today's featured #authorinterview is with Alda P. Dobbs, talking about her newest book, The Giving Flower. Give it a listen!

youtu.be/Vzk92wQAeTM?...

#picturebook #kidlit

Author Interview: Alda P. Dobbs

YouTube video by @MaryLanniReads

@MaryLanniReads @marylannireads.bsky.social · 10d

It's Baned Books Week - celebrate your right to read!

#bannedbooksweek #librarians #reading #teachers #readers

A banner saying "Free People Read Freely"

@MaryLanniReads @marylannireads.bsky.social · 11d

Today's featured #authorinterview is with @jeffgottesfeld.bsky.social, author of Fight for the Right to Read and Twenty One Steps. Listen to it here!

youtu.be/LKtM-B3aasM?...

#ushistory #civilrights #libraries

Author Interview: Jeff Gottesfeld

YouTube video by @MaryLanniReads

@MaryLanniReads @marylannireads.bsky.social · 12d

We are at a pivotal moment in time, when questions surrounding nursery rhymes abound in early education. So why are nursery rhymes important? Here are my thoughts. Do you agree?

youtu.be/P_qZ1Wwt_OM?...

#nurseryrhymes #earlyliteracy #ece #librarians #storytime

Why are Nursery Rhymes so Important?

YouTube video by @MaryLanniReads

@MaryLanniReads @marylannireads.bsky.social · 13d

Today's featured #bookreview is the third in an early middle grade mystery series featuring a savvy detective and her best friend who live in an iconic NYC apartment building. Check it out!

youtu.be/OBOCVdZEYvg?...

#whodunnit #seriesfiction #middlegradereads

Book Review: Mystery at the Biltmore 3: A Recipe for Robbery

YouTube video by @MaryLanniReads

@MaryLanniReads @marylannireads.bsky.social · 14d

Did you know you can find video book reviews on my YouTube channel? If you want to know more about a book that has caught your eye or to explore options based on your child's age, my aim is to help you find your child's next favorite read!

youtube.com/@marylannire...

#parents #bookreview #kidlit

@MaryLanniReads

Video reviews of books for kids, tweens, and teens. Find out more at my website: www.maryrlanni.com! You can also subscribe to my quarterly Substack newsletter here: https://marylannireads.substack.c...

@MaryLanniReads @marylannireads.bsky.social · 15d

Today's featured #authorinterview is with Chris Baron, author of Spark, his newest middle grade novel in verse. Give it a listen, and then check out my review of Spark, as well!

youtu.be/8MH1dfAMswE?...

#middlegradereads #novelinverse

Author Interview: Chris Baron

YouTube video by @MaryLanniReads

@MaryLanniReads @marylannireads.bsky.social · 16d

Today's featured #bookreview is a slightly spooky middle grade novel by @lauraparnum.bsky.social, just in time for the season! Find out if it might be a good fit for you or for someone you know:

youtu.be/cEkOQxKPGFc?...

#middlegrade #slightlyspooky

Book Review: The Haunting of Bellington Cottage

YouTube video by @MaryLanniReads

@MaryLanniReads @marylannireads.bsky.social · 17d

Today's featured #bookreview is a new middle grade whodunnit by @christynewrites.bsky.social! Give it a listen here:

youtu.be/qrZ1R2EBtRs?...

#middlegradereads #mystery

Book Review: The Case of the Scarlet Snakebite

YouTube video by @MaryLanniReads

@MaryLanniReads @marylannireads.bsky.social · 18d

Today's featured #authorinterview is with @franwilde.bsky.social, whose newest book releases this week! Give it a listen here:

youtu.be/FH1rCJe5WiQ?...

#writersofbluesky #readersofbluesky

Author Interview: Fran Wilde

YouTube video by @MaryLanniReads

@MaryLanniReads @marylannireads.bsky.social · 19d

Today's featured book is a YA fantasy adventure that transports readers to another world.

youtu.be/8jjMPOHdz78?...

#yalit #fantasy #bookreview

Book Review: Heir of Storms

YouTube video by @MaryLanniReads

@MaryLanniReads @marylannireads.bsky.social · 20d

Today's featured #bookreview recounts two true stories from World War II. Once you hear about the book, check out my interview with author Frank W. Baker for more insight into the making of this powerful novel.

youtu.be/retE7lYYX40?...

#wwiihistory #holocausthistory #yalit

Book Review: Risk, Resilience, and Redemption: A Miraculous Holocaust Survival Story

YouTube video by @MaryLanniReads

@MaryLanniReads @marylannireads.bsky.social · 21d

Today's featured #picturebook is one that connects emotions to nature, helping children to recognize that their feelings are valid and changeable, just like the natural world.

youtu.be/vDSsGlxaKB4?...

#bookreview #feelings

Book Review: Some Days I'm the Wind

YouTube video by @MaryLanniReads

@MaryLanniReads @marylannireads.bsky.social · 22d

Today's featured #picturebook is all about the struggles of moving, especially when a treasured friend gets misplaced. Give it a watch here!

youtu.be/RfxQbxsiT4w?...

#bookreview #moving #bears

Book Review: A Moving Story

YouTube video by @MaryLanniReads

@MaryLanniReads @marylannireads.bsky.social · 23d

I'm looking forward to moderating an author panel at this fall's SLJ Day of Dialog! The event is free to attend, and if you can't be there live, register anyway and you'll get the recordings to enjoy on your own time.

#SLJDOD

www.slj.com/event/school...

School Library Journal Day of Dialog Fall 2025

Join us October 9th for SLJ Day of Dialog—fully virtual and free to attend! Our daylong program of author panels, in-depth conversations, and keynote talks will leave you informed, inspired, and enter...

@MaryLanniReads @marylannireads.bsky.social · 24d

Today's featured #authorinterview is with Taylor Lahey, author of the fable-style picture book Câmbio. Give it a listen here!

youtu.be/lr1Nsy67W4g?...

#picturebook #community

Author Interview: Taylor Lahey

YouTube video by @MaryLanniReads