I love picture books and I love biographies... and I love it when both are combined successfully! This warmly illustrated picture book tells of the most beloved American author Louisa May Alcott. Her family was definitely sui generis, holding unusual beliefs and moving often, and Louisa began thinking and writing poetry at a very young age.

This picture book sheds light on what a noble soul Louisa had, filled of generosity, integrity and character. Highly recommended especially for young readers who love the wonderful Little Women author.

Here's a clever picture book about opposites! We loved it so much, the kids told me this had to be a picture book of the week.

Each page has a one-word question, such as "alike?" Each page has one or more cut-out windows, showing a picture–in this case, several "alike" diamonds. Flip the page and the picture of an opposite concept is shown: the little "alike" diamonds were actually all part of several very differently-shaped snowflakes!

We picked a full bag of mostly new picture books from the library as we don't visit it as often as during the school year. Several new publications were examined by my review team – our children. Some were bold, creative, large and colorful. Fiction, informational, biographies: we read many different books over a number of days. In my mind as I hear their comments and listen or watch their reading enjoyment I run my own elimination process.

So, it just slightly based on the meager accounts of a tale that may have really happened... but still, it makes for a wonderful picture book! Perseverance, kindness, mystery... and true love bringing life to a lonely soul, all in the backdrop of the great navigations involving the Queen of Portugal herself: how can a reader resist it?