Book Review | THE BEE THAT WAVED AT ME by Jenny Alexander

THE BEE THAT WAVED AT ME
BY JENNY ALEXANDER | PUBLICATION: JULY 15, 2024
GENRE: DISABILITIES & SPECIAL NEEDS | RATING: ★★★★

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What if you could live a purposeful life despite disabilities and limitations? If that describes you or someone you love, Mr. Bee's whimsical journey will offer encouragement that what might seem impossible, is well within reach. Written from a Christian perspective, this heart-warming story is meant to show readers that no matter the disability or limitation, they have a purpose.

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A Story About Finding Purpose

THE BEE THAT WAVED AT ME is a short tale offering a profound message that resonates with readers of all ages. Jenny Alexander's creation is an insight into understanding self-worth and recognizing that everyone has a unique role to play in this world, regardless of their abilities or limitations.

The story follows Mr. Bee, whose character embodies the spirit of perseverance and optimism. Through his whimsical adventures, Mr. Bee demonstrates that living a purposeful life is not only about what one can do physically but also about the impact one can have on others. The book's Christian perspective adds a layer of spiritual encouragement, emphasizing that every individual is valuable and has a purpose designed by a higher power.

What makes this book a gem is its ability to engage children while also providing reflection questions that encourage introspection and self-discovery. These questions are a gateway for readers to explore their strengths and learn to love themselves for who they are. The simple yet expressive illustrations complement the text beautifully, bringing the characters to life and making the story's message even more impactful.

THE BEE THAT WAVED AT ME is a narrative that inspires hope and determination, reminding us that our perceived limitations are just stepping stones to finding our true purpose.

Amazon

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About the Author:

   

This is Jenny Alexander’s first children’s book. She’s published several for adults as well as word searches for various ages. She writes from a Christian perspective and aims to inspire and encourage readers. Jenny is a retired secretary who has been pursuing creative interests like drawing, painting, writing, and playing the violin. She lives in Ontario, Canada, with her husband Curtis.

*Thanks to the author for the ebook copy
in exchange for this unbiased review.

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Blog Tour | A SWIFT RETURN by Fiona Barker

A SWIFT RETURN
BY FIONA BARKER | PUBLICATION: FEBRUARY 2024
ILLUSTRATOR: HOWARD GRAY | ARABIC TEXT: MAYSOON ABUBLAN
TINY TREE BOOKS | GENRE: CHILDREN’S PICTURE BOOK
Rating: ★★★★

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Aria has her head in the clouds. Yusuf keeps his feet on the ground. But when they work together to save a bird who has lost her way, something magical happens. When Swift loses her way on her epic migration. Aria and Yusuf come to her rescue and are inspired to think big about looking after the sky above their city. Inspired by Fiona and Howard’s love for wildlife of all kinds, A Swift Return is the follow-up to Setsuko and the Song of the Sea. Howard’s beautiful illustrations evoke a strong sense of place, strengthened by the beautiful Arabic text distilled by Maysoon AbuBlan.

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This is such a wonderful book.

In a world where pollution threatens the beauty and balance of nature, A SWIFT RETURN stands as a poignant reminder of our collective responsibility. This story, through its serene illustrations and succinct language, underscores the urgent message that we must all contribute to reducing our carbon footprints. It's a call to action for each of us to aid those who suffer the consequences of environmental damage. Aria and Yusuf, despite their tender age and differing passions, unite for a noble cause: rescuing an injured bird. Their journey is a testament to the power of collaboration in the face of adversity and highlights the imperative to recognize and act upon the duties we owe to our planet.

This book is an essential read for parents eager to inspire environmental stewardship in their young children. I recommend.

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About the Author:

   

Fiona is a middle-aged, married mum of one. She is positively potty about picturebooks; reading them and writing them. When writing, she longs for alliterative loveliness but is reluctant to rhyme. When reading, she looks for a marriage of words and artwork and loves anything that is fun to read aloud.
Fiona loves doing school author visits and speaking to adults about picture books and children's publishing.

Visit www.fionabarker.co.uk for details of forthcoming events.

*Thanks to Tiny Tree Books and @TheWriteReads for the finished copy in exhange for this unbiased review.

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Blog Tour | OCTAVIA BLOOM AND THE MISSING KEY by Estelle Grace Tudor

OCTAVIA BLOOM AND THE MISSING KEY
by Estelle Grace Tudor
Series: Through the Fairy Door
Publication: July 20th 2020
Publisher: Inlustris
Genre: Middle-Grade / Fantasy
Rating: ★★★★★

One tiny discovery can have enormous consequences...

Almost 10-year-old Octavia Bloom is looking for adventure, but when it comes it's in the shape of a tiny fairy door.

Dragging her reluctant sister and cousins into the mystery, Octavia discovers her family are hiding not ONE but TWO life-changing secrets.

Why is her mother searching for an elusive flower? And does she have what it takes to reunite her fractured family?

Octavia's certain the answers lie behind the fairy door, if only she could just find the key...

Bravery, secrets & magic intertwine in this fantastical adventure.

AMAZON CA | AMAZON US | AMAZON UK

I received this book to read and review as part of the 2021 BBNYA competition and the BBNYA tours organized by the TWR Tour team. All opinions are my own, unbiased and honest.

BBNYA is a yearly competition where Book Bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors. If you are an author and wish to learn more about the BBNYA competition, you can visit the official website www.bbnya.com or twitter @bbnya_official.

The sign-ups will soon be open for the 2022 BBNYA competition, be it for authors to enter their books, or for bloggers wanting to be part of the new panel, so keep your eyes peeled!!

...

If my daughter’s still a preteen, we would pore over this book and most likely gobble up the whole series in a few days too. Come to think of it, nothing is stopping us now to do exactly that.

Hi there. This is my stop for the OCTAVIA BLOOM AND THE MISSING KEY blog tour, hosted by @TheWriteReads.

Estelle Grace Tudor’s take on Fairy Land has all the elements of magic and heroes. She added layers and details, making this very enchanting and exciting. There are also elements of family and sibling connection, of love and bravery, of self-confidence and accepting trust. Seriously, this book is great for family reading time, and a huge source of encouragement. Tudor gave each character a unique identity and any child will instantly make an attachment. And, I don’t think there’s any child who would say no to blooming unicorns, talking animals for companions, and a fantastical adventure.

This story started with an unexpected door that magically appeared in an attic. A door that opens to endless possibilities and imagination. And I cannot wait to go back in.

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About the Author:

When not searching the backs of wardrobes for Narnia, the bottom of the garden for fairies or exploring yet another Castle, Estelle can be found with her nose in a book or a pen in her hand.

Having previously worked at Cardiff Castle, she now writes full time while looking after her four children. She lives on the beautiful South Wales coast with her husband, children and crazy dog.

*This post is a part of the monthly linkups organized by Lovely Audiobooks! You can click here to check it out and be a part of it.

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Book Review | HOW TO SAVE A QUEENDOM by Jessica Lawson

HOW TO SAVE A QUEENDOM
by Jessica Lawson
Publication: April 20, 2021
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books
for Young Readers
Genre: Children’s Fiction / Fantasy
Rating: ★★★★★

Life’s never been kind to twelve-year-old Stub. Orphaned and left in the care of the cruel Matron Tratte, Stub’s learned that the best way to keep the peace is to do as she’s told. No matter that she’s bullied and that her only friend is her pet chicken, Peck, Stub’s accepted the fact that her life just isn’t made for adventure. Then she finds a tiny wizard in her pocket.

Orlen, the royal wizard to Maradon’s queen, is magically bound to Stub. And it’s up to her to ferry Orlen back to Maradon Cross, the country’s capital, or else the delicate peace of the queendom will crumble under the power of an evil wizard queen. Suddenly Stub’s unexciting life is chock-full of adventure. But how can one orphan girl possibly save the entire queendom?

Queendom!
Now, it’s about time Webster’s Dictionary include the word.

People would think that after all the hardships and injustices Stub endured from Matron Tratte, she would be bitter and angry. Instead, Stub is clever, intuitive, and compassionate. This adventure brought out all her best, and the side characters were just the encouragement she needed. It’s such an inspiration for children.

I love this world that Jessica Lawson created. It has all the elements a children's fantasy should have –grand adventure, magic, courage, and friendship. I love the family structures, too. The book shows how compassion may gain friends. And turn friends into a family. Also, this shows that a little encouragement can lead to great victories.

I highly recommend HOW TO SAVE A QUEENDOM!

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About the Author:

Jessica Lawson enjoys living in Pennsylvania, where she and her family spend weekend hours hanging at the local orchard, pretending to be on cooking shows, building with magnet blocks and Legos, making up new holidays, and reading plenty of books. She likes pizza. A lot. Photo courtesy of author.

*Thanks to Simon & Schuster for the printed copy in exchange for this unbiased review.
*This post is a part of the monthly linkups organized by Lovely Audiobooks! You can click here to check it out and be a part of it.

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Book Review | SPARK AND THE LEAGUE OF URSUS by Robert Repino

SPARK AND THE LEAGUE OF URSUS
by Robert Repino
Publication: April 21, 2020
Publisher: Quirk Books
Genre: Middle-Grade Fantasy
Rating: ★★★½

Spark is not your average teddy bear. She’s soft and cuddly, sure, but she’s also a fierce warrior. At night she fulfills her sacred duty: to protect the household from monsters. But Spark’s owner Loretta is growing up and thinks she doesn’t need her old teddy anymore.

When a monster unlike any other descends on the quiet home, everything changes. Children are going missing, and the monster wants Loretta next. Only Spark can stop it. She must call upon the ancient League of Ursus—a secret alliance of teddy bears who are pledged to protect their human friends. Together with an Amazon-princess doll and a timid sock monkey, the bears are all that stands between our world and the one that lies beneath. It will be a heroic chapter in the history of the League . . . if the bears live to tell the tale. -Publisher

Through Sir Reginald, Spark learned all about the League of Ursus. And with her mentor to train her, she had the confidence and readiness any protector should have. But the monster that appeared in Loretta’s bedroom is something different altogether. It comes in the night, while the kids are sleeping, crawling from the darkest corner of the room. It has a distinct power to open portals in different locations and cancel all the sounds in any place it occupies. And while most monsters only feed on their prey’s fear, this one drags them away where no one has gone before.

Robert Repino gave life to a story most kids hold on to -that their teddy bears are more than just toys -they are loyal companions. Bears serve. Bears watch. Bears Protect. Always and forever. Spark knows the oath by heart, and she means to do everything to protect Loretta, her dusa. The very premise raised plenty of questions. How did the teddy bears realize that they are protectors? Instead of addressing it, the story chose to focus on the deep love these bears have for their humans until their final light, on kids standing strong for their siblings, that friendship matter, that being afraid is not cowardice, and that compassion should still rule at the end of the day.

SPARK AND THE LEAGUE OF URSUS has enough scare and challenges to entertain its middle-grade audience. A perfect read for Friday the 13th. Spark is the kind of friend kids would like to have. Also, Matthew and Loretta’s motto is something everyone should hear – “Keep dreaming, and keep trying!”

Book #2, Spark and the Grand Sleuth, is out on March 23, 2021.

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About the Author:

Robert Repino is the author of Mort(e), Culdesac, and D’Arc, which make up the critically acclaimed War with No Name series (Soho Press). He holds an MFA in creative writing from Emerson College and teaches at the Gotham Writers’ Workshop. He lives in New York City where he works as an editor at an academic publisher. This is his middle-grade debut. Robert had two special teddy bears when he was growing up: Bear and Blue Bear.

*Thanks to Quirk Books for the printed copy in exchange for this unbiased review.
*This post is a part of the monthly linkups organized by Lovely Audiobooks! You can click here to check it out and be a part of it.

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Book Review | PET THAT DOG! by Gideon Kidd & Rachel Braunigan

  

PET THAT DOG!
by Gideon Kidd and Rachel Braunigan
Publication: October 20, 2020
Publisher: Quirk Books
Genre: Activity Book for Children
Rating: ★★★★★

From 11-year-old dog-loving Gideon Kidd of the viral Twitter account I've Pet That Dog comes a guide for young readers to befriend and care for dogs of all shapes, sizes, and personalities!

-Publisher

Want to know how many times a kid asked us if they could pet our dog, Rue? Many, many times. Sometimes it can get funny when they come at her running with their arms wide open and shouting “puppy, puppy, puppy.” Meanwhile, Rue thinks they want to play tag, then starts running around, hiding and peeking out of bushes, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. And sometimes, she can get so excited it’s hard to get her settled enough again to get petted. This first-hand experience taught us that there are plenty of kids out there who love to pet dogs that are either too eager or too shy to ask.

Thanks to Gideon and his mom, Rachel, for sharing PET THAT DOG! It’s a handbook on how to befriend and care for dogs. It comes in an interactive format with fun facts, a dog tracker, and a checklist. The book also has some beautiful illustrations of interesting dogs Gideon met before.

Undoubtedly, plenty of kids and future dog owners will learn much from this book, and this could be a fun family activity too.

*The book is ON SALE NOW, purchase your copy and send your receipt to Quirk Books by October 27, 2020 to get a free sticker sheet and a bookplate signed by Gideon. For more details click here.

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About the Author:

Gideon Kidd is a 12-year-old boy from Iowa. He loves dogs and hopes to meet and pet as many as he can. He asked his Mom if he could start a blog in 2016, when he was 8 years old, documenting each dog he petted. He began posting his pictures and stories on Twitter in April 2018, and now he has pet over 1,000 dogs and has over 300,000 Twitter followers. Rachel Braunigan is Gideon's mom. A social worker turned stay-at-home mom, she has four sons. Rachel assists Gideon with his project by taking pictures, and helping in the never-ending quest to pet more dogs.

*Thanks to Quirk Books for the printed copy in exchange for this unbiased review.
*This post is a part of the monthly linkups organized by Lovely Audiobooks! You can click here to check it out and be a part of it.

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Book Review | WARREN THE 13TH AND THE 13-YEAR CURSE by Tania del Rio, Will Staehle

   

   Warren the 13th and the 13-Year Curse by Tania del Rio
Illustrator: Will Staehle
Series: Warren the 13th, Book #3
Publication Date: October 1, 2019
Publisher: Quirk Books
Genre: Middle-Grade Adventure
Rating: ★★★★★

An illustrated middle-grade fiction series with Gothic and Victorian overtones featuring the misadventures of a cursed 12-year-old bellhop trying to save his family's hotel from the clutches of evil.

At the conclusion of the second book in the Warren the 13th series, The Warren Hotel had transformed into a giant ship and set sail for the open seas! When Warren 3 opens, Warren is adjusting to the demands of running a floating hotel and is planning his 13th birthday party when disaster strikes--the hotel is shipwrecked on a strange island. To make things worse, his octopus-like friend Sketchy is kidnapped by a traveling circus! Warren and his friends must solve a series of riddles to find the next location of the circus and rescue their friend before it's too late. Along the way, they meet a new cast of characters, including some elderly pirates, a sea witch, a talking clam, and a giant sea monster. As Warren pursues Sketchy's kidnappers, he will learn the truth of his friend's mysterious origins--as well as one final secret of the Warren Hotel.-Goodreads

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This is the 3rd book in the series, but it works perfectly as a standalone story. After reading the first two books, I’ve been very curious about what happens next for Warren. The story launched from where book #2 left off and the Warren Hotel was having a grand time sailing away. But now at 13, there’s a curse hovering above Warren’s head.

These books are placed as Middle-Grade Fiction. Nevertheless, Tania del Rio made these books relatively easy and perfect for a read-aloud that even younger Middle-Graders can enjoy them. Or even if your kids aren’t proficient readers yet, Will Staehle’s two-toned illustrations can boost their imagination effortlessly. The gothic feel they imbue is rather perfect for the story.

WARREN THE 13TH AND THE 13-YEAR CURSE is a great adventure filled with diverse characters (even nasty pirates) that have rare surprises up their sleeves and an impressive rescue mission. Despite his probable curse, Warren remains resolute, optimistic, and completely kind. His character brings out the good in people and that’s what I love most about these books. People never thought twice helping Warren or doing kindness for him in return.

Warren the 13th series is filled with adventures and with people you very much want your kids to meet. If you haven’t started on them yet, please get your copies soon. I heartily recommend these books.

>*Thank you for sharing this amazing ride, Will and Tania. I'll miss Warren, but I also know that he's off to new adventures. Instead, I'll bid him and both of you farewell.

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About the Author and Illustrator:

Tania Del Rio is a professional comic book writer and artist who has spent the past 10 years writing and illustrating, primarily for a young audience. Her clients include Archie Comics, Dark Horse, and Marvel; she is best known for her work writing and drawing the 42-issue run of Sabrina the Teenage Witch. She is also the author of the WARREN THE 13TH series published by Quirk Books. She lives in Los Angeles.

Will Staehle grew up reading comics and working summers at his parent’s design firm in Wisconsin. He was Art Director for HarperCollins Publishers in NY, the VP of Design at JibJab in LA, and has been labeled by Print Magazine as one of the Top Twenty Under Thirty New Visual Artists, an Art Director’s Club Young Gun, and has also exhibited a solo show of work at the Type Director’s Club. Will’s work has appeared in various design annuals and he’s also contributed to the AIGA’s 50 books / 50 covers exhibit.

Currently, Will resides in Seattle, WA — where he runs Unusual Co. He uses his design and illustration background to create bold covers, stylized posters, quirky websites, and mini-comics to ensure that he gets as little sleep as possible.

*Thanks to Quirk Books and Netgalley for the digital copy
in exchange for this unbiased review.
*This post is a part of the monthly linkups organized by Lovely Audiobooks!
You can click here to check it out and be a part of it.

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15 BOOK SERIES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY (OTHER THAN HP)

My spawn at 12.

My family has a standing Yuletide tradition to [either] listen to the Harry Potter audiobooks, or watch the movies, each day leading to New Year’s Eve. However, there are also other books we shared together over the years since my daughter started reading at three. It was always tricky choosing because it involved plenty of compromise and message consideration, due to her age. It took some preparations too since we want to anticipate her many questions during the actual reading.

Here, I compiled only the book series we mostly adored. Some of these were books my husband and I read when we were young and shared with our daughter, others, we chose together.

(1) Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne (Illustrator: Ernest Howard Shepard)

Pooh is described as “the bear of very little brain” or “the best bear in all the world”. I believe we all prefer the latter. This little old bear really knows how to worm into everyone’s heart. The diversity of the characters from the 100-Acre Wood is reflective enough to transcend heartening lessons every time. Parents like me are able to explain plainly to a three-year-old child because of Milne’s use of naivety and simple child-like language and logic to push the message across.

(2) Junie B. Jones by Barbara Park (Illustrator: Denise Brunkus)

The first book is Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus, detailing Junie’s first school bus ride to school, which we chose purposely to encourage our little girl (then) to go to kindergarten. This series is goofy-fun and filled with common childish behaviors. Very young readers can easily learn golden lessons behind Junie’s mishaps and misbehaviors.

(3) Magic Tree House by Mary Pope Osborne (Illustrators: Salvatore Murdocca; Okama)

Siblings Annie and Jack discovered that a treehouse in the woods near their house can transport them to historical places and times. We simply love these siblings -their constant encouragements, on being brave, accountability for each other and for their choices. Replete with historical details, scientific facts, and life lessons, children will undoubtedly learn cool stuff from this series. My daughter still collects them up until now.

(4) Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey 

“Who would let their child read a banned book?” I WOULD! Or Did. George and Harold are rebellious enough to pull pranks on anyone in the school including their very own strict principal. This series is banned from school libraries because adults believe that it encourages kids to be rebels, to question authority. Parents need to know that behind all the potty humor it also encourages them to be critical thinkers. We usually asked our daughter what she thought about the book aside from being funny and identify which she thought was wrong. What we learned was that every kid needs a hero, even the most recalcitrant and unrepentant ones. Parents can both leave their kids with their own choices and create their own hero or parents can help them find an ideal one. These series may not be a model blueprint but they’ll know which kind they are supposed to stay away from.

(5) Jigsaw Jones Mysteries by James Preller (Illustrator: R.W. Alley). 

Very much like our beloved HP books, this series is about friendship, family, school, inclusion, and mystery. The books are noir-esque, witty and exciting to read. By the time we get to the middle page, we each have our own inferences and dispute behind it. It really heightens the reading experience exponentially and enhances the kid’s deduction skills, too.

(6) The Magic School Bus by Joanna Cole (Illustrator: Bruce Degen). 

This series is a great way for early readers to learn more about scientific stuff. Ms. Frizzle takes her students to incredible field trips, learning from inside a magical bus that can pretty much do anything. This is a good series to hook kids and love science.  The series is not exactly for read-aloud. It is more advisable that parents and kids read the books separately and discuss or compare notes later.

(7) Wayside School by Louis Sachar (Illustrator: Adam McCauley). 

We love all the zany, odd people in this series. The school is 30-floors high, each classroom built on top of each other, and a lot more crazies happen on the 13th floor. These books are attention-grabbers, so be absolutely prepared for longer reading sessions, rereads, and terrible giggling even after lights out. And these are the only books I know where the author wrote himself into his own books and shared with all the wackiness.

(8) Time Quintet by Madeleine L'Engle

These books were written several decades apart. Most people know about the movies, but hardly know that there are four more books after A Wrinkle in Time. I found a copy of A Wrinkle in Time in my old grade school library, a long way back. And like the first few books I had, I had my elder brother scout for the rest of the books from Recto, a street in Manila where you can find all kinds of second-hand books. The quintet is classified under coming-of-age fiction, which means children come to certain awakenings, and may need closer attention when they raise some questions or concerns. It does not only give children perspectives but also questions them and challenges them to make tough choices.

(9) The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis 

My husband and I discovered the first book in different fashions. His was more interesting, I admit. Way back in grade school, he needed to make his first book report (a book of his own choice) and found an old Puffin copy of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe in the church library. I’ve always argued that this series should be classified under Christian fantasy, and it’s good to know, that a long time ago, an old church librarian thought the same too. By this time, we know how magical these stories are and the virtues they possess. We all know how four ordinary kids had the journey of a lifetime -filled with secrets, valiance, betrayal, unconditional love- and lived to tell all about it. Exactly the kind of journey parents would like to share with their kid/s.

(10) The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper

This is my all-time favorite children's fantasy. It has everything a child can conceive in a series –myths, Arthurian, old magic, time travel, and the Holy Grail. I have no qualms recommending this to any parent with middle-grade kids. The language alone employed by Cooper is a good foothold and unsoiled; it is very savory for any age. This is replete of life lessons –accountability, priorities, sacrifices, and conquering challenges- that parents can discuss in detail with their kids and exercise their problem-solving skills. We took turns reading chapters every night. Those were absolutely wonderful nights.

(11) Inkworld by Cornelia Funke (Translator: Anthea Bell)

This is also a very rich fantasy series, wherein book characters can come to life and real people are sucked into books. Familial love resonates throughout the series and it’s very compelling. My daughter was about ten-years-old when we started reading this series. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone younger because there are some graphic details of violence and disagreeable language. However, this series is an agreeable challenge for pre-teens. Some more delicate readers/parents might disagree with me though.

(12) A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket (Illustrator: Brett Helquist)

These are the thirteen unpleasant tales of the unlucky Baudelaire orphans. Certainly, there is violence here, as there is a sinister villain vent on harming the kids and their protectors. However, Daniel Handler is a master story-teller and can blow over such events with good humor. And with his fine writing, he has a clever way of explaining words in context. This is altogether mysterious, adventurous, and grimly engaging. Parents might want to give their kids a taste of The Bad Beginning first, and then ask them how they feel about dark humor before introducing the next book.

(13) Secret Series by Pseudonymous Bosch (Illustrator: Gilbert Ford)

The key element to these books is the mystery. Parents with mystery-hungry kids will enjoy secret codes and anagrams. We love the family set-ups the author cleverly introduced here. It gives children an opportunity to learn and appreciate different family structures. And, if both parents and kids are [just] a bit curious about Synesthesia, they definitely need to meet Max-Ernest. Or, if in need of first-hand knowledge on survival skills, well then, Cass could be their next best friend. OR, if kids just need some silly reads to blow off some steam, this series is a clear choice.

(14) The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

This is such a fun, fun read. Talk about not-so-little geniuses on adventures. It is smart, mysterious, and adventurous. All the characters are amusingly odd and very engaging. Kids will love the puzzle-solving parts of the stories, including all the twists and turns. By the time we read this, our daughter is already twelve-years of age. So we read the books separately, and then greedily discussed them right after.

(15) His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman

When our daughter asked us if she could read the series, we approved but with some apprehensions. We were preparing ourselves for probable questions about Christianity and the human soul, actually. After reading The Amber Glass, she broke into our room crying, accusing us of not warning her about the ending, which was bittersweet, if not heartbreaking. Not every book has an “and-they-lived-happily-ever-after” kind of ending. It involved some really tough lessons and my husband and I agreed that she’s ready enough to learn about them. Parents who want some level-up challenges for their pre-teens can definitely recommend this one. It is an engaging alternative world fantasy with gripping adventures and mystical elements that will allow kids’ imagination to soar high.

In our experience, shared reading is a good bonding motivation for parents and kids. It encourages discussion, allowing everyone to openly share their feelings and thoughts. Problems are easily resolved and secrets don’t hang back because kids are accustomed to discussing them with their parents. Reading with parents also builds their confidence. So next time you read with your kids, make sure it’s not just to lull them to sleep, take it as an opportunity to engage.

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Book Review | WHERE THE HEART IS by Jo Knowles

April 2, 2019,
Candlewick Press

If a home is where the heart is, what would happen if you lost it? Compassion and humor infuse the story of a family caught in a financial crisis and a girl struggling to form her own identity. -Goodreads

WHERE THE HEART IS is an important book that kids and teens will definitely relate to. Jo Knowles handled a topic, not most adults will discuss with their kids. Rachel's parents are almost always arguing about finances and unpaid bills. As the story unfolds, it's easy to surmise that the family could hardly afford their basic needs, let alone their house mortgage, even with Rachel's summer job. 

Rachel is a very responsible young girl. She carries a huge weight on her shoulders at this early age, but she does it anyway. She cannot even focus on herself and understand her feelings about boys and girls -Why she wants to be best friends with Micah but doesn't like boys? And why can a girl give her hummingbird feelings? She cannot discuss it with her parents because she doesn't want to add to their worries. On top of that, she has her little sister, Ivy, to shield from all the pain their family is going through.

When you learn vocabulary words in school, you memorize the definition. And you have a good idea of what the words mean. But it’s not until you feel them that you really grasp the definition. I have known what the word ‘helpless’ means for a long time. And ‘desperate.’ But I’ve never felt them. Feeling them is different. They fill your chest with a horrible sense of ‘dread’ and ‘guilt’ and ‘despair.’ Those are more vocabulary words that you can’t fully understand until you feel them.

This is a complex and rich coming-of-age-book. Both poverty and sexual orientations are sensitive matters and families need all the help and ideas so they can be more open about it. I recommend this book, especially for a classroom setting or book club discussion.


Book details:
Title:  WHERE THE HEART IS
Author:  Jo Knowles
Publication:  April 2, 2019; Candlewick Press
Genre: Middle-Grade Fiction
Rating: ★★★★

*Thank you Netgalley and Candlewick Press for the DRC in exchange for this unbiased book review.

*This review contains a quote from an uncorrected proof.

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KATY-NO-POCKET by Emmy Payne, H.A. Rey

Once, a long time ago, my father gave me a copy of this book. It’s a story about a mother kangaroo who doesn’t have a pouch to carry her joey with. So, she starts her adventure searching for a way.

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Book Review | TWOSPELLS by Mark Morrison

February 23, 2018

Sarah and her twin brother Jon are heirs to an ancient magical realm and its most valuable treasure: an enchanted library. The library endows readers with the supernatural means of crossing into the uncharted inner sanctum of the second-dimension, inhabited with peculiar and sometimes perilous creatures. Both children are emboldened with a wondrous, mystical gift that no being has ever possessed before. But fate intervenes and triggers a disastrous war that disrupts the fabric of time and space, spanning multiple universes and tearing destiny a new and savage pathway. The two must rescue their world from a phantom hybrid alien race controlled by the demented dark wizard, Jeremy Sermack. They'll either assimilate or be exterminated. Will they be the saviors that the prophets envisioned, or will they retreat to the perceived safety of their distant homeland?

If you have Middle Graders, they will absolutely enjoy this adventure.
Enchanted library,
Stepping into books,
Meeting book characters,
And mythical creatures,
With magical twins,
And, it’s set in Wales, where adventure is thick and the magic is even thicker.

Everything was nicely narrated, except for the first three chapters, which was a tad slow for me. The good thing was that the plot steadily progressed, and then escalated into a huge battle. It was utterly fast and robust in detail. The battle was both exciting and terrifying!

The characters were all strongly fleshed-out and defined. Twins Sarah and Jon are distinct opposites but bonded in a way only twins can ever be. Both Grandpa and Grandma are a hoot. Even the other minor characters are vibrant additions; they surely added diverse layers to this story.

It is absolutely hard not to put spoilers here. But is fair to divulge, the cliffhanger is a knot that will be difficult to untangle, until the next book.

If my darling daughter is still in middle grade, we’d be reading TWOSPELLS together too, I’m sure with the same excitement as when we read the Magic Tree House and Deltora Quest series.

A perfect gift idea this Christmas!


Book details:
Title: TwoSpells
Author: Mark Morrison
Publication: February 23, 2018; Self-published
Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy
Rating: ★★★


*A digital copy was sent by the author in exchange for an honest review.

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OVER SEA, UNDER STONE by Susan Cooper

“But the grail may not leave this land,
but must wait the Pendragon,
till the day comes.”

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Book Review | THE FED-UP COW by Peta Lemon

   

Hilda is FED-UP with being a cow. Spending all day doing not much but moo. There has to be something more she can do. 

So she decides to be a sheep...
... then a pig
... and even a chicken.

Is the grass any greener on the other side?

Join Hilda, the fed-up cow, on her voyage of self-discovery in this daft but timeless story, written in rhyme.

This is a wonderful read. Parents and kids will have a great time reading this rhymed-story aloud together. The illustrations, by Maria Todoric, are lively and captivating, they can definitely stimulate every kid’s imagination.

Following Hilda’s exploits toward self-discovery was indeed fun. Through this engaging storyline and illustrations, the themes of identity and contentment were expounded superbly that is very consumable for small children. It is really important to let children know that while it's fun to explore, it is most vital to be proud of who they are, first and foremost.

I absolutely believe that THE FED-UP COW is an ideal read for the whole family. I highly recommend it.

Book details:

Title:  The Fed-up Cow

Author:  Peta Lemon

Illustrator:  Maria Todoric

Publication: January 30th, 2018 by Quirky Picture Press

Genre: Children's Books

Rating: ★★★★★

*Review copy was provided by the author in exchange for this unbiased review.

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