YA Book Review: Lycanthropy and Other Illnesses

Lycanthropy and Other Chronic Illnesses by Kristen O'Neal

Lycanthropy and Other Chronic Illnesses
by Kristen O’Neal 
1 out of 5 stars and Did Not Finish
Priya has Lyme disease, and wakes up every morning with pain and fatigue. She joins a support group online with other people who have chronic illnesses, and discovers that her best friend might be a werewolf.

In the first 50 pages of this book, nothing happens at all. Well, we get to see some sweet character introductions of Priya and her siblings for about 3 pages. And Priya joins the support group. That’s it. The entire first 50 pages could have been condensed into 5 pages.

And that’s when I got bored and stopped reading. I have a rule that I have to read at least to page 50 before I will let myself DNF a book, knowing that I gave it a fair chance.

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Picture Book Review: Pablo

Pablo by Rascal

Pablo
by Rascal
5 out of 5 stars

Pablo is a shy little chick who is too big for his eggshell. He’s not quite ready to face the outside world, so he pecks one little hole in his shell to look around first. But one little hole leads to another little hole and another and another!

I loved this cute book! It’s so adorable how Pablo pecks little holes for his eyes, and then another for his ears, and his nose. As he discovers sight and sound and smells, the reader learns along with him about some of the different senses.

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Board Book Reviews: Daddy Loves You, and Mommy Loves You

Daddy Loves You by Danielle McLean

Daddy Loves You
by Danielle McLeanZoe Waring (Illustrations)
5 out of 5 stars

Daddy Lion loves the baby lion. Daddy Zebra loves baby zebra. Daddy Hippo loves baby hippo. All these daddies play with their babies, give them hugs and kisses, and read stories with them. Each family of animals has their bedtime routine of singing lullabies, taking a bath, and a snuggling into bed.

Mommy Loves You by Danielle McLean

Mommy Loves You
by Danielle McLeanZoe Waring (Illustrations)

Mommy Bear loves baby bear. Mommy Panda loves baby panda. Mommy Elephant loves baby elephant. All these mommies play with their babies, give them hugs, and snuggle them close. The animals families giggle together and sing together in the sweetest way!

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Comic Review: Flash Facts

Flash Facts by Mayim Bialik

Flash Facts
by Mayim Bialik (Goodreads Author)
3 out of 5 stars

The Flash and other superheroes answer questions about scientific subjects while fighting off supervillains and doing good. They explore atoms, energy, virtual reality technology, DNA, the solar system, and even the depths of the ocean.

One thing that I really hate in scientific books is when a scientific THEORY is presented as if it were a fact. This is so unethical, and it would be so easy to correct. If only the text said, “One theory about this subject is … etc.” But they don’t say that. They write as if the details of climate change, renewable energy sources (like solar panels and wind turbines), and the age of the universe are established empirical facts that have been tested and proven. But they’re not.

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Classic Review: Emily Climbs

Emily Climbs by L.M. Montgomery

Emily Climbs (Emily, #2)
by L.M. Montgomery
5 out of 5 stars
Rereading this for the tenth or twelfth time, I enjoy it just as much as ever!

Emily is growing up, honing her writing skills, and getting an education at Shrewsbury high school along with her friends, Ilse, Perry, and Teddy. She gets into innocent mischief, makes honest mistakes, and generally has little adventures around PEI.

I love the character development that Emily has in this book. There are some surprising developments with her family clan, the Murrays, as they begin to recognize that she’s no longer a little girl that they can bully.

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Book Review: Icefall

Icefall by Matthew J. Kirby

Icefall
by Matthew J. Kirby
4 out of 5 stars

Solveig and her siblings have been sent to a frozen fjord in the mountains where they will be safe during a Viking war between clans. The winter cold freezes the sea, preventing any ships from getting to them. However, there appears to be a traitor in their midst among the soldiers and servants, and they are trapped until the spring thaw can bring help.

I loved the thoughtful writing style in this book! The writing brings important details to the forefront, giving the characters depth and enhancing the setting without slowing down the pacing.

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Picture Book Review: The Inventor in the Pink Pajamas

The Inventor in the Pink Pajamas by David Pridham

The Inventor in the Pink Pajamas (If Not You, Then Who? #1)
by David PridhamEmberli Pridham (Goodreads Author)
4 out of 5 stars

Brooke is ready for a big day at school. She has a huge presentation to make about one of her favorite inventors, and she spends the whole day learning about how ordinary things were invented. She even tries out inventing something herself while baking cookies in the kitchen. This book encourages the reader to be curious and explore and invent something amazing!

The story is fun and interesting, but very word-heavy with small print. Fifty pages makes for a long picture book. It almost reads more like a children’s chapter book, but there aren’t any chapters.

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Picture Book Review: Lee and Limbo

Lee and Limbo by Uzoma R. Ezekwudo

Lee and Limbo
by Uzoma R. EzekwudoZulfikar Rachmann
4 out of 5 stars

Limbo and Lee are two cats who are friends. When Lee moves away, Limbo thinks she will always be lonely. But a new family moves in with a new cat and a dog, and Limbo tries to make some new friends.

This is such a sweet story about the loneliness and grief of losing a friend who moves away. I love the hopeful message that it is important to open your heart to new friends.

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Picture Book Reviews: Sissies at the Sea, Sissies in the Mountains, Sissies Go to Mexico

Sissies at the Sea ( A Board Book Celebrating the Magic of Si... by Marisa Howard

Sissies at the Sea (Sissies Adventures 1)
by Marisa HowardAnyu Rouaux (Illustrator)
5 out of 5 stars

Two little sisters are ready for a fun day at the beach. They collect seashells, swim in the kiddie pool, splash in the water, and build a sandcastle. They dig in the sand with their Dad, and eat popsicles with their Mom.

This book is full of bright sunshine and happy smiles! I love the energy and playfulness of the sisters as they discover how many things there are to do at the beach.

Sissies in the Mountains ( A Board Book Celebrating the Magic... by Marisa Howard

Sissies in the Mountains (Sissies Adventures 2)
5 out of 5 stars

Two little sisters are travelling to the mountains. They hike through the trails with their Mom and Dad. They climb rocks at the park, pick wildflowers, and eat ice-cream.

I love the bright energy in this book! The sisters play sweetly together and are ready to find little adventures around every corner.

Sissies Go To Mexico ( A Board Book Celebrating the Magic of ... by Marisa Howard

Sissies Go To Mexico (Sissies Adventures 3)
5 out of 5 stars

Two little sisters travel to Mexico, where they are fascinated by a huge iguana and a colorful parrot. They try on sombreros, eat quesadillas, take a siesta, and dance to Mexican music.

I love the beautiful Mexican dresses that the girls wear to the fiesta! They remind me of traditional dresses I wore when I was a little girl living in Mexico. The sisters have such a playful energy, full of appreciation for the traditions and landscape of Mexico.

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