Classic Book Review: Mr. Standfast

Mr. Standfast by John Buchan

Mr. Standfast (Richard Hannay, #3)
by John Buchan

4 out of 5 stars

Richard Hannay is serving as a general in WWI, when he is called away from the warfront to engage in some counter-espionage back in England. A dangerous group of radicals in a small county village might be hiding an evil mastermind who is the center of a ring of German spies, hiding in plain sight on British soil. Richard meets some old friends who return to be part of the team, and he is introduced to the beautiful Mary, a voice of wisdom in all their plans.

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Non Fiction Book Review: Planet Narnia

Planet Narnia by Michael  Ward

Planet Narnia: The Seven Heavens in the Imagination of C.S. Lewis
by Michael Ward (Goodreads Author)

5 out of 5 stars

There is an underlying theme that connects all of the books of the Chronicles of Narnia, influencing the tone of each story, the imaginative elements of the plot, and the roles the characters play. This thread woven through the entire series is the medieval mythology of the cosmos, a subject which fascinated C.S. Lewis.

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Picture Book Review: The Amazing World of Video Game Development

The Amazing World of Video Game Development by Denis Galanin

The Amazing World of Video Game Development
by Denis Galanin

5 out of 5 stars

This picture book gives a concise explanation of the basics of video games and how they are created. Each page has two or three paragraphs explaining the different components of a game, and the roles of different people who design the concept, music, sounds, art, and coding of the game.

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Picture Book Review: Marcel’s Mouse Museum

Marcel's Mouse Museum by Hannah Abbo

Marcel’s Mouse Museum
by Hannah Abbo

4 out of 5 stars

An adorable mouse guides us through a tiny modern art museum where we learn about famous artists like “Parmesan Picasso” and “Gouda Kahlo”. We get a short biography of the famous mice, their art style, their heritage and influences, and their favorite cheese. There is a special section of the museum featuring “Furrealist” art. As we learn about the different art styles, there are activities for creating your own art and imitating the great masters.

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Picture Book Review: Hear Them Roar!

Hear Them Roar by Becky Thorns

Hear Them Roar: 14 Endangered Animals from Around the World
by Becky Thorns (Illustrator), June Smalls ( Author)

4 out of 5 stars

This book has buttons that play audio of the roars, chirps, and calls of fourteen endangered animals. Each page gives information about the animal, their habitat, why they are endangered, and what humans are doing to conserve the species. There is even a little world map that shows where their natural habitat is.

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Picture Book Review: Want a Hug?

Want a Hug? by Christine Babinec MA  LPC  NCC

Want a Hug?: Consent and Boundaries for Kids
by Christine Babinec MA LPC NCC, Vivian Mineker (Illustrator)

5 out of 5 stars

This book talks about consent and boundaries in a simple way that is easy for young children to understand. Sometimes we don’t want to hold hands or hug, and that is okay. Sometimes we are happy to say yes to a hug, and then might change our mind later. That is okay too. Maybe we don’t want to be pushed higher on the swings, or maybe we don’t want to be tickled. It’s good to say “No” politely. We need to respect when other people say “No” as well.

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Our World Board Book Series Review

Our World by Aya Khalil

Our World: Egypt (Board book)
by Aya Khalil ( Author), Magda Azab (Illustrator)

5 out of 5 stars

In this colorful board book, a little girl begins her morning with hugs from her mother and father (Mama and Baba) and has a hearty breakfast of bread and ful (a breakfast dish of beans). She visits her grandparents (Geddo and Teita) and sings and dances with them. She watches the boats, buys fruit at the market, and finally goes to bed after a wonderful day in Egypt.

Our World by Aunyarat Watanabe

Our World: Japan
by Aunyarat Watanabe (Illustrator), Emily Satoko Seo

5 out of 5 stars

In this board book, two siblings wake up for an energetic morning in Japan. They greet the morning by saying “Ohayo!” They exercise under the cherry blossoms, have a delicious breakfast of rice with pickled plum, and visit the market to do some shopping. They bow politely to each person they meet. A visit to the garden shows us beautiful bamboo water fountains. In the evening, it’s time for a relaxing bath and a peaceful night on their traditional Japanese floor mattress.

Our World by Evelyne Holingue

Our World: France
by Evelyne Holingue (Goodreads Author) (Illustrator), Margaux Carpentier (Illustrator)

4 out of 5 stars

Children in France take their “dou-dou” stuffed animal toys with them for all types of activities. They eat breakfast together and say “miam miam” (yum). They count all the dogs at the park “un, deux, trois, quatre, cinq.” They listen to street musicians, eat at a fancy restaurant, play coucou (peekaboo), and finally settle down for a peaceful night of sleep.

I love all these beautiful board books that teach children about different cultures around the world! At the back of the books, there are explanations about the words that are in a different language, along with guides to learn how to pronounce them correctly.

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Workman Activity Book Reviews

The Reverse Coloring Book™ by Kendra Norton
Paint by Sticker by Workman Publishing

Paint by Sticker: Plants and Flowers: Create 12 Stunning Images One Sticker at a Time (Paint by Sticker)
by Workman Publishing

5 out of 5 stars

This activity book has 12 beautiful designs, and hundreds of stickers in little mosaic shapes! There are pictures of gorgeous flowers and plants, and descriptions of the flora on the back of each page. I love that the description tells you the Latin name for the plant, and a little something about the history or uses or ecosystem of the plant.

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Book Review: Stress Less

Stress Less by Kate Hanley

Stress Less: Stop Stressing, Start Living
by Kate Hanley (Goodreads Author)

4 out of 5 stars

This book gives little tidbits of advice about reducing stress, living with kindness and compassion, and finding ways to alleviate tension. Most of the advice is commonplace, but presented in a fresh way that makes you think a little differently about it.

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Book Review: The Rat Queen

The Rat Queen by Pete Hautman

The Rat Queen
by Pete Hautman

2.5 stars
Annie’s father teaches her to write down all the bad things she does and feed the paper into a little hole in the floor of their house. After she drops the paper into the “sin eater” hole, her regrets and guilt go away and she feels better. Annie hears a mysterious skittering and chattering in the cellar, and the neighbors begin to report seeing rats around the neighborhood. Annie learns about her Litvanian heritage and the dark secrets of her family past.

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