book review

Picture Book Review: The House of Happy Spirits

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The House of Happy Spirits by Géraldine Elschner

The House of Happy Spirits: A Children’s Book Inspired by Friedensreich Hundertwasser
by Géraldine Elschner, Lucie Vandevelde (Illustrations)
2 out of 5 stars

Some children notice that a house is being built around their favorite tree in the neighborhood. They are amazed at the beautiful designs and colorful structure of the building, but they worry that their tree might have been cut down. Then they meet the architect, and find out what really happened to their beloved tree.

This book was okay. I didn’t like the art style, and the story was weird. It all seems so chaotic. It takes an effort to read and understand what is happening in the pictures. It reminds me of ‘Alice in Wonderland’ when things don’t make any sense in the narrative. Some people like that free and wild style, but it makes me nervous. This book literally made me nervous because it’s so topsy-turvy and nonsensical.

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Comic Book Review: Lois Lane and the Friendship Challenge

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Lois Lane and the Friendship Challenge by Grace Ellis

Lois Lane and the Friendship Challenge
by Grace Ellis, Brittney L. Williams (Illustrations)

3 out of 5 stars

Lois and her best friend, Kristen, are entering the neighborhood bike race, but the fireworks for the big event have been stolen. Lois only wants to record the event for her online channel where she hopes to create a viral video. She’s so focused on her own project that she doesn’t understand how anxious Kristen is feeling about leaving for camp the day after the race. Can their friendship survive when Lois is so determined to be an internet star?

I loved the artwork and the cute designs! The story is vibrant and the plot is interesting. I really liked how Lois learns about the moral differences between journalism and detective work. “Journalism isn’t about justice. Journalism is about the truth.”

However, I didn’t really understand the characters in this book. Lois is up and down all the time.

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Comic Book Review: Teen Titans GO! to Camp!

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Teen Titans Go! to Camp by Sholly Fisch

Teen Titans Go! to Camp
by Sholly Fisch, Marcelo Dichiara (Illustrator)
4 out of 5 stars

The Teen Titans have been banned from superhero summer camp, so this year for camp they are going to Camp Apokolips. The evil Granny Goodness is looking for recruits and is trying to undermine the heroes’ friendships by getting them to compete against each other. No one is more competitive than Robin, and his enthusiasm sometimes overwhelms his better judgement, causing problems for the team.

I liked the comedy in this comic! Robin is always getting up to crazy highjinks and ruining everyone’s camp experience with his insane determination to win the “Best Camper” award. He is always trying to prove that he is the fastest, smartest, biggest hero in the entire camp, and that is the perfect backdrop for some truly hilarious failures.

The campers have to endure the disgusting food, the crazy counselors, and the ultimate obstacle-course race where the winner is the one who lives through it. But somehow they learn to rely on each other and trust their instincts, and their friendships become stronger than ever.

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Book Review: Quest for the Great Diamond

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Hidden Gems: Quest for the Great Diamond

By H. K. Boughazian

3 out of 5 stars

Gem’s parents are made of beautiful and colorful minerals, but Gem’s skin is plain gray rock. She is teased for her gray skin and leaves mineral school to go to the rock school where she tries to fit in. But when her rock friends find out that her parents are minerals, Gem loses her only friend. She sets out on a quest to find the Great Diamond, and ask him why she was born as a rock. She is joined by other misfits searching for answers, and they travel through exciting adventures across the country, until they discover the truth about rocks and minerals.

I loved the premise of this story! The world building is phenomenal, and so detailed with plants, people, and animals all made from different stone and crystals and minerals.

The characters are cute and I liked their friendships. The plot has good pacing and a simple storyline that is just right for a children’s book.

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Book Review: RuneMarks

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Runemarks by Joanne Harris

Runemarks (Runemarks, #1)
by Joanne Harris

4 out of 5 stars

Maddy was born with a rune mark on her hand, and the people in her village despise her as a possible witch. As she grows up, she discovers that she does have a small amount of magic. Most of the magic in the land died with the old gods hundreds of years before, but there are small traces of it to be found. An old peddler begins to teach Maddy how to use her magic, but he has plans of his own to retrieve a magical artifact from deep within the Underworld.

I loved this imaginative story! It takes elements from old Norse mythology and legends, and weaves them together with the world of faerie and fae. The world has a deep history and I loved discovering the magic along with Maddy. The story starts out in this little country village, but then the scope gradually widens and becomes more and more epic until the fate of the entire universe is hanging in the balance.

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Picture Book Review: The Mighty Silent e!

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The Mighty Silent e! by Kimberlee Gard

The Mighty Silent e!
by Kimberlee Gard, Sandie Sonke (Illustrations)

5 out of 5 stars

Little e is a small alphabet-letter child, and many of his schoolmates overlook him because he is so quiet. But when the other alphabet letters try to make words when he is absent from class, they can’t make the right sounds. Only Little e can save the day!

This is one of the cutest things I’ve ever seen! Little e is such an adorable character. He dreams of being important someday, and he wears a superhero cape. It’s amazing how I became so emotionally invested in a little alphabet character guy. He’s so sweet!

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Non Fiction Book Review: Curly Kids

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Curly Kids by Lorraine Massey
Curly Kids: How to Help Your Child Care For and Love That Glorious Hair: A Handbook
by  Lorraine Massey,  Michele Bender

4 out of 5 stars

This book details how to use the Curly Girl method, no shampoo, conditioner-washing method for babies, toddlers, children, and teens. There is a lot of useful information with beautiful pictures, and helpful home recipes for hair products.

I really appreciated that this book details all the harmful chemical ingredients found in basic shampoos that are especially harmful for curly hair. Curly hair is way more sensitive to harsh chemicals like sulfates, and it dries out the hair creating that dreaded frizz. This book gives such good advice about looking for sulfate-free shampoos and silicone-free conditioners. Children’s hair can be especially fine and fragile, and the tips in this book help to manage unruly hair without damaging it. Continue reading →

Activity Book Review: Mega Maze Adventure

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Mega-Maze Adventure! by Scott Bedford
Mega-Maze Adventure!: A Journey Through the World’s Longest Maze in a Book
by Scott Bedford 

5 out of 5 stars


You might think I got this to share with kids, but no. This one is for me! All mine to enjoy and relax and have fun! I’m already on page three.

This book has a continual maze that takes you in one long line through cut-out portals in each page onto the next page and the next until you reach the end of the book at which point you will have drawn a line 607 feet (185m)long. “That’s four times the height of the Statue of Liberty!” Continue reading →

Non Fiction Book Review: Unplugged Play- Toddler

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Unplugged Play by Bobbi Conner
Unplugged Play: Toddler: 156 Activities Games for Ages 1-2
by Bobbi Conner 

5 out of 5 stars

My favorite part of the book is a quote from Fred Rogers that says, “Play is not trivial. When children play, they’re doing important work.” I love that this book celebrates the joy of childhood play!

This book is divided into sections with ideas for solo play, parent and child play, playing with others, and playing at a party. There is an introduction that goes deeper into why playing is so important for childhood development.

There are so many great ideas for simple games and crafts in this book! There are ball games, a bean bag toss, clapping and counting games, and role-playing as a cook, mailman, or doll mother. You can head outside for hide and seek games, hula-hoop target games, or floating plastic plates in a wading pool.
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Non Fiction Book: Amazing Islands

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Amazing Islands by Sabrina Weiss
Amazing Islands
by Sabrina Weiss

5 out of 5 stars


This book gives information about islands all over the world. There are river islands like Manhattan, and mysterious islands with ancient ruins, and disappearing islands that are eroding away. I especially liked the pages about artificial islands that have been created by man. There are factoids about animal life and history and different cultures around the globe.

The illustrations are eye-catching, and I loved the art style. The colors are bright, and each scene is beautifully designed.

The only thing I didn’t like about this book was the way they presented scientific theories as if they were fact, and they wrote about widely-accepted but unproven ideas as if they were fact.

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