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book review
Book Review: Maude March on the Run!
Maude March on the Run! (Maude March Misadventures #2)
by Audrey Couloumbis
by Audrey Couloumbis
4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
Another rip-roaring adventure in the Wild West with Maude March and her little sister, Sallie. They are on the run from the law again, in a series of misunderstandings that leaves Maude accused not only of bank-robbery but of murder. Reports come in from all over the West, claiming Maude has committed crimes in Texas, Kansas, and as far away as the Dakotas while she was nowhere near those states. Sallie and Maude disguise themselves as boys and set out for the Colorado Territory, where they hope to meet up with their Uncle Arlen. Along the way, they have adventures, narrowly avoid the posses tracking them, and make a few friends in unlikely places.
I loved this sequel to the “Misadventures of Maude March”! The story is told from Sallie’s point of view, and she has some witty commentary about all the crazy situations she and her sister fall into. The dialogue is snappy and funny, and the characters have a lot of depth and development.
There is not a boring moment in this entire book! The plot moves quickly from adventure to adventure, with some mystery and suspense to spice things up in between. I could barely put it down!
Picture Book Review: Mother Earth’s Lullaby
Mother Earth’s Lullaby: A Song for Endangered Animals
by Terry Pierce (Author), Carol Hyer
by Terry Pierce (Author), Carol Hyer
4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
This bedtime story shows various endangered animals and their babies/chicks/cubs settling down for the night, and snuggling in, ready for sleep. Each animal is shown in their native habitat and briefly described in rhyme.
The beautiful illustrations are delicate and cozy with soft colors and little details in the background. It’s the perfect book for reading before bed with little ones! Continue reading
The beautiful illustrations are delicate and cozy with soft colors and little details in the background. It’s the perfect book for reading before bed with little ones! Continue reading
Picture Book Review: If DaVinci Painted a Dinosaur
If da Vinci Painted a Dinosaur
by Amy Newbold (Author), Greg Newbold
by Amy Newbold (Author), Greg Newbold
4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
This hilarious book poses the question, What would it look like if various famous artists had painted dinosaurs? The results are dancing ballerina dinosaurs in the style of Degas, Dino Noodle Soup a la Andy Warhol, a Frida Kahlo dinosaur, dinos in Mary Cassatt’s garden, jazz band dinosaurs in Aaron Douglas’ style, and of course, the incomparable Dino Mona Lisa!
Throughout the story, a little hamster/gerbil artist appears on each page with a paintbrush, chalk, crayon, or scissors in hand… um… paw. He guides us through the various art styles, and discovers a new friend at the end of the book. His expressions are so cute, and he adds a little flair to the story!
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Picture Book Review: Monster, Monster, Who Are You?
Monster, Monster, Who Are You?
by Alexander Vanags, Nina Gvozdeva
by Alexander Vanags, Nina Gvozdeva
This adorable book introduces a whole group of monsters, each with their own unique look and their own favorite hobby. On each page, we ask the monster, “Who are you?” and they respond in rhyme to tell us about their wings or their tail or fur, and something that they are doing. Continue reading
Book Review: Pieces and Players
Pieces and Players (Chasing Vermeer #4)
4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
Calder, Petra, and Tommy are called in to investigate a terrible art theft from a local museum, along with two new kids, Zoomy and Early. The formidable Mrs Sharpe has brought them all together in the hopes that their unique way of solving puzzles may help to recover the thirteen stolen pieces of artwork. But the museum’s board of trustees is playing their own game, arguing about the future of the art museum. Only Calder and the gang can unravel the clues and solve the mystery!
I really enjoyed this book, especially because of all the great information about art! The plot takes several interesting turns, and the characters are unique and endearing.
Book Review: Toad Triumphant
Toad Triumphant (Tales of the Willows #2)
By William Horwood
5 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
Toad is getting himself into trouble once again, this time with dreams of being immortalized in a bronze statue. Mole and Water Rat embark on a voyage upriver to the Beyond, but encounter disturbing rumors of a fearsome Pike that stalks the upper riverways.
This has all the charm of the original Wind in the Willows stories with a very similar old-fashioned writing style.
I love the adventurous plot, and the darling characters. Toad’s antics are hilarious and full of plot twists, while the Mole and Rat have a more serious mission, so that the humor and drama feel perfectly balanced. Continue reading
Classic Review: Barnaby Rudge
Book Review: Cybele’s Secret
Cybele’s Secret (Wildwood, #2)
by Juliet Marillier
by Juliet Marillier
5 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
Paula travels with her merchant father to Istanbul, hoping to acquire a religious artifact of rare and precious value. There is fierce competition for the artifact, and unscrupulous merchants will use violence to get their hands on it. Paula’s father hires a bodyguard, Stoyan, to keep his daughter safe on the dangerous streets. Paula befriends a wayward pirate captain, Duarte, hoping to get information from him about the artifact. The powers from the Other Kingdom send Paula on a quest, to retrieve the artifact, to unravel the riddles surrounding its history, and to learn from her perilous voyage the meaning of love and friendship.
My heart is too full! I can barely think, my mind is still reeling with all the complex details of the story. I have cried and laughed and clutched the book with white knuckles. What a journey! My heart just went on a rollercoaster ride, and I am still gasping for breath. Continue reading
Book Review: Dragon of the Month Club
The Dragon of the Month Club
by Iain Reading
by Iain Reading
4 out of 5 stars
Ayana and Tyler find a magical book that teaches them a new dragon-summoning spell every month. When one of their spells goes wrong, they are whisked into a magic land that manifests from different books and furniture in Tyler’s bedroom. They conjure several dragons to help them in their adventures, until they have a little entourage of creatures following them. Travelling across the wilderness, crossing oceans, and encountering strange characters from Tyler’s books, the two friends struggle to reach the tower of Professor Mobius, who they hope has the ability to send them back to the real world.
I enjoyed this book so much! The plot is really imaginative and interesting. The writing and pacing are excellent, keeping the reader on their toes with lots of plot twists and surprises.
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