Book Review: A Book That Loves You

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A Book That Loves You by Irene Smit

A Book That Loves You: An Adventure in Self-Compassion (Flow)
by Irene Smit, Astrid van der Hulst, Editors of Flow magazine

4 out of 5 stars

This beautiful book has postcards, stickers, small posters, removable journal booklets, and a dozen other adorable things included! You can write lists, read poetry, make a collage, write in your thoughts, or make a paper flower. There are articles about slowing down, treating yourself with compassion, finding meaning in your life, and enjoying solitude.

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Book Review: Nordic Animal Tales

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An Illustrated Collection of Nordic Animal Tales by Pirkko-Liisa Surojegin

An Illustrated Collection of Nordic Animal Tales
by Pirkko-Liisa Surojegin, Jill Timbers (Translator)

4 out of 5 stars

This collection of folk tales follows Bear, Fox, and Wolf as they attempt to sow a field of wheat by clearing a space in the forest. Fox is always trying to get out of doing his share of the work, and he tricks his friends and neighbors. The Rooster at the nearby farm has a terrible premonition that the end of the world is coming, and he spreads a panic among the animals. The Hare is terrified at some strange monster creature in the woods, but no animal is brave enough to get close enough to find out what kind of creature it is. In each tale, Fox is a prominent character, always sly and clever.

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Classic Book Review: The Three Hostages

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The Three Hostages by John Buchan

The Three Hostages (Richard Hannay #4)
by John Buchan

4 out of 5 stars

Richard Hannay has retired to the English countryside with his darling wife, Mary, and their son, Peter John. But he gets roped into an adventure once again when he learns that a criminal mastermind has kidnapped three young people, one of them a young boy only 10 years old. The only clue is a mysterious poem with the imagery of a blind woman who spins thread, a curiosity shop run by a man with a dyed beard, and the cryptic phrase “the land of Eden.” Richard must unravel the clues and trust his instincts to rescue the poor captives before it is too late.

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Book Review: The Sable Quean

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The Sable Quean by Brian Jacques

The Sable Quean (Redwall, #21)
by Brian Jacques, Sean Rubin (Illustrator)

4 out of 5 stars

Two warrior hares of Salamandastron set out on a journey to Redwall looking for adventure. When they find out that little animal babes and toddlers are being kidnapped from all around Redwall, they vow to help the Redwall creatures to find their missing children. The evil ‘Quean’ is hatching a horrible plot against all the good animals at Redwall, and her vermin army is closing in.

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Non Fiction Book Review: God in the Dock

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God in the Dock by C.S. Lewis

God in the Dock: Essays on Theology and Ethics
by C.S. Lewis, Walter Hooper (Editor)

4 out of 5 stars

This collection of essays and letters from C.S. Lewis covers a wide range of topics, including Christmas traditions, miracles, vivisection, morality, dogma, and prayer.
He talks about how a God who is good can allow pain in the world, briefly summarizing concepts from his book “The Problem of Pain.” He talks about the common man of his day and their objections or misunderstandings that keep them from believing in Christ. He talks about the decline of religion in Britain, and the Christian truths hidden in pagan mythology. He answers questions, refutes common mistakes of his contemporaries, and responds to criticisms from his fellow intellectuals.

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Book Review: Jasper and Scruff series #1-3

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Jasper and Scruff by Nicola Colton

Jasper and Scruff
by Nicola Colton

5 out of 5 stars

Jasper is a very elegant cat who appreciates fine art, literature, and cuisine. His greatest wish is to be invited to join the exclusive Sophisticats Club. He sets up a dinner party and invites the Sophisticats. Everything must be perfect! But a dirty puppy named Scruff follows Jasper home, and Jasper can’t get rid of him. Scruff just wants to play fetch and he gets into everything. Jasper is desperate to impress the Sophisticats, but when they arrive for the party, they aren’t very nice to him. They complain and demand extra attention and they are very rude. Scruff ruins the party with his dirty slobber and wild antics, and he licks all the frosting off the cake! But by that time, Jasper has realized that the Sophisticats aren’t at all the type of friends he wants to know. Scruff is much more fun!

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Picture Book Review: Best Test

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Best Test by Pippa Goodhart

Best Test
by Pippa Goodhart, Anna Doherty (Illustrator)

5 out of 5 stars

The animals find a delicious strawberry, but begin to quarrel over who will eat it. They put together a race to see who is the “best”, and the winner will get the strawberry. They devise different obstacles and tests for the race. Frog wants a hopping obstacle. Mouse is good at coloring and wants a coloring test. They also have to guess what is in a mystery bag, and make the best funny face.
As they go through the different challenges, some of the animals struggle. But their friends stop to help them through each task. They all cross the finish line together, holding paws. They never do discover who is the “best”, but they do become best friends!

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Picture Book Review: A Parliament of Owls

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A Parliament of Owls by Devin Scillian

A Parliament of Owls
by Devin Scillian, Sam Caldwell (Illustrator)

5 out of 5 stars

A young girl calls each group of animals to convene for a huge photo. A parliament of owls arrive on a tree, along with a murder of crows. There is a warren of rabbits, a gaggle of geese, and a raft of otters. Some of the strangest groups are the memory of elephants, the charm of hummingbirds, and the pandemonium of parrots. When the animals are finally assembled, the girl takes a massive group photo with all the animals together!

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Picture Book Review: Albie On His Way

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Albie on His Way by Jutta Bauer

Albie on His Way
by Jutta Bauer, Matthias Wieland (Translator)

4 out of 5 stars

The king asks Albie to deliver a message to the neighboring kingdom, but Albie gets delayed along the way. First a father squirrel needs help after a bad fall. Then a mother pig needs a babysitter while she goes shopping… for a week! Albie meets an old animal who walks very slowly, but they travel together for a while. Albie decides to take a different path through the mountains, and ends up right back in his own kingdom! By now so much time has passed, that the king decides that the message doesn’t matter after all.

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Picture Book Review: The Unbreakable Thread

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The Unbreakable Thread by Emily Joof

The Unbreakable Thread
by Emily Joof (Goodreads Author), Asma Enayeh (Illustrator)

5 out of 5 stars

As a little child begins to grow up, the unbreakable thread of love between mother and child is stretched, but never broken. The child learns a little more independence all the time, learning to walk, going to school, making friends, and finally graduating from school. But all the time the love of the mother is there to encourage and comfort. That support is what gives the child strength to explore and learn. And all the time, the unbreakable thread of their bond is always changing and always constant.

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