NonFiction Review: Actually, the Comma Goes Here

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Actually, the Comma Goes Here by Lucy Cripps
Actually, the Comma Goes Here: A Practical Guide to Punctuation
by Lucy Cripps

3 out of 5 stars

In case you missed it in elementary school, here are the rules for using punctuation so that your writing will make sense. There are snippets from history about how punctuation was first invented in the library at Alexandria, and how the Greeks and Romans developed their own styles of punctuation that morphed into what we use today. There are tons of examples of correct and incorrect punctuation in different types of sentences, questions, quotations, and clauses.

The best thing about this book is the comedic writing style. The author uses humor to make the punctuation rules memorable and fun.

There are sections for the period, comma, apostrophe, question mark, colon, semicolon, and a dozen others, and an entire chapter for markings that look like punctuation but aren’t, like the & and @ symbols. Continue reading →

Book Review: Thomas Wildus and the Wizard of Sumeria

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Thomas Wildus and the Wizard of Sumeria by J.M. Bergen
Thomas Wildus and the Wizard of Sumeria (Book 2)
by J.M. Bergen 

4 out of 5 stars

Thomas and his magical friends are determined to stop the evil Arius before he can find a staff of great power and use it to destroy everything they hold dear. A mysterious monster is stalking them, so Thomas’ teacher, Scott, accelerates their training in magic abilities and fighting techniques. Thomas’ mother has been keeping secrets about where Thomas’ father really disappeared, and Thomas will have to decide who he can trust.

I enjoyed this book so much! The magic system is marvelous, the plot is brilliant, and the characters are deep and endearing.

One thing I really loved is how this book continues the world-building from

Continue reading →

Comic Review: Virtual Unicorn Experience

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Virtual Unicorn Experience by Dana Simpson
Virtual Unicorn Experience (Phoebe and Her Unicorn, #12)
by Dana Simpson

4 out of 5 stars


Phoebe is best friends with a unicorn named Marigold, and this has some pros and cons. Unicorns have magic and can help you win a game of handball at recess or perform in a talent show, but their magic doesn’t always work as planned. Phoebe and Marigold have to navigate both the human and unicorn cultures to keep their friendship strong, and they are always learning something new and interesting about each other.

I loved the fun camaraderie between Phoebe and Marigold! They are such cute friends, and I loved how they banter back and forth. Their dialogue is really funny and silly! Continue reading →

Non Fiction Book Review: Keep What You Love

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Keep What You Love by Irene Smit
Keep What You Love: A Visual Decluttering Guide (Flow)
by Irene Smit, Astrid van der Hulst,  Lotte Dirks (Illustrator)

5 out of 5 stars

This book lists things you might want to declutter, and asks the question, “Do I really need it?” Each little page lists one thing, (an empty shoebox, old board games, nuts and screws, enough linens to stock a hotel, old phones, a breadmaker, holiday dinnerware, blank notebooks, and dozens more) and underneath it are checkboxes for “Yes” or “No”.

After every five or six decluttering items, there is a little snippet of advice about decluttering, living more minimally, and letting go of the emotions surrounding your possessions. The tips and advice are interspersed throughout the book, so I would recommend reading all of those first, and then going back and actually doing the declutter items checklist. Continue reading →

Picture Book Review: Indestructibles: Let’s Go Outside! and Let’s Be Kind

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Indestructibles by Ekaterina TrukhanIndestructibles by Ekaterina Trukhan

Indestructibles: Let’s Be Kind,   Indestructibles: Let’s Go Outside!

by Ekaterina Trukhan (Author) (Illustrations),Amy Pixton (Creator)

5 out of 5 stars

Let’s Go Outside – This book takes the reader on an outdoor adventure where we can stretch up like a tree, swim like a fish, and buzz like a bee. The writing is very simple, and just right for babies and toddlers learning their first words. I love that each page shows a parent and their child having fun in the forest or by the ocean.

As the parents and children explore the outdoors, there are little animals peeking out from behind the trees or swimming in the water. The little snails, turtles, frogs, and butterflies are so cute! There are birds, bunnies, and baby foxes too! So adorable!

Let’s Be Kind – This book teaches babies and toddlers about basic manners, saying please and thank you, and sharing toys with others. The writing is very simple, and just right for babies and toddlers learning their first words. Continue reading →

Board Book Reviews: Good Night, Baboon! and ABC Dance!

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Good Night, Baboon! by Sabrina MoyleABC Dance! by Sabrina Moyle
ABC Dance!: An Animal Alphabet
Good Night, Baboon!: A Bedtime Counting Book
by Sabrina Moyle (Author),Eunice Moyle (Illustrations)

5 out of 5 stars

Good Night, Baboon! – While the other animals get ready for bed, one baby baboon is determined to stay up! Baby baboon burps during snack time, brushes his bum instead of his teeth, plays loud lullabies on electric guitar, and runs around causing mayhem, until finally baby baboon is ready for a goodnight hug.

I love how this book is designed as a counting book, and we count down each animal group getting ready for bed. 9 skunks take a bath, 8 hamsters have a bedtime snack, 7 sloths put on their PJs, etc… and through it all, baby baboon is getting into trouble! Baby baboon manages to bounce across each page, getting into shenanigans before bed and monkeying around. I love how irreverent this book is!

ABC Dance – The animals are all dancing in a massive parade of exuberant dance moves! From aardvarks to zebras, every animal group is hopping and stepping and thumping their tails. They show off their skills with the fandango, the waltz, the can-can, the tango, the hustle, and ballet.

Continue reading →

Picture Book Review: Welcome to Jazz

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Welcome to Jazz by Carolyn Sloan
Welcome to Jazz: A Swing-Along Celebration of America’s Music, Featuring “When the Saints Go Marching In”
by Carolyn Sloan

5 out of 5 stars

Three cats visit a Jazz club in New Orleans, and learn all about how jazz music is made. They learn about beats and rhythm, melody and harmony, various instruments and their sounds, and how improvisation works. They learn a little about the history of jazz and how it all began in Congo Square in New Orleans, Louisiana.

I am so impressed with this book! The whole design is wonderful, and I loved the recordings you can play by pushing the buttons. Each button plays a different section of “When the Saints Go Marching In”, and teaches the reader about which instruments play harmony, melody, and bass lines. Then the entire band comes together with the vocalists to play the song. Continue reading →

Picture Book Review: Maisy Gets a Pet

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Maisy Gets a Pet by Lucy Cousins
Maisy Gets a Pet
by Lucy Cousins

5 out of 5 stars

Maisy visits her friend Penguin and gets a new kitten. She plays with the kitten, feeds it, and cleans the litter box. Maisy has to take her new kitten to the vet, and make sure the kitten gets plenty of exercise and sleep.

This is such a sweet book to teach young children about caring for pets, and how to be gentle with animals. Maisy has to be responsible, but can also have fun with her new pet. I really love the teaching moments in this book, and how it is presented in an entertaining way for toddlers. Continue reading →