Book Review: Hand Made

Hand Made by Melissa K Norris
4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads


After reading this book about baking, cooking, growing herbs, creating hand-made soaps or candles, and decorating and organizing your home, I want to try it all! I want to cook every recipe, and start an herb garden, and make little gifts for all my friends! I want to organize my kitchen, and plan for holiday decorating, and fill my house with the yummy smells of baking. Continue reading

Book Review: Kid Authors

Kid Authors by David Stabler
Kid Authors: True Tales of Childhood from Great Writers 
by David Stabler (Goodreads Author)Doogie Horner (Illustrations)

5 out of 5 stars on GoodReads

This collection of short biographies of famous authors focuses on each author as a child, and what childhood experiences and situations led that person to become a writer.
Including interesting biographies about authors such as Lucy Maud Montgomery, Laura Ingalls Wilder, J.R.R. Tolkien, Jules Verne, Mark Twain, Roald Dahl, J.K. Rowling, Sherman Alexie, and Stan Lee; this book covers authors from a wide variety of backgrounds and time periods for an eclectic look at what inspires readers to become writers.
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Book Review: Miss Bianca in the Antarctic

Miss Bianca in the Antarctic by Margery Sharp
Miss Bianca in the Antarctic 
by Margery Sharp

3 out of 5 stars on GoodReads

Miss Bianca, Bernard, and Nils are together again, determined to rescue their Norwegian poet friend, who is once again a prisoner, this time in the frozen wastelands of the Antarctic. They encounter some friendly penguins, some not-so-friendly polar bears (who are visiting through an exchange program), and one egotistical Emperor penguin who threatens to keep everyone prisoner for eternity.

This book is not my favorite in the series. It lacked imagination, although there are a few clever little characters. Mostly the story lacked any structure or suspense. I was disappointed that the poet is rescued almost immediately, and then Miss Bianca and Bernard spend the rest of the time just meeting various arctic animals. I was also disappointed that Nils is only present in a couple of chapters at the beginning. I wanted to see Nils working with the team again!
Still a fun little book in the series and worth the read, but not the best.

Book Review: Dealing with Dragons

Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede
Dealing with Dragons (Enchanted Forest Chronicles, #1) 
by Patricia C. WredePeter de Sève (Illustrator)

5 out of 5 stars on GoodReads

Princess Cimorene, who hates the endless embroidery lessons and dancing lessons at court, decides to run away and ends up being the “captive princess” of the Dragon Kazul. Studying Latin, cooking anything she likes, and concocting magic spells are exactly what Cimorene loves, and she has the time of her life with Kazul. If only those pesky knights and princes would stop hanging around trying to rescue her! When a group of sneaky wizards start spying in the dragon’s caves, only Cimorene has the wits and courage to stop them. Continue reading

Book Review: The Rescuers

The Rescuers by Margery Sharp
The Rescuers 
by Margery SharpGarth Williams

5 out of 5 stars on GoodReads


I love this book more and more every time I read it! It’s nothing like the movies, of course. Nils, and Bernard, and Miss Bianca are such charming and stalwart characters. The plot is so interesting and funny, and the writing is just brilliant!

Bernard must persuade Miss Bianca to help the Prisoner’s Aid Society in finding a Norwegian mouse who will bravely rescue a Norwegian poet from the cold dungeons of the Black Castle. Once she finds the courageous Nils, a seafaring Norwegian mouse, Miss Bianca is swept along in the adventure, and the three unlikely companions are tested to the limit of their abilities in the Black Castle. No mouse has ever freed a prisoner before, but these clever mice are determined to save the poet!

Comic Review: Zen Pencils

Zen Pencils--Inspirational Quotes for Kids by Gavin Aung Than
Zen Pencils–Inspirational Quotes for Kids 
by Gavin Aung Than

4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads

This book is a collection of quotes from famous people about doing your best, being yourself, striving for greatness, never giving up, and keeping positive no matter the obstacles. Each quote is illustrated with a short comic that tells a little story which portrays the concept of the quote.

I really enjoyed reading this book! The quotes are uplifting and there’s a lot of good wisdom in this book. The comics are beautifully drawn with vibrant colors, and some of the characters from the first comics reappear in other comics at the end, so there’s a sense of continuity and overall structure. Continue reading

Book Review: Journey to the River Sea

Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbotson
Journey to the River Sea 
by Eva Ibbotson

5 out of 5 stars on GoodReads

Orphan Maia is sent to meet her distant relatives on the Amazon River. Along with Miss Minton, the strict-but-fair governess, Maia explores the enchanting world of the rainforest and river, delighted with the exotic plants and animals. But her relatives are only interested in Maia’s fortune, and they make her miserable until she finds friends among the native people. A mysterious boy hides in the forest, an out-of-work actor begs for Maia’s help, and Miss Minton is keeping dangerous secrets of her own.

Wonderfully imaginative and descriptive! Made me feel like I was right there in the rain forest. I was laughing and gasping and crying and laughing again all through it! Marvelous book! The complex plot is a wonderful mixture of adventure, travel, mystery, and intrigue.
Maia’s character is delightful. She’s spunky and courageous, kind and sweet, everything a heroine should be.
I adore Finn’s character! He’s mysterious and thoroughly interesting.
Miss Minton makes me laugh; she’s such a complicated lady, and so very deliberate in everything. Nothing could be better!

Comic Review: Little Pierrot Vol. 1

Little Pierrot Vol 1 by Alberto Varanda
Little Pierrot Vol 1: Get the Moon 
by Alberto Varanda

3 out of 5 stars on GoodReads

 

This collection of comics doesn’t have a continuous storyline, but little snippets of a boy and his friend the Snail, who dream of going to the moon. They watch the stars together, read books, dress up in costumes, and avoid schoolwork.

Most of the individual comics don’t actually have a funny punchline. It’s just sort of whimsical and random with no real point. It reminds me a little of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s “The Little Prince” with the moon and stars and a dreamy child drifting along through an aimless plot. Continue reading

Comic Review: Wallace the Brave

Wallace the Brave by Will  Henry
Wallace the Brave 
by Will Henry

5 out of 5 stars on GoodReads

 

Oh my goodness, I adore this comic!! So much cuteness and hilarity!
Wallace and his best friend, Spud, meet the new girl at school, Amelia, and are very impressed with her courage and baseball-throwing style. Each page has its own funny little punchline as we follow Wallace’s strange interactions with friends and family at school, at home, on the ocean, on the field, through the summer and winter and all the in-between times.Wallace’s fisherman father, his creative mother, and weird baby brother make a delightful home setting for the antics and whimsical conversations of a little boy curious about the world and determined to dream big.
One of the best things about this comic is Wallace’s close relationship with his parents.

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Comic Review: How to be Perfectly Unhappy

How to Be Perfectly Unhappy by Matthew Inman
How to Be Perfectly Unhappy 
by Matthew InmanThe Oatmeal

1 out of 5 stars

 

Wow. I hated this so much. SO. MUCH.
First of all, the whole book is full of cartoon illustrations with vomit, farts, poop, blood, and grotesque faces. That does not make me a happy reader. I was too busy being nauseated to enjoy the writing.And while the writing made a couple of good points about the concept of “being happy”, I don’t think the general philosophy here is a healthy one. No counselor that I know of would recommend this way of thinking.

I hated this so much. On so many levels. UGH.

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