book reviews

Non Fiction Review: Healthy Family Cookbook

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The Healthy Family Cookbook by Brittany Poulson MDA RDN CDE
The Healthy Family Cookbook: 100 Fast and Easy Recipes for the Whole Family
by Brittany Poulson MDA RDN CDE

5 out of 5 stars on GoodReads

With simple and quick recipes that the whole family will love, this cookbook makes it easy to eat healthy meals every day! There are simple recipes that have only 5 ingredients, quick recipes with only 15 minutes of prep time, and recipes to cook in one pot.

This book begins with some “Time-Saving Tips” and “Tips for Raising Adventurous Eaters” to get your children involved in choosing and preparing healthy meals, and gives many family-friendly recipes that are simple enough for kids to help with the cooking. Continue reading →

Picture Book Review: The Adventures of Moose and Mr. Brown

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The Adventures of Moose and Mr Brown by Sir Paul Smith
The Adventures of Moose and Mr Brown
by Sir Paul Smith,  Sam Usher (Illustrations)

4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads

When Moose loses his twin brother at the airport, Mr. Brown decides to help him search for his brother. But Moose’s brother must have gotten on a plane somewhere and could be lost anywhere in the world! Mr. Brown gives Moose a job travelling around the world, designing clothing for animals in need.

Moose and Mr. Brown search in Japan, where they design a tail for a flying squirrel. They search in New York, where they design a hat for a bald eagle. They search in Africa (lion pajamas), China (panda eyeglasses), India (cobra bib), and in Australia (kangaroo dungarees).
Finally they arrive in Paris for the big fashion show, and Moose’s last chance to find his twin brother. Continue reading →

Non Fiction Review: Everyday Bread Baking

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Everyday Bread Baking by Jenny Prior
Everyday Bread Baking: From Simple Sandwich Loaves to Celebratory Holiday Breads
by Jenny Prior,  Thomas J. Story (Photographer)

4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads


This cookbook gives step-by-step instructions for making delicious bread, pretzels, doughnuts, and rolls. There is a special section entirely for holiday sweet breads and desserts.

The introduction gives a lot of information about terminology used in bread baking, like “fermentation, leaven, proofing, and yeast”. It also includes general instructions on kneading the dough, checking the temperature, mixing and measuring, different types of flour, and using “starter” dough. There is a list of types of equipment needed, and a troubleshooting section if something goes wrong.

With step-by-step photos and careful instructions, it’s almost impossible to make a mistake. And there are substitutions suggested in the recipe if you don’t have the right ingredients or starter dough. I really appreciate that there are so many photographs showing each stage of the recipe as the dough rises, then is kneaded, and finally baked. Continue reading →

Cookbook Review: The 30-Minute Ayurvedic Cookbook

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The 30-Minute Ayurvedic Cookbook by Danielle Martin
The 30-Minute Ayurvedic Cookbook: Healing Recipes for Total Wellness
by Danielle Martin,  Annie Martin (Photographer)

4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads

“With the proper diet, medicine is of no need; with an improper diet, medicine is of no use.”

This book explains the theories behind Ayurvedic medicine, and gives advice on eating for your body type or “dosha”. The first section gives a little history about the origins of Ayurveda and how this system can stimulate the body to heal itself. Then the three “doshas” are introduced with a quiz to help you determine your type. Kaphas are sluggish and compassionate. Pittas are energetic and ambitious. And Vatas are restless and imaginative. They each also have physical characteristics and common health problems that result from their body type and personality type.

The next chapter gives advice for eating according to your “dosha” and how certain foods can worsen common ailments for your type or can heal those problems. Eating a healthy diet at regular meal times can balance the “digestive fire” and help your body respond well to food, embracing nourishment for every area of your health. Continue reading →

Non-Fiction Book: My Preschool Workbook

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My Preschool Workbook by Brittany Lynch
My Preschool Workbook: 101 Games & Activities that Prepare Your Child for School
by Brittany Lynch

5 out of 5 stars on GoodReads


This workbook has games, coloring pages, and activities to help little ones learn their colors, numbers, alphabet, and basic shapes. Including simple puzzles and challenges, this book teaches children that learning is fun, and coordinates with basic lessons they will be learning in preschool and kindergarten.

There are tracing pages to help little fingers learn how to draw letters and numbers. There are connect-the-dot games and matching games to get them thinking with logic, and to improve their memory. Moving from identifying basic colors into finally reading small words, there are even sections about rhyming words, and counting the syllables in a word. The pages gradually teach the reader their colors, shapes, numbers, alphabet, and simple spelling as they grow throughout the school year. Continue reading →

Classic Book Review: Agnes Grey

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Agnes Grey by Anne Brontë
Agnes Grey
by Anne Brontë

4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads

Agnes goes to work as a governess for a rich family, and finds her young students difficult to manage. They throw tantrums, fight amongst themselves, torture their pets, and lie to their parents. Agnes is miserable and lonely, but strives to do her duty and influence her students to study and behave themselves. She meets a serious young preacher who inspires her and the two strike up a friendship. They help the poor and visit the sick, finding solace in doing good deeds for their neighbors.

I loved this book! The writing is elegant and delightful. The characters are vivid and lively. The plot is subtle and delicate, using small conversations and little coincidences to paint a larger picture. Every bit of dialogue holds waves of emotion and meaning that gently push the story forward. The writing is absolutely brilliant! Continue reading →

Graphic Novel Review: Diana, Princess of the Amazons

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Diana, Princess Of The Amazons by Shannon Hale
Diana, Princess Of The Amazons
by Shannon Hale , Dean Hale,(Authors) Victoria Ying  (Illustrator)

5 out of 5 stars on GoodReads

 

Diana is too young to join in the activities of the other Amazons, and she has no companions her own age. She tries to fashion a friend for herself out of clay and sand, attempting to perform magic to breathe life into the figure, but her longing for a friend may plunge the entire island into chaos.

I loved this graphic novel! The artwork is colorful and vibrant, showing the clear action and the emotional responses of the characters. It really brings the story to life and creates an energetic mood.

The plot is excellent, with many moving parts that propel the story forward. Each scene is interesting and full of excitement and mystery.

I loved Diana’s young character! You can really feel the struggle she is working through as she tries to figure out who she is and what her place is among the Amazons. She has such a strong personality, and her courage begins to blossom even while she is fighting for her own self-worth. Her emotional reactions as she interacts with other characters are powerful and pull the reader into her shoes. Continue reading →

Book Review: Juniper Berry

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Juniper Berry by M.P. Kozlowsky
Juniper Berry
by M.P. Kozlowsky (Author), Erwin Madrid (Illustrator)

4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads

Juniper Berry is the daughter of famous movie stars. As their fame grows, they become more and more distant from their daughter until she begins to suspect that something else is going on. Juniper befriends a scrawny neighbor boy whose parents are also acting strange. They follow their parents deep into the woods where they meet with a mystic creature who promises to make dreams a reality.

I loved this book! The plot is creepy without being too scary for me. I didn’t have nightmares after reading it, but I was deliciously chilled and freaked out while reading it. It has just the right amount of scary as Juniper uncovers the dark secret of her parents’ success. I especially enjoyed the mystic magic that the villain uses and the imaginative world-building. Continue reading →