book reviews
Two-Word Mini Reviews
NonFiction Review: Solve This!
Solve This!: Wild and Wacky Challenges for the Genius Engineer in You
by Joan Marie Galat (Goodreads Author)
by Joan Marie Galat (Goodreads Author)
3 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
This fun book gives problematic scenarios, and encourages the reader to find solutions by using engineering and science! The problem is set with a description of a place or difficulty, and then various people of different professions give their original solutions, and finally the engineers give a solution, and you can decide which one is best!
There are a wide variety of professional people from different areas giving imaginative solutions on each page; a marine biologist, a teacher, a librarian, an architect, a nurse, a plumber, and dozens more in addition to the actual engineers. Continue reading
Books and Yoga
Graphic Novel Review: Cici’s Journal
Cici’s Journal: The Adventures of a Writer-In-Training
by Joris Chamblain, Aurélie Neyret
by Joris Chamblain, Aurélie Neyret
5 out of 5 stars on GoodREads
Cici loves a good mystery! When she and her friends see an old man lugging paint cans through the forest, Cici will do anything to unravel the enigma of the painter. But when she ignores her friends, lies to her mother, and takes advantage of her writing mentor, Cici could lose everyone she loves if she doesn’t learn to curb her wild curiosity.
This edition includes volumes 1-2 of Cici’s story. Continue reading
This edition includes volumes 1-2 of Cici’s story. Continue reading
Book Review: Kitty Hawk and the Icelandic Intrigue
Kitty Hawk and the Icelandic Intrigue (Kitty Hawk Flying Detective Agency, #3)
by Iain Reading
by Iain Reading
4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
Kitty Hawk is visiting Iceland, and staying with a kind Icelandic family who work to find clean energy solutions. Kitty is excited to experience all the beauties of Iceland, touring around Reykjavik, swimming in hot springs, and flying over the enormous icefields. But she becomes entangled with the rising hostilities between violent environmentalists and corrupt aluminum companies, and must unravel the mysteries of the Viking legends and the mystical Hidden People (Icelandic elves and trolls) if she wants to escape and help her friends to save Iceland from the greed of foreign corporations. Continue reading
Picture Book Review: How to Trick the Tooth Fairy
Jennifer Hansen Rolli
5 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
Kaylee is a prankster who tries to trick the Tooth Fairy, but the Tooth Fairy has a few magical tricks of her own, and the two begin a prank war with disastrous results. Can Kaylee and the Tooth Fairy put an end to their endless pranks, become friends, and clean up the mess they’ve made?
The cuteness! The adorableness! The hilarity! I fell in love with this darling book the second I saw the glittery cover art. The illustrations are utterly delightful on every page, with cute little details that bring the story to life. Continue reading
Graphic Novel Review: Chimera
Chimera: Book One – The Righteous and the Lost
by Tyler Ellis
by Tyler Ellis
1 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
I was unable to read past the first few pages because of all the profanity in this graphic novel. I’m very disappointed. So I guess I can’t really write a review, because I only read 5 pages.
The colorful artwork looks beautiful, which is mainly why I wanted to read this. Too bad it looks beautiful, but the dialogue is ugly.
Disclaimer: I received an ecopy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a free and honest review.
Picture Book Review: This is a Taco!
This Is a Taco!
by Andrew Cangelose, Josh Shipley
by Andrew Cangelose, Josh Shipley
5 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
Taco is a squirrel who loves to eat tacos, and he agrees to be in this book to teach young children about squirrels, with the understanding that there will be tacos in the book! But Taco gets more than he bargained for when he is mistaken for a flying squirrel, forced to eat tree bark, and hunted by a ferocious hawk. Can Taco take back control of the narrative before it’s too late?
I love books that break down the fourth wall, especially picture books. As Taco becomes increasingly anxious about the chaotic turn the story is taking, he does a beautiful job of addressing the reader directly and including the audience in the book narrative. The writing is quite clever, and similar to another favorite picture book, The Monster at the End of this Book !
The illustrations are so lovely! Colorful and funny, each page has a charm all its own. Taco is so cute!! He’s cuddly and adorable, and I love his funny facial expressions.
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