book

Non Fiction Book Review: Called to Be Creative

Posted by

0

Called to Be Creative by Mary Potter Kenyon

Called to Be Creative: A Guide to Reigniting Your Creativity
by Mary Potter Kenyon (Goodreads Author)
3 out of 5 stars

This book explores what it means to be creative, and how to unleash your own creative energies. There are tips for exploring different arts or hobbies, and advice on gaining confidence and taking risks. I love how this book encourages the reader to try new things, learn from failure, and embrace anything and everything creative!

The authors spends a lot of time talking about her mother and how creative she was, including excerpts from her mother’s journals and photos of her mother’s artwork. I was not expecting this book to be quite so autobiographical, and I got bored with the long stories about the author’s family.

Continue reading →

Picture Book Review: Claris, Holiday Heist

Posted by

0

Claris by Megan Hess

Claris: Holiday Heist: The Chicest Mouse in Paris
by Megan Hess
4 out of 5 stars

Claris and her best friend, Monsieur Cat, are visiting New York for the holidays. They are Christmas shopping at Cartier when they witness a burglary, and set off across New York to catch the thief!

I loved the beautiful illustrations in this book! The colors are bright, and the lines are delicate. I love all the Christmasy decorations!

Continue reading →

Picture Book Review: Claris, Bonjour Riviera

Posted by

0

Claris by Megan Hess

Claris: Bonjour Riviera
by Megan Hess
4 out of 5 stars

Claris the Paris mouse is on her way to the French Riviera for a holiday with her best friend, Monsieur Cat. They pack their bags with chic ensembles by Dior, Gucci, Prada, and Pucci. They travel with style in a Louis Vuitton bag to a glamorous hotel where they see movie stars. But Claris meets a beautiful songbird who is in trouble, and the two are tossed into a wild adventure aboard a fancy yacht.

I loved the beautiful illustrations in this book! The colors are bright, and the lines are delicate. Each scene is designed to give the story more depth. I did feel like some of the artwork is just cut and pasted from one page to the other with only a wardrobe change to make it different. I would have appreciated separate art for each page, instead of copies of the same facial expressions.

Continue reading →

Non Fiction Book Review: Beginner’s United States Atlas

Posted by

0

Beginner's U.S. Atlas 2020, 3rd Edition by National Geographic Kids

Beginner’s U.S. Atlas 2020, 3rd Edition
by National Geographic Kids
5 out of 5 stars

This beginner’s atlas is perfect for young readers with a curiosity about the world! It starts with how maps show different states and landscapes, and how to read a map using the key, the compass, and the distance scale that shows miles and kilometers. Full of colorful illustrations and photos, this atlas grabs the reader’s attention!

I like how the book is divided up by region into the Southeast, Northeast, Midwest, Southwest, the West, and territories. It makes it easy to find what you are looking for, and to see how states that border each other have a lot in common. Each state flag is featured along with the state bird, state tree, and common wildlife and crops for the region.

Continue reading →

Non Fiction Book Review: United States Atlas

Posted by

0

National Geographic Kids U.S. Atlas 2020, 6th Edition by National Geographic Kids

National Geographic Kids U.S. Atlas 2020, 6th Edition
by National Geographic Kids
5 out of 5 stars

I love maps, and this atlas is full of incredible maps! It’s got photos and facts and culture and history, all with colorful designs and interesting little details.
The first thing I did was turn to the page for my state, Georgia, and poured over the pages, finding my town, and looking for nearby national parks and monuments.

I like how the book is divided up by region- SouthEast, SouthWest, NorthEast, MidWest, etc… It makes it easy to find what you are looking for, and to see how states that border each other have a lot in common. I was also happy to see that many of the Native American cultures are celebrated and featured in this book as a major part of the history of many states.

Continue reading →

Non Fiction Book Review: National Geographic Kids Almanac 2021

Posted by

0

National Geographic Kids Almanac 2021, U.S. Edition by National Geographic Kids

National Geographic Kids Almanac 2021, U.S. Edition by National Geographic Kids
5 out of 5 stars

This book is full of weird facts and details about exploration, history, space, science, animals, ecosystems, geography, and nature. So of course, I devoured this book and enjoyed every colorful page!

With beautiful photos and maps, this book gives a quick look into fascinating cultures, amazing explorers, newly discovered animal species, and dazzling planets and stars all over the galaxy.

I especially loved the section about Space and Earth. It has information about minerals, and lava, and how the earth is formed, and about the vastness of space and all the wild phenomena out there in the universe. There are sections for dwarf planets and black holes, and of course a 2021 calendar of the best times to watch the skies for meteor showers, supermoons, or an eclipse.

Continue reading →

Non Fiction Review: 101 Amazing Uses for Aloe Vera

Posted by

0

101 Amazing Uses for Aloe Vera by Susan Branson

101 Amazing Uses for Aloe Vera
by Susan Branson
4 out of 5 stars

This book lists dozens of uses for aloe vera for health remedies, mental wellness, beauty products, acne cream, cleaning products, and even bug spray. The sections include Health, Wellness, Beauty, Plants, and Home.
There are recipes and advice for using aloe gel, aloe water, the latex in aloe plants, and even a powdered aloe. It can be applied topically or taken internally for different uses.

I am very impressed with all the different things aloe can do! I had no idea it was so versatile and effective. The uses include things like getting rid of warts, dandruff, earaches, eczema, and cold sores. It helps to lower symptoms of the flu, shingles, arthritis, ulcers, and may even help to control diabetes. It can be used in hair conditioner, aftershave, hand sanitizer, deodorant, and eye lotion to repair the skin. And the aloe plant can be used for mosquito control, household cleaners, as an air purifier, and even to get rid of termites.

Continue reading →

Picture Book Review: The Little Dancer

Posted by

0

The Little Dancer by Géraldine Elschner

The Little Dancer: A Children’s Book Inspired by Edgar Degas
by Géraldine Elschner, Olivier Desvaux (Illustrations)
4 out of 5 stars

Young Jeanne travels to Paris with her mother, hoping to be accepted into the opera ballet. She works very hard to pass the entrance exam, and then spends her days in endless dance classes and rehearsals. When a painter asks Jeanne to model for a sculpture, she is eager to earn some extra money for her mother.

I love the Impressionist art that honors Degas’ style. The blurry lines and smudges of paint are full of meaning. Each page is awash with color and motion. The design of each scene is enchanting, and each dancer is elegant and graceful.

Continue reading →