books.

Picture Book Review: Allegro

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Allegro by David W Miles
Allegro: A Musical Journey Through 11 Musical Masterpieces
by David W Miles,  Anita Barghigiani (Illustrations)

5 out of 5 stars


A little boy named Allegro is fed up with practicing piano. He throws his sheet music on the floor, and petulantly sits and thinks about music. He goes on a magical journey to discover new music and how beautiful music can truly be. Through all the different moods and styles of classical music, he learns to love and appreciate the emotions and sensations that music can offer to us. Continue reading →

Non Fiction Review: Essential Oils for Soothing Anxiety

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Essential Oils for Soothing Anxiety by Christina Anthis
Essential Oils for Soothing Anxiety: Remedies and Rituals to Feel Calm and Refreshed
by Christina Anthis (Goodreads Author)

5 out of 5 stars

The first section in this book focuses on general information about essential oils, their uses, history, and how they are made. There is also information on other self-care practices that can lower stress and soothe anxiety to be done in conjunction with aromatherapy and essential oils. These include meditation, massage, reflexology, and setting up a calm space with pillows, candles, and soft music.

Then there is a section with more details about the 10 most common essential oils used in this book. This gives more specific information about the benefits of each oil, the applications and uses, and precautions for allergies or skin sensitivities. The oils include Bergamot, Cedarwood, Chamomile, Coriander, Frankincense, Geranium, Grapefruit, Lavender, Sweet Marjoram, and Neroli.
Continue reading →

Non Fiction Review: 14,000 Things to be Happy About

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14,000 Things to Be Happy About by Barbara Ann Kipfer
14,000 Things to Be Happy About
by Barbara Ann Kipfer (Goodreads Author)

3 out of 5 stars


This is a stream-of-consciousness list of random things that we can be happy about.
Some of the things listed are wonderful little everyday things or special once-in-a-lifetime things. Some of them really touched my heart, and made me think, “Yes! I should be grateful and happy about that little thing.” Other things made me think, “Huh? Why would anyone be happy about that?”

Things I liked in the list:
“a party with a pinata”
“a baby in a floppy white hat”
“figuring out port and starboard” Continue reading →

Non Fiction Review: No One Does It Like You

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No One Does It Like You by Amy Rose Spiegel
No One Does It Like You: 78 Illustrated Affirmations for Self-Kindness
by Amy Rose Spiegel, Catherine Willemse (Illustrations)

2 out of 5 stars


These affirmations and positive sayings are paired with illustrations that uplift and inspire the reader! I love the poignant and thoughtful axioms. Some of them really made me think about life in a different way!

“Picture yourself as a little kid. Remember the promises you want to keep to that person.”
“Give people a reason to remember your conversations, whether you do that by speaking or listening.”
“Carve out your own world.”

However, there were a few sayings that sounded very strange to me, and didn’t make much sense. (And there were a couple with profanity in them.)
For instance, “Your ethics and politics are your architecture; build up those convictions and you’ll have built a life.”
Since when does politics become a part of your identity?

Continue reading →

Non Fiction Review: You Are Doing a Freaking Great Job

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You Are Doing a Freaking Great Job and other Reminders of You... by Workman Publishing
You Are Doing a Freaking Great Job and other Reminders of Your Awesomeness
by Workman Publishing

4 out of 5 stars

This book has 200 positive affirmations and encouraging sayings designed with beautiful graphics and fonts. The book is tiny, barely 4×4 inches, so it’s the perfect little pocket-sized gift.

Each page has a design with a quote or saying that lifts your spirits and gives you courage to face the day and go after your dreams. On some of the opposite pages there are recommendations for meditations, recipes, music playlists, inspiring books, and simple activities to make your day happier and more fulfilling. Continue reading →

Picture Book Review: Willow the Wildcat

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Willow the Wildcat by Lynne Rickards
Willow the Wildcat
by Lynne Rickards, Kirsteen Harris-Jones (Illustrator)

5 out of 5 stars


Two wildcat kittens follow their mother through a Scottish forest, learning to hunt for fish and mice. Their home den collapses, and the wildcat family must search for a new hole. The kitten siblings are getting into mischief, and squabbling and fighting the whole way. After escaping from a hungry kite and a grumpy pine marten, they finally find the perfect home and the kittens learn to work as a team instead of fighting all the time.

This cute picture book has lovely illustrations of beautiful Scottish countryside, as the wildcats travel through forests, across a flowing burn, into a meadow of grass, and find an old castle ruin. The illustrations use soft colors with sunshine on every page! I loved the art style and the way the illustrations added depth to the story by adding details and expression. Continue reading →

Picture Book Review: The Phoenix of Persia

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The Phoenix of Persia by Sally Pomme Clayton
The Phoenix of Persia
by Sally Pomme Clayton, Amin Hassanzadeh Sharif (Illustrator)

4 out of 5 stars


Prince Zal is left for dead when he is a baby, and the magnificient Phoenix raises him with her own little chicks in her nest atop the mountain. She teaches him art, science, poetry, music, and history as well as how to survive in the wild. He grows up to find his true parents in the end.

I liked this traditional story from Iran with its message about the sanctity of all human life. The story is told with strong writing and vivid words.

I liked the art style of the illustrations with bold strokes and bright colors, but I didn’t like the faces of the characters. Their eyes are distorted, and their mouths are crooked, giving them a creepy look! The rest of the artwork is lovely, but all the people have weird faces. Continue reading →

Board Book Review: Hey Diddle Diddle!

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Hey Diddle Diddle! by Emma Schmid
Hey Diddle Diddle!
by Emma Schmid (Illustrator)

5 out of 5 stars


This board book takes the rhyme of “hey diddle diddle, the cat and the fiddle” to a whole new level, with new verses, new characters, and beautiful die-cut openings for the moon as it goes from a crescent moon to a full moon. After the cat and the fiddle, comes the rat and the rattle, the toad and the trumpet, the pig and the piano, and the chimp and cello, until a full band of animals are playing music as the cow jumps over the moon.

The silly illustrations add to the charm of the text with funny characters, colorful scenes, and a crazy dish and spoon dancing around. On each page the characters do something different as the new animal plays on their instrument. They skateboard, hula hoop, eat watermelon and icecream, iceskate, and hop aboard a train at the end. Continue reading →

Board Book Review: Wheels at Work: City

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Wheels at Work by Child's Play
Wheels at Work: City
by Child’s Play, Cocoretto (Illustrations)

5 out of 5 stars

The delivery truck is ready to deliver some groceries. The school bus picks up the children. The city park truck delivers some trees to be planted. The train stops to pick up passengers. And the recycling truck picks up the recycling.

Each page begins with an illustration of the closed truck or bus, then when the reader lifts the flap it reveals the truck opened up making a delivery or picking up. This is an excellent way to get children guessing what comes next, and to test their memory. The flaps make this a really special book! Continue reading →

Board Book Review: Wake Up, Let’s Play!

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Wake Up, Let's Play! by Marit Törnqvist
Wake Up, Let’s Play!
by Marit Törnqvist

5 out of 5 stars

Two children wake up and decide to play a whole bunch of imaginative games. They play birthday party, sand castles, stormy seas in the bathtub, chefs and restaurant, busy towns with cars and trains, snowmen, and artists. As the two children pretend and imagine each game, their two trusty stuffed animals, a zebra and a penguin, are by their side in every scene.

It was fun looking for the details in each illustration, watching for the stuffed animals in the background, and delighting in all the special little objects they use to play. There are boats and rubber duckies for the bath, toy trains and cars for the busy town roads, and grass and leaves served on the plates at the imaginary restaurant. Continue reading →