NonFiction Review: Solve This!

Solve This! by Joan Marie Galat
Solve This!: Wild and Wacky Challenges for the Genius Engineer in You 
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

Graphic Novel Review: Cici’s Journal

Cici's Journal by Joris Chamblain
Cici’s Journal: The Adventures of a Writer-In-Training 
by  Joris Chamblain, Aurélie Neyret (Illustrations)

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

Picture Book Review: Beautiful, Wonderful, Strong Little Me!

Beautiful, Wonderful, Strong Little Me by Hannah Carmona Dias
Beautiful, Wonderful, Strong Little Me 
by Hannah Carmona Dias

4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads

Lilly is a confident little girl, who is not phased by her friends questions about her appearance. Is she Hispanic, Black, White, Indian, Brazilian, or Italian? Lilly is happy with her beautiful dark skin, and her curly hair, and fierce eyebrows. She kindly reminds her friends that what is important about her is found on the inside with her big heart and smart mind.
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Book Review: Freddy the Politician

Freddy the Politician by Walter R. Brooks
Freddy the Politician 
by Walter R. Brooks, Kurt Wiese (Illustrations)

4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads


Freddy the Pig and the other barnyard animals decide to start an Animal Republic and elect a president to oversee the farm while Mr. Bean is away on vacation. But the scheming rat Simon has a plan to upset the election, and a group of meddling woodpeckers threaten to take over the farm. It’s up to Freddy to come up with a plan to save the farm!

I love the old-fashioned charm of the Freddy books! It’s reminiscent of Winnie the Pooh in some ways. The animal characters are all interesting and funny. The writing style is simple and charming.
Freddy is a really hilarious character who can be silly at times, although he’s so much smarter than the other animals. He’s dignified and ridiculous at the same time!
The election plot really kept me guessing, and I was delighted with the story!

Picture Book Review: Tiger vs. Nightmare

Tiger vs. Nightmare by Emily Tetri
Tiger vs. Nightmare 
by Emily Tetri

5 out of 5 stars on GoodReads


Little Tiger isn’t afraid of nightmares, because she has a friendly Monster under her bed who fights the nightmares and keeps them away. But what happens when a nightmare comes along too big and bad for Monster to fight off? These two friends must work together to keep the nightmares at bay, and discover their own true inner power.

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Picture Book Review: How to Trick the Tooth Fairy

How to Trick the Tooth Fairy by Erin Danielle Russell
Jennifer Hansen Rolli (Illustrations)

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

Picture Book Review: Little Orange Honey Hood

Little Orange Honey Hood by Lisa Anne Cullen
Little Orange Honey Hood: A Carolina Folktale 
by Lisa Anne Cullen

4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads


In this retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, a little girl named Blossom sets out to take a peach pie to her grandmother up the river. She encounters a wily alligator, and uses all her intelligence to outsmart him.

I loved this funny retelling, with a decidedly Southern charm! I especially liked that Blossom does not rely on anyone else to save her and her grandmother, but instead she outsmarts the alligator herself.  Continue reading

Book Review: A Lemon and a Star

A Lemon and a Star by Elizabeth C. Spykman
A Lemon and a Star 
by Elizabeth C. Spykman

4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads


The four Cares siblings run around the country side in 1907, running races, exploring the reservoirs, chasing after burglars, fighting their own private wars, and making secret trips into the city. They are constantly in trouble for dirtying their clothes, tearing their stockings, and coming home covered in mud, but they certainly have fun!
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Book Review: Edie on the Warpath

Edie On The Warpath by Elizabeth C. Spykman
Edie On The Warpath 
by Elizabeth C. Spykman

4 out of 5 stars


Eleven-year-old Edie is declaring a war on men! Edie is tired of being told to act like a little lady, while her brothers have the freedom to play games and have fun all up and down the countryside. She hears about the suffragettes and tries to join one of their parades, but instead gets into trouble with the police.
Her stepmother entrusts her with the care of the youngest Cares siblings, hoping that it will settle Edie’s wild spirit with some responsibility, but Edie tries to train the littlest girls to romp through the fields, climb trees, and explore the streams of the woods.
Edie’s rebellious soul is maddened every time someone tells her, “You’re only a girl.” Edie plans to find the perfect way to prove to everyone, especially her own family, that she is so much more than “just a girl.”

I absolutely adore Edie! She has the most disastrous ideas, and she is never boring. She has so much courage and hope in her little heart, and a beautiful capacity for trouble! She starts out with such good intentions, and I loved reading all the hilarious situations she finds herself in. Continue reading