children’s books

Book Review: The Clockwork Three

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The Clockwork Three
The Clockwork Three by Matthew J. Kirby

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the story of three unlikely children living in a big city, where they find adventure, mystery, and even a little bit of magic. These children start their stories alone, but each meet the others along the way and learn to trust and rely on one another.

Guiseppe is a street musician, who finds a magical green violin. Frederick is an apprentice clockmaker and an orphan, who is determined to create a marvelous automaton. Hannah is a poor maid with an ailing father, who is desperate to get money for her family.
On the surface their problems seem simple, but the deeper the story goes, the more complex their difficulties become. Continue reading →

I Love Spring Book Tag

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Now that Spring is over, I wish it would come back!!

I was tagged by Booktube Couple: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4dktzGb_vU
Helene Jepsen and Amanda Original Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Shp2M…

QUESTIONS
1) How is Spring where you live?
2) Most anticipated book release this Spring?
3) Show us a book cover that makes you think of Spring.
4) Where are you going to read this Spring?
5) Find a cover with the sun on it!
6) What are your favorite Spring reads?
7) Find a book with many different colors on it.
8) Whom do you tag? Continue reading →

Book Review: Pax

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Pax
Pax by Sara Pennypacker
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Pax was only a kit when his family was killed, and “his boy” Peter rescued him from abandonment and certain death. When Peter’s father enlists, Peter has to move in with his grandpa, but Pax can’t go. Peter throws Pax’s favorite toy soldier into the woods. When the fox runs to retrieve it, Peter and his dad get back in the car and leave him there—alone. But before Peter makes it through even one night under his grandfather’s roof, regret and duty spur him to action; he packs for a trek to get his best friend back and sneaks into the night. This is the story of Peter, Pax, and their independent struggles to return to one another against all odds. -GoodReads Description

 

I’m not a huge fan of animal stories (unless they are anthropomorphic), but the writing in this book was so excellently crafted that I loved it!
I especially loved the boy’s story, how he travels across country and the people he meets and connects with. There’s a lot of depth to the story, and the spiritual journey that the boy goes through is just beautiful.
The fox’s story was less compelling. Basic animal survival and a lot of dead things, but it was certainly interesting. Continue reading →

Review: The Gigantic Beard That Was Evil

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The Gigantic Beard That Was Evil
The Gigantic Beard That Was Evil by Stephen Collins

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I loved loved loved this hilarious graphic novel, and then the end left me flat. I hate those poignant, leave-you-hanging, no closure endings that are supposed to be all philosophical and crap. Bleh. There is no resolution and I hate that!

The artwork is beautifully detailed, but still gives this impression of space on every page. It really draws your attention to these little changes and reflects the mood of the story perfectly!

I adore the writing style, the prose and almost poetry, that makes every word count. It’s just perfection!
The plot is hilarious and the weird and wild things going on just put the characters into stark relief before this background of a war between chaos and order.

I was laughing and weirded out and thoroughly enjoyed it…. except for the end.

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Book Review: The Invention of Hugo Cabret

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The Invention of Hugo Cabret
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Hugo is an orphan child, living and working in a grand train station in Paris. He is the son of a clockmaker, and loves to tinker with mechanical things. He meets a bitter old man and a bookish little girl, and finds that he is not the only one struggling to make sense of his past losses.

This is a story told partly in words, partly in pictures, and with reference to the beginnings of the motion picture. It amazes me how the story encompasses so many mediums!
It’s a melancholy story about loss and heartbreak, but also about finding a family of your own and owning your past. Continue reading →

Review: Redwall: The Graphic Novel

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Redwall: The Graphic Novel
Redwall: The Graphic Novel by Stuart Moore

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Matthias Mouse, whose home is being attacked by the evil rat Cluny the Scourge, is on a quest to recover the legendary sword of Martin of Redwall, so that he can meet Cluny in battle. There are riddles and secret passageways, old enemies and unexpected friends, and of course, several mighty battle scenes!

I adore the full novel, Redwall, so seeing it in graphic form was exciting! There is so much more depth to the story that couldn’t be included in this format, but it still managed to fit most everything in there, although it feels a bit rushed. Continue reading →