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Non-Fiction Review: Soccer Stars on the Pitch

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Soccer Stars on the Pitch by Tanya Keith
Soccer Stars on the Pitch
by Tanya Keith

4 out of 5 stars

Soccer (or futbol) fans will love these biographies of today’s top players from around the world! There are chapters for each position, showcasing the top goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and forwards in the game today.

Some of the bios are several pages long, detailing how the players overcame obstacles and practiced hard to be the best. Other spotlight or honorable mention bios are one page long with stats and the main features of that player’s career. There are also pages that give information about the rules and regulations of pro soccer, common terminology, fun facts, and diagrams that show the pitch and positions. Continue reading →

Non-Fiction Review: Ultimate Trivia, Vol. 2

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Ultimate Trivia, Volume 2 by Donna Hoke
Ultimate Trivia, Volume 2: 840 MORE Fun and Challenging Trivia Questions
by Donna Hoke

5 out of 5 stars


This book has Trivia Questions in categories for Pop Culture, Geography, Sports, and Science. They vary from multiple choice questions, true or false, or putting a group of words into the correct order. Some groups of questions have a word bank of possible answers that you can choose from.

In the beginning, there are instructions about using the book to play with teams or individually, how to keep score, or how to play with a quizmaster that shouts out the questions to any player quick enough to answer. The book can also be used for a two-person game, or as a solo challenge. Continue reading →

Comic Review: Green Lantern Legacy

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Green Lantern by Minh Lê
Green Lantern: Legacy
by Minh Lê, Andie Tong (Illustrations)

5 out of 5 stars 

Tai discovers the power of the Green Lantern when his grandmother passes on her jade ring to him. With very little training from the other Green Lanterns, Tai tries to stop vandalism in his neighborhood. But there is an even bigger threat hiding right under his nose, and Tai will need his friends support while he learns to harness his new powers.

I loved this comic from start to finish!
Tai is such a deep and complex character. His close relationship with his family is at the heart of everything he does, and there is a huge emotional aspect to his story that really drew me in. Tai is Vietnamese-American, and his family heritage is important to him. I loved seeing the rich Vietnamese culture, and the traditions of kindness and generosity in his family. Continue reading →

Comic Review: Zatanna and the House of Secrets

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Zatanna & the House of Secrets by Matthew Cody
Zatanna & the House of Secrets
by Matthew Cody, Yoshi Yoshitani (Illustrator)

5 out of 5 stars


Zatanna is just trying to survive middle school. She and her stage-magician Dad live in a mysterious house with an adorable pet rabbit, Pocus. Zatanna believes that her father’s magic tricks are just illusions, until one fateful day when she encounters real magic. She realizes that the house holds more secrets than she ever knew, and she must navigate trick stairs, cold dungeons, and enigmatic doors to escape the clutches of a wicked sorceress and save her father.

I loved this comic from start to finish! Zatanna is a wonderful character, and she has some good personal development and teen angst that packs an emotional punch. The plot is enchanting and mystic with lots of wonderful surprises and twists. I loved the magical elements in the House of Secrets, and especially the magical characters and creatures that Zatanna meets as she discovers a new world of wizardy and spells. Continue reading →

Non-Fiction Review: The Secret Joy of Hygge

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The Secret Joy of Hygge by Alexandra Amarotico
The Secret Joy of Hygge: A Practical Guide to Cultivating Happiness in the Everyday
by Alexandra Amarotico

5 out of 5 stars


This sweet book defines what “hygge” (pronouned “hoo-gah”) is and give advice on promoting a cozy hygge feeling in your everyday life. Finding joy in small things and celebrating each moment is the way to embrace happiness with hygge. Doing everyday tasks with mindfulness and gratitude is hygge.

The illustrations show cute little drawings of a fireplace, candles, family photos, a warm cup of tea, or a book, a cat sleeping on an armchair, a plant on a windowsill, warm mittens, a bike, a picnic, a piece of cake, and a hundred other little things that embody the spirit of hygge. The pastels colors are muted and calm.

There are chapters about using hygge in self-care, in your home, with your family, at your workplace, and in daily life.

Continue reading →

Non-Fiction Review: Good Intentions

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Good Intentions by Jasmine Tarkeshi
Good Intentions: A Guided Yoga Journal for a More Meaningful Practice
by Jasmine Tarkeshi

4 out of 5 stars


This guided journal begins each 3-page chapter with a few paragraphs on yoga sutras, philosophies of peace, or a proverb of wisdom for the reader to contemplate. Then the reader is encouraged to set an intention for their yoga practice to apply the wisdom to their own lives and reflect on their own spirit. And a few prompts are provided with a blank page where the reader can record their thoughts and introspection about the topic.

The first section of daily meditations focuses on tuning in to yourself and recognizing your own energy, and then there are sections for tapping into the observing witness within yourself, letting go of worries and embracing truth, practicing self-care and compassion, and finally extending grace to yourself and others.

I really liked how the meditations gradually take you deeper into a more positive mind-set, opening up your inner thoughts and providing healing. This is a great companion to a yoga practice! Continue reading →

Cookbook Review: The Coffee Recipe Book

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The Coffee Recipe Book by Daniel Lancaster
The Coffee Recipe Book: 50 Coffee and Espresso Drinks to Make at Home
by Daniel Lancaster

4 out of 5 stars


Illustrated with cute little drawings of coffee beans, honey, spice leaves, and cozy coffee cups, this book has recipes for 50 different types of coffee and espresso.

It begins with an explanation of types of roast, and types of filters and grinders and brewing machines, with advice on choosing your tools and equipment. There are chapters for basic coffee recipes like cafe au lait, and more complex drinks like espressos and lattes, even including cold coffee drinks, frappes, and milkshakes. (There is also a chapter for alcoholic coffee drinks that I am choosing to ignore.)

With delicious ingredients like caramel, honey, lavender, cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, vanilla, chocolate syrup, whipped cream, and of course steamed milk, these recipes will delight any coffee drinker! Continue reading →

Non-Fiction Review: Lactivate!

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LACTIVATE! by Jill Krause
LACTIVATE!: A User’s Guide To Breastfeeding
by Jill Krause, Chrisie Rosenthal IBCLC

5 out of 5 stars

This book has worlds of information about every conceivable situation that might come up while breastfeeding a baby. Whether to use formula, how to encourage baby to latch on, bonding with baby right after birth, breast milk storage guidelines, how to use a breast pump, even what to do if baby is in NICU. There are charts for tracking feeding times, tracking baby’s weight, instructions on burping baby, changing diapers, and how to know if something is wrong with baby’s digestion.

One of the things I really loved about this book are the inspirational quotes reassuring a new mom that she is doing great, she has the right to choose whatever she wants to do for herself and her child, and that each baby will be different. There is no guilt and no shame in doing what is best for your own well-being and for the health of your child! Continue reading →

Non-Fiction Review: Real Science Experiments

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Real Science Experiments by Jess Harris
Real Science Experiments: 40 Exciting STEAM Activities for Kids
by Jess Harris

5 out of 5 stars

Using ordinary items found around the house, these experiments are introduced in separate chapters for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. They range from simple activities that a young child could do alone, to more complex experiments that require an adults supervision. Each activity poses a scientific question, and asks the reader to create a theory, examine evidence, draw conclusions, and record their observations.

You can make your own microscope, track sound waves, build 3-D lenses, power a small boat with just a candle, build a robot that hops, create artwork with a pendulum, and weave a magical math square.
The instructions are clear and easy to follow, with photos that show children doing the actual experiments. There is even a glossary in the back for some of the more scientific terms. Continue reading →