review

Board Book Series Review: All Around Bustletown

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All Around Bustletown by Rotraut Susanne BernerAll Around Bustletown: SummerAll Around Bustletown by Rotraut Susanne BernerAll Around Bustletown by Rotraut Susanne Berner
5 out of 5 stars
Everywhere in Bustletown people are getting things done, going to a museum, doing their shopping, finding lost objects, playing ball with their friends, getting their car repaired, and tending to the animals. Everywhere you look there is something interesting happening and a story line to follow!

I love the colorful and detailed illustrations! Each page is beautifully drawn with fun little details to draw the reader in. I’m 37 years old, and I was fascinated with each beautiful scene! Continue reading →

Picture Book Review: All about Weather

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All About Weather by Huda Harajli MA
All About Weather: A First Weather Book for Kids
by Huda Harajli MA

5 out of 5 stars

This children’s picture book describes all different types of weather, and gives some simple scientific information about temperature and cloud types. I like the writing style that is perfect for a child’s level of understanding.

The illustrations are adorable! Full of bright colors, each page draws the reader in. The clouds are smiling, and the children are playing in the rain.

There are even questions to answer in the text, prompting the reader to choose the right accessories for a rainy or cold day. Should I wear boots or sunglasses? Should I carry mittens or an umbrella? I like that the book gets the reader involved, and encourages children to think carefully. Continue reading →

Non Fiction Review: Healing through Nutrition

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Healing through Nutrition by Eliza Savage
Healing through Nutrition: The Essential Guide to 50 Plant-Based Nutritional Sources
by Eliza Savage

5 out of 5 stars

This book has recipes for healing foods of fruits, grains, herbs, coffee and tea, and dozens of vegetables. The sections are divided by the type of food, with information about the benefits of that food, it’s healing power, and medical conditions that it will help.

The recipes are simple with easy instructions and common ingredients. There are also variations on the recipe in case you want to add or substitute something. I really like how the recipes are organized, and the design and layout is easy to navigate. Continue reading →

Picture Book Review: Toddlers Around Town

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Search & Find Toddlers Around Town by Hannah Sun
Search & Find Toddlers Around Town: 25 Travel Activities for Kids
by Hannah Sun

5 out of 5 stars

In this Search and Find book, children travel to the park, grocery store, grandma’s house, the zoo, mini golf, the beach, the dinosaur museum, the aquarium, the pool, and a farm. The ride on trains, buses, planes, a cruise ship, and even join a parade! On each page there are items labelled and drawn at the bottom of the page that you can look for in the illustrations. You can look for food items at the picnic, find flowers and bees at the farmer’s market, and find pencils and blocks at school.

I love the illustrations drawn in a sort of fuzzy crayon style. They are so cute! It’s really interesting to search through the artwork and find different characters doing activities, eating, playing music, buying flowers, swimming in the pool, cooking on a grill, putting up a tent, or running to catch a plane. There is so much action on each page! Continue reading →

Picture Book Review: The Nuff

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The Nuff by Veronica Waldrop
The Nuff
by Veronica Waldrop,  Cat Elliott (Illustrator)

4 out of 5 stars

The Nuff is a unicorn with a broken horn, but she doesn’t let that stop her from being amazing, trying new things, and being confident in herself. Even if she isn’t perfect, she is enough!
The Nuff may not look like the girls in magazines, and she might make mistakes or sing off-key, but she is a beautiful and brave unicorn with a big heart and a smart brain that keeps her enjoying life. She plays sports, rollerskates with friends, goes swimming in the ocean, explores the countryside, generously gives to others, plays in the mud, climbs mountains, rides her bike, plays princess dress-up, and dances across the grass.

This book was written by a mother for her daughters. She died of cancer shortly after writing it, and it is her message to all children everywhere that they are enough.

I really loved the positive messages and themes in this book! So many times we find it hard to forgive ourselves for not being perfect, and even adults need to be reminded that we are enough. Continue reading →

Graphic Novel Review: Batman Overdrive

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Batman by Shea Fontana
Batman: Overdrive
by Shea Fontana,  Marcelo Di Chiara (Illustrations)

4 out of 5 stars

Young Bruce Wayne is weeks away from getting his driver’s license, and decides to repair his father’s classic car, and maybe give it some upgrades, and maybe start calling it the Batmobile. Bruce is tracking a car theft ring, and hoping they will lead to clues about his parents’ murders. He is isolated and alone, but as he searches junkyards for replacement parts and tracks the car thefts, he befriends two teens that he is certain he can trust… until he can’t.

I loved this graphic novel! Batman has never been my favorite superhero- too dark for me- but I really enjoyed reading about a young Bruce who is just forming his identity as a hero and learning from his early mistakes. Bruce is charming and just so cool. He takes too many risks and has a lot of anger inside though. It was great to see his character growing and developing as he dealt with some of those issues. Continue reading →

Non Fiction Review: Prayer

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Prayer by Timothy J. Keller
Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God
by Timothy J. Keller

5 out of 5 stars


This book on prayer gives clear examples from history, hundreds of Scripture references, and inspiring ideas about prayer and how God draws close to us.
The topics include why we need to pray, how great and marvelous prayer truly is, what prayer is and is not, and how to truly encounter God and approach His throne. There are also chapters about traditional ideas of prayer, rules for how to pray, how to prepare our heart for prayer, the elements of confession and adoration that go into a prayer, and an analysis of The Lord’s Prayer.

I especially loved the chapters about meditation, with advice on how to meditate on God’s Word and incorporate quiet meditation into your prayers along with petitions, thanksgiving, and confession. Continue reading →

Book Review: Premeditate Myrtle

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Premeditated Myrtle by Elizabeth C. Bunce
Premeditated Myrtle
by Elizabeth C. Bunce (Goodreads Author)5 out of 5 stars

Myrtle is the daughter of a Court Prosecutor, and follows her father’s cases with alacrity. She loves to read the Police reports and studies toxicology. When her next-door neighbor is murdered, Myrtle is sure she knows how to solve the case, but how is a Proper Young Lady supposed to adhere to the Rules of Etiquette AND have the freedom to run around town solving crimes? Only with the help of her redoubtable governess, Miss Judson.

One of the things that made me fall in love with this book is the incredible character development. I love how the main characters change their minds, discover new information, grow in their personalities and abilities, and suddenly realize that their relationships with other characters can be different.

I was fully invested in the character growth and the story from the very first page. The writing drew me in, and emotionally hooked me into the lives of the characters. I was massively curious about every clue. I couldn’t wait to read the next chapter and the next!

Continue reading →

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 →