Friday, October 30, 2015

The Sister Pact by Stacie Ramey: Review and GIVEAWAY

I received this book from netgalley.com and later in a physical format from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

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The Sister Pact
By Stacie Ramey
November 3, 2015; Tradepaper, ISBN 9781492620976
Book Info:
Title: The Sister Pact
Author: Stacie Ramey
Release Date: November 3, 2015
Publishers: Sourcebooks Fire

Summary:

Who holds your secrets?

Allie is devastated when her older sister commits suicide- and it’s not just because she missed her. Allie feels betrayed. The two made a pact that they’d always be together, in life and in death, but Leah broke her promise and Allie needs to know why.

Her parents hover. Her friends try to support her. And Nick, sweet Nick, keeps calling and flirting. Their sympathy only intensifies her grief.

But the more she clings to Leah, the more secrets surface. Allie’s not sur which is more distressing: discovering the truth behind her sister’s death or facing her new reality without her.

Goodreads Link:

Buy Links:

Barnes&Noble: http://ow.ly/SqJ6T
BooksAMillion: http://ow.ly/SqJ8P
!ndigo:  http://ow.ly/SqJaB
IndieBound: http://ow.ly/SqJcC

About the Author:

Stacie Ramey learned to read at a very early age to escape the endless tormenting from her older siblings. She attended the University of Florida where she majored in communication sciences and Penn State where she received a Master of Science in Speech Pathology. When she’s not writing, she engages in Netflix wars with her children or beats her husband in Scrabble. She lives in Florida with her husband, three children, and two rescue dogs

Social Networking Links:


Excerpt from The Sister Pact:

Liquid inspiration from the Nyquil bottle makes me feel like I should paint something for Leah. Let her know I get it now. Maybe I didn’t always when she was alive. Maybe I didn’t listen when she tried to tell me things.
I open the door and look out into the hallway. Lights off, TV on downstairs. Mom’s check-out gives me the clear shot I need. In the garage I find the white paint from the trim in my room and the tools and brushes. Everything seems really clear right now. And brilliant. I feel sort of brilliant. Like every part of my brain is working.
Back in my room I shake the can of paint and open it with a screwdriver and hammer, trying hard not to spill it on my hardwood floors. Too late.
My curtains are in the way, so I rip them off the rod. I have to stand on my window bench to reach as high as I need. I start to paint, not knowing what I’m doing until the image forms on the wall, like magic. By the time I’ve painted the point of convergence on my window where the pink diamond goes, I recognize it. I painted it like it was burned into my brain. But I guess I knew all the time even as it materialized. I’ve made Leah’s ring.
I sit back and admire my work. I hope wherever she is, she sees this and knows I’m sorry. A shooting pain goes through my head and my eyes try to adjust to the blinding light the sun throws as it sets. Spiky rays of light come from the sunburst that flashes through my painting, making it seem like it’s alive.
I blink away the brightness and try to let my eyes settle. When I open them again I’m confused. Because I see Leah standing there. Really standing there. I steady my gaze and look again. I’m not imagining it. She’s there, surrounded by light, kind of outlined in it. Like one of my rendering sketches.
I want to reach for her, ask her if she’s really here, but when I blink again, her image disappears and I know it’s just my guilt and my need that’s bringing her to me. Even if she can’t stay.
I close up the paint cans and take them and the medicine bottle downstairs. The paint and tools go back into the garage and the brush gets washed in the sink and left to dry on a bottom shelf of the garage. I turn the water on in the sink and run my hand over its stainless steel surface, careful to wash all the remnants of my painting party down the drain. Finally I wrap the medicine bottle in newspaper and push it to the bottom of the trashcan, making certain that it’s completely covered. One thing Leah taught me was how to hide your party.
When I’m done, I walk back up to my bathroom, and brush my teeth, trying not to look in the mirror too long. As if my crazy would show somehow. I crawl into bed, setting my alarm for the morning. First day of school. I put my hands together in the prayer position and put them under my cheek.
I think about what I just did and try not to worry about what it means. It’s too much allows the headache to creep back in, crouching and ready to spring. I’ll close my eyes and go to sleep, and hope that tomorrow will be okay. I know it’s not what I should be doing. I know I’m copping out, but I can’t help it.
I’m living my life in tiny squares. Checker board moves. I go forward. I go backward. I jump. Each play means something. Each turn matters. The most important thing is to keep moving. To not get jumped. Sometimes a little Nyquil helps that. They don’t call it medicine for nothing.

MY Review:

A suicide pact, a grieving sister, a flirtatious boy, numbing you feelings with drugs and alcohol and coping with the changes that are occurring for in the teen years while dealing with grief. I thought the author did a great job of portraying the many emotions out main character Allie goes through and how as a teen she is coping with the death of her sister.

It also does an excellent job of illustration a raw and real account of decision making as a teen. Those years are some of the hardest in any persons life because emotions are so high and hormones are going and I think this gave a lot of insight into teens and grief. It also showed how friends can be there and try to help and also fail at that. It shows how not everyone is perfect and that we can't all expect to have it figured out all the time. I also thought the author did a great job of including Leah, the sister who committed suicide, into the story and presenting her in a way that didn't feel forced or dramatic. 

Overall I think the story should be recognized for how it unraveled the story and slowly spilled all the secrets and revealed all the things that teens can keep from the ones they love. I am just surprised that the author has some much insight into what it feels like to be a teenager. I think she did an amazing job and I really look forward to more stories from her in the future. I was impressed. 


My Star Rating:

4 out of 5 wonderful stars



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Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Review: Nowhere Girl by Ruth Dugdall

   




Title: Nowhere Girl
Author: Rith Dugdall
Publisher: Legend Press
Publication Date: October 31, 2015

I received this book in an e-arc format from netgalley.com and the publisher in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Description:

Probation officer, Cate Austin, has moved for a fresh start, along with her daughter Amelia, to live with her police detective boyfriend, Olivier Massard. But when she realises just how casually he is taking the disappearance of Ellie, Cate decides to investigate matters for herself. She discovers Luxembourg has a dark heart. With its geographical position, could it be the centre of a child trafficking ring? As Cate comes closer to discovering Ellie’s whereabouts she uncovers a hidden world, placing herself in danger, not just from traffickers, but from a source much closer to home.

My Review:

Nowhere Girl is the story of Cate and her daughter moving in with Cate's boyfriend. After they begin to get settled Cate becomes a little unnerved about a case her boyfriend is working on and doesn't like how he is handling the situation.

Cate decides to step in and take matters into her own hands and begin investigating on her own which only leads to more discoveries about the town she thought would be a safe place for her daughter to grow up.

Sex rings, mysterious characters, and complex relationships really add to this stories overall feel and I think that really worked for it and would be a great fall/Halloween read for someone who didn't like monsters and gore but erred more on the side of psychological thriller.

I think this was a sharp look at the sex trade in our day and age and also the "twist" for the book was a bit predictable but still added a needed layer to the story. I would definitely recommend this read and would suggest this to people who like thrillers and crime fiction.


My Star Rating:

3.5 out of 5

Recommended if you enjoyed:

   



Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Middle Grade Reviews: Warren The 13th by Tania Del Rio

Thank you netgalley.com and the publisher for providing me with an EARC version of the story in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


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Title: Warren the 13th
Author: Tania Del Rio
Illustrator: Will Staehle
Publisher: Quirk Books
Publication Date: November 24, 2015

Description:

Meet Warren the 13th, a cursed 12-year-old Victorian bellhop who’s terribly unlucky . . . yet perpetually optimistic, hard-working, and curious. Orphan Warren’s pride and joy is his family’s hotel, but he’s been miserable ever since his evil Aunt Anaconda took over the management. Anaconda believes a mysterious treasure known as the All-Seeing Eye is hidden somewhere on the grounds, and she’ll do anything to find it. If Warren wants to preserve his family’s legacy, he’ll need to find the treasure first—if the hotel’s many strange and wacky guests don’t beat him to it! This middle-grade adventure features gorgeous two-color illustrations on every page and a lavish two-column Victorian design that will pull young readers into a spooky and delightful mystery.

My Review:

When I saw the cover for this book I was immediately intrigued. I loved the quirky look of the illustrated characters and once I read the descriptions I decided to request it and I am very happy I did. I actually wish this was out now because it would be a fun mystery read for around Halloween time for a middle grade reader although I do feel like adults would also find this highly entertaining. 

I didn't feel like I got the most out of the illustrations because of the formatting of the e-book but I will definitely be picking this up for my cousin as he is just about the right age to really enjoy this. 

The characters were whimsical and mysterious while also incredibly quirky and unique. The plot was driven by the hunt for a secret treasure and I know as a middle school age student I would have eaten a novel like this up. Seriously, this was so great! I loved it even as an adult and can just imagine a kid reading this over and over again.

I loved how Warren cared so much about the hotel and his family legacy and so optimistic. He was a great character to look up to and although he was always down on his luck he kept working to achieve his goals.

Of course a story like this wouldn't be complete without a terrible family member like his evil Aunt and she was perfectly written in the role. 

If you want something fun, action driven, mysterious, and one of a kind for the young reader in your house that has a great male character in the lead then I would definitely suggest this. I will say that I personally rated it a 4 because it got a little slow for my tastes at times but it was well developed and interesting. 


My Star Rating:

4 out of 5

Read this if you enjoyed:

    







Thursday, October 22, 2015

Children's Book Review: Museyon Publishing




Originally I received the first title via netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review. After reading up on the publisher and this particular story I requested a physical  copy of both titles referenced below from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I am grateful they were able to send them my direction and they did not disappoint. 

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TITLE: You Look Yummy!
Author: Tatsuya Myanishi
Publisher: Museyon
Publication Date: November 1st 2015


Description:

This sweet tale about the love between father and son is the first in a tremendously popular Tyrannosaurus series in 12 titles to date, with combined sales in excess of 3 million copies in Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan and France. A long, long time ago, a baby Ankylosaurus is born on a volcano erupting ground. As the little Ankylosaurus begins wandering around, a big Tyrannosaurus comes along. He is about to pounce when the baby cries out, "Daddy!" and grabs onto his leg. The baby thinks the Tyrannosaurus is his father, so as not to disappoint the little one, he takes on the task of raising a baby Ankylosaur. The two develop ever stronger bonds of love, but soon comes the day when they must part. Highlighting the importance of family, this sweet picture book celebrates the love between father and son.

My Review:

Going into this I actually had pretty high expectations because it has sold so well over seas and I was excited they were bringing a version to the US. I have a nephew who loves dinosaurs so I decided this might make a good gift for him and wanted to check it out first.

I was not at all disappointed. This is a great book about the power of a father son relationship and I think it would actually be a really great book to share with your son or especially your adopted son as the TRex adopts a little dino he originally thought might make a good snack.

The illustrations in the book are some of the most unique and vibrant I have come across in a long time in a children's book and can see that really attracting and keeping the attention of the intended audience. The story is adorable and well developed and overall I just couldn't suggest this to anyone more.

I think probably the best children's book I have read all year!

So good in fact I am going to leave the amazon link so you can pick this up ASAP!

http://smile.amazon.com/Look-Yummy-Tyrannosaurus-Tatsuya-Miyanishi/dp/1940842069/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1445519945&sr=8-1&keywords=you+look+yummy

My Star Rating:

5 out of 5


Because I was contacting the publisher in hopes of receiving a physical copy I decided to browse their published works and see what else they had to offer. I thought they must really have some great publications if this one was so well received so I came across the next book and requested it as well. Again, I was sent this for free in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 


Title: Gon, The Little Fox
Author: Nankichi Niimi
Illustrator: Genjirou Mita
Publisher: Museyon
Publication Date: April 1, 2015



Description: 

In this retelling of Nankichi Niimi’s Japanese folktale masterpiece, delicate watercolors bring to life the mischievous yet kind-hearted spirit of Gon, the Little Fox. As the story begins, Gon is relishing his life as a roving and rascally fox. Each day brings a new opportunity for him to stir up trouble in a nearby village. On any day, he might be found digging up yams or setting fire to rapeseed husks. One day, however, Gon feels remorse for having killed an eel that was meant for a poor villager’s dying mother. This rare moment of conscience takes Gon down a path that ultimately leads to his fate. The story of Gon is bittersweet, so proceed with caution, as the little fox is sure to win over your heart.

My Review:


I wanted to make sure to include an additional illustration from the book which can be found on the publishers website: http://www.museyon.com/shop/gon-the-little-fox/

The reason I thought that was important is because the watercolor beautiful cover illustrations continue throughout the story. Absolutely stunning. I also felt like it fit the story and the feel of a traditional Japanese folktale.

Folktales are usually great illustrations of the culture of the area and this is definitely that. I felt so overwhelmed (in the best way possible) by the Japanese imagery and traditions. The mischievous fox starts out being nothing but trouble and ends up growing as a character. You see this fox and his moral development and it really is just amazing to read.

It is bittersweet just like the description states but also beautiful and definitely worth picking up. I would definitely suggest it for an older elementary audience because it is a little more complex than the typical children's picture book.

My Star Rating:

4 out of 5 stars

Overall rating of Publications:

If you are wondering about the quality of the books for the price they are published beautifully. Absolutely vivid images and the binding and covers are sturdy and the books well made and well thought out. I can't wait to see more books from this publisher in the future. 


Friday, October 16, 2015

Children's Book Reviews: Tanglewood Press

           


I received all the following from netgalley.com and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. After speaking with the publisher I also received Night of the White Deer and the other two books in physical format to better view these picture books. I appreciate their generosity but 

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Title: Is a Worry Worrying You?
Author:Freida Wolff and Harriet May Savitz
Illustrator: Maria LeTourneau
Publisher: Tanglewood 
Publication Date: April 15, 2005

Description:

Suppose, just suppose, one hundred elephants come to tea and you discover you don't have any tea bags.
Uh, oh. What will you do with a herd of thirsty elephants?
Now that's a worry!
But you can get rid of that worry by offering the elephants lemonade instead.

Adults think of childhood as a carefree time, but the truth is that children worry, and worry a lot, especially in our highly pressurized era. This book addresses children's worries with humor and imagination, as hilarious scenarios teach kids the use of perspective and the art of creative problem-solving.

My Review:

I decided to talk about this first because it was my favorite of the selections I received from Tanglewood. It was so amazing to find a story that talks about the fact that children are just smaller versions of adults. They have feelings, stress, and they worry just like everyone. 

I think was a great story for saying that the worries are normal but it was full of creative, over the top scenarios to say that their worries could be worse and with the help of family and friends we can overcome these worries and live happily.

I think what really set this apart was the art style. It reminded me a lot of something Tim Burton would enjoy and that makes it something I really enjoyed. It was a little darker and used muted colors but I think that is what sets this children's story apart and makes it worth picking up. Great story and excellent art makes this a can miss read.

My Star Rating:
5 out of 5

Read this if your child enjoys:

       

Next we have:

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Title: Yes, Let's
Author: Galen Goodwin Longstreth
Illustrator: Maris Wicks
Publisher: Tanglewood 
Publication Date: April 9, 2013

Description:

Let's get into the station wagon, roll those windows down,
Let's sing out loud and wave to cows as we drive out of town.
Let's park the car beneath the trees and trade our shoes for boots,
Let's set the timer, all say "Cheese!" then head into the woods.


In this cute book about a family's camping trip, the simple, rhyming text is enhanced by comical illustrations that bring wit and energy to every page. Packaged in a smaller size for little hands and easy to pack up, this book would be a perfect read-aloud during the car ride, along with a great way to recap a trip at the end. The illustrations inside the front cover serve as a reminder of things to pack, and the story inspires activities to plan. There is even a space in the back to paste a picture of the reader's own family trip. This little book serves as a loving tribute to family togetherness.

My Review:

This is one of the books the publisher sent me a physical copy of for review and I was not at all expecting such a beautifully published book! Seriously, very lovely.

The story is absolutely one of the most fun stories I have read in a children's book this year. Absolutely loved the comical sing-song lyrical passages and the art style is as bright and cheery as this lovely little family going out on an adventure. I think that this story is a great illustration of how fun it can be to go out and just enjoy being a family.

It doesn't necessarily need to be a road trip but even if it is just camping out on the living room floor those are memories your kids will have forever and be able to look back on and enjoy and I think this story illustrates how special spending time together can be.

My Star Rating:

4 out of 5

Read this if your children enjoy:

    

Another great selection:


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Title: The Kissing Hand
Author: Audrey Penn
Illustrator: Ruth E. Harper and Nancy M. Leak
Publisher: Tanglewood
Publication Date: May 15, 2006

Description:

School is starting in the forest, but Chester Raccoon does not want to go. To help ease Chester's fears, Mrs. Raccoon shares a family secret called the Kissing Hand to give him the reassurance of her love any time his world feels a little scary. Since its first publication in 1993, this heartwarming book has become a children's classic that has touched the lives of millions of children and their parents, especially at times of separation, whether starting school, entering daycare, or going to camp. It is widely used by kindergarten teachers on the first day of school. Stickers at the back will help children and their parents keep their Kissing Hand alive.

My Review:

I could see why this became a well loved bestseller. This was a heart warming read about children starting school for the first time and dealing with being scared about wanting something to calm those jitters and fears. Chester's mom decides to share the family secret of "the kissing hand" where Chester can take the kiss and her love with him even when he is scared.

In the description it says that is often used in kindergarten to help easy the fear of the first day and I could see it being absolutely perfect for that. 

Tanglewood has published other books about Chester and I really want to pick some up especially if they were as good as this one.

I would recommend this for both parents and children to ease their fears about the separation that begins to occur as your children start to grow up. 

My Star Rating:

4 out of 5

Read this if you children enjoyed:

  

Next we have another great release:


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Title: Night of the White Deer
Author: Jack Bushnell
Illustrator: Miguel Co
Publisher: Tanglewood
Publication Date: September 18, 2012

Description:

The boy had heard the old stories about a mysterious white deer that appeared among the fields of corn. Some said she had been formed from a star that fell to the earth; others said she had risen up from some tanks of spilt milk. But to the young boy, it seemed that’s all she was, the stuff of stories — until one night when she appears on his farm, standing in the field, her coat a sparkling white. During this magical nighttime encounter, the deer leads the boy into the skies on a flight through the lights of the aurora, among the countless other creatures living in its glistening colors. But the boy will discover more the next day, when he tells his family about his experience. This modern folk tale inspires young readers to see the magic that comes from the twinkles of the nighttime sky.

My Review:

I have some pretty mixed feelings about this particular book. First, the illustrations and the publication of this book are absolutely lovely. This is another title I received a physical copy of and I absolutely love the look and feel of it. 

I will say that the story if also very well written and there is a lot to enjoy about it. There is a magical deer that that fly through the woods and a young boy gets to experience the deer in all of it's wonder but as soon as he goes home and tell his family they laugh at him. All except his dad who tells the boy about his experience. 

I will say that I liked the folk tale elements of the story and I, as an adult reader easily understood and followed the plot. However, I think this might be a little difficult for children. It is suggested for 4-8 and if you plan to pick this up I would suggest it for the higher ages of that range.


My Star Rating:

3.5 out of 5

Read this if your children enjoyed:



All Books from Tanglewood can be purchased on their website @:

http://www.tanglewoodbooks.com/picture.html

Or on amazon.com


Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Review of "The Rain Series"; H2O and The Storm by Virginia Bergin: GIVEAWAY!

I received both of the following books for review from netgalley.com and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

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Title: H2O
Author: Virginia Bergin
Publisher: Source Books
Publication Date: Oct 7, 2014

Description:

They don't believe it at first. Crowded in Zach's kitchen, Ruby and the rest of the partygoers laugh at Zach's parents' frenzied push to get them all inside as it starts to drizzle. But then the radio comes on with the warning, "It's in the rain! It's fatal, it's contagious, and there's no cure."

Two weeks later, Ruby is alone. Anyone who's been touched by rain or washed their hands with tap water is dead. The only drinkable water is quickly running out. Ruby's only chance for survival is a treacherous hike across the country to find her father-if he's even still alive.

My Review:

Holy cow. What a story! And what a concept. Virginia Bergin really out does herself with this fast paced apocalyptic near future setting.

Starting out at a normal teenage party Ruby doesn't believe that a little rain would harm her or her friends but as people begin to die and she is left alone she has to make the decision to trek out into the unknown to try to find her father. 

What happens next is a cross country hike with exciting twists and turns around every corner. 

This YA novel really surprised me in that it's concept was new and original but also frightfully realistic.

The characters could have used a bit more development and it did read a little flat in parts but for the most part this was something that I kept wanting to get back to and find out what happened next. Although it might not be your typical scary October read I would definitely suggest adding this to your TBR. If you are frightened by the actual possibility of something like this happening I think you will really enjoy this story.

My Star Rating:

3.5 out of 5

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Title: The Storm
Author: Virgina Bergin
Publisher: Source Books
Publication Date: Oct 6, 2015

ABOUT THE STORM:

DEADLY TO THE LAST DROP .

Ninety-seven percent of the population is dead. And the killer rain keeps falling. Ruby’s not sure she can make it on her own much longer. So when a chance encounter leads her to a camp with the last boy she may ever kiss (it’s not easy to date during an apocalypse), Ruby gratefully accepts the army’s protection.
But safety comes with a price: If Ruby wants to stay, she must keep her eyes—and her mouth—shut.

Except Ruby stumbles across a secret she can’t possibly keep. Horrified, she flips out and fights back—only to make the most shocking discovery of all…

Praise for H2O:

“Creepy and realistic. H2O left me thirsting for more.”
—Kristen Simmons, author of Article 5 and Breaking Point

“Ruby's candid, addicting narration brought this terrifying and wholly plausible story to life. This is a book you'll devour all at once—from the safety of your umbrella!” —Jessica Khoury, author of Origin and Vitro

My Review:

I don't want to say too much about the sequel and run the risk of spoiling anything but I will say that this picks up right where we left off and the excitement doesn't stop. If you enjoyed the fast paced, apocalyptic features of the first installment that you will not be disappointed by the direction that Virginia Bergin took this story in.

We have a love interest and a military presence and  a lot of other elements found in these types of YA novels but the author continues to keep her story telling and writing fresh. Absolutely a must read for fans of the first story will definitely continue to fall in love with book two.

My Star Rating:

3.5 out of 5


THE AUTHOR:

Virginia Bergin works as a writer for TV, eLearning, and corporate projects. Most recently, she has been working in online education, creating interactive courses for The Open University. She lives in Bristol, England.

Find Virginia online:

Find Sourcebooks online:


Giveaway

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Monday, October 12, 2015

Children's Book Review Round-up: 6 New Children's Books to Consider

I received all of the following children's books from netgalley.com and the publishers of the books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions of these stories are my own. Please enjoy.

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Title: The Midnight Visitor
Author: Juliet David
Illustrated by: Jo Parry
Publisher: Candle Books
Publication Date: Sept 18, 2015

Description:

Miriam was glad to be warm and cozy. There were so many people in the town but it was nice and peaceful inside her cowshed. Little did she know that she would soon be joined by Midnight Visitors . . . and not just any old visitors!

Snuggle up and enjoy the warm, soft feel the art and narrative bring to this delightful Christmas picture book with a difference.
My Review:
This recent release comes at just the perfect time for the holiday season. The story follows a little fox who wants to spend the night in a stable to come in from the cold night. He is welcomed in and is there to witness the miracle of Jesus' birth. 
The animals are all expertly drawn and the color scheme is rich and inviting. This is a great spin on the classic tale of the birth of Christ and I found that it would be a fun new perspective for children to see it from this adorable foxes point of view.
I would recommend this story for the upcoming holiday season and if you want a great way to approach the religious story associated with Christmas in a fun yet insightful way this book is exactly what you need. 
My Star Rating:
5 out of 5

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Title: Surf's Up
Author: Kwame Alexander
Illustrated by: Daniel Miyares
Publisher: North South Books
Publication Date: Feb 1, 2016

Description:

Surf's up! Not yet, Dude! Books are boring! Not this one! Bro and Dude have very different ideas about how to spend the day at the beach. But as Bro continues to gasp and cheer as he reads his book (Moby Dick), Dude can't help but get curious. Before you can shout 'Surf's up!' both frogs are sharing the same adventure, that is, until they get to the beach. Newbery Medal Winner, Kwame Alexander, and Daniel Miyares have joined forces to give little listeners a wild ride.

My Review:

This story was cute but not my favorite. It is about two little frogs hanging out on the beach. One is interested in catching big waves and being adventurous on their beach trip while the other is using the story of a book to live out his adventure.

I think it is a great way to show that adventure can mean different things to different people and that you should give both sides a try. 

There are lots of bright colorful illustrations and you easily get sucked into the story just like the young frog listening to the adventures of the great whale. I think this was fun and I could see it really being a hit read aloud with fun voices and I think a boy audience would really get a kick out of this. 

Definitely worth a read.


My Star Rating:

3 out of 5



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Title: Big Cat, Small Cat
Author: Ami Rubinger
Illustrated by: Ami Rubinger
Publisher: Abbeville Press
Publication Date: March 17, 2009

Description:

Big Cat, Small Cat takes readers through a fantastical world of felines, where they will encounter many different pairs of cats from good and bad to happy and sad. The book sing-song text leaves out the last word of each page, allowing little ones to chime in and complete the rhyme. Captivating, colorful illustrations provide clues for the words that have been left out. Introducing words like dirty, clean, nice, and mean, Big Cat, Small Cat teaches children about rhyming and opposites with a fun, fill-in-the-blank challenge that encourages participation.

The illustrations by accomplished illustrator and cartoonist Ami Rubinger are charming and unique, depicting a variety of humorous cats that will engage young and old readers alike. With its message of acceptance, Big Cat, Small Cat evokes compassion for animals and presents an important lesson in diversity: cats like people come in many different shapes, sizes, and personalities. Beyond its wide general appeal, this book will interest children who have pets and all animal lovers.

My Review:

This was absolutely adorable! If you love cats and books that have a rhyming pattern than I would definitely suggesting picking this up to read with the children in your life. 

I loved the lesson of the story and the fact that it was promoting diversity and gives young readers at the differences between others but also saying that it is okay to be different and that you can still be special.

I thought the art was so vibrant and the fact that this is told with cats is just extra icing on the cake.

I thought the fact that it encourages kids to take part in the reading just adds such a great element to the reading experience. This has been out for several years and I hope people can still find a copy either on Amazon or in their local bookstore because it is definitely worth picking up and reading with your young ones.

My Star Rating:

5 out of 5

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Title: Are you Sleeping Little One?
Author: Hnas-Christian Schmidt
Illustrated by: Cynthia Vance
Publisher: Abbeville Press
Publication Date: Aug 14, 2012

Description:

Introduce young children to how baby animals sleep with this whimsical board book. With lyrical bedtime rhymes, it describes the sleeping habits of over a dozen animals, including species both common and rare, from ducklings to sloths, bats to giraffes! Its gentle rhymes and sweet, soothing pictures are the perfect way for little ones to end the day.

My Review:

I thought this book would serve as the perfect bedtime story. Not only was it wonderful to learn about the different habits of such a variety of animals and how they sleep but it can also serve as a great conversation about how we sleep.

It could serve as a great dialog for the difference with little people and little animals sleeping and just be great when talking about going to bed. The illustrations were pretty typical but they were still nice and added to the story.

Both rhythmical and educational this story is definitely something to check out. Again, it was published a few years back but I could definitely see it serving as a favorite bed time story for years to come.

My Star Rating:

4 out of 5

23563107

Title: The Bus Ride
Author: Marianne Dubuc
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Publication Date: March 1, 2015

Description:

"This is the first time I'm taking the bus by myself. Mom packed me a snack -- and had me bring my sweater in case I get cold." 

But Mom likely didn't imagine the adventure her little girl would have as she rides to her grandmother's house in this sweet picture book. While the bus is taking her down the streets, through a forest and into a pitch-black tunnel, the little girl encounters an assortment of animal characters who enliven her journey, including a goat who offers her a flower from a bouquet, a wolf child with whom she happily shares her cookies and a fox who attempts to pickpocket a bear. Adding to the fun are lots of running visual gags, such as the changing headlines on the newspaper that hides one passenger's face, a sleeping sloth who mysteriously appears in different seats without ever having woken up and a nervous-looking turtle whose head and arms pop in and out of its shell. 

The interior of the bus covers each two-page spread, and award-winning author-illustrator Marianne Dubuc uses subtle colors and tiny details to draw in youngsters to the activity happening there. This book offers a potentially multilayered classroom reading experience: there is the terrific main story of the girl's trip, but there are also any number of mini stories playing out at the same time with each of the other characters. It would work beautifully as a jumping-off point for children to do some imaginary storytelling of their own.

My Review:

When I first saw the cover of this I thought it might not be that great. It seemed like the illustrations would be a little rudimentary and bland and might not be that exciting for a young child. 

As I dove into the story I was instantly proved wrong. Although the drawings were rich in color they were rich in detail. I found them to be the perfect whimsical compliment to this story.

I would suggest this to more kindergarten-first graders as they would be the ones most likely to know and relate to the character.

This is the story of a little girls first bus ride by herself. She is headed to her grandmother's house across town and ends up with a great little adventure. She meets all sorts of animals on her trip and even stops a thief! 

The characters were fun and the story enchanting. This story just recently came out and I would definitely suggest picking this up asap for your young reader.

My Star Rating:

4 out of 5

23527433

Title: Walk on the Wild Side
Author: Nicolas Oldland
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Publication Date: March 1, 2015

Description:

This clever picture book tells readers right away what to expect. "There once was a bear, a moose and a beaver who loved adventure. But sometimes their competitive natures got in the way of having fun." One day, the three set off to climb a mountain together. But on the way there, they decide to make it more exciting by turning the climb into a race to the top. It's only after being sidelined by a series of mishaps -- a boulder tumbling down the path, the moose hanging off the side of the cliff, the bear hanging off the moose hanging off the side of the cliff -- that the three friends realize competitions don't always make for a good time. "At the end of the day, the bear, the moose and the beaver agreed that reaching the top of the mountain was great, but enjoying the journey together was even better." This funny, contemporary fable is from Nicholas Oldland's popular Life in the Wild series. The wonderful fun here is the comedy that highlights the adventure, in both the dry humor of the text as well as the simple, earth-toned illustrations that provide a humorous visual play-by-play of the action. This would make a terrifically entertaining storytime title, easily promoting the importance of teamwork, kindness and friendship. It could also be used in the early grades as part of a classroom discussion of woodland animals and their habitats. Another lesson here is the pleasure of getting outdoors for recreation.

My Review:

I thought this was super fun. Really enjoyed the art style and the colors used as well as the story. This is about a group of animals friends who actually try to compete to reach the top of the mountain the quickest.

Along the way they realize that competing for something and not stopping to care about your friends can lead to trouble and they quickly learn that friendship is a lot more important than winning a race. 

I loved the formatting of this book and could really see kids getting a lot out of the lesson. I would definitely think that young readers would get a kick out of the cute beaver's actions and the overall story. 

I would definitely suggest reading this and as it is a new release it will be an exciting thing to pick up.

My Star Rating:

3.5 out of 5