2 new Children's Books - A Donkey Called Mistletoe; Helen Peters and Prehistoric Pets; Dr. Dean Lomax

 

Jasmine Green Rescues: A Donkey Called Mistletoe; Helen Peters

(Ill. Ellie Snowdon)

Walker Books - September - 2021 

(ages (7 - 9)

Book # 10 of the Jasmine Green Rescues series, introduces readers to Mistletoe, a donkey,  owned by an old and frail man who can no longer care for him. Where will Mistletoe go?  

Readers may recall from some of my previous reviews of this series that Jasmine Green's mom is a veterinarian, and based on passed experience readers will hope that Jasmine Green will be able to convince her mother to keep the donkey.  Jasmine has pleaded with her mom in the past on behalf of other animals in need and even though her mom always says, "no more pets" she usually gives in before long.

This is another winning story by Helen Peters with terrific illustrations by Ellie Snowdon. I love how this series teaches children compassion for other living things.  This book would be a perfect addition to your Christmas reads as there are a lot of characters to care about from the elderly man who can no longer care for the donkey, a boy on the autism spectrum and sick and/or depressed animals that need healing.  I highly recommend this series.

Prehistoric Pets; Dr. Dean Lomax (Ill. Mike Love)

                                                    Templar - September - 2021 - (ages 5 - 7)

Prehistoric Pets was a wonderful pop-up book featuring (7) ancestors of our more modern day pets.  

It was fun to share this stunning book with grandchildren. The book is complete with stunning pop-ups of the oldest ancestors of some of the pets we know and love.  Kids and adults alike will learn more about the ancestors of cats, dogs, horses, parakeets snakes and even a guinea pig.  We learn where these animals and reptiles once lived and the kinds of things they ate as well. I loved the fossil facts and the brilliant colorful pop-ups. Although the targeted age group here is ages 5-7, there is plenty of new information to make this book of value to children in the 10-12 age group.  Even children younger than 5 will be fascinated by the wonderful pop up art.

My thanks go to Candlewick Press who sent these winning books my way.

3 cute kids books for summer - Candlewick Press

The Pawed Piper; Michelle Robinson (Illust: Chinlun Lee
Candlewick Press 2019

This is a delightful tale about a little girl who desperately wants a cat of her own, just like Hector, her granny's cat.

She comes up with an idea to attract cats and it works. Sixty-seven cats have made their way to the young girl's house. She never anticipated this would happen, what will she do?  Of course, everything works out well in the end including one happy little girl with a cat of her own.

Regardless if you are a little (or big) cat lover, you are going to adore this gem - utterly delightful and such sweet illustrations as well.

RECOMMENDED

Sea Glass Summer

Michelle Houts (Illust: Bagram Ibatoulline)
Candlewick Press

When Thomas visits his grandmother's sea side cottage she gives him a magnifying glass that had once belonged to his grandfather.  As Thomas begins to explore the beach, he finds unique pieces of sea glass and other treasures. His imagination has him dreaming of shipyards, the christening of ships and other imaginings about the past as well.   Fast forward and years later Thomas is a grandfather himself, he gets to see his own granddaughter Annie, explore the magic of the sea as well.

This book was a nice trip into the past. It's a book that will appeal to anyone who has sweet memories of summers spent at the beach. The book has lovely illustrations which includes a very elderly looking grandmother, but it also is a book which encourages conversations, exploration and imagination.

RECOMMENDED

Bear's Book
 Claire Freedman (Illust: Allison Friend)

Templar / Candlewick Press

Bear loves to read but his very favorite book is so worn out that one day when it's windy, the pages blow away.  Instead of being saddened by what has happened, he has an idea - maybe he can write his own storybook. If he can't do it alone, then maybe his friends, mouse, rabbit and owl will help him. Of course, the friends accomplish their goal by working together and they are already planning another book. Great whimsical illustrations and BONUS: a copy of their new book -  "Bear's Story" is inserted within the main book.

A cute story about working together to get things done.

RECOMMENDED

All 3 books seem perfect for pre-school to grade 1 perhaps.

Books Read - Week in Review - W/E - 4/1/2017

It is spring but still doesn't feel like it here - a few mounds of snow still remain and although we are getting some heavy rain, some areas not too far away are getting more snow.  This past week we had an unexpected guest on our deck eating some seed we had thrown out for the birds.  (Very unusual to see a red fox like this in my backyard but apparently his food supply is scarce.) 

 This past week found me watching more movies at times than time spent reading books: My Cousin Vinny, As Good as it Gets, Something's Gotta Give and Dan in Real Life -- all movies I've seen before and LOVE.

 This Week in Books 

Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk; Kathleen Rooney

St. Martin's Press - 2017

(DNF)

Inspired by the story of a NYC woman named Margaret Fishback, this fictionalized story just didn't work well for me. Lillian Boxfish is a woman who has lived and worked in NYC since 1934 and on New Year's eve in1984, at the age of 85, she walks and walks the city reflecting on her half-century of life living and working in New York City and all the changes that have taken place. 

(I tried the audio and then the print edition but, ultimately, this just wasn't a book for me. DNF)

The Futures; Anna Pitoniak

Lee Bourdreaux Books - 2017

(My Thoughts) - This was a fun debut novel about a young couple, Julie and Evan, who meet and fall in love while students at Yale. Their backgrounds are quite different - Evan is from a working class family in Canada and Julie family are wealthy Bostonians.  After college the couple moves in together full of love and plans but their career paths are totally different. Evan's job for a hedge fund in the midst of a financial crisis requires long hours and missed communication opportunities with Julie. It's no surprise when their relationship begins to tank but, ultimately all in not lost.  Told in alternating chapters, The Futures was an engaging story about young lives, young love and all the hopes and uncertainties in life that sometimes makes holding a relationship together challenging. (4/5 STARS) 

Widowmaker; Paul Doiron

Macmillan Audio - 2016

(My Thoughts) -- Mike Bowditch is a Maine game warden who is approached by an attractive woman named Amber who needs his help. Her adult son is missing and she him claiming that he is Mike's half brother. Mike's father, Jack is dead and even when he was alive their relationship was strained as his father had a history of violence. Reluctant to look into Adam's disappearance, he can't quite resist knowing the truth which leads him to some strange and often dangerous situations.  A hybrid wolf, sexual predators and vigilante justice in the snowy, mountainous terrain of Maine are just some of the things this game warden uncovered, making for an interesting and at times addictive audio book listen. This was my first book by this author and although it was part of a mystery series, starting out midway I didn't have any problem following the story. I'd definitely try other books by this author. (4/5 stars)

 Green Pants; Kenneth Kraegel

Candlewick Press - 2017

(My Thoughts) A beautiful kids book with delightful illustrations that many parents with young people will be able to relate to.  Jameson is a spunky young boy with a mind of his own and a unique style of his own --- he insists on wearing "green pants" day after day. His parents love his independence and go with flow until he is asked to be in his cousin's wedding party where ---gasp--he must wear black pants!  Terrific fun to read over and over and, a great resolution as well. (5/5 stars)

Rain, Sam Usher

Templar / Candlewick - 2017

(My Thoughts) - The cover and illustrations are amazing, almost multi dimensional. Narrated by a young boy who wakes up to a rainy day and can't wait to go outside and play.  His granddad thinks they should stay indoors until the rain stops, but the boy is persistent, waiting for the opportunity for new adventures outdoors. Overall, a beautifully illustrated and engaging rainy day adventure that is sure to please little ones in the 2-6 age range.  This book is #2 of a seasonal series that began with "Snow". (5/5 stars)

Books Read in March

1. Among the Lesser Gods; Margo Catts - (arc) - 4.5/5 - March/2017
2. First Women; Kate Anderson Brower - (audio) - 3.5/5 - March/2017
3. The Residence; Kate Anderson Brower (audio) - 4/5 - March/2017
4. What I Know For Sure; Oprah Winfrey (NF) (Audio) - 5/5 - March/2017
5. Books for Living; Will Schwalbe (NF) (audio) - 5/5 - March/2017
6. Every Living Thing; Cynthia Ryland - (my shelves) - 4.5/5 - March/2017
7. Ill Will; Dan Chaon (eGalley) - 4/5 - March/2017
8. All the Stars in the Heavens; A. Trigiani (library) - 2/5 - March/2017
9. The Widowmaker; Paul Doiron (audio) - 4/5 - March/2017
10. The Futures; Anna Pitoniak (arc) - 4/5 March/2017
11. Green Pants; Kenneth Kraegel - 5/5 March/2017
12. Rain; Sam Usher - 5/5 - March/2017

Favorite March Reads 

New arrivals by mail this week

(minus the 14 year old cat)

• White Fur; Jardine Libaire (sent by Hogarth)
• Beartown; Fredrik Backman (sent by Atria)
• The Break Down; B.A. Paris (sent by ST. Martin's Press)

Books Read - Week in Review - W/E 3/18/2017

It's been another one of those weeks that I'm happy to see behind us.  Between the Nor'easter, 17" of snow here and, the frigid temps which followed, I'm definitely suffering from some cabin fever. We also had a loved one with pneumonia which resulted in a 2 day hospital stay in the midst of Storm Stella (home now and doing well). Enough of winter already.  

I did manage to finish (3) books last week and enjoyed them all. 2 out of 3 were audio books

What I Know for Sure; Oprah Winfrey

(read by author - so awesome)

Macmillan Audio - 2014

(My Thoughts) - This audio book was just what I needed this week.  The book is read by Oprah herself and she does a marvelous job. It's very heartfelt and inspirational.  Told as a short series of essays on a variety of topics, organized by theme: joy, resilience, connection, gratitude possibility, awe, clarity and power,  I found myself nodding my head and surprised by many of the things that Oprah struggled with had been issues for me as well throughout my adult life. There were a few parts that really resonated with me and made me tear up because it hit so close to home. No there is nothing earth shattering that we all have not heard at some point in our lives but, her words are powerful and inspirational.  I may need to purchase the print version and reread this one at the beginning of each new year --- loved it.  (5/5 stars)

Books for Living; Will Schwalbe

Random House Audio - 2016

(Jeff Harding -Narrator)

(My Thoughts)  - This is another audio book that was amazing. My first experience with this author was his audio version of, The End of Your Life Book Club, a non fiction offering, which I loved, where Schwalbe and his mother, who was dying of pancreatic cancer, read and discussed  various books during her illness. It was a way to share their love of books and briefly escape from the reality of impending death.  In Books for the Living, the author shares his love of reading and the books that made a difference in his life. He asks the reader, Why is it That We Read? Is it to Pass Time? To Learn Something New? To Escape From Reality? For the author he states, It is a form of entertainment, to become a better person and to help make sense of the world.  He discusses some 27 books (20 of which I've read) and what they meant to him.  Of course since my reading taste seemed to mesh with his, I found myself adding (3) new books to my must read list: The Importance of Living; Lin Yutang (which he mentions over and over again); Bird by Bird; Anne Lamott and A Tale for the Time Being; Ruth Ozeki. A must read for book lovers who understand the magical power of books. (5/5 stars)

Every Living Thing; Cynthia Rylant

Modern Curriculum Press - 1988

(My Thoughts) - This book is targeted at the middle grade student and I know a blogger (?) had recommended it years back so I purchased it.  It is a lovely collection of (12) very short stories in which an animal has made a profound effect on a human being. I can see how this book would be a great teaching tool in the classroom. Quick read for adults but, very thought provoking.  (4/5/5 stars)

(4) new book arrivals came by mail last week.

• The Futures; Ana Pitoniak (Amazon Vine) (Lee Bourdeaux Books)
• Green Pants; Kenneth Kraegel (Candlewick Press)
• Rain; Sam Usher (Templar Publishing)
• Matylda Bright & Tender; Holly McGhee

• The Futures; Ana Pitoniak (ARC - from Amazon Vine) (Lee Bourdeaux Books) (good)
• lll Will; Dan Chaon (eGalley - Ballantine Books) (very good but, a challenge)
• Swing Time; Zadie Smith (the audio is good but, put me to sleep several nights - think I need the print version)

Enjoy Your Weekend!