Month: November 2019

This book is a fantastic resource for both home and school libraries. It is geared toward elementary school children but, as an adult, I also found it to be highly informative and interesting. As would be expected 50 trailblazers are featured in the book. Some of them were well known to me, as for example, Joe Biden or Rosa Parks while many others were new to me. Just a couple of the new names to me included Margaret Murie and the All American Red Heads. Some of the people featured are quite contemporary, as for example, Colin Kapernick. Each person has a two page spread that is dense with information. There are sections on what the trailblazer did, where they were from, how their work continues and more. There are also quotes. I enjoyed this one from Rebecca Lobo:

and my daughter walked in the room and looked at the TV and said to Steve, ‘Are those boys playing?’ And I said, ‘Yes.” And my daughter said, “I didn’t know boys played basketball.”

I give this book a full five stars. It will inspire and inform the children in your life. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

This title is the latest  in a series of brief biographies of well known individuals.  Each is meant to teach and inspire young children.  This entry about Martin Luther King is no exception.  In this title with muted, multi racial illustrations, Martin’s story is told from childhood.  At that time, he experienced discrimination.  Young readers learn how this impacted him as he moved to change things through peaceful protest.  Because this book is for young children, there is no mention of his assassination but rather focuses on his “I have a dream” speech.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for an honest review.

Lots of mystery and/or suspense for well regarded writers.  Also, the most recent title by Kristin Hannah.

This book is exactly as advertised. It is a compilation of easy to prepare, appealing small bites. There are recipes in categories including light snacks, dips & spreads, finger foods, savory plates, fancy bites and something sweet. A few of the recipes include crispy garlic butter smashed potatoes, salmon fritters, cheese stuffed chicken meatballs marinara, bacon wrapped asparagus, chunky guacamole and marinated feta with rosemary and orange. The instructions are clear and easy to follow. All in all, a great resource for those who are entertaining this holiday season!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this moutwatering title in exchange for an honest review.

Adults spend much of their time either at work or thinking about work.  No matter what the job or profession, people have feelings about their work, its setting, their co-workers, etc.  In this title, the author encourages readers to think openly about what happens for them at work and how they feel about it.  The author frames this exploration through mindfulness.  Readers are encouraged to take a non-judgmental approach and to listen to the voices inside.  They do this through a series of suggested activities and meditations.  I found it interesting that the author encouraged looking back to how attitudes were formed, for example, having readers think about their first educational experiences, how they were prepared and what it was like.

This book could be helpful to many.  If a reader is contemplating change, this title will help to explore it.  If a reader comes to feel that they can make their current work well for them this is encouraged as well.  In each instance, the author guides readers to do what they feel is best for them.

Many thanks for the publisher and NetGalley for this title in exchange for an honest opinion.

#MindfulnessAtWork #NetGalley

From the Publisher

This looks like a good collection and is quite a bargain at just $1.99.

This title is part of a series of board books for young children.  Each vividly illustrated title explores a place by providing fun facts.  There are also hidden objects to find.  In this entry of Puerto Rico children to explore this U.S. territory.  They see festivals, foods, bio luminescence on Vieques and more.

The books in this series can widen a young child’s world.  Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

#GoTinyTravelers #NetGalley

This book is part of the Tiny Travelers series. In this entry, young armchair travelers will visit Mexico. The book consists of a series of two page spreads each one featuring a place or tradition. For each spot, there are facts and a hidden object to find. Readers will visit places including Mexico City, Guadalajara, a Day of the Dead celebration and will learn about food and culture. Helpfully many of the Spanish words are given phonetic spellings as well so as to help non-Spanish speakers pronounce the words. Readers will enjoy the vivid and colorful illustrations as they go through the book. This is a good entry in a good series.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed my trip!

This picture book beautifully normalizes the reasons why children (and adults) may cry.  It passes no judgment and does not belittle.  Rather, some of the many reasons for tears are described; these include anger, sadness and happiness among others. Crying is seen as a normal response to being human.  At the end of the book, there is additional information, some of it scientific, about tears.  The book is sensitively illustrated with gorgeous pictures that enhance the text. This would be a great title to share with a child you know.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this read in exchange for an honest review.

This series is from Sweden and is published in translation for American readers.  Very popular in its native country, there is a Swedish tv seriesas well.

This is the third novel.  There are six published in the U.S. and more will be coming.  The novels are atmospheric and have a strong sense of place. There are characters who are engaging and readers returning to the series will be interested in what has transpired for them since they were last met.

In Guiltless, a lot is going on although the story unfolds at a leisurely pace.  Protagonist Nora is making decisions about her marriage while her closest and platonic friend Thomas is looking again at his failed relationship.  A twenty year old girl has disappeared.  What happened to her and why form the heart of the narrative.

The story is told in two timelines.  One is current while the earlier one takes place in the 1920s.  They intersect over the course of the novel.  I found the parts set in the past to be incredibly painful to read, even to the point of wanting to skim them.  They are critical to the story but I wish that there had been fewer of these chapters.

A subtext of the book is what makes a good parent and what happens when parenting goes disastrously wrong.  These  wrongs can and do lead to long impacting generational issues.

I liked spending time with the series main characters and will certainly read further novels in the series.   However SPOILER ALERT:

The father in the historical sections was abused and is an abuser.  This is what I found quite painful to read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.