Month: March 2020

Recently published: Mindful Thoughts for Mothers A journey of loving-awareness by Riga Forbes

Of all people, parents may benefit from practicing mindfulness (if only they can make the time). There are so many stresses and challenges that come with being a mom that stepping back for a moment can be incredibly helpful. This book aims to help with that. Some of the topics covered include love, the first few months, mothering together, tantrums, impermanence, the daily grind, challenges and acceptance, gratitude, , teenagers and the journey onwards, among others. This book offers gentle advice to mothers. Maybe this title will help you or a mom that you know.

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

From the publisher:

The First Few Months

The First Few Months

Nothing can really prepare us for becoming a mother to a newborn baby, except perhaps living with or supporting someone else who is doing just that. Even then, we wouldn’t experientially know what it is to be recovering from childbirth, experiencing hormonal changes and possibly learning to breastfeed while adjusting to this new parental role. It is full-on and most new parents’ lives are quite literally turned upside down by it. Night merges into day and day into night. The jumbling effect of sleep deprivation can make us feel spaced-out and utterly exhausted and can compound the already heightened emotions of our hormonal interior.

Now out: Letters from Tove by Tove Jansson

Tove wrote letters, lots of letters. They were to family, friends, readers and more. Of these the editors include 160 written between 1932 and 1988. Each section of the book begins with an introduction that helps to place the letters in context. For example, in letters to family, it is noted that Tove left Helsinki to study in Stockholm and also spent time in Paris and Italy. The book includes photographs of Tove and those to whom she wrote. There are also drawings, as for instance, a map of a Paris neighborhood, an outfit that Tove wore or some of her art.

This book will be welcomed by fans of the Moomin series who would like to know the author better. It will also appeal to anyone who enjoys the insights to be found in the letters that people write.

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

Do you want to book at this hotel? Death at High Tide An Island Sisters Mystery by Hannah Dennison

Hannah Dennison has written several mystery series; this title is the first in a new one about the “Island Sisters.” The islands of the title are the Scilly Isles. They make a great setting for a novel that bears some resemblance to Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None as the characters are together on an island and can only go back to the mainland when/if the tides allow.

The Island Sisters are Evie and Margot. Evie, who married the much older Robert, has recently been widowed. Margot flies in from LA to support her but…does she have her own issues? (No spoiler, as I am sure that you know the answer.) The two go to Tregarrick Rock where possibly Evie has a claim to the local hotel, a place where all the suites are named for mystery writers, but is her claim valid? What about those on the island from the unhappily married couple, to the hotel employee with a prison record, the artist and the double named Lily who collects gossip, delivered island babies and seems to know everything?

There are several murders, a small police force, lots of walks in the mizzle (a cross between mist and drizzle) and more before all is revealed, as they say in mysteries. Along the way, the pages easily turn.

This is a story that requires a good deal of suspension of disbelief. There are many coincidences, interconnections and unlikely events. That said, it was a quick, fun read. I look forward to spending more time with Evie and Margot in the future.

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

#DeathatHighTide #NetGalley

Pub date is August 18, 2020

Recently published: The Little Gardener Helping Children Connect with the Natural World by Julie Cerny

Children spend a lot of time indoors. They are in school, they have after school activities and of course, when at home, they may enjoy indoor activities, spending time in front of screens. This book will help to get children outdoors, a place that they need to be and enjoy with an activity that does not involve competitive sports.

With the help of this book, children will conceive a garden and work on bringing it to fruition. They will imagine what they want to see, build it and make things grow. What could be better!

The author of this book cares about the outdoors, children and the growth that takes place in gardens. Her investment is clear in this book. She encourages adults and children to imagine a space and see it come to life over time. She knows that time spent in a garden is time well spent.

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

“This informative and helpful primer will help grown-up gardeners inculcate a lifelong love of the natural world in young minds.”

—Publishers Weekly

 

From the publisher:

a woman and three children garden and discuss pepper plants

Now out: A Kid’s Guide to Cats How to Train, Care for, and Play and Communicate with Your Amazing Pet! by Arden Moore

This book is an excellent and fun look at what it is like to enjoy and care for a cat. The facts are helpful and extensive. There is lots of advice, many suggestions and ideas for things to make for a pet including toys and places to hide. Children learn how to approach a new pet, what to feed them, how to clean their litter, what kinds of play they enjoy, what to watch out for when they seem ill and more. There are quizzes and sections on whether to have an indoor or outdoor cat, fancy and less fancy breeds and whether to serve dry or wet food. Children will learn to better understand and read their cat’s moods and behavior. Written by both the human author and her cat who makes comments as well, this book is highly recommended for young cat owners or those who are deciding if they would like to have a cat or kitten in their life.

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

Get to know the artist and the person: The Story of Frida Kahlo A Biography Book for New Readers by Susan B. Katz

This is the second biography for young readers by this author that I have read.  It is a chapter book with appealing illustrations.

The book begins with some information about Mexico and the political unrest that existed when Frida was young.  Ms. Katz then goes on to engagingly tell Frida’s life story.

The author presents an honest biography, noting the many challenges that Frida faced over her lifetime.  Some of these challenges were health related while others had to do with her relationship with Diego Rivera, another artist.  The author notes the roles of Frida’s love of animals, Casa Azul, imagination and art as coping mechanisms that served her well.

The book includes sections called “Jump in the Think Tank.”  These contain topics to think about and extend the reading experience.  There are also some myths vs facts, timelines, quotations and more.  The book concludes with a quiz that will help young readers to see if they have retained what they learned.

I highly recommend this title.  It deserves a place in school and home libraries.  The text and gorgeous illustrations complement one another beautifully.

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

#TheStoryofFridaKahlo #NetGalley

From the publisher:

frida kahlo childrens book, frida, frida kahlo biography, frida kahlo and her animalitos

Frida used art to express herself from a young age

When Frida was 18 years old, she was seriously hurt and almost died in a bad bus accident. The accident put her in bed for months. She started drawing colorful butterflies on her cast. Later, her parents gave her a special easel and put a mirror over her head. She started painting self-portraits (paintings of herself).

frida kahlo childrens book, frida, frida kahlo biography, frida kahlo and her animalitosfrida kahlo childrens book, frida, frida kahlo biography, frida kahlo and her animalitos

Frida always stayed true to herself and her art

In 1938, Frida’s art was part of an exhibit in New York City. It was one of the first times any Mexican artist—male or female—had been offered an exhibit outside of Mexico! She did not change her views, her art, or her traditional Mexican clothes to fit in with New Yorkers. Half of Frida’s paintings sold at the New York show!

She earned her place as one of the most important painters in history

Frida’s example has helped women focus on their own careers and talents. Her personality and desire to tell her story through art has inspired many other women (and men) to do the same in their own ways.

 

 

Some e book bargains for March 18, 2020

A Killing in the HillsThe Death of an Irish PoliticianCan You Forgive Her? by [Trollope, Anthony]

Earlier today I quickly blogged a couple of series starters that are e-book bargains; I am now adding to those with books by Julia Keller and Bartholomew Gill.  I’ve reviewed several of Ms. Keller’s novels (see archive).  They are not light hearted but they are excellent.

Bartholomew Gill wrote a number of novels in a series about Peter McGarr and the Dublin Murder Squad.  This is the first.  I read the series many years ago and enjoyed it and am thinking of  doing some rereading.

If you want something to sink into that could keep you going for months, Can You Forgive Her is the start of the Palliser novels.  I read these in the past and remember starting them when I was home sick.  I got involved and enjoyed them.  The books are VERY long.

Hope all of you find some good reads to keep you going.