Month: May 2020

This rhyming picture book tells the story of an open adoption.  As is often the case in children’s books, the characters are animal, not human.  Many feel that this provides a distance that is helpful to young children.

In the story, Sammy is going to meet his first family.  He has a good experience while there and knows that there are many who love him.

This book does many things very well.  I like that Sammy’s visit was a good one.  I also think that the author did a good job of letting Sammy know that his parents were there for any questions that he might have.  Further, the author nicely allows for a variety of feelings and notes that feelings can change from day to day.

A few quibbles…I might not have started the story by saying that Sammy was different.  While Sammy is a squirrel in the story and his parents are rabbits, I felt the way this was presented  could leave children feeling that Sammy was loved DESPITE being different.  I don’t think that this is the message that she meant to convey but an edit might have helped.

Also, the author did not in any real way show Sammy’s preparation for this meeting with his first family.  An extra page on his parents letting him know where they were going would have added to the book.

Nonetheless, this book could well become  part of a family’s adoption library.

Many thanks to the publisher, Callisto, for this title in exchange for an honest review.

 

This board book is endearingly illustrated. Through its use of s simple text and pictures, many kinds of families are shown. All are given equal weight. This is a matter of fact, inclusive title for little ones. I recommend it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book should be required reading for young people, perhaps girls in particular, as the need is there to engage the next generation in the political process.  This title includes 44 profiles of women, mostly from the U.S., with a few from around the world.  Some of these women’s views are aligned with mine, while others are not.  Perhaps this is good as the book can be used as a basis for discussion.

Some of the Americans included are Stacey Abrams,  Dianne Feinstein, Kamala Harris, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Elizabeth Warren, Amy Klobuchar, Susan Collins and Betsy DeVos.  Also, for example, internationally, there is an entry on Jacinda Ardern from New Zealand.

For each woman there are sections on topics including years in political office, positions held, a life story, a what’s on her agenda section and more.  Each woman’s entry is presented with a lot of detail.

I like this title and feel that it should be part of school and home libraries.  Readers will know more about those who represent them after spending time with this book.

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

Pub Date 01 Sep 2020

#SheRepresents #NetGalley

This publisher does an excellent job of adapting classics for younger readers. In this instance, the choice is one of the most well known of the Sherlock Holmes canon. Readers will become engaged in the story which is enhanced with cartoon like illustrations. Hopefully, young readers appetite for more stories of Holmes and Watson will follow.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review. Of note is that the adapter explains the meaning of some of the words that may be unfamiliar to the young, modern reader.

Callisto publishing has been issuing many wonderful cookbooks that are filled with recipes that seem very doable. In my opinion nothing could be better for the current moment. Since we are all eating at home more, it is nice to add a bit of variety. This time, the 100 recipes are for foods from Puerto Rico. As can be seen from the cover, the dishes look delicious. Just a few of the things that can be made are Puerto Rican style crab cakes, meat stuffed sweet plantains, tres leches cake (my favorite) and garlic rice with shrimp. Two things that I especially liked in this book are the section for recipes that take 30 minutes or less and the section of recipes that use five ingredients or less.
Many thanks to Callisto and NetGalley for this book in exchange for an honest review.

Pretty much to the light/escapist side today.  Enjoy.

This title is an illustrated chapter book for beginning readers. The cartoon-like illustrations give each of the dogs a personality and will help to keep young readers turning the pages.
There are three short stories here. Each attempts to have a bit of suspense. For example, there is a mystery concerning a ball in the first story. In the second one, a dog has a cone on. Why? Can they take it off? And in the third chapter, there is a visit to the pet groomer.
At the end of the book, there are entries that talk about aspects of each story. For example, the third one describes what a pet groomer does.
It is always good to encourage young readers. They will feel grown up to be reading “chapters.” Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

#BarkParkBarkParkBook1 #NetGalley

This seems like a great time for cookbooks as we are all probably eating at home more. This entry has a fun twist. The author has created recipes around favorite books. Below are some examples:

Snacks, Appetizers and Sides:
Doctor Who: fishfingers and custard; The Matrix: Tastee Wheat;Blade Runner: White Dragon Noodles.
Soups and Stews:
The Hunger Games: Lamb Stew with Plums; Avatar: Seaweed Noodles; Firefly: Wife Soup.
Main Dishes:
The Avengers: Shwarma; Breaking Bad: Los Pollos Hermanos Chicken; Buffy: Double meat Medley.
Cakes and Cupcakes:
Harry Potter: Cauldron Cakes; Divergent: Dauntless Chocolate Cake; The Hobbit: Seed Cakes
Other Desserts: The Chronicles of Narnia: Turkish Delight; Harry Potter: Treacle Tarts; My Little Pony: ChimiCherryChanga.
Of course, the above is a sample as the book includes many more. The recipes are clearly presented and there are beautiful photographs throughout.
A unique cookbook that I enjoyed. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for an honest review.

The right to vote is one of the most important cornerstones of a democracy; right now voting feels so critical to the future of the U.S.  But…children may need to be reminded that this right is not one to take for granted and that it came to be only after many struggles.  In fact, they might be surprised to learn that women were not given the right to vote until 1920, long after the country came into being.  As is obvious, this year is the 100th anniversary of the enfranchisement of women and an ideal time to learn about and reflect on this critical right and responsibility.

In this illustrated chapter book, the story of women’s suffrage is told   The work of three generations of women, men and those of many backgrounds to change opinions and win this campaign, is described with its many ups and downs.  Readers will meet the many important women who fought this fight including Carrie Chapman Catt, Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and others.  They will see this struggle put into context with issues of prejudice that were very much present in the country.

In addition to the main text, there are many pages that describe terms that readers may not be fully familiar with, as for example, how congress works or what the term constituent means.  These will enhance the learning of the book’s audience.

This title should be in school libraries and in the homes of families.  It details such an important movement in America.  Hopefully readers will walk away with a sense of the importance and privilege of casting a ballot.

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

Pub Date 02 Jun 2020  

Note that the Deborah Harkness book is not the first in her series.  I liked and reviewed Persons Unknown by Susie Steiner.  She has a new book coming out soon.