Author: joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews

Little People, Big Dreams, a wonderful series, has another excellent title here. As always, the illustrations and text pair perfectly and, in this instance, capture Bowie’s unique style and talents. The takeaway for children centers on the importance of being one’s own self and doing things in one’s own way. Ambition is also touched on as young readers learn about Bowie’s desire to be a star. I always look forward to new entries in this series and am never disappointed.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto for this e galley in exchange for an honest review.

#DavidBowie #NetGalley

At school, he loved music and dance classes. He had a real talent for singing and his dance moves were from another planet.

How funny that the author of this wonderful book is named Cook but she is, and cook she does in this lavishly illustrated volume.

Food and eating are important components of all cultures and both offer a way to easily learn about heritages other than one’s own. In this cookbook, there are recipes from many countries; to name just a few, there are things to prepare from Canada, South Africa,Egypt, Nepal, France and Israel. The recipes cover categories including Breakfast, Drinks & Snacks, Lunch, Dinner and Dessert. Each recipe is graded by difficulty. There are also sections on kitchen rules, tools, baking terms and more.

Each recipe begins with a section on what is needed to prepare the recipe, followed by a section on “what you do.” All recipes are fully illustrated with photographs for each step There are additional sections on the young cooks pictured to let the reader learn more about heritages, favorite dishes to cook, etc. Then there are sections filled with other interesting global facts.

Young cooks will learn a lot from this book as will their families. Kids will improve their kitchen skills, eat some wonderful food and develop a deeper appreciation for our wonderfully diverse world.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this mouthwatering volume. All opinions are my own.

S is for Silence by Sue Grafton is a later entry in this well known alphabet series that began with A is for Alibi. Sadly, the author died just short of reaching the letter Z. The Kinsey Milhone books feature a private detective and a recurring cast of characters. They are worth reading.

This is a perfect book for your little farmer. The illustrations are bright and lively while the text is in small sections that are fact filled. Some of the topics included in these colorful two page spreads are The Food on Your Plate, Growing Crops, Farm Animals and Tractors and Machines. The amount of information packed into this book is impressive. And then…for more fun, there is a farm set that you and your child can build together.

This is an entertaining book that teaches a lot. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this e galley in exchange for an honest review.

#BusyBuildersFarm #NetGalley

This is a wonderful entry in a wonderful series. With its lovely and appealing illustrations, along with a simple (yet profound) story line, this book gives young readers a chance to learn more about a most impressive man. Even as an adult, I learned things about Gandhi that I had not known while reading this book. Gandhi was a man who stood up (and sat down) for his beliefs in equality and self-government, always invoking peaceful protest. He is a man to be admired.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for another entry in a most favorite series. All opinions are my own.

I have been reading the Peter Diamond series ever since The Last Detective, was published. The protagonist, Peter Diamond, is irascible and capable. The setting of the series is Bath, England; as this is a city that I love, the setting adds to the joys of the novels for me.

Killing with Confetti is the latest in this long running series. In this one, the son of a high ranking police officer is set to marry the daughter of a former prisoner and crime king. Diamond is enlisted to ensure the security of all, especially the former prisoner, over the course of the wedding in the Abbey and the reception at the Roman Baths. Can this be done? What will happen? Where is the twist? Read this entertaining and, at times, funny book to find out.

I enjoyed spending time with Diamond and his team yet again and think that you will too!

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

#KillingWithConfetti #NetGalley

This guide provided me with both nostalgic returns to places that I have visited and excitement about so many art venues that I have yet to see. I think that it is a great resource for travelers both real and armchair.

The author starts with a brief history of art in Paris. She begins with Charlemagne and moves on through the centuries. This provides a good orientation for the reader.

The book is then helpfully organized by categories. These include Museums, Foundations & Institutions; Galleries; Photography; Architecture and so on. There are additional chapters on topics including How to Attend an Art Auction, Arty cafes, restaurants and hotels and Arty Day Trips. Throughout there are many photographs and tips. There is truly something to be found for every art lover here.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-galley. I plan to buy the print book before my next trip!

Have you ever stopped to consider the role of cats in art? They can be subject and/or inspiration; public art or private art sent in letters; pets of loving owners and more.

This book has chosen cats as its focus, something that I have not seen in any of my art history classes. Sketches, art work and photos of artists with their cats come to this book from the Archives of American Art. The book is divided into sections including Strike A Pose, Cats in the Studio and Cats and the Creative Process. You will see artists some of whom I knew and others whom I did not, including Louise Nevelson, Robert Indiana and Romare Bearden.

This book is work a look if cats and art are among your passions.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this look at cats in the art world.

When I was a child, watching The Wizard of Oz was a yearly family tradition. Armed with snacks, thanks to my father, we settled in to watch, be scared by those flying monkeys, see the world go from black and white to technicolor and hear Somewhere Over the Rainbow. But wait! Did L. Frank Baum write that song? No spoiler, he did not. So…how was this movie made? Who were the actors behind it and who were Mr. and Mrs. (Maud) Baum? You can find answers while reading this delightful historical novel.

There is familiarity as favorite characters are met on the set of the movie. Maud worked hard to have a presence there and to be true to the author’s intentions for the work. She also gets to know Judy Garland and comes to understand her history, emotions and pressures.

Behind and around this, the novel tells the story of Maud and Frank. I learned so much! For example, Maud’s mother was a committed suffragette and Aunt Susan (B. Anthony) was well known to the family. I also read about Maud’s experience as one of the early female students at Cornell. Meeting Frank, getting married, Franks’ biography, struggling…all of this is present in this book.

Finding Dorothy is an excellent historical novel. Follow the road to it!

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

#FindingDorothy #NetGalley

In this book, young children will spend time with Eddie and Leah as they search for the things that don’t belong in each scene.  There are five two page spreads including Flying High, On the Waves, In a Spin and On the Farm.  The illustrations in each are bright, lively and engaging.  At the back of the book are answers and some fun facts.  A cute book to entertain your little one.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance read in exchange for my honest review.

#WhatsWrongOnTheMove #NetGalley