#ClavisPublishing #NetGalley

There were many things that I liked about this book:

The illustrations that are bright and vibrant

The diversity in the illustrations with people of different races and also showing a male nurse. Often children think that only females can be nurses.

The descriptions of some of the jobs that a nurse might do and the different patients that they may help.

My one niggle: The nurses are all clearly taking orders from the doctors. Of course this is what happens but, in the real world, I think that nurses use their voice and expertise more. Some of what is described sounds like jobs that a nurse’s aid might do.

Still, I recommend this title overall. It demystifies the nurse’s work and what it is like to be in the hospital. It may inspire some to become nurses in the future.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Fun with 50 States

A Big Activity Book for Kids about the Amazing United States

by Nicole Claesen

#Funwith50States #NetGalley

Readers of my blog know that I am a fan of activity books. I think that it is helpful to offer children activities that use crayons and pencils, not just screens. Activity books can also be great sources of entertainment when kids are spending long hours in cars or other forms of transportation.

This activity book on the fifty states is an excellent one for its age group. There is a section of interesting facts for each state, always followed by an activity. It could be a code to break or a word search puzzle or a spot the difference challenge, or maybe a maze or matching game, to give just some examples. Information is also included on each state’s capital, population, region, when it acquired statehood, state flower and bird and state nickname.

Let a child you know have the chance to learn about the U.S. while being entertained.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

From the publisher:

Turn your road trip into an interactive adventure with 100 activities+ to learn about the states and territories while having fun! Activities include word searches, matching games, mazes, and more!

Become a code-cracker and reveal fascinating facts!	Get creative while learning about state flags!	Put your navigations skills to the test with awesome mazes!

by Rebel Girls

#QuestionsforRebelGirls #NetGalley Pub Date 19 Oct 2021

I have read and reviewed a number of titles in the Rebel Girls series. The books are ones that encourage young women to achieve their goals and to learn about those who have come before them. These women may have struggled but that is part of what makes their achievements so remarkable.

This book is a bit different from the ones that have come before. It encourages girls to ask questions, taking their time to do so. Entries are inspired by real women. For example, the very first entry is inspired by Lady Gaga. It quotes her on kindness and then offers three questions: What is something kind that you have done for another person recently and how did it make you feel? This is followed by what do you do when someone is unkind to you and another asking what you might do if you had the money to do something kind for people you know at school. These are good prompts for either thinking about by one’s self or in group discussion.

Just a few of the many other women who inspired questions include Mae Jemison, Lupito Nyongo, tri-athlete Paula Newvy-Fraser and Temple Grandin By spending time with them, girls are given the opportunity to better understand themselves and those around them.

This title is illustrated with bright colors. Each woman’s illustration is striking.

I very much like this title and applaud its goals. It would make a terrific gift. Adults, too, may want to ponder its questions.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

by Helene Tursten

#AnElderlyLadyMustNotBeCrossed #NetGalley Pub Date 05 Oct 2021

Helen Tursten has been writing for many years but this is the first time that I have read something by her. It will not be the last.

This book is a collection of interlaced short stories. It is a sequel to an earlier “elderly lady” collection that I will look for. I enjoyed that Maud was in her eighties as so many mystery protagonists are much younger. Maybe this is the start of a trend given other titles like The Tuesday Murder Club. That being said, she also recalls her childhood in a story that is included here.

All in all, this is a book that will delight its readers. Take a look.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

The Word is Murder (Horowitz)

In The sentence is Death, second in the series which began with The Word is Murder, the author inserts himself as a character in his fiction. Tony, aka Anthony Horowitz, is Watson to Daniel Hawthorne’s Sherlock. Like Watson, he theorizes but is not as clever as his mentor. In the novel, the conceit is that Mr. Horowitz is writing a series of books about Inspector Hawthorne’s cases.

In this entry, a divorce attorney is murdered. There are numerous suspects including clients involved in an acrimonious divorce. But…the murder may also be related to a past friendship and a tragedy that occurred while caving. Characters stories are developed sufficiently to give the reader a good sense of them. Suffice it to say that several plot lines are followed, there are a number of viable suspects and eventually the case is solved.

As a fan of some of the author’s TV work, I enjoyed the references to Foyle’s War. There is also information about publishing which lends authenticity. I enjoyed this book and will most likely go back to read the first in the series.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this e=galley. All opinions are my own.

Best Buddies

by Lynn Plourde

#BestBuddies #NetGalley

Anyone who can remember what it was like to adore a childhood pet will want to share this title with a child that they know. It is that sweet. And, speaking of sweet, this quote sums up the relationship between this child and his dog:

Like cake and frosting, the best buddies always stuck together.

The story begins when a baby boy is born and comes home from the hospital. From that moment, until the boy starts school, person and pet are inseparable. Having to be away from each other challenges both. What do they do to stay connected?

This is a lovely book. The illustrations are so engaging and adorable. They perfectly show the close relationship between human and animal.

I highly recommend this one.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Five stars

From the publisher:

An Interactive Colors and Counting Book for Toddlers

by Lo Cole

Pub Date 05 Oct 2021

This book uses rhyming text to teach young children colors and numbers. It is a cute and engaging title. Children will enjoy the surprise ending and be reassured that all is well.

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

by Angela Ferraro-Fanning

#LittleHomesteaderAWinterTreasuryofRecipesCraftsandWisdom #NetGalley

The cover of this title invites its readers right in. Inside are activities that involve crafts, cooking and planting. Just a few of the sections in this title include Recipes for Cocoa; Make a Dried Orange Slice Garland, How to Tap a Tree and Winter Birds and Nesting Habits. The illustrations that accompany the text are cheerful and appealing.

Consider sharing this one with a child you know. You will both enjoy it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.