Cloud Cuckoo Land is a gorgeous book. I think that I may prefer it to this author’s earlier All the Light We Cannot See.

Half-Sick of Shadows is a story about Arthur, Guinevere and others told from the point of view of Elaine, the Lady of Shallot. One of my favorite books is The Once and Future King so I am really looking forward to this one.

Yours Cheerfully is a follow-up to Dear Mrs. Bird which I recommended highly when I reviewed it.

Pride, Prejudice and Other Flavors is a Jane Austen retelling.

The Heron’s Cry is the second entry in Ann Cleeves’s new series that features Matthew Venn.

What are you reading now or looking forward to? Share your recommendations, please. Thanks

by Compiled by Barbour Staff

#DailyWisdomforWomen2022DevotionalCollection #NetGalley

Pub Date 01 Oct 2021

This book is geared toward Christian readers who can seek inspiration each day of 2022 with this title. Each entry include a quote from the Bible, followed by a short reading that invites contemplation. There is then a short prayer.

For example, the entry for January 4th begins with a quote from Genesis about Noah, the flood and waiting for the waters to recede. The next short section is about what is like to anticipate something much wanted like a Christmas gift or the birth of a baby. Wisdom is then offered about the wonderful things that happen in their right times. There is then a very short prayer.

Those who like to begin or end their day with a period of calm reflection may well enjoy this title.

PLEASE NOTE: THE COVER OF THIS BOOK LISTS THE YEAR AS 2020 BUT THIS TITLE IS FOR 2022.

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

My First Greta Thunberg

by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

#GretaThunberg #NetGalley

Pub Date 24 Aug 2021

This title is for children who are still a bit too young for the Little People, Big Dreams series. This entry in the My First series tells the story of Greta Thunberg in simple sentences along with accompanying llustrations.

Young listeners learn that Greta cares very deeply for the world. They see how she moved from doing small things to becoming a global phenomenon. Children will discover that by working together with others, big things can be accomplished. They will also learn that kids can help to change the world and get adults to listen to them. What good things to know!

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

by Adam Ciccio

#ClavisPublishing #NetGalley

Pub Date 07 Sep 2021

Young Andy worries… a lot! That he is bothered by this is clear. The author of this picture book shows him looking for help from some non-human friends. For example, a dog says to bark. (Is this helpful for a human child?) Finally, Andy makes it home and looks to his mother for what he needs. In a didactic way, she explains that anxiety is just a feeling. So, Andy takes this in and begins to feel much better (this feels kind of simplistic to me although the message of trying to work with one’s feelings is true.) By the end of the book, Anxious Andy is Andy.

I almost never give a low rating to a book but this one did not appeal to me as either a reader or a mental health professional. I disliked the use of labels like anxious or shy. I also found the quick turnaround that Andy undergoes quite unbelievable. Kids usually progress, regress, go in spurts but rarely are so quickly cured.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. I regret that I cannot recommend it more highly.

by Alan Cross, Emme Cross, Nicole Mortillaro

by Alan Cross, Emme Cross, Nicole Mortillaro

#ScienceofSongThe #NetGalley

pub date: 07 September

This accessible title for kids is a fine survey on many aspects of music’s production from its beginnings over 40,000 years ago to today. Ways in which music has evolved includes everything from the materials used to make instruments, to how we listen. For example, in the past, one had to be physically present to hear music. This evolved over time to radio, records and life now where any musical piece can be located through one’s computer or other device like an ipad. This evolution is the subject of much of this short title.

Understand more about why you like certain music. Find out the name and story of the “Man” who “changed music forever.” There are short playslists included as well as a timeline and glossary.

This book provides an intriguing, easy way for children to understand more about music’s evolution over time.

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

by Sanae Ishida

#SumoCounting #NetGalley

Pub Date 07 Sep 2021

The little Sumo wrestlers in this cute picture book are very (!) busy. Get to know them and something about Japanese words and culture as you and a child count to ten, fifty and one hundred. There is an illustrated vocabulary section at the end of the book. This will help adults to explain the pictures to children.

Sumo Counting is an appealing book. Toddlers should enjoy it.

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

Getting to Know the World’s Most Misunderstood Bird

by Rosemary Mosco

#APocketGuidetoPigeonWatching #NetGalley.

Pub Date 28 Sep 2021

Over the past year I have spent time at my local botanical garden. While there, I have observed robins, bluejays, woodpeckers, red-tailed hawks and more. On my walks of city streets, I have seen many pigeons but never really thought of them as being as interesting as the botanical garden birds that I viewed When I saw this title, therefore, I was intrigued. Was there more to the homely pigeon than I knew? You can be sure that there is!

Ms. Mosco’s enthusiasm for the pigeon comes across so clearly in this entertaining look at the species. She shares history, facts about behavior, appreciation for the physical appearance and colors of the species and so much more. With lively illustrations, many boxes of extra facts and love for the subject, Ms. Mosco captivates readers. Did you know that there is a pigeons in movies data base or that Tesla was in love with the pigeon that came to his hotel window? These are just two of the anecdotes that are found in the early pages of the book.

Engaged readers, watch out! The author may just make a pigeon watcher out of you by the time that you finish the book.

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

A Place Like Home

Short Stories

by Rosamunde Pilcher

#APlaceLikeHome #NetGalley

Readers, have you read this author’s most beloved book, The Shell Seekers? If not, I recommend it for its’ characters, settings and stories. It tells the story of an artist’s daughter both in the present and during WWII. I confess to having read this book more than once. I also liked Winter Solstice and September. September has some characters from The Shell Seekers in it.

As a reader of Pilcher’s novels, I was delighted to receive an ARC of this collection of short stories. There are fifteen stories in all and they are introduced by another favorite author of mine, Lucinda Riley. A few of the stories included are Anniversary; Jonathan; A Touch of Magic, and of, course, A Place Like Home.

Rosamunde Pilcher (sadly, no longer alive) was an author who knew what kinds of stories her readers wanted and she delivered them. These are quiet, good reads just perfect for when a reader has a bit of time and is looking for a “nice” read. I recommend the collection.

Those who already are familiar with RP will be glad to have this gift of stories. New readers may be encouraged to read her longer novels.

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