How machines work, from toasters and trains to hovercrafts and robots

#TheEverydayWorkingsofMachines #NetGalley

Pub date: October 20, 2020

This book will be adored by children who want to understand how things work. Their adults will also learn something along the way.

This illustrated title is organized by many different categories. For example, there are Machines that Turn, Machines and Sound, Trains, At School, Machines for Fun, Machines to Keep You Safe and more. There are also suggestions for further reading at the end of the book.

The authors impart a lot of information in this illustrated text. Children will be intrigued to learn about everything from how the toilet works to what makes a thermometer able to take your temperature to what keeps a plane in the air and so much more.

This book is a great resource for inquiring minds!

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

by Cathon

#PoppyandSamandtheSearchforSleep #NetGalley

This is a most adorable bedtime story for little (and big) ones. The illustrations are so very cute and the amusing story is told in dialogue.

Poppy, a girl, and Sam, a panda, are getting ready for fall. They part ways in order to hibernate but…Poppy just can’t sleep. Readers will delight as they see what happens next. Who do Poppy and Sam visit? What do they learn? What, paradoxically, sends them to dream land?

This is such a cute book. It would make a great addition to bookshelves of insomniacs.

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

by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

#EltonJohn #NetGalley

The Little People, Big Dreams series introduces young children to those from many fields and backgrounds. All take their subject from childhood and go on to show what they did in their adult lives. This time the story of Elton John is shared.

The book is engaging right from the start with its appealing cover and the illustrations continue to be just delightful throughout. Readers learn that Reggie, later known as Elton, found music to be central to his life. He played his first waltz (by ear) as a young child. From there, Elton went on to study classical music and, of course, later made his own music.

This title notes the contrast between Elton’s musical success and his inner sadness. His meeting with Ryan (adults may recall that he had Aids) and Elton’s promise to move forward in his life are acknowledged as is Elton’s husband David. All in all, Elton’s story is well told.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own. I give this one five stars.

From the publisher:

Of these titles, I have read and reviewed The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, The Gown, The Secret Bone and Scone Society, The Printed Letter Bookshop, The Woman Before Wallis, and Before the Crown. I recommend all of these. There are other choices here and, in addition, many book deals today either through Amazon or its competitors because of Prime Day. Let me know if you find something good that is not listed here.

No Ordinary Boy (Book 1, The Legends of King Arthur: Merlin, Magic, and Dragons)

(Book 1, The Legends of King Arthur: Merlin, Magic, and Dragons)

by Tracey Mayhew (retold by)

Marion’s 25 Volume II

by Marion Hill

#Marions25VolumeII #NetGalley

This title includes reviews of 25 books that were selected by the author. Some of the book opinions included are for Farenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury; David Coppperfield by Charles Dickens; The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith’ The Pearl by Steinbeck and many more; twenty-five in all. Mr. Hill gives honest and detailed reviews. This book appears to be an excellent resource for those who are wondering what to read next.

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

I enjoyed the historical fiction titles listed here including That Churchill Woman and Lady Clementine, both of which I reviewed. Many other good choices here as well.

Note: as Amazon Prime has its event, there are more bargains than usual around. You may want to do your own research and share any good finds that you come upon.

Enjoy.

A Novel

by Fredrik Backman

#AnxiousPeople #NetGalley

I know that the novels of Fredrik Backman have been incredibly well received by readers, yet I had never read one of his novels before coming to Anxious People. This book is an excellent read with a unique authorial voice and an understanding of both its characters and the universality of some aspects of the story. There are so many quotes that I will remember from this book.

The novel’s story arc has to do with a robbery, but one that never really happened. It is more about the people who happened to be affected by it, simply because of where they were at a particular moment in time. Readers get to know each of them well. There is humor and tugging at heart strings as readers make their way through the short chapters.

One of my favorite books is Bel Canto which also has as its premise the taking of hostages. This one is quite different but both are memorable and worth the reader’s time.

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

Calm Monsters, Kind Monsters

A Sesame Street ® Guide to Mindfulness

by Karen Latchana Kenney

#CalmMonstersKindMonsters #NetGalley

This book opens by letting young children know that part of growing up is learning to recognize and manage emotions. The offer is extended to learn how to do this with some Sesame Street friends. What a good way to learn!

A mindfulness tip is given for every day situations, for example, falling asleep. The behavior is described then modeled by a Sesame Street character and then the child is invited to try. In the sleep scene, it is suggested that the child say good night to each part of their body working upwards from the toes. In another, milk is spilled and rather than feeling bad, Cookie Monster and children are invited to use positive self-talk. There are a number of additional situations packed into this short title.

This book is appealing and helpful. I recommend it for young children and a trusted adult to share together. It could also be used by early childhood educators.

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

The children holding this title in their hands probably take the computer (and the iPad and…so much tech), completely for granted. But it was not always that way. For what we have today with our Macs and more, we have Steve Jobs to thank.

This entry in the excellent series tells the story of Steve Jobs and how seeing a computer, a huge one, when he was 12 influenced the direction that his life would take. It surely shows that Steve was a person with a dream who could make it come true.

The author mentions that Steve was adopted as a baby. Young folk who were adopted will no doubt find this adds a bit of extra interest to the book.

The author of this series does a great job of introducing children to change makers as she does again here. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.

From the publisher: