Author: joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews

This is a new entry in a series that I highly recommend.  Each title provides beginning chapter book readers with a readable and detailed story of a person’s life, in this case Barack Obama.  There are illustrations, timelines, questions to think about, a quiz and more to extend and enhance the reader’s experience.

Readers watch as Barack begins his life in Hawaii and goes on to live in many places including Indonesia, gets an education, finds love and makes his way in law and political life.  They learn about his white mom and his Kenyan dad and watch as he becomes the country’s first Black president. All of  this is done in a book that engages the reader.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.  I recommend all of the books in this series; they will help children to understand history and to dream of all they can do in the world.

The month is off to a good start.  Yes, I love Mary Oliver and Dream Work is here.  Invitation to Sociology led to my taking many Sociology classes in college.  Plus mystery and more here.  Enjoy!

Publishers Weekly is the international news platform of book publishing and bookselling. Founded in 1872 and published continuously since then, the weekly
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I reviewed Vesper Flights.

This is a book for the very youngest among us. It is a board book with felt to feel as an integral part of the printed book. The illustrations are charming including a hedgehog, a lion, a giraffe and more. I think that this book will most definitely appeal to babies and toddlers.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

This book has the most delightful illustrations! Pearl and her mom are so lovingly portrayed by the illustrator as they dance and do other activities together. I would purchase this book for the visuals alone.
The story is sweet as well though. Pearl enjoys being at her mom’s ballet school. Her mother offers her the opportunity to go to preschool but Pearl isn’t sure. The beauty of the story is that the mother does not force her child and so Pearl makes her own decision.
This is a lovely book for introducing children to the activities of preschool. It also shows a caring parent/child relationship.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

From the publisher:

The kitten-centric illustrations of Muffin’s home are so adorable and engaging!  Cat lovers of all ages will have fun looking at them.

The book itself is a simple one and is for young children with its cutely repetitive story line.  Muffin is looking for Bunny  Will Bunny be found?  Have fun while you find out.

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

Pub date:  August 25, 2020

Many years ago someone gave me a copy of this author’s novel, The Men and the Girls. I truly enjoyed it.  From that beginning I have gone on to read many of Ms. Trollope’s books.

In this novel, the titular parents, Monica and Gus, left their family in England to move to Spain many years ago.  They established a winery and a life there.  Gus was the dominant partner but Monica also loved things about Spain, especially watching the day begin while she sipped her tea.  This couple’s life changes dramatically when Gus has a stroke.

Gus and Monica have three adult children, Sebastian, Katie and Jake.  Each has their own partner, children and issues.  As though the lives of the three were not already complex, now they have to figure out how their love and sense of responsibility for their parents will change their lives.  There are many choices to be made as the characters evolve.

I enjoyed this book and became absorbed in the lives of the characters.  Although not a main character, one of Katie’s children self harms.  There is some helpful information about this condition in the novel.  Marta and other characters reflect the reality that life is generally filled with some better and some more challenging times.

For readers who are fans of high quality women’s fiction, this title is highly recommended.  Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

#MumDad #NetGalley

This book will be welcomed by those who are interested in deepening their spiritual life.  It is clearly a Christian title.  For each day, there is a biblical passage, a short personal reflection and several prompts with space to fill in one’s thoughts.  Those who regularly read publications from Our Daily Bread should enjoy this title and find it to be helpful.

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

Pub date:  October 6, 2020

#GodHearsHer40DayDevotionalJournal #NetGalley