Category: Uncategorized

Few developmental milestones preoccupy parents as much as potty training.  Especially for first time parents, it may feel as if their child will never master this skill, even as other little ones in their circle do.  (They will!)

Here to help are the authors of this empowering title.  It address this normal phase in a toddler’s life. The story is for children and parents to share. The book then ends with some guidance for adults.

In the story JoJo does not like wet diapers but is not ready to stop wearing them. Kai likes to sit on the potty but is not quite ready to use it without his diaper on.  Jack tries without luck and Ava has an accident in her underwear.  All are responded to warmly by the adults around them who encourage their efforts.  Parents can just read the story or they might engage with their toddler to see which child they feel like.

The multi-cultural illustrations are charmingly reminiscent of those of Helen Oxenbury.  They greatly add to the book’s appeal.

The note to parents and caregivers is very helpful.  It includes a section on the factors that lead to a child being ready for toilet training.   There are also suggestions for ways to help a child through this developmental phase.

This title is part of a series called Terrific Toddlers.  Each addresses an every day issue that parents/caregivers and children face.

Many thanks to the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review of this book which will be published in November 2020.

 

How do you start your day?  Do you wake up ready to pop out of bed and get going?  Do you wake up a bit grumpy or more slowly?  Do you delight in the early morning hours or just want to put the covers back over your head while you know you can’t?

Whoever you are and however you are in the a.m., you might like this collection of 365 morning reflections.  The book’s layout is appealing with pages that are pastel colored and there are some lovely photos as well.   Some of the thoughts and sentiments expressed may sound familiar, even as they will give you something to contemplate while you get ready to begin the day.

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

pub date:  September 8, 2020

#SunriseGratitude #NetGalley

Mystery, literary fiction, James Baldwin…are any of these for you?

This is the tenth edition of this sampler. It includes long excerpts from cozy style mysteries that will be coming out soon. The authors included are Ashley Weaver, Jane Cleland, Ellen Hart, Carolyn Haines, Donna Andrews, Cate Conte, Ellie Alexander, Diane Kelly, Elizabeth Penny, Vivien Chen and Susan Cox. See the covers of these authors’ new titles, read the summary about the novel and then immerse yourself in the beginning of the book to see if it appeals to you. There are several chapters of each, surely enough to whet your appetite. Then, learn more about the authors, see their photos and find a full list of their books and see what they looks like. All in all, a very good resource if cozies are your cup of tea.

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

#CozyCaseFiles10 #NetGalley

This title will be adored by kids who are interested in pirates, their ships and their doings.  It includes lot of facts and many highly detailed illustrations and photos.  Children will learn about everything from the Jolly Roger to the parts of the ship to pirate’s plunder and more in this informative book.

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

#InsideOutPirateShip #NetGalley

pub date:  September 15, 2020

This is a sweet story of role reversal, told from the child’s point of view. It is about how to get a parent to sleep at night. The book follows what the child and their mom do all day long, from getting up, to chores, to play, to that bedtime story. The illustrations are playful, as when the child helps to clean the toilet bowl with overflowing suds.. Little ones will enjoy this title and it can make for a nice bedtime story.

This title is published by a Christian press. There is some brief mention of God and the book ends with a bedtime prayer for mom and child.

pub date:  September 1, 2020

 

Debbie Macomber is a prolific writer of women’s fiction. This, her latest title, is dedicated to her very close friend, a woman who died of cancer. Indeed, one of the two sisters in this title has had a bout with cancer as well. As a result, Harper wants to live her life to the fullest. She is a risk taker. Older sister and caretaker Willa worries about her and so does the reader of the novel, wondering if she will stay healthy.
As Harper’s story unfolds, so does Willa’s. She owns a coffee bar and bakery that I would love to visit. Into the store walks Sean, a former baseball player and now a photographer with a passion for good causes. The title of the book comes from the location of their first date. Will his relationship with Willa make it?
I know that Ms. Macomber is a knitter and one place Sean travels to is Bolivia where he wants to document the impact of climate issues on those who graze animals for wool. I assume that the issue is a real one because of the author’s interests. It adds an interesting travel story to the novel.
I enjoyed this book and its characters as they explored, faced challenges and cared about each other. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

#AWalkAlongtheBeach #NetGalley

Editorial Reviews

Some mystery, some women’s fiction and a title by Sarah Perry.  Enjoy.

Helen Macdonald is the author of H is for Hawk. I loved that title about which I said at the time:
I read this book a year or so ago but have been thinking about it again for two reasons; first, in England, they are making a television series with the author as she trains her second hawk and the other reason is that I have been thinking about how we mourn and acknowledge deaths of those we love. This book has so much in it; there is biography, the training of the hawk and a great deal about T H White who had a very difficult time with his own hawk. T H White wrote one of my all time favorite books, The Once and Future King, so I was fascinated to learn more about him. Sadly, he had a rather tragic life. This book is highly recommended for nature lovers, lovers of T H White and those looking for a meaningful memoir.

So, I was extremely excited to learn that a new book by this author was being published. Ms. Maconald’s new title is a collection of essays. Each entry is short and the book can be read in any order that a reader would like.

Helen Macdonald is an exquisite observer of the natural world who describes her subject as love for the wonders of the non-humans around us. This book of essays is definitely one that I will dip into many times. I recommend that you do the same.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.