Make your best guess: Butt or Face? (Kari Lavelle)

This book is very clever. It will interest kids and entice them. The photos are detailed and whether they represent a face or a behind will often be hard to know, leaving plenty of room for guesses. What I like about this title is that there is more to it than guessing. Kids will learn more about each featured photo in the detailed text. There is a lot of scientific information here.

Adults who want to intrigue an elementary school aged child with some science learning this summer, get this one. It is surprising, fun and educational.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Kids for this title. All opinions are my own.

Note that over 100 NetGalley reviewers so far have given this title a five star review.

Pub date: 11 July 2023

Now out: Someone Else’s Bucket List

T Matthews

SomeoneElsesBucketList #NetGalley

Readers who like stories that require a nearby box of tissues will want to take a look at this novel. It has sadness but also going out of one’s comfort zone in order to meet a challenge.

Protagonist Jodie’s sister has tragically died way too young. The family is grieving which would be more than enough but, in addition, they are being crushed by medical bills.

Bree left behind a bucket list. Jodie is told that someone will pay off the debt if she completes all of the tasks on Bree’s list. She agrees to try and readers will surely root for her as she moves through them. They may especially be interested to see if she falls in love. Readers will also, perhaps, come away with some new experience ideas of their own to complete.

This was a good read. Recommended to fan’s of women’s fiction and those who like stories in which heroines try hard to succeed and learn.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

Four stars ****

From the Publisher

FICTION, CONTEMPORARY WOMEN
FICTION, CONTEMPORARY WOMEN
FICTION, CONTEMPORARY WOMEN

Editorial Reviews

Review

Advance Praise for SOMEONE ELSE’S BUCKET LIST by Amy T. Matthews

“Fans of Josie Silver and Cecelia Ahern will be taken by this story of joy after grief.”—Publishers Weekly

They sure did! we waited for you (Cindy Chupak)

The cover of this book is indicative of the absolutely lovely and appealing art work that is found inside. Five stars for such sweet illustrations for this story of families and love.

That said, the fanciful text may be confusing to some of the story’s intended audience (looking for a baby via balloon, for example). Also, the parents’ grief may be a bit of a burden to a child.

All that said, what comes across clearly is how deeply the adults wanted to be parents and what a wanted baby came into their lives. And, of course, all children want to know that they were wanted.

If this is a story about adoption or infertility, at least in part, I think that some more direct conversation after reading this title would be a good idea. Also, there is nothing at all related to birth and maybe that would have been welcome as well.

I wish that I did not have these quibbles. I very much like the concept and the illustrations are wonderful.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Kids for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 11 July 2023

Take a sniff: Genius Noses (Lena Anlauf)

#GeniusNoses #NetGalley

What qualifies a nose for genius status? Enterprising kids may just want to find out.

In these pages, readers will discover loads about animals and noses from all over the world and from different environments. There are sections of Flying Creatures, Ground Dwellers, those who spend time in trees and Water Creatures. There many facts on each spread. In addition, this books is engagingly illustrated throughout.

Kirkus has given this title a well-deserved starred review. Get it for a curious child whom you know. It is just chockablock with information and can be read in any order.

Many thanks to NetGalley and NorthSouth Books Inc. for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 19 September 2023