The Weird Sisters: A Robin, a Ribbon, and a Lawn Mower

by Mark David Smith; Kari Rust

#TheWeirdSistersARobinaRibbonandaLawnMower #NetGalley

Kids who are starting to read chapter books and who have a sense of humor will, I think, enjoy this book. At times, it reminded me of Amelia Bedelia as a character would take a word literally and another would explain it. For example, one of the sisters hears the word pump in terms of riding on a swing but thinks of it as used for fixing a flat tire. Kids may well enjoy this verbal play.

The three sisters, admittedly odd, are Hildegurp, Yuckmina and Glubbifer. Just based on this, young readers will know if the book is one that they want to read. These three want to solve mysteries but will they ever find one?

They do indeed find mysteries. One involves the tire swing and another, a missing robin. Fun abounds and, as the publisher, notes that are even hints of Shakespeare here.

The chapters are short and the illustrations are quirky. This is a unique title for those who are learning to read for pleasure.

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

Pub Date 18 Apr 2023

Beware: The Raven Thief by Gigi Pandian

Fans of Under Lock and Skeleton Key, rejoice! Today is the release date for the author’s new book featuring that special staircase company and a terrific protagonist. It is easy to recommend this title to those who will enjoy its whimsy.

Why (and how) did Corbin literally crash a seance party? Will Gigi and her grandfather be able to figure out what transpired? What will happen in this locked room style mystery? There are many suspects, twists and a few hidden places.

This is a most enjoyable novel. It received a well deserved starred review from Publishers Weekly. It is such a fun read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

Place your order: The Little Book Cafe Amy’s Story by Georgia Hill

#TheLittleBookCafé #NetGalley

This title is number three in a trilogy about an appealing book cafe. I just wish that it was a real place. Amy is the owner of the cafe. As the novel opens it is fall and Amy is planning a number of events. At the same time, the story will be about her personal life. As this is a romance, readers can feel hopeful for her.

This is a short, sweet story. Readers of light romances may well enjoy this one.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Impulse for this title. All opinions are my own.

This title was published in 2018.

How cool it is when: Literacy Moves Outdoors

Learning Approaches for Any Environment

by Valerie Bang-Jensen

#LiteracyMovesOutdoors #NetGalley

Children’s literacy is something about which I am passionate. I firmly believe that all kids should be able to read and enjoy books, menus, street signs…all the things that can be read. It is essential to do everything possible to make this happen if a child is to have a bright future.

This book’s author clearly knows this and also offers many projects for many places in which to use words and hands on, exploratory learning. With chapters titled Story Walks, Word Gardens, Literacy Trails, and Make it Happen (among others), there is much from which to choose.

This title celebrates learning and reinforcing literacy skills while engaging with the world outside. What a simple but brilliant idea. It could involve something as simple as an outdoor story time or a hunt for something. It could be enrichment in the woods, a garden or a school’s playground. Children (and their teachers) will benefit from being outdoors and will even concentrate better once they are back inside.

This is a book to help teachers plan what to do with their students using this model. As the author points out it can be good to try just one thing. There is no shortage of ideas here to get teachers started.

This book is a good resource for open minded educators. I hope that schools will consider its ideas.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Heinemann Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 25 April 2023

She is indeed: The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer

I have read and reread Jane Austen’s novels with great enjoyment. I have never gone on to read Regency romances, however, until now. I knew that Georgette Heyer was the doyenne of the genre so I wanted to give one of her books a try. I was not disappointed.

Simply put, this is a fun, relaxing, enjoyable, escapist read. Sophy is funny, exuberant, daring and a bit unconventional. She is a delightful heroine. One thing that is clear is that she touches and changes the lives of many with whom she comes in contact.

The story begins with Sophie’s father wanting to put his daughter in the care of his sister. This sister has a wayward husband, perhaps too many children and an eldest son who has become the head of the family. He is somewhat humorless and engaged to a very conventional young woman as the novel opens. Cecilia is another of the children. She is set to marry a rather unappealing gentleman who has come down ill. Will this give her the chance to marry the poet with whom she has fallen in love? These are only two of the plot strands in this fairly long book.

When Sophie arrives, along with a horse, a monkey and more, the household is put in in a bit of an uproar. From this beginning, readers spend time with Sophy and those around her. They will smile at Sophy’s way of doing things, her adventures and her time on the marriage market. They will also watch how life works out for those whose lives she touches.

This book is highly recommended for when an escape is needed. I see why the author is so popular. One caution though-the author’s views in some instances are, of course, not modern given when the book was written. If it were written today, it might well be different.

Also note that if this book is one that you want to read, others by the author are also being reissued.

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

Pub date: 23 May 2023