Mary Anning

by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

Pub Date 09 Mar 2021

This entry in the Little People, Big Dreams series tells the story of a little girl who made a BIG discovery. Readers learn that Mary was the tenth of the children in her family. From an early age, she went for walks with her father. On these walks, she looked for shells but one day, Mary found something more. It was a fossil that turned out to be an Icthyosaurus skeleton! From that point, her enthusiasm for paleontology was the focus in her life.

Children will learn a good deal about how Mary educated herself and waited a long time for recognition. She did become the Mother of Paleontology and had an Ichthyosaurus named for her.

The illustrations in this title are delightful. They are a lovely accompaniment to the text.

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

I’d like to belong: The Jane Austen Society A Novel by Natalie Jenner

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsMay 23, 2020

My earlier review

I was very excited to receive an e galley of this title; I knew that I wanted to read this book from the moment that I learned of its existence.

I have been reading a number of Jane Austen related works lately including Emma and The Other Bennett Sister. Furthermore, this book looked like it would appeal to those who enjoyed The Chilbury Ladies Choir, Dear Mrs. Bird and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, all of which I read and enjoyed. So…did the book live up to my hopes?
Yes, it did!
This novel tells the stories of a number of characters who were impacted by WWI and are living in the 1930s when the story begins. The characters either live in Chawton or spend time there. As savvy readers know, Jane Austen lived in this village.
Each of the main characters has a compelling back story and all have struggled in some way. Characters include a farmer, an actress, a very smart domestic worker, the owner of a home with ties to the Austens, a doctor, a lawyer, a teacher and more. Each is beautifully portrayed and is multi-dimensional.
The characters are brought together through their love of Austen. One of the pleasures of this book was the observations on Austen’s works and the influence and impact of her novels on the protagonists. Another delight in the book is the way in which the village comes to life.
This book is not filled with the kinds of actions that one finds in thrillers. Rather, it is a novel that takes its time. Readers will find that they are amply rewarded for staying with this gently paced novel. I recommend it highly.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review. Note that this is Ms. Jenner’s first novel; I sincerely hope that it will not be her last!

#TheJaneAustenSociety #NetGalley

Thoughts and wisdom: How to Fly (In Ten Thousand Easy Lessons)

by joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviewsSeptember 13, 2020

My earlier review

Poetry

by Barbara Kingsolver

Pub Date 22 Sep 2020

#HowtoFlyInTenThousandEasyLessons #NetGalley

I have read and enjoyed novels by Barbara Kingsolver and so was both excited and intrigued to see that she was publishing a book of poems. I read about this volume in an interview with the author that said her poetry was personal and could not have been put out into the world earlier in her life.

The poems themselves cover many topics. The first section, aptly in view of the title of this collection, is all about how to…how to Have a Child, Cure Sweet Potatoes, Survive This and more. There are a number of other sections as well.

The poems can, of course, be read in any order. I loved many of them. There is a life wisdom that Ms. Kingsolver has acquired and shares; take part in it. Read this title.

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

Let’s Tell a Story: Space Adventure

by Lily Murray

Pub date: March 2, 2021

This is a book that encourages children to use their imaginations as they make up their own stories. Each vibrantly colored two page spread has choices. For example, who do you want to be? Some of the many options include a robot, a genius, an artist or a scientist. Next, children can choose a wardrobe for their character and decide where they want to go. It could be to the man on the moon, Jupiter or more. And so it goes from there with a chance to choose what to bring on the journey which could include things or people. There are a number of other entries as well culminating in choosing an ending for the tale.

I find this book to be very appealing. Sit down with this and a child you know. See if they like being in charge of their story and telling it. I bet that they will.

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

The Children’s Blizzard

A Novel

by Melanie Benjamin

Melanie Benjamin has written a number of works of historical fiction. One of my favorites was The Aviator’s Wife which told the moving story of Anne Morrow Lindbergh. I recommend that one highly. I also recommend The Children’s Blizzard.

The novel is based on a harrowing situation that occurred on The Great Plains in the late 1800s. As can be guessed from the title, a huge blizzard took place on a day that had been warm and gave no indication of what was to follow. Decisions had to be made by the teachers about how to best help their students. Should their pupils be sent home or should they remain hunkered down in the school? Each choice had potential and real repercussions.

The novel tells the story of two young sisters who made differing decisions for their classes. How did these choices impact them, their students and their community? What other stories arose from the incident and what other characters were affected? Read this engrossing novel to find out.

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

The Brave Koala Who Survived a Bushfire

by Vita Murrow

Pub Date 02 Mar 2021

This story for children is based on what really occurred during the fires in Australia. Adorable, human like Fluffles is a happy young koala until…a bushfire! How does Fluffles survive? Who helps? Children will be relieved to find out that Fluffles is okay and reunited with her fellow Koalas.

The illustrations in this story are very appealing. Children will love seeing Fluffles throughout the text.

This book also raised the issue of protecting the koalas habitat. The author refers readers to the website http://www.savethekoala.com.

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

Over 90 fun and fabulous festivals from around the world!

by Claire Grace

This title is bright, colorful and packed with celebrations. It is organized by seasons. To give a few examples, spring occasions include St. Patrick’s Day, Hanami, Easter and Earth Day among others, while summer has entries on International Children’s Day, Barunga and Palio di Siena, for example. Autumn holidays include Diwali, Thanksgiving and The Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival among others and a few of the winter times include Bodhi Day, Chinese New Year and The Festival of the Dancing Masks.

Young readers can find out more about holidays they know while also broadening their knowledge of world culture and holidays. All in all, this is a very nice and inclusive title and a good one for home or school libraries.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.This title is bright, colorful and packed with celebrations. It is organized by seasons. To give a few examples, spring occasions include St. Patrick’s Day, Hanami, Easter and Earth Day among others, while summer has entries on International Children’s Day, Barunga and Palio di Siena, for example. Autumn holidays include Diwali, Thanksgiving and The Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival among others and a few of the winter times include Bodhi Day, Chinese New Year and The Festival of the Dancing Masks.

Young readers can find out more about holidays they know while also broadening their knowledge of world culture and holidays. All in all, this is a very nice and inclusive title and a good one for home or school libraries.

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

by Susan Hughes

pub date: March 15, 2020

This lavishly illustrated title will be enjoyed by adults as well as children. It tells the story of a house that was designed by the famous architect, Gaudi. His unique artistic vision is explored through the story of Carmen, a child who at first did not want to move to her parents’ new home. What changed her mind? Enjoy this story as you find out!

Note: The book ends with an author’s note that lets readers know more about Gaudi.

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