by Jane Austen

Pride and Prejudice is one of my favorite Austen titles. Reading it in this gorgeous edition made for an even more enjoyable experience. This novel can be read, reread and treasured. I always find something new with each reread. In fact, I am just finishing a wonderful class on the novel.

The story itself is well known but perhaps wasted on those kids who are asked to read it in school before they are really ready. The story of the Bennet family and those around them is fresh, funny and, at times, serious. We all have our pride and our prejudices; while reading about those in the novel, we can think, too, about how we may judge others wrongly. Readers can also contemplate the roles of women and the social meaning of marriage at the time. But…along with deeper themes there is wit, plot, romance, a bit of travel and more.

This particular edition is special because of its beauty, beginning with the gorgeous cover. It is a keeper and one that would make a perfect gift for the reader or someone about whom they care.

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

Pub date: March 2, 2021

by Susanna Leonard Hill

Pub Date 05 Jan 2021

This book is so engagingly illustrated! It is written in the form of a letter from a child to a grandmother. It shows the beauty, resilience, depth and breadth of that special relationship. The grandmother in this book is fun to play with, a listener, an encourager and so much more. She is simply a most important part of a child’s life.

This book ideally would be read with a grandmother whether in person or on Zoom. It is very sweet.

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

by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

The books in this series offer great information to young children. This entry is about Charles Darwin. Young readers will learn about his curiosity, questioning and scientific achievements. They will discover some interesting facts; for example that Darwin left medical school because he could not cope with the sight of blood! Children will travel on the voyage of the Beagle. They will learn a bit about evolution as well.

A lot is covered in this title entry in a terrific series. The illustrations will also engage the reader.

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

Pub Date 05 Jan 2021  

Discover the meanings, symbols and rituals of your day of birth

by Claire Saunders

This is a fun, lively book on birthdays for kids. Contents include a chapter on zodiac signs, birthstones, flowers and more, followed by a section for each month that includes activities too, and then, finally, a section of birthday trivia.

Kids and adults will enjoy looking at the information that relates to their date, day and year of birth and will also enjoy looking up the details for people they know. The book includes several types of signs, among them Chinese ones and Celtic ones along with the more familiar Aquarius, etc. There is also information on birthstones and flowers by month. Each section describes personality characteristics for each category.

This book provides an entertaining look at personality traits, traditions and customs that center on when a person was born. The illustrations are very bright, lively and engaging. I highly recommend this one for kids.

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

pub date: 05 Jan 2021

A Lady Compromised

by Darcie Wilde

A Lady Compromised is the fourth title in this enjoyable Regency series of mysteries featuring the ever busy Rosalind. Our protagonist, who helps others of her class, is the daughter of a forger and the sister or a courtesan, so unique. This time Rosalind is helping her friend Louisa to prepare for her upcoming wedding. Friend Helen also needs Rosalinda’s help. Regular readers of the series know that all will not go smoothly and that there will be murder, but that all should ultimately turn out well.

This title combines mystery with Rosalind’s personal life and a male character important to her..if only things could go well. This novel is an enjoyable historical mystery and I recommend it for fans of cozies.

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

by Tessa Arlen

This review is for the unabridged audio of this title.

Poppy Redfern and the Fatal Flyers is the second title in this historical mystery series by Tessa Arlen. I am quite hopeful that there will be a book three and a book four….and so on. It was an engaging listen and an involving story. Readers do not have to have read the first book to enjoy this one although they may want to go back just to spend more time with Poppy.

In this novel, Poppy has been assigned to a group of women flyers during WWII. I had recently read The Paris Secret which also featured this group of brave women. Poppy is helping to make a documentary film about these “atta girls.” However, all is not well as pilots are dying. Why? Who is behind this? Readers can be certain that the intrepid Poppy will find out. She is ably assisted by her American air force pilot boyfriend Griff as she sleuths.

This book looked at an interesting bit of WWII history, had characters that readers will enjoy spending time with and offers up a bit of romance. All in all, a book that I recommend.

A note on the narration: I very much enjoyed listening to this title. The narrator really inhabited Poppy’s voice and those of the other characters. She was able to portray the characters with a variety of accents and did this well.

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

#DreamscapeMedia #NetGalley

by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

Here is another in the wonderful series that tells the stories of those who were once “little people” with “big dreams.” This vibrantly illustrated entry is on Prince. Young readers will find out how Prince got his name and why he changed it, how old he was when he wrote his first song and when he was when he recorded his first album, the ways in which he was unconventional and more. This book celebrates the artist and his music. It is another winner for kids who dream.

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

Pub date: January 5, 2020