I wish I could do that: Amazing Athletes 40 Inspiring Icons by Jean-Michel Billioud

Covid has changed all of our lives; one of the many things to adjust to has been the absence of live sports. However, there is a long history of amazing athletes and this book can be a reminder until events are once again underway.
Sports figures often inspire. Many times athletes have achieved after adversity and have worked incredibly hard to find their success. This title tells the inspiring stories of 40 of them. Some of these men and women were known to me while others were not. Among those profiled are Spyridon Louis, of whom I had no knowledge; Charlotte Cooper, a Wimbledon winning tennis player, whom I also did not know; Jim Thorpe, one I already knew; and many others including Jesse Owens; Mark Spitz; Nadia Comenici; and Steve Redgrave to name just a few.
Young readers will, hopefully, be inspired by what they learn as they leaf through this illustrated title. Each entry is divided into easily read sections. The achievements of the athletes are something to applaud.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

Pub date:  June 2, 2020

#40InspiringIconsAmazingAthletes #NetGalley

Flowers can heal: The Heirloom Garden A Novel by Viola Shipman

Viola Shipman (the pseudonym for a male author) has successfully been writing fiction that appeals to women.  I think that this is his sixth book.  The author chose his nom de plume to honor his grandmother.

I think that this author has found a winning formula.  The novels are appealing and full of humanity.  This new book is about two women, each of whom has faced trauma and grief.  The older protagonist, appropriately named Iris as you will understand when reading the book, lost both her husband and her daughter.  The thing that keeps her going is her garden, though it is a very private one.  The second protagonist is Abby whose husband suffers PTSD, leading this family to be under strain as well.  How these characters come together forms the basis for this novel.

This book is one that fans of this author will welcome I am sure.  New readers may want to give it a read as well.

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

NOTE THAT THIS BOOK IS CURRENTLY AN E BOOK BARGAIN AT $2.99.

#TheHeirloomGarden #NetGalley

For children in armchairs: Atlas of Adventures: Travel Edition by Lucy Letherland

Calling young adventurers!  Choose where you want to go…it could be Europe; North or Central and/or South America; Asia and the Pacific East; Africa; Australia and Oceania or Antarctica.  The whole world is there for you.

Each colorful spread is filled with illustrations and facts.  Readers can also look for the two adventure guides in each new location.  Visit the London Eye, the Louvre or the Moscow Metro in Europe.  In North America spend time in Alaska, New York’s Central Park or take a Steamboat ride.  And so it goes, with each region having so many things to explore.

This is such a colorful and appealing title.  It provides a fun introduction to the many wonders of our world for the young armchair traveler.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.  This book is a keeper!

 

Pub Date

#AtlasofAdventuresTravelEdition #NetGalley

Woof, a very cute book: Dogs & Puppies Drawing & Activity Book Learn to draw 17 different dog breeds by Walter Foster Jr. Creative Team

I found this to be an adorable book.  Even if you don’t want to draw, just looking through this title will make you smile.  Some of the many dogs included are the Old English Sheepdog, the English Springer Spaniel (my dog growing up!), the Golden Retriever Puppy. The Pembroke Welsh Cori and the Dalmatian.  Each breed gets a fun fact on their page. There are also activities like the Dinner Time Maze, and the Pup Pool activity, among others.  And, of course, there are instructions on everything from the tools and materials needed to the how to steps.  The book even includes tracing paper and sketch pages.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.  This would be a nice book to bet for a young art loving dog admiring child that you know.

#DogsPuppiesDrawingActivityBook #NetGalley

Now out: Karate Kids by Holly Sterling

This book has such sweet and fun illustrations. The text tells the story of a young girl going to her karate class. Many aspects of karate are clearly explained in the text by the author, a karate champion herself.
This book provides an excellent introduction to what a student can expect if they start lessons. There are rules and discipline along with co-operation, fun and learning.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

#KarateKids #NetGalley