Now Out: Everyday Bakes to Showstopper Cakes by Mich Turner

The author of this title is truly a master baker. A biographical note that I saw indicated that she has made cakes for Queen Elizabeth and a number of celebrities.

The book contains recipes for cupcakes including Raising the Baa, Lemon Meringue Cupcakes, Gin and Tonic Cupcakes, Chocolate Chip Cupcakes and more. There are also recipes for loaf cakes, tray-bakes and meringues; included are Raspberry and White Chocolate Meringue Towers, Classic Chocolate Eclairs a Warming Ginger Loaf Cake and a Salted Caramel and Popcorn Layer Cake, among others. The book also include Layer Cakes; Lemon and Elder-flower Layer Cake or Strawberry Shortcake Floral Stacks anyone? Ow about Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting. The Book ends with a number of Celebration Cakes including Hand-decorated Ester Biscuits, Halloween Mini Rolls, a Chocolate Biscuit Wreath cake and many more.

The photographs made me so hungry. They are gorgeous. The book has basic recipes and then ways to enhance them to make a showstopper. Either way, if you like to bake, take a look at this one.

One note: unfortunately for U.S. bakers the oven temps and measurements are British style and will need to be converted.

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

#EverydayBakestoShowstopperCakes #NetGalley

Hungry? The Farm That Feeds Us A year in the life of an organic farm by Nancy Castaldo

Organized by the seasons, starting with spring,  young readers will explore the activities that takes place on a farm over the course of the year.  For example, in the spring, there are  “At the Orchard” and “Harvesting Early Spring Crops” sections, while summer has “Corn Planting and Harvesting.” along with “Heading to the Country Fair.”  Among the fall sections are “Harvesting Pumpkins and Squash” and “Putting the Farm to Sleep” and for winter there are “Winter Maintenance” and “At the Farmer’s Market.”  (Note there are many additional sections as well.)

The book opens with an introduction to the many types of farms that exist, everything from dairy to poultry to sheep and then to orchards and crops. Readers will see and learn about everything from chickens to bees. There are vehicles and tools and so much more.  There is even a recipe for bread.

I truly loved the idyllic illustrations that are found throughout the book.  They made me wish desperately to be on that farm.  I found this book to be delightful and engaging.

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

#TheFarmThatFeedsUs #NetGalley

Pub date: May 19, 2020

Recently published: The Story of Ruth Bader Ginsburg A Biography Book for New Readers by Susan B. Katz

Did you know that Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s first name is actually Joan? Did you know that she was left handed and felt the injustice of being told that she had to become a righty…but she did not. These are just a couple of the interesting things that children will learn in this excellent beginning chapter book on the Supreme Court Justice.
The illustrations, charts and more in this book are vibrant and engaging. They add to the text and help to keep a young reader’s attention and interest.
In addition to telling Ruth’s story, this book includes many extras. There are definitions of words, questions to think about, family trees, quotes from RBG and even a quiz at the end so readers can see what they recall from the text. There is also a helpful bibliography.
If you know a girl (or boy) that wants/needs to know that women can succeed and fight for what they believe in, encourage them to take a look at this book. It belongs in school libraries for elementary school children.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review. Even as an adult, I enjoyed reading this story and learning more about RBG.

Ruth worked hard from the start!

Ruth’s mom believed girls could—and should—study and work hard like boys. This early encouragement from her mother inspired her. Ruth would soon find that studying and working hard could change her entire life.

From the publisher:

ruth bader ginsburg childrens books, feminism, women, books for 8 year old girls, feminist

She continues to make the world a better place for everyone

Thanks to Ruth, a jury in a court is now made up of a group that represents your peers. Ruth argued that women should not be left out of juries, but she also argued that people of color should have jurors who reflect them, too. The goal of these changes was to make juries more fair, so they won’t decide someone is guilty (or innocent) just because of their gender or race.

ruth bader ginsburg childrens books, feminism, women, books for 8 year old girls, feminist

How will it end? It Started with a Secret by Jill Mansell

It Started with a Secret: The feel-good novel of the year, from the bestselling author of MAYBE THIS TIME

The cover on the left is for the American edition of the book.  The cover on the right is for the U.K.  Which do you prefer?

For me, this novel provides a perfect escapist read; it has appealing settings, multiple characters and plot lines, complications, resolutions…and of course, love.

Settings:  The story opens and ends in France at a beautiful chateau that has become a hotel.  Much happens between two visits to that countryside. The rest of the novel takes place in the U.K., partly in Cornwall, a place that comes vividly into being with the water, the cafes, the shops, etc.  Readers also spend time in other locations including Bristol.  (I enjoyed my visit back to the suspension bridge via the book.)

So many characters:  Lainey and Kit:  Good friends who come to work for a family in Cornwall.  They pretend to be a married couple to get the job.  Will they be discovered?  What will happen then?  Who does each belong with?

Sir Richard:  an eighty-year old well-loved actor who is egotistical, eccentric and was a playboy.  What surprising new relationship will come to him?

Majella: the widow of Sir Richard’s son.  She does her scattered best to take care of her children while hoping to move on to a new romance.  FYI:  She has some real clunkers of dates.  Majella’s children are secondary characters and each has his/her own personality.

Seth:  he runs a tourist agency that readers will wish was real.  A ladies man, he has never found “the one.”  Will he by the end of the story?  Also, is there something to know about his parentage?

Wyatt:  He proposed to the lovely Penny who turns him down.  Why?  Will he ultimately be happier?  Will she?

There are many strands to tie together over the course of the novel as readers watch the  characters deal with the secrets in their lives.  Throughout, Ms. Mansell has a light touch and kept me happily turning the pages.

Many years ago when I first ordered a book to be sent to me via the wonders of the internet and international purchasing, I picked a Jill Mansell title.  This author’s ability to combine humor and heart have not diminished over her many publications.

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

While you wait for this one to come out, you can check out the author’s backlist.  These frothy novels are just perfect for our current time.

Pub date:  June 7, 2020

Now out: Vivienne Westwood My First Vivienne Westwood by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

This book is part of the My First series of Little People, Big Dreams books. These are board book editions that should be sturdy enough to stand up to little hands. As always, the illustrations are bright and engaging with special attention paid to Vivienne’s vibrant hair.
Vivienne tells the story of Vivienne Westwood, a little girl who stood up to others and grew up to use fashion as a means of expression. The author observes that today, Vivienne, continues to show us “how to speak up and change the world.”
Let your child know that they can who whomever they want. Read them lots of these books to show them that the world is full of choices.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

#VivienneWestwood #NetGalley

Everyone can learn: Grandmother School by Rina Singh, ills. by Ellen Rooney

This title is a vibrantly illustrated story about a girl, her grandmother and a grandmother school in India. The classroom was created to help grandmothers obtain the education that they were denied when younger.

Readers and listeners will delight in the close relationship between a young girl and her grandmother who both want to learn. Those who pick up this story will feel the joy when grandmother no longer needs to sign with her fingerprint at the bank but can write her name. She is on a learning adventure and fee;s such self-respect..

This title helps all of us appreciate what it means to get an education and to take joy in learning and family. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

#GrandmotherSchool #NetGalley

Pub date:  May 5, 2020

Come to this spot: Cat’s Cafe A Comics Collection by Matt Tarpley

I adore this sweet cartoon collection.  Cat runs such a helpful cafe for his many featured friends, who each also are the subjects of some of their own cartoons. Coffee lovers will enjoy the many coffee themed strips as Cat takes care of his customers.

This book touches on some universal feelings and truths with its warm humor.  I highly recommend it.  I feel so much better for visiting Cat’s care.

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

#CatsCafe #NetGalley

Pub date:  May 26, 2020