Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too!

Doctor Mouse does things his own way in this funny and sweet story.

Doctor Mouse is smaller than all his patients. He puts his doctor’s coat on backwards. Doctor Mouse wants all six of the chairs in his waiting room to be occupied before he begins to see patients. He eats a lot of cheese. Clearly he does things his own way!

In come the patients including a chicken, a rabbit, a bear, a fox and more. These patients charmingly help one another while the doctor observes. All leave the office happy.

That’s it, a simple story about cooperation and caring for others with adorable illustrations.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for-this title in exchange for an honest review.

In my opinion, this is an absolutely wonderful book.  It will surely be loved by art aficionados and by those who are fascinated by reading letters that were once written on intimate terms.  The book is organized into subjects; a few examples include Family & Friends, Artist to Artist, Gifts & Greetings, Patrons & Supporters, Love (a favorite of mine), Professional Matters, Travel and Signing Off.

Readers can dip in and out of this book wherever their interests or fingers take them.  I enjoyed reading letters between Georgia O’Keefe and Alfred Stieglitz and those between Auguste Rodin and Camille Claudel for example. In many instances, photographs of the letters are included.  There is also biographical and other information that places the letters in context.

I loved this book which I received from NetGalley in return for an honest review.  I may buy the hard copy just for the joy of it.

This book is filled with very silly jokes that kids and adults can share.  Some examples:

What was the bunny’s favorite music?  Hip-hop.

What do you call a tired pea?  Sleep-pea.

I saw a kidnapping today.  I decided not to wake him up.

What do you call James Bond in the bath?  Bubble O Seven.

If this kind of humor appeals to you, you will love this book that is illustrated with cartoons throughout.

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

poisonedpenbooks.files.wordpress.com/2019/10/bn-nov19.pdf

https://nyti.ms/2WpW7H

So last night I did NOT have a good night’s sleep. I don’t know if this book will make me sleep better tonight but I can say that it is very cute. This is a book for all ages. There are sheep everywhere to be counted and all kinds of puzzles including mazes, word searches, spot the difference, find the two that are alike and more. Throughout the book is delightfully illustrated with cartoon sheep like the ones that you see on the cover..

In addition to the puzzles, there are many quotes about sleep. There are also hints that are tried and true, such as shutting off screens, drinking warm milk, etc.

This book will not necessarily solve your sleep problems, but you might enjoy looking through it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an hon

Sarah Blake recently wrote The Guest Book, a title that I previously reviewed.  I recommend both that novel and this one, Sara Blake’s first book.  I enjoyed it at the time that it came out.

From Publishers Weekly

This excellent biography of Rosa Parks is geared toward 8 to 12 year olds. The tone of the book is factual and respectful of children’s ability to understand and think about difficult issues like segregation. So Other People Would Be Also Free acknowledges the country’s history of slavery and discrimination and opens the topic up for discussion via Rose’s story.

Readers learn about Rosa’s early life and family. They read about what she saw as those who were African American were treated differently from those who were white. Her activism is detailed and included early associations with the NAACP. She cared about issues long before she sat on that bus.

Rosa’s marriage to Parks and his work for the Scottsboro Boys also is recognized as are Rosa’s schooling and jobs. Of course there is much focus on the boycott. The book ends with a chapter on Rosa Parks’s life and legacy.

There are photos in the book that reflect Rosa’s time period and also some quotes from Rosa. There are also sections called “Think About It” to help encourage discussion and critical reading. For example one Talk About It states:

“The Reconstruction era mst have been an extraordinary time for newly freed Black Americans. What might have been some of their most pressing issues?”

This book could easily be part of a social studies unit at school. Whether in class or at home, it deserves a wide readership.

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

From the publisher:

A Story from Rosa’s Childhood: Separate and Unequal Schools

Rosa grew up in a loving home with a family that valued education. Since her mother was a teacher, she would teach Rosa at home when the school was closed or when Rosa was sick, which was often. But when Rosa did go to class, she noticed right away that there were two very different schools: the one available for black children, and the one for white children.

The black children went to a one-room schoolhouse where there was one teacher for about 60 students. The lone teacher taught grades one through six. The black community built and maintained the school.

The white children went to a new brick school that was paid for by taxpayers. Black people and white people both paid taxes equally, yet the money wasn’t distributed equally. The white school had separate classrooms for each grade and was open nine months out of the year. Rosa walked to the school for black children, which was farther away. White children rode in a school bus.

Children often want pets; they dream about them, beg their parents for them and then sometimes don’t know what to do with the pet that they now have.  In Unicorn Training, the story is about Tilly and her Unicorn.  It could as easily, but less whimsically, be about a child and their dog.  With simple text and delightful illustrations, readers/listeners will watch as Tilly tries to train her pet and also watch as her pet (not surprisingly) charms the family.

The book concludes with discussion questions and activities.  It is geared toward pre-schoolers.

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

The author of this cookbook has a compelling story about how she came to veganism.  She shares that she grew up in Florida in a home where meals generally came out of packets of some sort.  She had little in the way of fresh ingredients come her way.  Now, a mom of two, Moreno has embraced seasonal, plant based food, the subject of this beautifully photographed cookbook.

The book is organized by season with the author enjoying the colors and flavors of locally produced ingredients.  Fall recipes include Crispy Pumpkin Spiced Chickpeas, Butternut Squash and Apple Soup, and a Sweet Miso Tahini Macro Bowl…and then, let’s not forget the Pumpkin Stuffed Mac and Cheese.  There are similarly appealing recipes for the other three seasons.

The directions are clear and precise.  This book will especially be welcomed by vegans but everyone can find something healthy and appealing to eat within these pages.

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

#TheColorfulFamilyTable #NetGalley