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

This storybook is illustrated with photographs of woodland animals including a groundhog, squirrels and more.  Some of the illustrations were photo shopped with clothes for the animals or photos of things like cell phones that are mentioned in the story.  This gave the book a unique look.

The story is about Margot who is due to hibernate for the winter.  She feels different from her fellow groundhogs because she is not eager to go underground; Margot fears that she will miss her friends too much.  So…Margot’s friends come up with ways that they can keep in touch through the long winter.

This story can be read  simply as Margot’s story.  It could also be a discussion opener for kids who may miss people in their lives, for example relatives in other states, and can think about ways to keep in touch.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this read in exchange for an honest revie

The author of this book packs a lot into his 100 words.  Five ancient civilizations are included, the Egyptians, Phoenicians, Minoans, Greeks and Romans  After a brief introduction and a time line, the reader moves right into the words. There are many that I knew and even more that I did not.  Even for terms familiar to me, there was often a new fact that I had not known.  This made the book interesting.  To give a few examples, there was everything from the Nile to Shabtis in the Egyptian section, purple for the Phoenicians, democracy to Hoplites for the Greeks, and Romulus to Insula for the Romans.  The illustrations were artistic and appealing, each done in just a few colors.

At the end of the book there is a map, glossary, index and find out more section.  This book is informative for both the children who are its audience and also for adults.  I love kids’ non-fiction.  There is always something to learn in an appealing way.

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

#TheAncientWorldIn100Words #NetGalley

Classic Sayers and a popular novel in Still Alice.

I have now published 1337 posts on WordPress.  This is more than I imagined when I started to blog.  It has been fun and an adventure to share my love of books and reading with you. Many thanks to everyone; I so appreciate your taking the time to read what I post.

This book can be enjoyed three ways.  It is a search and find title, although I do think that the objects were not easy to locate and may frustrate younger children.  It is also a coloring book and a compendium of interesting facts about zoo animals.  This seems like a good title to take on a trip as it could keep a child occupied for quite a while.

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

#LizBallHappyFoxBooks #NetGalley

From the publisher:

This is a picture book for young children.  It tells of two friends who love being together and enjoy all of the same things.  Each likes the same kind of jam, feeds the carrots that they are supposed to eat to the class rabbit instead, get haircuts at the same time, etc.  To one another they feel like twins and they wonder if people can tell them apart.  The reader may want to pay attention to the fact that they are shown in different colors, as they are of different races.

The charm of this book is that the children have not yet learned prejudice.  It is based upon a real story.  This would be a good book for a nursery/preschool child as it could open up discussion.  The illustrations are bold and lively.

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

Hoda Kotb is well known as a host of the Today show. She is also an adoptive parent. In this book, M. Kotb has collected a variety of inspirational quotes with one for every day of the year. They are uplifting and positive morsels for reflection. In some instances, Ms. Kotb has added her own thoughts or following the quote. This is a nice book for a day when you are looking for a small uplift and perhaps something to think about.

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

Editorial Reviews

This is a nicely illustrated story that is designed to address an issue that children may often feel and to offer some ways to deal with it.  In this book, Sir Tim goes to the park with his best friend, only to feel left out when she plays with another child.  Sir Tim keeps trying to get her attention, hoping that she will admire him.  He continues in his exploits until he finally takes a fall from a tree.  At this point, Sara comes over, acknowledges how Tim feels and offers that she and Tim can play with other children together.

This book will work best if children are encouraged to talk about their feelings and the story.  For example, how did Tim feel?  What did  he do?  Did he have other choices?  Do you think that it was a good idea to climb the tree? Tim did not walk over to his friend; do you think that might have been a good idea?

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

Editorial Reviews

This is a great cookbook for those who want to get a good meal with healthy ingredients on the table quickly.  It is also an excellent resource for beginning cooks; it will help them to feel confident and perhaps ready to branch out to more complicated recipes.

The author’s style is conversational.  The tone of the book is that of having a friend come over and give some cooking advice.  The book starts with information including ingredients and supplies to have at hand.  The recipes that follow include breakfasts,  salads and soups, handhelds, vegetarian, seafood, pork and beef.  Just a few of the recipes include chorizo baked eggs, chipotle black been soup, pesto turkey burgers, tomato and goat cheese tart, thai peanut vegetable bowls, coconut curry mussels, creamy chicken sausage pesto pasta….well, you get the idea.  100 easy to follow recipes in all.

I will make good use of this book.  Will you?

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

#TheEasy30MinuteCookbook #NetGalley

From the publisher:

A Christmas Gathering is this year’s seasonal novella written by Anne Perry. This one features two of my favorite Anne Perry characters, Vespasia and Victor Narraway. Fans of the Thomas Pitt series will know these characters well but the book can also be read as a standalone.

Vespasia is a woman of a certain age and she has the beauty and wisdom that those of her age hope for. Victor has a difficult past history; among other jobs, he was the head of Special Branch which dealt with crimes around terrorism and other issues.

The two are invited to a house party over the lead up to Christmas. As it turns out, Victor has a job to do while there although he does not initially tell Vespasia this. Also at the house are the person assigned to pass a confidential report to Victor and someone who is looking to hurt Victor. Victor, himself, is aware of the similarities between this assignment and one in his past when he failed. This failure has troubled him for twenty or more years.

The case is solved in time for Victor and Vespasia to welcome the holiday. Along the way, there is much wisdom dispensed, some of it centering on the need to forgive oneself one’s human failings. In addition there is much wit in this book as Vespasia spars with at least one of the other women in the house party.

This novella is a quick read and one that will be welcomed by Anne Perry’s many readers. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.