Dad of Divas' Reviews: November 2019

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Book Review - The World's Best Dad Jokes for Kids

The World's Best Dad Jokes



About the Book

"When a clown farts . . . does it smell funny?" Illustrations bring the wackiness to a whole new level in this book of jokes so silly only a dad would tell them. Every joke is illustrated!

This illustrated book by the New York Times–bestselling creators of the Happiness Is . . . project will leave your family in stitches. The World’s Best Dad Jokes for Kids is filled with hundreds of corny, brilliant, and silly jokes that dads love to tell—each paired with a small drawing that’s a sweet comic gem in itself. It’s the perfect book for road trips, rainy days, or those special moments when kids and parents can laugh together.


My Take on the Book
If you love dad jokes, this is the book for you. Some of the jokes are definitely groners, but they are also funny too. The book is full of so many fun images that go to with the jokes as well. The images make the book even better as they did help to make the joke easier to understand for younger readers!
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Book Review - Building the Best: 8 Proven Leadership Principles to Elevate Others to Success

Building the Best: 8 Proven Leadership Principles to Elevate Others to Success



About the Book

Build a world-class team culture with proven principles from renowned “Follow My Lead” podcaster and business leader John Eades

Organizational culture has undergone a seismic shift in the 21st century―and with it, the requirements of leadership. In Building the Best, LearnLoft CEO John Eades takes you on a journey of transformation that will equip you with the tools you need to become the kind of cutting-edge leader today’s workplace so urgently needs.

“Leadership is about empowering, inspiring, and serving in order to elevate others over an extended period of time. You are the perfect person to live this out every day.” Eades’s powerful words form the backbone of this groundbreaking guide to cultivating leadership at its highest level.

Beginning with the benefits of great leadership―and the drawbacks of bad leadership―Eades offers real-life examples of leaders who elevate others, and how their practices have paid huge dividends. At its core is a carefully balanced blend of “love and discipline”―a guiding principle that helps create high levels of performance by leaning on standards while at the same time caring about the long-term success and well-being of each team member.

Through these proven practices, you’ll learn to:
• Identify your current leadership style
• Rely on the “purpose trifecta” to guide your team
• Be a leader who properly leverages the “Acts of Accountability” model
• Create a “Maximizing Mantra” to produce energy and results
• Develop the skills of others by understanding the “4 Stages of Role Development”

Leadership is a journey, not a destination. Building the Best offers a powerful blueprint for embarking on that journey―the first step in taking your team or organization toward true greatness.



My Take on the Book
This is a book that really makes you think about the leader that you want to be. The book focuses on serving others and lifting up the people on your team to help them achieve more. This is the type of book that I wish that I would have read when I first became a manager as it really does help you better understand the importance of connecting with and helping your team to be greater, to help your team and your business to succeed. The book explores seven principles that will really allow you to start making changes right away that will start to show you specific things that you can do to flip your organizational culture into one that will lead to better results overall. Not only do you learn principles, but you also learn about the five leadership styles which include: Manage; Rule; Please, Support and Elevate. This is a great book with practical examples of leadership. The book is a great resource for any manager to put into practice and become the leader you were meant to be.

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Book Review - Make Trouble: Standing Up, Speaking Out, and Finding the Courage to Lead

Make Trouble: Standing Up, Speaking Out, and Finding the Courage to Lead



About the Book
From former Planned Parenthood president and activist Cecile Richards comes the young readers edition of her New York Times bestselling memoir, which Hillary Rodham Clinton called an “inspiration for aspiring leaders everywhere.”

To make change, you have to make trouble.

Cecile Richards has been fighting for what she believes in ever since she was taken to the principal’s office in seventh grade for wearing an armband in protest of the Vietnam War. She had an extraordinary childhood in ultra-conservative Texas, where her father, a civil rights attorney, and her mother, an avid activist and the first female governor of Texas, taught their kids to be troublemakers.

From the time Richards was a girl, she had a front row seat to observe the rise of women in American politics. And by sharing her story with young readers, she shines a light on the people and lessons that have gotten her though good times and bad, and encourages her audience to take risks, make mistakes, and make trouble along the way.


My Take on the Book
This is a remarkable book that allows younger readers to learn about Cecile Richards and how she was taught to challenge the world and to make trouble in her own way. I love the message, as I too am trying to teach my daughters the same. The message in this book is something that all kids need to hear as they need to think about the world around them and to challenge some aspects as well, while still fitting into the confines that society has for them. This is a great book about a woman that has made a mark on the world, and as a father of daughters, this also is a great story for them to see a woman of this stature in action!


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Book Review - Greta's Story: The Schoolgirl Who Went on Strike to Save the Planet

Greta's Story: The Schoolgirl Who Went on Strike to Save the Planet



About the Book
The inspiring true story of a Greta Thunberg, a young eco-activist whose persistence sparked a global movement.

You are never too young to make a difference.

Ever since she learned about climate change, Greta Thunberg couldn’t understand why politicians weren’t treating it as an emergency. In August 2018, temperatures in Sweden reached record highs, fires raged across the country, and fifteen-year-old Greta decided to stop waiting for political leaders to take action. Instead of going to school on Friday, she made a sign and went on strike in front of Stockholm’s parliament building.

Greta’s solo protest grew into the global Fridays for Future—or School Strike 4 Climate—movement, which millions have now joined. She has spoken at COP24 (the UN summit on climate change) and has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. This timely, unofficial biography is her story, but also that of many others around the world willing to fight against the indifference of the powerful for a better future.


My Take on the Book
This was a great book that really introduces you to an amazing young woman that is trying to change the world in her own way. I loved sharing this book with my own girls as it was an inspirational read that let them know that they too can change the world, even as a younger person, and that change does not have to come from only adults. The book is a powerful story and one that all should read. I, for one, want to see Greta continue to champion this cause as our world needs to make changes to fix the damage that has already been done!



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Book Review - Cinderella Rex

Cinderella Rex



About the Book
Cinderella Rex loves to dance, but will she get to attend the royal ball? From Epic! Originals, Once Before Time is a playful board book series of fairy tales re-imagined from a time long ago . . . with dinosaurs!

In this prehistoric retelling of the classic fairy tale, Cinderella Rex wants to go to the ball, but her stompmother and stompsisters make her clean up after them instead. With some help from her Fairy Triceratops, Cinderella Rex figures out how to dance her way to living happily ever after!



My Take on the Book
For any young reader, this book is a fun one that re-introduces your kids to the story of Cinderella in a whole new way. This is a fun book, that has great characters and a great story as well. The images are colorful and fun and as a board book you can really share this book with your young child and get a smile on their face from beginning to end!

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Book Review - Charlie Brown: All Tied Up

Charlie Brown: All Tied Up



About the Book
While Charlie Brown is all tied up, the rest of the gang doesn't hold back on having fun. Pig-Pen unexpectedly charms Peppermint Patty at the Valentine's dance, Marcie and Snoopy run a commercial airline, and Lucy tries her hardest to win Schroeder's affection. Whether you're safe on the ground or tangled up in a tree like Charlie Brown, you won't want to miss the fun in this latest Peanuts for kids adventure.



My Take on the Book
For any fan of The Peanuts, this is a great collection on comic strips that bring our some classic comics that you will truly love. As someone that grew up with these comics, I found that I loved sharing the book with my own daughters to allow them to experience and appreciate the genius that was Charles Schultz. This is truly a classic book that all Peanuts fans will love!

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Book Review - Straw

Straw



About the Book
Meet Straw!

He's always rushed straight to the finish. But when his speedy streak gets the best of him, it takes a friend to show Straw how to drink in the amazing world around him.

A companion to Spoon and Chopsticks, this delightful story celebrates the joys of taking it slow.



My Take on the Book
This was a super cute book that really introduces you to a fun character that will allow you to see how you need to slow down and savor the world around you. I felt a lot for this straw as I know that sometimes I run through life rushing and this book really looks at how one character has to learn this lesson the hard way! This is a wonderful book with a wonderful message!


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Book Review - Draw Like an Artist: 100 Realistic Animals

Draw Like an Artist: 100 Realistic Animals



About the Book

Featuring 600+ sketches depicting a vast array of beautiful animal forms, detailed faces, and more, Draw Like an Artist: 100 Realistic Animals is a must-have visual reference book for student artists, scientific illustrators, urban sketchers, and anyone seeking to improve their realistic drawing skills.

This contemporary, step-by-step guidebook demonstrates fundamental art concepts like proportion, anatomy, and spatial relationships as you learn to draw a full range of creatures, all shown from a variety of perspectives. Each set of illustrations takes you from beginning sketch lines to a finished drawing.

Author Melissa Washburn is a skilled illustrator whose clear and elegant drawing style will make this a go-to sourcebook for years to come.

Draw Like an Artist: 100 Realistic Animals is the third book in the Draw Like an Artist series following Faces and Figures and Flowers and Plants.


My Take on the Book
This is a great book for anyone looking to work on their artistic ability. This is full of a ton of images of many different types of animals. As someone that is not the best artist, this was a lot of fun and the book really walks you through step-by-step on how you can also create these fun images. The book is a great workbook for anyone. I love this book for anyone that is looking to enhance their own artistic abilities!

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Saturday, November 16, 2019

Book Review - Limelight

Limelight



About the Book

From thirteen-year-old award-winning slam poet Solli Raphael comes Limelight, an extraordinary book that showcases that age is no barrier to creating poetry that inspires social change and positive action.

Limelight is a unique collection of slam poetry paired with inspirational writing techniques. With over 30 original poems in different forms, Raphael's work tackles current social concerns for his generation, such as sustainability and social equality, all while amplifying his uplifting message of hope. Solli’s book also contains 5 chapters on how to write and read poetry, how to manage stage fright and writer’s block, and encouraging tips on how we can all make tomorrow better than today.

As a voice of his generation, and at a time when youth movements worldwide hold much importance, Raphael is taking on the world...one word at a time.

The future needs you and me
to create equality
across all levels
of humanity
-Solli



My Take on the Book
This is an amazing book of poetry that turns poetry on its head. The book inspires and through every word you can tell that he is working to change the world in his own way. The author shares words that are meant to encourage change with every word that is on the page. What is most impressive is that the author is only 13. The words that you will read in this book do not seem to be the words of a 13 year old, but someone that has seen experienced more. This is definitely a book that will make you think hard about the world around you!! Read this and get inspired!



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Book Review - The Little Grey Girl

The Little Grey Girl



About the Book

In the second book of the Wild Magic trilogy, courageous young Mup and her family are trying to heal and restore the kingdom when they uncover an ancient and powerful anger.

The old queen and her raggedy witches have fled Witches Borough, and Mup’s family has moved into the cold, newly empty castle. But the queen’s legacy lingers in the fear and mistrust of her former subjects and in the memories that live in the castle’s very walls. While Mup’s mam tries to restore balance to a formerly oppressed world, Mup herself tries to settle into her strange new home with her dad, Tipper, and Crow. When an enchanted snow blankets the castle, Mup’s family is cut off from the rest of the kingdom, and the painful memories of the old queen’s victims begin to take form, thanks to a ghost whose power may be too much for even Mup and Mam to handle. Celine Kiernan weaves a timely and essential truth into the second book of her trilogy: that dismantling oppression means honoring the pains of the past, and perhaps the most potent magic of all is encouraging joy and hope wherever possible.


My Take on the Book
This was such a great second book in the series. The book explores and tackles head on some real world issues even though it is in a fantasy setting. The book really brings out some powerful topics of friendship but also oppression, hope, bravery and more. From the moment I started reading this I did not want to stop until the end. You get great characters, an amazing plot and an environment that, even though it is fantasy, you can see through the veil of fantasy to the reality that is being exposed. This was a wonderful book that you will not want to miss.

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Book Review - The Very Very Far North

The Very Very Far North



About the Book


An inquisitive polar bear named Duane befriends an array of animals as he discovers where he belongs in this charming classic-in-the making that’s reminiscent of Winnie the Pooh.

In the Very, Very Far North, past the Cold, Cold Ocean and just below the hill that looks like a baby whale, you’ll find Duane and his friends.

Duane is a sweet and curious young bear who makes friends with everyone he meets—whether they’re bossy, like Major Puff the puffin, or a bit vain, like Handsome the musk ox, or very, very shy, like Boo the caribou. For these arctic friends, every day is a new adventure!




My Take on the Book
One of the things I love about this book is that you get characters that are multi-faceted. They are kind, empathetic, grouchy and more. The reason this is great is that you can relate to the characters through their positive and negatives. The narration in the book seems to know a bit of everything and  the author has some fun with that. There is some humor throughout and this makes the book even more fun to read and enjoy. The book itself has great characters and a plot that keeps you engaged from beginning to end.



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Book Review - The Lost Coast

The Lost Coast



About the Book

The spellbinding tale of six queer witches forging their own paths, shrouded in the mist, magic, and secrets of the ancient California redwoods.

Danny didn’t know what she was looking for when she and her mother spread out a map of the United States and Danny put her finger down on Tempest, California. What she finds are the Grays: a group of friends who throw around terms like queer and witch like they’re ordinary and everyday, though they feel like an earthquake to Danny. But Danny didn’t just find the Grays. They cast a spell that calls her halfway across the country, because she has something they need: she can bring back Imogen, the most powerful of the Grays, missing since the summer night she wandered into the woods alone. But before Danny can find Imogen, she finds a dead boy with a redwood branch through his heart. Something is very wrong amid the trees and fog of the Lost Coast, and whatever it is, it can kill. Lush, eerie, and imaginative, Amy Rose Capetta’s tale overflows with the perils and power of discovery — and what it means to find your home, yourself, and your way forward.



My Take on the Book
This book is one that draws you in and encourages you to keep reading from beginning to end. The book is full of description that creates a vivid world that the characters inhabit. You will be placed in the middle of a mystery that will keep you guessing until the end. The author uses words that creates pictures in your mind, which in my perspective makes the book one that I would encourage all to read! While the story is about a teen, this book is more than just a book for teens, but for adults too. This is a book that brings in different gender identities and allows you to learn and appreciate the relationships between the characters as well. By the end of this book I wanted to go and read it again to experience it over again for myself and you will too!

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Book Review - Malamander

Malamander



About the Book

A quirky, creepy fantasy set in Eerie-on-Sea finds a colorful cast of characters in hot pursuit of a sea monster thought to convey a surprising gift.

It’s winter in the town of Eerie-on-Sea, where the mist is thick and the salt spray is rattling the windows of the Grand Nautilus Hotel. Inside, young Herbert Lemon, Lost and Founder for the hotel, has an unexpected visitor. It seems that Violet Parma, a fearless girl around his age, lost her parents at the hotel when she was a baby, and she’s sure that the nervous Herbert is the only person who can help her find them. The trouble is, Violet is being pursued at that moment by a strange hook-handed man. And the town legend of the Malamander — a part-fish, part-human monster whose egg is said to make dreams come true — is rearing its scaly head. As various townspeople, some good-hearted, some nefarious, reveal themselves to be monster hunters on the sly, can Herbert and Violet elude them and discover what happened to Violet’s kin? This lighthearted, fantastical mystery, featuring black-and-white spot illustrations, kicks off a trilogy of fantasies set in the seaside town.



My Take on the Book
I loved all of the amazing characters in this book where you get to experience a book that brings a town with folklore coming to life. The book is a great book that is great for middle grade readers.  The town is so unique but that is what makes the book so much fun to read. Some of the best parts of the book are the characters though. I have to say that all of the characters are so remarkable. This is the type of book that grabs you from start to finish.

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Book Review - The Ghost Network: Reboot

The Ghost Network: Reboot



About the Book
Reboot is the second book in the thrilling adventure series, The Ghost Network, in which a diverse group of teenage hackers use their extraordinary abilities to fight a legendary tech icon who's seeking total control over their bodies and minds.

Age Level: 11-14 Grade Level: 5th and up

The secret is now out about the Ghost Network's identities . . . and everything is in danger of going up in smoke. With evil tech icon, Roy Lykos, on the prowl, John and the gang head to a top-secret center in the Sahara desert to prepare for battle. This center is a bit different though—every student has the same special implants and the competition is sky-high.

As the day of reckoning approaches, the Ghost Network gang will need every bit of help they can get from their extraordinary classmates if they are to wrestle back control of their minds and bodies.




My Take on the Book
This is a great second book in the series. The book is full of adventure, mystery, intrigue and more. One of the things that I loved this book is the teamwork that you see throughout the book. The special implants and abilities that these characters have make the book even better!



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Thursday, November 7, 2019

Book Review - Creature Campers: The Secret of Shadow Lake

Creature Campers: The Secret of Shadow Lake



About the Book

Being the new kid at camp is never easy, especially for a bigfoot, a hyperactive jackalope, a fairy who can barely fly, and the only human boy! From Epic! Originals, Creature Campers is a funny, heartwarming series about the unlikely friendships forged at Camp Moonlight—“where being different isn’t unusual…it’s FUNusual!”

Norm is worried about fitting in at camp. Literally. He’s not just tall for a kid. He’s tall even for a bigfoot. Oliver, the only human at camp, has the opposite problem: he’s small enough that a strong wind might knock him over. With the help of their new friends, Hazel (a hyperactive jackalope) and Wisp (a boy fairy who has trouble flying), they’ll have to work together to earn their canoeing certification without disturbing the resident lake monster—or Barnaby Snoop, who will stop at nothing to capture Norm for his personal rare creature collection.


My Take on the Book
This is a great story that is filled with magical creatures that surround a very cool camp, Camp Moonlight. The story is fun and for young readers they will get a mix of fantasy, fairy tale and more. The book also has a great plot that mixes in adventure, mystery and friendship too to make it a book that compels you to read more with every page that you turn. This is a book that would be great for the early chapter book reader, as they will love finding success as they go page by page. YOu can even read this great book together and you both will have fun!

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Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Book Review - Charlie Thorne and the Last Equation

Charlie Thorne and the Last Equation



About the Book

From New York Times bestselling author Stuart Gibbs comes the first novel in a thrilling new series about the world’s youngest and smartest genius who’s forced to use her unbelievable code-breaking skills to outsmart Einstein.

Charlie Thorne is a genius.
Charlie Thorne is a thief.
Charlie Thorne isn’t old enough to drive.

And now it’s up to her to save the world…

Decades ago, Albert Einstein devised an equation that could benefit all life on earth—or destroy it. Fearing what would happen if the equation fell into the wrong hands, he hid it.

But now, a diabolical group known as the Furies are closing in on its location. In desperation, a team of CIA agents drags Charlie into the hunt, needing her brilliance to find it first—even though this means placing her life in grave danger.

In a breakneck adventure that spans the globe, Charlie must crack a complex code created by Einstein himself, struggle to survive in a world where no one can be trusted, and fight to keep the last equation safe once and for all.



My Take on the Book
WOW, this was a quick read that keeps you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. The book is fast paced and action packed. The main character is a fun hero for my daughters' generation. This adventure was one that was a page turner that kept me on the edge of my chair from beginning to end. The book also keeps you guessing until the very end of the book which made the book even more fun. My daughter and I are very excited for the next book in this series.

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Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Book Review - My Pet Slime

My Pet Slime



About the Book

Piper Maclane wants a pet so badly, but she’s allergic to everything. So she creates her own . . . out of slime! From Epic! Originals, My Pet Slime is a sweet, slimy series about a girl who makes the most of a challenging situation and is rewarded with a bit of magic!

Piper wishes she could have a pet to care for and snuggle with and take to school for show-and-tell. All of the other kids have one. But she’s allergic to every animal imaginable! So instead, she makes her own pet out of slime, with big eyes, a little mouth, and two arms just long enough for hugs. It would be the perfect pet for Piper, if it were real. When a strange turn of events brings her slime to life, Piper learns how fun, challenging, and messy it can be to care for a pet . . . especially one made out of slime!

At the back of the book, learn about real-life slime and follow the recipe to create a “pet” of your own!



My Take on the Book
This book was a great start to a new series for young kids. It was a fun read that will make your kids to think about their own pets and crazy pets that they might want as well. The other thing about this book was that it was great to think about the universe allowing her to create her own pet that would not cause her allergies to go crazy. Piper and her new pet have some adventures and there is a bit of a mystery as well. The end of the book does leave it wide open for books to come


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Book Review - Laser Moose and the Rabbit Boy: Time Trout

Laser Moose and the Rabbit Boy: Time Trout



About the Book

Laser Moose and Rabbit Boy are back in a time-traveling adventure, perfect for getting past and future fans hooked on reading.

Laser Moose and Rabbit Boy return and just in time to save the day!

A time-traveling fish is causing trouble for Laser Moose and Rabbit Boy in the past, present, and future. When the well-meaning Trout inadvertently changes the forest’s history, Laser Moose and Rabbit Boy need to set things right, with a little help from a raccoon doctor and a newly three-legged Frank the Deer. Along the way, they confront old enemies, new enemies, future threats, and Laser Moose’s own mysterious past. Get ready for an action thrill ride of time-bending fun!



My Take on the Book
This book was filled with a story of non-stop adventure mixed together with great characters that were over the top but still fun to get to know. You get a bit of everything in this book which made it a page turner for all.

My daughter loves graphic novels and this one had great illustrations but also humor throughout. Whether you read the other books in the series or not, you can still read and enjoy this without the other context either.

The concept of a time trout was a bit crazy. This book finds the Time Trout in the past in a bit of a crazy situation, but that made the book even better. On top of this you get Laser Moose and Rabbit Boy on their own adventure too!

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Book Review - Diary of a 5th Grade Outlaw




About the Book

Robin Loxley, the 5th grade outlaw of Nottingham Elementary, tells all! From Epic! Originals comes a comic-inspired illustrated novel series that treats growing up as an adventure.

Fifth grade has just started, and the school bully, Nadia, already rules recess with an unfair Playground Tax. Robin refuses to be pushed around, but all she can think about is winning back her best friend, Mary Ann, after a disastrous fallout over the summer. To do so, she will have to stand up to Nadia, face the wrath of Assistant Principal Johnson, and become a legendary outlaw at Nottingham Elementary—all while forming a merry band of new friends along the way.



My Take on the Book
My daughter and I loved reading about Robin Loxley. You get a Robin Hood story in current day times. Robin definitely believes in fairness and when she sees this going awry, she is compelled to step in. You even get the concept of a tax being unfairly required for kids to play basketball. All of this being said, the characters and the story are ones that all upper elementary and early middle school kids will enjoy! Whether you have read or heard of Robin Hood in the past, this book is a great story that brings the tenor of Robin Hood to light!



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Book Review - Snug Harbor Stories: A Wallace the Brave Collection!

Snug Harbor Stories: A Wallace the Brave Collection!



About the Book
The follow up to the Eisner-nominated collection of Wallace the Brave comics, featuring beautifully illustrated scenes of childhood imagination, friendship, outdoor exploration, and adventure.

Think "Peanuts" if Charlie Brown were less of a mope or "Calvin & Hobbes" if Calvin weren't a bit of a psychopath. "Wallace The Brave" is about a family. There's Dad, a fisherman, Mom, a gardener, their almost feral young son Sterling, who never met a bug he wouldn't eat, and his older brother Wallace, a rambunctious, imaginative kid big on exploring. Mostly we see the world of the strip through Wallace's eyes, a sleepy East Coast beach town called Snug Harbor where the streets are lined with ice cream shops and the beaches are dotted with rocky tide pools ... The world of childhood depicted in the strip is a timeless, outdoorsy one reminiscent of strips like "Calvin & Hobbes" and "Cul De Sac," both of which Henry cites as influences. — NPR's Glen Weldon




My Take on the Book
Wallace is a great character that you will simply love. He truly lives life to the fullest and for me is one that many of us would love to aspire to be in our own lives. Outside of Wallace though, he is surrounded by great characters such as his best friend Spud and their friend Amelia. Both of these characters are completely unique but so much fun as well.

This book will have you laughing out loud! My daughters were laughing as much as I was too. This is a great book that will make you keep coming back for more, not only with the illustrations, but with the overall story too.

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Book Review - Unicorn and Yeti: Friends Rock

Unicorn and Yeti: Friends Rock



About the Book

Yeti loves playing on the swing. Unicorn would like a turn.
Unicorn loves eating peaches. Yeti would like to try one.
Unicorn and Yeti find a sparkly rock. They would both like to take it home.

Can these magical friends discover how to share? These laugh-out-loud stories with full-color artwork and easy-to-read text throughout are perfect for new readers!



My Take on the Book
This is a great book for a young reader that allows early readers to build their confidence in reading. They do this with a very cute story about an unlikely friend pairing. That being said though, the story does share a great story of friendship that kids of all ages will enjoy and learn from!

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Book Review - Diamond & Dawn

Diamond & Dawn



About the Book

Lyra Selene returns to the incandescent magic of Amber & Dusk in a second installment about the corrosions of even the most dazzling dreams, and the strength of hope amidst darkness.

Mirage, triumphant in her coup of the Amber Empire, returns to the palais prepared to take her place as empress. With the support of her friends and a tentative, blossoming romance with Sunder, Mirage is on the cusp of taking hold of everything she has ever wanted.

However, her place in the sun is not as sure as she expected, nor is it quite as bright as she imagined.

When the Empress Severine's body was recovered from the battle, Mirage discovered she was not dead after all. Rather, Severine is in a coma, her every breath a threat to Mirage's newfound power. Worse, a distant cousin, Gavin d'Ars, appears at court with the challenge of his blood claim. As Mirage uncovers more secrets from her family's past, she proposes a series of ancient, grueling trials to determine the most deserving heir. But in Mirage's fight to defend her vision for the empire, she begins to splinter all of her alliances. Will the battle for control leave anyone untainted?



My Take on the Book
The author in this book has created an amazing tapestry of interwoven story of power seeking, intrigue, action, mystery and more. As a reader you get drawn into this story and with every page you are kept on the edge of your seat as you wait in anticipation to learn what is happening next. The book itself is a great second book in the series. The characters are well developed and while you may not like them all, you will definitely get to better understand their motivations, for good or bad. This was a great book that I would recommend to all!

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Monday, November 4, 2019

Book Review - Joe Quinn's Poltergeist

Joe Quinn's Poltergeist



About the Book
There’s a poltergeist in Joe Quinn’s house, and Davie is determined to discover its source in this lively, hopeful graphic storybook from David Almond and Dave McKean.

Joe Quinn has been telling everyone about the poltergeist in his house, but no one believes him. No one, that is, except Davie. Davie’s felt the inexplicable presence in the Quinns’ house and seen random objects fly through the air. And there’s something else . . . a memory of Davie’s beloved sister and a feeling deep down that it might just be possible for ghosts to exist. Full of thoughts of hauntings and grief and God, Davie hovers on a precipice of uncertainty and possibility, a space that storyteller David Almond occupies comfortably and returns to again and again — here paired once more with the dynamic, dreamlike mixed-media art of Dave McKean.



My Take on the Book
You would think that this book was specifically about a poltergeist, bu it is actually more about the relationship between Davie and the Parish Priest. This relationship is important as it is through this that Davie's life starts to get illuminated. While it may seem that Davie has a good life, under the surface you see anger, grief and more.  It is this personal anguish that seems to power the poltergeist. What is interesting is the connection between the poltergeist and Davie and how when the characters interact with this poltergeist they are really interacting with Davie. The book also has a ton of great illustrations that make the book really stand out.

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Book Review - Illustration Studio: Drawing Manga Heroines and Heroes

Illustration Studio: Drawing Manga Heroines and Heroes



About the Book

Learn to draw your favorite manga and anime characters, and create your own, with Illustration Studio: Drawing Manga Heroines and Heroes!

In this exciting extension of the interactive Illustration Studio series, learn how to illustrate a range of manga heroes, heroines, and characters—from male and female warriors and fighters to schoolgirls and boys, knights, angels, cyborgs, interstellar idols, and more. The Illustration Studio series features interactive exercises, creative prompts, and step-by-step exercises to educate and excite beginning and aspiring artists working in a variety of media and techniques, from manga and anime to illustration done in ink.

Illustration Studio: Manga Heroines and Heroes teaches aspiring and beginning manga artists the basics for creating a range of popular characters, props and scenes. No matter your skill level, the drawing and colorization tips, loads of techniques, and step-by-step projects are instructive and helpful, while creative prompts and exercises invite personalization and participation inside the pages of the book..

You'll be guided through every step as you not only learn how to draw, but also learn the vernacular and story lines associated with this popular art genre.



My Take on the Book
My kids love to draw and my youngest has just recently gotten into trying to draw Manga lately. This book is a bit more advanced than just a basic level look at Manga. That being said though, the book does still give you a ton to work on if you are interested in drawing Manga. My daughter has really explored this book and I can see the difference! I know she will be using this book for some time to come and her art will continue to get better too!



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Book Review - Big Nate: Hug It Out!

Big Nate: Hug It Out!



About the Book
When Nate rides the Flamethrower with a mystery girl at the fair, sparks fly. Nate’s certain he’s just met the love of his life—and then she disappears! Can our lovestruck hero track her down?

 Sixth grade is no picnic for Nate Wright. His pal Francis won’t stop bombarding him with useless trivia. A wild pitch knocks him out of a ballgame and into the emergency room. And the only thing standing between Nate and summer school is a study session with the worst possible tutor: his too-obnoxious-for-words arch enemy, Gina. But a chance encounter on an amusement park ride could change everything. Meanwhile, the troubles are piling up in this hilarious new collection of Big Nate comics, and there may be only one thing for Nate to do: HUG IT OUT! In this brand-new collection of comics from the New York Times bestselling series Big Nate, everyone's favorite sixth-grade prankster is back for more hilarious misadventures — and even a little romance!



My Take on the Book
My kids love Big Nate and this book is an amazing addition to the series. For us, reading this, we all agreed that this is definitely one of the best in the series of books. What I love about this series is that it relates to all kids, not just boys or girls, but both. The book also is great for adults as well. There is great humor, characters, illustrations and more. If you loved other Big Nate books you will all love this as well. We actually read this numerous times and it was better and better with each read through.

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