A wonderful story based on the authors childhood experiences. Patricia loves stories but finds it hard to read, the words seem to wriggle on the page A wonderful story based on the authors childhood experiences. Patricia loves stories but finds it hard to read, the words seem to wriggle on the page for her. Although she is very good at art she is bullied for being slow and called stupid. Luckily she has a wonderful teacher who realises what is wrong and gets Patricia some help. I love that this was based on the authors memories, and as usual there is a very moving end note. This would make a wonderful book to read with a child who doesn't find reading easy or one that has artist talents. I would highly recommend reading The Art of Miss Chew after this one, as it follows on with Patricia's school life....more
I usually just want to look at the art in art books, this had some really interesting text too. Having enjoyed several other of Tessa Newcomb's books,I usually just want to look at the art in art books, this had some really interesting text too. Having enjoyed several other of Tessa Newcomb's books, I was looking forward to seeing more of her artwork. I ended up reading this from cover to cover in one sitting, memories of Suffolk , a place in Norwich I know well, and memories of her home and childhood.
These were enjoyable memories written on an interesting way, accompanied by Tessa's unique style of painting. This was made all the more enjoyable for me as I know the places mentioned as they are local to me....more
A grandmother talks to her grandchildren about things she did when she was young. I found this too much of list, a couple of pages where interesting. A grandmother talks to her grandchildren about things she did when she was young. I found this too much of list, a couple of pages where interesting. It needed more emphasis on things she did that was different to what her grandchildren did. The illustrations of her childhood didn't really look any different from the stories present day illustrations. 2.5 stars.
Fern Brady tells the story of her life so far and her struggle of getting diagnosed with autism and learning how to live with it. This book is very fuFern Brady tells the story of her life so far and her struggle of getting diagnosed with autism and learning how to live with it. This book is very funny which is extraordinary given how heartbreaking it is. I particularly enjoyed reading about Fern's childhood and family, this was heartbreaking too but again, very, very funny. This part of the book was a 5 star read for me.
The second half, which covers Fern's experiences as a teen and as young adult are still told with humour but also seemed quite depressing. Reading this half made me feel frustrated with Fern's situation and lack of help. I enjoyed how Fern's view of her parents and family were balanced, they had done some awful things but she acknowledged they did try their best at times and some of their actions were perfectly accepted parenting methods of the time.
This was an interesting and funny read, I imagine this could be helpful for those who have a diagnosis, or for people who have struggled to fit in....more
An amazing story of a family fleeing Nazi Germany and thankfully, of some of the family surviving. Eva belongs to a loving, wonderful family, but likeAn amazing story of a family fleeing Nazi Germany and thankfully, of some of the family surviving. Eva belongs to a loving, wonderful family, but like thousands of others, their lives are turned upside down when they first have to leave their homes and first relocate to Holland and then have to go into hiding. Later the family is taken to a concentration camp.
(view spoiler)[Miraculously Eva and her mother survive but her wonderful father and brother die. Her brother had hidden some of his paintings he did when in hiding and Eva and her mother go back after the war to retrieve them. They are well worth a look, there are images online and several included in the book. (hide spoiler)]
Eva's family managed to stay so positive during their experience. The other interesting element of this story is that Eva knew Anne Frank, her mother later marries Otto and their work keeping the memories alive of those they had lost becomes their life work. Anne and her father appear in this book in a couple of places.
Although this didn't read as such a vivid account as Anne Frank's diary did, it was interesting to read about this situation from another viewpoint. Eva wasn't as studious or a writer like Anne Frank or her artistic brother, so perhaps her story is lacking some of the thoughts and feelings that give you a greater insight into their plight, but this was a highly moving account and I appreciated the inclusion of family photographs and examples of her brothers work....more
Just to let people know, I noticed that all of my one or two star reviews have either been deleted or hidden, even if they have 40+ likes they are hidJust to let people know, I noticed that all of my one or two star reviews have either been deleted or hidden, even if they have 40+ likes they are hidden beneath reviews with no text or likes. Literally every single low rated review. Obviously this is just a coincidence.
Parts of this were quite enjoyable and parts dragged. We couldn't quite work out what age range this was aimed at, there were parts that seemed more aimed towards older young adult(view spoiler)[ parental divorce, unfaithfulness, suicide... (hide spoiler)] but plenty that would have more appeal for younger readers.
(view spoiler)[ It also seemed too soon for parents separated for 3 days to start being interested in new partners, and the end felt too vague, was it all a dream? I remember being told at school that you should never end a story with that. (hide spoiler)]
We really loved The Swallow by this author but this one was disappointing....more
Beagin's debut novel follows a young woman called Mona in her early 20s who is estranged from her parents and living with an aunt who runs a cleaning Beagin's debut novel follows a young woman called Mona in her early 20s who is estranged from her parents and living with an aunt who runs a cleaning business. She struggles with relationships and drugs and we soon find out why this lovely young person feels so messed up and abandoned.
I loved the humour in this book, I soon thought that the title referred to a letter (view spoiler)[ that Mr Disgusting sent, implying that she should move to a certain place after his death. I took this to mean he wasn't dead but escaping his drug centred life and wanted to let her know and meet up with her somewhere safe for a new start together. This was nothing of the sort, I felt mislead by the plot and the title. After this, Mona, who makes a living cleaning clients houses, takes drugs, relives her abusive childhood and fears that one of her clients is sexually abusing his daughter, we never find out if this is the case, we have to hope he isn't and Mona is only thinking this because she was abused and she is taking lots of drugs which leaves her in a confused state. (hide spoiler)]
I loved the humour and the characters, the story seemed to lack direction and seemed to be a too light hearted and humorous way to tackle the subject of incest and child abuse. I can imagine someone who had experienced this, finding this depiction insulting and insensitive....more
This sat on our shelves for years, I didn't realise this would be one of those stories that has so much for any age.
Two young girls have lost their moThis sat on our shelves for years, I didn't realise this would be one of those stories that has so much for any age.
Two young girls have lost their mother, they are traumatised and their father has to travel to work. They go to stay with an elderly aunt who was once a famous gardener. They discover a book and a mystery.
I loved that these children were had complex personalities and I loved that their aunt was empathetic and realised that they were traumatised and didn't just label them as bad.
I loved the way this story used magic and just the slight hint that there was adult involvement (or was there?)
I read this aloud and my daughter enjoyed the humour, this was really funny in places. A story that works on so many levels. This will be especially poignant for those who have lost a loved one or someone who has grown up without a loving parent. The ending is wonderful and ties in the fictional myth with a believable and an emotional resolution.
Despite the 500 pages this is actually a quick read. Read in an hour or so today, this book covers the life of a girl called Katie, from a very early Despite the 500 pages this is actually a quick read. Read in an hour or so today, this book covers the life of a girl called Katie, from a very early age to adulthood and her struggles with food. It's sad to say most women will identify with her feelings and probably some men too. We are surrounded by food, high calorie food, and it's not always easy to think that although you want something you don't always need it. This character was more affected than most and her struggle with food, how to eat and stay thin became a serious problem.
This character had some unhealthy programming about food from an early age, we see that her parents meant well but when she was very small she was forced to eat what was on her plate, her unhealthy relationship with food began. I felt angry with her parents, it's such a stupid thing to do, make a big deal about a small thing until it turns into a big problem.
As Katie's problems continue, her parents find her an alternative therapist who claims he can unblock her blocked energy and help her get rid of negative energy. Not being a believer in this sort of nonsense myself I felt angry that people with such awful problems could be being taken advantage of by someone claiming they could help, but (view spoiler)[ not only does he brainwash Katie into thinking her parents are the problem but he sexually abused her, gave her drugs and left her in a dangerous position alone, at night and on drugs. (hide spoiler)]
The rest of the story follows Katie at university and her struggles to lead a normal life.
I was very disappointed that (view spoiler)[nobody in the story said that if Katie felt able to, it would be really important to report the therapist to the police if only to stop more girls becoming victims to a sexual predator. I found it hugely disappointing that this book didn't use the opportunity to get this message across. I think it's a really important one. (hide spoiler)]
I hope this isn't based on the author's experiences but if it is, I hope she has managed to find a way around her problems and I hope she finds the strength to (view spoiler)[ report the alternative therapist to the police (hide spoiler)]...more
I was surprised I hadn't come across this collection of poetry, quotes and extracts sooner. I have read many Shirley Hughes books and although I find I was surprised I hadn't come across this collection of poetry, quotes and extracts sooner. I have read many Shirley Hughes books and although I find some of her drawings of people a bit too caricature-like for my taste, I do enjoy her illustrations and have really enjoyed sharing her books with children.
This is the sort of book to dip in and out of and not read in one go. Reading this on Open Library I couldn't appreciate this fully but it's definitely a book I'd keep a look out for a copy to keep. ...more
Parts of this book were very enjoyable. Hearing about Ruth's childhood was fascinating and inspiring. Working on the farm, going to school and JapanesParts of this book were very enjoyable. Hearing about Ruth's childhood was fascinating and inspiring. Working on the farm, going to school and Japanese school filled every second of the day. Ruth commented how school was so easy compared with farm work it seemed like playtime. Ruth's parents worked ridiculously hard and left Ruth with a hard working ethic that made her not want to waste a second of her life.
Although the start was enjoyable, and I loved hearing about Ruth and Albert's babies, I didn't feel I got to know Ruth much. I wanted to read more about her work and what inspired her but there was little detail about this. There were nowhere near enough photos and too much of the book, especially the second half, focused on ill health.
I always find it sad reading about someones life over a couple of days and seeing their life from babyhood to old age and illness flash before my eyes.
I find Ruth's work really inspiring, she is one my favourite artists. There is a handful of photos of her sculptures in here, sadly there is only one image of a painting of hers, I was hoping to see more. As the title suggests, this is more about her life than her art but as her art was a huge part of her life I was hoping for a little more....more
This had nice illustrations but found the text lacking. A grandmother remembers her imaginary friend and introduces her granddaughter to him. That's aThis had nice illustrations but found the text lacking. A grandmother remembers her imaginary friend and introduces her granddaughter to him. That's all that happens really.......more
The characters won me over in this book, whilst the crime was a bit more detailed and depressing than other crime books I have read, the details werenThe characters won me over in this book, whilst the crime was a bit more detailed and depressing than other crime books I have read, the details weren't gratuitous and the characters and mystery made for the prominent part. I enjoyed the original storyline from the 1970s, having grown up at the same time characters, I enjoyed the shared cultural references. I enjoyed the children playing outdoors element, it was good to be reminded how this sort of lifestyle was enjoyed by children everywhere in the 70s.
I found the characters really interesting, our two main characters were great, I hope we'll see more of them in the next book. There's some much needed humour in this book, Rob's flat share friend provides much of this.
The storyline and mystery at the start of this story isn't resolved but hopefully we will learn more about that in the rest of the series.
As with the last Claire Keegan story I read, I thought this was set along time ago, maybe even up to a hundred years ago, I wonder if this was Keegan'As with the last Claire Keegan story I read, I thought this was set along time ago, maybe even up to a hundred years ago, I wonder if this was Keegan's intention? It's actually set in Ireland in the mid 1980s, a music reference suddenly jolts you forward into living memory.
The main character Furlong is well ahead of other contemporary males, he runs a coal business and is sensitive to those without money, without hope and the way that women are treated by men. Although being a man he has been on the receiving end of this treatment, first when his mother fell pregnant and his father not wanting to know, and then by worrying about his own five daughters and the young women at the local convent who have become unmarried mothers. Perhaps it is the intention of the author that we should think this is set in another decade due to the archaic treatment of women and girls, the blame placed on them whilst the men can leave blameless.
Despite this seemingly depressing theme, this book offered hope and renewed your faith that there are kind people that do want help others in this world.
Recommended to me by Canadian Reader. I would recommend this as a Christmas read....more
A quick, quiet story about a young girl in Ireland that has so many siblings and an absent father. The story is told from the child's point of view. SA quick, quiet story about a young girl in Ireland that has so many siblings and an absent father. The story is told from the child's point of view. She goes to stay with a childless couple who are relatives whilst another sibling is born. At last she gets the care and attention she needs. This is an understated story that gets across its message in hints and feelings, I was left wondering if the girl (view spoiler)[ had suffered abuse or was only neglected (hide spoiler)] couldn't find this mentioned on any other reviews so hopefully just the latter.
Shockingly this is set in the 1980s, if I hadn't kept reminding myself of that I could have imagined this was set a century or two ago....more
Aunt Pinny tells her niece a story each night from memories evoked by the patchwork quilt on her bed. These are stories from when Aunt Pinny was a litAunt Pinny tells her niece a story each night from memories evoked by the patchwork quilt on her bed. These are stories from when Aunt Pinny was a little girl, each story is a stand alone tale and some of them are really wonderful 5 star stories. I would have preferred the stories to have been presented as a series of memories, we only met Aunt Pinny's niece in bed each night requesting another story so there seemed little point to her being there, but this was a very nice collection of interesting stories from a time long ago. These felt like real memories and they were well told and interesting, this would make a lovely chapter book for a daily read-aloud....more
An enjoyable collection of John Burningham's illustrations and text about his life. His childhood and experiences at Summerhill made for interesting rAn enjoyable collection of John Burningham's illustrations and text about his life. His childhood and experiences at Summerhill made for interesting reading. I enjoyed hearing about the various dog friends that have inspired his stories and found the large colour reproductions of his artwork fascinating to look through. There were several titles of later works that I previously hadn't heard of and look forward to seeking out....more
A nice collection of random childhood memories. Some I loved and some weren’t very interesting to me. I loved the description of how his mother pickedA nice collection of random childhood memories. Some I loved and some weren’t very interesting to me. I loved the description of how his mother picked him up upon adopting him, it seemed very straightforward in those days. I was fascinated about how he came to his adoptive parents but then it went on to much more mundane events. I enjoyed the Christmas memories. ...more
I love childhood memories and this was a particularly enjoyable read. Told by young Wiola at various points in her childhood and adolescence, we get tI love childhood memories and this was a particularly enjoyable read. Told by young Wiola at various points in her childhood and adolescence, we get to see the world through her eyes. Her voice seemed authentic and I found this snapshot of Polish life in the 80s fascinating. Each chapter has it’s own story or theme, it was good to see how Wiola’s perspective changed as she grew older. I was glad of her final decision at the bus stop. Having felt worried for Wiola at several times, although quite usual for the time I expect, children seemed to be fed and little more really, the rest was up to them for good or bad, but I was left feeling this determined and likeable young person would be okay and would even do well for themselves.
The cover is beautiful and perfect for this book. I appreciated the end notes about the period of history this book covered....more
Like many of the books I take out of the library, nobody has taken this out before and I suspect nobody will take this out again. You wouldn't want toLike many of the books I take out of the library, nobody has taken this out before and I suspect nobody will take this out again. You wouldn't want to read this to a child the illustrations are too scary and they'd be bored senseless.
This book was inspired by old and unsmiling portrait photographs. I really like the illustration style, but it does make these old faces look scary, with their wide spaced eyes and blank expressions. I love the idea that someone has imagined their thoughts as the photograph was taken, their fears and dreams, their petty wants and desires and their philosophical thoughts on why we are here. I like the idea of trying to get across the captured moment, the way a photograph can show you someone in their youth who now may be old or long gone, photographs have an eerie magic....more
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