Weird, but enjoyable Advent Calendar book; fun to read each day leading up to Christmas. Then, more story delights in the stocking opened on ChristmasWeird, but enjoyable Advent Calendar book; fun to read each day leading up to Christmas. Then, more story delights in the stocking opened on Christmas Day to enjoy throughout the remaining days of December....more
All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot is a heartwarming memoir about his adventures as a young veterinarian in the Yorkshire Dales of EnglandAll Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot is a heartwarming memoir about his adventures as a young veterinarian in the Yorkshire Dales of England during the 1930s. Through a series of amusing and touching tales, Herriot shares the challenges of gaining the trust of the local farmers while caring for all kinds of animals throughout the beautiful, rural countryside.
I am an animal lover and considered becoming a vet at one time, so reading about Herriot's experiences was a real treat. I not only loved reading about his interactions with the animals he treated but also his relationships with the other two vets and the people he encountered on his visits. While most of the stories are humorous and uplifting, there are a couple that are heartbreaking and made me tear up. James Herriot was a compassionate soul, who did a wonderful job of caring for animals as well as capturing the deep connection between people and their animals and the effect that each has on the other. It was a wonderful and engaging read for me! Now, I want to read the rest of his adventures and watch the television show based on his series of books....more
Anne of Windy Poplars by L.M. Montgomery is the fourth book in the Anne of Green Gables series. Anne Shirley has accepted the principal position at SuAnne of Windy Poplars by L.M. Montgomery is the fourth book in the Anne of Green Gables series. Anne Shirley has accepted the principal position at Summerside High School. She receives a chilly reception by a well-established family in the area which results in her boarding at Windy Poplars. In true Anne fashion, her determination and compassion win the hearts of the quirky residents of Summerside.
It is always a delight to read about Anne’s adventures and the new characters she meets along the way. Over the course of three years, Anne writes several letters to Gilbert, while residing at Windy Poplars, that are interspersed throughout the novel. She has her work cut out for her when she first arrives in Summerside. Despite having to prove herself to the Pringles, Anne approaches every situation with grace, resiliency, and a sense of humor.
I enjoyed Anne of Windy Poplars and its large cast of unforgettable characters. I loved the exploration of friendship and community. Anne makes some endearing friendships, and I especially loved her interactions with Katherine Brooke, Rebecca Dew, and Little Elizabeth. Anne has a flair for dealing with difficult people and challenging situations. Those moments in the novel are generally heartwarming and humorous. Anne’s time in Summerside gives her an opportunity for more self-discovery and personal growth as she gets closer to her marriage to Gilbert.
As always, L.M. Montgomery’s writing is beautiful, her characters are engaging, and this story is charming and heartfelt. Anne remains one of my favorite literary characters, and I looking forward to reading more of Anne Shirley’s uplifting journey in book five....more
Simon Sort of Says is a middle-grade realistic fiction novel written by Erin Bow. Twelve-year-old Simon O’Keeffe and his parents move to a small town,Simon Sort of Says is a middle-grade realistic fiction novel written by Erin Bow. Twelve-year-old Simon O’Keeffe and his parents move to a small town, Grin and Bear It, in Nebraska for a fresh start in the wake of a tragedy. This town is quiet, small, and has no internet. It is perfect for Simon who wants to fly under the radar.
Erin Bow does a remarkable job of writing a middle-grade story about the after effects a survivor and his family experience in the aftermath of a school shooting. With sensitivity, she addresses the emotional toll not only on Simon but also on his parents. She also balances serious topics with humor which is necessary to lighten the mood and make the hard stuff more digestible. I loved the quirkiness of the town and some of its residents (especially the animal characters), Simon’s parents and their family dynamics, Hercules the puppy, as well as the friendships that Simon develops with Agate and Kevin (especially Agate). One of my favorite scenes is when Agate and Simon meet, and Agate asks him, “What is the most disgusting thing you know?� HA! And, then she proceeds to share with him that “there are spider mites that are adapted to live only on human eyelashes.� I laughed because while that is a gross fun fact, it is a great icebreaker and terrific introduction to one of my favorite characters in the book.
Despite this novel being a tad bit too long, it effectively blends heart and heartbreak with humor and hope. There were plenty of moments throughout the story where I laughed along with several moments that made me cry. As a parent, I can imagine the anguish parents feel after a school shooting. I appreciate Bow including Simon’s parents� experience. As an educator, I have practiced lock down drills with my students, and it is a frightening thought that a drill could turn one day into a reality. I appreciate Bow including Simon’s experience without going into graphic detail. The author also includes a page at the back of the book with resources to learn more about PTSD and where to get help. ...more
Tacky and the Haunted Igloo is a humorous Halloween picture book written by Helen Lester and illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. It is Halloween in Nice IcTacky and the Haunted Igloo is a humorous Halloween picture book written by Helen Lester and illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. It is Halloween in Nice Icy Land, and the penguins have decided to host a party in their haunted igloo. Tacky the Penguin does nothing to help with the party preparations except eat all the snacks. Perplexed about which costume he will wear at the party, Tacky waddles off to a thinking place and falls asleep, unaware that his penguin friends will have some uninvited ghosts show up and frighten the penguins.
Tacky is a lovable penguin with a few bad habits, like eating all the snacks and not helping with the party. However, he redeems himself when he finally settles on his costume and shows up to the party to help his friends deal with the uninvited guests. Lynn Munsinger’s delightful illustrations add to the suspense and humor of the story. I love that all the penguins choose costumes that reflect what they are afraid of, so they can be scary. Of course, Tacky is afraid of nothing, so this causes his dilemma about what to wear to the party. Naturally, his costume helps the scary situation and gets him lots of hugs from his friends. “Tacky was an odd bird, but a nice bird to have around.� This story was an entertaining read for the spooky season, and I gave it 3.5 stars....more
Scary, Scary Halloween is a charming picture book written by Eve Bunting and illustrated by Jan Brett. It is Halloween night, and a group of costumed Scary, Scary Halloween is a charming picture book written by Eve Bunting and illustrated by Jan Brett. It is Halloween night, and a group of costumed trick-or treaters roam the neighborhood while observed by a mysterious creature tucked away.
Two of my favorite children’s literature authors, Eve Bunting and Jan Brett, created a delightful picture book about my favorite holiday. Bunting’s rhythmic prose combined with Brett’s vibrant autumnal illustrations capture the mood of Halloween perfectly. I love the children’s costumes, the mysterious narrator, and the spooky vibes. And, it is fun to find out the true nature of the narrator at the end of the story. ...more
Scared Silly: A Halloween Treat is a spooktacular picture book written by James Howe and illustrated by Leslie Morrill. Halloween is usually a fun timScared Silly: A Halloween Treat is a spooktacular picture book written by James Howe and illustrated by Leslie Morrill. Halloween is usually a fun time at the Monroe house. Harold shares a fur-raising story with his editor about the one Halloween night the Monroes left Harold and his three buddies at home alone. Little do the Monroes know that a strange figure is about to visit their lovable furbabies, causing the whole family to be scared silly.
I adore the Bunnicula series, so to discover that James Howe had also written picture books about my favorite furry friends made me over the moon happy. The storyline is a howling good time with Chester up to his shenanigans, and Harold being the voice of reason. Bunnicula and Howie are precious and included in the nightly adventure. The unexpected visitor adds mystery, suspense, and humor. Leslie Morrill’s colorful illustrations are fangtastic and capture the emotions of the characters perfectly. I loved everything about this picture book. Scared Silly is a sweet treat for readers during the spooky season, especially for fans of Bunnicula.
Invasion of the Mind Swappers from Asteroid 6 by James Howe is the second book in the Tales from the House of Bunnicula series. Howie receives a letteInvasion of the Mind Swappers from Asteroid 6 by James Howe is the second book in the Tales from the House of Bunnicula series. Howie receives a letter from his editor, who enjoyed his first book but requested a second book since the first one would work better in a series. After asking himself lots of questions (suggested to him by his Uncle Harold), Howie gets hard at work on writing his second story about how he and Delilah save the day when the Mind Swappers from Asteroid 6 invade Earth.
Book 2 of Howie’s writing adventures is just as enjoyable as the first book. The story alternates between Howie’s entries in his writing journal and the chapters of the story he is writing. I love seeing his writing process and his comments. My favorite entry is when Uncle Harold tells Howie that being lazy is not a good trait in a writer. Howie writes, “I reminded him I’m an author now. He said I need to watch out for arrogance. I told him if I saw any coming at me, I’d duck. HA! Howie is such a funny and adorable pooch.
Uncle Harold continues to be supportive and patient while also doling out some wisdom (like watching out for arrogance). Delilah is back, but makes it clear to Howie that she was none too pleased with his character portrayal of her in his last story. Howie tries to make amends but ends up getting in more hot water with Delilah. I think their relationship is hilarious. Other beloved characters make an appearance in Howie’s story as well. Kudos to James Howe for another amusing story and to Brett Helquist for more amazing illustrations. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this entertaining series....more
In the Haunted House is an engaging picture book written by Eve Bunting and illustrated by Susan Meddaugh. "This is the house where the scary ones hidIn the Haunted House is an engaging picture book written by Eve Bunting and illustrated by Susan Meddaugh. "This is the house where the scary ones hide. Open the door and step softly inside." Follow a little girl and her father as they tour a dark, mysterious house.
What a fun read for the spooky season! I picked this book up at the library because I love Eve Bunting's stories, and the cover is spooktacular. The story is told in rhyme and features plenty of spooky characters. I loved the amusing illustrations. I got a kick out of seeing only the sneakers of the little girl and her father as they explored the different rooms of the house which added a little mystery to the story. Then, there is a reveal at the end of the book that made me chuckle. Wonderful treat for readers of all ages during Halloween!...more
Hallowe'en Party by Agatha Christie is a murder mystery novel, featuring Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. The story begins at a Halloween party in thHallowe'en Party by Agatha Christie is a murder mystery novel, featuring Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. The story begins at a Halloween party in the small English village of Woodleigh Common where a young girl named Joyce brags about witnessing a murder to impress the mystery writer Ariadne Oliver. No one takes Joyce seriously, and she is later found murdered in the library. Poirot is summoned by his friend Mrs. Oliver to investigate the case. It does not take Poirot long to discover that Joyce’s murder is linked to other mysterious occurrences in the village.
How much I adore a murder mystery written by Agatha Christie! For being a small village, there are plenty of secrets and plenty of suspects keeping those secrets. I love Poirot and the way he investigates a case. Nothing deters him (not even fancy shoes that hurt his feet) from gathering evidence, making connections, and uncovering the truth. I also appreciated the feisty Mrs. Oliver who provided humor throughout the novel. Despite not guessing the killer (again), I enjoyed reading Hallowe’en Party during the Halloween season....more
It Came from Beneath the Bed! by James Howe is the first book in the Tales from the House of Bunnicula series. Howie wants to be a writer like his UncIt Came from Beneath the Bed! by James Howe is the first book in the Tales from the House of Bunnicula series. Howie wants to be a writer like his Uncle Harold, who wrote all the books about Bunnicula. With some guidance from Uncle Harold, Howie writes his first story about saving the world from a science experiment gone wrong.
I am a huge fan of the Bunnicula series, so I could not wait to read the next series with my favorite furry friends. I love how the story alternates between Howie’s entries in his writing journal and the chapters of the story he is writing. It is neat to see how Howie’s story unfolds as he is writing it. He takes the feedback from Uncle Harold to heart. I love all the information included about parts of speech, cliff hangers, and figurative language. This book could be a terrific mentor text for teaching creative writing to young children.
I adore the characters. Howie is precious. Uncle Harold is supportive and patient. Howie’s friend Delilah is adorable and happens to be his love interest. The bantering between Delilah and Howie is amusing. Members of the Monroe family, Chester, and Bunnicula make an appearance in Howie’s story which is entertaining. I continue to enjoy James Howe’s storytelling. Brett Helquist’s incredible illustrations bring the story to life. I’m excited to read more of Howie’s stories throughout the rest of this series....more
Dan Da Dan: Volume 1 by Yukinobu Tatsu is my introduction to a weird manga. The first volume of this horror manga series starts with high-schoolers, MDan Da Dan: Volume 1 by Yukinobu Tatsu is my introduction to a weird manga. The first volume of this horror manga series starts with high-schoolers, Momo Ayase and Ken Takakura (aka Okarun), crossing paths that leads to an unusual friendship based on their individual interests in the paranormal realm. Momo believes in spirits and Okarun believes in aliens; however, they don't believe in what the other believes which leads to a challenge to convince each other that aliens and spirits really do exist. The aftermath of this challenge opens the door to uncanny adventures with creepy-ass aliens and a spiteful spirit.
WOW! I did not expect to enjoy this manga as much as I did, considering what transpires in the first chapter. Dan Da Dan is a nice blend of horror and science fiction with a distinctive art style and bizarre sense of humor. The characters are terrific. The protagonists are layered, likable, and lionhearted. I love Momo and Okarun as well as the chemistry between the two of them. The antagonists are disturbing but noteworthy. Turbo Granny is a mischevious yokai with malicious intent. Her interactions with Okarun prove to be a blessing and a curse. The biggest character surprise for me was Momo's grandmother. She is not only hot, but also a badass.
Dan Da Dan was an entertaining read; however, it contains mature themes and explicit content. Be aware that there is a lot of weird sexual stuff (especially in the first chapter and related to Turbo Granny) that will be offputting to some readers. This manga was out of my wheelhouse, but it did not cross over into territory that I found concerning. I wanted to read a weird manga for the Week of Weird: Round 4 Readathon, and Dan Da Dan fit the prompt perfectly. I'm invested in the characters, and I have to see what happens next, so I will be continuing with this series....more
±á´Ç°ù°ù´Ç°ù²õ³Ùö°ù by Grady Hendrix is a horror comedy novel with retail appeal. The ORSK furniture superstore in Cuyahoga County, Ohio experiences vandalism ±á´Ç°ù°ù´Ç°ù²õ³Ùö°ù by Grady Hendrix is a horror comedy novel with retail appeal. The ORSK furniture superstore in Cuyahoga County, Ohio experiences vandalism on a nightly basis. Store manager Basil recruits two of his employees, Amy and Ruth Anne, to patrol the store after hours to discover who is responsible for the store’s showroom damage. An overnight shift to earn some extra cash quickly turns into overtime hell.
I absolutely love the catalogue format of this book. It is quirky and clever with a unique premise. The attention to detail is amazing. At the beginning of each chapter, there is a description of an item sold at ORSK that foreshadows what is to come for the characters. The items become more sinister as the story progresses, leading up to a horrific reality for anyone stuck in the store after closing time. Hendrix ingeniously weaves commentary about capitalism and work throughout the story. Maybe working in retail is the real horror. HA!
While I appreciate elements of this book as well as the slow build, it was a middle-of-the-road read for me. I did not connect much with the characters until the very end. It was a farfetched but fun read and well-worth the experience. Even though ±á´Ç°ù°ù´Ç°ù²õ³Ùö°ù is not my favorite Grady Hendrix book, I am still glad I read it. Now, I want to visit an IKEA store, preferably one not built on land with a dark past....more
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