Friday, September 29, 2023

Book Review: 'A Big Mooncake for Little Star' by Grace Lin

✰✰✰✰½  Little Star's mama sets the Big Mooncake in the sky to cool telling her not to touch it until told. Little Star agrees, but when she wakes up in the middle of the night, the Big Mooncake looks mighty yummy. Little Star thinks just a tiny bite won't hurt. It's so very tasty that Little Star takes more nibbles night after night. Finally, mama checks on the Big Mooncake only to find nothing but crumbs! Where did it go? Will mama be angry with Little Star? Check out this charming tale to find out.

The Bottom Line: While this gentle story isn't based on Chinese mythology, it contains themes of love, celebration, and beauty. The luminous illustrations are used to explain the phases of the moon. You'll want to share this sweet treat with your little one during the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival. This Caldecott Honor Book is enthusiastically recommended for reading during the festival or anytime of the year.

Details: A Big Mooncake for Little Star written & illustrated by Grace Lin. Picture book published by Little, Brown and Company in 2018. 40 p. ISBN: 978-0-316-40448-8 

Wednesday, September 13, 2023

Book Review: 'The Hidden World of Gnomes' by Lauren Soloy

✰✰✰✰ Gnomes are hiding in plain sight. You just have to know where to look for them. Don't know where? Author & illustrator Lauren Soloy presents this informative and imaginative book about gnomes. Following the seasons of the moon, gnomes are busy little creatures with jobs and hobbies. Did you know that some gnomes even have pets? It's true! Check out this gem to find out.

The Bottom Line: This charming tome of gnome trivia is sure to please the young and the young at heart. With folksy artwork created using the Procreate app and plenty of characters, readers will delight in the daily antics of gnomes. There's even a recipe for gnome cookies!

Details: The Hidden World of Gnomes written & illustrated by Lauren Soloy. Hardcover published by Tundra Books in 2023. 96 p. ISBN:  978-0-7352-7104-3 [NOTE: I received a free, uncorrected proof in exchange for an honest review. This was made possible via the publisher and the Early Reviewers program at LibraryThing.]

Sunday, September 3, 2023

Book Review: 'Indigo Hours: Healing Haiku' by Nancy Stone

✰✰✰✰✰ When the author's husband was diagnosed with "likely Alzheimer's," Stone turned to poetry and art to try to make sense of it all. In this book, she covers five years of challenges in the role of caregiver as she lays bare her feelings of sadness, grief, anger, fear, and sometimes little joys along the caregiving journey. Told with brutal honesty, humor, and compassion, the author shares little snippets of their life together post-diagnosis.

The Bottom Line: Caregiving is a role most of us wouldn't choose. Unfortunately, many of us, including me, are finding ourselves doing just that. Artist and author Nancy Stone has channeled both the joys and the challenges of caregiving into a beautiful book of haiku poems. Although based on her experience of caregiving for her husband, who has "likely Alzheimer's," this book would be helpful to anyone struggling with long-term caregiving regardless of diagnosis. Stone's haiku cover the entire spectrum of emotions that one faces as the loved one's illness progresses: anxiety, fear, compassion, care, kindness, anger, grief, frustration, sadness, loneliness, and resolve. Highly recommended for anyone who finds themselves in this situation and in search of wisdom. Stone's inspirational poetry, along with her playful illustrations, will simply soothe your soul.

Details: Indigo Hours: Healing Haiku written & illustrated by Nancy Stone. Paperback published by Rootstock Publishing in 2023. 104 p. ISBN: 9781578691425 [NOTE: I received a free, uncorrected proof in exchange for an honest review. This was made possible via the publisher and the Early Reviewers program at LibraryThing.]