Book Review: Small, Medium and Large by Jane Monroe Donovan

✰✰✰½ In this wordless picture book, a Christmas wish unfolds through beautiful illustrations when a little girl writes a letter to Santa. As we follow along, we discover whether her Christmas wish is granted. When three special presents are left under the tree, the snowy adventure begins.

The Bottom Line: This picture book tells a story by using only illustrations, which encourages the viewer to follow along and discuss the actions in the pictures. The book is full of beautiful artwork. Also, there is an interesting note "From the Author" about the animals featured in the story. Recommended for kids ages 5 - 7 who enjoy animal stories.

Details: Small, Medium and Large written and illustrated by Jane Monroe Donovan. Hardcover published by Sleeping Bear Press in 2010. 32 p. ISBN: 978-1-58536-447-3

Book Review: Jeannette Claus Saves Christmas by Douglas Rees

✰✰✰½ When Santa gets sick on Christmas Eve, his spunky daughter, Jeannette, decides to deliver the presents. Despite Santa's misgivings and warnings about rebellious reindeer, Jeannette loads up the sleigh and takes off anyway. The presents get delivered lickety-split; just when it looks like they may be finished early, the reindeer fly away led by that troublemaker Dasher. Clever Jeannette doesn't let that get her down; with the help of an alley full of cats and dogs, she comes up with a clever plan to save Christmas.

The Bottom Line: Jeannette Claus Saves Christmas features bold print and colorful eye-catching pencil illustrations that were rendered in Photoshop. The glitter on the cover caught my eye immediately. This is a Santa story with a modern twist that kids in grades K - 2 will adore. A delightful story that is enthusiastically recommended for holiday fun any time of the year.

Details: Jeannette Claus Saves Christmas written by Douglas Rees and illustrated by Olivier Latyk. Hardcover published by Margaret K. McElderry Books in 2010. 32 p. ISBN: 978-1-4169-2686-3

"Christmas in July" Book Reviews for 2011

Believe it or not, but it's that time of year again when we at Mini Book Bytes Book Reviews spend a month reading Christmas books. For me Summer is the best time to read winter holiday books because I'm not running around trying to buy and wrap presents. For the month of July we'll be looking at books with winter themes and especially Christmas picture books for the little ones. So settle in with a candy cane and your favorite hot chocolate and enjoy some holiday fun.

Book Review: A Century of Detection by John Cullen Gruesser

✰✰✰✰ This collection of mystery short stories spans a century that defined the genre of detective fiction. A Century of Detection: Twenty Great Mystery Stories, 1841 - 1940 provides a thematic survey of detective fiction and the stories are presented chronologically. John Cullen Gruesser has included an introduction that explains each of the themes and a brief introduction is included for each author featured.

Gruesser's study of detective fiction begins appropriately with Edgar Allan Poe and continues with stories by well-known authors like Mark Twain, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and Dashiell Hammett. However, what makes this collection unique is the inclusion of some lesser known authors that illustrate the development of the genre. Through the study of themes including "Gender, Sexuality, and Detection" as well as "Race and Detection," the reader is exposed to memorable stories by authors like Anna Katharine Green, Susan Glaspell, Pauline Elizabeth Hopkins, and Chester Himes.

The Bottom Line: This collection of twenty mystery short stories is a fascinating study of how detective fiction developed over the course of one hundred years. It serves as an insightful study to both the academic scholar and the armchair detective. Additionally, this tome is simply enjoyable to read; there's something for everyone from well-known classic short stories to little known stories that are hard to find. Also, it's a must read for those interested in learning the craft of mystery writing. Highly recommended for both students and fans of detective fiction.

Details: A Century of Detection: Twenty Great Mystery Stories: 1841 - 1940 by John Cullen Gruesser. Paperback published by McFarland in 2010. 378 p. ISBN: 9780786446506 Note: I received a complimentary copy from McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers in exchange for a review. This was made possible by the Early Reviewer program at LibraryThing.

Book Review: The Secret of the Sealed Room by Bailey MacDonald

✰✰✰½ Young Patience Martin is a bright, spunky, and witty teenaged girl with a knack for getting into trouble. Facing four more years as an indentured servant is wearing thin with Patience. However, she gets more than she bargained for when her mistress, Mrs. Worth, dies from poisoning. Add a missing strongbox into the mix and Patience decides to run off. With a reward being offered for her capture, Patience turns to an unlikely friend, a young printer's apprentice named Benjamin Franklin, for help.

Before Patience can get into even deeper trouble, the two adventurous teens set out to solve the mystery of Mrs. Worth's death and to find the missing cash . Follow them through the streets of colonial Boston as the two devise various schemes to reveal the real murderer and thief.

The Bottom Line: The Secret of the Sealed Room: A Mystery of Young Benjamin Franklin is a fun and quick read for the middle school set; this is a great introduction to historical fiction. Kids who enjoy mysteries will be intrigued.

Details: The Secret of the Sealed Room: A Mystery of Young Benjamin Franklin by Bailey MacDonald. Hardcover published by Aladdin in 2010. 224 p. ISBN: 978-1-4169-9760-3

Cookbook Review: Good Housekeeping Budget Dinners!

✰✰✰✰½ This gem of a cookbook is chock full of easy dinners to make on a budget. There's no need to panic when the kids ask, "What's for dinner?" Simply pull out a copy of Good Housekeeping Budget Dinners!: 100 recipes your family will love, and you'll have a delicious, homemade meal ready in no time without breaking the bank.

The Editors at Good Housekeeping have come up with a collection of recipes are easy to follow and presented in step-by-step format. Unlike most cookbooks that are organized by beef, chicken, or fish, this one is organized by "eight roads into feeding your family frugally." These roads include "Cook It Slow and Easy," "Breakfast for Dinner," and "Supper in a Salad Bowl." However, there are still plenty of recipes that include beef, poultry, and seafood; plus, there's pork, pasta, soups, salads, ethnic dishes, and vegetarian delights.

This cookbook includes everything from slow cooker recipes to grilled sensations that your family will love. The book's physical format is a spiral-bound hardcover that lies flat when in use, a handy feature that works well for lots of cooks including me. Additionally, beautiful full-color photos are included for many recipes.

The Bottom Line: The home-style recipes found in this cookbook are both convenient and easy to prepare. Wallet-friendly tips are included throughout. Highly recommended for home cooks who are thinking frugal in these challenging economic times.

Details: Good Housekeeping Budget Dinners!: 100 recipes your family will love by The Editors of Good Housekeeping. Hardcover published by Hearst Communications, Inc. in 2010. 176p. ISBN: 978-1-58816-812-2

Book Review: A Trail of Ink by Mel Starr

✰✰✰✰ In the third installment of the series, medieval surgeon Hugh de Singleton has not one, but two puzzles to solve. First, Master John Wyclif's treasured collection of scholarly books has been stolen. It's up to Hugh to unravel a trail of deceit and solve a murder in order to see that the books are returned to their rightful owners.

Second, Hugh is on a quest to find a wife. With little experience in the ways of winning a young maiden's hand, Hugh sets out to court the young lady who caught his attention in the second chronicle, A Corpse at St. Andrew's Chapel. The object of his affections, Kate Caxton, is witty, intelligent, and comely. She attracts more than her share of attention and has no shortage of suitors from which to choose. Will Hugh be able to win over the beautiful Kate or has he met his match in the form of Sir Simon Trillowe? Only time will tell as we follow Hugh on this adventures in Oxford.

The Bottom Line: The third book in the series is a quick and enjoyable weekend read. This chronicle features fewer surgeries than the first two books and more emphasis is placed on Hugh's exploration of faith. However, there are still plenty of twists and turns to keep readers guessing. Highly entertaining and recommended for fans of medieval mysteries. Also, recommended for fans of Christian fiction. A glossary of medieval words and a map of Oxford are included.

Details: A Trail of Ink: The third chronicle of Hugh de Singleton, surgeon by Mel Starr. Paperback published by Monarch Books in 2010. 224 p. ISBN: 978-1-85424-974-6 Note: I received a complimentary copy from Kregel Publications in exchange for a review. This was made possible by the Early Reviewer program at LibraryThing.