Book Review: 'My First Kwanzaa' by Karen Katz

✰✰✰½  Follow along as a little girl celebrates her very first Kwanzaa and learns about the traditions associated with the holiday. As each of the seven days goes by, she learns about the Seven Principles including the importance of unity, community, helping others, and family. On the very last day, it’s finally time for a celebration including music, dancing, and a feast of delicious African food.

The Bottom Line: A very basic introduction to the African-American cultural holiday, Kwanzaa, and the Seven Principles. Ideal for little ones in PreK – K and useful for teachers. Includes a note about Kwanzaa on the last page.

Details: My First Kwanzaa (My First Holiday) written & illustrated by Karen Katz. Picture book published by Henry Holt & Company in 2003. 28 p. ISBN: 0-8050-7077-X 

Book Review: 'Santa's Story' by Will Hillenbrand

✰✰✰✰✰ It's Christmas Eve and Santa is ready to go, except for one thing...No reindeer! Now where did all the reindeer go? Santa searches and finds that Dancer is dancing, while Prancer is busy prancing. Oh My! What is Santa to do? The all-call on the horn and jingling of the bells fail to bring in the missing reindeer, but there's something else that just might work. Will Santa get the reindeer to focus,so all the toys can be delivered on time? Check out this charming, seasonal tale to find out.

The Bottom Line: Hillenbrand has woven a treasured childhood tradition into a holiday story with colorful, digitally rendered drawings in large two-page spreads. This picture book is so much fun to read and enthusiastically recommended for storytimes or bedtime reading.

Details: Santa's Story written & illustrated by Will Hillenbrand. Picture book published by Two Lions in 2019. 32 p. ISBN: 978-1542043380

Book Review: 'Hanukkah in Alaska' by Barbara Brown

✰✰✰✰✰ Things are different in Alaska. Daylight in winter is very short, there are moose, and it snows...a lot. When one particular moose camps out in a little girl’s backyard, she is not happy. She tries everything to lure the moose away, but nothing works. It looks like the stubborn moose is there to stay. Then on the last night of Hanukkah, something magical happens. Under the spectacular northern lights of the season, the little girl finds a solution to her dilemma. What could possibly make a big moose move? Check out this holiday picture book and find out!

The Bottom Line: Beautifully illustrated in soft shades of acrylic & gouache, this delightful tale will become a holiday tradition to read with your family. Enthusiastically recommended holiday reading for the young and the young at heart.

Details: Hanukkah in Alaska written by Barbara Brown & illustrated by Stacey Schuett. Picture book published by Henry Holt & Company in 2013. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0-8050-9748-1 

Book Review: 'Balloons Over Broadway' by Melissa Sweet

✰✰✰✰½ Have you ever wondered how the gigantic balloons in the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade came to be? They are the highlight of the parade for many, but most of us have no idea how it all started. Over a hundred years ago, a talented immigrant named Anthony "Tony" Frederick Sarg came to America. He specialized in making marionette's with lifelike movements. After coming to New York City, Macy's department store asked Tony to design a "puppet parade" for the store's "Wondertown" windows. The display was so popular, Macy's tasked Tony with creating a holiday parade for all the immigrants employed by Macy's. 

The first Thanksgiving Day parade in 1924 was a huge hit and included live zoo animals. Over the years the parade grew, but some of the children were afraid of the animals. Tony hoped to replace the lions and tigers with puppets, but how? And how did the puppets turn into the iconic, gigantic balloons? Check out this book for an informative, but entertaining read about Tony Sarg, the puppeteer who transformed the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade into the event we look forward to each year.

The Bottom Line: Written and illustrated by Caldecott Honor Winner, Melissa Sweet, this biography of Tony Sarg is filled with fascinating, colorful illustrations in gouache, collage, and mixed media. The book includes an Author's Note with some interesting tidbits about Tony and his life's work, information about the art in the book, a bibliography, and sources for quotes. Both Sarg's story and the author remind us "...that "play" may be the most important element in making art!" Highly recommended for kids ages 7 - 10 or anyone who is interested in art and American History.

Details: Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade written & illustrated by Melissa Sweet. Picture book published by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children in 2011.  40 p. ISBN: 9780-547-19945-0 

Book Review: 'Because of an Acorn' by Lola M. Schaefer & Adam Schaefer

✰✰✰✰ When an acorn falls to the ground, it’s the beginning of something special. Because of a tiny acorn, a tree may sprout, a bird might build a nest, a flower may grow, fruit might ripen, and an animal might find dinner. From that one acorn a whole forest may grow full of trees and animals.

Budding naturalists will enjoy learning about the life cycle and appreciate the additional information about oak trees and the ecosystem at the end of the book as well.

The Bottom Line: This engaging picture book is a great introduction to the concepts of the ecosystem and the food chain. Colorful two-page spreads in paint and ink work seamlessly with the spare words to establish cause and effect in nature. Highly recommended for nature-themed storytimes for grades K – 2.

Details: Because of an Acorn written by Lola M. Schaefer & Adam Schaefer and illustrated by Frann Preston-Gannon. Hardcover picture book published by Chronicle Books LLC in 2016. 36 p. ISBN: 978-1-4521-1242-8 

Book Review: 'Vunce Upon a Time' by J.otto Seibold & Siobhan Vivian

✰✰✰✰✰  Dagmar is a very shy, little vampire. He's afraid of humans, and he's even a vegetarian! While he likes eating veggies, he loves candy even more. Unfortunately, his vegetable garden is slow to grow, and his secret stash of candy is almost out. What's a hungry, vegetarian vampire to do? Go trick-or-treating, of course. There's just one problem (or maybe two), Dagmar doesn't have a costume, and he's really, really afraid of people. Will he find the courage he needs to to out on Halloween to replenish his stash of candy before he runs out? Check out this popular picture book to find out.

The Bottom Line: Seibold's vivid, digitally created illustrations are a real treat in this humorous, yet charming, Halloween book about friendship and courage. A spooktacular read for kids ages 3 - 8 and highly recommended for storytimes.

Details: Vunce Upon a Time written by J.otto Seibold & Siobhan Vivian and illustrated by J.otto Seibold. Picture book published by Chronicle Books in 2008. Unpaged. ISBN: 978-0-8118-6271-4

Book Review: 'Scary, Scary Halloween' by Eve Bunting

 

✰✰✰✰✰ Two green eyes peer out into the darkness and watch carefully as a skeleton passes by. Soon there are witches, goblins, gremlins, a ghost, and even a vampire parading by as the narrator wonders if it's safe to go outside. It must be Halloween, but when will it ever be safe to go out? Check out this spooky tale to find out.

The Bottom Line: Bunting and Brett are a fabulous combination when it comes to picture books. With intriguing text and fantastic, full color illustrations with lots of spooky details, they'll keep you guessing who the narrator is until the very end. Enthusiastically recommended for spooky, seasonal reading for kids in grades 1 - 3.

Details: Scary, Scary Halloween written by Eve Bunting & illustrated by Jan Brett. Picture book published by Clarion Books in 1986. 40 p. ISBN: 0-89919-414-1

Book Review: 'Zen Ghosts' by John Muth

✰✰✰✰½ It's Halloween, and by the end of the evening Addy, Michael, and Karl have loads of candy treats. However, the fun's not over yet. Their panda friend, Stillwater, has one more surprise waiting for them. A mysterious panda storyteller draws them a story, and when it's finished, the kids are mystified. What happened to Stillwater, and just who was this mysterious storyteller? You'll be left wondering too when you check out this seasonal treat.

The Bottom Line: This gentle Halloween ghost story contains a story within a story that will make the reader think about who they really are. Muth's beautiful artwork in watercolor and ink tell the tale as much as the text. Highly recommended for storytimes for grades 1 - 4. Check out the Author's Note at the end for discussion ideas.

Details: Zen Ghosts written & illustrated by John Muth. Picture book published by Scholastic Press in 2010. 40 p. ISBN: 978-439-63430-4 

Book Review: 'Ghoulia' by Barbara Cantini

✰✰✰½ Ghoulia is a little zombie girl who lives in a haunted manor. Although she has her dog to play with, she longs to play with children her own age. Unfortunately, her dear Auntie Departed has warned her many times to hide from the local children in the village. But Ghoulia is not your ordinary little zombie girl. When she learns about Halloween, she comes up with a plan to join in the fun. Will it work? Or will Auntie Departed foil her plans? Check out this first book in a fun new series to find out.

The Bottom Line: Ghoulia just wants to be ordinary, and tries very hard to fit in. When she finally learns to be herself, she discovers that making friends isn't scary at all. Recommended for kids in grade school, who enjoy creepy little tales of friendship.

Details: Ghoulia (Book 1) by Barbara Cantini. Hardcover published by Amulet Books in 2018. 64 p. ISBN: 978-1-4197-3293-5

Book Review: 'Pumpkin Moon' by Tim Preston

✰✰✰ It's Halloween, and when the trick-or-treaters are finished, the Jack-o'-lanterns come out to play. After midnight they sail off porches and through the woods, flying high into the night sky. Up and up they go to unite as the Pumpkin Moon.

The Bottom Line: Bartram's big, bold artwork is the highlight of this seasonal picture book. I read a well-used copy that older children will enjoy. However, this pick might be a bit frightening for little ones.

Details: Pumpkin Moon written by Tim Preston & illustrated by Simon Bartram. Picture book published by Dutton Children's Books in 2001. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0-525-46713-7

Book Review: 'Mouse's First Halloween' by Lauren Thompson

✰✰✰✰✰ On one spooky night, a little mouse creeps out and encounters a spooky noise. Not to worry, it's just bats. As the little mouse creeps along, he hears more spooky noises. "Flit! Flit! Flit!" " Plop! Plop! Plop!" What could the noises be? The brave little mouse continues on his night out only to discover that maybe it's fun to be just a little scared after all.

The Bottom Line: This sweet adventure tale is perfect for little ones who are tiny bit reluctant to celebrate Halloween. Illustrated in bold colors, with rhyming verses, repetition, and large print, this seasonal picture book is just a little bit creepy. Highly recommended for children ages 2 - 5 and for story times.

Details: Mouse's First Halloween written by Lauren Thompson & illustrated by Buket Erdogan. Picture book published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers in 2003. 34p. ISBN: 978-0-689-83176-8

Book Review: 'Frankie Stein Starts School' by Lola M. Schaefer

✰✰✰✰½ In a world full of monsters and ghouls, young Frankie Stein is a clean-cut kid. When he starts Miss Wart's Academy for Ghouls & Goblins, the other kids notice the difference right away. Despite being bullied and teased, Frankie tries his best to be scary and gross. When Frankie mixes a potion and grows frightening fangs, the other kids are impressed. Through perseverance, Frankie demonstrates that there's more to being scary than just looks.

The Bottom Line: This story illustrates that you shouldn't judge a book just by the cover. There's so much more to people if you just give them the opportunity to shine. With big, bold art by Atteberry, this picture book is a fun pick for a seasonal storytime. Highly recommended for kids ages 5 - 8.

Details: Frankie Stein Starts School written by Lola M. Schaefer & illustrated by Kevan Atteberry. Picture book published by Marshall Cavendish Children in 2010. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0-7614-5656-8

Book Review: 'Trick or Treat' written & illustrated by Leo Landry

✰✰✰✰ When a little ghost named Oliver plans the spookiest party ever, he makes sure all of his spooky friends are invited to the empty house at the end of the street. However, after all the witches, skeletons, bats, and ghosts have arrived, there's one last knock at the door. Who could it be? When Oliver answers, he's surprised by two extra guests who say, "Trick or Treat!" What's a ghost to do? Trick them or give them a treat? Everyone is in for a fun surprise. To find out what is is, check out this Halloween treat and read on.

The Bottom Line: With simple text and playful, watercolor illustrations, Landry delivers a spooky and fun seasonal winner. Enthusiastically recommended for beginning readers in grades Pre-K - 1, especially for little ones a bit hesitant about Halloween.

Details: Trick or Treat written & illustrated by Leo Landry. Picture book published by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children in 2012. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0-547-24969-8

Book Review: 'The Sisters of Straygarden Place' by Hayley Chewins

✰✰✰½ Winnow, Mayhap, and Pavonine Ballastian have been living alone at Straygarden Place ever since their parents left them behind seven years ago. The house is surrounded by strange, silver grass and floating trees, and their parents warned the three sisters never to go outside. The girls never want for anything as the magical house takes care of their every need, but then one day Winnow goes outside. When she returns, it's obvious to Mayhap and Pavonine that something is very wrong with her. Mayhap is determined to help her ailing sister, but what she uncovers may destroy their very existence. With time running out to save Winnow, the young girls must make decisions that will change everything.

The Bottom Line: Despite a slow start, the author eventually drew me in with her haunting prose, and the book turned into a real page-turner. The setting features a bit of creepiness as the children grow up with everything taken care of for them. However, what really shines through in this book is the bond of sisterly love. Recommended for middle grade readers and young adults who enjoy reading fantasy and horror. There are a lot of magical elements in this story that readers will appreciate as well.

Details: The Sisters of Straygarden Place by Hayley Chewins. ARC published by Candlewick Press in 2020. 208 p. ISBN: 978-1-5362-1227-3 NOTE: I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This was made possible via the Early Reviewers program at LibraryThing.

Book Review: 'Six Creepy Sheep' by Judith Ross Enderle & Stephanie Gordon Tessler

✰✰✰✰ When six creepy decide to go trick-or-treating on a spooky Halloween night, they’re the ones in for a surprise. As they go a-haunting, the six creepy sheep meet their matches one-by-one, until...there’s only one left. Where did they all go? Turn the pages of this quick holiday read to discover a fun twist ending and happy surprise.

The Bottom Line: With rhyming text, this picture book is suited for storytimes for beginning readers. It’s a super short and super fun read for kids learning to count backwards, and it’s a great way to introduce kids to the concept of collective nouns too. O’Brien’s Goreyesque illustrations create a lighthearted spookiness, and the use of a Halloween color palette adds to the fun. For kids ages 3 and up.

Details: Six Creepy Sheep written by Judith Ross Enderle & Stephanie Gordon Tessler and illustrated by John O’Brien. Picture book published by Caroline House in 1992. 24 p. ISBN: 1-56397-092-9

Book Review: 'The Bones of Fred McFee' by Eve Bunting

✰✰✰✰½ The creepy fun begins when a brother and sister bring home a plastic skeleton from the harvest fair. High up in a sycamore tree, the skeleton dances with glee. The plastic bones of Fred McFee click and clack in the wind. Once Halloween is over, the bones will be put away until next year, but where are they? The children search and search; there’s nothing to be found but a grave beneath the tree. What could have happened? Where did Fred McFee go? He’s gone! Or is he? Check out this spooktactular tale for a frightfully good scare.

The Bottom Line: This is a spooky tale for kids ages 5 - 8. The rhythmic story is great for reading aloud, and the colorful  illustrations in scratchboard and watercolor add to the creepy fun. Highly recommended Halloween reading, but keep your little ones close because this tale might be a bit scary for some tiny tots.

Details: The Bones of Fred McFee written by Eve Bunting & illustrated by Kurt Cyrus. Picture book published by Harcourt Children’s Books in 2002. 32 p. ISBN: 0-15-202004-7

Book Review: 'Rise of Zombert' by Kara LaReau

✰✰✰½ Mellie and Danny are two best friends in the fourth grade. Mellie's parents believe in free-range parenting, which gives Mellie lots of time to hang with Danny as he films his next horror flick. On one of the filming days, Mellie discovers a weak, bedraggled cat in a bin behind the YummCo Foods factory. The cat is so pathetic, she takes him home and names him Bert. 

Wanting to be a good pet owner, Mellie reads up on cat behavior and is worried when Bert refuses to eat the expensive YummCo cat food she bought. Soon she's in for a surprise when Bert starts bringing her 'presents' in the form of decapitated creatures. The more creatures he presents, the better he begins to look. Mellie and Danny wonder what's going on. Is Bert feeding off the brains? Where does Bert go when he disappears? Is he actually a zombie cat? There's plenty of mystery to solve in this first book of The Zombert Chronicles.

The Bottom Line: This quick read is told from multiple points of view, including from the cat's point of view, which is really interesting. With two best friends and a mysterious cat, this book focuses on friendship, bullying, family issues, and caring for a pet. This is the first installment of a new series, and while not for squeamish readers, young fans of horror and mystery will appreciate the creepy vibe and want to know what happens in the next installment.

Details: Rise of Zombert written by Kara LaReau & illustrated by Ryan Andrews. Advance Reading Copy published by Candlewick Press in 2020. 144 p. ISBN: 978-1-5362-0106-2 [NOTE: I received a complimentary review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This was made possible via the Early Reviewers program at LibraryThing. Also, some interior images were not final at the time I did this review.] 

Book Review: 'Fright Club' by Ethan Long

✰✰✰✰ The Fright Club meets annually to practice making ghoulish faces and chilling sounds. Only the most frightening monsters are invited to join, but that’s not fair! When a sweet bunny and some cute little critters ask to join, Vladimir the Vampire won’t allow it. After all, what would these cute critters know about being scary? The monsters don’t have time to waste as they brush up on their scary skills without the bunny and his cute friends. Not to worry, the cute critters have a plan, and they won’t give up. Will Vladimir eventually give in and let them join? Read this spooky tale to find out!

The Bottom Line: This is a cute seasonal picture book with adorable illustrations in soft, muted colors, but there’s a deeper message here: Everything’s more fun when EVERYONE is included. This would be a frightfully fun choice for story time for kids in grades K - 2.

Details: Fright Club written & illustrated by Ethan Long. Picture book published by Bloomsbury in 2015. 32 P. ISBN: 978-1-61963-337-7

Book Review: 'A Walk in the Woods' by Bill Bryson

✰✰✰✰½ When bestselling author, Bill Bryson, got the bright idea to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail for a new book, it sounded simple. However, thru-hiking is not for the faint of heart; thru-hiking means walking 2,200 miles of the AT from start to end. The only person remotely interested in tagging along on this challenge was Bryson’s old high school classmate, Stephen Katz. 

After having parted ways decades earlier, the two friends couldn’t be more different. Bryson was married with children and a successful career, while Katz had spent time in jail and battled alcohol addiction. Although they got off to a rocky start, as the pair hiked together, Bryson’s journey to rediscover America became one of self-discovery and friendship, as well. Did they actually hike the AT? Well, that depends on who you ask. Check out this book and decide for yourself.

The Bottom Line: Together, Bryson and Katz, rediscover not only the America Bryson left behind so many years before, but a renewed friendship too. This travel memoir of perseverance, loyalty, patience, honesty, and respect is told in the author’s signature writing style with humor and an infusion of science, pop culture, history, keen observations, and personal experiences. At times I felt as if I was walking along the AT with them. Enthusiastically recommended for anyone who enjoys travelogues and humor with a sprinkle of fascinating facts and trivia. Also, highly recommended for hikers and nature lovers. (NOTE: Both the book and the movie have some strong language and sexual references.)

Book Club Notes: After a seven month hiatus, our group is glad to be back! We met virtually for the first time this month, and what book could be more perfect than A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson? Whether we watched the movie, read the book, or both, we enjoyed the humor and camaraderie of author and his friend as they attempted to hike the AT.

As a group we appreciated the book much more than the movie. The book contained a blend of humor, experience, and observation that kept us turning the pages. It was engaging, and we enjoyed the author's musings. The movie on the other hand, didn't fair so well. Although the movie was funny, there were scenes that were added just for drama. Nevertheless, the theme of perseverance was still present and the friendship between Bryson and Katz shined through. Both the book and the movie illustrate that you can dream at any age. We rated the book an average of 4.5 on a scale of 1 - 5, with 5 being the highest. The movie received a 2.75. [Note: The movie is rated R for language and some sexual references.]

Although we are new to having discussing books via Zoom, technology issues were minimal. Hopefully, as we become more familiar with this format, our discussions will seem more fluid and natural. This book was the perfect pick at the current time because many of us have been taking walks in the park or enjoying our backyards more during the pandemic. We highly recommend the book for anyone interested in nature, hiking, travel, and friendship.

We supplemented our discussion with the following: An article about the real life Stephen Katz, an article about what the movie gets wrong, and information from LitCharts.  Discussion questions can be found at the following sites: Litlovers, the Hunterdon County Library, and Tsundoku.

Details: A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson. Paperback published by Broadway Books in 1998. 274 p. ISBN: 978-0-7679-0252-6 

Book Review: 'Peril & Prayer' by Olivia Matthews

✰✰✰✰ When Sister Louise "Lou" LaSalle is tasked with helping keep peace during the planning of the annual Advent retreat, she is none too thrilled. But with Sister Marianna and the resort co-owner, Autumn, butting heads, Sister Lou's skills of diplomacy are called for. Unfortunately, when Autumn meets an untimely end, all the clues point to Sister Marianna. With the reputation of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Hermione of Ephesus at stake and donors dropping out, Sister Lou must once again don her sleuthing hat. Together with the help of her nephew, Chris, and newspaper reporter, Shari, the amateur detectives must untangle the twisted clues and try to save the feisty nun from being framed.

The Bottom Line: Fans of cozy mysteries will adore Sister Lou and her sleuthing companions as they reunite to solve another crime. This is a fun and easy weekend read, and I am looking forward to reading the next in the series. Highly recommended for mystery buffs and fans of Christian fiction.

Details: Peril & Prayer: A Sister Lou Mystery by Olivia Matthews. Paperback published by Kensington Publishing Corp. in 2018. 368 p. ISBN: 978-1-4967-0940-0 

Book Review: 'Itsy Bitsy Christmas' by Max Lucado

✰✰✰½ Itsy and Bitsy are two little mice who live in Bethlehem. When a donkey tells them that the King is coming to town, the mice want to meet Him. Their friends at the stable are doubtful. Why would a King come to Bethlehem? But Itsy and Bitsy are determined to find Him. They search everywhere, but the King is nowhere to be found. When they finally return to the stable, the donkey is there with a surprise for everyone, including the littlest of them all.

The Bottom Line: Written with gentle humor, the story of the coming of Christ is told from the point of view of two of God's littlest creatures. This holiday read features colorful illustrations by Bruno Merz and is written by bestselling Christian author, Max Lucado. Share it on Christmas Eve with kids ages 5 - 8.

Details: Itsy Bitsy Christmas written by Max Lucado & illustrated by Bruno Merz. Picture book published by Tommy Nelson in 2013. 32 p. ISBN: 978-1-4003-2262-6

Book Review: 'The Christmas Bears' by Chris Conover

✰✰✰✰✰ The Bears are enjoying holiday baking and decorating as Pa makes toys in his workshop. On Christmas Eve, their friends come over for supper. There are treats galore, but soon Pa is off and away in his sleigh. There are toys to deliver, and it's time for the little ones to go to bed. When the cubs wake up, they discover it's a very special day for all.

The Bottom Line: The rhyming text makes this picture book easy to read for beginners, but the illustrations are the real treat. With lots of details and Christmas colors of red and green, the illustrations will draw you in. I especially enjoyed the map showing where all the different types of bears and their friends come from too. This is one story you'll read over and over with your little one. Enthusiastically recommended holiday reading for kids ages 3 - 8.

Details: The Christmas Bears written & illustrated by Chris Conover. Picture book published by Farrar Straus Giroux in 2008. 40 P. ISBN: 9780374332754

Book Review: 'Christmas in the Barn' by Margaret Wise Brown

✰✰✰½ Two travelers seek shelter in a barn after being told there is no room at the inn. The barn is warm, and there are many animals, but they are safe all together. Soon a baby is born and a bright star guides three wise men to the barn. Shepherds and sheep also arrive to see the child sleeping in the hay. Everyone is safe in that ancient barn, and all is well.

The Bottom Line: First published in 1952, bestselling children's author Margaret Wise Brown retells the story of Mary, Joseph, and the birth of Christ as perhaps a child would. Loosely illustrated paintings in oil, pastel, pencil, and marker accentuate this spare story with rhyming text. This simple story of the Nativity is ideal for ages 3 - 6.

Details: Christmas in the Barn written by Margaret Wise Brown & illustrated by Anna Dewdney. Newly illustrated edition published by Harper in 2016. 40 p. ISBN: 978-0-06-237986-3

Book Review: 'Angelina's Christmas' by Katharine Holabird

✰✰✰✰½ As Angelina Ballerina returns home from school, she notices one house that seems cold and dark. She asks her mum about it. It turns out the house belongs to the old postman, Mr. Bell, who lives there all alone. With her father and reluctant little cousin, Henry, in tow, Angelina decides to bring some holiday cheer to the old man. While the Mouselings decorate the Christmas tree, Mr. Bell prepares a surprise of his own for them and teaches Henry that a little kindness goes a long way.

The Bottom Line: Little fans of the Angelina Ballerina series will be charmed by this sweet story of friendship, kindness, and finding the true meaning of Christmas. Craig's engaging and detailed illustrations help tell this magical tale. Highly recommended seasonal reading for children ages 3 - 8.

Details: Angelina's Christmas written by Katharine Holabird & illustrated by Helen Craig. Picture book published by Pleasant Company Publications in 2000. 24 p. ISBN: 1-58485-140-6

Book Review: 'Merry Un-Christmas' written by Mike Reiss & illustrated by David Catrow

✰✰✰✰½ Can there ever be too many Christmas presents? Too much turkey? Yes, there can. Just ask Noelle.  Noelle lives in Christmas City, which means it is Christmas 364 days a year. Most kids would be delighted, but Noelle wishes for Un-Christmas Day instead.

Un-Christmas Day is the one day a year she can go to school, eat TV dinners, and get letters from the mailman. Oh, what fun it is to put away the Christmas tree too. In fact, it's so much fun, Noelle wishes it could be Un-Christmas Day every day of the year!

The Bottom Line: It's easy to think the grass is always greener on the other side of the mountain, but is it really? It's just something to consider in this charming Christmas picture book filled with colorful and humorous illustrations. This fun book is enthusiastically recommended for story time and bed time holiday reading.

Details: Merry Un-Christmas written by Mike Reiss & illustrated by David Catrow. Picture book published by HarperCollins Publishers in 2006. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0-06-059127-4

Book Review: 'Aggie Morton: Mystery Queen: The Body Under the Piano' by Marthe Jocelyn

✰✰✰½ When well-to-do, but shy, Aggie Morton discovers a body, the young girl quickly learns to accept getting out of her comfort zone. With the help of a young boy from Belgium, the new friends begin to uncover the clues to solving the crime. Unfortunately, the police seem to be following the clues down a different path. With time running out, the timid young girl and her foreign friend must sort everything out before danger befalls them as well. Pick up this mystery set in the seaside town of Torquay, England in 1902 for a tale of adventure and mischief.

The Bottom Line: This middle grade novel is a sweet nod to the real Queen of Mystery (Agatha Christie) and one of her leading characters (Hercule Poirot). While the beginning was a bit slow, the story picked up the pace in the middle and end for a surprising ending. Young fans of mystery and historical fiction will enjoy these characters in this new mystery series.

Details: Aggie Morton: Mystery Queen: The Body Under the Piano by Marthe Jocelyn. Hardcover published by Tundra in 2020. 336 p. ISBN: 978-0-7352-6546-2 NOTE: I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This was made possible via the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program. 

Book Review: 'The Rookie' by Jim Morris & Joel Engel

✰✰✰ Coach Jimmy Morris was a popular high school sports coach. Unfortunately, in a place where football was revered, baseball was mocked. So when his high school baseball team wasn’t taking things too seriously, he made a deal: If the team could win the local championship, he would try out for major league baseball...again. He didn’t think much about it after that; after all, he was just trying to motivate the team. But something he said struck a chord with his kids. As he pitched for them, they started winning games. The team kept their part of the bargain, and now it was his turn.

When Jimmy showed up at tryouts with his kids in tow, everyone was doubtful as to what he had to offer. He was a middle-aged father of three, who had had multiple surgeries and injuries. Nevertheless, he was given the chance to pitch last, and people took notice. The rest is baseball history. If you’ve ever dreamed of something that seems unreachable, pick up this book for a shot of inspiration.

The Bottom Line: This motivational read is a sports story, an underdog story, and a love story all rolled into one. Morris is honest about sharing his hopes and dreams as well as doubts and failures. Even though the focus is on Jimmy, Lorri’s story shines through too. Recommended for sports fans and Big League hopefuls.

Details: The Rookie: The Incredible True Story of a Man Who Never Gave Up On His Dream by Jim Morris & Joel Engel (formerly published as The Oldest Rookie: Big-League Dreams from a Small-Town Guy). Paperback published by Grand Central Publishing in 2002. 288 p. ISBN: 978-0-446-67837-7 

Book Review: 'The Last Leonardo' by Ben Lewis

✰✰✰✰ In 2017, a small oil painting attributed to the great master, Leonardo da Vinci, was sold at auction for the phenomenal price of $450 million. It is well known that only a handful of paintings by the great master survive today. So where did this painting come from? Where has it been hiding all these years? And who bought it?

Although many versions of the Salvator Mundi icon were painted by da Vinci's assistants, art historians have wondered if an original was produced by da Vinci himself? If so, could this be it? Art historian and critic Ben Lewis takes the reader along on his investigation into the discovery, history, and eventual sales of this extraordinary piece of art. With a lot of detective work, the author pieces together the spellbinding story of what may be one of the last surviving examples of great master's work.

The Bottom Line: The premise of The Last Leonardo is fascinating, and the twists and turns of this nonfiction book will keep you turning the pages. In the end it's up to you to decide whether or not the Salvator Mundi is truly a work by the great master himself or a product of one of his students. We might never know.

While suitable for both public and academic libraries, this book assumes some knowledge of art history. Beautiful, full color photos are included of the Salvator Mundi, other versions of the painting, and the people involved in the story. However, the author mentions many works of art besides the Salvator Mundi without including photographs. Thus, I found it necessary to search online for images of the other paintings mentioned in order to supplement the text. Nevertheless, this is a fascinating book which will appeal to academics as well as those interested in art history.

Details: The Last Leonardo: The Secret Lives of the World's Most Expensive Painting by Ben Lewis. Hardcover published by Ballantine Books in 2019. 384 p. ISBN: 978-1-9848-1925-3 NOTE: I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This was made possible via the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program.

Book Review: 'Bunny's Easter Egg' by Anne Mortimer

✰✰✰✰ After spending the night hiding Easter eggs, a tired little bunny tries to get some rest. Unfortunately, the plain egg she brought back with her starts cracking. The bunny hops away in search of some peace and quiet, but everywhere she goes, there's something to bother her...a chirp, a prickle, a quack. How will the little bunny ever get her rest? Follow her journey as she discovers the perfect resting spot along with a sweet surprise!

The Bottom Line: With snappy verses, the repetition is helpful for new readers. The spring theme is beautifully illustrated as we follow the little bunny and search for 13 carefully hidden Easter eggs. It may seem easy at first, but look carefully; the Easter eggs are hidden well. Little ones ages 3 - 8 will adore this playful, engaging book. Perfect for seasonal storytimes too. 

Details: Bunny's Easter Egg written & illustrated by Anne Mortimer. Picture book published by Katherine Tegen Books in 2010. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0-06-136664-2 

Book Review: 'Argo: How the CIA & Hollywood Pulled Off the Most Audacious Rescue in History' by Antonio Mendez & Matt Baglio

✰✰✰✰½ What happens when a gifted artist joins the CIA? Magic. On November 4, 1979, Iranian student protesters stormed the American Embassy in Tehran. The diplomats had experienced something similar earlier in the year, so initially they weren't too worried. Unfortunately, this was different. It was just the beginning of a 444-day ordeal in which Americans were held hostage in horrible conditions.

As if the situation weren't intense enough, six Americans had managed to evade capture and were hiding somewhere in the city. It would only be a matter of time before they were discovered. With the clock ticking, the United States began to create scenarios for rescue, and Antonio Mendez, a top CIA officer, was brought on board.

The result was a plan so fantastical, it just had to work. Or would it? With the help of Hollywood special-effects artists, a script for a sci-fi flick, and courageous Canadians, Mendez was about to undertake a rescue so daring, it would be one for the history books.

The Bottom Line: Told by a true hero, Argo is a real page-turner. This quick read will keep you on the edge of your seat and provide the reader with a fascinating look at some of the "tricks of the trade" used in the past to exfiltrate people. Perfect for the armchair adventurer, fans of spy novels, and students of American History, this book is highly recommended.

Book Club Notes: As a group, we rated this book very highly with a median of 4.5 stars. For those of us who watched both the movie and read the book, we gave the movie 3 stars. We found the movie a bit disappointing because of the many fictional parts created just for the sake of adding suspense. It's already suspenseful without jazzing it up. Nevertheless, for those members who only watched the film, the movie was very entertaining. Both (but especially the book) are enthusiastically recommended for book clubs.

The book takes the reader back to a time many of us still remember, albeit vaguely. Many scenes in the book were filled with memories. It was a a fast and easy to read book with lots of suspense. We appreciated the backstory into what it was like working for the CIA at the time. This book also highlighted the coordination between the Americans and the Canadians. (Thank you, CANADA!) The only thing missing from this book were maps and photos, but I was able to make up for this with information I found online.

Since the book did not come with a reading guide, I put together discussion questions from the following resources: Teach With Movies, the Carnegie Council, Pilgrim Uniting Church, and a teacher resource guide from News in Review. My list of discussion questions is at the bottom of this post and includes some of my own as well as those from the previously listed sites. [NOTE: If you use the list of questions for your book club, please give credit where credit is due.]

Additionally, here are some of the links I used to supplement the discussion: The Official Website of Tony & Jonna Mendez, Pleasant Valley Studios (featuring artwork by the authors), Anonio Mendez's obituary, Ken Taylor's obituary, a fascinating article about Jonna Mendez, artifacts from the ARGO caper, a survivor story, Tony Mendez's case study, and a short video of The Real "ARGO."

Details: Argo: How the CIA and Hollywood Pulled Off the Most Audacious Rescue in History by Antonio Mendez & Matt Baglio. Paperback published in 2012. 320 p. ISBN: 978-0-14-750973-4 

ARGO  Discussion Questions created & compiled by Nana A. Herron:

The day of the takeover:

• Did you know anything about this event prior to reading this book? 
• Did you know anything about the houseguests before reading the book or watching this film?
• What issues does this film/book raise?
• What preconceived notions did you have about Iran before reading this book? Did these change after reading the book? 
• Why wasn’t the embassy simply closed?
• Were there any other options for freeing the hostages or houseguests? (Military interventions, negotiations, dialogue…)  Before Tony came up with the exfiltration plan featuring a Hollywood cover story, there was another plan. The original idea was to create a dead body double of the shah in exchange for the American hostages? What were the pros and cons of this option?
• Discuss the culture of Iran.
• In the film, were Iranians portrayed unfairly? Were they stereotyped? 

Questions about the houseguests:

• How do you think the Americans felt about leaving their diplomatic post and walking out into the street?
• What would have happened if they had been discovered?
• How would you have spent your time in hiding?
• Do you think this incident left any long term effects on the houseguests?
• If you were a houseguest, which exfiltration scenario would you have considered? (English teachers, nutritionists, or Hollywood) What made the Hollywood cover story stand out from the other options?
• Discuss the ARGO exfiltration plan. What did you like or not like about it? Who was the primary audience for the Argo cover?
• Discuss the lengths the CIA went to in order to create a face production company, man phones in Hollywood, and create fake Canadian identities for the houseguests.
• What were their chances for success? How did the houseguests feel about the rescue plan? At the end of the film, former President Jimmy Carter says their chances for success was 50%. The houseguests did not know that at the time. Do you think it would have made a difference at the time if they had known?
• Discuss the personal risks to the Canadians involved and the political risks to Canada as a country.

Controversial issues about the film:   (Note: The genres are historical fiction/historical drama thriller.)

• How faithful was the film to the book? What did the movie get right? What is inaccurate? Do the inaccuracies bother you?
• This film won the 2013 Oscar for Best Picture, but it’s been “widely criticized for not being historically accurate,...” Creating a story of film sometimes means leaving out some information while including other details. Discuss the necessity to include or cut some facts.
• Do you think filmmakers and writers have a responsibility to represent historical events with accuracy? How much creative license should a writer/artist have?
• In Canada, this incident was known as the Canadian Caper. What was Canada’s role? John Sheardon & his wife are not represented in the movie. Discuss this omission.
• Should the movie have given Canada more credit? If so, would an American audience have been interested?
• What do you think about the scenes that were fictional, but used to create suspense in the movie? Was Affleck justified in using them to create tension?
• Was there anything that you saw or heard in the film that was unconvincing or seemed out of place?
• For those who both read the book and saw the film, which did you prefer?

Wrap-up:

• Do you think the author was the right person to tell the story?
• Who do you think acted more heroically? The Canadian ambassador, Ken Taylor, or the author, Antonio Mendez?
• Did this book or film improve your understanding of the hostage crisis?
• How does this book help you understand what is going on in Iran today? Do the issues raised in this book affect the world now? In the future? How so? 
• What was your impression of the CIA before reading the book? Has it changed?
• Why did the CIA keep this rescue operation concealed for so long (for 17 years...until 1997)?
• Did you learn something new? If so, what was it? If not, how did the author fail? 
• Did this book broaden your perspective of the world? In what way?
• Please rate the book from 1 - 5 (with 5 being the highest) and share why you either liked or disliked the book/film.

Book Review: 'American Fix' by Ryan Hampton

✰✰½ The numbers are staggering. Whether you realize it or not, almost everyone knows someone who is dealing with the opioid addiction epidemic in America. It could be your co-worker, neighbor, parent, sibling, or friend. Opioid addiction  can affect anyone. No one is immune. But how did we get to this point? Who is at fault? Many would blame the person with substance use disorder, but there are so many other aspects of this epidemic to consider. American Fix takes a look at Big Pharma, the healthcare community, local resources, and the government.

The author, Ryan Hampton, offers a unique perspective to this issue. As a person in recovery, Hampton has taken on the challenge of putting a face on this epidemic. By sharing his story and that of others, he hopes to encourage people to take action in creating change. If you have an open mind and are interested in discussing what can be done in communities to battle this epidemic, then pick up this book and read on.

The Bottom Line: This is a difficult read that gets you thinking about the current opioid addiction crisis. There is a lot of repetition in the book, and Hampton can sound preachy at times. Nevertheless, Hampton has valuable experience to share. As a person with a substance use disorder who is in recovery, Hampton brings his lived experience to the pages. Hampton succeeds in creating an awareness of the current epidemic, and hopefully encourages the reader to get involved. Recommended for healthcare professionals, mental health professionals, educators, parents, and people struggling with substance use disorder.

Book Club Notes: Members of our group felt very strongly about the issues brought up in this book. Unfortunately, this was one of those rare times when we really did not enjoy the book itself. On a scale from 1 - 5, with 5 being the highest, ratings ranged from a low of 1 to a high of 3.75, with an average rating of 2.5. Why the low ratings? Well, in a nutshell, the author comes across the pages as being very angry and self-serving, which put a lot of people off. Members commented that overall the book was preachy, repetitive, and poorly written; it could have benefited from a good edit. Others commented that Hampton seemed disrespectful to Alcoholics Anonymous and was loose with his facts.

Another issue that really bothered several of us was the comparison of substance use disorder to other chronic diseases, especially breast cancer. While Hampton does have the lived experience of substance use disorder, he made some assumptions about breast cancer, for example, that show a lack of insight. Instead of making comparisons to other diseases, perhaps Hampton could simply focus on the opioid addiction crisis. 

That being said, this book sparked one of our book club's most engaging discussions. Despite all the negatives, this book got us talking to our families, friends, and each other. Hopefully, we will take this discussion into our community, which in turn will allow us to continue to create awareness and understanding about substance use disorder.

This book is a challenging read. Recommended for colleges, communities, and hospitals looking for a way to start a dialogue about the opioid addiction epidemic. Discussion questions are available at Perusall. 

Details: American Fix: Inside the Opioid Addiction Crisis--And How To End It by Ryan Hampton with Claire Rudy Foster. Hardcover published by All Points Books in 2018. 304 p. ISBN: 9781250196262