Book Review: 'Cricket at the Manger' by Edith Hope Fine

✰✰✰✰ A grumpy little cricket just wants a quiet night so he can get some sleep, but it's not meant to be. What is a cricket to do? Suddenly the manger is crowded with sheep, a cow, and even a pig. There's little room left, when a donkey arrives with a couple. That's when it gets even noisier and more people arrive. Much to the cricket's displeasure, a little shepherd girl lifts him up so he can get a better look. And what does he see? A tiny baby in a halo of light. The cricket is puzzled at first, but then he knows just what to do. It's been a very long time since he's done anything but complain, but he's determined to give the little baby something wonderful. Will the grumpy cricket be able to change his tune? Check out this holiday gem to find out. 

The Bottom Line: This sweet tale about the birth of Jesus is told from the perspective of a grouchy cricket. Filled with beautiful illustrations in mixed media, this picture book is sure to be a treasured holiday read. Enthusiastically recommended for seasonal reading and storytimes.

Details: Cricket at the Manger written by Edith Hope Fine & with pictures by Winslow Pels. Hardcover picture book published by Boyds Mills Press in 2005. 32 p. ISBN: 978-1563979934 

Book Review: 'There Was a Young Rabbi: A Hanukkah Tale' by Suzanne Wolfe

✰✰✰✰½ Read along as a young Rabbi celebrates the eight-day Festival of Lights with her family. She reads from the Torah, lights the menorah, makes brisket and latkes, and eats chocolate gelt.

The Bottom Line: Filled humor in both the large type text and illustrations, this holiday picture book is a treat to share. The rhyming and repetition make it easy for beginning readers to learn. And I appreciated the cheerful illustrations as well as the explanations about the holiday throughout the book. Highly recommended for everyone celebrating or learning about the holiday.

Details: There Was a Young Rabbi: A Hanukkah Tale written by Suzanne Wolfe & illustrated by Jeffrey Ebbeler. Picture book published by Kar-Ben Publishing in 2020. 24 p. ISBN: 978-1-5415-7607-0 

Book Review: 'Fatality by Firelight' by Lynn Cahoon

✰✰✰✰ Colorado bed-and-breakfast owner, Cat Latimer, is settling in to her new life in her old hometown. With a winter writing retreat just starting and repairs still being made, Cat has her hands full. So when the new group of writers quickly get into trouble, Cat's town sheriff uncle shows up. It seems that instead of experiencing the snowy slopes of Colorado, the writers checked out the ski lodge bar instead, while romance novelist, Christina, quickly became entangled with a hunky (and engaged) local ski bum. When he meets his demise, Christina naturally becomes the prime suspect. 

Keeping tabs on Christina and the other guests is just the beginning of the challenges Cat and her friends meet as a rare book gets stolen and a mysterious stranger shows up. And if that is not enough, Cat still has unanswered questions about her ex-husband's untimely death. With lots of twists and turns, this mystery is sure to keep you turning the pages.

The Bottom Line: This delightful cozy mystery is perfect prescription for a dreary weekend. This is the second book in a new series by the author of The Tourist Trap Mysteries. True to form, I somehow managed to not read the books in order (I just received Book 1, which I'll be reading soon.) Highly recommended for fans of cozies.

Details: Fatality by Firelight (A Cat Latimer Mystery) by Lynn Cahoon. Paperback published by Kensington Books in 2017. 304 p. ISBN: 978-1-4967-0437-5

Book Review: 'Cranberry Thanksgiving' by Wende & Harry Devlin

✰✰✰✰½ Thanksgiving on the cranberry bog farm is Grandmother's favorite. Each year she encourages Maggie to invite someone to dinner who is lonely or poor. Grandmother herself has invited Mr. Horace, who uses a gold cane, smells of lavender, and is all alone. Maggie chooses to invite her friend, Mr. Whiskers. Grandmother is less than thrilled as she suspects that Mr. Whiskers is after her secret cranberry bread recipe. Nevertheless, Maggie is hopeful Grandmother will change her mind. When there is a scuffle in the dining room followed by both guests exiting quickly, it looks like Grandmother was right. Or was she? Things are not always as they appear, and Maggie knows the truth. Just when it looks like the recipe is gone for good, Grandmother is in for a surprise.

The Bottom Line: This book originally became popular in 1971, and now it's back. The illustrations in watercolor and ink have classic appeal. This delightful tale reminds readers what is truly important at Thanksgiving: family and friends. 

And as a bonus, the secret recipe for Grandmother's Famous Cranberry Bread is included on the back cover. I took the time to make this treat and found it to be yummy, but tart. Additionally, it's beautiful with crimson cranberries and golden raisins in every slice. While I prepared the recipe according to directions, I decided to use mini loaf pans instead and reduced the baking time to 40 - 42". 

Grandma's Famous Cranberry Bread

Both the book and the recipe are highly recommended for kids in grade school. Try making the delicious recipe by asking an adult to help. It's worth the effort and will become a new Thanksgiving tradition.

Details: Cranberry Thanksgiving written & illustrated by Wende & Harry Devlin. Picture book published by Purple House Press in 2012. 32 p. ISBN: 9781930900639   

Book Review: 'Thankful' by Eileen Spinelli

✰✰✰✰½ This simple and easy-to-read picture book features different characters and what they are thankful for. There's the waitress, fireman, poet, pastor, and artist. All are thankful for something very different from their friends and family. This book highlights the many different ways there are to be thankful. 

The Bottom Line: By featuring different things to be thankful for, this gentle picture book will inspire children of all ages to take part in a November Thankfulness Challenge. Preston's illustrations bring the text to life by conveying the rhymes and blessings. Enthusiastically recommended. 

Details: Thankful written by Eileen Spinelli & illustrated by Archie Preston. Picture book published by Zonderkidz in 2015. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0-310-00088-4 

Book Review: 'A Street Cat Named Bob' by James Bowen

✰✰✰✰½ James Bowen was one of many buskers in London. Originally from Australia, Bowen had struggled to make his way. As a recovering addict, he had recently secured a flat. One day he noticed an injured cat in the hallway. He was immediately inspired to help this creature even though he could barely take care of himself. With little to spare, James sought medical help for the cat, now named Bob. After nursing Bob back to good health, Bowen released him. Given the choice, Bob had other ideas and decided to follow Bowen on his busking jobs. The man and cat quickly became an inseparable duo. And this is their story…one of friendship, adventure, survival, and love.

The Bottom Line: This heartwarming tale is perfect to read anytime…on a lunch break, while traveling, or even at the beach. It’s an easy read that will inspire you to look at people differently. Sadly, Bob passed away in 2020, but this story will live on and continue to inspire. Highly recommended for everyone interested in human-animal relationships, friendship, homelessness, and addiction.

Book Club Notes: In a nutshell, we loved this book! On a scale from 1 – 5 with 5 being the highest, the average rating for this book was 4.5. The movie was entertaining and captured the essence of the book. We enjoyed the unique perspective of seeing things from Bob’s point of view; how cute was that?

All in all, the book/movie taught us to see things from a different perspective, to stop stereotyping, and to give people (and animals) a chance. Most of us have interacted with a special animal sometime in our lives, so it was easy to connect with Bob’s story. Discussion questions are plentiful online, but the resource that stood out is available from the Okanagan Regional Library.

This book club pick is very highly recommended for book clubs interested in a feel good title that still has lots of deep topics to discuss. Check it out for your book club today!

Details: A Street Cat Named Bob: And How He Saved My Life by James Bowen. Paperback published by Thomas Dunne Books in 2012. 320 p. ISBN: 978-1-250-04867-7 

Book Review: 'The Dollhouse: A Ghost Story' by Charis Cotter

✰✰✰✰½ Alice and her friends had their whole summer planned, but now that her parents are getting a divorce, summer is ruined. She suddenly finds herself on a train to a small town where her mother has taken a job as a live-in nurse. The rich lady who lives there is known to be cantankerous and dislikes kids. The house is huge and spooky, but Alice quickly befriends the housekeeper's daughter, Lily. 

Soon Lily lets Alice in on a secret, there's a ghost in Alice's bedroom. But that's not the only secret being kept at the house. When Alice discovers a dollhouse locked away in the attic, things start to get really weird and spooky. As Alice drifts back and forth between real-time and era represented by the dollhouse, she starts to lose herself. Will she be able to find her way back to the real world? Or is she lost forever? Pick up this supernatural page-turner to find out.

The Bottom Line: There's nothing I love more than a good ghost story, and Charis Cotter is one of the best at telling them. With an eerie Gothic feel to this story, readers won't be able to put this one down. Enthusiastically recommended for kids, teens, and adults who enjoy suspenseful ghost stories and stories with the supernatural at work.

Details: The Dollhouse: A Ghost Story by Charis Cotter. Paperback published by Tundra in 2022. 368 p. ISBN: 978-0-7352-6908-8 [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: 'The Miracles of the Namiya General Store' by Keigo Higashino

✰✰✰✰½  When three petty thieves take refuge in an old abandoned general store, they think they are in for a quiet night. However, when a letter falls through the door’s mail slot, the trio is concerned and intrigued. The letter asks for advice from the former shopkeeper who offered thoughtful guidance to those seeking help. In his absence, the trio steps into his role. As the night slowly moves on, the correspondence they provide through their unique perspective of modern time proves life changing for everyone involved. By morning, the trio emerge to a different world than what they knew before.

The Bottom Line: With shifting time, this book is magical. The interwoven layers of plot in this novel submerses you into a rich world full of unexpected twists and turns. It makes you realize that people may be connected somehow even if they don’t realize it. Enthusiastically recommended for fans of Japanese literature with a bit of magic sprinkled in.

Details: The Miracles of the Namiya General Store by Keigo Higashino. Paperback published by Yen On in 2019. 320 p. ISBN: 978-1-9753-3386-7

Book Review: 'Bells, Spells, & Murders' by Carole J. Perry

✰✰✰ As a field reporter for WICH-TV, Lee Barrett is living the dream. Unfortunately, when the topic of her next interview turns up dead, Lee has some questions. Luckily, Lee’s detective boyfriend catches the case as Lee experiences some disturbing psychic visions that leave her reeling. Nevertheless, Lee is determined to follow the biggest scoop of her life, even if it means her own downfall.

The Bottom Line: While this was a pleasant, quick read, this book just seemed average to me. Maybe it was because I have not read the first six installments of the series, but I just didn’t connect with the characters or setting. Still fans of cozies with witches as the main character may want to check it out.

Details: Bells, Spells, & Murders (A Witch City Mystery): 7 by Carole J. Perry. Paperback published by Dafina Books in 2018. 384 p. ISBN: 978-1-4967-1458-9

Book Review: 'Pumpkin Jack' by Will Hubbell

✰✰✰✰✰ When Tim's mom tells him his amazing jack-o'-lantern, Jack, is beginning to rot, Tim sets it out in the garden. It's a sad day, but the garden is better than the garbage. As fall changes into winter and then spring, Jack changes too. Soon all that's left are a few seeds, which Tim plants. As the days grow warmer, Tim uncovers a surprise in his garden. With careful nurturing, by fall Tim has a wonderful gift to share with his friends.

The Bottom Line: What a wonderful story! With it's emphasis on gardening, the life cycle of the pumpkin plant, and the changing seasons, this book is both entertaining and educational. Hubbell's illustrations in colored pencil with solvent wash effects demonstrate the amazing change of seasons. Heartily recommended for story time reading. This title is my new fall favorite!

Details: Pumpkin Jack written & illustrated by Will Hubbell. Picture book published by Albert Whitman & Company in 2000. 32 p. ISBN: 0-8075-6665-9 

Book Review: 'The Goodbye Witch' by Heather Blake

✰✰✰ Darcy Merriweather is exactly the kind of witch you want as a best friend; she’s kind, loyal, and determined. So when Darcy’s best friend Starla Sullivan is stalked by her abusive ex-husband, Kyle, Darcy is immediately concerned. It seems Kyle escaped from jail and is invisible to all except Starla. As the incidents escalate, the stakes get higher, and Starla’s safety is in question. With help from her family, friends, and Police Chief boyfriend, Darcy navigates several twists and turns to protect her best friend and uncover the horrible secrets hidden within the Enchanted Village.

The Bottom Line: Book #4 in this series features all the characters I’ve come to adore, but very little of the family business, As You Wish. With a heavy emphasis on romance, a depressing subplot, and just a bit of magic, this book just didn’t shine for me as much as the previous ones. Still, recommended for fans of cozies featuring a touch of magic.

Details: The Goodbye Witch: A Wishcraft Mystery by Heather Blake. Paperback published by Obsidian in 2014. 314 P. ISBN: 978-0-451-46587-0

Book Review: 'Mother Ghost' by Rachel Kolar

✰✰✰✰ Based on classic nursery rhymes, this seasonal collection of Halloween-themed rhymes will make kids laugh and shiver. Beautifully illustrated with creepy creatures in dark blacks, lots of purples, whites and just the right amount of orange, pink, green, and yellow hues to delight.

The Bottom Line: “Little monsters” everywhere will enjoy reading these spooky poems over and over again.  With a creepy twist on the original nursery rhymes, these are great for reading aloud. Recommended for kids ages 5 – 7 and for story times for Grades 1 – 2.

Details: Mother Ghost: Nursery Rhymes for Little Monsters written by Rachel Kolar & illustrated by Roland Garringue. Picture book published by Sleeping Bear Press in 2018. 32 p. ISBN: 978-1-58536-392-6 

Book Review: 'Creepy Carrots!' by Aaron Reynolds

✰✰✰✰✰ Jasper Rabbit LOVES carrots, especially the wild carrots that grow in Crackenhopper Field. Those are the most delicious carrots ever, and they are FREE! Jasper helps himself ALL the time…on the way to school, after a big game, and even at night for a snack.

But one day when he’s picking carrots something odd happens. He hears something behind him. When he turns around, nothing is there. He doesn’t think anything of it, until it happens again…and again. What’s going on? Nobody believes him, but Jasper knows there are creepy carrots out there. He dreams up a plan to deal with the problem. Will he succeed in ridding himself of the creepy carrots forever? Check out this Caldecott Honor Book to find out.

The Bottom Line: It’s easy to see why this book is a winner with kids. Easy to read and infused with humor, this is an awesome book to read out loud to a class. Brown’s illustrations are spot on with tones of grays and black and minimal use of color in just the right places. Highly recommended for seasonal reading as it’s not too scary and has a fun twist ending. If you enjoy this one, check out the other picture books in the Creepy Tales! series, including the recently released Creepy Crayon!

Details: Creepy Carrots! (Creepy Tales!) words by Aaron Reynolds & pictures by Peter Brown. Picture book published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers in 2012. 40 P.  ISBN: 978-1-4424-0297-3

Book Review: 'We're Going on a Pumpkin Hunt' by Mary Hogan Wilcox

✰✰✰✰ An adorable assortment of animals go on a pumpkin hunt to find a big, orange, round pumpkin. Their adventure leads them through grass, over a mountain, and to a river. What they find on the other side will leave them scrambling all the way home, where they find the perfect surprise ending. 

The Bottom Line: A charming story with whimsical illustrations in pen, ink, & watercolor that will delight kids in Pre-K - Kindergarten. With a fun twist ending, this picture book is perfect for fall storytime.

Details: We're Going on a Pumpkin Hunt written by Mary Hogan Wilcox & illustrated by Lynn Munsinger. Picture book published by Charlesbridge in 2020. 32 p. ISBN: 978-1-62354-118-7

Book Review: 'On Halloween Night' by Ferida Wolff & Dolores Kozielski

✰✰✰ Count up to 13 as two little boys journey through a spooky forest to a school yard at night. Along the way they discover creatures like owls, goats, and wolves. Observing from a careful distance, the boys are in for a surprise at the end.

The Bottom Line: The atmospheric watercolor illustrations featuring each item being counted plus the two little boys on each page are the highlight of this book. Somehow the rhyming seemed a bit awkward for me. This could easily have simply been a fall book except for the witch and ghosts.  Page through the illustrations for the best effect.

Details: On Halloween Night written by Ferida Wolff & Dolores Kozielski and illustrated by Dolores Avendaño. Picture book published by Tambourine Books in 1994. 32 p. ISBN: 0-688-12973-0 

Book Review: 'A Very Witchy Spelling Bee' by George Shannon

✰✰✰✰½ Cordelia loves spelling more than anything. She even spends her playtime practicing spelling and spells. So when she sees a sign for The Witches' Double Spelling Bee, she knows she just has to enter. Her mother is hesitant. After all, Cordelia is just a child witch, but Cordelia is adamant. She has studied and practiced. She's ready to win. 

The defending champ is a force to be reckoned with, but Cordelia isn't afraid of Beulah Divine. Even when Beulah bends the rules and doesn't play fair, Cordelia keeps her calm. Soon it's down to the last round. With nothing on stage to work with, has Cordelia met her match? 

The Bottom Line: This fun tale featuring colorful, humorous illustrations is perfect for storytime. With a surprise twist ending that's sure to please, this picture book is a seasonal winner. 

Details: A Very Witchy Spelling Bee written by George Shannon & illustrated by Mark Fearing. Picture book published by Harcourt Children's Books in 2013. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0-15-206696-3 

Book Review: 'The Ghost Belonged to Me' by Richard Peck

 

✰✰✰✰ Young Alexander Armsworth is seeing things, strange things. There are signs of a haunting in the barn on his family's property. He's determined to get to the bottom of this, but his spunky neighbor, a girl named Blossom Culp, keeps nosing around. Then one night, the ghost of a young girl named Inez confronts Alexander with a spooky message. With the help of Blossom, Alexander will have to think fast to avoid a tragedy. Will he and Blossom be able to set things right and help a ghostly girl finally rest in peace? Check out this classic ghost story for a hauntingly good read. 

The Bottom Line: This book was the basis for the 1978 made-for-television movie, Child of Glass. I remember the movie as a creepy ghost story. While the book takes place in the early 1910s, the plot of the movie was updated to the present (late 1970s) era. Still a fun read over 40 years later, enthusiastically recommended for middle grade and young adult readers. And if you enjoy Blossom's character, there are several more books featuring her.

Details: The Ghost Belonged to Me by Richard Peck. Paperback edition published by Puffin Books in 1997. 176 p. ISBN: 978-0-14-038671-4 

Book Review: 'Elevation' by Stephen King

✰✰✰½ All Scott Carey wants to do is enjoy his home as he recovers from a nasty divorce. Unfortunately, who can work from home with the new neighbor's dogs running amok in your lawn? With all that is going on, it's little wonder that Scott is losing weight. Or is he? The bathroom scale registers a loss in weight, but Scott looks as pudgy as ever. By the time Scott tells his friend, Dr. Bob Ellis, that he's losing weight on the scale, but still looks the same, he is sure there's something unusual going on. As a retired medical doctor, Ellis is skeptical at first. However, as the days and weeks pass by it's evident Scott is indeed losing weight.

As Thanksgiving approaches, Scott weight loss continues, and he is still at odds with his new neighbors. While Missy is approachable, her wife, Deirdre, seems to have a chip on her shoulder. It's no wonder though; their restaurant is fast approaching inevitable failure due to the town's prejudices. Just when it looks likes their animosity can't get any worse, something magical happens during the annual Thanksgiving 12K run that will forever change Scott, Missy, and Deirdre's lives. 

The Bottom Line: With a bittersweet ending, this easy-to-read novella is a suspenseful weekend read. If you enjoy a mashup between horror and science fiction, check out this book. It will make you think about finding common ground between people who are at odds with each other. 

Details: Elevation by Stephen King. Hardcover published by Scribner in 2018. 160 p. ISBN: 978-1-9821-0231-9 

Book Review: 'The Good, the Bad, and the Witchy' by Heather Blake

✰✰✰✰ Darcy Merriweather is still learning her craft. Up until a year ago, she didn’t even know she was a Wishcrafter. Now she’s learning the ropes from her Aunt Ve and adjusting to life in the Enchanted Village. Life here is simply magical.

Working at As You Wish, a personal concierge service, keeps the family busy. When Floracrafter Harriette Harkette decides to hire them to plan her 80th birthday celebration, the whole town is buzzing. It seems that Harriette is the envy of the town with her new creation, the midnight black Witching Hour rose.

Darcy is hard at work. Unfortunately, when a delivery boy is found dead, his ghost quickly attaches to Darcy. She’s stuck with him until she can solve the mystery of his untimely death. In an odd twist Harriette's stunning new roses have perished as well. How is that possible?

With help from her new friends, her misbehaving dog, and the handsome Police Chief, Darcy is on the case. She’ll need to crack both mysteries or else she’s stuck with a ghost forever. You’ll be on the edge of your seat as you root for Darcy to solve the mysteries in time.

The Bottom Line: The Enchanted Village is always entertaining, and the third installment of this series is simply a magical treat. With just the right combination of magic, gardening, and romance, this cozy is the perfect weekend read. Highly recommended for fans of cozy mysteries with a splash of the supernatural.

Details: The Good, the Bad, and the Witchy: A Wishcraft Mystery by Heather Blake. Paperback published by An Obsidian Mystery in 2013. 320 p. ISBN: 978-0-451-23969-3

Book Review: 'Moneyball' by Michael Lewis

✰✰✰½ The million dollar question was, how could one of the poorest teams in baseball become one the biggest success stories of the year? Not all the teams in baseball have the same resources; there’s a huge discrepancy between them. So it comes down to making the best out of what you have, and nobody does that better than Billy Beane. Beane was a talented baseball player with lots of promise himself before he quit. Where he failed in playing the game, he excelled in recruiting and managing. Using new baseball knowledge and theories that needed testing, Beane was able to cobble together a winning team out of misfits. Before the end of the book, you’ll be pulling for this team of eccentric players.

The Bottom Line: At times riveting and other times dry, this book encourages the reader to think outside the box. It presents information about baseball and statistics in a way that was new at the time. Following the challenges and triumphs of one of the poorest teams in baseball is fascinating. You will be amazed at what can be done with limited funds, and you will be rooting as the team tries to break a record. Recommended for sports fans and those interested in statistics.

Book Club Notes: Well, our second foray into the HYBRID book discussion format was an improvement. Again, half of us chose to attend in-person, while the other half joined us via Zoom. Initially, we were excited about this topic and book. Yet, actually reading it proved challenging as several of our members got bogged down in the technical aspects of the writing. The movie, on the other hand, was fantastic! The movie was able to show the human side of the topic, while the book focused on the technical aspects of statistics. On a scale of 1 - 5, with 5 being the highest: the movie garnered 4.25 stars, and the book received 3.9. Recommended for book clubs interested in sports and statistics.

On a positive note, discussion questions for both the book and movie are plentiful, so I didn’t have to create my own. Here are some links to check out: LitLovers and Sports Engine.

Details: Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game by Michael Lewis. Paperback published by W. W. Norton & Company in 2004. 336 p. ISBN: 978-0-393-32481-5  

Book Review: 'Bad Axe County: A Novel' by John Galligan

✰✰✰✰ Interim sheriff Heidi Kick has a lot on her plate. She's married to a local baseball legend, is the mother of three young kids, and half of the county would prefer a man to be sheriff. Nevertheless, Heidi doesn't let anything stand in her way, and she has a job to do. 

When the local librarian is beaten, Heidi discovers that there's more going on in her county than she knew. With a teenaged girl is missing and in danger, Heidi follows the clues and discovers just how deep local, illegal activities have been buried. 

Just when you think you have this one figured out, there's another twist in the path to lead you down the wrong way. Suspenseful and entertaining, this Midwest mystery will keep you guessing.

The Bottom Line: This is the first book in the series, and I'm hooked. I don't usually read thrillers, but I received this one in a goody bag at a conference a few years back. Gritty, dark, and fast-paced, Galligan has a knack for making the reader turn pages; I couldn't put it down. And being as it was set in Wisconsin, I could easily picture the setting. Highly recommended for fans of thrillers, mysteries, and police procedurals. I'm definitely looking forward to the next installment.

Details: Bad Axe County: A Novel (Book 1) by John Galligan. ARC edition published by Atria Books in 2019. 336 p. ISBN: 978-1-9821-1070-3 

Book Review: 'The Beauty of Black Mermaids Coloring Book' by N. D. Jones

✰✰✰✰ This stunning coloring book features Black mermaids and mermen. There's even an adorable merbaby! What's not to like about images of a dreamy life under the sea? There are seventeen underwater scenes featuring merfolk and sea creatures. Additionally, there are eight pages featuring inspirational quotes, and you also get a few word games at the end. Prepare to be enchanted.

The Bottom Line: This inspiring coloring book is dedicated to and features quotes by author bell hooks. It is #3 in N. D. Jones' Fantasy in Black series of coloring books. Each page is a sensual delight. The illustrations were actually done by Ika Sirana, and I would have liked to see her name on the front cover too. If there is another book, I hope the pages are perforated. Also, please note that if you are using marker, place a blank sheet of paper behind the page you are working on to prevent bleed through. (See my sample below.) Enthusiastically recommended for everyone who enjoys coloring with a nautical theme.

Details: The Beauty of Black Mermaids Coloring Book ((Fantasy in Black, Book 3) by N. D. Jones. Paperback published by Kuumba Publishing in 2022. 68 p. ISBN: 978-1-7352998-9-1 [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.]

I selected this inspiring page to color for review. I used Crayola markers.

Book Review: 'The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian' by Sherman Alexie

✰✰✰✰✰ Arnold (Junior) Spirit is the town misfit. Born with "water on the brain," the odds have always been stacked against him. Life was a challenge from day 1, but luckily Junior was also born with a sense of humor and is surprisingly bright. After challenging a teacher in class, Junior is sure he will be in big trouble. Yet, the teacher surprises him with his honestly. It's a moment that will change the trajectory of Junior's life as he is inspired to make a big decision. 

Making the switch from the high school on the rez to the predominantly white high school in the nearby town is a huge deal...for everyone. Junior doesn't immediately fit in at his new school, but now his former friends at his old school treat him like a traitor. Junior finds himself navigating between the two worlds even as tragedy strikes his family several times. Nevertheless, Junior perseveres. Join Junior's journey from misfit to hero as he learns about life and what it takes to get by in this world.

The Bottom Line: When a school committee in my hometown, suggested removing this book from its high school required reading list, I just had to pick it up to see why. Yes, it's filled with racial slurs, discrimination, and sexual situations, but this book is a gem. This is just the kind of book that should be included on high school reading lists because of the honesty that comes through in the writing. Written from the point of view of a 14-year-old, Native American boy, this gripping novel is gritty, witty, and raw.  There is so much to discuss in this coming-of-age novel. There are no wasted words here, and Ellen Forney's art is spot-on in depicting what a teen might draw. Highly recommended for young adults, teachers, and parents. I strongly suggest you pick this powerful book up and give it a read even if it makes you uncomfortable. Or maybe, especially if it makes you uncomfortable.

Details: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie with art by Ellen Forney. Hardcover published by Little, Brown and Company in 2007. 229 p. ISBN: 978-0-316-01368-0  

Book Review: 'Eat Pray Love' by Elizabeth Gilbert

✰✰✰✰ When divorce throws Elizabeth Gilbert into chaos and depression, she seeks an alternate route to finding her confidence. Instead of pills, she turns to travel and takes a year off from her regular life to explore. As she travels through Italy, India, and Indonesia she discovers that she’s okay with being alone for the first time in her adult life. The pursuit of pleasure, devotion, and a balance between the two, leads Gilbert on unexpected adventures. You’ll laugh and cry along with her as she seeks to improve herself and be at peace with her choices.

The Bottom Line: There’s something appealing about travel memoirs. Maybe it’s the setting or the descriptions of exotic places and cultures that suck people in. In the case of this bestseller, the author visited three very different countries and had three very different experiences, each benefitting her in its own way. Along the way she met several engaging characters and fell in love. Gilbert’s memoir will appeal to others going through and healing from a difficult divorce. And even though the book seems geared towards women, men will appreciate Gilbert’s observations as well. 

Book Club Notes: On a scale of 1 - 5, with 5 being the highest, our group gave the book an average of 4.25 stars. On the other hand, the movie paled in comparison to the book, garnering just 3.5 stars. 

The movie is rated PG-13 with an all-star lineup of celebrities featuring Julia Roberts, James Franco, & Javier Bardem. It is approximately 140 - 146” long depending on which version you watch. We enjoyed the beautiful scenery and locations of the film. However, much of the author’s deep personal thoughts were lost in the movie. The movie simplified the events; plus, conflict was added into the movie to create interest and tension.

Meanwhile, the book was more philosophical and diary-like. Generally, we enjoyed the details and learned a lot from this book. Unfortunately, several in our group got bogged down in the India section as there was just a wee bit too much about the challenges of meditation.

Overall, this was a fun discussion. Recommended for groups that enjoy different settings, thoughtful writing, and a little bit of lighthearted romance.

Check out these resources for discussion questions: 

LitLovers & Travel Books and Movies.

On a side note, this was our first HYBRID discussion event (via Zoom & in-person). Although it’s not ideal, this challenging set-up is doable. Anyone attempting to host a hybrid book discussion will need additional support in the way of tech help both before and during the meeting. Challenges included everyone being able to hear each other and struggling with an echo through the sound system. It’s a work in progress.

Details: Eat Pray Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert. 10th-Anniversary Edition published by Riverhead Books in 2016. 64th printing. 352 P. ISBN: 978-0-14-303841-2

Book Review: 'What the Little Fir Tree Wore to the Christmas Party' by Satomi Ichikawa

✰✰✰✰✰ On the edge of a forest, the fir trees are eagerly awaiting Christmas. Each has a plan for what they will wear to the Christmas party, but no one asks the littlest fir tree. When a truck arrives and takes the beautiful fir trees away, the littlest tree is heartbroken. Now she'll never get to dress up, but at least she's not alone. An old, bare tree was left behind too. Together the old tree and the littlest tree talk about their dreams and wait for Christmas. When Christmas arrives, the two tree friends are surprised to see their dreams come true.

The Bottom Line: This heartwarming, imaginative tale of friendship and hope is the perfect way to share storytime with your little one on Christmas Eve. Illustrated with luminous watercolors, Ichikawa's gentle tale will get you in the holiday spirit. Enthusiastically recommended for all.

Details: What the Little Fir Tree Wore to the Christmas Party by Satomi Ichikawa. Picture book published by Philomel Books in 1999. 40 p. ISBN: 0-399-23746-1  

Book Review: 'A Christmas Wish' by Julia Hubery

✰✰✰✰ Gemma and her little brother, Ty, are eager to decorate the Christmas tree. Among all the shiny ornaments is one very special snow deer. When Ty reaches for it, the deer falls and breaks. Gemma is so angry that she doesn't even want to decorate the tree anymore. After an evening of pouting, Gemma realizes she may have been too harsh with her little brother and ruined Christmas. However, Ty has a plan to make things better again. With Ty's special gift and some help from mom, Gemma learns what Christmas is really all about. 

The Bottom Line: Dreamy illustrations with a sprinkle of glitter add magic to this tale of Christmas spirit and forgiveness. Joyfully recommended for all families with little ones eager to help decorate.

Details: A Christmas Wish written by Julia Hubery & illustrated by Sophy Williams. Picture book published by Good Books in 2007. 25 p. ISBN: 978-1-56148-589-5 

Book Review: 'All the Colors of Christmas' by Matthew Paul Turner

✰✰✰✰✰ The colors of Christmas are just like children, with all different shades and hues. There's the color of cranberries, garland, jingle bells, sky, snow, and the baby Jesus. Everyone is unique with their own special gifts. Christmas is you, and you are Christmas. 

The Bottom Line: This gentle picture book is filled with rhymes and positivity. Featuring all the colors of Christmas, it also celebrates diversity. Gamble's colorful illustrations are the perfect accompaniment to the lyrical text. Highly recommended for school and library story times, but also for simply reading with your child at bedtime.

Details: All the Colors of Christmas written by Matthew Paul Turner & illustrated by Gillian Gamble. Picture book published by Convergent Books in 2020. 40 p. ISBN: 978-0-525-65414-8 

Book Review: 'The Santa Trap' by Jonathan Emmett

✰✰✰½ Bradley Bartleby is a very naughty little boy. He's used to getting everything he wants and doesn't appreciate a thing. So when he ends up on Santa's naughty list and only gets a new pair of socks for Christmas again, Bradley vows to get back at Santa. 

Bradley begins by putting dynamite in the chimney, but that's only the beginning. His devious plans involve turning the entire mansion into a trap to catch Santa and his loot. With trapdoors, tigers, and even more dynamite, the house is armed and ready. Has Santa finally met his match? Or is it Bradley who is in for the surprise? This creative picture book will keep you in suspense until the very end.

The Bottom Line: This is not your typical Christmas holiday book. This one is a bit dark & disturbing, but it does have a silver lining. Bernatene's illustrations in digital mixed media are brilliantly dark and humorous. This tale is appropriate for kids in grades 4 - 5 and will appeal to kids who like something original and different. 

Details: The Santa Trap written by Jonathan Emmett & illustrated by Poly Bernatene. Picture book published by Peachtree Publishers in 2012. 32 p. ISBN: 978-1-56145-6703

Book Review: 'Do Rabbits Have Christmas?' by Aileen Fisher

✰✰✰½ Do rabbits celebrate Christmas? Do the animals give each other presents? Is there a Santa Claus? Children often wonder about these questions around the holiday. In this collection of fifteen poems by Aileen Fisher, children (and adults) just might find their answers.

The Bottom Line: Although poet Aileen Fisher passed away in 2002, her poetry still has the power to transport us from the present to an ethereal world of Christmas magic. And to my delight, dreamy watercolor illustrations bind the poetry together and whisk the reader away with enchanting snow scenes.  Recommended for fans of holiday poetry and for classroom storytimes. 

Details: Do Rabbits Have Christmas? poems by Aileen Fisher & illustrations by Sarah Fox-Davies. Picture book published by Henry Holt and Company in 2007. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0-8050-7491-8 

Book Review: 'Snowmen at Christmas' written by Caralyn Buehner

✰✰✰✰ When a little boy builds a snowman on Christmas Eve, he goes to bed wondering what snowmen do during the night. He dreams of them slipping away and gathering together to celebrate in their own way with holiday greetings, tree trimming, and a visit from Santa. Snowmen sure know how to have fun before returning to their homes on Christmas morning.

The Bottom Line: With bouncy rhyming verse and bright, clever paintings by a husband and wife team, this sequel to Snowmen at Night will be a seasonal favorite. Recommended holiday reading for little ones in Pre-K - Grade 1. As an added bonus, each illustration contains hidden figures. Can you find a cat, a rabbit, a Santa face, a T-rex, and a little brown mouse? Take your time, and take another look because the items are well hidden. 

Details: Snowmen at Christmas written by Caralyn Buehner & illustrated by Mark Buehner. Hardcover picture book published by Dial Books in 2005. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0803729957 

2022 'Christmas in July' Book Reviews

After a year or two of taking a break from holiday themed book reviews, I am pleased to announce that Christmas in July book reviews are back! With this year being the sizzler that it is, it's great to be able to focus on these wintry delights. Over the next 4 weeks, I'll share my reviews of picture books about snowmen, fir trees, and a sparkly reindeer. Stay cool, my friends!

P.S. I found this awesome, free clip art at Clipart Library. Thank you!  

Book Review: 'The Littlest Airplane' by Brooke Hartman

✰✰✰✰✰ There's an airport way up north where airplanes come and go all day. The turboprop is reliable, and the cargo plane is strong. The jet plane is super quick, but the littlest plane is always left behind. All the little bush plane can do is watch the others as they fly around, until one day, a storm blows into town. With people stranded in the snowy mess, the turboprop, cargo plane, and jet plane all try to rescue them. All three fail leaving the people struck. Who will save them now? Surely not the littlest plane. But the bush plane is not scared; slowly and surely he sets out. With the odds stacked against him and time running out, will the littlest plane be able to save the day? Check out this inspiring tale to find out. 

The Bottom Line: This sweet, inspirational tale reminds me of The Little Engine That Could. With rhyming verse and colorful, snowy illustrations, this picture book is sure to please. The book also contains information about the parts of a bush plane and a little bit of history at the end. Highly recommended for kids who need a little boost of self-confidence. Also, enthusiastically recommended for story times.

Details: The Littlest Airplane written by Brooke Hartman & illustrated by John Joseph. Picture book published by Alaska Northwest Books (am imprint of West Margin Press) in 2022. 32 p. ISBN: 978-1-51312-864-1 [Note: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This was made possible via the Early Reviewers program at LibraryThing.]

Book Review: 'Girl, Interrupted' by Susanna Kaysen

✰✰✰✰½ When does a person cross the line from normal teenager to mental patient? Back in 1967 Susanna Kaysen was put in a taxi and ended up at McLean Hospital. Under the impression she was just going there for a little “rest,” Susanna checked herself in at just eighteen years old and soon discovered that she couldn’t leave until the doctors said she could. While the hospital was progressive at the time and featured an A-list of patients including Sylvia Plath and Ray Charles, life at McLean Hospital was anything but a vacation.

A bewildered Susanna navigated the system while taking an endless supply of pills, attending therapy sessions, and following the rules. Along the way she met the other patients, each with their own mental health issues varying from anorexia to sociopathy. Susanna herself was dealing with a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder, which she is acutely aware of and yet voices her doubts. Nevertheless, she took advantage of the resources available to her and was eventually able to be released from the hospital.

The Bottom Line: Although Kaysen’s experience happened in 1967, her story is still relevant today. Kaysen included files from her case record, which adds to the veracity of her accounts. Supplemented with anecdotes and observations from her journal, Kaysen’s perception of mental illness and the treatment she received provides valuable insight into life as a patient in a mental hospital. Highly recommended for college students, mental health professionals, and anyone interested in mental health issues.

Book Club Notes: Similar to the late 1960s, the current world is a chaotic place overwhelmed by social issues, racism, and war. Adding in a pandemic and the pressures of economic instability have resulted in a mental health crisis. My hope in choosing this title was to open the door to discussing these issues.

Although this book is slim, it is not an easy read by any means and sensitive readers may want to skip this one. Nonetheless, those that read this book found it worthwhile. The author’s writing is genuine and vulnerable as she provided insight from firsthand experience. We appreciated the straightforwardness of her writing style. The movie, on the other hand, received mixed reviews. Those of us who had seen the movie when it first came out over twenty years ago had very different perspectives now. The experience was similar to the author describing Vermeer’s painting, Girl Interrupted at her Music. Sometimes perspectives change with the experience of living.

Overall, on a scale from 1 - 5, with 5 being the highest, we rated the book an average of 4.75, and the movie received a 4. While the movie is well done, if you are looking for the real story, check out the book.

To help guide your discussion, check out this reading guide for thought provoking discussion questions: Penguin Random House, 

Details: Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen. Paperback edition published by Vintage Books, A Division of Random House, Inc. in 1993. 192 p. ISBN: 978-0-679-74604-1