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226 reviews
Frozen in Time by Kelly Swan Taylor
4.0
Frozen in Time is a perfect read for the winter season : snow and ice are omnipresent in this YA thriller where a teenager is caught up by her past.
Sixteen-year-old Summer Ellis is terrified of ice. When she was 6 years old she witnessed the death of her best friend in a frozen lake. Ten years later, the family decides to move back to the little town where the accident took place. Walking the dog, Summer stumbles upon another victim claimed by the same lake.
If you enjoy whodunnit and a courageous heroine ready at everything to protect her friends and unravel a mystery, then it is the perfect read ! Kelly Swan Taylor created an ingenious plot where the past seems to repeat itself. There are a lot of emotional moments between the characters, as the themes of death and grief are explored, but also touching and sweet ones, as the romance takes place between the main characters.
Once again, Kelly Swan Taylor imagined a great and well written story. Even if this book isn’t my favorite by this author (the Winning Ingredient holds a special place in my heart ), I overall really enjoyed this novel.
Sixteen-year-old Summer Ellis is terrified of ice. When she was 6 years old she witnessed the death of her best friend in a frozen lake. Ten years later, the family decides to move back to the little town where the accident took place. Walking the dog, Summer stumbles upon another victim claimed by the same lake.
If you enjoy whodunnit and a courageous heroine ready at everything to protect her friends and unravel a mystery, then it is the perfect read ! Kelly Swan Taylor created an ingenious plot where the past seems to repeat itself. There are a lot of emotional moments between the characters, as the themes of death and grief are explored, but also touching and sweet ones, as the romance takes place between the main characters.
Once again, Kelly Swan Taylor imagined a great and well written story. Even if this book isn’t my favorite by this author (the Winning Ingredient holds a special place in my heart ), I overall really enjoyed this novel.
Treacle Walker by Alan Garner
5.0
I have always been fascinated by Folklore and Myths, so I knew Treacle Walker would be a hit. Digging into old English beliefs and stories, Alan Garner created a fun and coming of age adventure where a little boy meets a strange traveler, possibly from another Realm.
Joseph Coppock lives alone in a little house and spends his time reading comic books, collecting birds’ eggs, and playing with marbles. His daily routine comes to an end when he meets Treacle Walker, a rag-and-bone man who offers cure-all medicine (except for jealousy !). Trading an old pair of pajamas and a lamb's shoulder blade from his museum of curiosities, Joseph receives a white jar and a donkey stone. From there, strange things start happening to the young boy who discovers a world beyond his imagination.
I really loved this novel ! Saying I understood all of it would be a lie (Garner uses old English and invented words in part of the book), but I enjoyed it enough to want to read more of the author’s work (I just ordered his book of British Fairy Tales ). Part of the fun was to recognize the folkloric aspect of the story. If you love the work of Terri Windling, Neil Gaiman, Susanna Clarke or Ellen Kushner’s Thomas the Rhymer, you will fall in love with Alan Garner’s book.
Joseph Coppock lives alone in a little house and spends his time reading comic books, collecting birds’ eggs, and playing with marbles. His daily routine comes to an end when he meets Treacle Walker, a rag-and-bone man who offers cure-all medicine (except for jealousy !). Trading an old pair of pajamas and a lamb's shoulder blade from his museum of curiosities, Joseph receives a white jar and a donkey stone. From there, strange things start happening to the young boy who discovers a world beyond his imagination.
I really loved this novel ! Saying I understood all of it would be a lie (Garner uses old English and invented words in part of the book), but I enjoyed it enough to want to read more of the author’s work (I just ordered his book of British Fairy Tales ). Part of the fun was to recognize the folkloric aspect of the story. If you love the work of Terri Windling, Neil Gaiman, Susanna Clarke or Ellen Kushner’s Thomas the Rhymer, you will fall in love with Alan Garner’s book.
Boban From Zoltan by Mike Purewal, Mike Purewal
4.0
Boban is a very strange, but wise wizard : he has extraordinary powers and is capable of unthinkable things, but always does his best to respect nature and follows the right order of things. Yet Boban has a very big sense of humor and gives life examples that will make young readers giggle !
With Boban, young readers will rediscover the wonders of the world, taking them on a fun, colorful and visual journey. It is a simple story, but it shares a warm message of encouragement about opening our eyes, looking at the world around us and appreciating everything, even the tiniest ones.
With Boban, young readers will rediscover the wonders of the world, taking them on a fun, colorful and visual journey. It is a simple story, but it shares a warm message of encouragement about opening our eyes, looking at the world around us and appreciating everything, even the tiniest ones.
You're Truly One of a Kind by Sonali Patodia
5.0
You’re truly One of the Kind is an adorable picture book about diversity and cherishing our individuality. It shares a sweet message of confidence, love and friendship. I love how Sonali Patodia uses Indian mythology and culture to explore all these concepts.
Krishna and Radha are the heroes of the story, as the young god is upset about being different and having others make fun of his appearance. His best friend, the wise Radha, shows him examples of unlikeness in their surroundings : family members do not like the same, but yet they stand united. The same is observed in nature where animals are all different, but make the planet beautiful. To conclude, the beauty of diversity is celebrated in the festival of Holi by the two characters and the villagers.
I love this children’s book a lot ! Vanessa Alexandre’s illustrations are colorful and engaging . I love how Sonali explains about Krishna, Radha and Holi at the end of the book. It is the perfect read if you are looking for a book about diversity, and a perfect introduction to Indian mythology for little ones.
Krishna and Radha are the heroes of the story, as the young god is upset about being different and having others make fun of his appearance. His best friend, the wise Radha, shows him examples of unlikeness in their surroundings : family members do not like the same, but yet they stand united. The same is observed in nature where animals are all different, but make the planet beautiful. To conclude, the beauty of diversity is celebrated in the festival of Holi by the two characters and the villagers.
I love this children’s book a lot ! Vanessa Alexandre’s illustrations are colorful and engaging . I love how Sonali explains about Krishna, Radha and Holi at the end of the book. It is the perfect read if you are looking for a book about diversity, and a perfect introduction to Indian mythology for little ones.
Mommy, Mommy, Where Is the Moon? by Serene Chia
5.0
Mommy, Mommy, where is the Moon ? is the perfect read when the moon is high in the sky. Little Kaitlyn is very curious and wants to know everything about the moon. Every night, she asks her mother where the moon is, as the celestial body moves across the sky. Together, they share interesting facts, like why it changes shape and hides sometimes.
The illustrations of this book are really adorable and young readers will love learning more about the moon and doing the activities at the end of the book. I really enjoy this book ! It is the perfect conversation opener for the little curious scientists.
The illustrations of this book are really adorable and young readers will love learning more about the moon and doing the activities at the end of the book. I really enjoy this book ! It is the perfect conversation opener for the little curious scientists.
Magoo and His Magic Poo by H. D. Ronay
4.0
Children will love this totally silly adventure where a cat uses his very stinky poop to save the day ! In this picture book, H.D.Ronay shares a beautiful message of compassion and love. During his adventures, Magoo discovers encaged dogs and does all he can to free them and save their lives.
Magoo and his Magic Poo is a cute story, full of adventures and good feelings. The cat’s superpower may make adults grimace, but for sure children will love it !
Magoo and his Magic Poo is a cute story, full of adventures and good feelings. The cat’s superpower may make adults grimace, but for sure children will love it !
Save What's Left by Elizabeth Castellano
3.0
At first, I really enjoyed the story : it was light, and funny . But after passing half the book, I didn’t find it funny anymore. The constant complaining and repetition of the same problem just became an annoyance and I couldn’t wait to finish this book.
After her husband left, Kathleen Deane decided to sell her home in Kansas and buy a very cute home near the sea in Whitbey. On paper, it is perfect : it is an adorable beach house with its own private beach and a spacious deck from where you can see the ocean. But rapidly the dream turns to nightmare as Kathleen finds out that the neighbors are extending their house. Complaints after complaints, the woman receives no answer from the town representatives to stop this monstrosity.
Save What's Left is a story of family, friendship and of determination.
After her husband left, Kathleen Deane decided to sell her home in Kansas and buy a very cute home near the sea in Whitbey. On paper, it is perfect : it is an adorable beach house with its own private beach and a spacious deck from where you can see the ocean. But rapidly the dream turns to nightmare as Kathleen finds out that the neighbors are extending their house. Complaints after complaints, the woman receives no answer from the town representatives to stop this monstrosity.
Save What's Left is a story of family, friendship and of determination.
Three Tasks for a Dragon by Eoin Colfer
5.0
If like me you love fairytales, legends and epic stories with dragons … don’t go further. You need to read Three Tasks for a Dragon ! Created by two master Irish storytellers Eoin Colfer and P.J. Lynch, this beautiful tale is full of adventures, danger and love.
I truly loved this book : I read it, following with the audiobook which I highly recommend for a full Irish experience as it is narrated by Aoife McMahon. The art is out of this world . P.J. Lynch’s illustrations always have amazing details and take you in very far away lands ( I highly recommend you to check his picture books !). Eoin Colfer’s writing is poetic and magical (you may know him for his Artemis Fowl series or more recently for his graphic novel Global). With such a team I was only expecting the best and I got it !
Three Tasks for a Dragon is a classic tale with a fallen Prince driven from his kingdom, who has to release a maiden to be welcomed back in this home. Only one problem (well two !) The Maiden is guarded by a Dragon and the new King is lightly (ok totally) evil. And there is a very interesting twist too !
Children and adults alike will love this book. It is a perfect gift for beautiful book lovers.
I truly loved this book : I read it, following with the audiobook which I highly recommend for a full Irish experience as it is narrated by Aoife McMahon. The art is out of this world . P.J. Lynch’s illustrations always have amazing details and take you in very far away lands ( I highly recommend you to check his picture books !). Eoin Colfer’s writing is poetic and magical (you may know him for his Artemis Fowl series or more recently for his graphic novel Global). With such a team I was only expecting the best and I got it !
Three Tasks for a Dragon is a classic tale with a fallen Prince driven from his kingdom, who has to release a maiden to be welcomed back in this home. Only one problem (well two !) The Maiden is guarded by a Dragon and the new King is lightly (ok totally) evil. And there is a very interesting twist too !
Children and adults alike will love this book. It is a perfect gift for beautiful book lovers.
Ralphy's Rules for Feelings by Talar Herculian Coursey
5.0
Once again Ralphy and his friend Jackson Johnson team up to help children understand their feelings. Today is the first day of school and some of the students do not feel good : some are scared, anxious or sad. The dogs do their best to help the children feel better, offering them advice to feel better.
This picture book is a great tool to help young readers deal with their feelings and explain how to respond to them. Ralphy and Jackson make the complicated subject of emotional intelligence accessible for kids to understand, and more importantly, implement in their everyday lives.
This picture book is a great tool to help young readers deal with their feelings and explain how to respond to them. Ralphy and Jackson make the complicated subject of emotional intelligence accessible for kids to understand, and more importantly, implement in their everyday lives.
Pyromancy for Beginners by Erin Vere
5.0
I read last year How to Train your Goblin King and I totally adored this novel ! Erin Vere’s novella Pyromancy for Beginners is available for free download on her website, a great opportunity to discover Erin Vere’s captivating and bewitching universe.
Pyromancy for Beginners is a captivating retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Match Girl. Hana has no luck in life : orphaned and newly homeless, she faces a night in a snow-laden alley, with nothing but ratty cloak to cover her. She is very cold, of course. So Hana burns a match, one after another. Inside she discovers another world where food and music are plenty. With Fred, a rival match seller, she involuntarily travels through the fire and enters the Realms of Fae.
Erin Vere knows her classics. From fairytales to old folktales and folklore, she draws into numerous sources to create her unique stories. I really enjoyed this novella ! Pyromancy for Beginners is fun and has a heroine who doesn’t hold back. It is a sweet and fast read, but very rich in adventures.
Pyromancy for Beginners is a captivating retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Match Girl. Hana has no luck in life : orphaned and newly homeless, she faces a night in a snow-laden alley, with nothing but ratty cloak to cover her. She is very cold, of course. So Hana burns a match, one after another. Inside she discovers another world where food and music are plenty. With Fred, a rival match seller, she involuntarily travels through the fire and enters the Realms of Fae.
Erin Vere knows her classics. From fairytales to old folktales and folklore, she draws into numerous sources to create her unique stories. I really enjoyed this novella ! Pyromancy for Beginners is fun and has a heroine who doesn’t hold back. It is a sweet and fast read, but very rich in adventures.