The Golden Braid

The one who needs rescuing isn’t always the one in the tower. Rapunzel can throw a knife better than any man. She paints beautiful flowering vines on the walls of her plaster houses. She sings so sweetly she can coax even a beast to sleep. But there are two things she is afraid her mother might never allow her to do: learn to read and marry.

Fiercely devoted to Rapunzel, her mother is suspicious of every man who so much as looks at her daughter and warns her that no man can be trusted. After a young village farmer asks for Rapunzel's hand in marriage, Mother decides to move them once again—this time, to the large city of Hagenheim.

The journey proves treacherous, and after being rescued by a knight—Sir Gerek—Rapunzel in turn rescues him farther down the road. As a result, Sir Gerek agrees to repay his debt to Rapunzel by teaching her to read. Could there be more to this knight than his arrogance and desire to marry for riches and position?

As Rapunzel acclimates to life in a new city, she uncovers a mystery that will forever change her life. In this Rapunzel story unlike any other, a world of secrets and treachery is about to be revealed after seventeen years of lies. How will Rapunzel finally take control of her own destiny? And who will prove faithful to a lowly peasant girl with no one to turn to?

I received an advanced copy of this e-book in return for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

First of all, this book is simply wonderful. I loved Rapunzel and her story. What I didn't know before reading this is that it is actually book six of the Hagenheim/Fairy Tale Romance series. This is a young adult book and I would say the genre is probably romance. This isn't a fantasy fairy tale, but it is loosely based on the tale of Rapunzel. This book is a fairly easy read, just under 400 pages. The e-book took me eleven days and that was only reading it at night.

I found the characters to be very easy to relate to, even though they live in a time in the far past, of horses and carriages and no indoor plumbing.

At heart, this is a fairy tale, not a far fetched one, but one that could have happened. I loved that it took the fantasy story of Rapunzel and made a story of its own. It was wonderful to see the elements of the classic fairy tale woven into this story.

Overall, I would recommend this to anyone who loves the retelling of a good fairy tale. Wonderful!

Seaside

Every boy in Seaside wants to be one of Blackbeard's Boys. From the time ten year old Robert Grace O'Malley could hold his very first fishing pole, it was all he thought about. Every captain of every ship had been one, and now he was well on his way. That is, until he meets Walter, the young octopus who will change his life forever. 

In Seaside, Wylde Scott takes you on an exciting voyage through a fairy-tale fishing village and a pivotal moment in the life of two unexpected friends. An adventurous story perfect for young readers graduating into their first novels or parents reading their little ones to sleep, it's a book that's bound to be a staple in every family's library for years to come.

I received a copy of this book in return for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

My rating: four out of five stars

This book is written in alternating points of view of the boy, Robert and a young octopus Walter. I found this book quite interesting, even though it was aimed at younger readers. Robert just wants to be one of blackbeard's boys. Walter is just trying to save his mother.

The story of the two characters becomes entwined. While everyone else in town is terrified of the eight-legged creature, Robert ends up helping him. The story took a few twists I wasn't really expecting. I found this book to be a quick fun read, probably one I will share with my girls.

The book also has quite a few illustrations that are just beautiful. They are in black and white but are detailed and wonderful! In the e-book they seemed to come out of nowhere, splitting sentences even, but I am sure this will be fixed in the final version.

Franny & Toby

It's a book such as Roald Dahl might have written - suitable for intelligent children, while also containing much to delight their parents. 

Franny is one of the rarest of cats, for she is a cat who can read. She and her brother, Toby, are the new cats on the block. Their "bean" (human "owner") doesn't let them go outside at first. When they finally get to go out, they make friends with other animals in the neighborhood: the cats next door (Highlanders Rainbow, Bay, and their TV-addicted brother Moo-Cow, who never comes outside); the cats across the street (Elbee and her three "kits," Larry, Curly, and Moe, who are from the Southlands and arrived the year before as refugees from the Southie Wars); MacAdam the roadrunner; and Bunny the Free Range Rabbit. Inventive, magical and exciting, Franny & Toby is that rare story that gently teaches us that friendship and tolerance make our world a better place - and that a little education goes a long way when life becomes an adventure. Also, it has sky-swimmers. Sky-swimmers! 

Beautifully crafted by a master storyteller, it's exactly the sort of book every child should read - and one that kids of every age will love. With illustrations by wonderfully talented Perth-based artist Liselle Powell - Just Add White @ Facebook.

I received a copy of this book in return for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is written from the point of view of Franny the cat. Her and her brother Toby end up on an amazing adventure. I loved reading this. Felt very lifelike. I actually felt like I could be walking in Franny's feet, or should I say paws!? Personally, I think this would be a great one to read to younger kiddos or for a young reader to try on their own. There were a few bigger words that might trip them up, but overall the language was super easy to read and follow. I give this one four stars.

The Bronte Plot

Lucy Alling makes a living selling rare books, often taking suspicious measures to reach her goals. When her unorthodox methods are discovered, Lucy's secret ruins her relationship with her boss and her boyfriend James—leaving Lucy in a heap of hurt, and trouble. Something has to change; she has to change.
In a sudden turn of events, James's wealthy grandmother Helen hires Lucy as a consultant for a London literary and antiques excursion. Lucy reluctantly agrees and soon discovers Helen holds secrets of her own. In fact, Helen understands Lucy's predicament better than anyone else.

As the two travel across England, Lucy benefits from Helen's wisdom, as Helen confronts the ghosts of her own past. Everything comes to a head at Haworth, home of the Brontë sisters, where Lucy is reminded of the sisters' beloved heroines, who, with tenacity and resolution, endured—even in the midst of change.

Now Lucy must go back into her past in order to move forward. And while it may hold mistakes and regrets, she will prevail—if only she can step into the life that's been waiting for her all along.

I was given an advanced copy of this book in return for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

My rating: four of five stars

This is a modern day romance. It isn't overly romantic, no love scenes or anything like that but overall I would have to call this one romance.

This book is from the point of view of Lucy. It takes you through an amazing journey she gets to take with an ex's grandmother, Helen. Most of this book takes place in England but there are also parts in America before and after Lucy's trip.

The characters in this book are quite like-able. Though Lucy did have some issues, she was a person you could relate to. I really loved how the author pulls in other classic books into this one, hence the name "The Bronte Plot" In my opinion there isn't really an antagonist in this book. Lucy has to face her flaws and figure out how to fix her mistakes. I loved the journey she took. I also loved how this book also focused on Helen and her trip and the reason behind it. She became a real lovable character when she takes Lucy with her on the journey she needs to make.

At the heart, this book is about people facing their past to be able to move on into the future. One quote I loved was said by Lucy near the end of the book:

I’m not guaranteed a happy ending just because I make it to the last page – every choice along the way matters and they have real consequences. I want to learn from you. There is no one I admire or respect more.

I love it. So easily applied to any of our lives. Lucy wanted to learn from the man who helped "force" her into the journey with Helen.

Overall I thought this book was wonderful. The beginning really had me wondering, but it got better once Lucy and Helen left the country. I found the journey that both women took to be one that can resonate with anyone. Overall this book gets a solid four stars.

How to be Brave

An emotional contemporary YA novel about love, loss, and having the courage to chase the life you truly want.

Reeling from her mother's death, Georgia has a choice: become lost in her own pain, or enjoy life right now, while she still can. She decides to start really living for the first time and makes a list of fifteen ways to be brave - all the things she's wanted to do but never had the courage to try. As she begins doing the things she's always been afraid to do - including pursuing her secret crush, she discovers that life doesn't always go according to plan. Sometimes friendships fall apart and love breaks your heart. But once in a while, the right person shows up just when you need them most - and you learn that you're stronger and braver than you ever imagined.

I was given an advanced copy of this book in return for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

My rating: five of five stars

This book is a fictional young adult novel. It is from the viewpoint of Georgia, a high school senior who recently lost her mom, trying to figure out how to "be brave" as her mother told her to do. It goes back and forth between the story and memories. The memories are all in a more poetic format, broken short lines. I found it a refreshing break between the story of her senior year.

Set in Chicago, most of this story revolves around Georgia and best friend Liss and new found friend Evelyn. It also involves a bit with Georgia's father and classmates. I found the characters very relate-able and easy to understand. Being that Georgia had recently lost her mom, she became a character I was very attached to, able to relate to and understood what she was going through.

I think at it's core, this book is about making mistakes and learning from them and finding a way to live each day bravely.

As I mentioned above, having recently lost her mother, Georgia's story really got to me. There were parts of this book that were hard for me to read, it almost felt like the author was there when my mom died. This made the book really emotional to me.

There are a few parts of this book that I wanted to remember and also share, parts that really touched me. This is a part of Georgia's memory of her mom's final days.

And then, in the CCU that last time: the glare of the cold white walls from the long fluorescent bulb that fell hard against her grey skin against the cold metal and plastic wires.

The mask on her face the steady, careful pulse of machines, monitors, mechanical boxes that lived for her that sustained whatever was left. 

Her body was broken. 

She was like a butchered animal with her arms limp and her chest heaving with the push of the machine. 

Her eyelids shifting, her feet trembling. 

Automatic responses, they're called. 

I wonder what was there, inside, the moments before her heart stopped. 

I wonder if she could hear what I said how sorry I was just so deeply sorry.

This memory of Georgia's was so like my own that I actually had to stop reading for a while. The memories I have of that time with my mom were awful. Just thinking about another person going through that, made me feel a little less alone. Even though realistically I know that this is a fictional character. The author's insight was just so vivid. It was remarkable and a very life like story.

Life without mom is a little like that. At first, it was all pain and tears. Every day was hard. I'd wake up and the sun was there, still shining in the sky, but the world didn't make sense anymore. Then little by little... that pain faded even more. I cried only once a week instead of every day. And then I stopped crying. I moved forward.

Again, so much like my own experience that it gave me pause. Made me think of how much I have moved forward.

The book ends with this statement from Georgia:
I'm doing it all, mom. Even more than you could have ever imagined.
For me, and for you.

Again echoes how I am feeling now. I want to live my life to it's fullest for me and for mom.

This book is a must read. Even if you haven't suffered a loss like me, I feel it gives you an insight into what grief really feels like. Georgia is forced to basically do it on your own. By reading this book, I feel like it gives you a little more of an idea of how someone might be feeling. There is so much more going on in people's lives, you need to stop and pay attention, give them grace. We all make mistakes, we also all need to learn how to move on and learn from them.

The Sister Pact

A suicide pact was supposed to keep them together, but a broken promise tore them apart
Allie is devastated when her older sister commits suicide - and not just because she misses her. Allie feels betrayed. The two made a pact that they'd always be together, in life, and in death, but Leah broke her promise and Allie needs to know why.

Her parents hover. Her friends try to support her. And Nick, sweet Nick, keeps calling and flirting. Their sympathy only intensifies her grief.

But the more she clings to Leah, the more secrets surface. Allie's not sure which is more distressing: discovering the truth behind her sister's death or facing her new reality without her.

I received a copy of this e-book in return for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

My rating: four out of five stars

This book was a tough read for me. It is about a girl who's sister commits suicide. While it looks to everyone else like she is just coping with the loss, what she is really struggling with is the fact that her sister did it without her. They had a suicide pact.

My current struggles with depression and my experiences with family with extensive mental health issues made this book really hard for me. My heart hurt to read about poor Allie trying to figure out how to go on without her sister, really struck a cord with me. Allie slowly learns things about her sister, things that her sister kept hidden behind her façade of being a "perfect" person. I love that Allie used her art as a way to express her grief. The characters were all very easy to relate to and understand.

Allie's struggle with an addiction to over the counter and prescription medications is a very real problem in today's culture. Its hard finding the right words to adequately describe how I felt about this book. While I did like the book overall, it was hard to read. Hard to see someone struggling. Hard to read about someone coping with a loss as big as a sister's suicide.

Overall this one gets four of five stars. I will say, I wouldn't recommend this book for the younger high school kids. Personally I wouldn't want my girls to read it until they were older, just a little too deep I think. Just a personal note.

Pet Shop Heroes

In a small pet shop near you live four animals with superpowers, but they can't be adopted. Grace the Guinea Pig, Carmine the Chameleon, Petruchio the Puppy, and Kitty the Cat have something else to do--they save the world! When an evil snake in a City near you tries to take over the world, the Pet Shop Heroes jump to action. Can they save the day?

Pet Shop Heroes is intended for children ages 4-8. Full of humor, adventure and superheroes, this title is perfect for any library or classroom.

I was given a copy of this ebook in exchange for my review. All opinions remain my own. 

My rating: four of five stars

I was actually given this book by the publisher after I reviewed the soon to be published Lazy Cat Hero: Rise of the Nap (a review of that is coming closer to it's December 11 release date). He recommend this and a couple other books. 

This is a children's chapter book, easy enough for my fourth grader to read (with ease) and even my slower second grader to read with some help. Plus, it was only 60 pages, so it was quick enough that they didn't feel like we were reading the same book for weeks on end.

The characters in this book were fun to follow. The puppy, Petruchio, gets excited and puts the wrong words in his sentences which made the girls laugh every time. We also really liked that they had drawings every other page. The drawings were almost penciled but amazing. One last thing that mom appreciated was that they had a couple instances where they used scientific method to solve problems. Helps reiterate what they learn in school.

Overall we give this book four out of five stars. Would be a great addition to any library or children's bookshelf.

Frank Rodgers Halloween Books

Frank Rodgers offers an amusing way to cope with fears, as Robert learns how to use his big imagination to make things on the dreaded ghost train carnival ride appear just a little less scary.

I received a copy of this book in return for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

My rating: four out of five stars


I loved this book. I think any kid can relate to Robert's overactive imagination. The illustrations were beautifully drawn and fun to look at. Robert becomes scared of the things he is imagining in his home and his grandfather gives him a piece of advice. He takes that advice to heart and uses it while on a ghost train with his friends. He really enjoys his ride and even tricks his friends into thinking the ghost train monsters have come out.

Overall this book gets four stars. A great one to share with the family leading up to Halloween.

The Pickle family love living at the Hungry Horse Cafe. However, they're not getting much sleep because something is making peculiar noises in the night, and things are going missing too. Is the cafe haunted by a greedy ghost? Can the Pickles solve the mystery of what is going bump in the night?

I received a copy of this book in return for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

My rating: four of five stars

I thought this book was super cute. I like that the chapters are short and easy enough for an early reader to get through without getting discouraged. I also really liked that it wasn't scary but still had a Halloween theme. The idea of a ghost who can cook is kinda silly, but I think my girls would love it. Overall this one gets four stars.

The Good Dog

From the creator of Blue's Clues...

Discovering that sometimes you have to be a little bad to be very good, Tako the puppy makes a brave choice in this adventure tale and proves that heroes come in all shapes and sizes. When 8-year-old Ricky Lee finds a puppy on the side of the road, he takes him home and names him Tako. Ricky’s mom and dad agree to let Tako stay under one condition: he must be a good dog who always follows the rules—or it’s off to the pound he goes. Tako wants more than anything to be a good dog and stay with Ricky, but when the Lees open Happy Family Bakery and a competing store owner sets out to sabotage the shop, Tako has to break the rules to protect Ricky and his family.

I received a copy of this book in return for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

My rating: five of five stars

This book is so cute! I loved the idea behind the story and it is beautifully written out and illustrated. My nine year old picked to read this book one day for her reading time. They are supposed to read at least 10-20 minutes per night, this was one of the first times she's read longer, just to get to the end. Not sure I love the way they emphasize to Tako that if he isn't good he will go to the pound though. I feel like that gives kids the idea that if they are bad they might be sent away as well, but that was such a minor thing overall that I still give this one five stars.

The Big Penguin Party

A new discovery book in the tradition of I Spy and Where's Waldo-with a fun penguin story line kids will love!

It's Grandma's birthday and all the penguin relatives have gathered for a big costume party. But-uh-oh!-Grandma has misplaced all the accessories she needs for her rainbow costume. Search along with Peter the penguin and Percy the crocodile to help Grandma find her lost items in time for the party!

I received a copy of this book in return for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

My rating: four of five stars

Since my kids are huge fans of Where's Waldo, I thought this would be an excellent choice for them. We really liked the story that goes along with the pictures but the kids thought this one was harder then the waldo. I would recommend that older kiddos read this one, just because of that. My nine year old had a much easier time then my six year old. The pictures are very colorful and the objects to find are challenging. This one is easy to make your own lists for as well, so you can customize it for your kid.

This Find-Me-If-You-Can book is awesome and gets five stars from this momma and her three girls.

The Adventures of Miss Petitfour

The magical adventures of an eccentric Mary Poppins-esque heroine and her flying feline charges, sure to charm readers big and small. The first book for children by an internationally acclaimed novelist and poet.

Miss Petitfour enjoys having adventures that are "just the right size - fitting into a single, magical day." She is an expert at baking and eating fancy iced cakes, and her favorite mode of travel is par avion. On windy days, she takes her sixteen cats out for an airing: Minky, Misty, Taffy, Purrsia, Pirate, Mustard, Moutarde, Hemdela, Earring, Grigorovitch, Clasby, Captain Captain, Captain Catkin, Captain Cothespin, Your Shyness and Sizzles. With the aid of her favorite tea party tablecloth as a makeshift balloon, Miss Petitfour and her charges fly over her village, having many little adventures along the way. 

Join Miss Petitfour and her equally eccentric felines on five magical outings -- a search for marmalade, to a spring jumble sale, on a quest for "birthday cheddar", the retrieval of a lost rare stamp and as they compete in the village's annual Festooning Festival. A whimsical, beautifully illustrated collection of tales that celebrates language, storytelling and small pleasures, especially the edible kind!

I received a copy of this book in return for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

My rating: four of five stars

This book was so fun to read. It has several shorter stories, kind of like a chapter book. In each story, Miss Petitfour has an adventure with her cats. She has a bunch of them. And she flies with her tablecloths. It's quite fun to read about their adventures in flying and there are also some pretty adorable pictures that go along with the story. Even though this is a book aimed at younger kids, I found myself being pulled in by the charming Miss Petitfour. This is sure to be a win in any house with cat-loving kids.

Overall, this book gets four paw prints from me.

Until We Meet Again

Cassandra craves drama and adventure, so the last thing she wants is to spend her summer marooned with her mother and stepfather in a snooty Massachusetts shore town. But when a dreamy stranger shows up on their private beach claiming it's his own—and that the year is 1925—she is swept into a mystery a hundred years in the making.
As she searches for answers in the present, Cassandra discovers a truth that puts their growing love—and Lawrence's life—into jeopardy. Desperate to save him, Cassandra must find a way to change history…or risk losing Lawrence forever.

I received a copy of this ebook in return for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

My rating: four of five stars

I simply loved this book. First, let me say, the cover is just beautiful! One of my favorites right now. I have never seen or read the time-traveler's wife, but from what I have heard, this is similar. The viewpoints switch back from Cassandra, from this year to Lawrence (who is from 1925). The love story between the two was very well written. When Cassandra really tries to stay away from Lawrence, to keep the timeline correct, you can see how hard it is for her.

This book was one of those I couldn't put down. I wanted to see what was going to happen between Cassandra and Lawrence. Even the end was good for me. I didn't love it, but it ended in a satisfying way that I am content with. Not all books are going to go the way I want them to.

Another thing I just loved was the way the author described events, you actually felt like you were part of it and not just reading a story.

Not sure there was anything about this book. Overall this book get four stars.

Jane's Blanket

Soft and warm, Jane's blanket had always been there to comfort her, and she couldn't imagine drifting off to sleep without it. But with the passage of time, Jane grew bigger and bigger and her beloved pink blanket got smaller and smaller. This tender tale of how Jane learned to do without her blanket is a story that children and adults will be happy to share.In his only work for children, the author of Death of a Salesman offers a different kind of story. Arthur Miller's heartwarming tale of a child's growth and maturity is accompanied by charming images by Al Parker, a prominent illustrator and founder of the Famous Artists School.

I received a copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

My rating: 3 out of 5 stars

This book was just precious. Jane just loves her blankie which reminds me a lot of my Nattie-bug and her duckie. 

As Jane grows, the blanket is getting smaller and more worn. I just love how the author seems to so accurately portray how a child feels. They crave that familiar blanket. Even as Jane grows, she wants that blanket, but it is old and worn out. She takes it from mom's dust rag stash and keeps trying to use it. Eventually there is so little left, it isn't even a blanket anymore. What Jane's blanket finally ends up as is a wonderful twist. 

This book was a fun read for me and the girls liked it to. We give this one three stars. It was pretty good and we will probably read it again, but not likely to buy it.

The Upside of Iris

For young Iris, the whole world looks upside down, and the only person who truly understands and appreciates her perspective is her new friend Charlie, who has his own unique trait: he cannot speak. His silence, her precociousness, and their acceptance of each other make the two a perfect match.
But happiness is fleeting, as Iris’s new stepsisters, skeptical and jealous (as conventional folks often are of those who dare to swim against the tide), manage to drive the two apart. Iris and Charlie are separated for the remainder of childhood.

Grown-up Iris never forgets about Charlie, though, and her love for him influences the charming art gallery she now owns. But despite the visually magical environment she inhabits, Iris finds herself doubting Charlie once again, thanks in no small part to those pesky stepsisters of hers.

Still, before she decides to give up hope altogether, she decides to do one small thing for the other lonely souls around her . . . with wonderful consequences.

The Upside of Iris is an illustrated love story for all ages, and for anyone who has ever felt misunderstood. It is a whimsical, touching reminder that perspective is truly everything, and that a change in perspective can make all the difference in the world.

I received a copy of this book in return for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

My rating: five of five stars

I freaking loved this book. It isn't quite a children's book, but isn't quite a grown ups book either. It has a beautiful story and beautiful illustrations that go along with it. I found Iris to be a very realistic character. She expressed many of the same feelings any one of us would if we were in her heartbreaking situation. This is a book I can see myself reading over and over. I really did love it. Was sad to see the end come, but it was even a good ending. The pictures just add a bit of whimsy to the book. The illustrator was wonderful! I give this one five of five stars. It might not be good for my children, but I can see them reading it someday.

Wishing for You

She's a girl who can't remember. He's the guy she can't forget...

It's her final semester of high school, and Kimberley Rey is curious about what will come next. She needs to pick a college, but her memory disability complicates the choice. Will her struggles to remember make it impossible to leave home?

Help arrives through an unexpected and supernatural gift. Grant is a "genie" with rules. He can give her thirty wishes (one per day for a month) as long as the tasks are humanly possible. Kimberley knows just what to ask for--lessons in how to live on her own.

But her wishes change when a friend receives a devastating diagnosis. As she joins forces with Grant to help her friend, Kimberley learns that the ability to live in the moment--to forget--may be more valuable than she ever knew.

A copy of this book was provided to me in return for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

My rating: five out of five stars

I loved this book as much as I did the first in the series. I already knew many of the characters from book one. This book focused on Lacey's best friend Kimberley. Kimberley has a unique (at least to me) disability from childhood cancer treatments that causes a loss of her short term memory. She carries around an ipad and her iphone to help her remember the details. I was really curious to read how Kimberley would choose to use her wishes. She wishes for help learning to do the things in life most of us take for granted: walking to the store, making her own meals, driving.

While she is going through her month of wishes, her friend gets a "devastating diagnosis" by that you just assume that the friend is going to die, and he does, but it is so much more then that. The bond between Kimberley and her friend is an amazing one. She is one of the few people who know of his diagnosis. He wants her to treat him no differently then before. He wants to live each of his last days to the best of his ability and Kimberley helps him do just that.

During the last half of this book, Kimberley is learning photography and what she does with those new skills is just an amazing gift for both her and her friends and family. I love that they added this element to Kimberley's character. All the characters in this book are so relate-able. The few people that know about the diagnosis have such differing ways of coping, it's something I see in my line of work. Very realistic. The book was less about wishes and more about human relationships.

This book was simply amazing. I loved every page, even the ones that had me crying into my pillow.

Art Books

I was given an electronic copy of these books in return for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Finger Print Drawings

By: Rosa Curto

Publisher: Dover Publications

Format: e-book

Source: Publisher via netgalley
Overall Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

Kids can take finger painting to exciting new levels with this colorful, easy-to-use guide. Simple step-by-step directions show how to add just a few details that transform ordinary fingerprints into flying birds, funny faces, sailboats, snowmen, and scores of other fanciful creatures and objects. 

Children will also learn how to form bigger pictures with lines, spirals, and waves. From a group of mountain goats and a garden of strawberries to a cluster of angels, a cityscape, and a speeding train, this book abounds in examples and suggestions that are certain to inspire young imaginations.

What a fun way to get kids excited about art! My girls and I loved this book. This is a great activity for kids and their parents to do together. Making crafts with their finger prints is fun for them and also a nice keepsake to share with family and friends. I think we might be making our own Christmas cards this year with fingerprint drawings. This one gets five of five stars. 

Art From Simple Shapes

By: Rosa Curto
Publisher: Dover Publications
Format: e-book
Source: publisher via netgalley
Overall rating ☆☆☆☆

Get in shape and learn to draw funny characters and everyday objects! This full-color guide encourages young imaginations by exploring the wealth of possibilities behind basic geometric shapes. Using the fun stencils provided, kids can learn to transform a circle into a boat, a triangle into a house, a rectangle into a building, and more, for a total of 125 different drawings. It's easy since simple directions take you through every step of the way.

I am going to start off by saying, I am not an artist, at all. My drawing skills are not even as good as my children's. But this book made drawing simple art from shapes I do know how to draw. Though I didn't love this one as much as the fingerprint one, I did enjoy it. My girls were even able to understand the simple instructions and there were so many different things to learn to draw. Overall this one gets four stars.

Caillou

All the Caillou books are copies were given to me in return for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Though the Caillou Books have different authors, they are all published by: Chouette Publishing. I recieved them in e-book form from the publisher via netgalley

Caillou and the Big Bully

by: Christine L'Heureux and Pierre Brignaud
Illustrated by: Francine Nadeau

Caillou is bullied at day care by a much bigger and stronger boy named Theo. Sometimes Theo uses his strength to get what he wants. Caillou is afraid of him. In this story, Caillou learns to stand up for himself and say no to bullying.

Bullying can start at a very young age and early interventions will help victimized children to feel supported and to stand up.

In this series, children will go hand in hand with Caillou to navigate their way successfully through various key developmental experiences of childhood. All books are written in consultation with early childhood specialist to ensure content accuracy.

I thought this book did an excellent job dealing with the bully issue. It's important that kids know how to react when there is a person doing things you don't want them to do, bullying you. It's also important to teach them to it early so they remember it. This is a great book for pre-school age children. It takes a difficult concept and makes it easy for kids to relate to.

Caillou: The School Bus

By: Marion Johnson, CINAR Animation
Illustrated by: Eric Sevigny

Caillou's friend, Sarah, gets on the big, yellow school bus every morning, but Caillou has to wait a little longer before he goes to school. He just can't wait to ride the school bus.

This is an adorable story about Caillou and how excited he is to be able to ride the bus. He is lucky enough to have an awesome driver who gets him a ride on the bus. I feel like this might be a disappointment for kids who might not have such an opportunity. Overall this would be a fun book to read to a younger kid though.

Caillou: Lights Out

By Chouette Publishing
Illustrations by: Eric Sevigny

A winter storm knocks the power out at Caillou's house. Caillou is confused when the lights don’t work. But soon the evening turns into an indoor camping adventure, complete with marshmallows roasted in the fireplace. Caillou is especially delighted when he gets to sleep by the hearth in his sleeping bag. 

I enjoyed the way this family dealt with a power outage. It can be such a scary time for little kids and I think this gives them more details on what to expect. Caillou was scared and his dad helped him.

Caillou: Emma's Extra Snacks

By: Ann Paradis  
Illustrated by: Eric Sevigny

In collaboration with the American Diabetes Association.

Caillou is confused when Emma is allowed to have extra snacks at preschool. He's even more confused when Miss Martin explains that Emma has type 1 diabetes. Caillou is worried about his friend and becomes very protective of her. But when Emma outruns Caillou in a race, he soon realizes Emma's diabetes isn't like a cold or flu. It's something Emma has to live with every day, and she's doing a pretty good job of it.

This one was wonderful. I love that they are taking on a tough issue like diabetes. It can happen to anyone and chances are someone in your child's life will have this illness. This book was real and answered questions in a way a kiddo could understand. I also really loved how worried Caillou was about his friend and how his fears were reassured when he was able to talk to her about it.

Caillou: Waits for Santa

By: Ann Paradis  
Illustrated by: Eric Sevigny
Release date: October 27

It’s finally Christmas Eve, and Caillou just can’t wait for night time. He’s planning to stay up all night to see Santa, but he finds this a lot harder than he thought it would be. And in the morning his stocking is full of gifts!

Yet another cute story about something kids are excited about. This story about Caillou waiting for Santa and telling his sister about him is pretty darn cute. I love that he imagines himself as Santa's helper. Adorable.

Overall rating: ☆☆☆
They were all good, but not great.

The Unfortunate Decision of Dahlia Moss

I was given an advanced copy of this book in return for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

By: Max Wirestone
Release Date: October 20
Publisher: Redhook Books
Format: e-book
Source: publisher via netgalley
Overall rating ☆

The odds of Dahlia successfully navigating adulthood are 3,720 to 1. But never tell her the odds.

Meet Dahlia Moss, the reigning queen of unfortunate decision-making in the St. Louis area. Unemployed broke, and on her last bowl of ramen, she's not living her best life. But that's all about to change.

Before Dahlia can make her life any messier on her own she's offered a job. A job that she's woefully under-qualified for. A job that will lead her to a murder, an MMORPG, and possibly a fella (or two?).

Turns out unfortunate decisions abound, and she's just the girl to deal with them. - goodreads

This is the first book I have reviewed from NetGalley that I wasn't able to finish. I have a really hard time quitting on books but I got over half way through this one and it just wasn't clicking with me. The main character, Dahlia is quite the interesting person and I did enjoy her escapades but the whole premise of the story didn't work for me. Dahlia is tasked with finding a spear, but not just any spear, this one is imaginary in an online game. The twist comes

***spoiler alert***

when the man who hired her is killed by a staff. She is then paid by the deceased's family to continue her search. I just can't imagine anyone paying for that. Other people seem to love this book though, so if it sounds good to you, don't take my word for it, read it for yourself. 

Sadly because I didn't finish this one, it gets zero stars from me.

Glimmer Girls Books 1&2

In London Art Chase, the first title in the new Faithgirlz Glimmer Girls series, readers meet 10-year-old twins Mia and Maddie and their adorable little sister, LuLu. All the girls are smart, sassy, and unique in their own way, each with a special little something that adds to great family adventures.

There is pure excitement in the family as the group heads to London for the first time to watch mom, famous singer Gloria Glimmer, perform. But on a day trip to the National Gallery, Maddie witnesses what she believes to be an art theft and takes her sisters and their beloved and wacky nanny Miss Julia, on a wild and crazy adventure as they follow the supposed thief to his lair. Will the Glimmer Girls save the day? And will Maddie find what makes her shine?

My rating: four of five stars

This book is aimed at the tween girl group but was something I can totally see my girls reading. It is very faith based and I LOVED that. It follows three girls on their vacation to London and the adventure one of them has when she is convinced she sees an art theft happen. I love that this book has great morals and is a book that can teach my children that. The story was fun to read, even as an adult. I would feel confident recommending this book to a friend.

Join twins Mia and Maddie and their sidekick little sister, LuLu, as they travel the country finding adventure, mystery, and sometimes mischief along the way. Together with their famous mother, singer Gloria Glimmer, and their slightly wacky nanny Miss Twist, the sisters learn lessons about being good friends, telling the truth, and a whole lot more.

In A Dolphin Wish a three-night stop in the city of San Diego seems like it might be just the break the girls need—lovely weather and great sights to see. That is until they hear animal handlers at “Watery World” talking about the trouble they’ve been having keeping the animals in their habitats. Mia and her sisters cannot resist a challenge and they talk Miss Twist into another visit to the educational amusement park to search for clues as to what or who is helping the animals escape.

My rating: four of five stars

This is book two in the Glimmer girls series. This time the family is in San Diego and there is another mystery that needs solving. I will completely admit that I wasn't sure I was going to like book two as much. What are the odds that the same twin girls find and solve two different mysteries? This one surprised me though. It was a fun story and kept me reading (only took two sittings to finish). The descriptions made me want to visit the theme park they went to! A Dolphin Wish is the perfect next chapter in the Glimmer girls series. This is definitely a great one for the young girls to read or have read to them.

I Wish

I was given a copy of this book in return for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

By: Elizabeth Langston
Publisher: FictionEct Press
Format: e-book
Source: publisher via netgalley
Overall rating ☆☆☆☆☆

What Lacey needs is a miracle. What she gets is a genie with rules.

Lacey Linden is hiding the truth of her life—a depressed mom, a crumbling house, and bills too big to pay. While her high school classmates see a girl with a ready smile and good grades, Lacey spends her evenings seeking ways to save her family. On a get-cash-quick trip to the flea market, Lacey stumbles over a music box that seemingly begs her to take it home. She does, only to find it is inhabited by a gorgeous "genie." He offers her a month of wishes, one per day, but there's a catch. Each wish must be humanly possible.

Grant belongs to a league of supernatural beings, dedicated to serving humans in need. After two years of fulfilling the boring wishes of conventional teens, he is one assignment away from promotion to a challenging new role with more daring cases. Yet his month with Lacey is everything that he expects and nothing like he imagines. Lacey and Grant soon discover that the most difficult task of all might be saying goodbye. 

I really enjoyed this book. The twist that the genie can give her a month of wishes but they must all be humanly possible was a nice one. Seems like something that would make sense to do if you were a magical being trying to stay on the down-low. It really made me wonder what I would wish for. The main character in this book, Lacey, is a teenager who is basically running the home. Her mom is too grief stricken to function and her brother needs her care. The situation kind of broke my heart because I have seen situations like it before. 

This is one of those books that gets you very attached to the characters. They were so easy to like. Lacey does have some of the mood swings, but it is what any 17-year-old girl would have. 

As the book got closer to the end, I found myself wishing it was longer. I wanted to see what happened after Grant went "back." Luckily, I also got book two in this series to review. 

Overall, this one gets five stars. It was an excellent book.  I finished it quite quickly and felt closure even though it is part of a series. Each book has the ability to stand alone which is something I really like in my books. It was also a book that made me both laugh out loud and cry. Those books are the best kind! 

House Trained

I was given an advanced copy of this e-book in return for my honest review.
All opinions are my own.

By: Jackie Bouchard
Release Date: October 20, 2015
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Format: e-book
Source: publisher via NetGalley
Overall rating ☆☆☆☆

Alex Halstad, a childless-by-choice interior designer and dog mom, is a true perfectionist. But her orderly life turns chaotic when the teenage daughter her husband, Barry, never knew he had shows up on their doorstep...with a baby girl of her own in tow. While Alex’s dog enthusiastically welcomes the new arrivals, Alex struggles with the loss of her steady routine. She desperately needs peace and quiet to get her business back on track before Barry finds out she’s spent most of their savings. Meanwhile, the arrival of the girls stirs up old insecurities, and Alex can’t help but worry that Barry’s ex will make an entrance too. With her tidy life a distant memory, will Alex be able to learn from her dog the true meaning of love and acceptance?

From bestselling author Jackie Bouchard comes a humorous and heartwarming look at how life creates opportunities to love in surprising ways. - description from book jacket

I thought this was a sweet story. Totally wasn't what I was expecting from the first few chapters. By the time Alex's husband's daughter showed up I was completely confused. This wasn't at all what it seemed from the first chapter. I was kind of expecting light-hearted funny, but it wasn't.

This book delves quite deep into the importance of trust and openness in a relationship. I appreciated the fact that the author made the characters imperfect. Part of Alex's struggle is that she doesn't want children. Her mother doesn't understand and thinks she might change her mind. But Alex is quite content being a doggie mom. I love that she rescued her fur-baby. But when she suddenly ends up with a teenager and baby on her doorstep, I began to wonder if she was going to changer her mind.

One thing that I especially loved is that Alex begins to wonder if she should be more like her dog. Not in a weird way, but in the way that animals are so accepting and how much they welcome people. Alex's dog is very welcoming of the new additions to the household and while Alex isn't as open, she comes around. Something happens that makes her realize the important things in her life. Don't worry, no spoilers here! It ended well, but not what I was expecting.

Overall, I did enjoy the book. Sometimes the things Alex was thinking or doing made me laugh out loud, sometimes she had me groaning at how stupid she was being. I finished this book pretty satisfied with the ending. I thought it was a good book and liked it very much. I would totally recommend this to women's fiction readers. It's mostly lighthearted and a quick read. Four out of five stars.

When Happily Ever After Shatters

From the first page of this book I was hooked. The author Sue Birdseye writes from her own experience of abandonment from her husband that left her a single mother of three.

Right away I connected with this woman. Although our situations were a little different, I really felt like some of her words were aimed right at me. She included prayers between chapters that really spoke to me. In fact, I copied a few of them into my journal. I have included one at the end of this post. I love that she focuses the healing process on your faith. For me, this has been so important. The loss of my husband was really difficult. I have actually described the day he told me as the day my life shattered.

Each chapter of this book focuses on a new part of her recovery. I especially connected with the chapter about anger titled ""Slashing tires and other thoughts to take captive." That is something I have been dealing with very recently and it really helped me feel like my feelings were "normal." Seeing it in print, written by someone who has been there is so very different then hearing it from your family or friends. A couple other chapters I connected with were: Forgiveness: Trading The Unbearable For The Beautiful and 24/7 Doesn't Begin To Describe Single Parenting.

Throughout this book are also scattered journal entries from the times she was going through the situations. This helped me see her as a real person who had actually lived through divorce. Bible verses are all throughout this book and I really appreciated that. Makes me really look to the Creator for the help only He can give. I plan on renewing the loan I have with the library so I can mark the verses in my Bible.

Anyway, if you or someone you know is going through divorce or abandonment I would strongly recommend this book. In fact, I would recommend it for someone who has a friend or family member going through the same thing.

Lord, Your word says that You are the “father of mercies” and the “god of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction” with the comfort we have received from You (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, esv) 

God, sometimes it’s so difficult to see beyond our own pain and suffering and to feel any ability to bless or comfort those around us. Lord, despite our own pain, please help us bless others. Let us find our strength in Christ. Lord, hold our hearts. You know intimately the heartbreak of abandonment and betrayal. Father, please heal our hearts, restore our minds, and mend our broken homes (Psalm 147:3). 

As temptations come – those we expect and those we don’t – please help us lean heavily on You. Please don’t let us lose sight of Jesus. Give us strength to not throw away our confidence, “which has a great reward” (Hebrews 10:35, esv). We are not of those who “shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls” (verse 39, esv)! 

God, be glorified in our messy lives. Your word says You give “strength to the weary” and increase “the power of the weak” (Isaiah 40:29). We boldly ask for Your strength. Let our hearts take courage in You (Psalm 112:8). 

In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen

I don't think I can end this review better then that. I did just find that the author has a personal  blog as well. You can find that here.

The Bucket List

The Bucket List by Emily Ruben
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was given a copy of this ebook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions remain my own.

Leah thought that the turmoil in her life had come to an end. That is, until the boy-next-door who’s just moved in, turns out to be none other than her old childhood best friend, Damon. Rekindling their friendship, the two become inseparable and life seems perfect, until Leah learns a tragic secret; Damon is terminally ill and has only one more year to live.

Leah and Damon decide to embark on an adventure to have the time of their lives and cross out every to-do on their ‘Bucket List’. With the clock ticking and time precious, will they be able to complete every goal before time runs out?

It's hard putting into words how I feel about this book. There were times when it was so clique it was almost painful, but then others that were so real and so raw. I have been through the loss of someone I love and the pain is hard to explain. Ruben did a really good job with that.

Some of the things that Leah and Damon did were incredible, some of those stories were almost too much for me. Clique sex on the beach scene, clique dancing in the rain. Just felt like stuff I had heard before. 

One thing I did appreciate was that Damon's life ended with his bucket list incomplete. Kind of sums up the whole book.

Penelope Perfect

By:Shannon Anderson

Illustrated by: Katie Kath

Overall rating ☆☆☆☆

“I’d never been late for anything. I just knew this would be a bad day.”When Penelope oversleeps, her daily routine gets thrown for a loop. From wearing mismatched socks to receiving her first-ever “B,” will “Penelope Perfect” survive this imperfect day?
This encouraging story told in cheerful rhyme will speak to kids who deal with perfectionism or other forms of anxiety. The book concludes with tips and information to help parents, teachers, counselors, and other adults foster dialogue with children about overcoming perfectionism and coping when things don’t go according to plan.

I requested this book because of the description. I am one of those perfectionists. As a child I was one that wanted to do it just right or didn't want to do it at all. I could have used this book. Penelope tries her hardest to be perfect all the time, but one day she oversleeps. That "imperfect day" made her see that she could still have a good day even if it wasn't perfect. This book gets four of five stars. I really enjoyed it and thought it was a great story for kids to read, especially those who are the perfectionist type.

Cooper and The Big Apple

By: Camille Cohn
Illustrated by: Riley Cohn

Overall rating ☆☆☆☆☆

Cooper the cat is purrfectly content with his life in Texas. So when his best friend Jennifer tells him they’re taking a trip to New York City, he’s not really sure what all the fuss is about. But, like a good friend, he embarks on the new adventure with her.

Jennifer takes Cooper to climb the Statue of Liberty, to visit the Stock Exchange, and to attend a Broadway musical, and to see many other New York City landmarks. At each new location, Cooper realizes the Big Apple is not what he expected and even more than he imagined!

This book is beyond adorable. Cooper the cat goes to New York with his person. What he thinks he will see and what he actually sees are completely different. this book is told from Cooper's point of view and I simply loved it. Each page made me smile. The drawings are super cute and very well done. This book is wonderful! I would highly recommend this to any person who loves kitty cats. This one gets five paw prints!

The Rabbit Ate...

I was given copies of these books in return for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Eleven-year-old Drew Montgomery has not, does not, and will not ever want a stupid old rabbit. All they do is sit in their cages, eat carrots, and poop. Then his annoying little sister blackmails him into hiding a bunny in his closet. She knows what really happened to his "stolen" bike and she's threatening to tell. Now Drew's in a real jam. If his "No pets!" parents find the rabbit or, worse, his sister blabs the truth, he'll be grounded till Grade Seven for sure.

And if that's not enough trouble, two girls at school drag him into a prank war that goes from bad to worse--and it's all the rabbit's fault. Plus, the weirdest girl in his class wants to be his science partner. If she tells him she wants to be his girlfriend, he just knows he's gonna die.

Drew must find a way to outwit the mean girls, wiggle out of the blackmail deal, and get rid of the rabbit before it destroys his bedroom and his life.

My rating: four of five stars

This book was simply adorable. Coming from they boy's point of view is a new one for me. I usually read books that are written from a female point of view. Being that this is an 11 year old boy, it was even more fun to "get in his head." Not completely sure how realistic it is, but it was fun.

Things I really enjoyed about this book is the fact that it has some humor. Drew's little sister basically blackmails him into keeping this rabbit she finds. I also really appreciated the honesty of the character. You see how he feels and how he reacts. It was really good to see that Drew did get some punishment for his naughtiness. I also really loved how into the rabbit Drew's sister was. She even got books from the library on how to care for it. The way they cared for the rabbit was humorous to me. I can't imagine how the parents didn't know that something was going on. I would think the smell alone would clue them in that something was up.

Not sure there was anything I didn't like about this book.

You can’t bring a rabbit camping. That’s what eleven-year-old Drew Montgomery’s grandparents say when his annoying little sister wants to bring their pet rabbit, Tiny, along on the trip. And Drew agrees. It's bad enough that he will miss the release of the coolest video game of the year while he's stuck in a cramped travel trailer for a week with his grandparents and sister. But Tiny is certain to cause trouble. Plus there are bears and eagles in the woods. And what if Tiny gets lost?

But Libby smuggles the rabbit into the trailer anyway. Now Drew’s got to keep Tiny out of trouble. And that’s not easy to do with Libby always letting him out of the cage and a pair of rabbit-hating bullies ready to let their dog chomp him if he gets too close.

Top it off with never-ending rain, bloodthirsty mosquitos, a broken toilet, stinky outhouses, angry squirrels, terrible food, and an eye-gougingly boring “schedule of activities.” Drew is about ready to take the rabbit and hitchhike home before disaster really strikes.

My rating: four of five stars

This time the rabbit, Tiny, ends up on vacation with the family. I found it really funny the way the grandparents interact with Tiny compared to the kids. This rabbit certainly has personality though. He seems to find himself in all kinds of mischief. Drew learned his lesson in book one and is completely honest with his grandparents. I thought it was very good for the kids to see that he learned from his mistakes and was trying not to make the same ones again.

Overall, both of these books get four stars for me. I thought they were fun books and look forward to reading them to my girls.