Grounded: The Adventures of Rapunzel by Megan Morrison

from goodreads

5 stars

This year we decided to give Miss G quite a few books for Christmas. Man, picking them out was so hard to do. My husband and I had a limited time to be out together getting gifts and by the time we got to the bookstore Mr. S was done. I mean for a kid who usually makes no noise and is chill, he was starting to fuss a bit and we knew we had about 10 minutes before total meltdown. There are so many cool looking books out right now that it was hard to choose. You need to pick a book that is not too easy but not so long or difficult otherwise they will get frustrated. You need to make sure it is about something they are interested in, but that you wouldn't mind reading aloud to them with out going insane.

In the end I went with some classic children's stories. You can't go wrong with books that have stood the test of time, right?

Synopsis

Rapunzel is living an idyllic life up in her tower. When a young man climbs her tower and steals a flower from her she decides to leave and get it back and protect Witch.

My Thoughts

I think the majority of the world would agree that Harry Potter is one of the best if not the best kids series of all time. Well, this new Tyme series by Megan Morrison is going to give Harry Potter a run for its money. Morrison has created a well thought through, rich world.

I love how this is not just a retelling of the same old story. Morrison puts her own twist on things as she tells the story of a girl who has lived in a tower, who has been loved by witch. You see from her perspective how witch wasn't the evil person everyone thinks she is. You see how Rapunzel truly loved her, she knew no different. You see how the world is so much bigger than Rapunzel's tower. The land of Tyme is truly interconnected.

Rapunzel and the character Jack were the perfect combination. Witty dialogue, they could be silly but also serious when necessary. The dimensions of these characters were amazing.

I like how Morrison takes care of possible plot holes. For example. Rapunzel had a ton of hair. Hair is heavy. How would she be able to walk around through the woods with all that hair and not get it all messed up and crazy. Well Morrison had a great answer that made sense. So smart. There were some other things like that were taken care of easily and believably. See, what I mean about a well thought out world. I also loved the acorns. Read the book and you will see what I mean.

This is a book of adventure, discovery, resourcefulness, trickery and ultimately love. This is a fantastic debut to what is sure to be a fantastic series. My words cannot do justice to how great these books are. Don't let the childish cover fool you. This is a book that any YA reader or adult would love. Pick it up. Read it. You will not be disappointed.

Red: The True Story of Red Riding Hood by Liesl Shurtliff

from goodreads

4 stars

Summer!!! The sun is out, the beach is calling my name and I have finally had the frozen lemonade I have been craving. Summer and its hot weather has finally arrived.

I have signed up the kids for the library reading club. The girls are actually excited and are really thinking about what kinds of books they want to get from the library. It always makes my heart happy when they are excited about going to the library and not grumpy or making it feel like a chore.

Yesterday we went to one of the kick off parties our library is holding to celebrate the summer reading club. Being there helped remind me that no matter where you go, or what branch of your library you go to (we went to a party that was held at a different branch than our regular one) there are always dedicated staff ready to help you. The staff created a warm environment that allowed the kids to explore, want to share what they made and discovered, have fun, and get excited about reading. It was such a nice morning and a lot of that had to do with the great staff. Here's to a magical summer of reading.

Synopsis

Red's granny is sick and Red goes on a quest to find a cure for her granny. A cure that Red hopes will make her granny live forever.

My Thoughts

This was great! This is a fun story that still teaches you, or at least allows you to think about, life, death, the ability to let go, accepting change and being happy and grateful for what you have.

One of the most prevalent, and I think best, themes is looking at what scares us and how these fears can limit us or hold us back. We need to work through these fears and be willing to try again. Yes, there may be risks involved, but, there are always risks in whatever you do so you might as well keep trying.

I love how Shurtliff blends different stories together. Yes, it deals with Red Riding Hood, but it also has elements of one of my favourite stories Snow White and Rose Red. There were also other fairy tales that were thrown into the mix such as Goldilocks and the Three Bears and Beauty and the Beast. All these different tales flow together seamlessly and helps create this fantastical world that makes sense and you think it is real.

I loved the dwarfs. Now I know why they are always mining for gems. Ingenious!

This is a fun fairy tale retelling that you definitely have to add to your summer reading list. This would be good for ages 9 and up.

Pinkalicious: The Pinkamazing Storybook Collection by Victoria Kann

from goodreads

5 stars
Birthday season number 2 is upon us. And this year I told the girls no birthday parties. I am just over them and really don't feel like figuring out how to entertain a bunch of children for hours, or paying others to do it. But, I have allowed them to have some friends over for a more subdued celebrations, and no presents! (Seriously, they have so much they really don't need anymore.)

I am looking forward to Miss G's playdate this Saturday. Miss G decided to have a spooky tea party with two of her friends. They are going to decorate cupcakes, make flubber and do a monster craft. It was fun seeing Miss G's creative side (and her not going crazy over accessories or mandatory things).

Miss V is also fine to go with a subdued approach. She is going to invite 3 or her friends over for a movie night and some pizza. I can handle that.

Perhaps by the time Miss P gets to school I might feel like doing birthday parties again, but for now low key is the way to go.

Synopsis

This is a collection of 6 stories from Victoria Kann's Pinkalicious collection of books. They are The Pinkerrific Playdate, Pinkalicious:The Princess of Pink Slumber Party, Pinkalicous and the Pink Hat Parade, Pinkalicous:Flower Girl, Pinkalicious: Soccer Star and Pinkalicious and the Pinktastic Zoo Day.

My Thoughts

I really have mixed feelings when it comes to book collections. While it is nice to have a collection of books for the kids to read all in one place, the books themselves are heavy and sometimes cumbersome to read. Sometimes when people give us the collection we already have some of the books so now I have duplicates happening. And often I get stuck reading more stories then I wanted to at the time. This collection, however, I love.

What is so great about this Pinkalicous collection. Well the first is these are books that I would not have readily on my shelf. Some are from her "learn to read" pinkalicious books, which are actually good stories. The others are from her actual story book series but are not her first ones that we would already have.

Second. When the story ends the kids can't see the title page of the next one. This makes it easy to read one story and only one. My kids have a Dora collection story book and I always end up having to read the whole thing because when the story ends they can see what the next story is and of course beg for it. Now, I am all for reading to kids, but at bedtime when you only have time for one story and don't want to start a whine fest it is nice when they can't see what is coming next and can easily accept it is the end. So thank you book editor/designer for making it easy to close the book without tears. Yes, it is more paper, but it makes the transitions so much nicer and makes the stories feel complete and separate.

Third. How can you not like Pinkalicous. The flower girl story is my favourite and I love it. But the other stories help with problem solving, using your imagination, and being nice and supportive to one another. As always the illustrations are fantastic. If you don't like pink you might not like this book as much because there is a lot of it.

So, if you are going to take the plunge and get a story collection book that you aren't going to groan over or wish you never brought into you house, then I would recommend this one. It has fun stories, is easy to read, and it is easy just to read one story and not all of them. And since I recommend it, it must be good because, as I alluded to, I usually can't stand these all in one books.

The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by Christopher Healy

from goodreads

5 stars

Do you ever feel like time flies by yet stands still. That is how I am feeling right now. I can't believe it is the end of March already, yet, I feel like I am not getting any closer to the end date of June 4 (my due date). I will never get there.

Not that I can complain. I am not large. I can still easily put on tie up shoes. I don't have horrendous heartburn. And, in general, my energy level is pretty good. I guess it is just the sense of impatience, of wanting to get on with life instead of being in holding mode.

Oh well, I guess I should take this time to be grateful I can still use both hands to hold a book instead of juggling a book and a feeding baby or not having to remember to download an audio book and fiddle with electronics. Now if I can only make a dent in my to read list before June I will be a happy camper.

Synopsis

The bards of the land tell tales of Cinderella, Snow White, Rapunzel and Sleeping Beauty, but the princes of the story are only known as Prince Charming.

This is a book where we get to know the princes behind the tales. And, how happily ever afters aren't really what we expect. This is a tale of vengeful witches, bandits, dragons, giants and trolls. It is so much fun!

My Thoughts

This was such a fun book. It was a delight from beginning to end. Really, what's not to love? It had adventure and love and action and learning about yourself. Everything that belongs in a great tale. It was action packed and silly but not in corny or obvious ways.

I loved the personalities of each prince and princess. They were all unique and had qualities that they learned to appreciate in each other. Each character was well thought out and added so much to the stories. Even the secondary characters had a place and would have been missed if they were not in the story.

I loved the whole bard aspect of the book. What a novel approach. I also loved the illustrations by Todd Harris. They added so much to the book.

This is a tale you can just get lost in and love. I am excited to read the rest of the series. I think this would be a great book for ages 10 and up. It is just great, clean, good fun.

Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics by Chris Grabenstein

from goodreads

4 stars

Every time I read a book, whether I end up liking it or not, I am usually in awe of the author's imagination. It is amazing how every author comes up with a unique take on some aspect of life, or adventure, or creates a whole new world. The execution may not always be up to snuff, but the seed of greatness is always there.

That is probably why so many movies are made from book adaptations. The movie people see that seed and what to enhance it. Sometimes they do an excellent job. Sometimes not. There are times when I am reading a book and I say to myself, "I can't wait to see this as a movie". Or, you read a book and it plays in your mind as the movie. You can see it so clearly.

So thank you authors for putting your seeds of inspiration down on paper and giving us worlds and ideas we, ourselves, had not thought of. You open us to so much!

Synopsis

All over the U.S.A. complaints have been coming into Mr. Lemoncello that he didn't allow his last contest to be opened up to them. They want a chance to prove their library know-how. So here comes the library olympics, with the best of the best competing for supremacy and the hometown team feeling the need to prove themselves.

My Thoughts

I always get nervous with sequels, especially after the originals were so good. This did not disappoint. While I still liked the first book Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library a little bit more, this one was still right up there. There is enough of craziness, yet normalcy that would appeal to every reader. I love how he mentions books so that those reading are encouraged to check them out. And, it is fun! I want Mr. Lemoncello to build his next library in my city.

I also liked how this book addressed censorship and banned books. Though he didn't come out in a preachy way, he did express the idea that censorship of books is not a good thing. We should be able to have the right to choose for ourselves what books to read or not. Who is one person, or group of people, to say what book is good for me or not. Grabenstein introduces this idea if a fun way, that hopefully plants the seeds of anti-censorship into his young readers, or at least helps them start thinking about it and start a conversation about it.

As an adult reading it there were some plot points that seemed obvious and I guessed at. But, it was still a fun read and I know that the kids reading this book (10+) will love it!

The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss

from goodreads

4 stars

Lately the kids haven't been looking for new books. They seem to be wanting to read their old favourites. For Miss P that means a lot of Where is the Green Sheep.

Sometimes it is nice to go back and revisit old friends. I have many books that I like to go back to from time to time. I love spending time in their world. With my books-to-read list getting longer and longer I don't spend as much time with these old friends as I am forging new reading relationships. Perhaps I will need to change that.

Synopsis

Sally and her brother are stuck at home, with their mother out, feeling bored. Then comes the Cat in the Hat to change all that.

My Thoughts

I have a love hate relationship with this book. Currently I am loving it, but that can change. I think the main reason why I am loving it now is that over the Christmas Break we watch a lot of The Cat in the Hat Knows a lot about That. It is a cute show and shows the Cat as a more thoughtful character than what is portrayed in the the book. The show helps flesh him out and he becomes more loveable. (It helps that he his voiced by Martin Short... I adore Martin Short.)

I do like that the book is simplistic. It is a story that not only helps kids learn to read but is interesting too! That combo does not always exist. I also think that this story is very relatable. Who hasn't been bored wondering what to do, or been worried about getting found out by their parents or someone in authority. I also like how the Cat picks up everything. I wish my kids would catch that hint.

I don't like the Cat's total disregard for the discomfort of those around him. I know it is fun to have fun and try new things, but when it is causing massive anxiety for someone else, then perhaps it is time to stop. This lack of caring is something that I do not like.

This book is a classic kids book and will be around for a long time. It has that timeless quality and that sense of fun and adventure that is going to have kids keep coming back to it again and again. The copy we read from I had when I was a little girl, and I'm sure it will be around when my kids have kids. (The binding is exceptionally good.)

The Blackthorn Key by Kevin Sands

from goodreads

5 stars

I am so excited for tomorrow! Yes, it is Christmas Eve. But that's not why I'm excited. My husband is off tomorrow so he can help the kids and I might be able to have some uninterrupted reading time in the morning. I love lazing in my nice, warm and comfy duvet in the morning just reading. I sure hope he isn't expecting a lazy morning... I think we might have to have a discussion tonight.

Synopsis

Christopher is an apprentice for an apothecary, Benedict Blackthorn. Apothecaries are being targeted by some cult. Christopher has to decipher clues in order to save the guild and stop these murders.

My Thoughts

What an awesome book! I read it in a day. I just could not put it down. It had suspense and intrigue and funny bits and puzzles. It was just great.

I will admit I went into the book with a bit of trepidation. This is the author's first book and it seemed to be heavily pushed and that combination does not guarantee a success, quite often it is hit and miss. This is definitely a hit.

I liked how he was able to incorporate historical detail without it feeling like a history book. He is able to create this great world without the reader feeling bogged down in details. You are learning, but you don't feel like you are learning.

He doesn't shy away from the brutality of life in the 1660s. He also doesn't shy away from the brutality of torture and murder, so if you are squeamish, this might not be the best fit for you.

Even though it is set in the 1660s, the characters are relatable and you would love them as your friend.

This is a great mystery and a great adventure. If you are looking for a last minute book for someone on your list pick this up. While anyone could read this book, this might be a good one to introduce to a preteen boy who might not be as interested in reading as you would like. The suggested age for this book is 10-14. I would think that the 10 year old would need to be a bit on the mature side and be able to handle some gore. Just love this book!

A Pirate's Night Before Christmas by Philip Yates Illustrated by Sebastia Serra

from goodreads

5 stars

I don't know what it is about pirates, but man they sure are fun. As soon as my kids' eye catch a pirate book they have to get it. Miss G even wants to make pirate gingerbread men for Santa because of the book The Gingerbread Pirates.

When you think about the history of pirates and what they were like in real life, they really weren't so fun. In fact, I would not want to encounter them or encourage my kids to learn of them and their ways.

I guess that what happens with the distance of time. Things, that in reality were quite horrible, become fun through nostalgia. We have the luxury of picking out the good things so we can have fun and casually ignore the horror.

So, thanks time. Modern pirate kid books will have a place on our shelves because of you.

Synopsis

It is the night before Christmas on the Sarrk and the pirates are waiting for Sir Peggedy. A great piratey take on the Clement C. Moore Poem, The Night Before Christmas.

My Thoughts

This was such a fun book. Like his other book, A Pirate's Twelve Days of Christmas, Yates does a great job of planting you into pirate's life and becoming one of the crew.

I love the pirate jargon, and Sir Peggedy. I love how Yates is able to keep true to the original yet make it completely his own. Serra's unique fun style of illustrations add life and vibrancy to the tale.

This is a great, fun, Christmas book that is definitely going to be a classic in our house.

The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires

from goodreads

4 stars

Miss G is always inventing things. She has heaps of drawings and plans and goes through so much tape is is rather ridiculous. Some of her creations are pretty interesting. Often she runs to her room saying"I have a great idea for the best thing ever!"

What can be frustrating at times is when she needs help with her creation and she expects you to know exactly what she needs and wants. When you tell her you don't know what you want her to do, she does not always believe you and then gets mad when you tape something at the wrong spot. Or sometimes her plan does not always work out the way it did in her head... that can be frustrating too.

When I say this book on my library's main page I knew I had to get it out. It screamed Miss G because I had heard those words before.

Synopsis

A little girl along with her puppy assistant set out to make the most magnificent thing.

My Thoughts

This author totally got the little girl inventor thing down. The brilliant ideas, the thorough drawings, the many, many, many trials and the frustration when things weren't going quite as planned.

I liked how the author shows that many of the greatest things are created through the trial and error process and that you might not get it perfect the first time. I liked how methodical the process was. I liked how a cooling off period or walking away period is sometimes what is needed when you are stuck. I also liked how the author showed that while some of her models weren't good for what she wanted they worked for other people. Sometimes when we set out to create something we might create a thing we didn't expect but is useful for others.

The drawings were quite nice. They were simplistic yet exactly what this story needed.

This is a great book to encourage kids to solve their own problems, think things through and keep trying. I really enjoyed it.

The 13 Days of Halloween by Carol Greene Illustrated by Tim Raglin

from goodreads

4.5 stars

Well, Halloween is coming up this Saturday. I am still making some last minute tweaks to the kids costumes but for once I am feeling like we are ready.

Miss V is going to be Little Red Riding Hood. I made her a red and white tutu style skirt and a nice warm fleece hood and cape. Hopefully the cape will help her stay a little warm when they are out on Saturday. Halloween can be pretty chilly in Canada.

Miss G is going to be a ballerina witch cat, the last time I checked. Hopefully it all works out for her and she will be happy with the result.

With Miss P I totally thought we would have an extra year of putting her in whatever costume we wanted, but nope. She is determined to be a dinosaur/dragon. Luckily my friend has a dragon costume lying around and I think it will be perfect. Seriously, how did my 2.5 year old get so opinionated?!

I am looking forward to a nice quiet Halloween. Our neighbourhood is an older one so there aren't as many kids. Last year I think we got 15 kids at our door. So, it should be a nice time of reading and relaxing while my husband take our our kids and I wait for whoever drops by.

Yay for Halloween!

Synopsis

A nicely dressed, gentlemanly ghoul gives gifts to his friend.

My Thoughts

Well here is another book where they take a familiar song and change the words around to be a fun Halloween book.

I loved the illustrations and the toads. The toads were probably my favourite.

I loved how everything worked with the tune so we could all sing along. My kids liked seeing all the different gifts. Miss P especially liked the spiders and the worms. She also liked the lady's dresses. Every time we turned the page she would exclaim "ooh pretty dress". She likes her dresses, what can I say.

All of us were a bit disappointed at the end when we don't get to see what the gift is that the lady gives the the man. I tried to make it fun by saying "oh, we get to use our imaginations. What do you think she gave?" But the kids weren't buying it. My husband even exclaimed "Laaame!"'

This is a fun book that will definitely get you in the creepy and fun Halloween spirit. Happy Halloween!!

Monster Mash by David Catrow

from goodreads

5 stars

Growing up we were making the transition from records to tapes to cds. My family had a collection of very interesting records. There was a Smurf record, a Muppet compilation, and my favourite one with spooky songs. This was my first interaction with the song Monster Mash. You cannot hear that song with out wanting to do your best 50s dance moves.

Now I get to pass that song on to my own kids, and they like it because it is about monsters and it is just fun. While listening to a cleaned up sound version isn't quite as nostalgic as listening to a scratchy record, this song still brings me a lot of joy and usually kicks off a dance party.

Synopsis

Illustrator David Catrow takes the beloved song Monster Mash and brings it to life through his fun illustrations.

My Thoughts

This book was so much fun. Nothing is better than trying to make your spookiest voice while reading it. My husband is the champ. He is so good at spooky accents.

When we got it out I wasn't sure what to expect. I didn't know it was going to be the song Monster Mash. I was thinking they were going to try create monsters in a mashup or something. So when my oldest kept singing Monster Mash and then my middle daughter kept asking about the Monster Mash song I was a bit confused and was like what is going on. But then when I finally read the book myself it all clicked together.

This was a great book. The illustrations were just perfect for the song and it got you in the spooky groovy feeling. It was just so much fun.

So if you love the song, you will love the book.

Frankenstein: A Monstrous Parody by Ludworst Bemonster aka Rick Walton, Illustrated by Nathan Hale

from goodreads

4 stars

I don't know about the timing of things in retail. I can't find a bathing suit in July but I am able to find my Hallowe'en costume. How can that be right? When I was visiting a friend in Michigan a couple weekends ago we went to Hobby Lobby (that store is dangerously awesome) and they were already having sales on their Christmas decor! What is going on!

Well, at least the library waited until last week to bring out their Hallowe'en books. That is a bit better. So to help get me into the Hallowe'en spirit I got out a whole bunch, so you will be seeing a lot of Hallowe'en books over the next little bit. Happy Hallowe'en in a month!

Synopsis

A clever and spooky tale inspired by Madeline. But instead of little girls it is little monsters.

My Thoughts

I loved this book. It made me laugh and smile. The similarities in style to Madeline were spot on which made this book all the more awesome. I loved how it was "twelve little monsters in two crooked lines". Awesome.

Where the book fell from a full 5 for me was the ending. It seemed to fall a bit flat. It was almost as if the author was like, "well we need to wrap this up, lets just end it now". I don't know it just was weird and left me feeling lacking. The rest of the book was so spot on perfect that you can almost forgive the strange ending.

So if you are looking for a book to get you into the Hallowe'en spirit pick this one up. It is a hoot!

The Little Sleepyhead by Fran Manushkin Illustrated by Leonid Gore

from goodreads

4 stars

Now that we are in full swing of summer bedtimes and waking up times seem to have gone out the window. While we are still trying to keep up sort of semblance of a schedule I can still hear the older girls whispering far into the night. In the mornings I have been able to sleep into a delicious 8:30, this morning it was even pushed back to 9. Man am I spoiled. I probably should try to be more rigid with the bedtime. Getting back into the school routine in a month and a half might be a bit challenging. But, sometimes, you just need a break from it all. And if that break let's me sleep until 9, well I think I can handle that.

Synopsis

There is a little sleepyhead wandering around trying to find a place to sleep.

My Thoughts

I really liked it and the kids really liked it.

It was cute to see the sleepyhead try to mimic the animals that it sees to find a new place to sleep and having some pretty epic fails. I liked how the animals woke up each other. Sort of like a domino effect.

I like how it ends. It is almost like a motivational speaker slogan.  If this sleepyhead can fall asleep you can to! I don't know about your kids but mine are the masters of coming up with reasons why they don't need to sleep or why they can't fall asleep. I think the ending is for them.

Tuck Me In! by Dean Hacohen and Sherry Scharschmidt

from goodreads

4 stars

I don't know about you, but here, bedtime can be quite adventurous. The kids are constantly keeping us on our toes. Some nights, when we say it is bedtime, the kids quickly and without complaint brush their teeth, get in their p.j's and bam! their in bed. No dragging their feet, no begging for an extra story, even Miss P. goes to sleep quite easily. Those nights are bliss. Then other nights... oh man... there is so much whining and insisting on a big bedtime snack. They refuse to brush their teeth and getting them into their p.j.'s is one of this centuries epic struggles. By the time they're in bed my husband and I are done and all I want to do is sit quietly, with no one touching me and escape into my latest book.

Why the difference? I have no idea. But at least it keeps things interesting. I really can't complain about being bored.

Synopsis

It is time for different animals to go to bed. Your little one gets to tuck them in.

My  Thoughts

This is a really cute book. I love the illustrations and the different prints used for the blankets. I love it when books use half pages to completely change the look and feel of a picture. All kids love to use these half pages. Miss P. likes turning them back and forth to see the changes. Her smiles make me smile.

I like the variety of animals. There are pigs and crocodiles and things in between.

The story is very repetitive. After the second page it was a bit tedious for me. But then, the book isn't intended for me. It is intended for kids 2ish-5ish so for that reading audience it is perfect.

This really is the perfect book to add to your going to bed routine. Hopefully it will be smooth sailing after the cover closes.

Except If by Jim Averbeck

from goodreads

4 stars

We are in winter's home stretch. I can feel it. I am so sick of the revolving doors of sickness and the cold wind and feeling cooped up. I am so ready to get back into my morning walks, playing at the playground and going for bike rides.

Don't get me wrong. I love winter. I love all the winter activities you can do. The thing is, it kind of sucks when it is too cold do do those winter activities. I am also sick of trying to get Miss P. into her snow pants and then get me into my snow pants. I just want to put on my shoes and go. Oh well... it won't be too much longer.

Synopsis

There is an egg. It is a baby bird except if it is a dinosaur! This is a fun story about how our imaginations can change things up and how things are not always as it might seem.

My Thoughts

I really liked this book. The pictures were vibrant yet simple and the idea was really fun. Just when you think you know where the story is headed the words "except if" change it up. So fun!

I liked how the author came full circle so the book felt like it had some sort of completion to it. My kids liked all the possibilities that the egg had. They looked forward to seeing what was going to change next.

This is a great book to cuddle up and read together.

Little Owl Lost by Chris Haughton

from goodreads

5 stars

Man, yesterday seemed like such a busy day. I hardly had time to check my email let alone put up the post.

We had a pretty slow January, but our February seems to be picking up. That is a good thing activity wise but, reading wise, not so much. It is a good thing I got so much reading done in January that I can allow myself a bit of a slow down if needed.

I definitely am feeling a touch of the February Blahs. I think it is because we are having round after round of sickness lately. It will be nice when Miss P. goes to sleep and stays asleep in her own bed! I don't mind sharing, but, between my darling husband's snoring and Miss P.'s need to touch me, it does not make for a very nice sleep.

Are you in the February Blahs? Do you have any tricks for getting out of them?

Synopsis

Little Owl falls out of his nest and a squirrel helps him find his mommy.

My Thoughts

This was a fabulous book. I loved the illustrations. I loved that half page flip book that showed the little owl falling and then bouncing from his nest.

I loved that it was a nutty squirrel who tried to help Little Owl. Seriously. Squirrels in book are so nutty. They seriously make the best characters some time. I loved how the squirrel took Little Owl from animal to animal thinking that they would be Little Owl's mother, because of one physical feature. Awesome!

I like how it ends... though, that mother owl should really invest in some taller walls.

The kids liked this book too. Miss V. would read it to the younger two. It warmed my heart seeing them cuddled together on the couch reading. (And it takes a lot to warm my heart as my husband can attest. ;)

While there is no real depth or super moral of the story, this was still a fun one. I think your family will love it just as much as mine.

Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson

from goodreads

5 stars

We are all better in the household. The sickness is gone. And that was perfect timing. Yesterday was a SNOW DAY!!!! When Miss G. woke up and learned that she didn't have to go to school, because there was so much snow, she ran down to the mud room to start putting on her snow pants. My husband told her she had to wait until Mommy was up (7:00 does not exist in my world right now, come talk to me at 7:45 earliest).

She patiently did, and while I was snuggling with Miss P. I heard Miss G. creep into Miss V.'s room and excitedly tell her (while channeling her inner William Shatner) there was no school because there was Too. Much. Snow. 

It is nice when you get to see the excitement of the snow day personified. I love watching the snow fall, but, the aftermath of shoveling and dripping snow clothes don't fill me with the excitement it used to. But, when you have a 5 year old so excited it is hard not to have a smile on your face. I love the magic of childhood.

Synopsis

The plain brown tree has magic to be unleashed. Follow the directions and see the tree be transformed.

My Thoughts

This was an absolutely lovely book. It is interactive and you learn things. The best part is that the kids are having so much fun they don't even know they are learning things. It is kind of like Don't Push the Button. Instead of simply pushing the button though, you get to tap the tree, rub the tree, brush the tree, give the tree a kiss, blow like the wind and more.

The tree starts just bare and with the first tap a green leaf appears, then more. Eventually the tree goes through the stages of an apple tree, with blossoms then fruit, then fall colours back to winter. It is a fun interactive way for kids to learn about the cycle trees go through with the seasons.

When Miss P. had to blow on the tree she did and then said "ooh hot". So precious. When Miss G. made the blossoms appear she was so excited and you could see her eyes just light up.

This is a great book for little kids. It is beautifully illustrated. It is just as much fun to read as an adult as it is for the kids. This will definitely be a family favourite.

The Book With No Pictures by B.J. Novak

from goodreads

5 stars

The kids are back in school and I am starting to settle into my old routines. Ah bliss.

Over the holiday I thought I would have much more time for reading. But instead of the reading stack lowering it seems to be growing! Perhaps I have been a bit too ambitious.

I guess that is the nice thing about getting into a routine again. My routine always includes a little (my husband might say a lot of) time for reading. When the routine is gone other things can more easily fill the time. How do you fit in time to read? Do you have a dedicated time during the day or do you treat yourself after you do certain tasks? When do you read?

Synopsis

This book has no pictures but, it sure has a heck of a lot of words, and with words comes the power to delight.

My Thoughts

My family got this book for Christmas. I had seen it in bookstore emails and other online lists but had never taken the time to actually check it out. When we unwrapped it I was very happy and excited. I wanted to see if the book lived up with all the fuss it seemed to be given.

This was a very cool book. Miss G.'s teacher had read it to the class. Miss G. Was excited to share her favourite page that said "boo boo butt". Seriously, add the word butt to anything and kids will smile, okay adults will smile too. It must be a kid thing because I know my friends and I gave a snigger or two if we ever heard that word. There were so many other silly words. The kids were laughing and Miss V. was saying "is that even real word" in her very grown up 7 year old way.

I like how Novak lays down the rules for reading aloud. His rule is whatever is written on the page the person reading it has to say. And he makes the reader say a lot of silly things. I think this makes the kids enjoy this book even more. Usually parents or adults are so proper, and now they get to be silly too.

I also like how Novak adds what the reader is probably thinking. I think the adult readers appreciate that.

This is a great book that shows how fun words can be, that a book can be hilarious and engaging with out the need of pictures, and that reading and words can bring people together and provide them with a wonderful experience. I highly recommend it.

Monster, Be Good! by Natalie Marshall (Blue Apple Books)

from goodreads

4 stars

I hope you all had a fabulous Christmas. I met with my book club last night and a few were quite excited about gift cards to bookstores they received. I was happy with the time I got to read.

My list of books I want to read this coming year seems long but I am so excited about it. I am ready to get reading. I usually don't try to map out what I want to read over the year. I have my book club books obviously, but other than that I just let the wind take me. So this is new. But as I looked at my to-read shelf get bigger and bigger and bigger on goodreads I knew that I needed to attempt to make a slight dent in it. I chose 25 books from it to be my to-read 2015 books. We will have to see how well I do and if I like this mapping out process. Of course, if a new book catches my eye on the shelf, I will probably through caution to the wind and read it. We'll see.

Synopsis

This book is full of helpful tips for taking care of your very own monster.

My Thoughts

This was a really cute book. The monsters were definitely monsteriffic. You are in charge of monsters and need to manage their behaviour. It is basically a parenting book, but instead of picturing children it is monsters and sometimes that is an apt substitution.

There is a rainbow of colour in each page's illustrations. The pictures help make the monsters look less menacing and more whimsical.

When reading this with the kids they don't see their own bad behaviour in what the monsters are doing. Yet they know exactly how the monster should act. So hopefully some of this learning will sink it. Yet, from the screaming fit that occurred last night, I don't think it has. Though we did provide some birth control to the passing group of older teens passing our van who heard it.

See you in 2015! I hope the beginning of your new year is a great one. Do you have any reading goals, or books on your list to read for 2015?

Pinkalicious - Victoria Kann and Elizabeth Kann

from goodreads

4 stars

Has Frozen taken over your house yet? Miss V. and Miss G. love to sing the songs but their enthusiasm is starting to wane. Miss P. on the other hand wants to be watching the movie 24/7. When I purchased the movie I was able to get the blu-ray, dvd, digital combo pack for the same price as the regular dvd (thanks Target). So we decided to put the movie on our ipad so the girls could watch it on our long trip. Not a problem. Or, at least it wasn't, until Miss P. discovered how to unlock the ipad, and locate the app in which Frozen could be watched. As soon as she gets up from her nap Miss P. says "Let it Go" over and over (that is what she calls Frozen) finds the ipad (which I thought I had hid very cleverly) and starts the movie up. Now I think Frozen is an alright movie. I even find some of the songs to be rather catchy, but seriously little miss 21 month old! Enough is enough! Luckily over the past week she has been bringing me Pinckalicious to read instead of the ipad. So maybe, just maybe, we are turning the corner. One can hope.

Synopsis

One a rainy day Pinkalicious and her mother decide to make pink cupcakes, but more turned out pink than just the batter.

My Thoughts

This is a really cute book. From the series of books about Pinkalicious, I think it is one of the best. The art work is awesome. I love the different textures used to create the pictures. I love the story. It is believable but with just the right touch of whimsy to make it magical. And for the little girl in your life you loves pink, what book could really be better?

I love the line that the mother uses when Pinkalicious asks for another cupcake. She says, "You get what you get and you don't get upset". The first time I read that I was like "GENIUS" and now that is my go to line when my girls start to pester me with their requests.

The only thing that I didn't like about it was how they portrayed green healthy food. I know that the point of view is from a little girl and that most kids would rather have pink cotton candy than a dill pickle. But at the same time don't use the word yuck in the same sentence as healthy choices. I don't want my kids to think that brussel sprouts are supposed to be yucky when right now they eat them right up. I know, it's a kids book, don't read to much into it, but at the same time I want my kids to like green food. This is just a minor thing, and I omit the "yuck" when I read it so I guess no harm no foul.

I highly recommend this book. The author also writes all the learn to read Pinkalicious books so they are actually nice to read instead of tedious.