Book Review :: The Light Fantastic - Sarah Combs

The Light Fantastic - Sarah Combs

"Seven tightly interwoven narratives. Three harrowing hours. One fateful day that changes everything."

It's been a little while since I read some YA Contemporary and I was so ready for this.  The Light Fantastic promised a rich narrative with some punch, so I didn't waste any time starting.  I'm gonna bullet point this one because it's that kinda book.

Book Review :: Dog on a Digger by Kate Prendergast

Dog on a Digger - By Kate Prendergast

"Dog is helping his master on the building site when his tiny dog friend goes missing. Plucky Dog takes charge and cleverly brings the digger to the rescue."

And our ongoing love for text-less picture books is rewarded with another gem.  Just look at the illustrations!  Just loooooook!  So pretty....

Book Review :: Penguin Problems - Jory John and Lane Smith

Penguin Problems - Written by Jory John and illustrated by Lane Smith

"Little Penguin has problems: his beak is cold; there s snow everywhere; the water smells salty; he waddles; he looks the same as everybody else. No it s not easy being a Penguin!"

Clever and cute, Penguin Problems is also super relevant.  It's the children's book equivalent to #firstworldproblems, with little penguin guy complaining about literally everything.  He's the modern day equivalent of Eeyore, but somebody is about to set him straight!  Because Penguin Dude, life is so good!

Book Review :: The Hamster Book by Silvia Borando

The Hamster Book - Silvia Borando

"If you have always wanted a pet, but your parents have never let you ... this is the book for you. Because, inside the pages of this book, your new hamster awaits. Isn’t she cute?" 

What an adorable little book this is!  I think interactive books are so much fun (Help, The Wolf is Coming is another fave), and The Hampster Book is especially cute.

Book Review :: My Lady Jane

My Lady Jane - by Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand and Jodi Meadows

"A comical, fantastical and witty re-imagining of the Tudor world, perfect for fans of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Lady Jane Grey, sixteen, is about to be married to a total stranger - and caught up in an insidious plot to rob her cousin, King Edward, of his throne. But that's the least of Jane's problems. She's about to become Queen of England. Like that could go wrong."

I was super eager to read/review this book following a recommendation by this bookish gal (who has never yet led me astray).  It exceeded my expectations!  I saved it up, and I savoured it.  In fact, I was so dreading finishing, that I put off doing so for several weeks.  I wanted, needed to know what would happen but I couldn't bear seeing so few pages left, didn't want that empty #bookfinished feeling to arrive (at least until I had adequate back up).  I considered whether starting over again right away would help, but this book was such a delightful (and I rarely use that word) surprise, I need time and distance before my first reread, that it may delightfully surprise me all over again.

Book Review :: Barefoot on the Wind by Zoë Marriott

Barefoot on the Wind - by Zoë Marriott

"A feminist reworking of Beauty and the Beast from a talented fantasy writer."

Well, you had me at that byline.  Fairytale retellings are fun (see also - Jane Austen retellings *hearteyes*), and there's always room for a feminist spin, imho.  I also looked forward to reading a Beauty and the Beast retelling, not being familiar with the story at all (I know, what can I say?!), so I was pretty much 'come at me with this book!'.

Book Review :: Pandora by Victoria Turnbull

Pandora - Written and illustrated by Victoria Turnbull

"A great picture story book with an environmental message.  This is a stunning fable of hope and regeneration from critically acclaimed artist Victoria Turnbull."

Pandora is a beautiful, sad and ultimately hopeful story.  The title character lives alone, surrounded by broken things with which she builds her little life.  When an injured bird appears, Pandora finally has a friend, and a purpose.  Eventually the bird leaves, but the gifts of seeds and hope left behind, transform Pandora's grey world into one that is beautiful.

Book Review :: Angel Star

Angel Star - by Chris Sanders and illustrated by Kat Merewether

"Angel Star written by Chris Sanders symbolises a new era of Children’s storybook writing using adult contemporary music inter-twined with simple beautiful lyrics that will resonate in the heart of every child.Modern day nursery rhymes that all the family will enjoy singing and reading today and for generations to come."

Book Review :: When We Go Camping by Sally Sutton and Cat Chapman

When We Go Camping - Written by Sally Sutton and illustrated by Cat Chapman

"From two of New Zealand's favourites - Sally Sutton and Cat Chapman - a rollicking romp through a day on a family camping trip!"

Book Review :: An Artist's Alphabet by Norman Messenger

An Artist's Alphabet - by Norman Messenger

"A surreal and gorgeous alphabet book from exceptional artist Norman Messenger."

If you're looking for a book that's a little out of the ordinary, I've totally found it for you.  An Artist's Alphabet is perrrrfect for fans of the surreal, and anyone looking for an un-cutesy alphabet book. The unconventional subject matter is refreshing, no 'B is for Ball' here, peeps!  This is definitely the type of book kids will sit and pore over in front of the fire, with so many exquisite details and unexpected letter pairings.  

Book Review :: My Dad Used to Be so Cool by Keith Negley

My Dad Used to Be so Cool - Keith Negley

"Did your dad used to be cool? Wondering what happened to his rock band playing, skateboarding days?"

First and foremost, I LOVE the illustrations for this book!  I'd have any of them as wall prints in my house.  The repeat pattern guitars are 👌.  It's a beautiful book no doubt about it, with thick, matte pages boasting these bold, retro illustrations.   I'm a big fan of the muted primaries colour scheme, and intend to steal it for an upcoming kiddo birthday party, yuss!

Book Review :: The Wolves of Currumpaw - William Grill

The Wolves of Currumpaw - William Grill

Picture book gold.  

Book Review :: Shield - Rachael Craw

Shield - by Rachael Craw

"Evie is out of options. She must comply with the Affinity Project - obey their rules, play their deadly games, give up Jamie. And her losses keep growing. When she decides to help a small group of Shields trying to affect change, Evie finds herself in the firing line. Counsellor Knox is intent on revealing her secrets and shackling her to the Affinity Project for life. To protect her family, Evie must betray those closest to her."

'Return' - Aaron Becker

'Return' - Aaron Becker

Stories without texts are automatic favourites in our house.  We love words, too, of course. In fact, we have to send Eleanor to bed with a notebook and pencil, so that she can save words to look up in the morning (parentals currently performing dictionary duty, but guess what she's getting for her birthday).

'Goodnight Everyone' - Chris Haughton

'Goodnight Everyone' - Chris Haughton

Big Bear and the other animals are sleepy and ready for bed, but Little Bear isn't tired yet.  Basically. A simple premise and a very cute little book.  The kind you would read in a really nice slow voice to make everyone feel suitably sleepy.

'Shapes at Play' and 'Shapes, Reshape!' - Sylvia Borando

'Shapes at Play' and 'Shapes, Reshape!' by Sylvia Borando

'Bee and Me' - Alison Jay

'Bee and Me' - Illustrated by Alison Jay

We may be pretty wary of bee stings around here, but knowing and understanding bee business is really important to our family.  While some activities are off-limits (like watching our bee-keeping mates extract honey, *sniff sniff*), we like to educate our kids about all the important work our honey bees do.

Book Review - 'The Book of Pearl' by Timothee de Fombelle

'The Book of Pearl' - Timothee de Fombelle

"Joshua Pearl is from a world that our own no longer believes in.  He knows that his great love is waiting for him in that distant place, but he is trapped in our time.  As his memories begin to fade, he discovers strange objects, tiny fragments of a story from a long time ago.  Can Joshua remember the past and believe in his own story before his love is lost forever?"

On My Nightstand - April

'The Wise Man's Fear' - Patrick Rothfuss

• I was hooked, utterly, firmly, from the start.
• I still (mostly) loved Kvothe as a protagonist, but the cocky arrogance wore on me.
• The university setting is appealing, but the side adventures are what give these books flavour.  Rothfuss lengthens these adventures with extraneous detail, but even so they make for fun reading.  Sojourn into Fae country excepted.  Erm, pass.
• Extraneous detail.  So.  Much.
• I had to go back and edit a point from my earlier Rothfuss review, regarding a perceived feminist agenda in Book One.  In retrospect I feel like this was token.  Book Two has such large portions of undisguised sexism that any apparent subversion of it in Book One comes across (now) as condescension, which in IMO is somehow more annoying.  This is nothing new, so, you know, blah blah blah, but having credited him before, my adjusted reading in Book Two impacted my enjoyment quite drastically.
• The last third of the book was an effort for me.  I think the last 15% of the book took me as long to read as the first 70%.  I was so invested in the characters and the story, this was actually a real bummer for me, and I can't recall it ever happening before... 
• I'm still totally committed to the series and I'm hoping Kvothe/Rothfuss pull through for me in the third.

'Flora and Ulysses' - Kate DiCamillo

• What an adorably sweet story, and completely, entirely unexpected.
• The cast of characters are so great.  Textured, quirky and funny.  
• One of the central relationships made me uncomfortable for a time (in a sad, rather than disturbed way).  But yay for MG where things work out in the end!
• This was definitely a middle grade story, and as such will not be on my reread list, but I look forward to passing it on to Eleanor at some stage.
• The graphic novel side of it was perfection.