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Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated Growing in God's Love: A Story Bible in Books
Jun 18, 2018
Growing in God's Love: A Story Bible by Elizabeth F. Caldwell; Carol A. Wehrheim is an illustrated book that pays attention to quality and detail. While it says it is a book that children can read, I believe it should be read to children. I am impressed with this book, the wording, and I like how it is designed to be interactive between adult and child with three simple questions at the end of each story.
Most of the stories are between one and two pages counting the illustrations and three questions and start at the beginning of the Bible in Genesis and through the old testament and then into the new testament. The verse location in the Bible is given under the story title.
The author did a great job of covering Bible topics in a way that children can understand but in a way that adults can gain a blessing as well.
I received an ARC from Westminster John Knox Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Most of the stories are between one and two pages counting the illustrations and three questions and start at the beginning of the Bible in Genesis and through the old testament and then into the new testament. The verse location in the Bible is given under the story title.
The author did a great job of covering Bible topics in a way that children can understand but in a way that adults can gain a blessing as well.
I received an ARC from Westminster John Knox Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated The Good Book for Kids: How the Bible's Big Ideas Relate to YOU in Books
Jun 18, 2018
The Good Book for Kids: How the Bible's Big Ideas Relate to YOU by Lisa Tawn Bergren is a great book that teaches the Bible for kids. The Bible is broken down by chapters from Genesis to Revelation in an interesting way that gains the attention of kids. This book can be viewed as a devotional for kids. The lessons are short but have meaning.
The book is a narrative of the main stories of the Bible. The stories are written in way that engages children in a way to instill Christian principles. After the short lesson, the book has a section titled "skinny" which breaks down the lesson into key points with a modern twist. At the end of each lesson there are a few questions that are asked that can be used as discussion points.
This book is a great resource for church, Bible class at a Christian school or a devotional at home.
I received as ARC from David C Cook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The book is a narrative of the main stories of the Bible. The stories are written in way that engages children in a way to instill Christian principles. After the short lesson, the book has a section titled "skinny" which breaks down the lesson into key points with a modern twist. At the end of each lesson there are a few questions that are asked that can be used as discussion points.
This book is a great resource for church, Bible class at a Christian school or a devotional at home.
I received as ARC from David C Cook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated Ten Cents a Pound in Books
Jun 18, 2018
Ten Cents a Pound by Nhung N. Tran-Davies is a short, poetic, back-and-forth conversation between a mother and daughter. This is the story of a unnamed young girl whose mother is working hard so that her daughter may have a better life. It tells many stories within the pages that are filled with heart warming illustrations. It is the story of a mother's love, of hope, determination, a child's love and concern for her mother and for the giving of each, so that they may both be safe, and happy.
The book simultaneously draws attention to the difficulties of living with low wages, while optimistically looking forward to the opportunities and possibilities of the future due to education.
The lovely illustrations are both realistic and wistful, and while this story may require some additional explanations for young children, it paints a beautiful picture of determination and potential.
I received a ARC from Second Story Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I give this book 4/5 stars.
The book simultaneously draws attention to the difficulties of living with low wages, while optimistically looking forward to the opportunities and possibilities of the future due to education.
The lovely illustrations are both realistic and wistful, and while this story may require some additional explanations for young children, it paints a beautiful picture of determination and potential.
I received a ARC from Second Story Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I give this book 4/5 stars.
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated Is It Warm Enough for Ice Cream? in Books
Jun 18, 2018
Is it Warm Enough for Ice Cream? by DK is a simple book about seasons. It asks each season if it is warm enough to eat ice cream. It is a quick and simple read for early learners. It reviewed the seasons and if each one was the right time for Ice cream. In each season the story gave ideas for what happens during that time and what activities you could do in that type of weather.
Each page describes a season of the year. Toddlers will learn about different items that show up in the season highlighted. Finally, it’s warm enough for ice cream and the colors pop even more than on the previous pages.
This book made me want to create a list of things to achieve for each season- like Ice Skating, wandering through the woods, looking for hiding animals, flying kites, and definitely eating ice cream.
I received an ARC from DK Children via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I give this book 4/5 stars.
Each page describes a season of the year. Toddlers will learn about different items that show up in the season highlighted. Finally, it’s warm enough for ice cream and the colors pop even more than on the previous pages.
This book made me want to create a list of things to achieve for each season- like Ice Skating, wandering through the woods, looking for hiding animals, flying kites, and definitely eating ice cream.
I received an ARC from DK Children via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I give this book 4/5 stars.
Joelene Marie (28 KP) rated Gork, the Teenage Dragon in Books
Oct 1, 2018
Hilarious, cute (at least to me) adventure in finding love with the young Gork. The authors take on dragons is wholly original. These aren't your typical dragons, either as destructive creatures hording treasure and demanding maidens and being slain by knights or as respected creatures of magic and wisdom. Gork and his dragons are a very interesting alien species that have the characteristics of typical dragons with their wings and tails and scales and claws and breathing fire and just plain fierceness but with an intelligence similar to humans, a more militarized society, and a huge love of poetry. Have I mentioned it's hilarious? yes? well that's cause it is lol. My only problem, and it's not much of one, was the repetition of things like "scaly green ass," the first few times it added to the humor but after that it got a little annoying. Gabe Hudson has clearly shown his talent and I'm interested to see what he does in his (hopefully very long) career.
**Thanks to the publisher for inviting me to review the ARC!**
**Thanks to the publisher for inviting me to review the ARC!**
Roxanne (13 KP) rated Chimera Book One in Books
Nov 14, 2018
<i>I received an ARC ebook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review</i>
____ <b>4 Star Rating</b> ____
This story is about a young boy called Kyp who ends up being drawn into a whole new world where all lost things go to. It is suitable for both adults and children, however, there are some strong horror elements so I would perhaps recommend going through this book to see if it's suitable for your own child, it's personal preference afterall.
I have to say I really enjoyed this story and at only 100 pages long you can jump right into the next one straight after. I found this to be really original and I liked all of the characters. It is absolutely packed full of action, each chapter ending with a BOOM to keep you hooked (which definitely worked for me).
I would say it needs a bit more editing but the mistakes only mildly effected my enjoyment and so it deserves a full 4 stars.
____ <b>4 Star Rating</b> ____
This story is about a young boy called Kyp who ends up being drawn into a whole new world where all lost things go to. It is suitable for both adults and children, however, there are some strong horror elements so I would perhaps recommend going through this book to see if it's suitable for your own child, it's personal preference afterall.
I have to say I really enjoyed this story and at only 100 pages long you can jump right into the next one straight after. I found this to be really original and I liked all of the characters. It is absolutely packed full of action, each chapter ending with a BOOM to keep you hooked (which definitely worked for me).
I would say it needs a bit more editing but the mistakes only mildly effected my enjoyment and so it deserves a full 4 stars.
Roxanne (13 KP) rated Chimera Book Two in Books
Nov 14, 2018
<i>ARC received from Netgalley</i>
___ <b>3 Star Rating</b> ___
Like the first part this was a very fast paced and action filled read, however, I didn't enjoy it quite as much as the first. Although the writing had improved, there were less errors and you were drawn further into the story, it just got way too complicated and messy for me.
It got to the point where I just thought that even the characters don't even know whose side they are on, they just swapped sides continuously, so many times I lost count and everything just started to confuse me. There were new characters being introduced all the time with bizarre names that within a page I had forgotten who they were.
All of those points are a shame as <i>Chimera</i> has <b>great</b> potential!
I thought the way every chapter ended was really good in the way that it held my attention and made me want to know what happens next.
I just hope the 3rd book will be less messy.
___ <b>3 Star Rating</b> ___
Like the first part this was a very fast paced and action filled read, however, I didn't enjoy it quite as much as the first. Although the writing had improved, there were less errors and you were drawn further into the story, it just got way too complicated and messy for me.
It got to the point where I just thought that even the characters don't even know whose side they are on, they just swapped sides continuously, so many times I lost count and everything just started to confuse me. There were new characters being introduced all the time with bizarre names that within a page I had forgotten who they were.
All of those points are a shame as <i>Chimera</i> has <b>great</b> potential!
I thought the way every chapter ended was really good in the way that it held my attention and made me want to know what happens next.
I just hope the 3rd book will be less messy.
David McK (3425 KP) rated Batman: Knightfall, Vol. 1 in Books
Jan 28, 2019
In large part the inspiration behind 2012's movie 'The Dark Knight Rises', what surprised me on reading this is just how faithfully that movie actually stuck to the events of this!
Oh, sure, there are differences: no Azrael or Robin (or, at least, not in his superhero mantle) in the movie, and a larger part for Catwoman/Selina Kyle, but more than just lip service is paid to the comic on which it is based: in particular, the bit about Bane's early life.
And, talking of Bane, the movie sticks an awful lot closer to him than the 1997 'Batman and Robin' version, or even the more recent Arkham series of games do.
The plot of the movie and comic should be pretty much common knowledge by now: Bane comes to Gotham, pushes Batman/Bruce Wayne to the edge and finally breaks his back in a 1-on-1 fight between the two.
In the words of Monty Python, however, 'I got better ... ' (albeit not by the end of this particular 'Knightfall' arc)
Oh, sure, there are differences: no Azrael or Robin (or, at least, not in his superhero mantle) in the movie, and a larger part for Catwoman/Selina Kyle, but more than just lip service is paid to the comic on which it is based: in particular, the bit about Bane's early life.
And, talking of Bane, the movie sticks an awful lot closer to him than the 1997 'Batman and Robin' version, or even the more recent Arkham series of games do.
The plot of the movie and comic should be pretty much common knowledge by now: Bane comes to Gotham, pushes Batman/Bruce Wayne to the edge and finally breaks his back in a 1-on-1 fight between the two.
In the words of Monty Python, however, 'I got better ... ' (albeit not by the end of this particular 'Knightfall' arc)
David McK (3425 KP) rated The Chessmen of Mars (Barsoom #5) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
The fifth of Edgar Rice Burrough's <i>Barsoom</i> series of books, this is a return to form after the somewhat disappointing <i>Thuvia, Maid of Mars</i>
I think a large part of the reason for that is because (I have heard) that previous installment was written in installments, which shows throughout the story. I don't know if this one was or not, but it does seem to 'flow' better.
Like <i>Thuvia</i>, neither John Carter himself nor his son Carthoris are the central characters: rather, it is his daughter Tara who is one of the key characters. like the very first book(s), this is book-ended as Edgar Rice Burrough's recounting the tale told to him by John Carter, who only has a minor role in this story, both at the beginning and end.
There's no denying that it does follow the same plot arc as many of the previous books which, one could argue, might show a lack of imagination. However, if it's not broke, don't fix it!
I think a large part of the reason for that is because (I have heard) that previous installment was written in installments, which shows throughout the story. I don't know if this one was or not, but it does seem to 'flow' better.
Like <i>Thuvia</i>, neither John Carter himself nor his son Carthoris are the central characters: rather, it is his daughter Tara who is one of the key characters. like the very first book(s), this is book-ended as Edgar Rice Burrough's recounting the tale told to him by John Carter, who only has a minor role in this story, both at the beginning and end.
There's no denying that it does follow the same plot arc as many of the previous books which, one could argue, might show a lack of imagination. However, if it's not broke, don't fix it!
Eleanor (1463 KP) rated Foul Is Fair in Books
Nov 26, 2019 (Updated Nov 26, 2019)
Sweet Revenge Tale for the Modern Era
Loved how this book didn’t mess about and just got into the action. Straight off the bat, it gave me a whole Cruel Intentions vibe and added a touch of The Craft for good measure - all teen girl kick ass. In a world that gave us the Brock Turner farse, we deserve this over the top revenge book.
When a group of prep boys choose the wrong girl to target at a party we are taken along for an all-consuming journey of revenge and it’s a delightfully dark ride. For such a disturbing tale it’s beautifully written. I don’t tend to like things with any sort of retelling of Shakespeare hints Macbeth in this case) or girly teen YA but this is in its own league of powerful storytelling that sets it apart. I had a strong feeling of where it was going but I wouldn’t have missed the ride for anything.
My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
When a group of prep boys choose the wrong girl to target at a party we are taken along for an all-consuming journey of revenge and it’s a delightfully dark ride. For such a disturbing tale it’s beautifully written. I don’t tend to like things with any sort of retelling of Shakespeare hints Macbeth in this case) or girly teen YA but this is in its own league of powerful storytelling that sets it apart. I had a strong feeling of where it was going but I wouldn’t have missed the ride for anything.
My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.