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The Scarfolk Annual 197*
The Scarfolk Annual 197*
Richard Littler | 2019 | Horror, Humor & Comedy
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Deeply twisted parody/satire manages to be unpleasantly disturbing and consistently funny throughout. You kind of have to be familiar with the conceit of Scarfolk - a 'lost' town in the north of England, trapped in the 1970s and run as a brutally right-wing totalitarian dystopia - to get the joke here, but the recreation of the sort of useless filler that made up the bulk of children's annuals in the 1970s is brilliantly done. The inventiveness and attention to detail is consistently impressive, and most of the jokes connect - there's a combination of silliness, savage political satire, and League of Gentlemen style macabreness that certainly won't be to all tastes. Gets the balance between horror and humour just about right; very funny, but also undeniably disturbing.
  
Larry, Bush Pilot
Larry, Bush Pilot
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Jordan Mierek, also known as Jordan Elizabeth, usually writes for young adults, but after many requests, she has published her first children's book. Larry, Bush Pilot is a collaborative effort between Mierek and her father, Lawrence Mierek, who grew up on a dairy farm. Larry, a ten-year-old boy, also lives on a farm during the 1970s with his father, who owns an aeroplane. Despite his age, Larry's father taught him to fly, which came in handy when his father suffered an accident in the middle of nowhere.

This short story loosely reflects Lawrence Mierek's childhood. As a teenager, his father taught him to fly a plane on the airstrip behind their barn. The narrative is likely an imagined scenario, placing a young boy in a precarious situation, which many children would not have the means to solve. Only through extreme determination and courage is Larry able to rescue his father.

Larry, Bush Pilot is a short story intended for primary school children. The few illustrations between chapters make it an appropriate step between picture books and teenage novels. Larry's life on the farm allows modern children to learn about the world before digital technology and the importance of a family working together. The story also tells the reader that if they believe in themselves and their abilities, they can achieve great things.

Jordan Mierek has stepped into the world of children's literature and proved that she is more than capable of writing for several age groups. Larry, Bush Pilot is the first in a series called Flying Acres, and we look forward to joining Larry on his next adventure.
  
Mickey On The Move
Mickey On The Move
Michelle Wagner | 2021 | Children
9
8.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
I found an excellent inspiring children's book about a little boy who deaf but not wholly. You wouldn't even know he seems to be like most children his age. The book is called "Mickey on the Move." I thought it was about him moving a lot. I was surprised why he had been to five different schools.

The book talks about his hard of hearing and how to go about his new school. His mom seems to help him through planning this first day of school, how his teachers support him, and his friends helping out if they can. They all seem to work for a way to help Mickey.

The book also talks about how Mickey wants to be growing up. There is a phrase that mentions throughout the book Mickey on the Move. Will one problem that his teacher brings up to his mom. Will they find a solution for the problem. Mickey can get what he needs while in school.

The pictures were done well by the author. It is about special needs kids and how to help and support them in their environment that they will need. This book is suitable for children to read and understand some deaf and hard of hearing children's needs. I would even support having this on library shelves and even school library shelves for children.

Parents can learn as well as children about hearing loss. However, that might be hard of hearing. Maybe get the child or children what they need to help them and support them. I know it is a hard thing. This author does it well.
  
Five Epic Disasters (I Survived True Stories, #1)
Five Epic Disasters (I Survived True Stories, #1)
Lauren Tarshis | 2014 | History & Politics, Young Adult (YA)
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
So anyone who knows me(or looks at my reading list) can see I love disasters. The [I Survived] series by [Lauren Tarchis] is a reading teacher's friend since it gets kids who don't read to pickup a book. I was really excited about [True Stories] because two of the events were little known (Children's Blizzard and The Great Molasses Flood) and two others were more contemporary. I liked the information given although I would love to see these written on a slightly higher level since I teach middle school.

I found it interesting that most of the sources that the author used were books I have read and have in my classroom. Hopefully I can use this book as a springboard to get kids to read something challenging just to learn more about it.
  
Animal Circus
Animal Circus
Michael Batchelor | 2019 | Fiction & Poetry
7
7.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Definitely Not a Children's Story and It's Worth the Read
The first thing I thought of when reading this was George Orwell's Animal Farm ... However Batchelor's story can not be compared to that. It's own uniquely written work on circus animals who wish to find peace and freedom.

Even though the cover is bright, quirky, and inviting this book is not for children.

For a short story, it's very depressing from start to finish. I honestly wish there was more to the middle. And, the end left me wanting to know more, though it was a twist that I was not expecting!

For a short to the point story it's worth the time in reading.

((I won an ebook copy in a giveaway on Goodreads.com and this is my honest opinion.))
  
40x40

Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post

Aug 20, 2020  
Today's special guest on my blog is Sandra Nickel, Author of the children's food history picture book NACHO'S NACHOS! Read my interview with Sandra about the book, and enter the GIVEAWAY to win a print copy of the book and/or a recipe card - 5 winners total!

https://alltheupsandowns.blogspot.com/2020/08/book-blog-tour-and-giveaway-nachos.html

**BOOK SYNOPSIS**
NACHO’S NACHOS is the deliciously true story about how nachos were invented—about what happened when a regular customer asked Ignacio “Nacho” Anaya for something new, and there were no chefs in the kitchen.

2020 is the eightieth anniversary of the invention, and Oliver Dominguez’s illustrations transport us back to the border of the Rio Grande in 1940, when Nacho’s quick thinking resulted in a snack now eaten everywhere from Texas to Paris to Hong Kong!
     
Ferdinand (2017)
Ferdinand (2017)
2017 | Adventure, Animation, Comedy
Quite a bit of humor for adults (1 more)
John Cena and Kate McKinnon have excellent comedic timing.
Basic plot with a haphazard story line (0 more)
Great Family Film
My four-year-old goes to just about every children's movie that comes out. While this was nowhere near the best kid's movie this holiday season (that honor goes to Coco in my kid's opinion), it was a fun story with quite a bit of humor. The character development was minimal, the friendships were minimal, and the topic of bull fighting seems outdated. On the flip side it wasn't only my kid that enjoyed himself, every kid in the theater roared with laughter when the horses and bulls had a dance off. We will definitely be buying this movie, and it will probably get more play time than our copy of Coco until my son gets older.
  
DC
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I had the pleasure of meeting [J.J. Parsons] at the Savannah Children's Book Festival. I told her I had picked up her book [Dead Chest Island] at a local book seller. She kindly gave me the second book. That said, this is an unsolicited and honest review.

[Dead Chest Island] is a throw back to the mysteries of the 1950's. It made me think of The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew. Young children getting into adventure after hearing a story about an island that leads to solving a international crime, or foiling it, rather.

[Parson's] writing has a good flow and is well thought out. The characters are well developed. I am looking forward to reading the second book and hearing more of Edison'd adventures and see if his sister is still a pest. Highly recommend this book to school libraries.
  
JM
Jumper Meets Bouncy
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Jumper has found himself away from his owner/best friend, Tony, but he's being taken care of by Emily, Tony's friend. The two kids get together with their families and go multiple places, and Jumper gets to go along for the ride. In the process, he meets Bouncy, Emily's red ball. The two seem to hit it off nicely, and they share their many adventures together.

This series is just so cute, and I think it would make a great children's show. I actually enjoy the stories, even though I'm 25 and have no children of my own, so I think it would be something parents and children could enjoy together. I look forward to being able to read this books to my children someday. =)

5 stars
  
Thirteen Reasons Why: (TV Tie-in)
Thirteen Reasons Why: (TV Tie-in)
Jay Asher | 2017 | Young Adult (YA)
10
7.8 (108 Ratings)
Book Rating
Story line (1 more)
The brutal truth
Contains spoilers, click to show
This show has some bad press but the inflencial essence this show has and the benefits and awareness it gives to viewers who have suffered or inflicted is amazing
The Hannah baker rape seen is brutal and explicit but it shows that not phisycally fighting back doesn't not make it rape
The suicide scene has especially explicit content but show the brutal truth to the consequences of other people's hurtful actions and doesn't glorify the fact but In all essence spreads awareness and honestly believe this show is a must watch for anyone and everyone who is or has a teenager going into high school the show keeps you gripping your seat and in some cases hard to watch but the brutally honest truth to what goes on in a lot of children's lives.