Search

Search only in certain items:

40x40

Emily Mortimer recommended The Amazing Bone in Books (curated)

 
The Amazing Bone
The Amazing Bone
William Steig | 2011 | Children, Science Fiction/Fantasy
(0 Ratings)
Book Favorite

"Steig wrote and illustrated the best American children’s books. I love the humor, sophistication and pure romantic sweetness of his drawings and stories. His protagonists (in this case a pig called Pearl and her magical bone,) all still manage to keep hold of a sense of wonder and longing in a frightening world. They are romantic dreamers longing for more. I have loved reading them to my kids."

Source
  
40x40

Nora Ephron recommended Anne of Green Gables in Books (curated)

 
Anne of Green Gables
Anne of Green Gables
L.M. Montgomery, Lauren Child | 2008 | Children
7.6 (38 Ratings)
Book Favorite

"Well, of course you probably read it when you were a girl. Read it again. In Canada, it’s almost an object of worship since the author is Canadian, but the truth is it’s an absolutely wonderful book that will start you crying about halfway through, and you won’t stop. I particularly love rereading children’s books when I’m sick because I want guaranteed rapture; I want the book equivalent of mashed potatoes"

Source
  
Tohe Rootabaga Stories
Tohe Rootabaga Stories
(0 Ratings)
Book Favorite

"Grossly underappreciated, this is in my view the best of all children’s books—wildly, passionately imaginative, gently moral, and quintessentially American both in its diction and in a certain rough-hewn but kindly common sense. I also choose it because it was read to me by my father when I was a little boy, and it became for some time our private world, and so rereading it always carries me back to a very happy stage when I was more innocent than I knew: I associate it with love."

Source
  
The Hostile Hospital (A Series of Unfortunate Events #8
10
8.7 (20 Ratings)
Book Rating
They end up volunteering in the library of records in the library which has files on everything, including The Snicket Fire. But of course, as always, Esmé and Olaf aren’t far behind.

The Horrible Hospital is one of the most exciting books in the series. It’s so close to unveiling all of the secrets throughout the book and it’s so full of suspense. It’s actually one of the most unpredictable books in the series, and the twists were shocking.

It’s probably the most terrifying as well, especially with the position Olaf and his troupe have managed to get themselves into.

Olaf is at his most terrifying, and so is Esmé. They have reached a new height where I’m starting to question whether this is actually a children’s series at all.
  
Snakes in Space
Snakes in Space
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
<b>Snakes in Space</b> was very engaging! I loved the bright vibrant colors combined with the stark contrasts used between the words and the images on the pages to give great visuals that kids will love. The verbiage used to convey the story was easy to understand and had some repetitive qualities that kids can remember too! The storyline was fun and explained a great overview of going into space and coming back on a spaceship. Plus, <i>Kathryn Dennis</i> (who is the author and illustrator) did a great job using the illustrations to convey movement and engagement with the kids through different design elements. This is her newest book in the series, and I LOVE it and cannot wait to read more books from her. Truly one of the best children’s books I have read in a while.
  
Arrow of God
Arrow of God
Chinua Achebe | 2010 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Favorite

"Before I read Achebe as a child in Nigeria, I read only foreign children’s books, and so I wrote about the same things I was reading – all my characters were White and the stories were set in England or a generic Westernised country. I had not read books that featured people like me, so I thought that books couldn’t include people like me. Until I discovered Achebe. I didn’t realise it at the time, of course – I was too young to be consciously aware of that sort of thing – but later I would realise that reading Achebe was a turning point. It made me see that it was, in fact, possible for people of colour to exist within literature. Arrow of God has remained one of my favourite novels. Set in 1920s Igboland, it tells the story of a remarkable priest, Ezeulu, and a British administrator, and the ways in which colonialism brought not only political but cultural changes. It is funny and absorbing, moving and beautiful. I love this book."

Source
  
Dragon’s Green
Dragon’s Green
Scarlett Thomas | 2017 | Children
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is far more than a book (0 more)
Enchanting and delightful
This book captivated me from page 1.
Scarlett Thomas pulls you into a world where books are more words on pages.
This may seem like a children’s book but it’s far more than that.
This is a book that could easily compete with the Harry Potters of the world.
I’ve just discovered the best part of the story is out now so I’m about to sit down and get lost in this story again before venturing into the world for a brand new adventure.
If you are looking for a story that the whole family could enjoy then look no further.
Do yourself a favour and grow to love her before everyone else does.
  
40x40

Jill528 (15 KP) rated Before We Were Yours in Books

Jun 16, 2018 (Updated Jun 16, 2018)  
Before We Were Yours
Before We Were Yours
Lisa Wingate | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
10
8.6 (11 Ratings)
Book Rating
I was completely blown away by this powerful and heart-wrenching story about family, love, perseverance, and loss!

This novel was inspired by the horrifying true events of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society, run by Georgia Tann from the 1920’s-1950’s. The plot is written from two points of view, weaving between past and present, this is the story of how one family’s past has shaped its present. Lisa Wingate’s writing is absolutely flawless. She pulls you deep into the lives of each character where you feel like you are inside the novel witnessing all these heinous events up close.

Before We Were Yours is one of the best historical fiction books I have read to date, it will definitely stay with me for a very long time. Highly recommend!
  
From Beer to Eternity
From Beer to Eternity
Sherry Harris | 2020 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Cheers to a New Series
When Chloe Jackson promised her friend Boone she would help his grandmother, Vivi, if something happened to him, she never expected she’s have to follow through. But after his untimely death, she heads to Emerald Cove, Florida, to help her with her beach side bar. Things get complicated when Chloe finds one of the regulars dead behind the bar one morning. With the police looking at Vivi as a suspect, Chloe has to figure out what really happened. Can she do it?

Picking up this book, I was immediately transported to the beach, a place I love. The setting was fantastic, and I would love to visit in person. The mystery was a little slow to get going as we were introduced to the characters and setting, but once it did, I was fully engaged. There were plenty of twists along the way. The climax was a bit rushed, but it still answered all of my questions. There are several times where Chloe seemed to have more time in her day than normal, and one chapter with a wonky timeline, but none of this impacted the plot in a meaningful way. Chloe had been working as a children’s librarian before this story started, so I loved the occasional references to children’s books. She leads a group of fantastic characters, some of whom already feel like friends. I will definitely be back for the next round.
  
Pepper the Salt Potato
Pepper the Salt Potato
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Pepper the Salt Potato was a lovely, illustrated book that was fun to look through, plus, the feel of the paper and overall look of the book was beautiful. The pages had cool eye-catching colors, transporting scenes, and easy to read words. I enjoyed reading about Peppers trip to the State Fair in New York and all the places he and his friends went on the way. I also enjoyed the authors history note in the front and the recipe on the back which added an interactive aspect I like seeing in children’s books. The overarching message of the book is good as well “I am who I am”, is a great reminder to just be yourself.

The only thing that would have made the story better was that the storyline itself seemed to be missing scenes. From one page to the next, there was not always a clear flow or thought process to lead the reader. However, it was still enjoyable, and I think Lenora Riegel and the publisher Siphre Books did a great job with the overall look and feel of the book. I give it 4 out of 5 stars and look forward to reading more books from Lenora Riegel.

*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.