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Ruth Frampton (577 KP) rated The Cook and The King in Books
May 24, 2018
Are you hungry?
My nearly 5-year-old was so excited when I showed her the advanced review copy of this title and immediately settled down to read it to the family. This is a lovely little story, much like many of Julia Donaldson's other titles which engage the young mind. Well illustrated to give non-readers something to engage their interest but with language that is accessible to younger readers also, the rhyming line endings engage their mind and enjoyment.
I would definitely recommend this to a Julia Donaldson fan and for Nursery and Primary Schools as well as local libraries. This is a classic of the future.
I would definitely recommend this to a Julia Donaldson fan and for Nursery and Primary Schools as well as local libraries. This is a classic of the future.
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated Vincent the Vixen: A Story to Help Children Learn about Gender Identity in Books
Jun 14, 2018
Beautifully illustrated and a simple
This is a great start in explaining trans gendered to children, whither the feelings are theirs, or someone in their social group. It’s extremely simpleized, which I think is great for the age it’s geared towards. I do think there needs to be some explanation of what a “Vixen”. Vincent talks about his brothers and sisters, but they are always described as a fox. But the ending line is “Vincent grew up and lived happily as Vincent the Vixen” with no explanation of why that is important. The illustrations help greatly with the concept, but I think it needs to be in words as well.
Faris Badwan recommended Tour De France Soundtracks by Kraftwerk in Music (curated)
Jenny Houle (24 KP) rated Literally Me in Books
Jan 13, 2018
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for an unbiased opinion.
We live in a world where everyone can become "famous" in a matter of mere moments. Houts has a devote following on Instagram where she is considered "Instagram's favorite illustrator". To me, this collection of dark and satirical illustrated essays ran like a stream of entertaining consciousness best enjoyed while just a touch stoned. Would I buy this book as a gift for someone else? Probably not. Would I recommend following Houts on Instagram for entertainment value? Absolutely, and already have (she's jooleeloren on Instagram).
My favorite from the book: "How To Be A Perfect Feminist", though the adventures of the four women of the Apocalypse were pretty great, too.
We live in a world where everyone can become "famous" in a matter of mere moments. Houts has a devote following on Instagram where she is considered "Instagram's favorite illustrator". To me, this collection of dark and satirical illustrated essays ran like a stream of entertaining consciousness best enjoyed while just a touch stoned. Would I buy this book as a gift for someone else? Probably not. Would I recommend following Houts on Instagram for entertainment value? Absolutely, and already have (she's jooleeloren on Instagram).
My favorite from the book: "How To Be A Perfect Feminist", though the adventures of the four women of the Apocalypse were pretty great, too.
The Marinated Meeple (1848 KP) rated Campy Creatures in Tabletop Games
Mar 14, 2018
Beautiful implementation of a simple social deduction game. Fun Theme and a good time especially with more players.
Game play is very simple: Players begin each round with the same hand of beautifully illustrated creatures. Their goal is to capture people (the more helpless the better) by outguessing their opponents with the creatures they play. Each player has perfect information at the start, so knowing what a person might do in a particular situation is key. Trying to out guess the others is the fun of it. It's not a deep game and can feel a little shallow, but would be a great end of the game night filler or beer and pretzels game.
Entertainment Editor (1988 KP) rated War of the Ring (First Edition) in Tabletop Games
Mar 7, 2018
WAR OF THE RING REVIEW
This game is huge in more ways than one. Firstly the board is 41 by 54 inches so you are going to need a big table. Then there are a mass of plastic figures representing military units, blue for the Free Peoples and Red for the forces of Shadow. There are also figures for the main characters and others, and four decks of character and event cards. There is a 48 page reasonably well written and illustrated rule book. War of the Ring is a complex game and after set up which can take some time, play takes somewhere in the region of three hours.
So is it worth it? In my view yes.
Reviewer: Ashley Perryman
Read the full review here: https://www.board-game.co.uk/war-of-the-ring-review/
So is it worth it? In my view yes.
Reviewer: Ashley Perryman
Read the full review here: https://www.board-game.co.uk/war-of-the-ring-review/
Booksnthreads (19 KP) rated A Time to Dance in Books
Jun 4, 2018
This is really such a delightful novel. The story is told in verse, but in a way that I think will still be very accessible to young adults. I love when author’s take risks like this and write for young adults as though they think and feel and are capable not only a grappling with difficult subjects but also with challenging vocabulary and text structure. What a refreshing follow up to The Grimm Collection.
Although the story is steeped in Hindu beliefs, the spiritual concepts and truths dealt with transfer very well to just about any faith–the idea of devoting what you do to God rather than to self. The main character’s growth through some rather serious life events–injury, loss, death–is so beautifully illustrated without being didactic.
Although the story is steeped in Hindu beliefs, the spiritual concepts and truths dealt with transfer very well to just about any faith–the idea of devoting what you do to God rather than to self. The main character’s growth through some rather serious life events–injury, loss, death–is so beautifully illustrated without being didactic.
ClareR (5603 KP) rated The Handmaid’s Tale: The Graphic Novel in Books
Aug 6, 2019
A worthy addition to the original story.
This is a beautifully illustrated graphic novel which remains true to the original novel by Margaret Atwood. It seems even more disturbing with the pictures: the starkness of the almost black and white background against the red of the Handmaids clothes, not only makes the Handmaids stand out, it also, for me, highlights their separateness or ‘otherness’.
It’s a while since I read the original book, but the prose in it felt right. It’s not all prose in speech bubbles, there are more in-depth, explanatory short paragraphs - and I think they really worked well.
I thoroughly enjoyed this, and I can see myself reading this again and again - and I might just have to re-read the original too, especially in the lead up to The Testaments.
It’s a while since I read the original book, but the prose in it felt right. It’s not all prose in speech bubbles, there are more in-depth, explanatory short paragraphs - and I think they really worked well.
I thoroughly enjoyed this, and I can see myself reading this again and again - and I might just have to re-read the original too, especially in the lead up to The Testaments.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2099 KP) rated Waiting is Not Easy! (Elephant & Piggie, #22) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Piggie has a surprise for Gerald, but he’s going to have to wait to see what it is. The problem is, he really has to wait, and he’s not very patient. Will the surprise be worth the wait? Can Gerald hold out long enough to find out?
As always, the lesson (that good things come to those who wait) is illustrated with great humor and fun. The dialogue and illustrations are clever and fun, and kids and their parents will be entertained. It would have been nice if Gerald and Piggie distracted themselves to try to make the time go faster, but it wouldn’t have been as fun. Really, that’s my only complaint in this fun picture book.
Read my full review at <a href"http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/11/book-review-waiting-is-not-easy-by-mo.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
As always, the lesson (that good things come to those who wait) is illustrated with great humor and fun. The dialogue and illustrations are clever and fun, and kids and their parents will be entertained. It would have been nice if Gerald and Piggie distracted themselves to try to make the time go faster, but it wouldn’t have been as fun. Really, that’s my only complaint in this fun picture book.
Read my full review at <a href"http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/11/book-review-waiting-is-not-easy-by-mo.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated Herbie's Big Adventure in Books
Jun 18, 2018
<a href="https://awindowintobooks.wordpress.com">Full Review</a>
Herbie's Big Adventure by Jennie Poh is a cute illustrated book. Herbie, a hedgehog, is content with staying at home but his mom says he needs to go on his first adventure, forging. Naturally, Herbie is worried about being out on his own. He finds himself liking the world outside of his home. As he continues his adventure, Herbie travels farther and farther from home.
This is a cute story about a little hedgehog. The book teaches about the different seasons, going out in nature, and the bond between mother and child. The illustrations are amazing. The pictures have bright colors and make you feel that you are part of Herbie's forging.
I received an advance reader edition of this book from Capstone Young Readers via NetGalley for the purpose of providing an honest review.
Herbie's Big Adventure by Jennie Poh is a cute illustrated book. Herbie, a hedgehog, is content with staying at home but his mom says he needs to go on his first adventure, forging. Naturally, Herbie is worried about being out on his own. He finds himself liking the world outside of his home. As he continues his adventure, Herbie travels farther and farther from home.
This is a cute story about a little hedgehog. The book teaches about the different seasons, going out in nature, and the bond between mother and child. The illustrations are amazing. The pictures have bright colors and make you feel that you are part of Herbie's forging.
I received an advance reader edition of this book from Capstone Young Readers via NetGalley for the purpose of providing an honest review.