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Love Letter
Love Letter
2012 | Card Game, Deduction, Political
Easy and fast to learn, accessible to kids (3 more)
Addictive gameplay
A game lasts only a few minutes
Easily transportable and playable on the go
A lovely card game
Love Letter is a slightly bizarre but innovative card game that consists of only 16 cards. At its current price, this may seem expensive, but is likely countered by the hours of fun that may be had. When you are looking for a simple but mildly strategic game to play with friends or family, this game should be at the top of your list. It perhaps doesn't have great staying power, but as a small filler game, this is my favourite.
  
Brightburn (2019)
Brightburn (2019)
2019 | Horror
Not bad
As far as horror movies go this one was pretty good. A creepy "what if" superhero movie. The acting was ok and the cinematography wasn't too bad. The story was unique so I appreciated that. It unfolded well enough and had a few jump scares but it's the idea they were trying to put in your head. The "what if someone as powerful as superman was evil" really would be a scary thing. The ceo factor read here and it had a couple "gory" scenes so may not be great for kids. Otherwise I'd definitely say this is a good one for movie night. Worth a watch.
  
BA
Bartholomew and the Oobleck
Dr. Seuss | 1949
10
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
King Derwin of Didd is tired of the same old four things coming down from the sky, so he decides to get his magicians to create something new – Oobleck. However, his page Bartholomew things something is dangerous about it. Is he correct?

One of Dr. Seuss’s older books, it can be long and isn’t told in his typical rhyme. Still shows his creativity, however, and there are some good lessons worked into the story without preaching as well. Fun for older kids and adults looking for a longer picture book.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/02/book-review-bartholomew-and-oobleck-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
BS
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The final book in this middle grade trilogy finds Egg struggling to find a way to bring down his arch nemesis, greedy slave trader Roger Pembroke. With pirates, sea battles, and romantic complications, he'll have his hands full trying to do it.

The series goes out with the same fast action and wonderful characters I've been enjoying the entire way through. The humor scattered throughout helps as well. All three books are highly recommended for kids and adults. Just be sure to read them in order.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/04/book-review-blue-sea-burning-by-geoff.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
AR
Adam Raccoon at Forever Falls
Glen Keane | 1999
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Adam Raccoon loves to swim and could do it all day, but there is one pool he longs to swim in most of all. King Aren has forbidden swimming in it since it is the pool right above Forever Falls. But a quick dip can’t hurt, right?

This picture book is a wonderful allegory about our need for salvation. No, it’s not exactly subtle, but it’s a parable, it’s not supposed to be. But it tells a fun story along the way, and the wonderful illustrations will keep kids interested.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/12/book-review-adam-raccoon-at-forever.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
Qwirkle
Qwirkle
2006 | Abstract Strategy
Good thick substantial tiles (3 more)
Easy Rules
Quick set up and play
Good for little kids
Not very deep (0 more)
A nice little family game
this is a clever little game, and easy to grasp right away, plus it's just a bag of tiles so it's easy to take with you and play on a picnic table at a campground, or a folding table, or even a hotel lobby coffee table. the tiles don't blow away in the wind which is another big time feature of it. Usually games are hard to travel based on size and complexity of pieces, this one is ready to go... try it and take it with you.
  
SC
Spy Camp (Spy School #2)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Ben Ripley is thrilled to have completed his first semester at spy school and is looking forward to a summer to relax with family and friends. Unfortunately, he has to attend Spy Camp instead. Worse yet, evil organization SPYDER is after him again. Either he will join them or be killed. The action is not stop and we get to know the main characters a little better. Mix in a dose of humor, and you've got a winner that kids and adults will all enjoy.

<a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/05/book-review-spy-camp-by-stuart-gibbs.html">My full review at Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
Origami Jewelry
Origami Jewelry
Mayumi Jezewski | 2016 | Sport & Leisure
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
<a href="https://awindowintobooks.wordpress.com">Full Review</a>
Origami Jewelry by Mayumi Jezewski is a book about beautiful origami jewelry that gives easy to follow instructions. The jewelry style are for all ages. Some for kids. Some for teenagers. Some for young adults. Lastly, some for adults. The jewelry will not last for ever but what I like most is that it can be made to fit your style. It am not very good at origami but I found it fun to create some of the jewelry.

I received an advance reader edition of this book from Dover Publications via NetGalley for the purpose of providing an honest review.
  
The Jungle Book
The Jungle Book
Rudyard Kipling, Nicola Bayley | 1894 | Children
7
7.3 (7 Ratings)
Book Rating
Not the Disney movie that is for sure.
Kipling's The jungle Book is as odd as reading the original version of Tarzan. You anticipate something like the Disney movie of the same name and it is not that at all. Not better, not worse, just very different.

It was interesting while reading through this the different ways that the characters are handled and the difference in how Mogli grows and changes throughout the story. Much more than just the story we watched as kids in the movie, The Jungle Book is certainly one of those classics you should read just to knock it off your bucket list.
  
PF
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Make In A Day Paper Flowers by Amanda Evanston Freund was a great example of this type of craft book. It was packed out with different flower designs so you would certainly get you moneys worth from this edition. It had easy to follow instructions alongside the list of supplies each flower would need and vibrant pictures of the finished product. This came along at a good time as it was half term and the kids were happy to join in and were super proud of the flowers they had made. If you are into this kind of craft, you cant go wrong with this book.