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I usually don't judge a book by its cover, but I'm not going to lie. When I saw the gorgeous cover for Nancy Churnin's children's book For Spacious Skies, I fell in love with the cover and knew I had to read the book. I'm really glad I did because everything about it was fantastic, and I even learned a few things I had never known about the song America the Beautiful and its creator, Katharine Lee Bates.
For Spacious Skies tells the condensed biography of Katharine Lee Bates, the creator of the song America the Beautiful although when it was written, it was originally a poem. Katharine Lee Bates comes across as a fantastic person. She lived in a time when men were seen as being far superior than women, but she didn't let that stop her from getting an education and being a voice for those that felt they had no voice.
I admit that I didn't know the history behind America the Beautiful, so this book was the perfect starting point. I think my favorite fact in the book was that Katharine Lee Bates never wanted or accepted any payment for penning America the Beautiful. She just wanted to give something back to the country she loved so much.
This is a biography picture book for older children, and I believe that it's written in a way that speaks to children and will draw in their attention quite easily. The length is perfect, and the wording is fantastic. Everything flows perfectly. I also liked the fact that Nancy Churnin includes an author's note as well as a timeline of Katharine's life and accomplishments at the end. The author's note goes into a little more detail about Katharine's life which is great for adults, children who want to learn a bit more, or for a discussion. The timeline makes it easy to picture events as they happened.
The illustrations in For Spacious Skies are absolutely breathtaking! Olga Baumert is the illustrator, and her talent shines through in every page. Each illustration is full of detail and really helps to drive the story. Although my 5 year old was a little young for this book, he did love the illustrations in it and even asked if we could just look at the pictures as they are quite colorful and really draw you in. Seriously, I could go on and on about amazing the illustrations are, but it's better if you just pick up a copy of the book yourself to see what I'm talking about.
Overall, I feel that For Spacious Skies is the ultimate girl power book. Katharine Lee Bates was obviously a force to be reckoned with according to this book. If you're looking for a book with a strong female and beautiful illustrations, pick up a copy of For Spacious Skies. I would definitely recommend For Spacious Skies by Nancy Churnin to adults and children aged 8 and older. I feel as if this book needs to be required reading in all elementary schools and should be in every school library. That's how good and informative it is. Grab a copy, and see for yourself!
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(A special thank you to Edelweiss for an eBook copy of For Spacious Skies and to Nancy Churnin and Lone Star Literary Life for a hardback copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.)
For Spacious Skies tells the condensed biography of Katharine Lee Bates, the creator of the song America the Beautiful although when it was written, it was originally a poem. Katharine Lee Bates comes across as a fantastic person. She lived in a time when men were seen as being far superior than women, but she didn't let that stop her from getting an education and being a voice for those that felt they had no voice.
I admit that I didn't know the history behind America the Beautiful, so this book was the perfect starting point. I think my favorite fact in the book was that Katharine Lee Bates never wanted or accepted any payment for penning America the Beautiful. She just wanted to give something back to the country she loved so much.
This is a biography picture book for older children, and I believe that it's written in a way that speaks to children and will draw in their attention quite easily. The length is perfect, and the wording is fantastic. Everything flows perfectly. I also liked the fact that Nancy Churnin includes an author's note as well as a timeline of Katharine's life and accomplishments at the end. The author's note goes into a little more detail about Katharine's life which is great for adults, children who want to learn a bit more, or for a discussion. The timeline makes it easy to picture events as they happened.
The illustrations in For Spacious Skies are absolutely breathtaking! Olga Baumert is the illustrator, and her talent shines through in every page. Each illustration is full of detail and really helps to drive the story. Although my 5 year old was a little young for this book, he did love the illustrations in it and even asked if we could just look at the pictures as they are quite colorful and really draw you in. Seriously, I could go on and on about amazing the illustrations are, but it's better if you just pick up a copy of the book yourself to see what I'm talking about.
Overall, I feel that For Spacious Skies is the ultimate girl power book. Katharine Lee Bates was obviously a force to be reckoned with according to this book. If you're looking for a book with a strong female and beautiful illustrations, pick up a copy of For Spacious Skies. I would definitely recommend For Spacious Skies by Nancy Churnin to adults and children aged 8 and older. I feel as if this book needs to be required reading in all elementary schools and should be in every school library. That's how good and informative it is. Grab a copy, and see for yourself!
--
(A special thank you to Edelweiss for an eBook copy of For Spacious Skies and to Nancy Churnin and Lone Star Literary Life for a hardback copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.)
Joe Goodhart (27 KP) rated Dear Justice League in Books
Nov 30, 2020
Other than Timothy Forner's MONTGOMERY SCHNAUZER, P.I., I am not much of a reader of books aimed at young'uns. However, when I saw that this was a book approachable by both adults (with an sense of fun) as well as well as the intended audience, I was onboard.
The premise was simple: the Justice Leaguers answering texts and emails, as well as an actual physical letter (thanks, Bats!), that deal with honest questions that children would likely pose to the heroes if they were real. There was also a backstory dealing with insectoids intent on invading the Earth, but yeah, not as important as the intial "Dear Justice League.." emails and texts. :)
Michael Northrop has a great sense of how to have fun without alienating the core fans, as well as satisfying the kids that were just intent on seeing how it might be if the League were able to answer their burning questions. I am a big fan of the "Bwa-hahahaha" years of Giffen and DeMatteis' JLI stories in the 80's, so this was definitely something I had no problem enjoying or even laughing out loud while reading it.
Equally fun was the art by Gustavo Duarte. His rendering of our "beloved" heroes did not cheapen our them, more of, in my opinion, a humanizing effect, which made them more relatable to their intended audience. I was not familiar with Brazilian cartoonist Duarte, but going forward, I will keeping an eye out for more by him.
Here's my final word... Regardless of where we are in the world at this particular moment, we know that we are stuck inside, trying to avoid contact with See-Oh-Vee-Eye-Dee (shhhh!), with our loved ones, and if you have children (my wife and I do not), you're probably experiencing some cabin fever. This book, right here, is the best solution to a bad situation. And, best of it, it's available on Kindle and Comixology, so you don't even need to go anywhere to obtain a copy! So, go ahead, get it and have good, old-fashioned fun, with/with children in your life!
Be safe, my friends!
The premise was simple: the Justice Leaguers answering texts and emails, as well as an actual physical letter (thanks, Bats!), that deal with honest questions that children would likely pose to the heroes if they were real. There was also a backstory dealing with insectoids intent on invading the Earth, but yeah, not as important as the intial "Dear Justice League.." emails and texts. :)
Michael Northrop has a great sense of how to have fun without alienating the core fans, as well as satisfying the kids that were just intent on seeing how it might be if the League were able to answer their burning questions. I am a big fan of the "Bwa-hahahaha" years of Giffen and DeMatteis' JLI stories in the 80's, so this was definitely something I had no problem enjoying or even laughing out loud while reading it.
Equally fun was the art by Gustavo Duarte. His rendering of our "beloved" heroes did not cheapen our them, more of, in my opinion, a humanizing effect, which made them more relatable to their intended audience. I was not familiar with Brazilian cartoonist Duarte, but going forward, I will keeping an eye out for more by him.
Here's my final word... Regardless of where we are in the world at this particular moment, we know that we are stuck inside, trying to avoid contact with See-Oh-Vee-Eye-Dee (shhhh!), with our loved ones, and if you have children (my wife and I do not), you're probably experiencing some cabin fever. This book, right here, is the best solution to a bad situation. And, best of it, it's available on Kindle and Comixology, so you don't even need to go anywhere to obtain a copy! So, go ahead, get it and have good, old-fashioned fun, with/with children in your life!
Be safe, my friends!
Debbiereadsbook (1699 KP) rated Mr February (Calendar |Men #2) in Books
Feb 28, 2018
creeping up!
Independent reviewer for Divine Magazine, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 2, and while not really necessary to have read book one, it might help give you an idea of just how doomed this charity photo shoot is!
Because now the shoot is supposed to be in the museum's grounds, and there are CHILDREN about, young children who do not need to see semi nekkid (and before someone jumps down my throat, yes, that is how I MEANT to spell it!) guys wandering around. Enter Arturo, who offers the use of his land instead. But the shoot brings him into contact with Darin, and Darin's dog shifter half, wants to play with Arturo and his kitty half.
While actually shorter in length that book one, this seemed longer when I read it. I enjoyed it more too! No idea what's different in this one to that but hey! I don't really care. What was different, it was good.
I still can't see this shoot getting anywhere off the ground, with one setback after another, but again, I don't really care because I am really enjoying these! What I particularly like, is the shifter element is kinda added on, you know?? Its not a massive point of interest in the story line and I'm loving that!
And also, because the pairings are such polar opposites, it's great fun watching the come together, to fight the attraction because one or both of them can't see the other wanting them. excellent writing!
So, Ms Bradford, please keep these guys coming. Not least because I wanna see that this calendar actually gets off the ground!
creeping up to 4.5 stars but not quite 5...yet!
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
This is book 2, and while not really necessary to have read book one, it might help give you an idea of just how doomed this charity photo shoot is!
Because now the shoot is supposed to be in the museum's grounds, and there are CHILDREN about, young children who do not need to see semi nekkid (and before someone jumps down my throat, yes, that is how I MEANT to spell it!) guys wandering around. Enter Arturo, who offers the use of his land instead. But the shoot brings him into contact with Darin, and Darin's dog shifter half, wants to play with Arturo and his kitty half.
While actually shorter in length that book one, this seemed longer when I read it. I enjoyed it more too! No idea what's different in this one to that but hey! I don't really care. What was different, it was good.
I still can't see this shoot getting anywhere off the ground, with one setback after another, but again, I don't really care because I am really enjoying these! What I particularly like, is the shifter element is kinda added on, you know?? Its not a massive point of interest in the story line and I'm loving that!
And also, because the pairings are such polar opposites, it's great fun watching the come together, to fight the attraction because one or both of them can't see the other wanting them. excellent writing!
So, Ms Bradford, please keep these guys coming. Not least because I wanna see that this calendar actually gets off the ground!
creeping up to 4.5 stars but not quite 5...yet!
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
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Lindsay (1807 KP) rated Farmer Boy (Little House, #3) in Books
Feb 15, 2018
This book get me and enjoy each and every time I pick it up and read it. This book is about Almanzo Wilder and his family. It about him and his brother, sisters and his mother and father.
It goes though all the seasons. It tell about Almanzo childhood. There time that he grateful to have Eliza Jane as his sister there an accident that happens while his parents are on Vacation for a week. You can tell Almanzo does not want to school and enjoy working on the farm more then going to school.
It tell you in detail about the planting season. It also tell you a lot about his livestyle and the way he was raised. It a good book for young adults and children as well.
It goes though all the seasons. It tell about Almanzo childhood. There time that he grateful to have Eliza Jane as his sister there an accident that happens while his parents are on Vacation for a week. You can tell Almanzo does not want to school and enjoy working on the farm more then going to school.
It tell you in detail about the planting season. It also tell you a lot about his livestyle and the way he was raised. It a good book for young adults and children as well.
Kristin (149 KP) rated Monsters and Miracles in Books
Dec 7, 2018
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
To think, one man, after watching a bullfight, brought animals hope where they knew only pain and suffering.
To be truly honest, I had never heard of Henry Bergh. We've all heard of the ASPCA--I've even donated to them over the years--and yet I had no idea Mr. Bergh was the man we owe our gratitude to for its founding. Not only that, but he started reforming the laws governing children, as well. He's such an influential person of history, and his contributions are still alive and well to this day. I would be greatly interested to see this made into a movie, as more people need to know about how this man's story.
5 stars
To think, one man, after watching a bullfight, brought animals hope where they knew only pain and suffering.
To be truly honest, I had never heard of Henry Bergh. We've all heard of the ASPCA--I've even donated to them over the years--and yet I had no idea Mr. Bergh was the man we owe our gratitude to for its founding. Not only that, but he started reforming the laws governing children, as well. He's such an influential person of history, and his contributions are still alive and well to this day. I would be greatly interested to see this made into a movie, as more people need to know about how this man's story.
5 stars
Lindsay (1807 KP) rated Farmer Boy (Little House, #3) in Books
Aug 30, 2018
This book get me and enjoy each and every time I pick it up and read it. This book is about Almanzo Wilder and his family. It about him and his brother, sisters and his mother and father.
It goes though all the seasons. It tell about Almanzo childhood. There time that he grateful to have Eliza Jane as his sister there an accident that happens while his parents are on Vacation for a week. You can tell Almanzo does not want to school and enjoy working on the farm more then going to school.
It tell you in detail about the planting season. It also tell you a lot about his livestyle and the way he was raised. It a good book for young adults and children as well.
It goes though all the seasons. It tell about Almanzo childhood. There time that he grateful to have Eliza Jane as his sister there an accident that happens while his parents are on Vacation for a week. You can tell Almanzo does not want to school and enjoy working on the farm more then going to school.
It tell you in detail about the planting season. It also tell you a lot about his livestyle and the way he was raised. It a good book for young adults and children as well.