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No One Saw a Thing
No One Saw a Thing
Andrea Mara | 2023 | Contemporary, Crime, Fiction & Poetry, Thriller
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
No One Saw a Thing is a great thriller that races along at a breakneck speed. It left me guessing right up to the point where Andrea Mara decided the reader should know what was happening - I wasn’t going to be able to work this one out myself!

If you’ve ever been near a train or the underground with small children, telling them not to move an inch from your side, and they start to walk ahead, then you’ll get the general feeling of this. Except Sive’s children DO get on the train ahead of her. And the doors close. And then the race is on to catch her 6 and 2 year olds at the next station. When she gets there however, only the youngest has been found.

There follows one of the most tense stories I’ve read in a long time. I was suspecting everyone, and I was still wrong! And the thing about it, was that it all seemed completely believable!
This was a thrilling read - and recommended!

Thanks to The Pigeonhole and to Andrea Mara for reading along.
  
Rise of the Guardians (2012)
Rise of the Guardians (2012)
2012 | Action, Animation, Family
9
8.0 (41 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Remember what it was like when you were in elementary school and it snowed? Remember that feeling of anticipation waiting for your mom to say, “No school today kids”, and once she did you just knew you were going to have a blast? If not, you will when you see “Rise of the Guardians”, The newest animated movie from Dreamworks casts Jack Frost (Chris Pine), the Sand Man, Santa Claus (Alec Baldwin), the Tooth Fairy (Isla Fisher), the Easter Bunny (Hugh Jackman), and the Boogie Man (Jude Law). The later four, except the Boogie Man, all fulfill their individual roles and come together as a group to protect children as the Guardians.

Cast out centuries ago; Pitch (Law) concocts a plan to bring fear back into children’s hearts by turning their dreams into nightmares. This fear will make him more powerful and, as the Guardian’s lose children’s belief, they become less powerful and are not as able to fight him off. Around the same time that Pitch was cast out, the Man in the Moon picks Jack to be the newest Guardian. Jack is literally left out in the cold for the next 300 years which he spends having fun, creating mischief, and causing snow days. However, he is also on a search for what he is meant to do in life, and why he is here. Something that people of all ages can understand. Through helping the Guardians he finds his purpose.

You know you are at a good show when you sit in an audience consisting mostly of children and hear nothing but the movie. This was a great movie for kids of all ages; I laughed through the whole thing! I loved Santa Claus and his Yetis. They added comic relief that any adult will enjoy. The voice casting was spot on, and each character is relatable in some way. The story of finding one’s self will capture children’s attention and remind adults that they are always on that journey, but it is supposed to be fun. Both children and adults alike will be captivated by the dreams, wonder, memories, hope, and fun this movie provides.
  
Molly the Mole: A Story to Help Children Build Self-Esteem by Alice Reeves is part of the Truth and Tails series, specifically regarding Self-Esteem. Molly is feeling sad because she is comparing herself to her friends. She does not think she measures up in various areas. Through helping her friends with different things, they help to show her that she has other traits and qualities that make her special too. The lesson of being yourself and feeling good about it is one important message, but also accepting each other for who they are and for whatever their talents and skills might be.

The questions at the end of the book to promote discussion are an added bonus. This is a good addition to an elementary class to help develop values and positive character.

I give this book 4/5 stars. I received an ARC from the publisher,Jessica Kingsley Publishers, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
  
MG
Maisy Goes to the Library
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Another cute little Maisy book which my daughter enjoyed. My local library has recently reopened after being closed for over a year for refurbishments so I thought I would celebrate with my daughter with a book about the library. It was cute and all done in the original Maisy style. There were only a couple things to do with the storyline which I wasn't so keen on. The book introduced us to some services that may not be available in your local library, so it might be worth having a read through first before reading it to a child as once you say 'oh, we can't do that at ours', you might have a disappointed kiddie. Also, I would of liked if the book focused more on the 'books' part of the library more than just messing around with friends. In my opinion this meant that this book missed some really good opportunities to make libraries more exciting for children.
  
PF
Parenting From the Inside Out
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Finally finished! Took me 8 months to read it, but was so worth the read. The reason it took me a long time was all the processing through the valuable information this book presented. Yes, it's a parenting book, since I am not a parent, I initially started reading it with my sister in law Kris and sister Carri for the soul purpose of learning to build healthier relationships with the people in my life.
The last chapter a new door opened up for me, a chance to help a 12 year old girl and the last chapter gave me some relevant reading material and journaling opportunities for me to work with her and myself. It's amazing how God does that. I recommend this book to anyone who wishes to learn about how our brains develop in children, ourselves, and how we relate to each other. AWESOME! is all I have to say about "Parenting From The Inside Out" By Daniel J Siegel and Mary Hartzell.
  
Forget You Know Me
Forget You Know Me
Jessica Strawser | 2019 | Fiction & Poetry
8
7.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Talking is good!
This is my first Jessica Strawser book, and I don't think it will be my last. From other reviews, it would seem that this is a departure from the 'thriller' genre of her previous novels: it's definitely more 'Literary Fiction'. There's no real mystery (ok, just the one), and everyone's cards are pretty much laid out on the table. It's just that they all seem incapable of talking to one another: Molly and Liza, once best friends, become more and more estranged as they live so far from one another. Daniel and Molly, although they are married, seem to be growing apart, and due to the demands of work and children, do not seem to have any time for one another. The takeaway message in this seems to be - just talk to each other, for goodness sakes! Relationships need effort from all sides!
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my copy of this book to read and enjoy!