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Alexander knows it's going to be a bad day when he wakes up with gum in his hair. And he is proved right as nothing goes his way. Maybe he should run away to Australia.
This picture book is fun even though it just shows one bad thing after another happening to Alexander, part bad luck and part his own fault. His reactions and the wonderful illustrations bring the warmth and humor and remind us all that everyone has bad days.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/08/book-review-alexander-and-terrible.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This picture book is fun even though it just shows one bad thing after another happening to Alexander, part bad luck and part his own fault. His reactions and the wonderful illustrations bring the warmth and humor and remind us all that everyone has bad days.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/08/book-review-alexander-and-terrible.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Dana (24 KP) rated How to Read the Tarot in Books
Mar 23, 2018
This book has interesting insights into Tarot reading. I enjoyed learning about the new spreads I had not previously been introduced to. Also, I loved the different interpretations of what the cards symbolize. I like getting information from multiple sources to try to get the clearest picture of what each reading could possibly mean. I am going to try to start memorizing the card meanings soon as well so I can do readings more easily!
Auburn (57 KP) rated Picture Us In The Light in Books
Apr 10, 2019
Picture Us in the Light is a heartbreakingly honest book that feels so real you may find yourself second guessing if it is actually fiction.
Crying, laughing, and feeling your way through this unputdownable book is normal.
The main character feels real and the relationships between characters are well thought out and developed. None are just stand ins that make you second guess the plot. The plot is solid if not heartbreaking.
I am normally not one to read really emotional books but after getting the first look at this one I had to know what would happen next. The full book did not disappoint.
Perfect for fans of realistic contemporary fiction. Just be aware that this is one book you may just have to read in one sitting so you can get all of the emotions out at once.
Crying, laughing, and feeling your way through this unputdownable book is normal.
The main character feels real and the relationships between characters are well thought out and developed. None are just stand ins that make you second guess the plot. The plot is solid if not heartbreaking.
I am normally not one to read really emotional books but after getting the first look at this one I had to know what would happen next. The full book did not disappoint.
Perfect for fans of realistic contemporary fiction. Just be aware that this is one book you may just have to read in one sitting so you can get all of the emotions out at once.
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post
Mar 10, 2022
Bubblesreview (110 KP) rated The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared in Books
Mar 13, 2019
Farcical (2 more)
Political and history based
Name dropping
Disappointing.
I really really really thought this was going to be a good book, a funny book, an adventurous book and I tried so hard to enjoy this... but it was so utterly boring and I really can't understand what the hype was about.
Some of the present day parts in it were admittedly funny... SOME. However, the majority of the book was about his past which involved too many very unlikely events and coincidences, too much name dropping of historical leaders and politics and wars and bla bla bla... If you want to learn about European history and gain some knowledge on some historical leaders and events then sure read this book, but I personally didn't pick this book up expecting to be in a history lesson. It got so unrealistic it wasn't even the slightest bit funny anymore, I just wanted it to end ? I can't say I'll put myself through watching the apparent 'major motion picture'.
Some of the present day parts in it were admittedly funny... SOME. However, the majority of the book was about his past which involved too many very unlikely events and coincidences, too much name dropping of historical leaders and politics and wars and bla bla bla... If you want to learn about European history and gain some knowledge on some historical leaders and events then sure read this book, but I personally didn't pick this book up expecting to be in a history lesson. It got so unrealistic it wasn't even the slightest bit funny anymore, I just wanted it to end ? I can't say I'll put myself through watching the apparent 'major motion picture'.
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated Rosie the Tarantula: A True Adventure in Chicago’s Field Museum in Books
Jun 14, 2018
Rosie the Tarantula: A True Adventure in Chicago’s Field Museum by Peggy Macnamara is a cute picture book. It is a story about a pink footed tarantula, Rosie, who lives at the Chicago field museum. One day in 2011 she escaped from her room. She didn’t appear until 2012. This book imagines the adventure she might have had. It is also used to describe what can be found at the field museum. Plus there are lots of notes at the end about the real rosie, and other animals mentioned in the book. I will say the rhymes are hard and do not flow well, but for this book I don't think it is needed. I applaud the author for getting the words to rhyme in the first place. And while this book is about a Chicago based institution, lots of kids will love its story and colorful illustrations.
I received an ARC from Northwestern University Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I give the book 4/5 stars.
I received an ARC from Northwestern University Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I give the book 4/5 stars.
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated Chocolate Cake in Books
Jun 18, 2018
Chocolate Cake by Michael Rosen is a short picture book about a boy’s love of chocolate cake. The boy ends up not being able to wait for his chocolate cake and this is the storm of his midnight chocolate cake feast. The boys mistake is that is does not clean up his trail of it. His mom figures out what happened in the end, which allows for a lesson on teaching children of being truthful.
The illustrations is great. The illustrations are unique. They appear to be hand drawn which helps the book to authentic.
I have this book 4/5 stars.
Thank you Penguin Random House UK Children’s and Puffin via NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
The illustrations is great. The illustrations are unique. They appear to be hand drawn which helps the book to authentic.
I have this book 4/5 stars.
Thank you Penguin Random House UK Children’s and Puffin via NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
ashezbookz (32 KP) rated Night of the Living Dummy (Goosebumps, #7) in Books
Jul 5, 2018
That was fast... I remember being terrified of this book when I read it as a kid lol reading it as an adult sure changes perspective on a book.
I read it like I was watching a Goosebumps show - same vibe and everything I could picture it all playing out in my head, it was very different reading it like that. It was still creepy in a way, it was very fun nostalgia wise to read it. It was super quick and fun. Not at all scary like it was when I was a child reading it for the firs time and hiding it from view so I wouldn't have to look at the dummy face every time I looked at my book shelf.
I read it like I was watching a Goosebumps show - same vibe and everything I could picture it all playing out in my head, it was very different reading it like that. It was still creepy in a way, it was very fun nostalgia wise to read it. It was super quick and fun. Not at all scary like it was when I was a child reading it for the firs time and hiding it from view so I wouldn't have to look at the dummy face every time I looked at my book shelf.
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) rated Sideways Stories from Wayside School (Wayside School #1) in Books
Mar 23, 2020
When I heard that another book in the Wayside School series was coming out, I had to reread the book that started it all. These books were my childhood! I found out that I still love this series even as an adult.
Each chapter tells a tale about each individual student, and there are three chapter dedicated to each teacher of the class on the thirtieth story of the school. Some of the time, the stories of each child/teacher don't make much sense, but that's the beauty of this book. It leaves you to ponder on what that chapter was about and come to your own conclusions. There are a couple of chapters that teach some good lessons too.
One thing I also loved were the illustrations of each character before their chapter started. They are drawn very well. It was a nice touch, and it made it easier to picture that person in the story. I think it's a great idea for kids who feel like they are too old for picture books, yet they still like some illustrations in their book.
This is such an easy and fun novel to read. It's not very long which is perfect for the intended age group. I believe kids ages 8 - 13 will definitely love these stories the most although it's a fun book for any age.
I would definitely recommend Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar!
Each chapter tells a tale about each individual student, and there are three chapter dedicated to each teacher of the class on the thirtieth story of the school. Some of the time, the stories of each child/teacher don't make much sense, but that's the beauty of this book. It leaves you to ponder on what that chapter was about and come to your own conclusions. There are a couple of chapters that teach some good lessons too.
One thing I also loved were the illustrations of each character before their chapter started. They are drawn very well. It was a nice touch, and it made it easier to picture that person in the story. I think it's a great idea for kids who feel like they are too old for picture books, yet they still like some illustrations in their book.
This is such an easy and fun novel to read. It's not very long which is perfect for the intended age group. I believe kids ages 8 - 13 will definitely love these stories the most although it's a fun book for any age.
I would definitely recommend Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar!
Kate (482 KP) rated Circle Of Lies (Morecambe Bay Trilogy #2) in Books
Oct 19, 2020
This was the second book in the Morecambe Bay trilogy. There were all the character's from the last book and some new ones. Although the story was a continuation of the initial story of Bruce there was also another story but it did include him. In this story Charlotte is a lot more involved and she helps push the story forward. The book went back to the past again which was needed as again it gave the full picture on the current story. Sometimes, again, Charlotte annoyed me as she put herself and others in danger but I understand why she did this. Although there were 2 main stories running it didn't confuse the overall story.
I got into this book a lot quicker than the last one. This may of been because I was in the story as I had gone from one book straight onto the next one so it didn't feel so much like starting a new book.
The book ended on a cliff hanger and it wasn't resolved at all. Therefore I had to buy the second book to get the end of the story. This was slightly frustrating as I prefer to have the choice as to whether I want to purchase the next book. I didn't want to leave the story unfinished and if I had not purchased the third book I would have.
I got into this book a lot quicker than the last one. This may of been because I was in the story as I had gone from one book straight onto the next one so it didn't feel so much like starting a new book.
The book ended on a cliff hanger and it wasn't resolved at all. Therefore I had to buy the second book to get the end of the story. This was slightly frustrating as I prefer to have the choice as to whether I want to purchase the next book. I didn't want to leave the story unfinished and if I had not purchased the third book I would have.