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The Poet X
The Poet X
Elizabeth Acevedo | 2018 | Fiction & Poetry
9
7.8 (6 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is another much-hyped book - and oh man, did it stand up to the hype. Told entirely through poetry, this novel was extraordinarily powerful, and had me sobbing near the end. Xiomara is an amazing character, and her poetry shows us her emotions more than prose ever could.

I've always loved poetry for that reason; especially poetry that plays with formatting - spacing and line breaks and size of stanzas. It's so much more evocative than simple paragraphs of prose. (My favorite poet is probably e.e. cummings, who is rather infamous for unusual formatting.)

Acavedo does similar things, making Xiomara's poetry explode across the page when necessary, and ordering it into simpler stanzas in calmer moments. It's not rhyming, even poetry; this is written slam poetry. And I love it.

Xiomara is Dominican, living in Harlem, with a very strict, religious mother. Her twin brother is gay but not out to their parents; Xiomara is fine with this but knows their mother won't be. Her poems cover her need to protect her brother and herself, both from their parents and from the outside world. She writes about street harassment and questioning God and falling in love with a boy, which is also against her mother's rules. Her poems are at turns heartbreaking and joyous, but always beautiful.

This is an amazing book, and is the second book on my Best of the Year list. I am blown away.You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.com
  
I Miss You Most
I Miss You Most
Cassie Hoyt | 2020 | Children
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Were you looking for a book for your child last year to explain the different way life is for some time and still going on a bit for now with Covid? Well “I Miss You Most” by Cassie Hoyt has come to mind. I would have read this one earlier in the year if I received it earlier. That's okay I read it now. This book reminds me of the Covid 19 lockdowns and might be able to help children with the stress of distancing.

This book deals with the emotion of missing your loved ones that are far away. It is a good one all around. It might help the social distancing we have to deal with. It works for distance in a general manner rather than just a specific time.

The illustrations are beautiful. This book also deals with child imagination. It also shows that distance is not a faraway thing. You can call your distant relative as well to stay in contact. The rhyming in this book is just good. I do not all rhyme though. Think of all the things you can do when you see that loved one next time.

I love the way this book is done and can be used at any time. The plot can be used for any type of distance like a friend that lives far away or down the block. Good for bedtime reading as well. Parents will want this on their child's or children's bookshelves.
  
A Night at the Farm: A Bedtime Story
A Night at the Farm: A Bedtime Story
Chelsea Cates, Quinn Metal Corbin | 2021 | Children, Fiction & Poetry
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I think I found a great bedtime story. It is a book about animals. It is on a farm. It is called “A Night at the Farm”. It is funny. I enjoyed it. I was laughing at the antics that the animal did while the farmer is asleep. Maybe your child is a night owl and likes to party. They enjoy farm animals and wonder what they might do while you sleep. This book is funny and unique.

The pictures are down well. Its pages look so real. The antics the animals are doing make you laugh and enjoy the story. Parents should get this for their young readers. It is good for children of four years old and to eight years old. If you are older that does not mean you will not like it.

There seems to be a party that begins once the humans go to sleep for the night. The party lasts all night long. Will the animals enjoy the fun. The farm seems unaware. Each page has some rhyming going on but you will be drawn in with the picture being so real. The animals look so real. The animals get into mischief and other trouble. What will they get into? There is something fun for everyone. If your child enjoys fashion shows. There seem to be a dance-off and I wonder what animals are on that. Children will love this bedtime story and the fun mini animals in the book.
  
'Twas the Morning of Easter
'Twas the Morning of Easter
Glenys Nellist | 2021 | Children, Fiction & Poetry
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Are you a fan of the classic book called "'Twas Night Before Christmas" by Clement Moore? The style implies it applied in this book called "'Twas the Morning of Easter." It is quite enjoyable; It sees the rhyming of the poem throughout the book. My rating is four and a half stars (Moons). I am curious about how the first book called "'Twas the Evening of Christmas" is done. I would love to read that one.

It is a neat way to do the story of Jesus' resurrection; It a book that will have children interacting with it or continuing to read every year. The could become a new Easter tradition by having this book read either the night before Easter, even a few days before, on the morning of Easter.

Children and grandchildren can see a fresh and new way to see Jesus' resurrection through this book. The poem style is down wonderfully. I enjoyed reading it this way. Not too hard to understand and is enjoyable. I have not found a better way to read the resurrection of Jesus as completing and knowledge as this book.

The pictures do it the story well. Children and adults will treasure this book and want to read it year after year—it an excellent book to start a new tradition with family. Grandparents and parents can read this to their children and youngsters. Children may even understand the meaning of Easter better than before.
  
I know many have learned their ABCs in different ways. Children learn in different ways. Children need to understand the ABCs at some point. A book I came about is "The World Famous ABC Book of Rhyme" by Roger Carlson; this book will help children of different ages learn their ABCs in a fun and enjoyable way.

I happen to be told by my mom; she used to teach me to use animals to learn my ABCs growing up. This book can help children learn to say their words with pictures. They also will learn their ABCs. This book is suitable for toddlers and young readers. Children that are in preschool through grade five. Will I learn something from ABCs or some basic reading skills or words?

The way this book transpires is charming. The pictures are bright and colorful. Parents will enjoy this book as it is excellent for any one child to learn. The rhyming helps to make it fun and different. I do not know if parents or children or even teachers have thought that ABCs could be a poem to teach them.

Can your children find other words to practice while reading this book? They can learn and practice some new words or old ones. Parents will want this book on their child or children's bookshelves or in their homes. The teacher may wish to do it for their classrooms as well. It is a great resource.
  
Ava and Aaron's Christmas Story is beautiful. It is about them and getting a special gift for Christmas. Will they get that special gift? Will they get to spend time with their family? There is rhyming, and children will also learn to read and rhyme.

Children will learn that love and family are more important than presents. I enjoyed the meaning and the fun things they do together. It is all shown throughout the pictures. What fun it is to do something with your mom and dad.

The pictures are down well—the words blended into the images in some cases. I enjoyed the story and was reading the book in one sitting. It tells the story of Christmas and all its meaning. Family and some winter fun that comes along with the holiday season.

Are your children or child waiting for it to snow? Do they enjoy playing in the snow? This story is no different for these two lovely children in the story. Will Ava get her to wish of snow or will not? What are some of your family's Christmas traditions? What surprises are your child or children waiting for to get the shock of someone special or a loved one? Sometimes the wonder is lovely and enjoyable, and seeing someone after it has been a while. Bringing the family together is what it is all about. Is it not for Christmas?