Early Book Review: Dr. Seuss: The Cat Behind the Hat by Caroline M. Smith

Dr. Seuss: The Cat Behind the Hat by Caroline M. Smith is a comprehensive look at the art Theodor Geisel created over his lifetime. This book is schedule for release on November 13 2012. It is an enthralling and informative look behind the public persona or Dr. Seuss and into the reality that was Theodor Geisel. He created a body of workwhich he called his "Midnight Paintings," and which is now known as "The Secret Art of Dr. Seuss." The collection redefines Ted Geisel beyond the children's books and illustrations he is best known for, and gives him solid standing as an iconic American artist.

Dr. Seuss: The Cat Behind the Hat is a fantastic book for anyone that has loved the works of Dr. Seuss. Learning more about the man only made me appreciate him, his life, and his art even more. The book juxtaposes Geisel's "Midnight Paintings" with some of his his best-loved children's books. The art in the book is not structured in strict chronological order, because that just would not have fit with the artwork and life of Geisel. A fascinating and intellectual look at a man that has had such an impact on the world through his books.

My children, and I, love reading Dr. Seuss just about every night at bedtime. Learning more about the man and his art only made me appreciate his work, and those moments, even more. I highly recommend Dr. Seuss: The Cat Behind the Hat to anyone with fond memories of Dr. Seuss, and the desire to learn more about the man that created the world of Who-ville and taught us that "a person is a person no matter how small."

Book Review: Secrets of the Guardian by A.L. Tyler

Secrets of the Guardian by A.L. Tyler is the third, and final book, in the Waldgrave series. Lena Collins has faced challenges and death, and hopes things can start settling down. However, things are only going to get worse. Her Grandfather is dead, and Griffin has left. Rollin and his group are targeting everyone in the Selenti community that is not with them, as against them and a viable target. Lena wants to clear her name, live a semi-normal life, and find the hidden answers about her family and the Selenti world as a whole. So how could a road trip with friends to reunite one family and discover her own end with Lena on the run with a baby?

Secrets of the Guardian is the perfect conclusion to a wonderful series. I would not have minded a little more of a re cap in the beginning of this book, but it did not take me long to get back into the story.  Lena has grown as a character and a person through the series, and continues to mature her as well. Her concern for others might be a liability in her position, but it makes her a character that is relate-able. While Griffin does not have much screen time, he is just as arrogant in this book, but I am glad to say offered up some redeemable moments. Devin and other characters that have played significant roles in the past, are of course here as well, and most grow through the story as well. I really enjoyed seeing the full mystery of Lena's family unraveled, and a satisfying conclusion for all concerned, Although, I do hope that the epilogue lead to a spin off story.

I highly recommend Secrets of the Guardian to anyone that has like the previous two books. For those that have not, I suggest starting with Arrival of the Traveler and reading the entire trilogy in order. The mysteries are deep, the action high, and the characters feel very real.

Book Review: The Infects by Sean Beaudoin

The Infects by Sean Beaudoin is a young adult novel with a new take on zombies, both those shambling through life and those looking to gnaw on people.  Nick has just been trying to get by day by day. His father 'retired', his mother disappeared and left the family behind, and his younger sister is a little different. He has a job at a chicken packing plant, and a crush on Petal, a girl that he knows from school and work but cannot seem to work up the courage to do anything about. One slip of the knife leads Nick on a path that has him at a juvenile detention hike, and the name of Nero. When his 'counselors' and some fellow miscreants start chewing on each other, the trek in the wilderness changes to an ultimate game of survival. Can Nero and the others survive, and can he handle the voice in his head and make real changes in the bigger picture.

The Infects is not the typical zombie novel. I loved the take on where the virus originates, and how it effects different people. The characters are vivid and real, and the mentioning of horror and zombie movie rules throughout the story fit the inner dialogue I think I would have in such a situation, after I stopped freaking out. The action is fast paced, there are wise cracks and self deprecating humor, and an ending that left me satisfied, but still seemed to leave room to tell more of the story. The ideas about being a zombie, both the flesh eating sort and those that just sort of shuffle through life, is powerful but told with humor so that it never feels preachy. When I started the book I simple was not in the mood for a zombie book, but was quickly dissuaded and stayed up much too late to finish the book.

I recommend The Infects to readers that love zombies, are tired of zombies, or want to read something different and new. There is some blood and gore, what do you expect with zombies, but never so much that I got squeamish. There is a little romance, strain of coming of age, and a bit of corporate greed.

Book Review: The Dragondain by Richard Due, Illustrated by Carolyn Arabascio

The Dragondain written by Richard Due and illustrated by Carolyn Arabascio is the second book in the Moon Realm middle grade fantasy series. Lily has returned from her trip to the Moon Realm and sent Jasper to take his turn, but he slept through most of her instructions and explanations. When Jasper wakes up, groggy and confused, he thinks that the Rinn that surround him are part of a dream. Quickly Jasper wakes up fully and follows Lily's path to two of the moons, discover more than he could have dreamed about his Uncle Ebb's tales. Can he convince those of Rinn and Dain that working together might be thier only hope, and can he get closer to Dubb's daughter Darce without her inflicting bodily harm? Lily gets a return trip to Dain and things begin to spin further out of control.

The Dragondain is a fantastic followup to The Moon Coin. The adventure and characters continue on in full color. I will admit to being completely hooked on this series, and eager for the next installment. However, even with the fantastic world building and solid character development, I did have two things that left me uphappy at the end of the book. First, I would love to see Jasper get a little more screen time, which will happen to at least some degree in the next installment, judging by the ending of this one. I also was less than thrilled with how much was left in the air. Cliffhanger and quite a few unresolved issues that left me looking for more, but slightly dissatisfied. I do not mind aspects of a cliffhanger, but there were just so many things that I know I will have to wait to discover without many solid answers to balance that effect. I still loved the book, but wanted at lest one more chapter for a smidge of resolution before moving on to the next installment.

I highly recommend the Moon Realm series, but before reading The Dragondain,  readers must first read The Moon Coin or they will be lost. Readers should also be prepared for the story to continue further, because The Dragondain  is by no means the end of this story.

Picturebook Review: Freckleface Strawberry: Best Friends Forever by Julianne Moore and LeUyen Pham

Freckleface Strawberry: Best Friends Forever, written by Julianne Moore and illustrated by LeUyen Pham, is a great picturebook about friendship and being true to yourself.  Freckleface Strawberry and her friend 'Windy Pants' Patrick have a lot in common. They both have nicknames, love lunch,  and are a different size from the rest of the class. They also have big differences, which never mattered much to them before. However, the kids t school have started to point out those differences and the dividing line between girls and boys has been drawn. Decisions to go along with the crowd keep the friends apart, but nothing seems quite as fun as it used to.

Freckleface Strawberry: Best Friends Forever gives readers a look at how friendships can be ignored or lost when we listen to what everyone else thinks we should do, rather than listening to our own hearts. for young children, this book can help bridge the gap between boys and girls, particularly at the ages when the divides begin to form. thus far, both of my children find much more entertainment in hanging out with children of the opposite gender, which causes makes me both happy and a little concerned since they both seem to hold court where ever they go.

I think that Freckleface Strawberry: Best Friends Forever speaks to the fears kids of all ages have of appearing strange or different from everyone, and encourages them to embrace the people and things about themselves that make them happy rather than just doing what they are told they should. I highly recommend this book for every child, since we all have something different about us and should hold on to true friendships.the bright colors and message would hold up well as a book for reading aloud in a one on one setting or a classroom or library storytime.