Book Review: Glory the Lion Cub and the Dunnos by Marianne Parry

Glory the Lion Cub and the Dunnos by Marianne Parry is a collection of three fables for children. In the first story there is Glory, an inquisitive lion cub who would like to have his fur patterned like the cheetah, the zebra and the snake as he meets each one. He also wants to know their names but he is amazed to find that each share the same one – ‘Dunno’! When Glory meets a young elephant with the same name, but with two ‘tails’, he is even more intrigued. He quickly discovers that mud baths are not suitable for lions but it is many years before he realizes what ‘Dunno’ means. 

In the second tale there is Magnus, a young elephant who decides that he would like to be a doctor. As he comes across sick or injured animals, he tries to make them better using methods he has seen other creatures use. The patients pretend to be very grateful and Magnus is happy with himself. Gradually, however, he learns that each animal has their own type of medicine and when a young cow elephant catches his eye, he decides he just wants to be a grown-up elephant. 

Lastly, there is Benedict. This dark brown bear from North America who is amazed to learn that other bears are white and he listens eagerly to how polar bears can travel across ice. When he tries to tell his family, they laugh at him and he wonders if he has been dreaming. 

Glory the Lion Cub and the Dunnos is a great book for helping teach about fables. It was nice to read some that I have not already encountered. I think young children will enjoy hearing, or reading, these tales. The stories are nothing groundbreaking, but they are good fun and offer the moral lessons as one expects in a classic fable. Those that are animal mad (like my daughter) will particularly enjoy this book. I think readers that enjoy hearing new fables and lessons from around the world will also appreciate the book. I am going to share this book with my children’s school, because their theme for the year is stories from around the world, and this would be a perfect book for use in the lower grades. 

Book Review: Hotter Than Helltown (Preternatural Affairs #3) by S.M. Reine

Hotter Than Helltown is the third book in the Preternatural Affairs series by S.M. Reine. The audiobook version was read by Jeffrey Kafer. This series does have major plot points that build upon each other. I do not recommend skipping ahead. If this sounds book interesting to you, I would start at the beginning with Witch Hunt and then Silver Bullet. Knowing who everyone is, and the intricacies of their connections, is key to fully understanding and enjoying the read.

A killer is mutilating bodies in Los Angeles. Agent Cèsar Hawke is on the case, but the murderer is ahead of him. Wiping the memories of the dead so that the team's necrocognitive can't talk to them? Done. Preventing magical reconstruction of the crime scenes? Oh yeah. And the murders keep getting more brutal while Cèsar struggles to catch up. The best way to heat up a cold case is to go to Helltown, where Los Angeles's most powerful evil hides out, but even those demons are afraid of the murderer. Their fear adds one more question to the growing pile of unknowns. What kind of bad guy is too hot for Helltown?

Hotter Than Helltown is just as fast paced and gritty as the previous books in this series. I feel like we get less of a glimpse into some of the characters, but we get a much deeper look at Fritz and even Cèsar than we have previously. They both push themselves farther than they have had to in the past, but they have never been up against such high stakes before. The Vice President Janet, who already is less than fond of Fritz and Cèsar, is in the office as Cèsar studies up for the most important test of his life. Meanwhile a big bad that has Helltown afraid is killing and mutilating its unlucky victims. The odds against them are high, but so is Cèsar's determination to get out of this alive and with his memory intact. High action and some gore keep the tension high and attention riveted to the pages. Some of the aspects of this book might offend some religious readers, but I think most people that have read this far into the series can handle it.

Hotter Than Helltown is just what I have come to expect from this series. My only issue is that I just realized how far behind I am in this series, four more books to go, and how much I want to explore the author's other works at this point. This is only a problem because of the size of my to be read pile already. 

Early Book Review: Science Comics: Coral Reefs: Cities of the Ocean by Maris Wicks

Science Comics: Coral Reefs: Cities of the Ocean by Maris Wicks is part of a series that uses the graphic novel format to engage children in science. This volume: in Coral Reefs, we learn all about the tiny sea animals that are our coral reefs. This absorbing look at ocean science covers the biology of coral reefs as well as their ecological importance. There is an entertaining and informative combination of serious cuteness and in-depth science.

Coral Reefs is a cute and informative graphic novel that will fascinate readers that love cute graphic novels, non fiction about science, and information about animals or the environment. I think this combination of science and cuteness will keep a wide audience interested and reading about science. The illustrations are very detailed and help in the information gathering by readers, while keeping them amused. The informative text alternates between very in depth and tidbits of information that will recapture the attention of any readers starting to drift.

Coral Reefs is a good resource for capturing the attention of a wide variety of readers and getting them excited by science, informed, and hopefully curious to learn more.

Early Book Review: Far Out Fairy Tales by Louise Simonson, Otis Frampton, Benjamin Harper, Joey Comeau, and Sean Tulien

Far Out Fairy Tales by Louise Simonson, Otis Frampton, Benjamin Harper, Joey Comeau, and Sean Tulien is a graphic novel which is currently scheduled for release on April 1 2016. This middle grade graphic explores what Snow White would be like if she were raised by robots and how Cinderella's story plays out when she walks the path of the ninja. Readers can play along when three billy goats named Gruff get stuck inside a video game, and chase down the Big Bad Wolf with the help of a superpowered Red Riding Hood! Each fairy tale revision holds true to the spirit of the original while adding a modern twist to the classic tales.

Far Out Fairy Tales is a wonderful collection of new looks at classic stories. I think the book opens with the best of the stories, Cinderella as a ninja. She does not want to marry the prince, she wants to sword train with him. The ending made me particularly happy. Red Ridinghood with super powers granted by an alien hood was an interesting story, but just fell a little flat for me after how much I liked the Cinderella tale. It was still good, but not my favorite. The Billy Goats Gruff in a video game like story made me smile, particularly when the brothers split up and you got the three stories at once on each page. Snow White in a futuristic world with robots and poisoned chocolate rather than an apple was well done, with a neat twist on the tale. Hansel & Gretel & Zombies was unexpected and a twist that was a little sweeter than I expected. Together the graphic collection was great fun, and I thought the illustrations were particularly wonderful. It is a great pick all around.

Far Out Fairy Tales is a fun, bright, and engaging new look at some old favorites. This is a delightful pick for just about everyone, from elementary school right on up- including adults. 

Book Review: Sock Monster by Stacey R. Campbell

Sock Monster is a picturebook by Stacey R. Campbell. Billy is in the midst of a fun game when his mother tells him that it is time to clean up and get ready for bed. The only trouble is Billy does not want to waste time cleaning his room, so instead of cleaning his room he hides the mess. A bedtime story about the sock monster, made up of clothes not put away where they belong, keeps Billy up until he gives up and cleans up correctly. A cute story with a little twist at the end that just might lead to cleaner rooms in your house.

Sock Monster is a fun and cute story about a little boy that avoids cleaning his room. I really liked the story line, the resolution, and especially the little twist at the end when the mom starts to hear sock monster like noises herself and asks dad whether HE picked up his socks. The illustrations were fairly simple and cute. There was little in the way of background and additional details, but they conveyed the meaning and story well.

Sock Monster is a good story for bedtime reading by caregivers and parents dealing with the struggle to have a child pick up after themselves, particularly in the laundry department. It is not the only, or the best, book on the subject that I have read. However, it is fun and would make a good addition to the storytime reading pile.

Book Review: The 26-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths, Terry Denton, Stig Wemyss

The 26-Storey Treehouse is a children's book written by Andy Griffiths, illustrated by Terry Denton, and the audiobook is narrated by Stig Wemyss. Both formats have something to recommend them, but I will save that for the end of the review. It is also the sequel to The 13-Storey Treehouse, and while it is more fun to read in order, it is not necessary. The action and zaniness come through just fine without having read the previous book. 

This book tells the story of how Andy and Terry met, and how the pair met Jill. In the newly expanded treehouse readers are treated to the mostly true, and slightly long, story of how the treehouse came to be their home. The sharks make an appearance, as does pirate wooden head, a robot serving 78 insane ice cream flavors, a wacky nursery rhyme, and the Maze of Doom. The combination of fast action, silliness, and equally crazy illustrations (or voice acting and sound effects) come together to entertain. The interruptions of writing the next story, layered with the interruptions of the story in which they all met, come together in a larger story that will make any parent or sibling recognize their lives in the inability to finish anything uninterrupted. There is a good amount of potty humor, and some high action. Just a silly and high entertainment story perfect for reluctant and struggling readers to get them eager to keep reading.

 The 26-Storey Treehouse is even better than the first book, and made my family eager to have The 39-Storey Treehouse in their hands (and in the car CD player). They have never been so eager to get in the car to head to school or church than they are when a entertaining audiobook is in the cd-player. This is one book that had them moving at high speeds. As with the previous book, The 13-Storey Treehouse, I both read and listened to the book with my two kids. I still say that both versions are wonderful, and it comes down to personal preference and time to decide what path to take, I still so do both!

Early Book Review: Red's Planet by Eddie Pittman

Red's Planet is the first graphic novel in a new series by Eddie Pittman, which is currently scheduled for release on April 19 2016. For fans of Phineas and Ferb, you might recognize some of the style or humor because the author is a writer/story artist on the show.

Meet Red, a quirky, headstrong 10-year-old who longs to live in her own perfect paradise far away from her annoying foster family. But when a UFO mistakenly kidnaps her, Red finds herself farther away than she could have possibly imagined—across the galaxy and aboard an enormous spaceship owned by the Aquilari, an ancient creature with a taste for rare and unusual treasures. Before Red can be discovered as a stowaway, the great ship crashes on a small deserted planet, leaving her marooned with a menagerie of misfit aliens. With her newfound friend, a small gray alien named Tawee, Red must find a way to survive the hostile castaways, evade the ravenous wildlife, and contend with Goose, the planet's grumpy, felinoid custodian. Surely this can't be the paradise she's been hoping for.

Red's Planet is a graphic novel of galactic proportions. Okay, so I just wanted to use that phrase, but it is very good. I enjoyed the artwork very much, it captured the emotions and action of each scene as well as just being very interesting to look at. I also like the characterization of Red, who I could sympathize with in her hatred of the lazy nickname that everyone (even aliens) instantly call her. Her growth, and the way she offers a well seasoned but still innocent look at the larger world around her really appealed to me. I liked that combination of weary to trust and headlong action. The commentary on how people (or aliens) react to those different from themselves even when they face the same troubles is eerily accurate and timely. I think Goose and Red are two great characters, with great dynamics. The larger storyline that is revealed has me interested and eager to see where future issues take readers.

Red's Planet is a graphic novel with great artwork and a coming of age tale as well as some social commentary that is bundled together in an entertaining story that will engage a large variety of readers. 

Book Review: SEAL Wolf in Too Deep by Terry Spear

SEAL Wolf in Too Deep by Terry Spear is the 18th(!) book in the Heart of the Wolf series. Each of the books can do fine as a stand alone, but if you read more than one you will have a better grasp of the pack dynamics and how everyone is connected.

Debbie Renaud is a police diver working on criminal cases with SEAL Allan Rappaport. She admires him greatly for his missions in the Navy, plus he's just plain HOT. Allan seems to share her attraction, but what she doesn't know is that her partner is wolf shifter. Allan is really hung up on his smart, beautiful dive partner, but he can't get involved with a human outside dive duty. Yet when she gets between a werewolf hunter and his intended victim, one of the members of Allan's pack, they run into real trouble, and their lives are altered forever.

SEAL Wolf in Too Deep tells the story of Allan and his new dive partner Debbie. both are fighting their attraction, but for different reasons. Debbie thinks they are both keeping the distance due to respect and professionalism. However, Allan's wolfish side and the responsibilities that come with it are his main reasons. The pair are each strong, smart, and honorable people that love their jobs. both get lost in the process of piecing together clues and solving crime. I like Debbie's reasonableness and adaptability. I was a little taken aback by just how flexible and adaptable she was once the whole werewolf thing comes into play. However, because of the situations and circumstances it did make some sense. I liked Allan's caring and respectful side, but I found his inner confidence that everything would work out in his favor to be a little annoying after awhile. However, at least he kept those thoughts to himself, because I am pretty sure that Debbie would have kicked him, much like I really wanted to do a few times. Despite that, I still enjoyed the read and will keep on with the series.

SEAL Wolf in Too Deep is a solid addition to the series and world by Spear. Thus far the writing quality of the series has stayed fairly consistent, which is hard when you get to a certain number of books in the same larger world. This series is an example of it done right.

Book Review: Finders Reapers by Anna Staniszewski

Finders Reapers is the second book in the Switched at First Kiss series by Anna Staniszewski. The first book in the series is I'm With Cupid. It is important to read the books in order to understand the details of the world and some of the crises that Marcus and Lena have faced together already.

Marcus is a Cupid. Lena is a Reaper. Neither are ready for any more supernatural surprises. They just got their powers un-swapped, however things aren't as back to normal as they seem. On his next assignment, Marcus's "love boost" is a little too powerful. Then Lena's soul to capture sort of, well, escapes. The cause? Lena and Marcus's powers are still intertwined! Their emotions are affecting each other's power. So, basically the fate of the world depends on them getting along in their brand new romance.

Finders Reapers is a solid follow up to I'm with Cupid, and has new characters and problems for our supernatural couple to face. While their powers are their own again, things still are not quite right. Assignments are not going quite right, and both Lena and Marcus are keeping things from the other. a new girl at school, Lena's mother coming to town, and more makes their struggles even harder. They are fighting so hard to be the 'perfect' couple, that trust and a real connection seem to be as fragile as their powers. Can they each get a better control of their emotions, grip on their powers, and find a way to be the couple they want to be? They each need to learn a little more about themselves, and come a bit more into their own confidence before they can unravel the web of problems that seem to surround them. I like that the world Staniszewski created has become more in depth and complicated in this book, while the main focus for this reader was still the coming of age and character growth for Lena and Marcus. While there is certainly a number of questions unanswered, I felt that the book did not leave readers on a cliff edge. I was satisfied with the ending, but still want to know more. Pretty perfect balance for any ongoing series.

Finders Reapers is a charming and fun middle grade read that will appeal to kids looking to escape, and to those looking to see a little bit of themselves, in two main characters facing a variety of problems. I enjoyed the read, and wonder where the series will go from here, because there are plenty of questions that still need to be answered.

Book Review: Give it Up by Lori Foster

Give it Up by Lori Foster is a collection of three novellas about good friends finding the loves of their lives. He Sees You When You’re Sleeping is the story of  Booker Dean. What he wants for Christmas isn’t under the tree, it’s right next door. Frances Kennedy is everything Booker desires, and the gift he has planned for her involves a lot of delicious unwrapping. Some Like It Hot is aboutfamily practitioner Cary Rupert. He wants Nora Chilton so badly he can barely keep a hold of his stethoscope. Now he’s out to prove that when it comes to loving her forever, he’s just what the doctor ordered. Playing Doctor is about Dr. Axel Dean, who likes his women with sensual moxie, not virginal innocence. But when Libby Preston won’t take no for an answer, Axel is more than willing to administer the cure.

Give it Up is good fun. All of the characters, from Booker to Libby are more than flat characters. Even in the short space we have with them, we see some history and hurt in the heroines, and the battles all the players have both with themselves and with each other. Since they are novellas, there is not a lot of time for drawn out crises or development. However, I felt that each story still has a solid arch and character development and present history to make the relationships develop quickly, but not completely unrealistically so. It is a well done collection. 

Give it Up is a nice collection of quick, hot, and satisfying romances. Despite the shortness, and necessary fast pace, the characters are well developed and there is a good blend of heat and humor. A wonderful weekend read.