Early Book Review: Megabugs: And Other Prehistoric Critters That Roamed the Planet by Helaine Becker, John Bindon

Megabugs: And Other Prehistoric Critters That Roamed the Planet, written by Helaine Becker and illustrated by John Bindon, is currently scheduled for release on October 1 2019. Can you imagine a bug the size of a small crocodile? How about one bigger than a large basketball player? As scary as it may seem, supersized, insect-like critters such as these roamed Earth long before humans. In this peek into prehistory, award-winning science writer Helaine Becker introduces seven of these megabugs, the ancestors of modern-day insects, spiders, crabs and other arthropods, which lived from 480 million to 47 million years ago. The book explores when, where, and how they each lived, why they grew so big and what caused their extinction. Highly realistic illustrations show each megabug in its habitat. Each spread features one animal and loads of visuals --- such as a size chart that shows how big the animal could grow, a timeline placing it in its geological period and a map of where its fossils have been discovered. Sidebars provide further context on such topics as adaptation, fossils and the Permian Extinction. 

Megabugs is a very well written and informative book that hits a great balance. It is high interest with very accessible writing that does not talk down to readers or feel condescending due to the ease of reading. This can be a hard balance to strike, but I think they hit it perfectly here. I thought I had a good understanding of the critters that have, or currently, live on our planet due to my daughter's animal obsession and the amount of documentaries and non fiction reads we have shared. However, I did learn quite a bit from reading this, and had some of my understanding confirmed or expanded on. The organization of creatures of the past, today, and possibilities of creatures of tomorrow was good- and I liked seeing the size comparisons. I liked the charts and detailed diagrams of the creatures discussed- and found the illustrations of the creatures in their habitats to be very realistic and bold.I sometimes had to stop and just admire the skill and detail in the images and graphs because they were just that well done.  I thought the inclusion of a detailed glossary, suggestions for further reading, and index were important, and are sadly skipped too often. I think this book would be valuable for a wide range of interested readers. 

Megabugs is a great non fiction book for children and adults that have any interest in the history, present, and future of the creatures others might consider creepy crawlies. It is very well done and holds up well to multiple reads.

Book Review: The Adventures of Fede and Tomato #1: Tomato Must Be Saved! by Luciano Saracino, Gerardo Baró

The Adventures of Fede and Tomato #1: Tomato Must Be Saved! is a children's graphic novel written by Luciano Saracino, with art by Gerardo Baró. One morning, the circus arrives in Fede’s town. What a thrill! Now he has a chance to be a circus star! And there he goes, with his cat Tomato, avoiding any streets where he might run into Florencia (because Florencia is his girlfriend, but she doesn’t know it yet). Of course, things get complicated when the lion looks at Tomato with hungry eyes! 

Tomato Must Be Saved! is a fun and cute comic that focuses on one adventurous boy and his view of the world. He sneaks into a circus before opening and is caught taking pictures of the lion without permission. The ringmasters attempts to disuad Fede go a bit awry and misunderstandings lead to jining in the circus act, dodging the girl he likes, and trying to save his cat Tomato from becoming the lion's lunch. I liked the artwork- the colors really worked and there was a good amount of detail on each page.  I think I might have left a couple clues about the misunderstandings on the page, but I understand why they might not have in such a short work. I enjoyed the read and think many young readers will as well. 

Tomato Must Be Saved! is a short, cute graphic novel. I liked the art and the story and think others will enjoy the quick read as well.

Book Review: Wait, Rest, Pause: Dormancy in Nature by Marcie Flinchum Atkins

Wait, Rest, Pause: Dormancy in Nature by Marcie Flinchum Atkins is a non fiction picturebook. It is full of beautiful photos of animals accompanied by text about dormancy in nature. Featuring creatures like ladybugs, chickadees, squirrels, and even alligators, this book should not put curious kids to sleep!

Wait, Rest, Pause: Dormancy in Nature exceeded my expectation with the images used. The photographs were absolutely wonderful, and worth looking through the book for. I was also very excited by the additional information about types of dormancy, and suggestions for further reading- both with books and online. However, the heart of the book felt flat for me. The images were wonderful, and the placement and varied fonts for the text were very visually engaging. I found the text itself to be a little clunky, not that I expect or want all books for children to rhyme, but there should be a comfortable cadence for reading aloud.  I liked the intent of the book, and think the design was great, but the book just did not match my high expectations.

Wait, Rest, Pause: Dormancy in Nature is visually stunning, and has great endpages information, but did not wow me as a whole.

Book Review: Temptation (Bad Angels) by Inara Scott

Temptation is the second stand alone in the Bad Angels series by Inara Scott. As close friends and coworkers, attorney Zoe Riva and tech genius Connor Ashton know they can never get involved. Never. Ever. Until a scooter accident lands Zoe in Connor's arms—and his overnight custody—and she starts to see a man she's never seen before. With her career and her heart on the line, Zoe can't afford to take any chances. But when combustible chemistry takes over, even the smartest people in the room can make the biggest of mistakes.

Temptation is a friends to lovers romance that had me hooked from the start. I was in a bit of a reading slump- where nothing was really making me eager to get back to reading after having to put the book down for a moment, and this book broke that streak. Zoe is a strong, successful, and professional woman just trying to get ahead in a field that is still dominated by deals made in bars and over sports. Connor is a smart guy that is more than a little shy and socially awkward. A chance encounter has them each pondering crossing the border of friendship into something more- but they each have emotional scars and professional qualms about taking the next step- until they cross the line anyway. I loved the sass and straightforwardness of Zoe, and Connor's sweet nature. The secondary characters, particularly Connor's mother and her friends, were great fun while the couple's mutual friends added some honest talk and advice to even things out. I honestly found myself routing for our couple from the very beginning- even when their efforts to seem nonchalaunt had me face palming. The read hit all the sweet spots, heart, heat, and humor and left me grinning one the last page. I just might be going back to read the first book in the series, but I will definitely be putting Scott's name of my list of authors to watch for. 

Temptation is a contemporary romance with strong characters and a nearly perfect balance of heat, heart, and humor.

Early Book Review: Outlaws (Royal Academy Rebels) by Jen Calonita

Outlaws is the second book in the Royal Academy Rebels series by Jen Calonita. It is currently scheduled for release on October 1 2019. I do highly recommend having read the first book in the series before this one. It would be good to have read the Fairy Tale Reform School series as well, but that is not quite as important as Misfits.

After being banished to the Hollow Woods following their discovery of Headmistress Olivina's secret villainy, a note from an ally urges Devin and her friends to go in search of Red Riding Hood, who they believe can help them figure out what to do next. Instead, they come across a troupe of fairytale vigilantes, including a former Royal Academy princess, Robin Hood, a pirate named Corden, and more. Alongside their new vigilante friends, Devin and her crew come up with a plan to expose the truth about Olivina to all of Enchantasia, or risk their homeland falling under villainous rule once and for all.

Outlaws is a good follow up to Misfits. Devin and her  band of friends face fresh dangers and discover more about themselves, each other, and the world they live in. The addition of Tara and her friends make things more complicated, but so much more fun and interesting. The skills of the new teens added to the story were very cool, and I liked getting more of the back story of how things reached the point where Devin and gang were banished. I enjoyed seeing the adventures they jump into, and the way they solve things with quick thinking, friendship, and being good people rather than brawn or deceit. I think the dangers and  problems they face were well done, and I liked how they did not always handle themselves perfectly but figured it out as they went, just like most of us do with much more mundane issues. I found the conclusion to be satisfying, while leaving plenty of curiosity for what what might happen next but not dangling on a cliff. I look forward to following this series on to its conclusion.

Outlaws is exactly what I was hoping for and expecting from Calonita. I love the world and character building she does, and I think fans of the Reform School series will love this follow up just as much.

Early Book Review: Cryptid Creatures: A Field Guide by Kelly Milner Halls, Rick Spears

Cryptid Creatures: A Field Guide, written by Kelly Milner Halls and illustrated by Rick Spears, is currently scheduled for release on September 24 2019. Cryptozoology is the study of mysterious creatures that fall between the realm of real and imaginary on the scientific spectrum. Cryptid Creatures: A Field Guide offers a closer look at fifty of these amazing creatures, examining the best possible evidence for each, including scientific papers, magazine and newspaper articles, and credible eyewitness accounts. These fifty cryptids are arranged in order alphabetically, and in addition to speculative illustrations, include details like when they were first reported, whether they are terrestrial, aerial, or aquatic, and each have a reality rating of 1 to 6, in which 1 means that the cryptid has been confirmed as a hoax, and 6 means the cryptid has been proven as real. This guide might inspire curious readers to investigate more on their own, and maybe even help to prove if a cryptid is a hoax or is real.

Cryptid Creatures: A Field Guide is a book that I think will be in my house hold as soon as it is released in print, as my children and I love this sort of thing. This book takes a look at some common (and some less known)  creatures of legend and lore. I like that fossil evidence, eye witness accounts, and scientific research is used to really look at whether these cryptid creatures could be real, or could have been in the past. I also like that the probability of these creatures existing is looked at logically to try to understand obstacles and dangers they would face, or could cause, in the areas they are expected to live. I also like how towards the end of the book the creatures are listed again, but by creature types rather than in alphabetical order. It is interesting to see how common some cryptid types are across cultures, while others are very specific to a particular region. The endpages with additional reading will help readers further explore the subject, and information on the creatures that interest them most.  I think this is a well done collection, and it will please many interested readers from a variety of ages and reading levels. 

Cryptid Creatures: A Field Guide is an interesting and well researched look at fifty creatures in cryptozoology. While this only touches the surface of such creatures and legends, it is a great resource and read for those interested. 

Early Book Review: Gone is Gone: Wildlife Under Threat by Isabelle Groc

Gone is Gone: Wildlife Under Threat by Isabelle Groc, with a foreword by Jane Goodall, is currently scheduled for release on September 24 2019. This children's nonfiction book looks at why species become endangered, how scientists are learning about endangered wildlife, what people are doing to conserve species and ways young people can help. It contains unique photos that the author has taken over many years of observing endangered species in the field alongside the people who work to conserve them. Throughout the book the author shares enchanting encounters and personal field stories: watching narwhals socialize in the Canadian Arctic, getting close to a Laysan albatross raising chicks in a remote Hawaiian island, spotting a rhinoceros on safari, and even swimming with sea lions in the Galapagos Islands. It inspires to inform, intrigue and inspire readers to take small steps toward big changes for endangered species around the world.

Gone is Gone does a good job of explaining the ins and outs of how animals become threatened or extinct, how humans play a role, and how to help protect them. The images of the animals and landscapes help show the reality of the situation rather than leaving it as a problem we know about but cannot necessarily grasp beyond theory.  The information starts with the basics- how animals are classified by threat level and who makes those distinctions, then on to what is making the largest negative impact on these populations and the basics of some of the better known endangered species. I found the information on the efforts and scientist involved in studying and conserving wildlife to fascinating. I really enjoyed reading about the successes we have already had in increasing some populations, and how interconnected the habitats and different types of life are. It brought home how much good seemingly small things can have an impact- good or bad- on the larger ecosystem. The simple actions suggested for readers might take a little effort- but they are a place to start and can be done easily I also liked that there was a glossary, list of book and online resources, and index at the end of the book. Not every reader takes advantage of these things, but I find them important in encouraging further reading, research, and action. I found the book as a whole to be well written. It does not talk down to readers, and is accessible at the same time. I found it to be informative and inspiring to read. I think it will be the same for other middle grade and older readers, including adults.

Gone is Gone is an engaging, interesting, and informative read. A great book for middle grade and older readers. It would be a good addition to public, school, and classroom libraries. 

Book Review: Take It Off the Menu (Mile High Matched) by Christina Hovland

Take It Off the Menu is the third book in the Mile High Matched series by Christina Hovland. I have not read the previous books, but this book read well as a stand alone. 

Marlee Medford just got dumped. Yes, things have become ho-hum in her longtime relationship, but she was two days away from walking down the aisle with the man she thought was her forever when he called it off.  Marlee needs to regain control of her life, and a weekend away with her friends is a solid first step. One of Denver’s best up-and-coming chefs, perpetual bachelor Eli Howard, isn’t into serious relationships—especially the kind that ends in marriage. Feeling oddly protective of the jilted bride—his little sister’s best friend—his weekend plans now involve a trip to Sin City with her group of friends. But it looks like he had a bit too much fun in Vegas when he wakes up married, wedding night included. Marlee’s attempts at getting her life back together are failing miserably. Her ex-fiancé is taking the house, her chihuahua is intent on a love affair with Eli’s sneakers, and she’s now accidentally hitched to the guy who can't even say the word marriage. With their quickie annulment denied, Eli and Marlee just have to hang tight until the divorce goes through. It’s just a little divorce amongst friends, what’s the worst that could happen? 

Take It Off the Menu is a contemporary romance with a lot going on. There is the best friend's brother aspect, the afraid of commitment element, and the interfering parents and sucky ex bit. However, the book managed to balance all of these elements with humor. I loved the regular intervals of a horny chihuahua and the wonderful circle of friends that both Eli and Marlee have helping them through every hurdle. Marlee is a sweetheart with a soft heart that often falls into doing whatever other expect from her- I would have liked to see a bit more backbone from her, but I think that if she had stood up for herself more she would not have ended up in the situation that brought this all about. Eli is a sweet and strong guy- he is always there to help everyone else but has trouble accepting help from anyone else. That is something I could relate to- and I was glad to see that he had to come to terms with that as well as his commitment issues. There were times when I thought there was much more to his commitment issue than readers were told- but that might have just been me. The secondary characters, and dog, stole the show for me. I loved the extended circle of friends and family even more than the rest. I think I want a story just about Babushka! As a whole I really enjoyed the read.

Take It Off the Menu is a romance that has a good balance of heart and humor. I enjoyed the read and will be reading more from the author.

Book Review: Whisked Away (Paradise Bay) by Melanie Summers

Whisked Away is the second book in the Paradise Bay series by Melanie Summers. I did not read the first book in the series and think they can each stand on their own.

At twenty-seven years old, Emma Banks has big plans for her life. After graduating from the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, she's ready to take her place as head chef at one of her family’s resort restaurants. But upon arrival at Paradise Bay, she’s shuffled off to the resort’s new private island getaway, where she’ll be stuck catering to the rich and shameless. Her first assignment is to serve Pierce Davenport, an infuriatingly arrogant writer with a palate that’s about as adventurous as a plain boiled potato.Pierce Davenport is living every author’s dream—his critically-acclaimed Clash of Crowns books have been turned into one of the world’s most-watched television series. The only problem is, he has no idea how to end the epic fantasy tale. After two long years, his fans are turning on him, his publisher is panicking, and the network executives have announced they’re hiring a team of scriptwriters to finish (a.k.a. ruin) his legacy for him.In dire need of solitude, he escapes to the Island of Eden for two distraction-free months so he can pull off the impossible—write an entire novel from start to finish. All he wants is peace and quiet, but when disaster strikes, he’s forced to rely on irritating-but-beautiful Emma to deliver more than just three meals a day. Putting Pierce and Emma together is like combining orange juice and toothpaste. Will their differences be their ruin or will they be the secret ingredient to each other’s success?

Whisked Away is a romance that I loved the humor of. The awkwardness, self awareness, and occasional klutziness were my favorite moments of the book. Emma wants to be a head chef, but she wants to earn it. Pierce is an author that has a hard time with the right words in real life- even though he gets it right on paper. he coming together of our couple is well done, and I thought their conflicts were well chosen. I did start to lose interest waiting for the couple to find their way to a happy ending, but there were some really good interactions along the way. I liked the characters, I greatly enjoyed some of the banter and family drama/helping. I liked some of the secondary characters and the settings. I did think that the vague pop culture references- with some changes- were a little over done and result in the story not aging well. Granted some of the references were slight enough that something resent will fit the bill, but I just thought there was too much of it. However, I never really got lost in the book or over eager to read the previous or next book. It was good, an enjoyable weekend read, but it was not a stand out for me.  

Whisked Away is a contemporary romance with a nice blend of humor and moments that make you want to kick the characters. I am glad I read it.

Early Book Review: Max's Box: Letting Go of Negative Feelings by Brian Wray, Shiloh Penfield

Max's Box: Letting Go of Negative Feelings was written  by Brian Wray and illustrated by Shiloh Penfield. It is currently scheduled for release on September 28 2019. Max's parents give him a very special gift: a tiny, magical box that will hold everything, from his toys to his feelings. Max learns, however, that feelings can't be put away as easily as toys. Each negative emotion he feels—anger, embarrassment, sadness, loneliness—gets added to the box, which grows and grows. Eventually it is so large that it keeps him from doing what he loves, like riding his bike and climbing trees. With some help from his friends and family, Max is able to turn the box into something beautiful and let it go. A parents' guide explains how well-intentioned adults often encourage children, especially young boys, to ignore and “put away” their feelings instead of learning to fully live with them. This simple but powerful story not only teaches children how to “control” their emotions but discourages suppressing them, the illustrations becoming more colorful and vibrant as Max moves out from his box’s shadow.

Max's Box: Letting Go of Negative Feelings is a book about emotions and how to deal with the negative feelings that can grow and linger if not dealt with. I like that there is a parent's guide, because just reading a story and talking about this subject and reading a book once is not enough. Sometimes we parents need to help children process and express their emotions, including negative ones, so that they can be let go and move on. I thought the image of the box growing larger and getting heavier with each upsetting emotion is very accessible to young children and I think they will be able to recognize how that feels in their own life. I loved the turning point when an act of kindness and some good emotions lead to the release of all the emotional baggage Max had been carrying around. I think the simplicity and subtle colors of the illustrations further the understanding and make the book that much more enjoyable to read.

Max's Box: Letting Go of Negative Feelings is a wonderful book for young children and their caregivers to explore alone and together. I could see it also being useful in schools and day cares to help the youngest students on the path to emotional life skills.