Book Review: CliFF the Failed Troll (Warning: There Be Pirates in This Book!) by Barbara Davis-Pyles, Justin Hillgrove

CliFF the Failed Troll (Warning: There Be Pirates in This Book!), written by Barbara Davis-Pyles and illustrated by Justin Hillgrove, is about feeling different and embracing who we are. A troll named Cliff who isn't very good at sitting still or being a "proper" troll. He'd much rather be a pirate anyway! "Ahoy!" he shouts upon meeting other trolls, who then remind him that the proper troll hello is "Go away!" After a report card full of Fs in bridge building, stoney staring, and even goat gobbling (he's a vegetarian!), Cliff sets off for pirate school. But are things different for him there? Aye, that they arrrre!

CliFF the Failed Troll is fun, cute, and supportive read. I really loved the art style. I thought the pictures were bold and interesting, and cute while not being overly so. I really enjoyed the style and think it was a perfect match to the text and mood of the book. The story was fun, as a trill struggles through school but in following his interests and heart finding a place that is just right. I think kids, and adults, need to remember that thinking differently or being interested in different things can be an asset rather than a problem if we can find the way to utilize it. I think adults exploring this book with young readers can be reminded of how valuable these differences can be in their child while the young readers get to see that there are different expectations in different places, and for different skills. 

This humorous story is about appreciating who we are and knowing there is a place where we fit in the world.

Early Book Review: Pepper Page Saves the Universe! by Landry Q. Walker, Eric Jones

Pepper Page Saves the Universe! is a graphic novel with script by Landry Q. Walker and art by Eric Jones. It is currently scheduled for release on February 16 2021. The year is 2421. Awkward and shy, Pepper buries herself in the universe of the classic fictional superhero Supernova to avoid dealing with the perils of the 9th grade. But then fate intervenes when Pepper encounters a strange cat named Mister McKittens and stumbles into a volatile science experiment run by a sinister substitute teacher named Doctor Killian. Pepper is flung into another dimension, bringing her face to face with an order of cosmic beings who declare her to be the steward of their great power, champion of harmony in the universe, protector of worlds present and past. Now, in the 21st Century, Pepper finds that she herself is the real Supernova. But as Pepper soon learns, escapist fantasy and reality are two very different things.

Pepper Page Saves the Universe! is a graphic novel for middle grade and older readers that is a fun read, but still covers some of the emotional aspects of the age group. Pepper is an orphan that is bullied and just does not feel she fits in, so gets lost in comic books. I think this feeling- that of being left out and looked down on- is one that most people can relate to on some level, even if they are not really outside the more popular peer groups. I thought the story set up and execution was very well done, with some good twists and nice resolution. The artwork nicely matched and enhances the story. The color choices were on point, as were the details and expressions. Since I was reading a digital proof, there were some pages that were clearly not the final product, and I think the final version will be absolutely wonderful. I am hoping that this series continues and I get to read more about Pepper Page. 

 

Pepper Page Saves the Universe! is a fun and entertaining graphic novel that I think many readers will enjoy.

Early Book Review: Amigurumi Crochet: Farm and Forest Animals by Kristen Rask

Amigurumi Crochet: Farm and Forest Animals by Kristen Rask is currently scheduled for release on February 16 2021. These patterns come from talented artists around the world, with tips and tricks for learning amigurumi, the Japanese art of crocheting adorable companions. Crochet yourself a wide-eyed owl, a huggable fox, a napping fawn, a pig with an adorable curly tail, and more. These animals make for great decorations around your home, unique gifts for your friends and family, and something to keep in the car or backpack as a furry companion! The book offers a glossary of crochet terms for beginners, easy instructions to follow, and helpful photos to make sure you're on track with each of these projects. The patterns: Cow, Pig, Chick, Giraffe, Bird, Koala, Bear Pod, Dog, Alpaca, Peter Pilot Duck, Owl, Bunny, Beaver, Bear, Fish, Hedgehog, Cats, Fox, Raccoon, Fawn, Squirrel, Kitten, Mouse, Skunk, and Tortoise.

Amigurumi Crochet: Farm and Forest Animals is a solid crochet pattern and instruction book. It offers readers exactly what the title promises, and does it well. I liked that it included the tools and tricks that help beginning crocheters find comfort and success in the process. I thought the instructions and corresponding pictures were very well done, and would be easy for beginners to follow and understand. I do think that more advanced crafters are likely to skip the beginning of the book and go just for the pattern they want or need. Most of the patterns are also similar to those I have seen before, but they are all well done. I would recommend this book for crocheters that are just starting to make the stuffed toys, or plan on making many of them. Otherwise, I would recommend this book for libraries, for checking out when you need to make one of these for the first time, or to revisit a specific pattern. 

Book Review: Much Ado About You by Samantha Young

Much Ado About You by Samantha Young is a contemporary romance. At thirty-three-years old Evangeline Starling’s life in Chicago is missing that special something. And when she’s passed over for promotion at work, Evie realizes she needs to make a change. Some time away to regain perspective might be just the thing. In a burst of impulsivity, she plans a holiday in a quaint English village. The holiday package comes with a temporary position at Much Ado About Books, the bookstore located beneath her rental apartment. There’s no better dream vacation for the bookish Evie, a life-long Shakespeare lover. Not only is Evie swept up in running the delightful store as soon as she arrives, she’s drawn into the lives, loves and drama of the friendly villagers. Including Roane Robson, the charismatic and sexy farmer who tempts Evie every day with his friendly flirtations. Evie is determined to keep him at bay because a holiday romance can only end in heartbreak, right? But Evie can’t deny their connection and longs to trust in her handsome farmer that their whirlwind romance could turn in to the forever kind of love.

Much Ado About You is a romance with a great deal of world and character building, in the very best ways. Evie is in the midst of figuring out where she want to be in her life. Her vacation getaway might not seem ideal to many- having to work at a book store on vacation- but I have actually seen the adds for this type of thing (like the author) and frankly wold love this. I loved the detail put into building the small town community, and the relationships and families with all their connections that make it up. I also loved watching Evie become more comfortable in her own skin, and in the community. The town and side stories had me just as enthralled as the relationship between Evie and Roane- although I feel like I could have told you what the conflict between them would be fairly early on in the book. There were a lot of things going on in the story, and I thought it was all really well done. There were a couple moment that did not work for me- either because of a turn of phrase or something minor like that. However, I really enjoyed the read and plan and reading more from the author. 

Much Ado About You is and engaging and entertaining read with plenty of feels. 

Early Book Review: Armor & Animals by Liz Yohlin Baill

Armor & Animals by Liz Yohlin Baill is a children's nonfiction book currently scheduled for release on February 23 2021. What do knights in shining armor have to do with slimy snails and porcupines? A lot, actually! This book  brings together two things kids love to provide an entryway into the world of art and history. The armor collection at the Philadelphia Museum of Art provides the remarkable helmets, shields, and more that appear in the book. Text is paired with bright, modern graphics and real-life armor informs kids about art and animals in tandem. A rhino crashes into a knight, teaching kids that a group of rhinos is called a crash—so stay out of the way! Dragons may be imaginary, but a fire-breathing dragon etched on armor can still make a horse look extra tough. Kids can consider the helmets, goggles, and other "armor" they use that help make their own activities safer, and connect art to their world as they learn.

Armor & Animals is an interesting and engaging look at how armor and animals compare. I liked seeing how armor mimic some animal's features, and how some armor was made for horses that would be in battle. I thought the text was well done and balanced nicely with the visuals. I liked the images of both armor and animals, and enjoyed the general idea of the book. I liked the focus on the art of the armor, and the intent behind some of the features. I think it will hold the interest of many readers, and maybe inspire further reading on animal defenses or the history and uses of armor. 

Early Book Review: Kaleidoscope of Creatures: The Colors of Nature Explained by Cath Ard

Kaleidoscope of Creatures: The Colors of Nature Explained by Cath Ard is a children's nonfiction book currently scheduled for release on February 16 2021. Why are animals so amazingly colorful? Find out in this kaleidoscopic look at the technicolor world of animals. Meet animals of every color of the rainbow and find out why they are the colors and patterns they are. Discover the reason why some animals are stripy and others are spotty. Why do some creatures deliberately pop out while others strive to blend in? Why are some bright to warn off others while some only pretend to look toxic? Why are some male animals so much more flamboyant than their female counterparts? Why do some babies look so different from the grown-ups in their families? The animal kingdom is explored like never before in this richly detailed natural history book, bursting with life and color.

Kaleidoscope of Creatures is a well organized and interesting look at the colors of nature. I liked that it was organized by color, and then additional pages for reasons behind some of the unique color schemes- like warning and camouflage. I found the family tree other informational pages at the beginning of the book to be interesting to read and explore. I thought the illustrations for each page were bold and kept the reader engaged and interested.  The information was well chosen and explained. While I wish there was a section of suggested reading or something in that vein at the end of the book, I was pleased to see a nice glossary and index.

Kaleidoscope of Creatures is a colorful and interesting resource. I think it would be a good addition to classrooms and libraries. 

Early Book Review: Space Is Cool as F*ck by Kate Howells

Space Is Cool as F*ck by Kate Howells is an adult nonfiction book. It is currently scheduled for release on February 16 2021. From astrophysics to rocket science to the future of space exploration, it explains everything you thought you’d never understand about the universe in plain-old filthy English. We’re talking Big Bang, aliens, black holes, time travel, degenerate astronomers, and all the fundamental things you take for granted until you stop and think (like matter—what is this sh*t, really?). Alongside the knowledge bombs are 100 wild illustrations, photographs, and original artwork from 40 young international artists curated by Brooklyn designer Cynthia Larenas. Space is awesome, space is absolutely bananas, and space is for everyone.

Space Is Cool as F*ck is a guide to the fundamentals of space, and the building blocks of it all, written by and for regular people that just like space and learning a bit about it. If swearing bothers you, and the title was not enough warning for you, than you might want to skip the read. There is swearing on every page, and it reads like a conversation with someone that uses expletives for adjectives and punctuation. Back in my bar band days I have had many an intelligent and/or philosophical discussion- and recently had conversations about the current state of, well everything, with the same tone. So, it does not bother me but I do know it bothers others. I liked the honest, frank, and plain language approach to explaining the fundamentals of physics and space, and while I have read a great deal on the subject, I feel like I was better able to understand and retain the information than I have in more traditional books on the matter. I really enjoyed the read, and felt like I was entertained and educated in equal measure. I think the only thing I would have wanted was a section of suggested resources for further reading, but I always want that so it is not an unexpected gripe from me, and perhaps that is in the finished product.

Space Is Cool as F*ck is a frank and swear filled exploration of space, and the building blocks of our universe.  

Early Book Review: The Book of Tiny Creatures by Nathalie Tordjman, Julien Norwood, and Emmanuelle Tchoukriel

The Book of Tiny Creatures by Nathalie Tordjman, Julien Norwood, and Emmanuelle Tchoukriel is currently scheduled for release on February 16 2021. In the air, on the ground, and in the water, incredible tiny creatures are all around us! They may be small, but they live remarkable lives. This book introduces young learners to spiders, butterflies, worms, snails, and even the world's heaviest insect, the Little Barrier Island giant weta. It teaches children fascinating facts through interactive quizzes, detailed seek-and-find scenes, and hands-on activities, like how to make a snail terrarium. 

The Book of Tiny Creatures is a children's nonfiction book for those that want to learn about the tiny creatures that we share the world with. The illustrations are very detailed, and many are so details and perfectly shaded that I thought they might be photographs. I think this might be even more true for those holding a paper copy rather than a digital galley- which inherently will have some color, formatting, and digitization issues. I thought the balance between text and illustrations was very nicely done. The information was well chosen and straight forward. I also thought the inclusion of little quizzes and the seek and finds was good. Letting young readers test and try out their knowledge and challenging them in different ways keeps them interested and engaged, and makes it more likely that they will retain the information and interest in learning more on the topic. Similarly, I liked the extra, hands on projects that were included for interested readers. I think several will be favorite projects for some readers.

Early Book Review: The Rainforest Book by Charlotte Milner

The Rainforest Book by Charlotte Milner is a children's nonfiction book currently scheduled for release on February 2 2021. Sweep aside the liana vines, hop over the giant roots of the kapok tree, and follow the sound of the howler monkey as you venture into the tropical rainforest. Find out about some of the amazing animals that live there, learn about the enormous variety of life-giving plants, and discover why the Amazon rainforest is known as the 'lungs' of our Earth. In this book, Charlotte Milner continues to highlight the important ecological issues faced by our planet, following on from The Bee Book, The Sea Book, and The Bat Book. Did you know that over half of our planet's wildlife live in the rainforest? And that at least two meters of rain falls in the rainforest every year? The world's rainforests are packed with amazing animals and plants, from the deadly poison dart frog, to the stinky rafflesia flower--there is plenty to discover! As our planet's climate crisis becomes even more critical, with forest fires raging in the Amazon, The Rainforest Book is the perfect way to introduce little nature-lovers to this enchanting yet threatened world. This celebration of the rainforest shows children just how important it is, and reminds them that it is up to us to care for our planet and its wildlife.

The Rainforest Book is a well researched, illustrated, and written book. I thought the information was very interesting, and I learned a few new things even though I thought myself well versed on the subject. I liked that the information was well rounded but straightforward with no judgement, just the facts. I thought the illustrations and page formats were very well thought out and executed. It captured, built up, and maintained my attention, and I expect it will do the same for other readers. I also liked that in all the information, there is also detailed things that can help readers make choices that will lessen their impact on the environment in general, and the rainforests specifically. There are opportunities for the readers to get hands on, and to have an impact. My only complaint is one I often have with nonfiction materials, and that is that there was no suggested reading or similarly themed addition in the endpages. I was glad for the creature index, but suggested books, websites, or organizations listed in one place at the end of the book would make me very happy.

I think fans of Milner's previous book will want to add The Rainforest Book to their collection. Readers that have not been following this collection, but love learning about nature and the environment will also get a great deal from this book.

Book Review: Her Turn by Allison Jones

Her Turn by Allison Jones is a contemporary romance. Addie Snyder’s first novel is becoming an overnight sensation. Unprepared for being thrust in the limelight, she is desperate to shelter her brother, Owen, who has Down syndrome. After her father abandoned them when Owen was just a baby, she is his sole guardian after her mother passed away. She must protect him from the harsh world, but how can she do that with public events coming up? An unlikely ally in her cold and emotionless publicist, Jameson Ford. As a former Navy Seal, Jameson has his own demons, but there is something about Addie that defrosts his icy wall. Together, they navigate the twists and turns as her book becomes a world-wide phenomenon. Her life becomes even more complicated when her long-lost father arrives threatening to take Owen away from her and her distant relatives trying to hoard in on Addie’s success. But, through the drama, Addie maintains her humor while popping chocolate kisses as if they were Xanax and seeking solace behind her computer creating stories that fill her soul. Even though all of her dreams are coming true, no one can prepare her for what lies ahead. It’s true when they say, be careful what you wish for.

Her Turn is a book that started with great potential, lost me, and then almost brought me back. I thought that the emotional drama and stakes that the story began with had me wondering what was going to happen, curious about family secrets, and eager to know more. The marketing as a bookish romantic comedy did not really fit with that opening, or most of the book either. Once the story got moving along I almost put it away. I am not an author, certainly not a published novelist. However, I have worked in libraries with two, and talk to several online regularly. A debut novel- unless by a already famous individual- does not get the fanfare, interviews, and publicist even if your agent is a friend. Yes, an independently wealthy author could very well make some of these things happen, but a debut author that would happily dodge the spotlight would not get this treatment. I know authors on their second or third series, already established and popular in their genre, that do not come close to getting this kind of attention. This disconnect made it really hard for more to get lost in the story and empathize with Addie in many situations. Maybe that is why I could not really connect with the characters. There are regular comments about Jameson's PTSD and Addie's emotional issues- but most of the time it felt like a reminder to readers that so and so has these issues, but rarely did they have any role to play in the actual story. The majority of actual use of Addie's issues were found in her internal monologues, which I guess were what were supposed to make this a comedy. While some of it was funny, it felt unnecessary most of the time. I did like that readers got to see a bit of the thought process for the secondary character- it made their actions and interactions more believable in the context of the story. There were some good character moments, some good twists, but I felt like maybe the author tried to put too much into one book. 

Her Turn is a romance that I had some issues with, but think other readers might enjoy more.