Early Book Review: Tales of Bunjitsu Bunny by John Himmelman

Tales of Bunjitsu Bunny by John Himmelman is a children's chapter book that is currently scheduled for release on October 28 2014. Isabel, is so good at martial arts that she is called  Bunjitsu Bunny! She can throw farther, kick higher, and hit harder than anyone else! But she never hurts another creature unless she has to. This book is a series of short stories about Isabel's adventures. The chapter length tales are a combination of child-friendly scenarios and Eastern wisdom perfect for the youngest readers.

Tales of Bunjitsu Bunny is a transitional book, great for readers that have just made the jump to chapter books, and those that are starting to head in that direction. Isabel is a smart and strong bunny, she works hard to study both the physical and mental aspects of bunjitsu. She has the skill and strength to take down any opponent, but each brief story show readers that compromise, compassion, and respect for others can win most battles. Each of the stories are simple, and have a nice balance of entertainment and a lesson.

I would recommend Tales of Bunjitsu Bunny for transitional readers and up. the book is simple enough for readers that are still getting the hang of independent reading, without boring more advanced readers. I think that children learning martial arts, or struggling with the idea of using your mind and words before resorting to physical threats or action would particularly relate to the stories.

Book Review: Egg and Spoon by Gregory Maguire

Egg and Spoon by Gregory Maguire is a middle grade fantasy novel. Elena Rudina lives in the impoverished Russian countryside. Her father has been dead for years, and her mother lies dying as her brothers have left home. One brother was taken into the Tsar’s army and the other taken as a servant in the house of the local landowner. There is no food, and very little hope. Then a train arrives in the village carrying a noble family destined to visit the Tsar in Saint Petersburg—a family that includes Ekaterina, a girl of Elena’s age. Lives collide and an adventure is set in motion, an escapade that includes mistaken identity, a monk locked in a tower, and Baba Yaga complete with her house perched on chicken legs.

Egg and Spoon is a book that takes the prince and the pauper along with classic tales of Russian folklore and turns them on their heads. Elena is our pauper, she has nothing- no food and a dwindling family- but she does have innocence and a few people that care for her deeply. Ekaterina has so much food that she refuses to eat everything on her plate in fear of gaining weight, but has only a great aunt that cares for her. When their lives intertwine everything changes, for everyone. Baba Yaga, the firebird, and the ice dragon all have their roles to play- as does a legendary Faberge Egg and a visit to the Tsar. I found the story itself to be delightful, and I loved the twists to folklore and the preconceived notions that everyone had about themselves and each other. What I did find distracting was the pacing. I felt like it took me forever to read this book, but I wanted to found out how things came together enough to finish the book. It just seemed to plod along. 

Gregory Maguire is a name you might recognize as the author of Wicked and it's sequels. So it is no surprise to readers that know this to find the take on Baba Yaga is not what you might expect in Egg and Spoon. If you have not ventured into Maguire's adult fiction, then his thorough descriptions and attention to detail might have caught you unaware. The same could be said for his unusual take on mythology and the struggles of class. 

I would recommend Egg and Spoon to Maguire fans, and those that enjoy highly descriptive fiction. There is fantasy, and the struggles of young people trying to find their way. However, I think adults will be the ones most likely to enjoy the book, as its slow pace might lose younger readers along the way.

Book Review: Christmas Crochet for Hearth, Home & Tree by Edie Eckman

Christmas Crochet for Hearth, Home & Tree  by Edie Eckman is a helpful pattern collect for Christmas crochet projects. The projects include Christmas stockings, ornaments, and more. Beginners and experienced crocheters will get a lot out of the useful technique tutorials and will want to jump right in and start one of these twenty projects. 

Christmas Crochet for Hearth, Home & Tree is a collection of projects that would be great for decorating you home for the holiday, or for giving away as gifts. Projects include a variety of stockings, ornaments and garland for trees, small tabletop trees, and embellishments for pillows and walls. I found the patterns to be easily understood and includes both the written pattern and a symbol chart. Each is also labeled with the recommended skill level, so crafters can decide what they want to complete. I was also very happy to see a variety pf stick techniques used, some of which add a special texture or look than the more ordinary crafts. 

Christmas Crochet for Hearth, Home & Tree is a well organized book, with very detailed patterns to help even the less experienced crafters successfully complete the projects. This is a solid resource for crocheters looking for holiday craft ideas.

Early Book Review: Excavate! Dinosaurs by Jon Tennant

Excavate! Dinosaurs by Jon Tennant is a non fiction book for dinosaur fans seven and up that is currently scheduled for release on October 21 2014. Paleontologist Jon Tennant uses fun text and colorful illustrations explains the anatomy, habitat, and diet of 12 dinosaurs from the Cretaceous, Jurassic, and Triassic eras. The book includes pop-out pieces of their skeletons for kids to assemble into stand-up paper models. The challenge lies in the fact that the pieces are mixed up! Before the puzzles can be completed, kids must apply their new knowledge about the dinosaurs to figure out which pieces go together. 

Excavate! Dinosaurs is a well organized and interesting book for dinosaurs of all ages. The illustrations and short paragraphs of information come together well to interest and educate readers. The detailed information, organized by someone in the field, made for interesting reading that might inspire further research and interest in the field of paleontology. Since I read a digital copy I did not have the chance to test my skills in putting together the mixed up pieces of model dinosaur bones, or test out their durability. I think that my son would love this activity, as long os the pieces are sturdy but flexible enough. 

Excavate! Dinosaurs is a book that would be a good gift or addition to the home library for any child that is interested in dinosaurs. The information is well organized and offered small sections to keep the interest of readers without overwhelming them. 

Book Review: How to Knit by Leslie Ann Bestor

How to Knit by Leslie Ann Bestor is a well organized guide for learning how to knit. It has simple, fully illustrated instructions lead you step by step through the basics of knitting. This includes choosing the right needles, choosing yarn, reading a knitting pattern, casting on, executing knit and purl stitches, binding off, and blocking finished projects. Important techniques for increasing, decreasing, and repairing mistakes are also included. Even if you've never held a pair of knitting needles before, this easy-to-follow guide will have you knitting comfortably quickly.

How to Knit is a good basic guide. My mother has always been an avid crafter. She does just about everything to do with yarn or thread. I can do most sewing projects and am an avid crocheter, but had not yet mastered knitting. This guide is easy to understand and well organized. It is a great guide for new knitters as well as those that already know the basics but might need a refresher. I had not gotten much past casting on before reading and following the directions in this book, but now feel comfortable with some basic stitches and patterns.

While crochet will always be my favorite, I feel much more comfortable in the realm of knitting after reading How to Knit. The writing and illustrations are easy to understand, and offer encouragement and instruction without talking down to the readers. This book is a good resource for getting started in knitting. 

Book Review: The Wrenchies by Farel Dalrymple

The Wrenchies by Farel Dalrymple is a graphic novel about a demented future where evil shadowmen oppress all of the remaining life on Earth. Children have formed gangs, and it is the ruthless Wrenches gang that seems the best suited to stand against the shadowmen. Hollis, a boy from our world, gains access to the world the Wrenches live in, and somehow finds a home there. However, that is not an easy place to live. This is a science fiction graphic novel about regret, obsession, and the uncertainty of growing up. 

The Wrenches is a graphic novel that left me torn. I loved the ragtag groups of kids struggling to survive and fighting against evil. I liked the fact that there were questions throughout about just what they were fighting for and against. However, I also found myself confused and rereading bits here and there to try to figure out if I missed something. The story, the drama, and the action were all very well done. But, I still found myself confused on occasion. The artwork is very distinctive, clearing showing the filth and distortion of the world the Wrenches were surviving. Because of that, I just did not find it visually appealing, even though I know it certainly had a purpose and portrayed the atmosphere, characters, and emotions better because of that style. 

The Wrenchies is a very well done graphic novel for teens and adults. It is gritty and unpolished, and feels all the more real and emotional because of that. I think that while I like my graphic novels a little prettier, I can see that this raw and emotional story about youth and growing up will appeal to a large number of teens and adults. 

Book Review: Sam's Pet Temper by Sangeeta Bhadra

Sam's Pet Temper written by Sangeeta Bhadra  and illustrated by Marion Arbona is picturebook about Sam, a young boy who gets so frustrated waiting his turn at the playground that a Temper shows up. The beast-like temper quickly empties the playground and Sam happily plays alone with his new pet. Sam soon discovers that once unleashed his Temper follows him everywhere, causing more and more trouble, until Sam realizes he needs to put a stop to it, but how? 

Sam's Pet Temper tells a story that can entertain just about everyone. The depiction of Sam’s Temper by illustrator Marion Arbona is perfect. At first he is almost cute, and definitely mischievous. Something most kids would enjoy playing with. It is only when the temper gets Sam into trouble and starts growing that readers see that a temper can be a serious problem. I liked the combination of understanding that anyone can have a temper that gets out of control along with the message that everyone can get that temper in check with some simple tools or help. All in all, I found the story both fun and a great resource for families and school environments. 

Sam's Pet Temper is a book that tells the story about finding, losing control of, and reigning in a temper. Kids can relate to the situations while family, caregivers, and teachers can use the book to open up discussion about tempers controlling them as well.  I think both adults and children can enjoy this story about Tempers and how to deal with them. 

Book Review: Little Green Peas: A Big Book of Color by Keith Baker

Little Green Peas: A Big Book of Color by Keith Baker is the latest picture book adventure for the energetic little peas we met in LMNO Peas. In this book the passel of playful peas keeps it green as they experience the colorful world around them. There are red kites, yellow buses, purple mountains, and more! The pages are bright and bold, full of peas with a wide range of personalities and adventures as they explore color.

Little Green Peas is a fun, and adorable, way to explore colors with kids. The enthusiastic peas explore a rainbow of colors, one at a time. The peas each have their own personalities, and their little side conversations and activities make this a great book for repeat reading. You can find something new to enjoy and smile at every time you look at the book. My son, who loves Where’s Waldo and the I Spy books for the searching fun, definitely loved take a few passes through this to see if he could spot something funny each time through.

I would highly recommend Little Green Peas for sharing in a classroom or at home. It is great for teaching colors, reinforcing color lessons, and for a fun read. 

Book Review: Parched, A Vampire Romance by Z.L Arkadie

Parched, A Vampire Romance is the first book in the Parched series by Z.L Arkadie.   Clarity Parker has wealthy but very distant parents that have always run her life. As an Advertising Executive thought she'd never see Baron Ford, the one person she had dated and felt effected by, again. Now he's back and has asked that she, exclusively, be assigned to his multi-million dollar account. Clarity tries to avoid Baron but when he finally catches up to her he issues a warning--things are not safe for her anymore. Clarity's entire world comes crashing down. But there is no time to get answers because Baron was right, her life is in danger, and so is his.

Parched has a fresh take on the mythology of fallen angel and the world as we know it. I liked that Clarity is smart, she is resilient, and takes the huge problems and changes to her life in a better stride than I might. She has never gotten close to anyone, since knowing what others think of you makes for tough going at school and in relationships. Her family is rich, and she has been brought up to insist on the very best of everything, and has always just done what she is told to avoid conflict or anger from her parents. When she discovers that everything she knows to be truth is skewed, life becomes a wee bit more challenging. Vampires and an Evil force are out to kill her and anything else that gets in their way. But with everything up in the air knowing who to trust and what to believe is nearly impossible. Baron holds some secrets, and great danger. Then there are sisters she did not know she had and  heritage and series of challenges that she had no notion of.

I really liked the set up, and all of the world building. I will admit that I am always a little disappointed in heroines or set up that include loads of money to aid in getting out of problems, forcing characters to find their own gifts always seems more impressive to me. I also was annoyed at how Clarity just did whatever her parents told her with no questions asked. What tween or teen never asked why or rebelled at least a little? I might read on, only because I liked the premise and some of the twists and turns in the story. However, I will admit that there were times when I found myself a little bored and waiting for the next big event to come and shake things up.

I enjoyed the unique premise in Parched, and the action was awesome while it was happening. I think that this book could have been a little shorter and more condensed, and the main character have a bit more backbone, but the world building balanced some of that out. I am unsure if I will continue, but readers that love books about angels and the related mythology of what happens when they get cozy with humans, might want to check this out. 

Early Book Review: Wizard Lizard Rides the Subway by Dr Dan & Bli Dugi

Wizard Lizard Rides the Subway by Dr Dan & Bli Dugi is a children’s book currently scheduled for release on October 14 2014. This book is book two in the The Principle Gang series. Danny the Wizard Lizard and Bli the Fly receiving positive attention for their mission to rid the world of bullying. In recognition of their great work, Mrs. Gecko, their school counselor, registers The Principle Gang for an anti-bullying conference in New York City. Enlisting the driving talents of Mrs. Fly, Danny the Wizard Lizard and Bli the Fly make the long drive to the Big Apple for the conference. 

Wizard Lizard Rides the Subway has some fun, and some serious points. Danny and Bli get to travel and experience the city including speeding taxis, street food, and the subway. Then at the conference, The Principle Gang shares their three rules to prevent bullying: don’t be mean; tell your teacher; and, be a friend. The trip is a fun success, adding a large number of others to their anti bullying group. Now, I like the message, and the story is not horrible, but it just does not call to me. I think there are a large number of kids that will see that the book has an agenda and not be interested, even if they agree with the agenda. The artwork has a cartoony feel, very digital looking. 

I think there is a place for Wizard Lizard Rides the Subway in classrooms, but I think it is better suited to targeted discussions about bully prevention rather than expecting kids to find the book and chose to read it on their own.