Early Book Review: Mr Squirrel & the Moon by Sebastian Meschenmoser

Mr Squirrel & the Moon by Sebastian Meschenmoser is a picturebook currently schedule for release on January 1 2015. When Mr. Squirrel awakens to find that the moon has landed on his tree, he frantically tries to get rid of it before someone suspects him of stealing it and puts him in jail. But when he rolls the moon off of his tree, it's gets stuck on Mrs. Hedgehog's bristles and when the billy-goat arrives and butts it with his horns , and so on. Will the moon ever be the same again?

Mr Squirrel & the Moon opens with a wheel of cheese escaping a cart, and quickly the action and concern of Mr. Squirrel begins. Worried about being accused of theft, complete with illustrations for what he thinks life in prison would be like for him, Mr. Squirrel does everything he can to return the 'moon' to its proper place. I really liked that the characters look out for each other and work together rather than leaving the next implicated critter to take the fall. A fun and entertaining book with illustrations that bring the story to life.

I would recommend Mr Squirrel & the Moon to picturebook fans of all ages. while the story is a little silly, a wheel of cheese thought to be a stolen moon and images of critters in prison garb and a shared cell, at no point does it come off as cartoony. It is subtle and will draw in readers of all ages.

Top Five Blogs by Fantasy Authors: Real Life from Those that Give Us Fantasy

Blogs are a great way for authors to keep fans and interested parties up to date with their current projects, industry information and any pieces of their personal life that they are willing to share. This is an essential tool for staying in touch with the people that buy their books, so they can keep their audience satisfied. Here are some blogs from fantasy authors that do a fantastic job in informing and entertaining their audience.

My particular favorite is Neil Gaiman. He blogs about author events as well as what he is currently doing on both a personal and professional level. He even offers a message board which he actively participates in, links, downloads and video clips either about him or that he thinks will interest his fans. He really makes it evident that he values the people that appreciate his work and seems to be a genuine and nice person.

Another author that keeps their fans informed with tidbits from both professional and personal life is C.E Murphy. As a fellow mother, I find her day-to-day life as entertaining as her posts about her writing, though I am eagerly awaiting her next release. Maybe it is just the joy of knowing that everyone has the same kind of crazy moments with a new baby in the house, trying to loose the related weight, and still trying to be a productive member of society that makes me love her Livejournal entries.

Piers Anthony keeps a blog like newsletter, so I am including it since he does update regularly and allows access to past entries. He talks about his daily life, the books he is reading and his professional life. I find it interesting to read his perspective and unique voice as he describes news and life as well as his opinions on both.

Richelle Mead keeps her fans updated through Livejournal. Her updates are generally about her professional life, book tours, release dates and signings. However, her in depth description of the event are great, and she has an obvious appreciation for the fans that make it all possible.

Caitlin P. Kiernan is another Livejournal user. She keeps fans up to date with a balance of personal and business information. There are a fair number of posts about news and information that the author just found interested or wants to share with her readers. Her varying user icons and images she places in some of her posts are worth a look.

There are many other authors from this genre that blog, but due to the format, style or lack of frequent updates simply did not make my top five. An example is Laurell K Hamilton's blog. I love her sense of humor and read her Facebook posts and the content of her blog would be worth a look, but I am simply not fond of having to scroll an embedded window to read blog posts.

Book Review: Chernobyl's Wild Kingdom by Rebecca L. Johnson

Chernobyl's Wild Kingdom is a children's non fiction book by Rebecca L. Johnson. Early on April 26, 1986, Nuclear Reactor Number 4 at the Chernobyl power plant in northern Ukraine exploded. Within minutes, deadly radioactive fallout was raining down on the region, sweeping into southern Belarus and southwestern Russia. Pripyat, Ukraine, the city nearest the plant, was evacuated the next day. Almost three decades later, it is still a radioactive ghost town. Most people, including many scientists, assumed that the Zone would remain a barren wasteland for a very long time. But that's not what happened. To almost everyone's surprise, life in the Zone wasn't extinguished at all. In fact, in the decades since the nuclear disaster, Chernobyl's Exclusion Zone has become a green, thickly forested landscape. Wild boars, deer, elk, moose, foxes, bears, badgers, and several dozen wolf packs make their home there. So do insects, amphibians, reptiles, and hundreds of species of birds.

In Chernobyl's Wild Kingdom readers are introduced to a cast of international scientists investigating the Zone's wildlife. We see how the disaster happened and how it was handled in the hours, days, and weeks that followed. The speed and severity of the disaster is frankly frightening, and the rebound make by nature is amazing. The information about the wildlife that seems to be thriving in an environment that would kill humans leaves me hope that even if we continue to destroy what we have, innocent animals and organisms might still find a way to survive, and hopefully prosper. The Bank Voles and other small rodents have been extensively tested, and there are controversial theories that could answer the questions of how these little critters are thriving rather than mutating and dying. While there are animals, trees, and plants that seem to be mutation free, there are also a number of creatures showing a variety of mutations and changes. There are many answers here in this volume, and many new questions to be answered. There are lessons  we can learn from the events and aftermath at Chernobyl, some of which can apply to the more recent nuclear disaster at Fukushima, Japan, and to the globe's nuclear-energy future.

Chernobyl's Wild Kingdom is a well written and informative read. The events and aftermath of the disaster are terrifying and hold many secrets and opportunities for answers. The discoveries scientist have made there, and with the animals from there, can help us understand the ramifications of nuclear power and weapons, as well as how our use and care of them can effect the planet and all living things. 

Book Review: Grimm Memories by Janna Jennings

Grimm Memories by Janna Jennings is the second book in the Grimm Tales series. This young adult series is best read in order, jumping in here might work for some, but I think knowing the background is key to fully enjoying this book. It has been six months since Quinn and her friends returned home after barely escaping Elorium in A Grimm Legacy. However, not a day has gone by where they haven’t thought about returning to save Jack. Even their dreams are urging them to return to the strange world. Falling back into the fairy tale world, they find the situation even more dire than the way they left it. Jack has disappeared, and he’s not the only one. Elorium’s citizens are near panic as characters are missing and rumors are spreading about massive creatures roaming the sky. A rising darkness is enslaving the dreamers, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to discover who is an ally. 

Grimm Memories started off slowly, which worked for me. It gives readers a chance to remember the details about the characters and their connections as they fall back into the world of the series. I really enjoyed that the characters continued to grow, and that we get to know Andi, Quinn, Frederick, and Dylan all over again. The changes in Elorium are more drastic than one might expect after a six month absence, but with Andi and Dylan having horrible nightmares they are not surprised that things are not all sunshine and roses. Others are having nightmares, and people are vanishing. When they start trying to solve the mystery behind the missing people they are drawn into a conflict that is as unexpected as it is vast. The secrets behind Elorium’s origins and the true horrors of Herrchen’s schemes come to light. While all of this is going on, Andi and Dylan continue in their teasing ways, Fredrick and Quinn continue to be adorable in their awkwardness. They all hit some series growth, and the female characters (including newly met side characters) are all strong and determined women. 

Grimm Memories continues the series with strong characters, high action, and surprises. I greatly enjoyed the book and think that young adults and adults alike can enjoy this series. 

Toilet Training Books for Parents Informative Books to Help and Reassure

Toilet training is something all parents both dread and look forward to in our child's development. We look forward to having a diaper free house, but not the battles and set backs that can take place. Here are some books to read to help decide if your toddler is ready, and ideas and techniques that can help you and your child on the path to being completely diaper free.

My first suggestion to read is the Everything Potty Training Book. I picked this book up of the parent shelf at the library, along with some others, and found that it gave the best summary of everything I needed to know. It gave the expected information on how to tell if your child was ready to use the potty, and a great description of several of the most popular techniques for potty training. The overview gives parents the information and confidence necessary to work with their toddler and succeed in getting them using the potty as well as dealing with any setbacks and issues that might arise.

Stress-Free Potty Training is another book that gives the basics of several proven toilet training methods, and information to help you decide which is right for you and your child. Since every child is different, we as parents need to be open to suggestions and advise from the experts. These two books had the most comprehensive and functional information that I have seen.

For the fiercely determined, to get potty training done quickly you might be tempted to aim for Potty Train Your Child in Just One Day, but honestly, it is not really one day. The method includes laying a lot of groundwork in the months prior to potty training day, including things that might otherwise be included in the potty training process. However, the actual potty action does happen in one day. I did not actually try this intense but fun .sounding method, which hinges on an all day potty party with the child being trained, however many of the preparatory training was useful in my home, and the theory of the method does seem sound. There is also Potty Training in Less Than a Day and Potty Train in Three Days.

For a completely different tone, try The No-Cry Potty Training Solution, which focuses on methods that are more relaxed, and child driven. These methods might take longer, but are also less likely to have serious set backs and struggles than the more pressured methods. This book is ideal for people without time lines such as needing to have your child potty trained to continue in day care or go to Pre School. The process is much more relaxed for both you and your child.

For those of us with stubborn boys that know what they need to do, but don't want to stop playing on a regular basis I suggest Potty Training Boys the Easy Way which talks about all the different issues that can arise with potty training boys whether they are starting early or late.

Every child is different, and no one method will work for every child. This holds true for twins and multiples. I suggest reading several books, preferably borrowing them from a library before spending money on any and only buying the ones you find specifically useful. There are many more quality books on toilet training out there, these just happen to be some of the ones that I have read and found helpful in my quest potty train my son. I am sure that one my daughter is ready it will be a completely different experience.

Early Book Review: The Highland Dragon's Lady (Highland Dragon, #2) by Isabel Cooper

The Highland Dragon's Lady is the second book in the Highland Dragon series by Isabel Cooper. This historical romance is currently schedule for release on December 2nd 2014. Regina Talbot-Jones is an unconventional girl, whose family has fairly recently moved into a home with rumors of hauntings and curses. Her family has planned a rather ill-conceived séance, and her brother has invited one of his friends. She did not count on that friend being so handsome, or a dragon. Scottish Highlander Colin MacAlasdair has hidden his true nature for his entire life, but Regina has secrets of her own and soon he knows he has to have her. When everything goes wrong with the séance the pair will need to work together to save the group, and to discover is their attraction can withstand the initial spark and flame.

The Highland Dragon's Lady is a nice follow up to Legend of the Highland Dragon, made even better that while knowing the mythology and character set up from the first book made this one better- it is not necessary to read the books as a series, or even in order, to fully enjoy the characters and storyline. Regina is an unusual girl, which Colin knows on his first meeting with her- which is far from expected. She has a bit of a psychic gift of her own, which makes he understanding and rather accepting of Colin’s abilities. Colin and Reggie were both smart and adventurous characters, caring only about what others thought about them when it would effect those they care for. This makes them people I would want to hang out with. I liked their practicality and smarts, and their humor about the less that pleasant situation they find themselves in as a vengeful spirit, or something, is causing trouble. I really enjoyed the combination, and hope that we get to see Reggie’s brother find his own peace and relationship in a later book, even if it is as a background plot or small mention at some point in the future.

The Highland Dragon's Lady is a solid historical and paranormal romance. It is highly character and action driven, and I found myself putting off dinner making and hair brushing for my daughter a couple times so that I could read just a wee bit further. I am looking forward to seeing more from Cooper.

Book Review: Waistcoats & Weaponry by Gail Carriger

Waistcoats & Weaponry by Gail Carriger is the third book in the Finishing School series. I would recommend starting at the beginning of the series, as there is a growing storyline that requires the build up to fully enjoy the character interaction. Sophronia continues her second year at finishing school in style and with a steel-bladed fan secreted in the folds of her ball gown. Such a fashionable choice of weapon comes in handy when Sophronia, her best friend Dimity, sweet sootie Soap, and the charming Lord Felix Mersey stowaway on a train to return their classmate Sidheag to her werewolf pack in Scotland. No one suspected what--or who--they would find aboard that suspiciously empty train. Sophronia uncovers a plot that threatens to throw all of London into chaos and she must decide where her loyalties lie, once and for all. 

Waistcoats & Weaponry has the action and character development that I have come to expect from this series. There are twists and turns to the tale, and some surprises along the way. I liked the discoveries of strengths and weaknesses in their group, and their opponents. Sophronia continues to be a fun heroine, and is working hard to discover what she wants from life in the long run, and just what is going on in the world around them. Tension between Sophronia, Soap, and Felix is ramping up, and decisions need to be made. While I liked the high action and drama, I felt like the series has lost a little momentum and that this book is just the filler to string us all along to read the fourth book in the series. Although, I must admit that it does do that job admirably and I am now chomping at the bit for Manners & Mutiny, which should be released in November of 2015.  

If you have enjoyed the Finishing School series thus far then you need to read Waistcoats & Weaponry. I do not this it continues with the same quality of the two previous books, but it does hold some necessary story lines, sub plots, and precursors to the expected conclusion of the series. 

Book Review: Curtsies & Conspiracies by Gail Carriger

Curtsies & Conspiracies is the second book in the Finishing School series by Gail Carriger. Finishing school has been very different from what Sophronia expected. While she is learning how to act in society and be a lady, she is also learning how to be a spy. To make things even more interesting, Sophronia got mixed up in an intrigue over a stolen device and had a cheese pie thrown at her in a most horrid display of poor manners. Now, as she sneaks around the dirigible school, eavesdropping on the teachers' quarters and making clandestine climbs to the ship's boiler room, she learns that there is much more to a field trip to London than is apparent at first. Another conspiracy is afoot, one with dire implications for both supernaturals and humans. Sophronia must rely on her training to discover who is behind the dangerous plot, and survive the London Season with a full dance card.

Curtsies & Conspiracies is a pretty perfect follow up to Etiquette & Espionage. Sophronia and her fellow students are learning more about being a lady, vision, and more that just might be crucial to keep them alive and well suited for espionage. Sophronia continues making friends with an small group, and furthering the divide between herself and Monique. I love her silliness to put herself on the line for information and what she deems the greater good. I loved the verbal sparing and the underlaying tensions that really take off during the story. Her adventures made my breath catch a couple times, and the wit and humor woven through the story just made me laugh. If you enjoyed the first book, you need to keep on reading. 

Curtsies & Conspiracies was a great continuation to a fantastic series. I will admit that I enjoyed the first book more, since it involved more of the world building and growing work, but the character development and story growth made me so eager to read the next installment that I did so nearly immediately after finishing this book.

Three Series of Books Full of Allusions And Are Great, Fun Reads

I get a kick out of reading a book, watching a movie or television show, or reading an article when I get to use my mind more than expected. Literary or pop culture references that make me stop and smile or think really can increase my enjoyment of something if it is done correctly. Here are some books that use references to myths and literature in ways that made me enjoy the book even more. 

Here, There Be Dragons by James A. Owen is the first book in the Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica series. These series is full to the brim of references to authors, literature and myths. The main characters are three men from attached to Oxford University. The murder of an Oxford professor and the interference of a very strange man named Bert bind the three together and set them onto a path of adventure of mythic proportions. I do not want to tell you who the three main characters are, but I will say that they are all well known authors of their day, and it isn't said exactly who they are until near the end of the book, so I don't want to spoil it for you if you haven't already guessed. Through out this series there are allusions to Greek Mythology, Arthurian legends, Narnia, Oz and Pythia.

Michael Buckley has gifted us with The Sisters Grimm series of books, which begins with Fairy Tale Detectives. This book is marketed to children, but I honestly think anyone interested in the evolution of fairy tales will enjoy this series, I know that I do. In this series, we see two young girls who have bounced around in the foster care system since their parents disappeared. A grandmother the girls did not know still lived claims custody of the girls, and then their adventures really begin. Grandmother Grimm just happens to live in Ferryport, a town for fairy tale characters whether they are willing or not. The variety and depth to the fairy tale characters is fantastic, and worth the read. We see Prince Charming, the Big Bad Wolf, Snow White, and Peter Pan all trying to survive in today's world. The series is also honestly funny for children and adults without resorting to childish humor, it is witty and clever.

Another series heavy with literary references is Cornelia Funke's Inkheart and the two books that follow. Even though some of the allusions self referential to this series, much like in William Goldman's The Princess Bride, there are also allusions to actual books and legends. We see a major player come into the story line from Arabian Nights and references to several mythological creatures throughout the series. Even though the amount of references to known literary works is less in this series than in the ones I mentioned previously, it has the same feel to it.

There are of course several other workers that touch on mythology or commonly known literature to deepen their own plot and enrich their own stories. I think these authors did more than that, they expanded on the original works rather than simply borrowing from them.

Book Review: Lug, Dawn of the Ice Age by David Zeltser

Lug, Dawn of the Ice Age is a middle grade novel by David Zeltser. Lug is a caveboy who would rather paint than hit other people or animals with rocks. When Lug and another caveboy are banished for failing to catch a jungle llama, he thinks he is alone. Soon Lug finds others who believe in him; his clanmate Stony and a new friend, Echo, a girl from a rival clan who can talk to animals and just may be prehistory's first vegetarian/animal rights activist. Together they face even bigger challenges. Lug discovers the Ice Age is coming and he has to bring the warring clans together to save them not only from the freeze but also from a particularly unpleasant migrating pride of saber-toothed tigers.

Lug, Dawn of the Ice Age is a wild ride, with social commentary on the side. In a world where hitting someone in the head with a rock is the height of social discourse. Everyone needs to follow the rules of the ‘Big Man’ who leads their tribe or risk death or banishment. Lug had to hide his love of art, since brute force is the only thing that gained acceptance, he is bullied and an outsider even before being banished. Failing to capture a jungle llama for a competition against another clan was the trigger to get him banished, but even before that he really did not fit in. Lug is a thinker, dealing with bullies and being different. In his journey with Stony after being banished he discovers that his differences are not necessarily bad. His observations and art are what make him special, just like the odd things about his new friends are in truth their strengths. So while readers are entertained by kids fighting for survival and humor winding its way through the tale, they also get encouragement to be themselves and follow their own convictions. 

Lug, Dawn of the Ice Age is a great survival tale, full of adventure and humor. There is also a great deal about coming of age and being treat yourself. I think readers with a variety of interests will greatly appreciate the book, and come away from it both excited and feeling ready to face their own challenges.