Book Review: Farm Animals and Wild Animals (Animal Bites) from Animal Planet

Farm Animals is part of the Animal Bites series from Animal Planet. This is a children’s non fiction book with more than 200  animal photos of cows, pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, llamas, and others. It includes a habitat-by-habitat guide that offers young readers a bite-sized view of their favorite farm animals. The book is divided by theme, including animal behavior and family relationships, animal bodies, baby animals, food, play time, conservation and more. There are Quick Bites sidebars with cool animal facts, simple infographics, and illustrated maps of life in on the farm and at the petting zoo.

Wild Animals is part of the Animal Bites series from Animal Planet, like Farm AnimalsThis book the same abundance of photography of lions, giraffes, ibexes, flamingos, hippopotamuses, and many others as well as the habitat-by-habitat guide of  wild animals. Arranged thematically with focus on animal behavior and family relationships, young readers will explore sections about animal bodies, baby animals, food, play time, conservation and more. Special book features designed for this age group include Quick Bites sidebars with cool animal facts, simple infographics, and illustrated maps of life in the African Savannah and Amazon rain forest.


It looks like this entire series would be a nice addition to any library, including personal  collections. The photograph are crisp, bright, and sometimes beautiful. I think the photography work alone will capture the attention of young readers. The information, especially the Animal Bites in the sidebars are well worded and organized to keep the interest of young readers while still being very informative. I think animal lovers will quickly take to this book, and not want to giver it up. I think Animal Planet found the perfect combination of fun and information to keep readers of all ages interested own the book and wanting to revisit it time and again. As a bonus to those buying these books, a portion of the proceeds will benefit Animal Planet's R.O.A.R. (Reach Out. Act. Respond.) campaign that partners with leading animal organization to make the world a better place for domestic and wild animals.


Book Review: Risuko: A Kunoichi Tale by David Kudler

Risuko: A Kunoichi Tale by David Kudler is the first book in the Seasons of the Sword series. Though Japan has been devastated by a century of civil war, Kano Murasaki, called Risuko (Squirrel) is more comfortable climbing trees than down on the ground. Growing up far from the battlefields and court intrigues, the fatherless girl finds herself pulled into a plot that may reunite Japan, or may destroy it. She is torn from her home and what is left of her family, but finds new friends at a school that may not be what it seems. Historical adventure fiction appropriate for young adult and middle-grade readers.

Risuko: A Kunoichi Tale was a nice surprise. I am a big fan of Japanese culture and mythology, and the classic coming of age quest  story, so I was drawn to the book and needed to give it a chance. I greatly enjoyed the character building for Risuko, she is a growing, dynamic character that is very observant of the world around her. While the reader only knows what Risuko see and hear, sometimes we can understand more than she does and enjoy the realization as it comes. Because of her uncertainty and struggles the readers get to see and understand more than they might with a different narrator. I like that there seem to be no assumptions on the authors part about how much or Japanese history or folklore the reader knows, or does not know. The world building is solid but subtle, so at no point does ignorance of a certain word, story, or event turn off a reader. Additionally there is a collection of related information at the end of the book to sooth the eager minds of any reader that seeks to understand more about anything they might not have fully understood while reading. I found myself so wrapped up in Risuko's story, that I finished the book in less than a day, begrudging the menial tasks that took me from the read, like making meals for my family and eating.


Risuko: A Kunoichi Tale is a wonderful read for middle grade, young adult, and older readers. I think anyone that enjoys historical fiction or the  coming of age combined with a quest that seems to be most common in fantasy. I think this will be a wonderful surprise for any reader that gives it a chance. I cannot recommend this read highly enough.

Early Book Review: The Fox Who Ate Books by Franziska Bierman

The Fox Who Ate Books is a picturebook by Franziska Bierman which is currently scheduled for release on October 11 2016. Meet Mr. Fox, who loves books so much that every time he finishes one, he eats it! His appetite drives him to seek more and more books, until one day, he discovers the local library, where he can “devour” books to his heart’s content. Eventually, the librarian catches him “sampling” from the collection and bans him from the library. Down on his luck, the crafty Mr. Fox must find other ways to satisfy his cravings. However, his attempt to rob the local bookstore ends badly. Mr. Fox lands in jail, where he discovers a surprising way to satisfy his literary cravings (and become rich and famous).


The Fox Who Ate Books is a funny look at how much people can love reading. While the fox who literally devours his books takes it a bit too far, I can understand the desire to collect and not return books that strike you as special. However, I have never licked, bitten, or otherwise ingested any reading material, though I might have sniffed an old book or two in my day. I really like how the fox turns his love of words into something bigger and better than just devouring books, he shares the words inside him by writing them down for others to devour. Every writer I know started as a reader, and I think this a fun story that might encourage some children to attempt to read more, I think it will have a bigger impact on those who already love books and reading by encouraging them to write some stories of their own. 

Book Blog Tour with Excerpt: The Moreva of Astoreth by Roxanne Bland


The Moreva of Astoreth by Roxanne Bland

Blurb
In the world-building tradition of Andre Norton, Anne McCaffrey and Ursula K. LeGuin, The Moreva of Astoreth is a blend of science fiction, romance, and adventure in a unique, richly imagined imperialistic society in which gods and science are indelibly intertwined. It is the story of the priestess, scientist, and healer Moreva Tehi, the spoiled, headstrong granddaughter of a powerful deity who is banished for a year to a volatile far corner of the planet for neglecting to perform her sacred duty, only to venture into dangerous realms of banned experimentation, spiritual rebirth, and fervent, forbidden love.



 
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Excerpt from Chapter Six
A marun after the vandalism, I found myself at loose ends. Except for Temple services and monitoring the beacon, I had nothing to do until the next supply flight brought my new lab equipment. Hyme tried his best to keep me busy, but there wasn’t enough work for the two of us. I studied the pictures in the medicinal herb manuals he brought to me but tired of it after a day or so since I couldn’t read the text. I was so bored I even walked over to the small factory Eresh had pointed out and watched the village men and women make cloth.

One morning after breakfast, while prowling through Hyme’s stock in the lab, I noticed he was low on masich berries. He’d told me the masich bush blooms only during the winter and the berries appear late in the season. Though winter’s cold still lingered in the springtime air, the weather was definitely turning. If Hyme wanted to replenish his stock, he’d better do it soon before the berries rotted. “Hyme, you need more masich berries. Want to go out and get some?”

“Not right now, Tehi. I have to fill these orders before lunch.”

“All right.” I sat in my swivel chair and spun it a few times. “This is ridiculous,” I muttered. “I’ve got to do something.” I spied Hyme’s collection bag in the corner by the door. I walked over to it, picked it up and peered inside. The cutters were lying at its bottom. I decided to get the berries myself. The village rule always in pairs, one with a gun when in the woods outside the village gates ran through my head but I dismissed it. It’s not far. And I’ll be back before anyone misses me. I grimaced a little. If they miss me at all. Picking up the bag, I slipped out the door.

Outside, I hurried to Mjor’s rear gates. As I’d predicted, the villagers ignored me. I sauntered through the open doors and then I was on my way.

I walked forty šīzu or so along the paved road leading out of the village then stepped off onto the dirt path that led into the forest. I was a little nervous heading into the woods alone, but Hyme and I had been out here before to gather masich berries and I knew exactly where the stand of bushes was. I turned right at the path’s first fork, bypassed the second, and turned right again at the third. Walking along, I noticed the twin suns had warmed the air more than I would have thought. In my winter uniform, I only felt a little chilly rather than cold. My lips tightened and I quickened my step. What berries were left might have already rotted on the bush.

The forest was filled with the sounds of life awakening after a long winter’s sleep. I smiled a little. It’s beautiful out here. Kherah was a desert, its water provided by diverting the Den, a wide, deep river to the east of Uruk. Because of that, we had lavish gardens planted with exotic flowers and stands of qal, water-loving trees with delicate, willowy trunks, and long pointed red leaves. But it was nothing like this.
The leaves on the trees and bushes may not have budded yet, but after walking through the hologram with Morevi Reng, I knew the wild, lush foliage that would appear in the marun to come. Soon it would be hard to believe that a good-sized village lay just a bit more than twelve nindan away.

I walked on. I heard little creatures scuttling in the underbrush and every so often saw a striped mouse cross my path. Birds sang in the trees. Just around the bend now. And there they were, the masich bushes looking like big, fat balls with their shiny, dark blue leaves. I stepped off the path and forged my way through the underbrush, pushing skeletal branches out of my way. I reached the stand of bushes and peered at them. I was just in time. In less than seven or eight days, the bushes would have gone dormant. Humming a tune from childhood, I fished for the cutter, found it, and started clipping twigs sporting the best-looking orange berries. I dropped these into the bag.

After about an hour, the bag was half full. I wanted to get more, but the rest of the berries I saw had started to dimple, a sure sign of rot, Hyme had told me. I smiled, thinking about the happy reception I’d get on returning with a bag even half full of berries. I placed the cutter in the bag and turned to leave.

I made my way back through the underbrush. I’d just reached the path when I heard something crashing through the forest. Whatever it was, it was a lot bigger than a mouse. Then the crashing sounds ceased.

I stopped and looked around but couldn’t see anything. Curious and uneasy, I stepped onto the packed dirt. I froze. Standing on the path between the village and me was a great, shaggy beast. A curved horn grew out of its snout. It had feet the size of dinner plates ringed by wicked-looking claws. And it was staring at me.

It bellowed, stood on its hind legs and then charged.

The world seemed to slow to a crawl. I screamed, a long, drawn-out sound, hurled my bag into the underbrush and ran. Even though I had the speed of the Devi, I sensed it gaining on me. I imagined its hot breath on my neck. Unless I did something and fast, I wasn’t going to make it out of the forest alive.

Author Info

I've been a fugitive from reality since forever. As a child, I constantly made up stories--some would call them lies--about my family, friends, neighbors and even strangers on the street. I had friends that only I could see. Oh, the adventures we had! 

Learning to read was a revelation. Words fascinated me. Whole new worlds opened up, and since my parents forbade nothing, I read everything. Some of it I didn't quite understand, but I didn't mind. I read it anyway. I even read the dictionary. When I was a little older, I was big on mysteries--English cozy mysteries, that is, Agatha Christie, were my favorites. Then I graduated to horror. Whenever a new book came out by Stephen King, Peter Straub or Dean Koontz, I was first in line. I was reading a little science fiction at this time--Robert Heinlein and authors like him--but I really didn't get into it until I was in college. The same with fantasy. I really got into high fantasy--Lord of the Rings style--in college. 

During this time I was still making up stories, but not writing them down. They were private. Besides, I thought my family and friends would laugh at me. In fact, the only story I recall writing was one that won a contest when I was in elementary school.

So anyway, life goes on. I went to law school. After I graduated and entered the workforce, I finally started writing down my stories. I wrote a bit here and there, short stories that never saw the light of day (which was probably a good thing). Then I fell ill. I had the flu for a month. Bored out of my skull, I started writing a piece of fan fiction, though I didn't know that's what it was at the time. I showed it to a friend of mine who suggested I finish the story. 

Well, that piece of fan fiction fell by the wayside, but in its place came a manuscript that would eventually become my first book, The Underground. I absolutely adored writing it. I absolutely adore writing, period. Slipping into that alternate reality for hours on end, there was a time in my life when it was called daydreaming and I got into trouble for it. Now it's legitimate. And that's the best part of all.

Author Links:  WebsiteTwitter | Facebook 

Book Review: The Highlander (Victorian Rebels) by Kerrigan Byrne

The Highlander is the third book in the Victorian Rebels series by Kerrigan Byrne. The previous books were The Highwayman (which I did read) and The Hunter (which I did not). It is not necessary to read the series in order or completely to enjoy the stories.

They call him the Demon Highlander. The fearsome Lieutenant Colonel Liam MacKenzie is known for his superhuman strength, towering presence, and fiery passion in the heat of battle. As Laird to the MacKenzie clan, the undefeated Marquess has vanquished his foes with all rage and wrath of his barbaric Highland ancestors. But when an English governess arrives to care for his children, the master of war finds himself up against his greatest opponent in the game of love. Defying all expectations, Miss Philomena is no plain-faced spinster but a ravishing beauty with voluptuous curves and haughty full lips that rattle the Laird to his core. Un intimidated by her master’s raw masculinity and savage ways, the headstrong lass manages to tame not only his wild children but the beast in his soul. With each passing day, Liam grows fonder of Miss Mena—and more suspicious. What secret is she hiding behind those emerald eyes? What darkness brought her to his keep? And how can he conquer this magnificent woman’s heart without surrendering his own? 

The Highlander is more dramatic and compelling than the description suggests. Philomela (Mena) is not just a governess. The book opens with her confined in a horribleness insane asylum, committed by her abusive husbands and his family. This gives her journey to hide as a governess in the home of someone reputed to be so violent an extra dimension that the book cover just does not portray. I thought the combination of emotional wounds and mistrust that Mena and Liam have make the story, and their coming together some much better. I like that the problems do not just magically disappear. There are a series of additional obstacles  and they need to handle some together, and some on their own. I think Byrne handled both very well. The additional complications had me holding my breath a couple times, and I was very much invested in the characters and their lives by the end of the book. It also reminded me how far the rights of women have come- and how much farther we have to go.


The Highlander is so much more than the publisher’s blurb suggests. The characters are complex, and the conflicts are built up and executed well. I enjoyed the unexpected complexity of the characters and think I will have to go back and check out the book I missed. 

Early Book Review: Narwhal: The Unicorn of the Sea by Ben Clanton

Narwhal: The Unicorn of the Sea by Ben Clanton is an early graphic novel that is currently scheduled for release on October 4 2016. Narwhal is a happy-go-lucky narwhal. Jelly is a no-nonsense jellyfish. The two might not have a lot in common, but they do they love waffles, parties and adventures. Join Narwhal and Jelly as they discover the whole wide ocean together is three silly and simply awesome adventures. First, Jelly learns that Narwhal is a really good friend. Then Narwhal and Jelly form their own pod of awesomeness with their ocean friends. And finally, Narwhal and Jelly read the best book ever, even though it doesn't have any words or pictures!

Narwhal: The Unicorn of the Sea is tremendous fun. At first I almost called this an easy reader- mainly because it had the feel of fun and friendship I get when enjoying an Elephant and Piggie book from Mo Willems, or the more recent Ballet Cat from Bob Shea. However, this book is about a narwhal- who does not love a narwhal? Particularly when one is so enthusiastically happy and willing to try just about anything, particularly if it will make his friend jelly happy. The three adventures are fun, and show the importance of friendship and trying new things, and imagination, just as much as they make readers of all ages laugh. As a bonus, there are some interesting bits of information about real narwhals tossed in with all the fun.



Narwhal: The Unicorn of the Sea is a great book to introduce young readers to graphic novels. However, if you are against graphic novels for some reason, just call it a picturebook or easy reader- because it could fit those descriptors easily as well. A delightfully fun book that will make fans of Bob Shea and Mo Willems very happy.

Book Review: The Pinkaboos: Bitterly and the Giant Problem by Laura Gosselin, Jake Gosselin, and, Billy Kelly

The Pinkaboos: Bitterly and the Giant Problem is a transitional chapter book written by Laura Gosselin and Jake Gosselin, and illustrated by Billy Kelly. It is the first book in a new series, with the second book, Belladonna and the Nightmare Academy, released this month. 

This is going to be the best year ever for best friends Bitterly, Abyssma and Belladonna as they are starting a new school year at Fright School! But when Bitterly, the most promising fright, is faced with a school bully and some nightmares of her own, she finds help from the last place she expected—the little girl whom she has sworn to protect.

The Pinkaboos: Bitterly and the Giant Problem is the start of a new series that is about facing fears, dealing with bullies, and finding your place and talents. I like that our main characters are those who should be scary, but are dealing with school pressures and self doubts like their readers. These young frights are in school to learn how to help their assigned human to deal with nightmares in fears. In the process of figuring out how to help her girl, Bitterly figures out how to handle her own fears and worries. I think this is a great new series for readers just venturing into chapter books. This book is right up my daughters alley and I think there are many other readers that will enjoy it as well. 


The Pinkaboos: Bitterly and the Giant Problem is an empowering  series for young readers that presents the challenges of childhood through a magical world filled with not so scary frights. 

Book Review: The Book Blogger Platform by Barb Drozdowich

The Book Blogger Platform by Barb Drozdowich is a resource for bloggers that want to share their love of books, and their thoughts on the books they read.  Are you a book blogger or do you want to be one? Are you having trouble handling the technical details of blogging? The Book Blogger Platform can be a "user manual" for your blog! A book written by a book blogger for book bloggers and that answers all your questions! 

The Book Blogger Platform covers the basics off book blogging, complete with technical advice and over 25 how-to videos that are included at the end. The book covers everything you could need, including a breakdown of why many bloggers get started, how or where you can host your blog, what you should include in your blog, and the importance of networking with other bloggers (my shortcoming).  The information was clear and well organized, and the technical instructions were concise and understandable to beginners and seasoned veterans. I am glad I read the book because it reminded me that I had some updating and twerking to do, and that I had been seriously slacking in the social aspect of blogging. 


The Book Blogger Platform is a good guide for beginning bloggers. I will say that some of the links are no longer useful, because of blog catalogs or groups having disbanded or changing names, but as a general rule this book would be handy for those starting out, and for reminding those of us that have been at it awhile to keep updating and evolving with technology and our lives. 

Early Book Review: Lila and the Crow by Gabrielle Grimard

Lila and the Crow is a picturebook by Gabrielle Grimard which is currently scheduled for release on October 11 2016. Lila has just moved to a new town and can't wait to make friends at school. On the first day, a boy points at her and shouts: “A crow! A crow! The new girl's hair is black like a crow!” The others whisper and laugh, and Lila's heart grows as heavy. The next day, Lila covers her hair. But this time, the boy points at her dark skin. When she covers her face, he mocks her dark eyes. Now every day at school, Lila hides under her turtleneck, dark glasses, and hat. And every day when she goes home, she sees a crow who seems to want to tell her something. Lila ignores the bird and even throws rocks at it, but it won't go away. Meanwhile, the great autumn festival is approaching. While the other kids prepare their costumes, Lila is sadder and lonelier than ever. At her lowest point of despair, a special encounter with the crow opens Lila's eyes to the beauty of being different, and gives her the courage to proudly embrace her true self.
Lila and the Crow is a heartfelt look at how it feels to be different, picked on, and self conscious. Lila is new, and just wants to make friends. she is teased just because she looks different, not because of her actions or personality. While only one person is doing the teasing, no one stands up for her which only makes her heart heavier. It is only when she embraces, in fact flaunts, what makes her different that the words of others no longer have power over her.


While most people, regardless of age, have felt this way at some point, it is important to show your children that if they are feeling bad about being different for any reason, they are not alone. the story shows those that feel left out that they are not alone. It can be used to start discussions on what makes everyone different and why we should embrace those characteristics rather than try to hide them. It could also be used to show how a fellow classmate or two standing up and not joining in the laughter or offering to play might have stopped Lila from being so sad and lonely for the majority of the book. There are so many wonderful ways to use this book to start important discussions as a family, in a classroom, or in a storytime stetting that I think it is a must read. 

Early Book Review: Isabella Girl in Charge by Jennifer Fosberry

Isabella Girl in Charge is a picture book (and more) by Jennifer Fosberry. It is currently scheduled for release on October 4 2016. A big event has Isabella ready to leave home at the crack of dawn, but that’s a motion her parents are not likely to pass. After a two-to-one vote, it’s decided that some things need to happen before Isabella can leave the house, like eating breakfast and brushing her teeth! If her house is going to work like a democracy, Isabella knows what she has to do; call an assembly and campaign her way out the door! Isabella celebrates the women who were first to hold public offices. And if Isabella can get her parents out the door, she might just witness the first woman voted into the highest position of all.
Isabella Girl in Charge is a fun and informative book. As Isabella tries to get out to attend a grand event with her parents she changes names and imagined identities to take on the roles of some of the most important women in history. At the end of the book each of those women and their accomplishments are described in detail. In the end the family does get to their destination, to see a woman elected president (no, she looks nothing like Hillary or Jill). I like that while democracy and women breaking barriers is covered, were are no political lines drawn in the sand. It is not about policy or issues, but the fact that women are perfectly capable to doing such difficult jobs.


Isabella Girl in Charge is a great way to encourage girls to shoot for the stars, and to remind them that women can do anything. I really thought the information on the variety of women that are covered in the book was a crucial and interesting part of the book. Reading about women that decided the odds to be the first governor, mayor, and the like might just inspire a young reader to do something amazing.