Book Review: Sloppy Wants a Hug by Sean Julian

Sloppy Wants a Hug is a picturebook by Sean Julian.  Find out why you should never hug a tree dragon—especially a sloppy one. Sloppy the tree dragon wants a hug, but Dewdrop the sprite isn’t going to give him one, for a very good reason.

Sloppy Wants a Hug is a book seems sweet and with a message about kindness. However, the more I thought about it the more it bothered me. Dewdrop says she will not give Sloppy a hug, and that he knows why. However when Sloppy asks and does not understand, Dewdrop refuses to explain. Then- Sloppy goes for some emotional manipulation to try to get the hug she wants from her 'friend', but Dewdrop is not giving in and instead goes around giving hugs to others- and telling them that they are worthy. It is only when Dewdrop sees Sloppy do a good deed that she deems him worthy of her affection. Then we discover that Sloppy licks when he hugs. Couldn't Dewdrop have just given him a hug and asked him to refrain from the licking? 

I know I am over thinking a picturebook. But, honestly, the emotional black mail and whatnot here is not something I want to encourage. Could we have gone with the message that it is okay not to want to hug, BUT  friends accept each other's faults and find other ways to show they care. The only thing that garnered the book two stars rather than one is the charming artwork.

Book Review: Guarding Mr. Fine by Helen Kay Dimon

Guarding Mr. Fine by Helen Kay Dimon is a contemporary romance novel. As an agent with the CIA’s special activities division, Seth Lang lives for risk, and yet he’s stuck playing bodyguard to the U.S. consul general in Munich. Although Seth’s last assignment nearly killed him, babysitting some desk jockey in a suit sounds way too easy. But when he lays eyes on the new top man, tactical expert Rick Fine, Seth’s thrilled to see just how hard this job is going to get. Mr. Tall, Dark, and Quiet has a body worth guarding, and he requires hands-on attention day and night. Dispatched to a German consulate to expose the murder of his predecessor, Rick finds himself in an extremely vulnerable position. He needs a man like Seth, in so many ways. This mission will inevitably plunge them both into jeopardy, but each new threat only brings them closer. Rick just hopes that he can keep his deepest, darkest secret hidden, or else risk imperiling a relationship they’re both fighting for their lives to protect.

Guarding Mr. Fine is a solid romance, with aspects of danger- both emotional and physical, that keep the reader guessing. I think both Seth and Rick have their issues, and hide away pieces of themselves for protection. I like that they are both capable and complex men, with a significant mystery surrounding the death of the previous consul general and the missing vaccines. I think the solution was a little too expected, as I had my suspicious about that particular character from the very beginning. However, the journey toward the reveal and later the happy ever after, were well worth it. I liked that the characters were open about their faults, even if they were not open about their secrets. I found the give and take, and gradual emotional growth from Seth to be very well done. 

I think many readers will enjoy Guarding Mr. Fine. There is suspense, romance, and an accurate portrayal of gay and bi characters. I would not recommend it to readers that do not enjoy same sex romances with men in the staring roles. However, readers that like contemporary, suspense, and military or undercover agent style romances will enjoy the read.

Early Book Review: Okay Kevin: A Story to Help Children Discover How Everyone Learns Differently by James Dillon

Okay Kevin: A Story to Help Children Discover How Everyone Learns Differently by James Dillon is currently scheduled for release on April 21 2017. Kevin never smiles at school, but he is different at home. He jumps up and down when his favorite football team scores a touchdown, and screams "CANNONBALL!" when he jumps into the swimming pool. But at school he feels that he isn't 'okay.' Other kids in his class are much quicker at putting their hands up and answering the teacher's questions, and Kevin feels that he will never catch up. One day, his reading teacher asks him to help out with the school store, and Kevin slowly begins to realize that he had really been 'a okay' all along.

Okay Kevin is a story that offers a look into the mind and emotions of one student that does not learn the same way as his classmates. He cannot keep up with the pace of reading skills as his classmates. This goes on through several grades in school, leaving Kevin feel like he is not okay, that he is different in a bad way. His mother and reading teacher do thier best to help him understand that there is nothing wrong with him, but Kevin still feels bad about himself. It is only when he is offered the change to work in the school store, and shows off his math skills, that Kevin gets the reinforcement and confidence in himself that he needs. He starts to see that he is okay, and might not learn the same way as his classmates, but he has his own skills and talents that make him smart in his own way.

Okay Kevin is a story that can help those struggling in school see that they are not alone, and that other people understand how they feel. It can also help those that have no problems academically understand and have some empathy for those that might. This is an important book for children of all abilities to be exposed to, in the interest of empathy and self confidence. 

Through providing an insight into Kevin's thoughts, feelings and coping strategies, this picture book for ages 5-8 is a source of support for children who, like Kevin, find school difficult and feel that they are 'behind' their peers. The book, which draws on the author's experiences as the principal of an elementary school, is also the perfect springboard for discussion around difficulties at school, academic ability, self-esteem, confidence and recognizing strengths.

Book Review: Justice Calling (The Twenty-Sided Sorceress) by Annie Bellet

Justice Calling is the first book in The Twenty-Sided Sorceress series by Annie Bellet. Jade Crow lives a quiet life running her comic book and game store in Wylde, Idaho. After twenty-five years fleeing from a powerful sorcerer who wants to eat her heart and take her powers, quiet suits her just fine. Surrounded by friends who are even less human than she is, Jade figures she’s finally safe. As long as she doesn’t use her magic. When dark powers threaten her friends’ lives, a sexy shape-shifter enforcer shows up. He’s the shifter world’s judge, jury, and executioner rolled into one, and he thinks Jade is to blame. To clear her name, save her friends, and stop the villain, she’ll have to use her wits and her sorceress powers. Except Jade knows that as soon as she does, a far deadlier nemesis awaits. 

Justice Calling caught my attention right away. I liked that Jade is not the traditional heroine, never mind the traditional magic user. She has build her own nerdy paradise, and hides her magical nature in an effort to keep it. When Alek shows up she is worried about what his hunt, and the danger that is heading towards her friends. I understood her fear and reluctance- and her determination to protect the people she cares about. I liked the world building and mythology surrounding Jade, although I would have liked more details and backstory about the birth and chosen family that has shaped her life. The tidbits readers are given are very cool, but I wanted more. I hope that is part of the following books. I liked her problem solving efforts to solve the mystery, and how hard she works to keep her humanity while protecting other. I also liked that while Jade's attraction to Alek is very clear in the book, that possibility has nothing to do with the larger story- and nothing happens relationship wise until the immediate danger has been addressed. I enjoyed the writing style and the story, and I greatly look forward to seeing where the series goes from here. 

Justice Calling is an entertaining and enjoyable read. I will be checking out the next book in the series, hopefully I will get the backstory I want so badly. 

Early Book Review: Phoebe Sounds It Out by Julie Zwillich

Phoebe Sounds It Out by Julie Zwillich is a picturebook currently scheduled for release on April 15 2017.  Unfortunately, Phoebe's  name doesn’t look quite like it sounds. At school, her classmates practice writing their names, but Phoebe struggles. Her teacher tells her to “just sound it out.” Phoebe doubts herself and procrastinates before resolving to try. Readers are privy to her funny, endearing interior monologue and little-kid rationale as she writes the result: FEEBY.

Phoebe Sounds It Out is a sweet and endearing story that relates the struggles of a young lady trying to sound out her name, which is not spelled like it sounds. Her rationalizations are sound, and she eventually does exactly what her teacher asks of her, she writes her name out just like it sounds. The art work is charming and ads a good amount of details, particularly the frustration and actions of Phoebe as she delays her task and then searches for clues to help her in her task. I enjoyed the fact that the story does not make fun of her struggles, and shows that making the effort and doing your best is the important part, not getting things perfect, or even right, on the first try. I really enjoyed the story, which is particularly relatable to anyone that has struggled with spelling, in particular those of us with first or last names that defy phonetic spelling. 

Early Book Review: Wade’s Wiggly Antlers by Louise Bradford, Christine Battuz

Wade’s Wiggly Antlers is a picture book written by Louise Bradford and illustrated by Christine Battuz. It is currently scheduled for release on May 2 2017. One winter morning while playing with his animal friends, a young moose named Wade notices his antlers are wiggly, and he runs home to tell his mother. Remember when we talked about your antlers falling off? she says. Don't worry. New ones will grow in the summer. But Wade is worried. He used his antlers for so many fun things, such as paddles for Ping-Pong, perches for giving friends rides and hooks for flying kites. He didn't want to lose them! Could Wade find a way to stop his antlers from falling off? Or, if he just lets them go, would he find new ways to play?

Wade’s Wiggly Antlers is a charming picture book that offers reassurance to children facing the loss of teeth or other changes, while also teaching a bit about nature. Wade is a not quite sure he wants his antlers off, and then once they are gone he is less sure how to do all the things he normally does. Like most kids, Wade is resilient and by the time the antlers start growing back he is so used to not having them that it was no longer an issue. I like that the process of losing and regrowing the antlers is shown, and it so clearly parallels what children go through with teeth without being completely obvious to younger readers. I think this would be a great conversation starter with young kids facing a change or nearing the loss of baby teeth. However, I found the book to be a cute, fun read even without needing the comfort and lesson within. 

Book Review: Ink Mage by Vicyor Gischler

Ink Mage is the first book in the Fire Beneath the Skin trilogy by Vicyor Gischler. The city of Klaar has never fallen in all of history. No enemy has ever made it across the Long Bridge or penetrated the city’s mighty walls. Even when a powerful invading army shows up at the gates, the duke and his daughter, Rina Veraiin, are certain that it poses little threat.But they are cruelly betrayed from within and, in a horrific spasm of violence, the city is brought to its knees.With the help of her bodyguard, Kork, the battle-trained young Rina narrowly escapes the slaughter and makes her way to the lair of an ancient sorcerer, the Ink Mage, who gifts her with a strange, beautiful set of magical tattoos.Now a duchess in exile, Rina sets out on a quest to reclaim what is rightfully hers, aided by a motley assortment of followers who will help her in her cause, some for noble reasons and others for their own dark purposes. With the enemy’s agents nipping at her heels, Rina must learn to harness her new and startling magical powers if she is to assert her rightful place as ruler of Klaar.

Ink Mage is a story that started off a little slow for me, but drew me in fairly quickly. I liked the set up and the world building, though I think more groundwork for the areas involved could have been laid. I liked Rina's tough character and that she was so much more than anyone expected. I think the treachery and scheming that moved the story was very well done, and I particularly liked that we got into the minds of a variety of players. While some might find the perspective shifts disorienting, I thought they gave the reader a better understanding of the big picture. At least it did for me. I kept wondering is some of those people might have a bigger role to play in the grand scheme of thing, at least as the story progresses, and some might in future installments of the story. I found Rina's journey and growth to be engaging, and her relationships and interplay with her companions were very entertaining. Similarly, following Tosh's story was very engaging. While I do not expect characters to be pure as the driven snow, I have to admit that there were moments that sex jarred me out of the read. Sometimes it fit perfectly, with the characters and the action of the moment, but sometimes it really seemed to be unnecessary. Not that there was a lot of it, but enough that would keep me from recommending the book to young adult readers that I might otherwise share the book with. 

Ink Mage is a solid start to a fantasy series. It was not the best, or the worst, opening I have read. I am not sure it I will continue the series. I will not hunt down the following books, but if I run across them I will most likely pick them up.

Book Review: Tricked (Fairy Tale Reform School) by Jen Calonita

Tricked is the third book in the Fairy Tale Reform School series by Jen Calonita. The Previous books are Flunked and Charmed. To get a full understanding of the characters and the world, I would highly recommend reading this series in order. Newcomers might still enjoy some of the character development and all of the action, but I think they would not be able to enjoy the story fully without already having read the other books.

Things are changing at Fairy Tale Reform School. At least, that's what Gilly's heard through the Enchantasia rumor mill. Word is, notorious trickster Rumpelstiltskin has taken over management from Headmistress Flora, and he's locked down the school tighter than the Pied Piper's pants. Not that this news concerns Gilly. She's been released from FTRS and is now suffering through attending Jack of All Trades School, where she gets to learn about different kinds of shoe leather and ways to measure feet. Truly riveting stuff. But when Gilly's little sister Anna gets whisked off to FTRS thanks to her trouble-making new friends, Hansel and Gretel, Gilly knows she's got to get Anna out of there. There's only one thing to do; make some serious trouble and get thrown back into FTRS. It's time to out-trick a trickster. 

Tricked is a continuation of Gilly's adventures in a fairy tale world. Life after FTRS is hard for those that have found friendship and themselves on school grounds. Things are changing fast, and not necessarily for the better. I like that while some of the basics remain the same, the adventures, characters, and relationships continue to change and grow. Gilly and her motley crew of friends have quite the challenge, outwitting Rumpelstiltskin is never easy, but I like that friendship and being honorable come through as more important than winning. Gilly grows significantly during this book, and I think her growth, and that of her companions, is well paced and relatable to readers. I would have liked more of the story from Anna's side, or had a chance to see more of her story, but I am fairly certain that she has a major role to play in further installments. I like that there was a solid conclusion to this particular adventure, but openings fort he story to continue on. 

Tricked is another fun and enjoyable read from Calonita. Fans of the author, and the series, will greatly enjoy the read.  This series is holding stead in quality, and I think it still has plenty of life in it for further books, and I look forward to seeing what will happen next.

Book Review: Top Dogs : Canines That Made History by Elizabeth MacLeod

Top Dogs : Canines That Made History by Elizabeth MacLeod is a children's non fiction book. It shares the stories of eight canines whose actions influenced the course of history. Among the dogs featured are Stubby, a mutt who rescued American soldiers in the trenches of WWI, Buddy, the first seeing-eye-dog in North America, Brandy, a German Shepherd who discovered a bomb aboard a plane, and Seaman, the Newfoundland, who accompanied Lewis and Clark, helping them complete their expedition by protecting them from wild animals and providing them with food. Scattered throughout the book are side bars filled with information about the exploits of many other dogs as well as the history, habits, and characteristics of various breeds.

Top Dogs : Canines That Made History is a wonderful collection of stories and bits of information that will interest young readers, particularly those with a love of animals. The information is presented in a narrative style that is accessible and interesting. There is a sense of adventure and flavor of the time from each story, and there are sidebars of other information about dogs that might inspire further research. While I knew most of these stories, at least in part, I enjoyed the read and felt like I learned a lot. I think readers like my daughter, who loves all things animal related, will be very interested in this read. Others that are interested in history or dogs along will also get a good amount of knowledge and enjoyment from the read. The balance of entertainment and knowledge is nearly perfect here, and I think that the book would make a good addition to school and public library collections. 

Book Review: The Baker Street Peculiars by Roger Langridge, Andy Hirsh

The Baker Street Peculiars is a children's graphic novel written by Roger Langridge and illustrated by Andy Hirsh. It puts a supernatural twist on the world of Sherlock Holmes. When a giant lion statue in Trafalgar Square comes to life and wreaks havoc on 1930's London, it seems like the perfect case for the world’s most famous detective, Sherlock Holmes. With an overwhelmed caseload, however, Holmes recruits the help of three precocious young detectives-in-training (and one cunning golden retriever) to solve the mystery. Molly, Rajani, Humphrey, and Wellington (the dog) will have to work together and use all their wits if they are to uncover the truth behind the living statues and save London. But on the legendary Baker Street, nothing is as it seems and their biggest mystery might be the real identity of the famous detective who brought them together.

The Baker Street Peculiars is a interesting new take on Sherlock Holmes. The art work reminded me a first of the Asterix books, but seeing that Hirsh has done the art for Adventure Time and Regular Show the familiar feel of the work made much more sense to me. The story flips quite a bit of the Sherlock cannon, although some of it I will admit to expecting much quicker than I would have liked. I liked the inclusion of folklore, and the interplay between the main characters. I was glad to see some role reversal, and the fact that while adults do not play a big role in the story- the ones that do are as varied as real adults. They are not all bumbling fools or people eager to punish children. Rather, some are caring and overprotective, while others are vindictive or  oblivious to the odd things going on around them. I liked the take on Sherlock and that the mystery took a supernatural nature, but my favorite part was the odd trio of children that become our main characters. I like that none are quite what you expect in a hero or detective, but they come together as a solid team.

The Baker Street Peculiars is a fun twist on the classic Sherlock Holmes cannon. The graphic novel is a well told and drawn story with a nice mix of characters. While it did not wow me, I liked the story and can think of many middle grade readers that will adore it.