The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury

 

I listened to the dramatized audio version of The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury. This chidlren's novela has been on my reading wishlist for quite awhile. Wow, what a great way to listen to this!! I really enjoyed this audio edition as it was like listening to an old time radio production. The entire audio experience was amazing! Needless to say this novel would make a great read around Halloween time for children (and adults too!!).

I liked the storyline and character development. The writing is excellent... It's Ray Bradbury, would you expect any less than great writing?

Below is the publisher's summary for The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury via GoodsReads:

Make storytime a little spookier with fantasy master Ray Bradbury as he takes readers on a riveting trip though space and time to discover the true origins of Halloween.

Join the shadowy Carapace Clavicle Moundshroud as he takes eight trick-or-treaters on an unforgettable journey to find their missing friend, Pip. Travel through space and time, from the tombs of ancient Egypt to the gargoyles of Notre-Dame Cathedral, all the way to the cemeteries of Mexico on el Día de Los Muertos, the Day of the Dead. Is Pip still alive? And if so, can his friends save him from a ghastly fate before it’s too late?

"If you want to know what Halloween is, or if you simply want an eerie adventure, take this mystery history trip. You couldn't ask for better than master fantasizer Ray Bradbury." --The Boston Globe

I am giving The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Resist by Tom Palmer

 

After reading and reviewing Over The Line by Tom Palmer earlier this month, I decided to listen to the unabridged audio version of Resist by Tom Palmer. Resist by Tom Palmer is well narrated by Anna Gilthorpe.

I loved listening to Resist! It's a well written novel set in Nazi occupied Netherlands during World War II. The story is inspired by the real life events of Audrey Hepburn as a teenager. Audrey Hepburn lived in the Netherlands during WWII with her family. She took part in helping with the Dutch Resistance in an effort to thwart the Nazi occupation of The Netherlands. 

I truly enjoyed reading about Audrey Hepburn's life during this time and how it affected her life and the life of others. Resist is a middle schooler read. It's an excellent historical fiction novel. 

Below is a short video of Tom Palmer discussing his novel, Resist.

Below is the publisher's summary for Resist by Tom Palmer, which I found on Chirp's website:

Multi-award-winning author Tom Palmer shines a light on life under wartime occupation, in a beautifully told story inspired by the childhood of Hollywood legend Audrey Hepburn.

As the brutal Second World War stretches on with no end in sight, life for ordinary Dutch people in the Nazi-occupied Netherlands is fraught with peril and hardship. There is very little to eat and the population lives under the constant threat of arrest and enslavement.

After the murder of her beloved uncle and the capture of her brother by the Germans, Edda is determined to do anything she can to help the resistance fight back against their oppressors. But what can a teenage girl do and how much risk is she willing to take?

Award-winning author Tom Palmer shines a light on the incredible work of the WWll Dutch resistance, in a story inspired by the childhood of Hollywood legend Audrey Hepburn.

I am giving Resist by Tom Palmer a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Over the Line by Tom Palmer

Earlier this month, I made a list of books that covered the topic of 'soccer' in some way as a way to tie it in with the 2026 FIFA World Cup games.

I am not a soccer fan, nor did I watch any of the 2026 FIFA World Cup games. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup happening, I decided to search for books that discuss soccer in some way. My hope is to inspire readers who are also soccer fans to read more books on a topic they like.

One of the books I discovered was Over the Line by Tom Palmer. Tom Palmer is a new to me author. Initially what attracted me to Over the Line by Tom Palmer was the fact that it features a large chunk of its subject matter to soccer. I soon learned that this children's/middle school novel is a work of historical fiction set in Europe during World War I. The events are inspired by real life events, which makes for good reading.

So, within a few minutes after learning about Over the Line by Tom Palmer, I downloaded and began listening to the unabridged audio version. Essentially, I finished listening to this book 2 hour, 10 minutes in one sitting.

The writing is good and so is the storyline for Over the Line. I was impressed with how much I enjoyed Over the Line. Perhaps, I'll have to give another one of Tom Palmer's novels a try in the future.

Tom Palmer has a YouTube page. I watched the following short video of Mr. Palmer reading a section from his novel, Over The Line.

Below is the publisher's summary for Over the Line by Tom Palmer found on the Goodreads website:

Based on a true story of a sporting hero's experience in the trenches. Jack is to make his debut as a professional footballer, but it's 1914 and the world is at war. Talk of sportsmen's cowardice leads to the formation of a Footballers' Battalion and Jack has little choice but to join up. Jack and his team-mates will have to survive a waking nightmare if they are ever to play again.

I am giving Over the Line by Tom Palmer a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

The Stonekeeper (Amulet #1) by Kazu Kibuishi

 

I've had The Stonekeeper (Amulet #1) by Kazu Kibuishi in my wishlist for quite a long time now. It's the first graphic novel in a series and it is geared towards children. I read the ebook edition of this novel.

I enjoyed the storyline, artwork, and pacing for The Stonekeeper. Additionally, it falls into the fantasy and adventure categories and seems like it would capture and hold the attention for the intended audience.

I did enjoy reading The Stonekeeper. However, I will most likely not read the rest of the books in this series.

Below is the publisher's summary for The Stonekeeper (Amulet #1) by Kazu Kibuishi found on Amazon's website:

After the tragic death of their father, Emily and Navin move with their mother to the home of her deceased great-grandfather, but the strange house proves to be dangerous. Before long, a sinister creature lures the kids' mom through a door in the basement. Em and Navin, desperate not to lose her, follow her into an underground world inhabited by strange creatures, robots, and talking animals.Eventually, they enlist the help of a small mechanical rabbit named Miskit. Together with Miskit, they face the most terrifying monster of all, and Em finally has the chance to save someone she loves.

I am giving The Stonekeeper (Amulet #1) by Kazu Kibuishi a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Knots in My Yo-Yo String by Jerry Spinelli

 

I've been a big fan of Jerry Spinelli's novels since 2010 when a former college professor of mine had given me a copy of Stargirl written by Jerry Spinelli. After reading Stargirl, I fell in love with Spinelli's writing and have continued reading his novels ever since 2010.

I listened to the unabridged audio version of Knots in My Yo-Yo String by Jerry Spinelli, which is decently narrated by Matt Weisgerber. This is a short listen at 3 hours, 41 minutes.

Knots in My Yo-Yo String by Jerry Spinelli is his memoir/autobiography, but a different kind of memoir than I'm use to reading. It's told through a series of vignettes (some more interesting than others) about Spinelli's childhood growing up. 

This book falls into the children's genre. I am assuming Jerry Spinelli intentionally wrote his memoir/autobiography for children as the novels he writes are geared for this audience. This way, Knots in My Yo-Yo String is catered to the young fans of his works. I like that this book is written for children that are fans of Spinelli's novels.

I read Knots in My Yo-Yo String solely because I am a fan of Jerry Spinelli's works and wanted to know more about his life. Although, I enjoyed Knots in My Yo-Yo String and learning more about Spinelli's childhood. I also wanted to learn more about his adult life too.

I am giving Knots in My Yo-Yo String by Jerry Spinelli 3.5 stars out of 5 stars. I think it is a great read for children who are fans of his books. Not so much for adult readers though.

Until my next post, happy reading!

Wonder by R. J. Palacio

I listened to the unabridged audio version of Wonder by R. J. Palacio, which was well narrated by a wonderful cast of voice actors. Wonder was my first read during the month of November 2025.

Wonder by R. J. Palacio is a children's novel that had been on my reading wishlist for a number of years before I finally made the time to listen to it this year.

The writing is superb for Wonder! I loved the characters, the storyline, and the plot development for Wonder. Auggie Pullman the main character. He is a young boy with a birth deformity that leaves his face looking very abnormal. Auggie receives a lot, and I mean a lot, of stares because of they way he looks. Due to all of his surgeries, Auggie is home schooled until his parents decide to send him to school where he enters the fifth grade. We read about Auggie's experience with going to school for the first time, making friends, and dealing with what comes when one has a physical deformity.

One of the things I love about children's novels are the important messages/life lessons imparted in them. In Wonder, kindness, compassion, empathy, and self-acceptance are the key life lessons. Wonder also explores looking beyond/past outward appearances. In this case, it's all about looking beyond Auggie's facial deformity and seeing the person within for who he truly is.

Below is publisher's summary for Wonder by R. J. Palacio I discovered on the Goodreads website:

August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school?until now. He's about to enter fifth grade at Beecher Prep, and if you?ve ever been the new kid, then you know how hard that can be. The thing is Auggie's just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he's just like them, despite appearances? R. J. Palacio has crafted an uplifting novel full of wonderfully realistic family interactions, lively school scenes, and writing that shines with spare emotional power. Wonder is a book with such a big, wide heart? it shows how we are all fragile, imperfect, and perfectly beautiful creatures.

I am giving Wonder by R. J. Palacio 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Blubber by Judy Blume

 

I enjoyed listening to Blubber by Judy Blume, which is well read by Halley Feiffer!! This is the sixth novel I've read by Judy Blume. I don't ever recall reading any of her novels as a youngster, so I guess you could say I am making up for lost time by reading them now.

The major theme of Blubber is bullying in elementary school. Great topic to write about and shed light on as who hasn't either been a victim of bullying, been a bully themselves, or witnessed bullying while attending the K-12 system? I think Blubber looks at the situation of bullying from different angles and can help facilitate discussion on the subject.

Although, I like Blubber and feel that it offers a lot to ponder, it isn't my favorite novel written by Judy Blume.

I also learned after a Google search that Blubber by Judy Blume was a banned/challenged due to racial slurs and also the "focus on unpunished or seemingly unpunished bullying behavior."

Below is the publisher's summary for Blubber by Judy Blume from Chirp's website:

Blubber is a good name for her, the note from Wendy says about Linda. Jill crumples it up and leaves it on the corner of her desk. She doesn’t want to think about Linda or her dumb report on the whale just now. Jill wants to think about Halloween.

But Robby grabs the note, and before Linda stops talking it has gone halfway around the room.

That’s where it all starts. There’s something about Linda that makes a lot of kids in her fifth-grade class want to see how far they can go – but nobody, least of all Jill, expects the fun to end where it does.

I am giving Blubber by Judy Blume a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until next time, happy reading!!

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

 

I initially read and reviewed The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain back in March 2015. I've been meaning to read and review The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain ever since.

Earlier this year, I decided to finally listen to the unabridged audio version of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain, which was well narrated by Eric G. Dove.

Personally, I found the first, eight chapters kind of slow for The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain plot wise. Things FINALLY picked up in chapter nine and I found myself enjoying the storyline more with each chapter that followed.

Although I found The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain to be enjoyable, I actually liked The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain much better.

The publisher's summary for The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain from the Goodreads website:

With The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, not even Twain could have known that when he introduced readers to the inhabitants of the fictional town of St. Petersburg, Missouri, he would also be introducing two characters - one a clever and mischievous scamp, and the other a carefree, innocent ragamuffin - whose stories would ultimately shape the course of American literature. But whereas its sequel and companion piece, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, would harken an end to childhood, the story of Tom Sawyer is one that depicts the excitement and adventure of boyhood along the Mississippi.

Revisit this enduring classic and you will be struck not only by Twain's skill at capturing a time and place so vividly but also by his uncanny ability to crystallize those oftentimes tumultuous and conflicting emotions that a child experiences at the precipice of adulthood: a longing to be free from the rules and obligations of adults while enjoying the laxity inherent in childhood; a love of all things macabre, like blood oaths, cemetery cures, and haunted houses, that reveal a true innocence - an unawareness of real-life consequences and one's own mortality; and the pangs of guilt when knowing the right thing to do and doing the right thing appear to be at odds.

I am giving The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

 

I read the paperback edition of Coraline by Neil Gaiman. This is the fourth book I've read by Neil Gaiman. I never thought I'd read another novel by Neil Gaiman, because I didn't enjoy reading the first three novels I'd read by Neil Gaiman. Plus, the sexual assault allegations against Neil Gaiman, have left a sour note with me regarding Gaiman's reputation.

Recently, however, I discovered a paperback copy of Coraline at a local Little Free Library, I've heard Coraline is a really good read from other avid readers/Neil Gaiman fans. I wasn't paying for a copy of Coraline, so why not give Coraline a read to see if it lived up to the hype. 

Surprisingly, Coraline by Neil Gaiman is a really good read!! I actually liked this children's book quite a bit. It's a creepy, spooky, fun read. The leading character, Coraline, is an inquisitive, smart youngster. Coraline is brave in the face of danger and is able to problem solve and figure her way out of very sticky situations. In this regard, I do applaud Neil Gaiman for creating a positive centric, young leading, female role model. 

The following is the publisher's summary for Coraline by Neil Gaiman from the Goodreads website:

"Coraline discovered the door a little while after they moved into the house. . . ."

When Coraline steps through a door to find another house strangely similar to her own (only better), things seem marvelous. But there's another mother there, and another father, and they want her to stay and be their little girl. They want to change her and never let her go.

Coraline will have to fight with all her wit and courage if she is to save herself and return to her ordinary life.

"I think this book will nudge Alice in Wonderland out of its niche at last. It is the most splendidly original, weird, and frightening book I have read, and yet full of things children will love." - Diana Wynne Jones

"This book will send a shiver down your spine, out through your shoes, and into a taxi to the airport. It has the delicate horror of the finest fairy tales, and it is a masterpiece. And you will never think about buttons in quite the same way again." - Terry Pratchett

"This book tells a fascinating and disturbing story that frightened me nearly to death. Unless you want to find yourself hiding under your bed, with your thumb in your mouth, trembling with fear and making terrible noises, I suggest that you step very slowly away from this book and go find another source of amusement, such as investigating an unsolved crime or making a small animal out of yarn." - Lemony Snicket

I am giving Coraline by Neil Gaiman a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Red Scare by Liam Francis Walsh

 

I read the paperback edition of Red Scare by Liam Francis Walsh, which is a graphic novel geared towards children and is set in the early 1950s in the United States of America.

The color artwork and storyline for Red Scare by Liam Francis Walsh is nicely done. I enjoyed the plot, characters, and story quite a bit. Kudos to the author making an engaging read for children and adults alike.

Below is the publisher's summary for Red Scare by Liam Francis Walsh, which I found on Amazon's website:

Peggy is scared: She's struggling to recover from polio and needs crutches to walk, and she and her neighbors are worried about the rumors of Communist spies doing bad things. On top of all that, Peggy has a hard time at school, and gets taunted by her classmates. When she finds a mysterious artifact that gives her the ability to fly, she thinks it's the solution to all her problems. But if Peggy wants to keep it, she'll have to overcome bullies, outsmart FBI agents, and escape from some very strange spies!

I am giving Red Scare by Liam Francis Walsh a rating of 5 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Séance Tea Party by Reimena Yee

 

I recently read the paperback edition of Séance Tea Party by Reimena Yee. This is a children's graphic novel that is beautifully illustrated in full color. 

What drew me to this graphic novel was the title of the book and the premise of the book itself. Séance Tea Party by Reimena Yee is about a young girl named, Lora. Lora is afraid to grow up and begins to feel left behind by her friends as her friends are becoming more interested in teen type activities than Lora is. 

Although, I loved the idea behind Séance Tea Party by Reimena Yee, I didn't love it as much as I thought or hoped I would. I liked it, but didn't love it. The best part of this graphic novel was the artwork!

Below is the publisher's summary for Séance Tea Party by Reimena Yee, which I discovered on Amazon's wensite:

Lora wants to stay a kid forever, and she'll do anything to make that happen . . . including befriending Alexa, the ghost who haunts her house. A middle-grade graphic novel about growing up that's perfect for fans of Ghosts and Making Friends.

Growing up sounds terrible.

No one has time to do anything fun, or play outside, or use their imagination. Everything is suddenly so serious. People are more interested in their looks and what others think about them than having fun adventures. Who wants that?

Not Lora.

After watching her circle of friends seemingly fade away, Lora is determined to still have fun on her own. A tea party with a twist leaves Lora to re-discovering Alexa, the ghost that haunts her house -- and Lora's old imaginary friend! Lora and Alexa are thrilled to meet kindred spirits and they become best friends . . . but unfortunately, not everything can last forever.

Reimena Yee brings to life a story about growing up, childhood, and what it means to let go. A fantastical story following lovable characters as they each realize what it means to be who you are.

I am giving Séance Tea Party by Reimena Yee a rating of 3 stars of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Humming Heroes: Inside The Nose That Almost Nobody Knows by John McMillan and Philip McMillan

 

I first learned about Humming Heroes: Inside The Nose That Almost Nobody Knows by John McMillan and Dr. Philip McMillan by periodically watching Dr. Philip McMillan's YouTube Channel, Vejon Health. It was by watching the Vejon Health channel on YouTube that I discovered Humming Heroes was a Kickstarter project. I am thrilled to see that this book was fully funded and has been published.

Humming Heroes by John McMillan and Philip McMillan is a nonfiction children's/young adult book and is geared for ages 8 to 18 years old. I read the paperback edition, which is 64 pages in length.

What did I love about this nonfiction book? I loved the illustrations for this book. The illustrations are charming and beautifully rendered by Isil Gül. I love the creative approach taken by the authors to explain how the immune system works to children and how humming supercharges one's immune system. The way this book is formatted is excellent... It's part poetry with added additional text to express in more detail for older audiences the science involved with our immune system.

What did I dislike about Humming Heroes by John McMillan and Philip McMillan? The cardstock used for this book feels flimsy to me. In fact, the book itself arrived already dinged from Amazon. So, I have doubts that the cardstock will hold up over time no matter how careful I am with this book itself. Additionally, the paperback edition of Humming Heroes by John McMillan and Philip McMillan sells for $15.99, which I think is pricey for a 64 page paperback book printed on what feels like flimsy cardstock. Everything else about this book is fine.

The publisher's summary for Humming Heroes: Inside The Nose That Almost Nobody Knows by John McMillan and Philip McMillan I found on Amazon's website states the following:

Set within a child’s nose, ‘Humming Heroes’ features a family of Lymphocytes led by a wise Mother, brave Father, determined Brother, and heroic Baby, confronting invading microorganisms. The story takes an imaginative turn, emphasizing the power of working together, when the child humming melody combines with the Lymphocytes’ song to repel the invaders and restore inner harmony. This project bridges the gap between scientific knowledge and public understanding, providing both children and adults with an opportunity to explore the fascinating world of the immune system.

I am giving Humming Heroes: Inside The Nose That Almost Nobody Knows by John McMillan and Philip McMillan a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!

Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt

I read the paperback edition of Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt. This is the third novel I've read and reviewed by Gary D. Schmidt in recent years. 

Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt falls into the children's/young adult genres. I find Gary D. Schmidt to be a terrific writer and love his storytelling, attention to plot details, and character development in the novels he writes.

Although, I enjoyed reading Orbiting Jupiter, I didn't love it as much as I did reading Schmidt's novels, The Wednesday Wars and Just Like That. Essentially, I felt like Orbiting Jupiter lacked the depth and detail I became use to while reading the two previous novels I'd read written by the author. Perhaps, Orbiting Jupiter didn't have the depth or detail because it was written for a younger audience? 

However, I did like the characters and storyline for Orbiting Jupiter. And, as usual, Gary D. Schmidt instills wonderful messages within his novels... In this case, second chances, not judging a book by its cover, the importance of always having someone's back, and strong family ties.

Below is the publisher's summary for Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt I found on Amazon's website:

In this riveting novel, two boys discover the true meaning of family and the sacrifices it requires.

Two-time Newbery Honor winner Gary D. Schmidt delivers the shattering story of Joseph, a father at thirteen, who has never seen his daughter, Jupiter.

After spending time in a juvenile facility, he’s placed with a foster family on a farm in rural Maine. Here Joseph, damaged and withdrawn, meets twelve-year-old Jack, who narrates the account of the troubled, passionate teen who wants to find his baby at any cost.

When Jack meets his new foster brother, he knows three things about him:Joseph almost killed a teacher.
He was incarcerated at a place called Stone Mountain.
He has a daughter. Her name is Jupiter. And he has never seen her.

What Jack doesn't know, at first, is how desperate Joseph is to find his baby girl. Or how urgently he, Jack, will want to help.

But the past can't be shaken off. Even as new bonds form, old wounds reopen. The search for Jupiter demands more from Jack than he can imagine.

This tender, heartbreaking novel is Gary D. Schmidt at his best. He is the author of the Printz Honor and Newbery Honor Book Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy; Okay for Now, a National Book Award finalist; and The Wednesday Wars, a Newbery Honor Book, among his many acclaimed novels for young readers.

I am giving Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Untill my next post, happy reading!!

Happy Children's Book Day!!

 

Top Ten Children's Books I'd love to Have Read As A Child

There are many children's books I never read as a child that probably would have been well worth the read at the time. Below are ten children's books I'd still love to read even as an adult. Yes, I realize that I kind of cheated in adding two box set collections.

1. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

2. The Wind and the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

3. The Trumpet of the Swan by E. B. White

4. Blubber by Judy Blume

5. Chronicles of Narnia Box Set by C. S. Lewis

6. The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster

7. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

8. Black Beauty by Anna Sewell

9. The Little House Collection Box Set by Laura Ingalls Wilder

10. National Velvet by Enid Bagnold

Have you read any of the above books?

Throw Back Thursday - Children's Books I Read As An Adult For the First Time

There's so many books I didn't read during my childhood that I would have enjoyed reading back in the day. In fact, there are still many children's books I'd love to read that I never read when I was youngster! I should probably make a list of those books I'd still like to read as an adult.

In the meantime, here's 12 novels I read as an adult and enjoyed reading from the children's genre.

1. Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume

2. Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren

3. Mary Poppins by P. L. Travers

4. Starring Sally J. Freedman As Herself by Judy Blume

5. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang by Ian Fleming

6. The Little Prince by Antoine De Saint-Exupery

7. The Witches by Roald Dahl

8. War Horse by Michael Morpurgo

9. Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

10. Nosebleed by Ged Maybury

11. The Giver by Lois Lowry

12. Anne of Green Gable by L. M. Montgomery

Have you read any of the above books? 

Crime and Carpetbags (Wishes and Wellingtons, #2) by Julie Berry

In March 2019, I listened to and reviewed the unabridged audio version of Wishes & Wellingtons by Julie Berry and narrated by Jayne Entwistle. It had been my first experience with anything written by Julie Berry and I'd thoroughly enjoyed Wishes & Wellingtons. I looked forward to reading another novel written by Julie Berry in the future.

Purely by happenstance, I discovered that a sequel to Wishes & Wellingtons titled, Crime and Carpetbags (Wishes and Wellingtons, #2) by Julie Berry, had been published earlier this year. Since I enjoyed Wishes & Wellingtons so much, I looked forward to the continuation of this series.
I wasn't disappointed with my decision! Crime and Carpetbags (Wishes and Wellingtons, #2) by Julie Berry is wonderfully rendered and well narrated by Jayne Entwistle.

Crime and Carpetbags (Wishes and Wellingtons, #2) by Julie Berry is a book for children set in Victorian England and contains adventure and fantasy elements in its plot. I love the characters for Crime and Carpetbags (Wishes and Wellingtons, #2), especially the main character, Maeve Merrit, as she is a feisty, adventurous girl and an overall fun character.

The writing, plot, and storyline are once again well done by Julie Berry for Crime and Carpetbags (Wishes and Wellingtons, #2). I liked the continuation of the storyline from the first novel in the series and how Crime and Carpetbags (Wishes and Wellingtons, #2) takes readers to new places. 

I certainly enjoyed listening to Crime and Carpetbags (Wishes and Wellingtons, #2) by Julie Berry and I think young readers will too.

Below is a summary for Crime and Carpetbags (Wishes and Wellingtons, #2) by Julie Berry from Audible:

Now that Maeve Merrit has surrendered Mermeros, the djinni she found in a sardine can, she expects her life in London will be dull as dirt. Mermeros, however, has other plans. Maeve’s friend Tommy, a former orphan, has been adopted by Mermeros’s newest owner. When Tommy’s new father tries to use one of his wishes, he and Mermeros go missing - and without a guardian, Tommy will be forced back to the orphanage.

Maeve, Tommy, and their friend Alice embark on an adventure full of magic, danger, and flying carpetbags to rescue Tommy’s father and the djinni they’ve grown to love. But will they come to their rescue before Mermeros’ fabled wishes fall into the wrong hands?

I am giving Crime and Carpetbags (Wishes and Wellingtons, #2) by Julie Berry a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

The Complete Angel Catbird by Margaret Atwood, Johnnie Christmas, & Tamra Bonvillain

 

The Complete Angel Catbird by Margaret Atwood, Johnnie Christmas, & Tamra Bonvillain is the second trilogy I've read in 2021. My goal is to read a total of five trilogies in 2021.

I am a Margaret Atwood fan. So, I was curious about her comic book series, 'Angel Catbird', and wondered what a comic book series would look like from Ms. Atwood. 

The Complete Angel Catbird by Margaret Atwood, Johnnie Christmas, & Tamra Bonvillain is written for kids ages 8-12. I thought the artwork was just okay and the storyline was very simplistic... A half human-rat wants to take over the world and have rats rule the world, but his plans for world domination are thwarted by half human-cats and owls.

There were a lot of cat puns throughout this series that were funny/cute to begin with, but did grow old after a while. There are also a lot of cat facts sprinkled throughout this comic series that were interesting and informative.

Below is the summary for The Complete Angel Catbird by Margaret Atwood, Johnnie Christmas, & Tamra Bonvillain from Amazon:

From the Booker Prize-winning author of The Handmaid's Tale, comes the complete collection of the #1 New York Times bestselling graphic novel from Margaret Atwood!

Internationally best-selling and respected novelist Margaret Atwood and acclaimed artist Johnnie Christmas collaborate for one of the most highly anticipated comic book and literary events!

A genetic engineer caught in the middle of a chemical accident all of a sudden finds himself with superhuman abilities. With these new powers he takes on the identity of Angel Catbird and gets caught in the middle of a war between animal/human hybrids. What follows is a humorous, action-driven, educational, and pulp- inspired superhero adventure--with a lot of cat puns.

Includes previously unpublished art by Margaret Atwood.

Collects Angel Catbird volumes 1-3

I am giving The Complete Angel Catbird by Margaret Atwood, Johnnie Christmas, & Tamra Bonvillain a rating of 2 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Babar's Yoga For Elephants by Laurent De Brunhoff

 

As a toddler, my mother read Babar books to me and I loved them! To this day, I still love elephants a lot. 

My mother gave me the hardback edition of Babar's Yoga For Elephants by Laurent De Brunhoff, when it was first published for the nostalgic factor... Yes, this book is written for children. I love the artwork, cute story, and mostly, I love the images of Babar doing various yoga poses and how we humans can perform each yoga pose too.

I am giving Babar's Yoga For Elephants by Laurent De Brunhoff a rating of 5 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!

Mary Poppins by P. L. Travers

I enjoyed listening to the unabridged audio version of Mary Poppins by P. L. Travers and narrated by Sophie Thompson. 

Listening time for Mary Poppins by P. L. Travers is 3 hours, 50 minutes.

Okay, we probably all know about the iconic 1964 Disney film, Mary Poppins, starring Julie Andrews, right? Well, what I never realized (until this year) was that the Mary Poppins movie was based on a book titled Mary Poppins by Australian-British writer P. L. Travers!! In fact, there were eight books total in the Mary Poppins series published from 1934 through 1988.

I decided to listened to Mary Poppins by P. L. Travers on a whim and enjoyed this children's novel very much. The adventures the four children (Jane, Michael, John and Barbara) have with their nanny, Mary Poppins, was quite fun to read about. I can only imagine how much young children would enjoy this novel.

Below is the plot summary for Mary Poppins by P. L. Travers from Audible:

Here is the timeless story of Mary Poppins, the world's favorite nanny, and her magical adventures with the Banks family.

Mary Poppins is like no other nanny the Banks children have ever seen. It all starts when their new nanny is blown by the east wind onto the doorstep of the Banks house, carrying a parrot-headed umbrella and a magic carpetbag. She becomes a most unusual nanny to Jane, Michael, and the twins. Who else but Mary Poppins can slide up banisters, pull an entire armchair out of an empty carpetbag, and make a dose of medicine taste like delicious lime-juice cordial? A day with Mary Poppins is a day of magic and make-believe come to life!

I am giving Mary Poppins by P. L. Travers a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!