Erica says...
I received a free digital Advanced Reading Copy of this book in exchange for giving an honest review. This book is by John Owens and is completely made up of illustrations, without any words. For me, it was a reflection on nature, slowing down, and being present in the beautiful outdoors. I felt the book came to an end a little too quickly. The feel of reading this book is more like flipping through a photo album than reading a novel (or even a graphic novel). Like I said, my only wish is that it was a bit longer. It felt like it created a slow, relaxed environment, but then suddenly came to an end. I'd like it to be drawn out a bit more. If you're looking for a book with only pictures that evokes a calming, relaxing feel, this could be a great read for your family! It would be a great book for young kids who are learning to love nature and the environment. They can enjoy the artwork in this book without needing your help to read the words! This book is being published in September 2020!
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Erica says...
Pashmina is a beautiful graphic novel by Nidhi Chanani that explores the complexities of living between two worlds- two cultures, two countries, two identities. The artwork is beautiful and I love the messages in this book. The pashmina shawl is an especially beautiful symbol of how our idealistic, yet sometimes unrealistic, hopes and dreams motivate us to make major life decisions, which turn out to be essential in creating our life path and our personal character... even though the path turns out to have it's own struggles and isn't always as perfect as we had imagined. Pashmina is an authentic and sweet story. Erica says...
This was a beautiful graphic novel. So real. I loved how genuine it was. It is a memoire of the author's, Robin's, experiences moving from Korea to the U.S. as a young person. (SPOILER ALERT) Her mom told her they were going on a vacation to Alabama... turns out that her mom actually surprised Robin while in Alabama, telling her that she was getting married so they would be staying in Alabama. Robin was shocked and devastated. She hadn't brought her things from Korea, and hadn't even said goodbye to her friends. This novel is all about the difficulties, successes, heart-breaks, and joys of moving from Korea to America at that age. She hardly knew English, and it took a long time for her to make any real friends. She was treated cruelly by some of her peers. This book also dives into some of the struggles she faced not only with American culture, but also with Korean culture. The novel beautifully addresses the issue of not quite fitting in in either place- she felt like she didn't really fit in in America or Korea. She had to learn to define herself and embrace her unique situation. The story is beautiful and I think it's really important for everyone to become more familiar with the issues addressed in this book. This is a young adult graphic novel and contains some language that may or may not bother different individuals. Even the language used demonstrates the challenges of being surrounded by a completely new culture and language. Erica says...
This was a really enjoyable and educational graphic novel. I think it's a great resource for parents and for teens and young people! This novel helps to normalize menstruation and issues surrounding it. I think it's a great resource for parents to use in teaching their daughters and sons. It would be helpful for a girl to be able to read this before entering the unknown world of menstruation and puberty! It would also help a young man to be able to read this, so that the topic can be normalized for him, and so he can be a help rather than a hinderance to his female peers and female figures throughout his life. Also, the story is just really delightful and charming. The four main characters give a wonderful example of true friendship, making mistakes, forgiving, and helping each other in hard situations. This was a really great read and such a unique and well done graphic novel. The art is beautiful too! Another issue that is very briefly, some-what discreetly, referred to in the novel is same-sex attraction. Personally, I think it's a valuable conversation starter for parents and children, regardless of your beliefs surrounding the topic. Overall, I think this novel is not only a very enjoyable read, but also an approachable, genuine, and inspiring conversation piece, especially helpful as a resource for parents/guardians in teaching children. It's a positive and approachable introduction into feminist and equality issues. Erica says...
I loved this graphic novel by Jen Wang. It is a juvenile fiction and I think it would be a great book for kids (8-10ish or older), teens, and adults! I thought it was a beautiful, touching, and very real story. It left me feeling very uplifted and satisfied, and was a relaxing 1-2 hour leisure read! You know the books that just leave your heart feeling warm, content, and inspired? This graphic novel was one of those for me. The story is about Christine and Moon, two young girls who form a beautiful friendship. But their friendship doesn't go perfectly smoothly. The bumps along the road they experience, as well as how they learn to deal with a range of challenges (from jealousy, personality conflicts, insecurity, parents' expectations, and even financial and medical challenges), make the story beautiful and meaningful. I'd definitely recommend this one! And I'd rate it 5/5! Rating: 5/5 Erica says...
The Okay Witch by Emma Steinkellner is a teen (juvenile fiction) graphic novel. This was a fun and easy read about a girl trying to find herself and where she belongs in the world. To add a twist to the already tumultuous teenage years... at age thirteen she discovers she is a witch! It probably only took me a few hours to finish the entire novel. The story is simple and sweet, and the artwork is really fun. This book was voted as a good book to pick up for reluctant young adult readers, and I agree that it would be a great book to help a teen (or young adult) jump into reading. It was a perfect relaxed afternoon read for me. Erica says...
Cinder, by Marissa Meyer, is loosely based off of the classic Cinderella story... But it takes place in a future dystopian type setting in China. And Cinder is a cyborg. (Minor details!) It's quite unique and different! Here're my thoughts... Firstly, if you love the Uglies trilogy by Scott Westerfeld, then I'm pretty certain you will love this series. This first book, Cinder, is loosely based on the classic Cinderella story- but in ways that surprise and delight you. It is not at all predictable because of its connection to Cinderella. And it has a very strong sci-fi feel. If you like the sound of a sci-fi, romance, action, adventure, adrenaline-surge type read, try it out! There are scenes that could be disturbing for sensitive individuals- including myself. Characters in the book suffer and die from a plague, and have identification chips removed from their wrists. These scenes were too much for me. This also will sound odd, but I have a weird relationship with these suspense/adrenaline types of books. Once I begin, I want to know the end of the story... But then when the first book ends on a cliff hanger, I feel frustrated! I just want it to be over, so I can be content! Haha, I guess I don't always like the addictiveness of these types of books. Books that are almost thrillers. Like I said, it really had a similar flavor to me as the Uglies series. As far as the intensity, thrills, and suspense. It also shares the similarity of taking place in a very futuristic time, with very creative technologies, in a much different world than the one we currently live in. Like I mentioned, the intensity was too much for me to be excited to read it again. I'm not feeling ready to continue the series. But it might be right up your alley! It's a creative story, really neat characters and settings, very well done, and keeps you turning pages! A few more glimpses to get you excited: androids, cyborgs, a prince facing tragedy, a ball that ends in disaster, mystery, cool technology, a race of lunar creatures with manipulative powers, an impossible love story, and much more! Erica says...
Dealing with Dragons is the first book in the Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia Wrede. There are four books total in the series. I'm on a bit of a dragon kick and have been searching for my next dragon read! This one peaked my interest because of this combination: family friendly, fun for kids and adults, strong female lead character, and dragons! Cimorene is a fun lead character. She is a princess who is utterly fed up with her royal lifestyle, and the boring routines and limitations of being a "good" princess (one who doesn't defy any traditions and stereotypes). She'd much rather go to work for a dragon than marry a shallow prince and live her shallow princess life. Her interests lie in fencing, studying latin, cooking, and learning everything she can! (All things which her parents banned her from doing, since apparently they are not proper things for a princess to do.) I read several reviews about this book in which readers stated that this book series was their entry way into fantasy as a child. I've also read several comments along the lines of "Before there was Harry Potter, there was Princess Cimorene..." Some even claim to enjoy this series more than the Harry Potter books. I personally really did enjoy this first book! But I'll have to read the rest of the series before comparing it to Harry Potter! The audiobook is really fun because the narrators are super theatrical. The voices of the dragons are especially entertaining. My three-year-old son even seemed to enjoy listening, although I’m not sure to what degree he was able to follow the story. I’d definitely recommend this book (or the audiobook) if you are looking for a family read that is fun, light, and appropriate for young children. It definitely felt light and easy- so more of a relaxing read than a deep thought-provoking read. But I do think it contains valuable lessons for young children- including thinking for yourself and creating your place in the world, rather than blindly following stereotypes and prejudices. I think it’s really best described as a fun, creative, easy read. I’ll be continuing the series and am excited about reading the books aloud to my kids. Erica says...
Is it just me, or are pet care guides with brightly colored photos (and up-to-date, accurate information) just completely irresistible? Who couldn't love that cute little gecko face on the cover... It's staring into my soul, saying, "Buy my book and research my species!" Some of you know that our club mascot, Luna, is a crested gecko. Although I've done a lot of research on crested gecko care, I'm very excited about purchasing a beautiful book like this one and delving into its gecko-filled pages! Irresistible- am I right??! Erica says...
A Tangle of Knots by Lisa Graff is a zany and whimsical book! It was a true "bawbee" find, since I found it for an amazing deal at a thrift store! I couldn't resist the whimsical and colorful cover! I also really enjoy reading things written by authors I've never heard of before. I enjoyed Lisa Graff's unique writing style and very creative ideas. The book even includes recipes for some of Cady's famous cakes! A "tangle of knots" is a great way to describe the way this book feels. The author weaves you in and out of different characters' perspectives and stories, giving you pieces of a puzzle, but few clues to how the pieces fit together. The characters live in a world where most people are born with special "talents." The talents vary from tying knots, baking cakes, perfectly aiming spit, disappearing, and matching people with exactly what they are looking for! They seem random, yet somehow these talents come into play in important ways throughout the story. Cady, an 11 year-old orphan girl with a talent for baking exquisite cakes, is our main character. Through her adventures and encounters with a talent thief, she comes to know about her past and gains a happier future! The book weaves many stories together in interesting and unpredictable ways- how do a secret peanut butter recipe, a man who collects old suitcases, an emporium, perfectly baked cakes, lost relatives in Africa, Cady the orphan, and a whole slew of interesting characters all tie together? If you are looking for a fun, quick, quirky, mysterious, engaging read, I'd recommend giving A Tangle of Knots a try! And you can even bake a cake part way through the book as you come across one of Cady's recipes! |