The weather has been RIDICULOUSLY HOT. 😓
Work has been uber busy, and not so much fun...same old, same old. 😕
Home life has been what it is...making the best of things; some highs, some lows. 😟
Reading has been...STILL a bit of a challenge and honestly, I'm not certain when, or even if, my focus will come back to me there. It all started with the losses last year, and I've not been the same since. 😞
HOWEVER, I've seen plenty of memes recently that remind us that reading is for the JOY of it, not the numbers, so I'm taking it a page at a time. 😌
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Despite the lack of focus, I do have a few titles that have unintentionally piled up, so it's time to do a little SPRING(ish) CLEANING of my HAVE READ and HAVE CAUGHT MY ATTENTION pile. What's that mean for you? A nice size helping of shorter reviews to tantalize, tease, and tempt these titles onto your MUST READ list, or if you happen to have read some of them already, invite you to share your thoughts. You're welcome. 😁
Ready or not, here they come!
by Mike Bender
Illustrated by Chuck Dillon
Random House Books for Young Readers
All day, every day, big ones, little ones, and all those in-between are attached to one thing...their phones or other digital and electronic devices. Whether playing games, reading books, doom scrolling, watching videos, completing homework or work work, there's almost no time where our eyes aren't glued to a screen...at least, until they need a charge. But wait, what's this? The power is out? This simply won't do! What's a girl, boy, or PANDA to do? What indeed! This is where our little bored panda learns about all the things that can be enjoyed once you unplug. A little digital detox never hurt anyone, especially in today's go go GO world, and this story is a charming reminder to slow down and smell the roses, or draw them, or spruce up their beds! With full color, full page illustrations throughout, even the youngest readers can catch the lesson being thrown, and it's never too early to develop a GOOD habit. 😉
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by Ross Montgomery
Candlewick Press
Okay, I'm going to spoil this one from the start...the dog does not die, although the brushes with his expiration date are many! Sorry, not sorry for the spoil. It's one of those things I feel is important to know, especially considering it's aimed at a Middle Grade audience first and foremost, but I digress.
This story is told through the eyes/voice/mind of Rebel, a proud young pup that loves his boy very much, and would go to the ends of the earth for him, even when all seems lost. Times are more than trying as they teeter on the brink of an uprising against the king, and it is in these trials that Tom finds himself caught up in growing up way too fast, and forgetting the simpler things...like the love of a dog. That's okay because Rebel hasn't forgotten, and he knows that by his boy's side is where he belongs. Come heck or high water, and despite the boy's command to stay behind, he knows that this is one in order to be the "good boy" he is, he must follow his heart. It's moving and sad, but also uplifting and heartwarming all at the same time. I loved seeing how he stayed true to himself and Tom throughout his journey, and how he allowed his heart strengthened by love to reach out to others, even when they weren't reaching back in return. It's a story for animal lovers, and historical fiction lovers in equal measure, with an ending you won't soon forget.
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Now this is one that simply caught my attention when it made the rounds because, first of all, that cover is beyond curious, and then when you work in the talking plants, grumpy goldfish, and a curious spider...I'm not even sure my imagination knows where to start!
by Beth Ferry
Illustrated by Terry and Eric Fan
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
About the book...
Ivy is the beloved houseplant of young Jillian Tupper of Number 3 Ramshorn Drive, much to the constant dismay of Toasty the goldfish, who is technically the family pet—swimming in his special place of honor, the antique octagonal fish tank—and should be the most loved. It seems that’s how the cookie (or cheese puffs, in Toasty’s case) crumbles in the curious Tupper household, but soon a sequence of thrilling and magical events challenges that way of life forever.
First, there’s the arrival of Arthur, a knowledgeable spider with a broken leg and a curious mind, hidden in an old typewriter. Then Jillian throws everyone for a loop when she brings home dear, sweet Ollie, a school houseplant who just wants to be friends and sing. When Toasty splashes the plants with his tank water out of frustration, the friends learn that they can do magical things—like lift heavy objects and turn things invisible!
It turns out Toasty’s fishtank isn’t just for fish; it was made by a curious inventor who gave it special powers that, in the wrong hands, could disrupt everything forever. And a curious man with purple shoes just so happens to want that tank at any cost. Can Ivy, Toasty, Arthur, and Ollie grow to be friends in time to work together to save their beloved Tupper family from utter ruin?
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Special thanks to the authors, publicists, and publishers listed for the copies for review. (THANKS!) For more information on any title listed, feel free to click through the links provided above.
Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!
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