They love me, they love me not...

Hi there!

Welcome back to the site that doesn't know the meaning of the words "no time for reading"...or at least faints at the mere thought of them...Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.  

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY...

...to one, to all; the BIG and the small.

Whether you be single, spoken for, or happily hitched, 

may you all have a FABULOUS day filled with love.

In honor of the holiday, the featured title I've selected places love front and center with high hopes, dainty dreams and a great reminder of the magic that love instills in our lives each and every day.  It's for the wee folks, the not-so-wee folks and everyone in between because let's face it...love makes the world go round in all its shapes and forms.  Without further ado, today's book of choice is...

If I Found a Wistful Unicorn

by

Ann Ashford

Illustrated by

Bill Drath

As curious as the title is, the words within match its stride equally creating a harmonious read filled to the brim with expressions of love both ordinary and extraordinary.

It's truly a work of art both inside and out.  The book jacket is simple and unassuming, yet just behind it the cloth covered hardbound work with its wistful unicorn rearing lends it an air of fantasy.  Beyond the cover, we've page after page of watercolor illustrations lending their gentle touch to the warm words of love within.  Each turn of the page reveals another situation to ponder, leading up to a final declaration of love known, valued and treasured simply because of all the revelations made along the way.

"If I picked a little flower up and out it in a paper cup...
Would you smell it?"

"If my nightingale were a monotone and much too shy to sing alone...
Would you hum with him?"

These sentiments and more are worded just so to pique the readers interest, tease their curiosity into wondering just where they are being led and establish a relationship with the recipient that leaves no room for doubt about their status in another's eyes...and heart.  It's beautiful, sweet and curious...the pictures lending your mind's eye a helping hand so that you can explore each page to its fullest.  Speaking of exploring, there is a little surprise on every page just waiting to be found...sort of a magical tag-a-long that stays with you the whole book through; just another pausing point of wonder in this fabulous tale. To say I enjoyed the journey would be a gross understatement but alas, sometimes words fail to express the true beauty of the thing at hand.  I'll close in saying only this...read it.  For yourself, to another, or even as a gift, it's a touching work that works on so many levels and for all ages that will leave you with a smile on your face, a twinkle in your eye and an extra warmth in your heart.

Review copy received courtesy of Emily at Peachtree Publishers.  (THANKS!) For more information on this title as well as their complete catalog, be sure to stop by their official website, pay a visit to their blog, like them on Facebook or follow along on Twitter.  This book is available now so be on the look out for in on a bookstore shelf near you.

Another curious thing to note is that this particular edition of this work is the anniversary gift edition.  What anniversary are we celebrating?  I'm glad you asked.  As it seems, Peachtree Publishers was established way back in May 1977 by Ms. Helen Elliott.  Her dream of establishing a Southern publishing destination finally became a reality after a successful battle with cancer...funny (or rather not) how as we grow older we lose the trail of stardust our dreams left for us to follow and yet extreme crisis will shine a new light on them once again.  Anywho...a dream became reality and with the help of fellow cancer survivor Bill Drath (yep, the illustrator of this work!), she was put in contact with the eloquent thoughts of Ms. Ann Ashford.  Their collaboration became the FIRST book ever published by Peachtree Publishers...the work you are reading about today.  Pretty cool, huh?  ^_^

Until next time...HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY...and happy reading!