Throw Back Thursday Book Review 5/10/23

Welcome to my weekly post where I look back at some of my four and five star reads before I started Nicole’s Nook.

Today’s book: The Wishing Thread by Lisa Van Allen

Publisher: Ballantine Books

Publication Date: September 3, 2013

Date Read: September 27, 2014

Favorite Quote:

“A heart was not a thing that should have an attack mode.”

~The Wishing Thread, Lisa Van Allen

Goodreads Synopsis:

The Van Ripper women have been the talk of Tarrytown, New York, for centuries. Some say they’re angels; some say they’re crooks. In their tumbledown “Stitchery,” not far from the stomping grounds of the legendary Headless Horseman, the Van Ripper sisters—Aubrey, Bitty, and Meggie—are said to knit people’s most ardent wishes into beautiful scarves and mittens, granting them health, success, or even a blossoming romance. But for the magic to work, sacrifices must be made—and no one knows that better than the Van Rippers.

When the Stitchery matriarch, Mariah, dies, she leaves the yarn shop to her three nieces. Aubrey, shy and reliable, has dedicated her life to weaving spells for the community, though her sisters have long stayed away. Bitty, pragmatic and persistent, has always been skeptical of magic and wants her children to have a normal, nonmagical life. Meggie, restless and free-spirited, follows her own set of rules. Now, after Mariah’s death forces a reunion, the sisters must reassess the state of their lives even as they decide the fate of the Stitchery. But their relationships with one another—and their beliefs in magic—are put to the test. Will the threads hold?

My Thoughts

This was a sweet story about sisterhood, magic and hope. Set in Tarrytown, the magical story gives lots of nods to Sleepy Hollow. Everyone says this, but it really if you like Sarah Addison Allen’s writing, you will love this book.

May 11, 2023

Picture Book Review: What if I’m not a Cat? by Kari-Lynn Winters and Kelly Collier

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free digital advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Title: What if I’m not a Cat?

Authors: Kari-Lynn Winters

Illustrator: Kelly Collier

Publication Date: June 6, 2023

Publisher: Kids Can Press

Book Description:

A sweet, playful story about identity – and what it means to belong. Why, of course Donkey’s a cat. He spends all his time with the other cats on the farm. He licks his fur and pounces, just like they do. He even cuddles with them at nap time. Though, he must admit, sometimes he does feel … a little off. So, when Farmer says to him, “Donkey, you’re acting like a cat!” it gets him thinking. What if he’s not a cat? And if not, then what is he? Will going off on his own help Donkey figure out what he is and where he belongs? Award-winning author Kari-Lynn Winters’s delightful story of self-discovery uses kid-perfect hilarity to deliver the message that every individual has something unique to offer to their community. The contrast between Donkey and his cat friends makes for laugh-out-loud silliness in Kelly Collier’s endearing and amusing art (ever seen a Donkey perch on a fence post?). Pages are filled with spot illustrations, speech bubbles and action words that keep the visual appeal high. Sure to be a story-time crowd-pleaser, this picture book could easily spark discussions about identity, fitting in and belonging. It also works well for character education lessons on adaptability, inclusiveness, initiative and caring.

My Thoughts:

Donkey assumes he’s a cat because all his friends are cats. But, sometimes he feels different. Then, one day the farmer makes a comment that makes him think, maybe he’s wrong and he’s not a cat at all. Kids will love this story. The illustrations of donkey acting like a cat are so funny. They will laugh outloud when they see Donkey curling up on the farmers lap or trying to climb a tree. It’s such a fun way to lead kids to discussions about finding your identity.

May 7, 2023

Picture Book Review: Holly and the Pittie Party by Julian Frischherz

Thank you to netgalley for providing me with a free digital advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Title; Holly and the Pittie Party

Author: Julian Frischherz

Publisher: North Star Editions, Jolly Fish Press

Publication Date: July 25, 2023

Book Description:

After her family realizes the puppy they adopted is a pit bull, Holly finds herself abandoned in the city. To make matters worse, many people are unwilling to help her because of the misconceptions about her breed. Holly’s search for love (and food) takes her through the city to a dog park, an animal shelter, and, finally, a fabulous pittie party. Against the backdrop of a culture not yet ready to accept all kinds of dogs, Holly learns that love and belonging are still possible.

My Thoughts:

This is a sweet story about a puppy who is misjudged because she’s a pitbull. It starts out sad, but never fear Holly finds a family that will give her the love she deserves. No doubt, this touching story will inspire readers to give real pitbulls their own happy endings.

May 4, 2023

Throw Back Thursday Book Review

Welcome to my weekly post where I look back at some of my four and five star reads before I started Nicole’s Nook.

Today’s book: The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott

Publisher: Anchor

Publication Date: February 21, 2012

Date Read: September 10, 2016

Favorite Quote

“You know one of the best things? Women gathering, marching, doing anything together makes a lot of men go crazy. They yell and scream and taunt and shake their fists. You know why? They’re scared. They’re scared we’ll actually gain power and force them to change.”
― Kate Alcott, The Dressmaker

Goodreads Synopsis:

Just in time for the centennial anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic comes a vivid, romantic, and relentlessly compelling historical novel about a spirited young woman who survives the disaster only to find herself embroiled in the media frenzy left in the wake of the tragedy.

Tess, an aspiring seamstress, thinks she’s had an incredibly lucky break when she is hired by famous designer Lady Lucile Duff Gordon to be a personal maid on the Titanic’s doomed voyage. Once on board, Tess catches the eye of two men, one a roughly-hewn but kind sailor and the other an enigmatic Chicago millionaire. But on the fourth night, disaster strikes.

Amidst the chaos and desperate urging of two very different suitors, Tess is one of the last people allowed on a lifeboat. Tess’s sailor also manages to survive unharmed, witness to Lady Duff Gordon’s questionable actions during the tragedy. Others—including the gallant Midwestern tycoon—are not so lucky.

On dry land, rumors about the survivors begin to circulate, and Lady Duff Gordon quickly becomes the subject of media scorn and later, the hearings on the Titanic. Set against a historical tragedy but told from a completely fresh angle, The Dressmaker is an atmospheric delight filled with all the period’s glitz and glamour, all the raw feelings of a national tragedy and all the contradictory emotions of young love.

My Thoughts:

The irony of the unsinkable ship that sunk on it’s maiden voyage has fascinated people for over a century now. I’ve read several books about the doomed ship, but this was the first to focus on the aftermath and the trials that followed. Tess was a relatable character who evolved throughout the story from a naive girl to a confident woman. A must read for any titanic fanatic.

May 4, 2023

Middle Grade Book Review: The One and Only Ruby by Katherine Applegate

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free digital advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I meant to post this one yesterday on release day, but didn’t get to it. The good news is it’s available now, and I highly recommend you get your hands on a copy.

Title: The One and Only Ruby

Author: Katherine Applegate

Publisher: HarperCollins

Publication Date: May 2, 2023

Book Description:

Ruby’s story picks up a few months after the events of The One and Only Bob. Now living in a wildlife sanctuary, Ruby’s caretaker from the elephant orphanage in Africa where she grew up is visiting. Seeing him again brings back a flood of memories both happy and sad of her life before the circus, and she recounts the time she spent in the African savannah to Ivan and Bob.

In the timeless way that only Katherine Applegate could craft, this highly anticipated novel in verse is the perfect mix of heartfelt and humorous, poignant and sweet. Artist Patricia Castelao returns to the world of Ivan and his friends with gorgeous black-and-white interior illustrations to complete the story.

The One and Only Ruby features first-person narrative; author’s use of literary devices (personification, imagery); and story elements (plot, character development, perspective).

This highly anticipated middle grade novel is an excellent choice for tween readers in grades 5 to 8, for independent reading, homeschooling, and sharing in the classroom.

My Thoughts:

I love this series so much! Applegate does such a good job of balancing sweet moments, humor and animal rights. The short chapters are great for kids who are intimidated by big books.In this story Ruby is preparing to celebrate her tuskday, which is an important milestone for any young elephant. This causes her to reflect on her past. She shares the story of her time in Africa with her friends. In her short life Ruby has seen both the best and worst of humanity. We also learn about favorite elephant passtimes like floppy-running. I love Ruby as a narrator, her voice is a perfect blend of innocence and wisdom beyond her years.

This is book three in the series. I have not read The One and Only Bob yet, and that didn’t seem to matter. You should definitely read The One and Only Ivan first though, or a lot of the story won’t make sense to you.

May 3, 2023

My Favorite Read of April 2023: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

“Libraries were full of ideas—perhaps the most dangerous and powerful of all weapons.”
― Sarah J. Maas, Throne of Glass

Goodreads Synopsis:

In a land without magic, where the king rules with an iron hand, an assassin is summoned to the castle. She comes not to kill the king, but to win her freedom. If she defeats twenty-three killers, thieves, and warriors in a competition, she is released from prison to serve as the king’s champion. Her name is Celaena Sardothien.

The Crown Prince will provoke her. The Captain of the Guard will protect her. But something evil dwells in the castle of glass—and it’s there to kill. When her competitors start dying one by one, Celaena’s fight for freedom becomes a fight for survival, and a desperate quest to root out the evil before it destroys her world.

My Thoughts:

I read this one as part of a challenge to read books that have been on my tbr pile the longest. I don’t why I waited so long. It was so good! I read a lot of fantasy novels with young, strong, female protagonists. But, Celaena stands out from the rest. Even though she’s faced many hardships and has lethal skills, Celaena still finds enjoyment out of life and holds true to her ethics. She loves dogs, reading, dressing up, and going to parties like many girls. She just happens to fight some dark forces along the way.

Reasons I liked Throne of Glass:

Celaena is incredibly relatable for an assassin

Even though some horrible things are happening in this world, there’s a thread of hopefulness throughout the story

Captain of the Guard, Chaol is a perfect combination of tough and kind

May 1, 2023

Picture Book Review: The Boy Who Cried Poop by Alessandra Requena

Thank you to netgalley for providing me with a free digital advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Title: The Boy Who Cried Poop

Author: Alessandra Requena

Illustrator: Guilherme Karsten

Publisher: Quarto Publishing Group- Frances Lincoln Children’s Books

Publication Date: May 11, 2023

Book Description:

A laugh-out-loud story with heart, based on true events about one boy’s trip to the loo and learning that everyone has accidents sometimes.

A father is just trying to take his kids for a refreshing swim in the pool, but every time they jump in…

“DAD! I NEED TO POO!”

By the time they get to the loo: “I don’t need to go anymore!” Sound familiar?
Back and forth, back and forth they go. “Just poop already!” yells the big sister.

Until finally, the little brother… does. Oops!

Based on true events in the real life of one unfortunate little brother…
A laugh-out-loud story with heart, because when you gotta go, you gotta go!

My Thoughts:

This book is so funny and so relatable. While on vacation, Dad and the kids head to the pool, only for Marc to announce he has to poop. They grab all their stuff and return up the stairs to their motel room, only to discover that it was a false alarm. They return to the pool, only to repeat the entire scenario over and over. Each time they encounter more crazy characters on the stairs. Eventually, Dad can’t take it anymore and refuses to go back. But, this time, it isn’t a false alarm, and Marc has an accident. Instead of being angry, all the characters share stories of times they’ve had an accident. The colorful, silly drawings add charm to the books and keep kids coming back to see new details. I love that this book will make kids laugh while also telling them that it’s okay to make mistakes.

April 25, 2023

Picture Book Review: Princess Pru and the Ogre on the Hill by Maureen Fergus

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free digital advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Title: Princess Pru and the Ogre on the Hill

Author: Maureen Fergus

Illustrator: Danesh Mohiuddin

Publication Date: April 18, 2023

Publisher: Owlkids Books

Book Description:

Shrek meets The Paper Bag Princess in this fearsomely funny story about a savvy princess who looks past appearances to befriend an ogre

Princess Pru’s life is practically perfect. She has two loving dads, an ostrich named Orville, and three royal tarantulas. But one day, a ghastly ogre with crusty toenails and goopy ears moves into the house on the hill. At first, Pru sees the ogre as a nuisance: he disrupts her royal rock band practices, weekly tickle tag games, and even the hide-and-seek tournament. But then she starts to wonder if the ogre is just lonely.

The unsympathetic townspeople become especially terrified when Oggy the ogre is spotted buying cupcakes and balloons. They receive ominous notes (that look very much like invitations), and the kings are convinced that Oggy wants to make everyone into a stew! But with courage and spunk, Pru heads to the house on the hill to meet Oggy—for a party! All along, Oggy just wanted to make friends—and thanks to Pru, he does.

Whimsical, hand-drawn illustrations and expressive characters perfectly capture this unconventional fairy tale about empathy, belonging, and daring not to follow the crowd.

My Thoughts:

This is a familiar premise for a children’s story. A grumpy character is misunderstood, but the protagonist sees the goodness underneath. The fun illustrations and storyline add a quirkiness to the familiar tale that children will love.

April 23, 2023

Throw Back Thursday Book Review

Welcome to my weekly post where I look back at some of my four and five star reads before I started Nicole’s Nook.

Today’s book: The Wilder Life: My Adventures in the Lost World of Little House on the Prairie by Wendy McClure

Publisher: Riverhead

Publication Date: April 14, 2011

Date Read: September 8, 2016

Favorite Quote:

“If being a girl is a frontier all its own, what is the manifest destiny?”
― Wendy McClure, The Wilder Life: My Adventures in the Lost World of Little House on the Prairie

Goodreads Synopsis:

For anyone who has ever wanted to step into the world of a favorite book, here is a pioneer pilgrimage, a tribute to Laura Ingalls Wilder, and a hilarious account of butter-churning obsession.

Wendy McClure is on a quest to find the world of beloved Little House on the Prairie author Laura Ingalls Wilder-a fantastic realm of fiction, history, and places she’s never been to, yet somehow knows by heart. She retraces the pioneer journey of the Ingalls family-

My Thoughts:

This is a memoir that gets to the heart of Gen-X girls who wanted to be Laura. McClure goes on a mission to visit all of the Little House related landmarks, and to live the pioneer life style (she concedes that she’s driving a car and has access to wifi). Along the way she talks about what makes the stories so appealing while still addressing the controversies that surround the books. It’s a journey of self-discovery filled with humor and heart.

April 20, 2023

Picture Book Review: In Your Dreams by Pamela Green

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free digital advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Book Description:

“The adventurous spirit of In Your Dreams captures Boys & Girls Clubs’ legacy of inspiring young people worldwide to dream big and create brighter futures for themselves and us all.”—Boys & Girls Clubs of America

As a mother holds her sleeping baby, she ponders the dreams dancing through his head.

Has he traveled back in time to play with the dinosaurs? Is he climbing tall mountains among the clouds? Is he watching dolphins frolic in the sea, or visiting new friends in faraway places?

Told in gentle rhymes with whimsical illustrations to spark the imaginations of children of all ages, this sweet and timeless book is a story of curiosity, possibility, and, above all, the wonder of love.

My Thoughts:

This is a sweet bedtime story. The vibrant illustrations will engage a young child’s interest while sparking their interest about places all over the world. While baby dreams of adventures around the world, the reader learns the most precious dreams are those of his loved ones. This is a future classic that should added to bedtime routines along with stories like Goodnight Moon and Love You Forever.

April 18, 2023