I need to read children's books to stay sane!
Aghghghg! My book-world is quietly falling apart, as publishers change and close, and even self-publishers prove to be built on shifting sands. Createspace is going to merge with KDP (logical - they're both Amazon) and "some" of my books won't work, but no one will tell me which. Or was that just a general warning sent to everyone. Or... whatever, it caused unhappy (unproductive) hours researching "stuff." But those were hours when I was meant to be researching public domain images for re-releasing my Bible stories. (They have a fantastic publisher, but he's closing soon and is very generously helping me cope with the change.) Perhaps they were hours that should have been devoted the re-release of my Mathemafiction novels (getting distribution through Ingram Spark, etc). Or perhaps to releasing overdue book reviews...
Yes, book reviews. Reading books is the only thing keeping me sane (well, that and drinking too much coffee and eating too many gluten-free cookies. I'm working on replacing the cookies with gluten-free bread and strawberry-jalapeno jam! Delicious!). So here are a few reviews, just to prove at least a few of those hours have been well spent.
Children's books and books for teens... a good place to relax the adult brain (that is rapidly turning to mush and childhood again)...
The Ian's Realm Saga by D. L. Gardner is a cool fantasy trilogy that I read a while ago and couldn't resist rereading when it was offered a single ebook. Modern day teen who plays and writes computer games, not many friends, suddenly thrown into a world where heroes are made. I really enjoyed all three novels. Drink some elegant, complex four-star coffee while you read.
Another middle-grade series includes The Land Without Color and The Great Sugar War, both by Benjamin Ellefson. Fairy tales that are fun for kids and thought-provoking for adults, these portray modern-world problems (overeating, unthinking acceptance of reported news, a world of black and white with no shades of gray, and the importance of thinking for ourselves) through the lens of a magical world where middle-grade humans struggle to unite their zany friends into good fellowship. The hero's are male, making these particularly good for reluctant boy readers. Enjoy with some bright lively two-star coffee.
The Wizard of Tut Tut Bun by John McCarrick is a chapbook for middle-grade readers, nicely designed so that each chapter is an individual story feeding into an overall story arc. It reads like a grandparent telling a tale to children gathered on the floor, or like campfire stories on vacation. Fun characters (talking trees anyone?) and a nicely satisfying conclusion, enjoy with some more lively two-star coffee.
Max’s Story: A dog’s purpose puppy tale by W. Bruce Cameron is a very cool middle-grade novel with neat illustrations and a DOG. Who can resist a fiercely protective Yorkie discovering his designated human? The novel offers wise lessons for humans and dogs and vividly portrays the small dog's point of view. Enjoy this lively read with some lively two-star coffee.
The Very Worst Riding School in the World book 1 and book 2 by Lucinda Clarke may be aimed at slightly older readers, but the humor and voice are pleasantly natural in this memoir of an English women in Botswana, a non-rider accidentally teaching youngsters to ride. It's a fun read for many ages and cultures, entertaining, informative, and even oddly uplifting. Enjoy with some more two-star coffee - it's a very lively tale.
For younger children, I've been reading the Underground Toy Society books by Jessica D. Adams. The Underground Toy Society's Song Book, The Underground Toy Society Halloween Scare, The Underground Toy Society Helps Beary Bear and The Underground Toy Society Saves Peggy. I was surprised by the variety in the books, from simple picture book to intriguing story with "about the author" details. A series that grows with the kids perhaps. Enjoy some lively reading with lively drinking and two-star coffee.
One final picture book to round out my collection, then I'll go drink some of that coffee. What if Everybody said that? By Ellen Javernick is a bright fun book with details drawn from real life and a very wise lesson. Each page involves a different "What if everyone said...?" example. Good humor well presented; enjoy with some elegant complex four-star coffee with this one. Which is exactly what I'm about to enjoy!
Yes, book reviews. Reading books is the only thing keeping me sane (well, that and drinking too much coffee and eating too many gluten-free cookies. I'm working on replacing the cookies with gluten-free bread and strawberry-jalapeno jam! Delicious!). So here are a few reviews, just to prove at least a few of those hours have been well spent.
Children's books and books for teens... a good place to relax the adult brain (that is rapidly turning to mush and childhood again)...
The Ian's Realm Saga by D. L. Gardner is a cool fantasy trilogy that I read a while ago and couldn't resist rereading when it was offered a single ebook. Modern day teen who plays and writes computer games, not many friends, suddenly thrown into a world where heroes are made. I really enjoyed all three novels. Drink some elegant, complex four-star coffee while you read.
Another middle-grade series includes The Land Without Color and The Great Sugar War, both by Benjamin Ellefson. Fairy tales that are fun for kids and thought-provoking for adults, these portray modern-world problems (overeating, unthinking acceptance of reported news, a world of black and white with no shades of gray, and the importance of thinking for ourselves) through the lens of a magical world where middle-grade humans struggle to unite their zany friends into good fellowship. The hero's are male, making these particularly good for reluctant boy readers. Enjoy with some bright lively two-star coffee.
The Wizard of Tut Tut Bun by John McCarrick is a chapbook for middle-grade readers, nicely designed so that each chapter is an individual story feeding into an overall story arc. It reads like a grandparent telling a tale to children gathered on the floor, or like campfire stories on vacation. Fun characters (talking trees anyone?) and a nicely satisfying conclusion, enjoy with some more lively two-star coffee.
Max’s Story: A dog’s purpose puppy tale by W. Bruce Cameron is a very cool middle-grade novel with neat illustrations and a DOG. Who can resist a fiercely protective Yorkie discovering his designated human? The novel offers wise lessons for humans and dogs and vividly portrays the small dog's point of view. Enjoy this lively read with some lively two-star coffee.
The Very Worst Riding School in the World book 1 and book 2 by Lucinda Clarke may be aimed at slightly older readers, but the humor and voice are pleasantly natural in this memoir of an English women in Botswana, a non-rider accidentally teaching youngsters to ride. It's a fun read for many ages and cultures, entertaining, informative, and even oddly uplifting. Enjoy with some more two-star coffee - it's a very lively tale.
For younger children, I've been reading the Underground Toy Society books by Jessica D. Adams. The Underground Toy Society's Song Book, The Underground Toy Society Halloween Scare, The Underground Toy Society Helps Beary Bear and The Underground Toy Society Saves Peggy. I was surprised by the variety in the books, from simple picture book to intriguing story with "about the author" details. A series that grows with the kids perhaps. Enjoy some lively reading with lively drinking and two-star coffee.
One final picture book to round out my collection, then I'll go drink some of that coffee. What if Everybody said that? By Ellen Javernick is a bright fun book with details drawn from real life and a very wise lesson. Each page involves a different "What if everyone said...?" example. Good humor well presented; enjoy with some elegant complex four-star coffee with this one. Which is exactly what I'm about to enjoy!
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