Darling picture book about a little vampire who can't sleep because of the scary things he's hearing outside, and the clever explanations his mama vamDarling picture book about a little vampire who can't sleep because of the scary things he's hearing outside, and the clever explanations his mama vampire comes up with to explain away those awful noises! The pictures are an absolute treat! ...more
A real charmer! Essentially a Parent Trap story, but without the unhinged parents-separating-siblings-at-birth part. Also fun to explore both ChristmaA real charmer! Essentially a Parent Trap story, but without the unhinged parents-separating-siblings-at-birth part. Also fun to explore both Christmas and Hanukkah, and the meaning of family and tradition....more
Very, very cute follow up to So, This is Christmas. This one, which takes place immediately after, plunges Finley and Arthur back into life at their eVery, very cute follow up to So, This is Christmas. This one, which takes place immediately after, plunges Finley and Arthur back into life at their elite prep school, to navigate their newfound romance in front of an audience of their peers. But all is not well in Romanceland! Can they even make it to the Valentine's Day dance?!
Merged review:
Very, very cute follow up to So, This is Christmas. This one, which takes place immediately after, plunges Finley and Arthur back into life at their elite prep school, to navigate their newfound romance in front of an audience of their peers. But all is not well in Romanceland! Can they even make it to the Valentine's Day dance?!...more
I cleverly did not tell my daughter that this was written by the author of The Hundred Dresses (a book I love and she HATES) until after I had read itI cleverly did not tell my daughter that this was written by the author of The Hundred Dresses (a book I love and she HATES) until after I had read it aloud!
But anyway, I had never heard of this, even though I love books about witches: worst witches, okay witches, little witches, sexy grownup witches, whatevs. So naturally I had to grab a copy and read it aloud to my kids this October, all of us going in completely blind. Had I known that this book skewed so young, though, I probably would have just read it myself and left it out for the kids to flip through as they wanted. The main characters of Real Girls Amy and Clarissa are both six, and so is Little Witch Girl Hannah. They say things like "banquish" instead of "banish" and the world of the witches is basically a story that Amy is making up and drawing with her crayons. I mean, it's ADORABLE, but I was reading it aloud to a 15yo and an 11yo, so they were not that into it! ...more
It's just days before Halloween, and the newly crowned Pumpkin Queen, fresh off her honeymoon, isn't sure where she belongs and if she even belongs. AIt's just days before Halloween, and the newly crowned Pumpkin Queen, fresh off her honeymoon, isn't sure where she belongs and if she even belongs. And then . . . some wild stuff happens. I'm always skeptical of things like this (sequels not by the original author), but this is honestly a perfect followup to the movie. It gives you glimpses into the other realms, but the plot doesn't hang on, say, Sally taking over Valentine's Day or anything too obvious. It expanded the lore and deepened the characters, without going too crazy. ...more
Very cute story about a rabbi's daughter with a chronic illness and a dark, dark secret . . . and the handsome man who was her Jewish sleep away camp Very cute story about a rabbi's daughter with a chronic illness and a dark, dark secret . . . and the handsome man who was her Jewish sleep away camp nemesis and first love! Lots of fun comparisons between Christmas and Hanukkah, lots of romance, and delightful (and delightfully frustrating) misunderstandings. I love that the author used her own experience with CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) and with observant Judaism, to inform the plot as well as fleshing out the characters. I did wish that the guy hadn't been SO clueless, at the risk of being a total dick, up until he realized, Hey, I'm being a total dick! But her parents were SO GREAT, and so were all the secondary characters, like Mickey, Bubbe Toby, and Shmuel!...more
For some reason I always thought this was just a collection of Bradbury's more Halloween-centric stories, a la The October Country, but it's actually For some reason I always thought this was just a collection of Bradbury's more Halloween-centric stories, a la The October Country, but it's actually it's own thing, a story set on Halloween night about a group of friends traveling through time, seeing Halloween/harvest festivals/Dia de los Muertos/Samhain, as they search through the centuries for their missing friend. Very unusual, well- very Ray Bradbury- and the narration of the audiobook by Kirby Heyborne is excellent. ...more
Very, very cute book about a young witch who is left behind on Halloween, and has to spend the year living with a normal human family. She's like a weVery, very cute book about a young witch who is left behind on Halloween, and has to spend the year living with a normal human family. She's like a weird feral creature, she doesn't know how to read or write, has never bathed or had people food, and likes to sit up in the tree in the yard with their crotchety cat. The ending surprised us all, and we honestly weren't sure how we felt about it. But it was overall a very cute story, and reminded me of Poo-Poo and the Dragons or something Betty MacDonald would write. ...more
A shy little ghost wants so badly to have friends, and he especially likes one beautiful little monster girl. But he's too shy to play with aADORABLE.
A shy little ghost wants so badly to have friends, and he especially likes one beautiful little monster girl. But he's too shy to play with anyone, or talk to them. The only thing he feels good about, is playing the violin. JUST SO ADORABLE. The art looks like concept art for the movie Coco, and if you love that, as I do, you need this book. ...more
Absolutely adorable story about the vampire family visiting the zoo, and having a lovely time . . . although not as lovely as their youngest child, whAbsolutely adorable story about the vampire family visiting the zoo, and having a lovely time . . . although not as lovely as their youngest child, who switches places with a penguin. I just love picture books where the pictures tell a different story from the words! And this is so well done! There's something so appealing about the shape of the penguins and the shape of the vampires . . . ...more
My daughter and I agree: This is even better than the first!
I love how Moth has to come to terms with being a witch, and still being bullied at schoolMy daughter and I agree: This is even better than the first!
I love how Moth has to come to terms with being a witch, and still being bullied at school. And I love her solution to it. And it's just flat out hilarious and fun!...more
Very cute crew of monsters need to help poor little skeleton Bonaparte keep his bones from coming apart! It's the charmingly quirky illustrations by WVery cute crew of monsters need to help poor little skeleton Bonaparte keep his bones from coming apart! It's the charmingly quirky illustrations by Will Terry that really make this book stand out. ...more
My sister brought us this book on Halloween and I am DYING from the cuteness! The descriptions of what it's like to be a ghost who is a quilt instead My sister brought us this book on Halloween and I am DYING from the cuteness! The descriptions of what it's like to be a ghost who is a quilt instead of a sheet- too heavy to fly! Flopping around, getting mistaken for laundry! are just so hilarious (and kind of spot on). But the Halloween adventure of this little quilt ghost will absolutely melt your heart! And the pictures are gorgeous! ...more
I had never heard of this until my mom passed her copy on to me this year. But then, that was the intent! According to the introduction, Dickens didn'I had never heard of this until my mom passed her copy on to me this year. But then, that was the intent! According to the introduction, Dickens didn't want this book published, and he didn't want it known as a work of Dickens. He wrote it to instruct his children about the life of Jesus Christ at the time when his popularity was at its height. He knew that if it were published, it would become part of the Dickens oeuvre, and he didn't want that. The family, many years after his death, decided to publish it, the underlying message being that they wanted the world to see the Charles Dickens they had grown up learning about: as a devoted father and devout Christian.
This book led to some interesting discussions with my children, in that there are a couple of things that we as members of the Church of Jesus of Christ of Latter-day Saints believe that Dickens does not (he says, for instance, that Jesus was such a good man he was CALLED the son of God). But the language is so simple that it actually helped my kids understand some of the details about Christ's last days and crucifixion that the Bible is too obscure about. ...more
Delightful from start to finish! All the best elements of story: mystery, magic, humor, a hint of romance, friendship, family relationships, drama, dyDelightful from start to finish! All the best elements of story: mystery, magic, humor, a hint of romance, friendship, family relationships, drama, dynamic characters, all combined with charming art to make an excellent Halloweeny story about a brand new witch, her crotchety familiar, her family, and her family secrets.
Reread 2021: Just. So. Darling. Mr. Laszlo's tiny paws will never stop being my favorite thing....more
I feel like this was both too short and too long. I didn't really get to know the characters, and yet the book felt long . . . There seemed to be quitI feel like this was both too short and too long. I didn't really get to know the characters, and yet the book felt long . . . There seemed to be quite a bit of repetition (so and so had had a hard time, this person had done that before, etc.) but the reasons why or the details about these things were not clear. I would happily read more about these characters....more
Let me just get this off my chest: THE ART IS ABSOLUTELY STUNNING. I mean, seriously. The book is worth it for the art ALONE. The story is also good, Let me just get this off my chest: THE ART IS ABSOLUTELY STUNNING. I mean, seriously. The book is worth it for the art ALONE. The story is also good, but I felt a little cheated. There was so much world building and character building that when it was over I was like, WAIT WHAT NOW THAT CAN'T BE ALL YOU MUST TELL ME MORE! So, yes, I would love a sequel, should the author and illustrator choose to bless us with one. In the meantime here's a wonderful spooky ghosts/witches/detective story, perfect for Halloween! ...more
It was brought to my attention yesterday by my daughter that I had not read Ghosts! She loves Raina Telgmeier's books, and I usually keep up with her It was brought to my attention yesterday by my daughter that I had not read Ghosts! She loves Raina Telgmeier's books, and I usually keep up with her on these, but somehow I had missed that she had this one and had read it several times!
It was, of course wonderful. I love her art, I loved the dialogue and the story, and the interaction between sisters. The plot was very unexpected, and I shall not go into details. Grab yourself a copy and read it, if you haven't already!...more
As you all surely know, I am the HUGEST FAN of Lynch's work! And this is his first book that he wrote and illustrated! It's gorgeous, and is a wonderfAs you all surely know, I am the HUGEST FAN of Lynch's work! And this is his first book that he wrote and illustrated! It's gorgeous, and is a wonderful and a wonderful addition to the rather small Thanksgiving canon!...more
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