Picture Book Biographies

 Last week, I talked about our visit to Lousia May Alcott's Orchard House. 

And ironically, I had two books checked out from the library that I had forgotten about that fit with the day perfectly!

This picture book biography shares a lot of information about Louisa May Alcott- but not in an overwhelming way.  It's a lovely book that's needed in libraries - especially those in New England.

* I ordered this from another library to see if I wanted to purchase it for my library. And I do.

Daniel Chester French was a student of May Alcott's. He created the Minuteman Monument at Old North Bridge in Concord, MA. He also created the statue of Lincoln in Washington DC. This book shares his start as an artist, his teachings, and how he created art. 

While this book is a bit long, it's also not overwhelming. There's a significant amount of information. I love the black and white illustration. There's a timeline at the end of the book.

It's funny how life works out sometimes. 

Booklists: YA Books about Reality TV

I don't watch much reality TV except for Bake Off (or the Great British Baking Show), but I LOVE reading about it. 

Here are some YA Reality TV books:

The Dos and Donuts of Love

Wild About You

Cuffing Game

Reality Check

With or Without You

Seyoon and Dean Unscripted

The Selection

The Escape Game

Taste of Love

People to Follow

Something Real

Never Ever Getting Back Together

Taste Test

Not Pictured:

Jasmine Project

What am I missing here?

 

Review: My Roman Summer

 

Livia is excited to be spending the summer in Rome, but she's sorry that it took her grandmother's fall to make it happen. Her grandmother isn't excited to see her. Instead, there's a boy who is delivering food to her grandmother. She's happy to see him. Livia doesn't remember Giulio, but he lives next door to her grandmother. She's an honorary grandmother to him. Every time she turns around, he's there. He even works at the family cafe. 

He's set up Italian lessons for Livia as her language is rusty. She's annoyed at the way he makes her feel inadequate. He seems to know something about the cafe; something he's not sharing. The cafe is in trouble and she's not sure she can help save it. Livia is also not sure about her feelings for Giulio.  

As an Italian in Scotland, she's never really fit in. But as a person who lives in Scotland, she feels like an outsider in Rome too. Can she ever feel like she belongs?

My Thoughts: I loved this book. I loved the summer in Rome - from the places to the food to the people. I felt badly to Livia. she felt so out of place in the world, in between two cultures. I really enjoyed the moments in the cafe; it felt like a character in the book. I love how the relationship developed and changed over the book. I wish there was a little more in the relationship between Livia and her grandmother. I love how the Italian lessons turned out and the friendships that were created during that time. This is an adorable summer romance with banter, sweet moments, and an amazing countryside. 

This book did have me googling places the book mentions in Rome. Now I want to go back. 

Cover Thoughts: Adorable.

It's supposed to be a scratch and sniff cover (lemons) but mine didn't work.

Source: Book sent for review

Library Recommendation: A great summer romance for your school and public library collections: highly recommended. 

Picture Book Wednesday: Better Pets

Almost everyone in town has the perfect pet for them - except for Yvette and Evan. But as they wander through the adoption opportunities, a new store magically appears. A man tries to sell them all kinds of different pets - pets that are Better than the others. These are no ordinary pets. Will Yvette and Evan find the pet of their dreams?

This is a cute story that will make readers laugh. The ending is perfectly set-up for a sequel. There's a lot to pour over in the illustrations here and a lot to talk about with this book. There are so many animals and vocabulary words. and it does ask the question: what's the perfect pet for you? There's also the question of adoption vs. purchasing for pets that's subtle, but there. 

* Book sent for review

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Can't Believe I've Never Read

 This week's topic is: Books I Can't Believe I've Never Read. And I have lots of them. Especially in series books, I get behind and then I stop reading because either I can't remember what happened previously and too much time has passed. Or I took it out of the library and hadn't read it yet and it was overdue.

A few more than 10 - clearly, I have too big of a TBR list! 

Have you read any of these? Which is your favorite?

Middle Grade Review: Breaking the Ice

 

Harper loves hockey. She used to eat, sleep, and play hockey. But ever since her competitive nature accidentally injured a teammate, she took herself off the team. She hasn't put skates on since. Harper can't quit all together, which is why she has a job at the hot chocolate place at the rink. 

She befriends a new boy - Jason, who's been making waves in the figure skating world. She's enjoyed talking with someone who doesn't know about her past. He challenges her to get back on the ice. 

For Harper it's not that simple. Then she's pressured into mentoring a younger hockey player. Harper keeps herself sidelined, but it's getting harder and harder. Will her old friends and her new friends help her break her self-imposed ban from the ice?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. There's a little bit for everyone here: sports, friendship drama, romance, and healing. It's about believing in yourself. I felt badly for Bea, Harper's best friend. And I'm glad she pushed herself back into Harper's life. I like how all the athletes had different pressures on them but also how they worked through them. I loved the showcase at the end. Warning: it WILL make you want to drink hot chocolate and maybe experiment with flavors. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

 Previously Published as: Cocoa Crush

Library Recommendation: A great sports book with a little romance and a lot of hot chocolate. Highly recommended for your school and public library. 

Picture Book Review: The Case of Old MacDonald and His Farm

Funny things are happening on the farm. They are so strange that Farmer MacDonald calls the police for help. 

Readers will enjoy this silly story and that ending. Mark Teague is an auto-read for me.  I so enjoy his books.