Smithsonian Coloring Books

 Looking for something to do during these cold winter months where we're not going out and about?

Coloring books could be your answer! 

The Smithsonian has two new coloring books. The illustrations are delicate, therefore these are best suited for teens or adults.

About the Book: Airplanes: A Smithsonian Coloring Book allows readers to soar through the skies with some of the most recognized and revered airplanes from the collection at the National Air and Space Museum. The thrilling artistry of John Pirtel vivifies the very first powered aircrafts of the 1900s, revolutionary bombers and jet fighters of the 20th century, supersonic passenger airliner, and many more.

 My Thoughts: I like how the planes are organized chronologically. You get a little history with your coloring. 

About the set up:

One page has the information (not too much detail) and the other page has the picture. 

And you know the information is great because it comes from experts at the Smithsonian.

Inside Look:

This is the Polar Star plane and yes those are penguins you see in the picture. 

Dinosaurs: A Smithsonian Coloring Book invites readers to explore millions of years of animal wonders, guided by experts from the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. The artistic wizardry of Rachel Curtis (The Princess Bride: A Storybook to Color) captures scenes featuring the herbivorous Stegosaurus, the sea-dwelling Hesperornis, the giant sauropod Camarasaurus, the mighty Tyrannosaurus, and many more. 

Inside Look:

Here's one of the pictures - Triceratops.

My favorite dinosaur. Everyone has one...what's yours?

Source: Sent for review 

These make great gifts.

And if you're a librarian - they make great summer reading prizes.

Watch That, Read This (1)

 

A new blog post series here on the blog.

This one features Hallmark movies and romance books - both favorites of mine.

Some of the movies are older, but I really enjoyed them.

 

 

 

 

Have you seen any of these movies or read any of these books?

Graphic Novel Review: Puppy Problems

 

Crackers the dog and Butter the Cat find themselves at a loss when Peanut, the new puppy arrives. The new puppy isn't exactly welcome. He needs so much attention. And he doesn't understand anything. But he does get all the attention.

Crackers and Butter are fed up. Butter does something that's not nice. Can the two reverse his actions?

My Thoughts: On the service, this graphic novel might just seem like a cute story. And it is. But it goes deeper than that. It's about new friends, bullies, and helping others. It's funny and sweet. And super fun for anyone who likes animals. Hopefully this is the start of a new series!

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My library

Library Recommendation: A great book for your school and public libraries.

Picture Book Wednesday: Bear is Awake

Bear wakes up during the winter, finds a cabin, and befriends a little girl in this alphabet tale.

I really love how the story's told with just a few words. And of course, I love how they go together to the library. This is a very sweet story about friendship. I do hope there's another book about their time together in the spring.

Library Recommendations: A great concept book for your school and public libraries! 

Top Ten Tuesday: New to Me Authors

 This week's topic is new to me authors read in 2020.

 

Review: Love and Olives

 

Liv's world changed forever when her father left their family when she was eight. Liv never understood how he could leave without looking back. Years later, she's spent her time trying to fit in. She doesn't want anyone to leave her again.

Out of the blue, her father invites her to Greece during the summer. Her mother forces her to go. Her father's making a documentary for his search for the lost city of Atlantis. Liv remember all the times they talked about finding the city together.

Now they possibility is before them. But Liv isn't ready to go backwards in time. Can she and her father heal the past in order to move forward together?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. After reading this book, I really want to travel to Greece. I loved reading about the island and the people on it. I felt terrible for Liv and her struggles trying to figure out her relationship with her father. I admired the way it all came together in the end - especially the mention of mental health. I loved the mention of Atlantis and trying to find the lost city. I found that fascinating. I loved the bookstore with it's hidden nooks and crannies. I wasn't sure about Theo at first, but he grew on me, I really did enjoy his conversations with Liv. They talked about the deep stuff.  

Cover Thoughts: Amazing

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A great summer romance that tackles family drama and mental health problems - highly recommended.

Book List: Emily in Paris

 

Recently, I watched Emily in Paris

It's on Netflix.

And I enjoyed it.

I loved the scenery. It made me long to travel again. 

I felt bad for Emily and how she struggled - but most of the time, things worked out for her.

I'm looking forward to what happens next.

Here are some book recommendations. 

Adult Books:

Queen of Babble:

I read this book years ago and I loved it! The main character is always saying the wrong thing to wrong person. But eventually everything works out, just not in the way she imagined.

Paris is Always a Good Idea:

Ireland - France- and Italy

I still think this would make a great movie.

Review here.

One Summer in Paris:

You can't plan for everything - but nothing says recovering from heartbreak like Paris...

Review here.

YA Books:

Anna and the French Kiss:

Boarding school in Paris. One massive crush. 

One heck of a debut novel.

Review here. 

Salty, Bitter, Sweet

Cooking school in France is tough!

The pressure. A new family. New friends.

Nothing is easy.

Violet On the Runway:

I read this years and years ago, but it was really fun. Out of nowhere, a lady stops Violet and makes her into a model. Violet's been tall and thin her whole life...and nothing special. But that changes.

Feminist Review: Blood Moon

 

Frankie and a boy she's crushing on have a sexual moment. It becomes a little bit embarrassing. Until EVERYONE knows about it. Now Frankie's fighting with her best friend, hiding the truth from her parents, and going down a shame spiral.

It's her life. And it's blowing up. After a meme going viral, she has no one to talk to. She's certainly not going to confide in her parents. She can't believe this is happening to her. How can so much hate come from getting her period at the wrong time?

My Thoughts: This book was hard to read - it made me angry and sad. I felt terrible for Frankie - I wanted to wrap her up in a hug. I hated that her first sexual encounter went so horrible wrong after the fact. I hated that she couldn't trust her best friend. I hated the bullying that went on - both in her school and online. But that doesn't mean this wasn't a great read. I couldn't put it down. I enjoyed the novel in verse writing. I liked the astronomy aspect to the book. I loved the tree house. The ending was great.

Cover Thoughts: Provoking

Source: My library

Library Recommendation: Great for discussion about periods, being ashamed of your body, and bullying. This would make a great book club book.

Picture Book Wednesday: This Small Blue Dot

 

A big sister explains the world to her new baby sister.

This is a sweet story full of hope and knowledge. I loved the message (especially the part about broccoli and favorite cultural desserts). It's a great book for inspiring others to be their true selves, how everyone is different but we all share the same qualities. And it asks a very important question at the end.

Read Also:

Top Ten Tuesday: Books from 2020 I Still Want to Read

 This week's topic is books that came out last year that are still on the list to be read!

I have several, but I'll stop at 10.

  

 

Have you read any of these?

 Which one should I read next?