Review: Made in Korea

 

Valerie Kwon loves her school based business selling Korean beauty products with her cousin. Even though her parents don't see the value in it. She wants to take her grandmother to Paris and prove them all wrong. 

But she's stunned when the new boy at school makes a splash selling the K-Pop's beauty products. The students start choosing between Valerie's products and their favorite boy band's products. Valerie's not about to go down without a fight.

So she decides to make a little friendly wager with Wes Jung. Competition never hurt anyone right?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this dual POV and dual narrative. I like how both main characters created a business. And I liked learning more about Korean Beauty products. I loved how they both had a secret from their family - about their future. I admired their determination. While I didn't love the wagers, I did appreciate the high stakes for both Valerie and Wes. And I loved their moments together. I always love a good grandmother character, so I really loved the moments between Valerie and Halmeoni. I also enjoyed that Valerie's business partner was her cousin - and their banter was fun. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: ARC sent for review

Library Recommendation: A great romance book to add to your public and school library collections.

Board Books (4)

We just bought a bunch of new board books for our library.

I'll be talking about a few favorites over the next couple weeks/months

This week is all about Nature: plants and animals

Another great informative board book from the Hello, World! Collection. I loved the ending when we all roared together like dinosaurs.

Snakes, Chameleon, lizards, crocodiles, and more!

All about Ocean life, animals, and more!

I'm not a fan of bugs, but I learned things from this book.

This one has much more information - lots of strange facts here

So much in this book - and the illustrations are nice too!

* these two series are really great for libraries! 

Blog Tour: The Last Fallen Star

 

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the THE LAST FALLEN STAR by Graci Kim Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

About the Book:

Title: THE LAST FALLEN STAR

Author: Graci Kim

Pub. Date: May 4, 2021

Publisher: Rick Riordan Presents

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook

Pages: 336

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, BandN, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org

Best-selling author Rick Riordan presents Graci Kim's thrilling debut about an adopted Korean-American girl who discovers her heritage and her magic on a perilous journey to save her witch clan family.

"Graci Kim does such an amazing job of blending Korean mythology into the modern world, I am now wondering how I ever lived without knowing all this cool information."--New York Times #1 best-selling author Rick Riordan

Riley Oh can't wait to see her sister get initiated into the Gom clan, a powerful lineage of Korean healing witches their family has belonged to for generations. Her sister, Hattie, will earn her Gi bracelet and finally be able to cast spells without adult supervision. Although Riley is desperate to follow in her sister's footsteps when she herself turns thirteen, she's a saram--a person without magic. Riley was adopted, and despite having memorized every healing spell she's ever heard, she often feels like the odd one out in her family and the gifted community.

Then Hattie gets an idea: what if the two of them could cast a spell that would allow Riley to share Hattie's magic? Their sleuthing reveals a promising incantation in the family's old spell book, and the sisters decide to perform it at Hattie's initiation ceremony. If it works, no one will ever treat Riley as an outsider again. It's a perfect plan!

Until it isn't. When the sisters attempt to violate the laws of the Godrealm, Hattie's life ends up hanging in the balance, and to save her Riley has to fulfill an impossible task: find the last fallen star. But what even is the star, and how can she find it?

As Riley embarks on her search, she finds herself meeting fantastic creatures and collaborating with her worst enemies. And when she uncovers secrets that challenge everything she has been taught to believe, Riley must decide what it means to be a witch, what it means to be family, and what it really means to belong.

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to see what happens next. I really loved the sister relationship and how close they were. I felt terrible for Riley as she was an outsider in most other areas of her life. But I admired her courage and determination. Of course I loved the moments in the library. I loved learning about the clans and the magic. Lots of moments of friendship. Lots of action, danger, and plot twists. SO happy there are two more books coming! 

Another winner for the Rick Riordan Presents publishing house - I'm so loving all these books!

 

About Graci:

Graci Kim is a Korean-Kiwi diplomat turned author who writes about the magic she wants to see in the world. The Last Fallen Star is her middle grade debut. In a previous life she used to be a cooking show host, and she once ran a business that turned children's drawings into plushies. When she's not lost in her imagination, you'll find Graci drinking flat whites, eating ramyeon, and most likely hugging a dog (or ideally, many). She lives in New Zealand with her husband and daughter. Follow her on Twitter @gracikim and Instagram @gracikimwrites.

 

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon

 

Giveaway Details: 

3 winners will win a finished copy of THE LAST FALLEN STAR, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow the Tour

Week Five:

5/23/2021	Rajiv's Reviews	Review
5/24/2021	fictitious.fox	Review
5/25/2021	Emelie's Books	Review
5/26/2021	Eli to the nth	Review
5/27/2021	Popthebutterfly	Review
5/28/2021	Books and Zebras	Review
5/29/2021	YA Book Nerd	Review

Week Six:

5/30/2021	two points of interest	Review
5/31/2021	Lifestyle of Me	Review

Watch That, Read This (3)

 

A new blog post series here on the blog.

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

I enjoyed all these of these movies - there's a mix of newer ones with older movies.

 

Adventure and love

Pearls in Paradise is a Hallmark movie

 

Fixing up inns and falling in Love

Falling Inn Love is currently on Netflix

 

Bakeries!

Truly Madly Sweetly is a Hallmark movie

Business rivals who fall for each other

Autumn in the Vineyard is a Hallmark movie.

 

Love and bookstores! What could be better?

The Story of Us is a Hallmark movie

Have you seen these movies or read these books?

Blog Tour: PAWCASSO

 

About the Book:

Pawcasso is a basket-toting dog who does his family's grocery shopping on his own. When 11-year-old Jo is mistaken as his owner by a group of kids, she goes along with the lie in the hopes of making new friends. Soon the town becomes divided over whether Pawcasso should be allowed to roam free, and Jo worries that her lies will be exposed—and endanger Pawcasso and her new friendships.

About the Author:

Remy Lai writes and draws stories for kids.
She lives in Brisbane, Australia, where she can often be found exploring the woods near her home with her two dogs, Poop-Roller and Bossy Boots

Jennifer's Favorite Dogs in Children's Books

I love dog books - but of course not if something bad happens to them. I'm not going to read books where the dog dies. That's so sad.

I have lots of favorite dog picture books, but here are some favorite dogs from chapters books and comics.

Marmaduke - probably my first favorite. My Grandfather got me into Marmaduke.

Odie - Garfield's loveable sidekick

Prince from Whatever After series

Ranger from Ranger in Time series

Bo from Good Dog series

Momo (ok this is a cheat, but Momo is seriously the BEST)

Winn Dixie from Because of Winn Dixie

Ribsy - a childhood favorite. 

Do you have a favorite dog from books?

Picture Book Wednesday: Sloth Wasn't Sleepy

Sloth isn't sleepy - she's anxious and worried. Luckily her mother has some tricks up her sleeves to let go of her worries. It's not easy, but Sloth lets go one by one until she falls asleep.

A wonderful book for talking about being anxious, learning how to fall asleep when you're worried, and knowing that your mother is there to take care of you. Lots of great messages are in this beautifully illustrated book.

Library Recommendation: A must have picture book for your school or public library. 

Series Spotlight: Good Dog

 

Bo is the sweetest dog, and he has lots of energy.

In the first book, he looses his tag and has to retrace his steps to find it. We're introduced to lots of characters.  In the second book, he tries to help Comet - the new foal - by teaching her how to be the perfect horse (even though he's a dog). In the third book, Bo learns how to herd sheep and it comes in handy after one of his friends becomes stuck. 

A sweet new series about friendship, belonging, and having a home. I love spending time on the farm with Bo and his friends. Plus this series is perfect for this year's summer reading theme! The illustrations are cute.

* books sent for review

** Book 4 comes out today:

Review: Color Me Murder

 

Florrie Fox manages a bookstore, Color Me Read. The owner insists that she move into his carriage house so he doesn't have to allow his nephew to live there. Florrie falls in love with the carriage house - it's everything she's ever wanted and so close to work. However, Delbert, makes his displeasure known. He also tells Florrie that one day, he will inherit everything and then she'll be out of a job. Florrie doesn't like him and starts second guessing her living decision.

The she stumbles onto a crime scene in the bookstore. She discovers a trap door and a dead body. Delbert's been murdered. The suspect list is long - but the police believe her boss to be responsible. Florrie starts asking questions because she knows her boss would never have killed his nephew.

My Thoughts: A charming start to a new series. I love that this mystery series takes place in a bookstore. I really liked Florrie - for her book love and her book creations. She creates coloring books on the side. Of course, I felt terrible for her boss and his family drama. I liked the secondary characters and I'm looking forward to getting to know them better. Looking forward to the next book.

Cover Thoughts: Cute - I like the coloring book tie-in

Source: My library

Library Recommendation: A great series for your public library's mystery section!

Picture Book Review: Ramble Shamble Children

 

Five siblings enjoy their house and the land surrounding it. But one day they discover a picture in a book. They determine that the house is proper and their house looks nothing like it. So they get to work making their home more proper. But will it make them happier?

This is a sweet story about being yourself and managing expectations. The siblings look after each other and they all come together. I love how they're always outside gardening or playing or just soaking up nature. Plus I adore the illustrations.

Fun Fact: I'll be honest, Lauren Castillo is one of my favorite illustrators

Christina Soontornvat is one of my favorite authors.

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended picture book for your school and public library

Book Lists: More Basketball Books

 

Yesterday I talked about Big Shots and middle grade basketball books with female leads.

Today I have a middle grade boys list and a YA boys list.

Check them out:

Middle Grade:

Not pictured on Middle Grade:

Standford Wong Flunks Big Time by Lisa Lee

Power Forward by Hena Khan

YA:

Not pictured on the YA:

books by Carl Deuker
Hooper by Geoff Herbach

Box Out by John Coy

Sixth Man by John Feinstein

* and yes, I know there is one big author missing from the YA and middle grade list, but due to their behavior, I'm not highlighting them on this blog.

Reading List: Basketball Books

I watched the first episode of Big Shot (Disney+) and I really liked it. I can't wait to watch more!

I love basketball movies, watching the Celtics play, and reading basketball books. I wish there were more basketball centric YA books with female leads. (I'm currently writing one.)

But there aren't....

So, I have a few middle grade books that readers will enjoy after or before watching Big Shot

Book List:

Nikki on the Line by Barbara Carroll Roberts

Pippa Park Raises her Game by Erin Yun

Love, Penelope by Joanne Rocklin

Lizzy Legend by Mathew Ross Smith

Elle of the Ball by Elena Delle Donne 

I'm looking forward to read this one:

Do you have other favorite basketball books?

 

Board Books (3)

We just bought a bunch of new board books for our library.

I'll be talking about a few favorites over the next couple weeks/months

This post is all about concept books

When Baby has feelings, Baby has favorite items. The reader is asked to pick out the favorite item. This book is half feelings and half find the object. The photographs are cute and the babies are diverse.

The same babies from the book above are photographed in this book - all about opposites. A fun way to introduce opposites (Messy/Clean) to a baby. 

This Black girl is going to the market with her basket and wonders what will fit just right. Some fruits and vegetables don't fit or are too small. A fun concept book for not just fruits and vegetables but math too.

This counting book counts in both English and Mandarin - put it showcases different items you'll find at a Chinese restaurant. Caution - this charming book might make you hungry!

Learn the colors of the rainbow with this delicious looking board book that might make you crave sugar cookies. 

An alphabet of fruits - there's a little tidbit on each fruit showcased. And I learned things from reading this one. This is a whole series (Trees, Bugs, Flowers, Birds, Vegetables, and Hiking is coming soon).