Middle Grade Review: North for the Winter

Virginia and her father are moving just days before Christmas. Virigina's mother died and she feels like she's also lost her father. After an accident that involves a flat tired, Virigina flees the car because she spies...something in the woods. There she finds a reindeer.

She accidentally takes the reindeer's compass. Without the compass, the reindeer can't find Santa. Virginia needs help. A neighbor asks if she wants a tour of the town. Benny and Virigina might be the only hope to save Christmas. 

My Thoughts: This was such a fun graphic novel. I love that it's based off a story from 1955 when a young boy called the military asking for Santa Claus. The military began tracking Santa Claus after that moment. I loved how Benny and Virginia became fast friends. I felt terrible for Virginia for the death her mom and her absent father. I love how everything turned out. This is a magical graphic novel all about hope, friendship, and the magic of Christmas. 

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A magical graphic novel all about Christmas. 

Christmas Picture Book Reviews (1)

Here are a few picture books that either showed up late at the library last year 

Like the 12 days of Christmas song - but for Swifties.

This is adorable! I love it. It makes the perfect gift. 

Hugo Mouse isn't feeling the Christmas spirit. He's not the only one. William's family can't make their flight because of a snow storm. The tree is undecorated, and the day will be lonely. But Hugo Mouse has an idea. 

This is a charming story about friendship and finding the Christmas spirit

Grumpy Monkey doesn't feel like celebrating. Everything around his is terrible. Will he ever find the Christmas spirit?

This is a great book for exploring feelings and why some people see everything in a negative light. It does end positivity (and maybe a little unrealistically). But it's a smart book. 

Picture Book Review: Norman and the Smell of Adventure

 

Norman desires an adventure, but his best friend is a tree and does not wish to leave. Norman sets off on his own. He's not sure what an adventure entails or how to go about having one. 

This has a great message about friendship and what to do when friends aren't interested in the same things. You can still be friends without having to do everything the same. I adore Ryan T. Higgins and all his books. 

Booklist: Happy Birthday Louisa May Alcott

 

* picture source * Louisa May Alcott

I've been a fan of Little Women since Middle School. I remember reading the books and then reading Little Men and Jo's Boys

It was just around the time that this movie came out:

And I loved it.

I then discovered her other books:

Years later, I loved reading adaptations of her works.

Here's a booklist about Little Women:

Books Mentioned:

Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy

Jo

The Penderwicks: I loved this book and am embarrassed that I didn't make the connection (that I remember. It's been a long time since I've read this book): No Review

So Many Beginnings: No review

Little Women and Me

Littlest Women: Not read

More to the Story

Jo & Laurie: Not read

The Mother Daughter Book Club: No review, but review of some of the series

Beth is Dead

Little Monsters: Not ready but in my TBR pile

Are you a fan of Little Women? Have you read any good adaptations?

Christmas Romance Review: Holiday Ever After

A major toy company sends the owner's daughter to clean up a mess created the company copied a local toy. The company stole the design and created their own doll. A local woman called them out on social media, causing the company embarrassment. They sent in a fixer.

The daughter of the owner, Clara, arrives in town to fix things. She's clear about helping the town from the start. She isn't throwing a bunch of money at the town trying to make the problem go away; she genuinely cares about helping.

She's hoping that once she solves the problem, she'll earn the promotion her father's been dangling in front of her. She doesn't count on falling for Jack - the creator of the doll and owner of the local hardware store. He hates the Davenport business. 

My Thoughts: I loved this small-town romance; it reads like a Hallmark Christmas movie. And it's adorable; I didn't want to put this book down!  I loved the cast of characters and the holiday celebrations. I love how everything turned out.  I would love this to be the start of a new series. 

Cover Thoughts: Charming

Source: My Library 

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your Christmas romance collection for your public library

Happy Pie Day

I hope that you all have a lovely day.

My favorite part of the day is eating pie with my family.

I adore pie - almost all kinds.

Wishing you and yours lots of love, laughter, and happiness today. 

Picture Book Wednesday: Pop Goes the Nursery Rhyme

 

The weasel seems to pop up in all the nursery rhymes - even ones they are not in. And maybe especially the ones they are not in. 

This is a funny book that readers will love. The note at the end of the book is a back story on how this book came to be. I do think that this book will help readers discover a new nursery rhymes again. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Thankful

 This week's topic is Thankful. 

This year, I'm thankful for so many things.

I have great friends and family.

I have two sweet dogs

I have a great job which allows me the good fortune to read SO many books.

I have my health

I'm thankful to all my favorite authors who wrote so many wonderful books that I read this year. And those who have books in the works that I will read in the future. 

And of course, thanks to all of you who are still reading this blog all these years later! 

Middle Grade Review: Hunt for the Silver Dragon

 

* Book 7 in the Curious Cat Spy Club *

Kelsey, Becca, and Leo are out hunting for lost animals when they come across a sheep with an arrow through its leg. They immediately call their parents to take over. Kelsey's mom forbids her daughter from investigating the matter - saying it's too dangerous.

This leads to Leo to advantage of an opportunity. He's hoping to change school and attend the gifted school. Becca and Kelsey have a massive fight over a boy. Becca's interested in the new volunteer at her mom's animal sanctuary. But Kelsey doesn't trust him. 

When the Sherriff asks Kelsey for some help, she's happy to go undercover and investigate. She's not happy to keep the truth from Becca. Will the friends recover? Will the mysteries be solved?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. I love the friendship moments and the animal moments. I love how many animals find forever home or are reunited with their families. I felt terrible about the friendship drama between Becca and Kelsey. And also terrible for the animals. There was such a cast of characters in this book. I had to keep turning the pages to see how everything turned out. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

 Source: Book sent for review

Library Recommendation: A fantastic mystery series for animal lovers. 

Picture Book Review: It's Taco Knight

In a kingdom, knights feed everyone dinner and everyone takes turns - until Taco Knight comes to town. Everyone loves Taco Knight, so he decides to make dinner every night. But having the same thing for dinner every night makes people cranky. They booed him. With a little help, he realizes what he's done and tries to fix it.

This is a funny story about dinner but also about change and variety. Perfect for fans of Dragons Love Tacos.

Christmas Movie Reviews: Hallmark Movies

 

Here are a few Holiday Movie Reviews from Hallmark:

Christmas on Duty:

Military

Friends to Enemies to Lovers

Saving Christmas

The banter between the two leads was fantastic

Delivering the toys was sweet

The problems getting the toys were entertaining and I chuckled a few times.

I recommend this one.

Three Wise Men and a Baby

This is my 3rd watch

It's still funny

I love the nods to Three Men and a Baby

I adore the Christmas dance

Highly Recommended

A Royal Montana Christmas

She's a Princess, but loved the Christmas she spent on the ranch with her father. She goes back when the pressure of the royal world becomes too much.

Fish out of water

They met as children

Sweet Moments

The prep for the dance seemed a little over the top, but it worked.

I enjoyed this one; I'm a sucker for royal romances.

A Newport Christmas:

After her father tells her he's arranged her marriage to a man she's never met, Ella goes out in her sailboat where she sees a comet and makes a wish. She lands in 2025 - in the same boat.

Time Travel - the boat is mine - is entertaining

Woman has always been told she's too much

Spreading joy 

Sharing with those less fortunate

Finding home in a person

Fish out of water - Loved the Boss lady moment

This was a charming movie - high recommended

* I do think I recognized some places from Newport - but none of the famous houses.

Have you seen any of these? Did you like them?

Do you have a Christmas movie recommendation for me?

Mini Review: The Correspondent

1. My sister told me about this book

2. I LOVE epistolary novels

3. I couldn't put this book down

4. The ending made me cry

5. This gave me a book hangover

6. This debut author is one to watch

7. I loved the characters - they had so much pain but also hope

* this seems like it would make a great book club book

Mini Review: Joy to the Girls

 

Sequel 3.5 years later to She Gets the Girl

Hallmark Town

Figuring out the Future

Ice Skating

Gingerbread Houses

Christmas Tree Farm

One Bed

Meddling Family

Gifting Giving

* also secrets and not communicating 

This is a fun Christmas tale that is full of seasonal fun, sweet moments, friendship, and love.

Picture Book Wednesday: Thanksgiving Books (2)

More Thanksgiving Picture Books:

A young girl is excited to help at Thanksgiving this year! Her family makes two lists: one for the local market and one for the Korean market. Their Thanksgiving is a blend of their two worlds. 

This is a sweet story about family, trying new things, and traditions. 

The kids of the family don't want to eat the turkeys this year, so they come up with disguises.

This is a funny and clever story. I love all the disguises. 

This is a lovely story about Thanksgiving.

The illustrations are soft and warm. While this book does have religious undertones and prayer is mentioned, it's diverse and heartfelt. 

Thanksgiving isn't just for family; it's perfect for friends too

I love this one; it's sweet and it shows all the joy of people coming together. I love seeing people in all the windows. I loved seeing people appreciate each other. It's just a wonderful book about caring and sharing the day together. 

Top Ten Tuesday: 5 Star Reads

 This week's topic is modern classics. I'm changing the topic to be my last 5 star reads.

Have you read any of these? Did you also enjoy them?