Christmas Picture Books Reviews: (4)

 

The third week of Christmas picture books:

The chicken is super excited to attend the Nutcracker and is bringing their tutu and ballet shoes. The chicken promises to be on their best behavior. But it's hard....

This is a very funny story of what happens when things do not go according to plan.

* This is part of a series

On the night before Christmas, a train leaves and travels through a winter wonderland until it reaches the North Pole. 

A fantastical train ride through winter with charming illustrations. 

One little girl is SO excited for Christmas. She can't help but be spirited. 

I loved this book - it's funny and sweet and clever. There MAY be such a thing as too many times Jingle Bells has been sung. I hope there is a sequel coming. 

Unicorn and Kitty know they both love Christmas and they always agree...don't they?

This is a story of holiday traditions and friendship and having the perfect Christmas together. 

The trucks are getting ready for Christmas and decorating the whole town. But what happens when they run out of decorations before they get to the tree?

With a little help from some friends, the trucks understand that somethings are best when they are simple. There are pages on how to decorate like the trucks. 

Dasher meets a polar bear named George. George is impressed that Dasher can fly. He longs to have some Christmas magic too. 

This is a charming story about magic and the holiday Spirit. Things don't always work out the way one thinks, but it does work out. I love these books. I hope there are more in this series planned. I illustrations are amazing. 

Pepe is celebrating with his community at the holiday festival.

I love how the town square has food and decor from so many Hispanic cultures. The festival looks like so much fun; I love how everyone comes together to celebrate. There's a glossary, author's note, and sources written at the end of the book.

Children's Biographies of Jane Austen

 A round-up of Children's biographies of Jane Austen:

Picture book biography - I loved it. 

I love the art on the cover, and the illustrations are just as charming.

She certainly did take the ordinary and turn it into something extraordinary. 

Although: This one says that she was not famous when she died, which is not true.

Loved this one - it talks a lot about what was "proper" behavior for young ladies at the time. Jane was clearly not proper. This one goes from her childhood to her death - it's quite informative. It does mention that she was famous.

I liked this one; it showcases that times were hard for the Austen family. It's very blunt about Bath, death, and poverty. This book does make good on it's promise of Jane Austen discovering her voice.

A biography for older kids - I really liked this but I didn't love it. 

I always thought I would love to write a Jane Austen biography. 

Do you think there's room for more?

Jane Austen: My Favorite Book Retellings

 This is going to be tricky as I'm going to attempt to share my top 10 (only) Jane Austen adaptations. I've read so many and I adore so many.

Probably the first one I read - too funny. I read the British version

Probably the first novel I read from Mr. Darcy's POV - this is the first of trilogy.

I adored this idea and have since read several:

Including these two by the same author:

A regency Romance's adaptation that kicks off a four book series 

A modern YA P&P with Spies

A YA P&P historical Mystery - the start of a series

A modern YA P&P adaptation

This is the 3rd book in the Jane Austen adaptations - Sense and Sensibility 

a modern YA Pride and Prejudice with baking

An adult modern P & P tale about a champagne store

A modern adult Persuasion (book 3 in a companion series)

I'm probably forgetting several favorites!  Clearly, I have a softer spot for Pride and Prejudice retellings. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Winter TBR

 This week's topic is all about our WINTER TBR List. To be honest, I have a lot of books for review that I need to read, so I might use this time to read a few of those. But here are some new books - January, February, and March released books that I'm looking forward to reading.

Middle Grade:

YA:

Adult:

I have these to read for review:

Clearly, I need more YA books coming out. 

Are any of these books on your list too?

What should I read first?

Middle Grade Monday: Facing Feelings

Two years ago, Raina Telgemeier had an exhibition at The Ohio State University's Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum. This book is a book exhibit of her career (so far). There are interviews, cover creations shared, how and who shaped her art, and more.

My Thoughts: I LOVED this book. I'm such a fan of Raina Telgemeier's graphic novels. I was so happy when I discovered this book. I loved learning all the "secrets" of her life, her art, and herself. 

There's an illustration and comment about writing in her first grade journal. And I loved that because I have a similar memory. I loved seeing her early works and photographs from her life. To be honest, I didn't know much about Raina Telgemeier and now I do.

Cover Thoughts: Fantastic

Source: My Library

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

* While this is a nonfiction book, I'm adding it to our graphic novel collection, where readers will find her graphic novels. 

Jane Austen and Me

 

Clueless, the flawless masterpiece, was my introduction to Jane Austen when I was in high school.  I read a movie review in our school newspaper that stated it was an adaptation of Emma. I should read that, I thought. 

So, I did. I bought a used book that contained all six novels and I read them. And I’ve been a fan ever since.

Three little stories:

1. I traveled abroad to Bath, England during college to follow her footsteps. As I walked down the streets, I imagined her doing the same, only in much more fashionable clothing. The program took a group of students to Chawton Cottage. I saw her writing desk, her bedroom, and the gardens. It was magical. (More on this later in the week)

2. When I was in graduate school, an adjunct professor noticed my Pride and Prejudice email address. She told me that her college library had a first edition of Pride and Prejudice and asked if I would like to see it. We made arrangements and I held the three edition volumes in my hand. I have a very blurry picture of the volumes, as this was before cell phones and digital cameras. What a magical moment.

3. I wrote a modern-day novel of Pride and Prejudice set in high school during basketball season. I had planned a four book "series" centered on my four favorite Jane Austen novels. Each book would be a different grade in high school and while it wasn’t a straight series, there would be connections and Easter Eggs between the books. Sadly, although it was the book of my heart, it was rejected several times. It might never see the light of day, but I wrote it.

Clearly, I have my favorite books. I’ll admit that it’s been years since I’ve read them. It’s time for a re-read of the big four.

Do you have a favorite Jane Austen novel?

Picture Book Review: Hanukkah

Here are a couple Hanukkah picture books:

Eva's moved and she's unsure. Luckily she has an imaginary Dragon friend. She meets the boy next door and talks to him about Hanukkah and Spark.

This is a cute story about the start of friendship, shared imagination, and Hanukkah. I love how everyone comes together. There is an author's note about Hanukkah.

This is a story in poems - each poem shares one night of Hanukkah.

This was a charming book that shared a lot of about the holiday but also a lot about everyday life. I love how they improvised as necessary. There's a thought for each of the eight nights that shares more about the traditions of Hanukkah. There's a letter from the author at the end of the book.

Board Books: Christmas Books (2)

More Christmas Picture Books 

The first verse of The First Noel.

This board book has sweet and adorable illustrations.

Another fun addition to this series that counts backwards - who would you share a candy cane with?

There's a gift to give everyone - this is a cute story. While it's not technically a board book, it does read like one. 

Part of the Knight Owl series - this cozy book is all about getting ready for the holidays. The illustrations are so cozy. It's adorable.