Review: The Look

 

This is a nonfiction book about Michelle Obama's style during her time as First Lady. There are moments about before and after her time in the White House.

I loved this book. I love how she used fashion to make statements about herself and about her agenda. I love how she picked designers. I love how she mixed and matched expensive pieces with everyday wear. And through it all, she wanted the clothes to be comfortable. 

The book talks about hair. Hair was a significant part of style and it wasn't easy. There were ways the First Lady couldn't wear her hair, but now that she's away from the spotlight, things are more relaxed.

The book talked about how people dissected her outfits and how she used that to her advantage. 

You "met" the stylists and hair team and heard from their perspective. 

All in all, this was a beautiful book filled with gorgeous pictures that I didn't want to put down.

Also I miss to Obama family in the White House. 

Book Pairings (3): The White House

 

It's time for another book pairing! This week's focus is political books.

Joey: Dr. Jill Biden wrote about her husband's childhood and how it put him on the path to becoming President of the United States. While this is a picture book, it's a long picture book. So it's better suited for Elementary School readers. 

Joe Biden: This is a much longer biography with lots of details about Joe Biden's childhood, the  terrible accident that tore apart his family, meeting Jill, his first run for President, and his time as Vice President. The readers will learn more details about President Biden. Just shy of 250 pages, this read is for upper Elementary School readers. 

Why the Pairing: Both books will help the reader learn more about our 46th President of the United States - depending on your age level. These books will share more about the man behind the Presidency and how his life brought him here. 

Shaking Up the House: The time for the the Lopez family in the White House is coming to a close. One sister is sad; the other sister is happy. But neither of them expect to participate in a prank war with the incoming family's children.

Exploring the White House: Have you ever wondered about the White House building itself? Here's the perfect book complete with maps, photos, and fun facts. This book covers pets, ghosts, and so much more!

Why the Pairing: In Shaking Up the White House - the characters talk about secret tunnels and different rooms. It would be great to see a map of the White House and understand all the details about working or living in the mansion. 

 

Kamala and Maya's Big Idea: These cousins do not like the idea of not being able to play in the courtyard of the apartment complex. They feel they could turn it into a playground but the owner of the building doesn't agree. That doesn't stop them. 

Who is Kamala Harris?: This book is shorter than the rest of the series (because Kamala Harris is still alive). But it's full of information about her life before she became Vice President. 

Why the Pairing: It's fun to read a story about Kamala Harris when she's younger and compare that to her political life. 

 

Michelle Obama: This is an introduction to Michelle Obama. It's short and sweet, but it highlights the important information.

Reach Higher: This is a photo book of Michelle Obama and her time in the White House. It's fun to see so many different part of her life as First Lady and all the people she touched during those eight years. The pictures make this a perfect book to share. 

Why the Pairing: These two books highlight a very important life. It's nice for a little background information before viewing all the pictures. 

Picture Book Review: Parker Looks Up

Parker, her sister, and her best friend are visiting the National Portrait Gallery. Together they respond to the paintings and how they make them feel. At the end of the day, Parker looks up and spies the portrait of First Lady Michelle Obama. And she's stunned!

I loved this picture book and the true story behind it. I loved the wonder of the girls looking at the paintings - especially the moment in the front of the ballerinas. I love that Parker saw Michelle Obama as a Queen and that she saw all the possibilities for herself in that moment. I love the hopes and dreams this painting inspires. A fantastic children's picture book with great art and a great message.

Source: Book sent for review

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

* this book is great to showcase during Black History Month, but it's also an amazing story to share throughout the year.

Review: Dream Big Dreams and Reach Higher

Dream Big Dreams: Photographs from Barack Obama's time as President of the United States

Reach Higher: Photographs of Michelle Obama's time as First Lady

Both books were inspiring to read. The photographs were amazing. You could see the joy on people's faces on meeting these two amazing people as they spread kindness and love both at home and at work. They helped change the world. The evidence is right before your eyes in these two books. 

Library Recommendation: Grab these two books for your school and public libraries. 

Review: Chasing Light

I adored this book - it's mostly photographs of the First Lady during the second term of President Obama. The photos are gorgeous and simultaneously make my heart hurt and make it happy. 

They're a mix of photos from official events and moments before events. 

The photos are from a female photographer - Official White House Photographer Amanda Lucidon. And they are stunning.

This is a great coffee table book that will make you smile.

Top Ten Tuesday: Nonfiction Favorites

This week is all about nonfiction. I used to not read nonfiction that much, but I've tried to change that up a bit - mostly the fun nonfiction, coffee table type books. Here are a few that I've loved recently.

- meme from That Artsy Reader Girl












And I'm currently reading and loving: