Monday, December 31, 2018

Mailbox Monday

Welcome back to another Mailbox Monday post! I managed to get another nice week of books, but I'm not really doing much reading right now. I am in Orlando enjoying Christmas at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the Citrus Bowl. Hope you have a great time celebrating New Year's Eve!

WE ARE....! PENN STATE!!!!

LADY DERRING TAKES A LOVER by Julie Anne Long came from Avon Books

I (HEART) ART by The Metropolitan Museum of Art came from Abrams Books

TRUST EXERCISE by Susan Choi came from Henry Holt

DUCK AND HIPPO: THE SECRET VALENTINE by Jonathan London and illustrated by Andrew Joyner came from Two Lions

WAITING FOR PUMPSIE by Barry Wittenstein and illustrated by London Ladd came from Charlesbridge

What was in your mailbox?

Saturday, December 29, 2018

Kid Konnection: What Can a Citizen Do?

Every weekend, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekly feature about anything related to children's books. This week I'm going to share with you a book that's geared towards making a difference.

Summary: A citizen can pick up litter
A citizen can pull a weed
A citizen can help that critter
A citizen can plant a seed

A citizen can aid a neighbor
A citizen can join a cause
A citizen can write a letter
A citizen can help change laws . . .

Empowering and timeless, What Can a Citizen Do? is the latest collaboration from the acclaimed duo behind the bestselling Her Right Foot: Dave Eggers and Shawn Harris. This is a book for today's youth about what it means to be a citizen.

Across the course of several seemingly unrelated but ultimately connected actions by different children, we watch how kids turn a lonely island into a community—and watch a journey from what the world should be to what the world could be.

This is a book about what citizenship—good citizenship—means to you, and to us all. -- Chronicle

WHAT CAN A CITIZEN DO? by Dave Eggers and Shawn Harris is a wonderful picture book that introduces the concept of being a responsible citizen. The text is simple, with only a few words per page; however, it is a powerful testament to how the little things you do can make a big difference in the world.

Of course, the message is a great one especially in today's society. WHAT CAN A CITIZEN DO? allows parents and children to talk about not only what needs to be changed, but how every person has the right to speak up about these things...and choose to try to change them. The book also encourages readers that just helping even one person can make a huge difference!

I loved the message in WHAT CAN A CITIZEN DO?, and I thought the illustrations were a perfect complement to it. The children in this picture book come from many different backgrounds, and I appreciated how diverse this book was. It's an absolutely must-have for school (and home!) libraries!

WHAT CAN A CITIZEN DO? is an interesting book with an important message. Highly recommended!

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this book.

If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!

Monday, December 24, 2018

Mailbox Monday

Welcome back to another Mailbox Monday post! I had a great week and didn't even realize it until I took this photo! I have already hosted Christmas for Matt's family, visited my mom's family in Western PA, and am now ready to celebrate the holidays with my family tonight and tomorrow. Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas.

DARK FIRE by Christine Feehan came from Avon Books

ON THE SAME PAGE by N.D. Galland came from William Morrow

PARKLAND SPEAKS by Marjory Stoneman Douglas Students and Sarah Lerner came from Crown Books

THE FRIENDSHIP WAR by Andrew Clements came from Random House

DUCK & GOOSE, A GIFT FOR GOOSE by Tad Hills came from Schwartz & Wade

FREEFALL by Jessica Barry came from Harper Books

BIKES FOR SALE by Carter Higgins and illustrated by Zachariah OHora came from Chronicle Books

What was in your mailbox?

Saturday, December 22, 2018

Kid Konnection: Construction Site on Christmas Night

Every weekend, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekly feature about anything related to children's books. This week I'm going to share with you an addition to a popular picture book series that's perfect for the upcoming Christmas holiday!

Summary: VROOM and ZOOM into the holidays with this new Christmas classic from the author of the #1 New York Times bestsellers Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site and Mighty, Mighty, Construction Site!

The trucks are gearing up for Christmas by building a special gift! But, there's a surprise waiting for each of them, too! Presents await for Excavator, Bulldozer, Crane, Dump Truck, and Cement Mixer as each finishes their part of this big, important job and rolls off to a sweet and sleepy goodnight.

Playful rhyming text from the bestselling author of Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site and vibrant illustrations from the acclaimed artist AG Ford make this a perfect gift for construction fans everywhere. -- Chronicle Books

CONSTRUCTION SITE ON CHRISTMAS NIGHT by Sherri Duskey Rinker and Ag Ford is perfect for fans of GOODNIGHT, GOODNIGHT, CONSTRUCTION SITE and MIGHTY, MIGHTY, CONSTRUCTION SITE... and I know there are many fans out there. This adorable picture book shows readers that the trucks have to pull out all the stops to have a "special house" ready for Christmas!

CONSTRUCTION SITE ON CHRISTMAS NIGHT stars many different types of trucks that kids will recognize including a bulldozer, crane, cement mixer, and more! Each truck contributes to this last minute project while collecting its own gifts along the way. The reader is in for a treat when he or she figures out what they are working together to build.

I thought this book was a great way to celebrate the holiday season. I love how the vehicles' presents were not only something they needed, but also something that they very much appreciated. The illustrations were too cute, and I especially liked how the trucks' presents were decorated for the holidays.

CONSTRUCTION SITE ON CHRISTMAS NIGHT is a wonderful addition to an already great series of picture books. Highly recommended!

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this book.

If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Review: Tony's Wife

Summary: Chi Chi Donatelli and Saverio Armandonada meet one summer on the Jersey shore before World War II. Chi Chi is a talented and ambitious singer-songwriter working in a local blouse factory looking for her big break, while Saverio, a singer already on the rise, is fronting a touring band and has the good looks and smooth vocals that make success seem assured. It isn’t long before Saverio becomes Tony Arma and he and Chi Chi form a duo; together they navigate the glamorous worlds of nightclubs, radio, and television. Soon they’re married and all goes well until it becomes clear that they must make a choice: Which of them will put ambition aside to build a family and which will pursue a career? What compromises will they make to achieve their dreams? And on the road to fame and fortune, how will they cope with the impact these compromises have on their marriage, family, and themselves?

From the Jersey shore to Hollywood, New York City to Las Vegas, the hills of northern Italy and the exuberant hayride of the big band circuit in between: Tony’s Wife tells the story of the twentieth century in song, as Tony & Chi Chi make studio recordings and promote them with appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. As they juggle the demands of their public lives, secrets are revealed, promises are broken, and loyalty is tested as the Armas attempt to keep the music playing and their family together.

Tony’s Wife is a richly layered novel that explores how a traditional Italian-American family grapples with the seismic shifts they face in a rapidly changing world. Replete with a pageant of vivid, complex characters, this deeply human saga of love and sacrifice showcases Adriana Trigiani’s gifts as a captivating storyteller and reveals her understanding that there are many different kinds of families: that over time love can evolve in ways that nobody can predict, especially when the hearts involved are open to forgiveness, the sweet reprise of redemption. -- Harper

If you are a frequent visitor to my blog, then you know that I absolutely adore Adriana Trigiani -- and by adore, I mean I love her as both an author and a person! It's hard to believe that she is able to write such great novels at the pace she does, but she's done it again with her latest book, TONY'S WIFE. This epic story stars Chi Chi Donatelli and Saverio Armandonada, two Italian-American entertainers who fall in love; and it explores their complicated relationship through the decades. Did I mention that it's set against the backdrop of the big band era, World War II,  and the women's movement? I told you it was... EPIC!

Chi Chi and Saverio meet on the Jersey shore in the 1930s. Saverio is an up-and-coming performer in a touring band, while Chi Chi has aspirations of being a singer-songwriter while spending her days working in a shirt factory. The two have instant chemistry as Chi Chi gives Saverio a manicure, and it's clear that the two will have some sort of future together.

It's no spoiler that Chi Chi and Saverio find themselves together again and eventually fall in love. But before that, they both establish their successful entertainment careers and lead interesting lives. Once they marry, they discover the challenges of their careers; and they are forced to face some difficult decisions. Through it all, Chi Chi discovers that her loyalty and sacrifice are necessary to keep her family together.

I loved TONY'S WIFE! I loved the characters, the setting, the love story, and so much more. Adriana continually amazes me with her ability to create deeply real and memorable characters. What especially impressed me about this novel was how it explored the culture of Italian-American families (and really just families in general), while also delving into how much change occurred in society over the course of these characters' lives. TONY'S WIFE truly is a beautiful tribute to families and the especially the importance of women.

Chi Chi is one of my favorite characters in any Adriana Trigiani novel. It was such a treat to see how she evolved throughout the novel,and I truly admired so much about her. I loved her earnestness when she was young and starting her career, but even more, I loved the women she became. Her strength and passion for family is something I aspire to; and it was touching to see how she struggled with her, often times, conflicting desires.

I also thought Saverio/Tony was a special character. He was deeply flawed but I still found myself liking him... even when he was a real dog. I think his relationship with Chi Chi was portrayed so perfectly in all its complexities, and I truly appreciated how his early interactions with his father had long-lasting repercussions.

Adriana created such an interesting backdrop to this story. She did a terrific job of bringing not only the various time periods to life, but also the different settings. This novel spanned from the Jersey shore, to Italy, to Hollywood, to Los Angeles, to Vegas; and each location was described in a larger-than-life way. I've said this before, and I'm sure I'll say it again, but Adriana sure did her research for this novel!

I think TONY'S WIFE would make an excellent book club selection. There is a great reading guide with twenty questions... so that means that there is a ton to discuss, right? Most of the book's themes are universal and women will definitely relate. Some topics of discussion include love, loss, guilt, grief, parent/child relationships, sacrifice, motherhood, and choices.

I am so excited about TONY'S WIFE and I highly recommend it. The story is an entertaining one and sure to be a hit among readers of all ages and backgrounds.

Thanks to the publisher and author for providing a review copy of this novel.

Monday, December 17, 2018

Mailbox Monday

Welcome back to another Mailbox Monday post! I am excited about quite a few of the books I received this week.

TEN KISSES TO SCANDAL by Vivienne Loret came from Avon Books

HELLO, LOVE! by Taro Miura came from Chronicle Books

FAIRY IN WAITING by Sophie Kinsella and Marta Kissi came from Delacorte Press

MURDER ONCE REMOVED by S.C. Perkins came from Minotaur Books

GIRL MOST LIKELY by Max Allan  Collins came from Thomas & Mercer Books

HALF OF WHAT YOU HEAR by Kristyn Kusek Lewis came from Harper Books

THE NIGHT BEFORE by Wendy Walker came from St. Martin's Press

BEAVERS: THE SUPERPOWER FIELD GUIDE by Rachel Poliquin and Nicholas John Frith came from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

What was in your mailbox?


Sunday, December 16, 2018

Kid Konnection: The Poetry of Us

Every weekend, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekly feature about anything related to children's books. This week I'm going to share with you a fantastic kids' book which contains more than 200 poems!

Summary: It's all about us! Join former U.S. Children's Poet Laureate J. Patrick Lewis on a lyrical journey through the United States to experience the wonders of America's people and places through 200+ inspiring poems and stunning photographs.

Celebrate the gift of language and the vibrant culture of the United States with this collection of classic and never-before-published poetry. Poems are arranged by region, from coast to coast, and among them you'll find works by Langston Hughes, Dorothy Parker, Robert Frost, Naomi Shihab Nye, Walt Whitman, and more. From the familiar to the surprising, subjects include people, places, landmarks, monuments, nature, and celebrations. Designed for sharing, but geared to younger readers, this beautifully illustrated treasury is a must-have for the whole family. -- National Geographic

THE POETRY OF US: MORE THAN 200 POEMS THAT CELEBRATE THE PEOPLE, PLACES, AND PASSIONS OF THE UNITED STATES is a beautiful book that pays tribute to our amazing country through poetry and gorgeous photographs. It's really geared towards children, but I have little doubt that adults would appreciate this book as well.

THE POETRY OF US is a huge book over 200 poems by famous poets like Maya Angelou, Walt Whitman, Langston Hughes, Dorothy Parker, and more! It's even edited by former U.S. Children's Poet Laureate J. Patrick Lewis. It is such a great way to introduce a variety of poetry to children of all ages.

THE POETRY OF US takes readers on a trip around the good old United States of America. The chapters are divided into regions -- New England, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Midwest, Great Plains, Rocky Mountain West, Pacific Coast, and Territories. Each region has over 25 poems that celebrate the culture and uniqueness of our country. There are poems that represent the beauty of the areas as well as poems that reflect on our country's history. It's a wonderful representation of the United States!

THE POETRY OF US is one of those books that you can read straight through or just sit down and randomly open a page and read a poem. Either way, it's meant to be read over and over again. There are also a variety of poetry types so children (and adults) will have the opportunity to discover what forms they most appreciate.

As special as these poems are, the photographs in this book are stunning. Keep in mind this is a book from National Geographic so you know you're in for a visual treat. The photos are a reminder of just how amazing and diverse the United States is. There are pictures of different landmarks, seasons, animals, people, geography, and much much more!

THE POETRY OF US is a beautiful book from its poetry to its photographs to its celebration of the U.S. Highly recommended for home and school libraries.

Thanks to Media Masters for providing a review copy of this book.

If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!

Monday, December 10, 2018

Mailbox Monday

Welcome back to another Mailbox Monday post! My mailbox has been full of packages this past week, but most of them were gifts arriving. I did manage to snag five books, though.
COUNTING ON A COUNTESS by Eva Leigh came from Avon books

FROM DUKE TILL DAWN by Eva Leigh came from Avon books

DARE TO LOVE A DUKE by Eva Leigh came from Avon books

VIRGINIA WOOLF IN MANHATTAN by Maggie Gee came from Meryl Moss Media

TINY T. REX AND THE IMPOSSIBLE HUG by Jonathan Stutzman came from Chronicle Books

What was in your mailbox?



Monday, December 3, 2018

Mailbox Monday

This is definitely not your traditional Mailbox Monday post! In fact, I didn't receive any books in the mail this week -- only packages for gift giving. However, I did download a few books that I'm pretty excited about.

LITTLE BIG LOVE by Katy Regan - e-copy provided by Berkley

THE SURROGATE by Louise Regan - e-copy provided by Grand Central Publishing

What was in your mailbox?

Saturday, December 1, 2018

Kid Konnection: Tough Cookie

Every Saturday, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books. This week I'm going to share with you a picture book that's sure to get you in the mood for Christmas!

Summary: When a cookie discovers he does NOT taste delicious, he has to find a new identity in this clever picture book twist on a holiday classic.

Once upon a time, while Fox was visiting the land of Holiday Treats, a little cookie—still warm from the bakery oven—burst out the front door looking sweet and ready to be devoured. But, as it turns out, Cookie is not as fast as he thinks and when Fox finally catches him, they’re both in for a big surprise: Sugar Cookie does not taste delicious—and he’s certainly not fit to be eaten. What’s an unsavory cookie to do? Is there another option for this not-so-sweet treat?

This inventive story celebrates the joy of being accepted for who we are. -- Henry Holt

TOUGH COOKIE: A CHRISTMAS STORY by Edward Hemingway is a pretty terrific holiday picture book -- even the end paper is adorable with its cute characters. This book is a creative twist on the traditional holiday story of the gingerbread man, and it has a wonderful message for kids!

Fox decides to visit the land of Holiday Treats and he discovers a freshly baked little cookie. Cookie doesn't want to be eaten and thinks he can outrun Fox, but Fox is pretty darn fast. (Sound familiar?) But here's where the story takes a turn. When Fox takes a big bite of Cookie, he discovers that Sugar Cookie isn't a delicious treat at all -- he's not even edible! So Fox decides to help Sugar Cookie find his place in the land of Holiday Treats!

I absolutely loved TOUGH COOKIE. The story and illustrations are adorable, and I loved the surprise twists. I honestly wasn't expecting the story to go in the direction it went, and I found the characters and their reactions to be hilarious. I especially appreciated how the book ended with Tough Cookie figuring out exactly where he belonged.

Another thing I really liked about TOUGH COOKIE was that the picture book included recipes for various Tough Cookies. I don't want to give away the ending, but there are a few recipes that kids (and parents) will definitely want to make after finishing this book!
In summary, I loved TOUGH COOKIE from the characters, to the illustrations, to the message, to the recipes -- I could go on and on! Highly recommended!

Thanks to Blue Slip Media for providing a review copy of this picture book.

If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!