One Chapter

Prairie Days by Patricia MacLachlan

I’ve been hearing a lot about this book lately so I had to have a look. The cover didn’t do much for me but what’s inside the cover, caught my attention. I felt myself slowing down as I read, the text had its own song. Written in the author’s own lyricism and unique book spacing, a peaceful and whimsical feeling came over me. I found myself out in the country, where the clock didn’t matter and the sun, set the time. The scenic countryside was painted, each layer told a story that set with the changing of the seasons, and it was hard to believe that someone actually created these beautiful illustrations.

Let me get lost in this countryside where the kids played kick the can and they cooled themselves off by lifting the lid of the cold-water, lift-top tank to grab a drink. Herding cattle, resting on the front porch, and swimming in the farm pond were all just part of a normal day. Author Patricia MacLachlan does a fantastic job showing us a glimpse of prairie days.

You have to look at these illustration as they are just beautiful. I had to know how Micha Archer created such works of art and these are actual multilayers created with origami and tissue paper and pattered papers that she makes with homemade stamps. Wow, I mean wow! I found it amazing that she was once a kindergarten teacher for 15 years and then, was a carpenter for another 15 years, and now she writes and illustrates children’s books. That does make sense, looking at this book. I’m going to look and see what other books she has illustrated. This book was definitely a keeper! 5 stars

Maker Lab: 28 Super Cool Projects by Smithsonian Foreword by Jack Andraka

This book got me excited for doing science experiments at home, I just need my granddaughter and we would be off! I liked how this book is set up with 4 different sections: a food section, a water and outside section, and then, experiments for around the home. By looking at the instructions, they’re not limited to those specific areas but I think it helps that they’re grouped. There are at least 6 experiments in each section and most of the items that you’ll need, are items that you should have somewhere close by.

Each experiment is laid out with numbered step-by-step instructions with illustrations for each step. But, that is not all, no…. there is an explanation on why this experiment works, which is the important thing. It’s fun to make experiments but it’s even better, if they work. There’s also a difficulty level meter and an estimated time (in minutes) on how long each experiment should take. I love how there are tidbits of information included in each experiment because it’s also fun to learn something neat and interesting while you’re being a scientist, as you never know when you might need to know this information later.

Some experiments are ones that we have done before (like the erupting volcano, sticky slime, dancing snake (although ours was a bit different)), there are some that look very interesting. Sugar lollipops, kaleidoscope, rocket car, stalactites, orbs, and a few others. There’s a glossary and an index at the back of the book to help navigate within the book. And yes, I also thought a few of the experiments, I wouldn’t even attempt. I just had no desire to do them.

From personal experience, I have to say that there are a few experiments that are geared for the younger crowd. These experiments would be ones that can be accomplished quickly, results can be seen rapidly, and they can be explained without much difficulty. That being said, there are some that look time-consuming (not necessarily difficult), the results might take a few days to accomplish, and the reasoning behind why they work, might be more involved. The majority of the experiments, I feel fall in the middle. DK produced another great book that will provide hours of fun and education and will spark the minds of our future generation. 4.5 stars

A Good Marriage by Kimberly McCreight

Such interesting lives that some individuals live. At the beginning of this novel, I couldn’t quite figure out what made this novel so interesting. Everywhere I looked, this book was being talked about and individuals were giving it high reviews but it just wasn’t drawing me in. There was some drama occurring in the neighborhood and an area school was having some security issues but I was really hoping that this book would be a twisted mess.

In walks all these individuals and the book bursts open. A phone call from Zach takes Lizzie back to when they first met and she’s determined not to accept his case. As Lizzie investigates the scene where Zach supposedly committed the crime, I’m wondering where’s the authorities are, in all of this? What is the story behind Amanda’s death? Lizzie’s digging deeper and deeper into the case, discovering facts about her client, the victim, and others as the truth comes to light.

Lizzie discovers that Amanda had a lot on her plate. Having recently moved, Amanda was hoping that she had left a stalker behind in California, but did she? There also been a breach of security at her son’s school which had everyone on edge. Amanda had also been informed that the parties held at one of her neighbors are more than just a social gathering. A party has been planned there, a party that Amanda and her husband, have already planned to attend.

Lizzie’s not without her own issues as she flips through Amanda’s journals, traveling back through time. It’s when she closes these journals that she must face her own issues.

Ha! I enjoyed this fun story as these lady’s heads bobbed back and forth, flirting between all the adventures going on in their lives. So many hats to wear but which one will actually fit? As you can see, the book picked up and the ending was actually fun, in a twisted, delightful way. 4 stars

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas! I’m hoping that today you’re able to enjoy this day the best that you can. Just make it a special day.

This will be the first year that we will not be celebrating the holidays with my own children and family. I know this is a choice, and for us, we felt that one day together was not worth the risk. I watch one of my grandchildren four days a week, so we celebrated Christmas together since we see each other every week. We got to see our other granddaughter and grandson last week and they opened one of their gifts from us when we dropped off their gifts at their house. We had to keeep our distance from them and I’ll tell you, this is one the hardest things!! As grandparents, you want to hug, be close to, and interact with your grandchildren and this social distance stuff, STINKS! I haven’t held my youngest grandchild since he was born and he’ll be celebrating his first birthday soon. I’m making this Christmas the best that it can be, with Zoom calls and text messages that let my loved ones know that even though I’m not there, I’m still thinking of them. Have a wonderful day!

Dinosaur Countdown by Nicholas Oldland

I liked how straight-forward this book was. It wasn’t busy, filled with unnecessary things or words, it stated the facts and that was it. This book counts down from ten to one and then on the final page, the author reminds us that, yes dinosaurs are extinct.

Each number is given a two-page spread and on those two pages you get a specific dinosaur, the number (1-10) and you get the number written our in words and you an adjective for that dinosaur . So, for 9: it reads 9 nine lazing deinosuchus and includes 9 of them on the page in their various shades of color. What? I don’t know what a deinosuchus is? But, I bet a few children do. There were included in this book, dinosaurs that I knew too. Now, I like dinosaurs but some of these dinosaurs have names that I haven’t heard before. At the back of the book, the author has included how to pronounce some of the dinosaur names, which does help.

It was an okay book but I think the pronunciations would have helped me more, if they were on the page with the dinosaur. I also didn’t care for the illustrations as they didn’t match the language of the book. I did like the added adjectives in the book and again, the simplicity of the book , I enjoyed. 3.5 stars

Show-How Guides: Friendship Bracelets: The 10 Essential Bracelets Everyone Should Know! by Keith Zoo

Check out this book on making friendship bracelets. I do remember making these when I was younger. I had tons of them but mine were the simpler ones. I like looking at the ones the kids make now. I had to see what this book offered and see if I could make some.

This book says there are instructions for 10 bracelets from the zipper, to the fishtail, to the chevron, just to name a few. I didn’t know there were that many different ones! The book does explain how to make the knots and tells you how to finish tying off the bracelets.

With each detailed numbered, step-by-step instruction for each bracelet, each instruction tells you which type of string works best for that bracelet whether it be yarn, hemp, embroidery floss, paracord, lanyard string, etc. It also gives you how many of each color you will need and how many inches you will need to get started. At the back of the book, there are options if you want to experiment with your friendship bracelets and do something more.

So, what did I think? I really liked this book. It was more than I expected. I thought it might have a few different ideas but that some of the ideas would be the same bracelet only expanded but some of these looked unique and would be fun to make. Did they look complicated? No, some of them looked like they might be time-consuming but the end result would be worth it. These little pocket books are worth checking out. For $5.99, you can’t beat it. The size of the book is 4-1/8 by 6- 7/8 and about 1/8 thick. There are a few in this series and they ‘re new. 5 stars

Show-How Guides: Paper Airplanes: The 11 Essential Planes Everyone Should Know! by Keith Zoo

Wow! I think this is a super cute book! With 11 different ways to craft a paper airplane, this little pocket book is worth checking out. For $5.99, you can’t beat it. The size of the book is 4-1/8 inches by 6-7/8 and is about 1/8 thick. There are a few in this series and they’re new.

Providing step-by-step, detailed directions, they explain how to create these paper airplanes from a v-wing, to a crosswing, to a helicopter, just to name a few. With each instruction, you get a rating on each on their speed, airtime, distance, acrobatics, and uniqueness, from one bar to four bars. Some planes take 1 page of directions and one takes 5. There are some tips at the back of the book to try and some MODS (modifications to mix things up on your paper airplanes). So, is this complicated? No, it’s pretty straight forward. The directions are simple to follow and I liked how they shaded things and dotted things to make things less complicated. What do you need: paper, ruler, scissors, and paper clips and off you go. There is a Table of Contents and tips on how to be successful at the beginning of the book. This book is a fun one to have and make sure you check out the other ones in the series.

Show-How Guides: Hair Braiding: The 9 Essential Braids Everyone Should Know! by Keith Zoo

I wished I had this book years ago when my granddaughter’s hair was longer. I really needed help then. With 9 different numbered step-by-step instructions, this book is great! From the basic braid, to the cornrows, to the waterfall, to the fishtail, this book is fun! You can do your own hair or someone else’s.

The book gives you advice on how to get started on your own hair or someone else’s and what you’ll need: comb, brush, hair clip, elastics, bobby pins, spray bottle, pomade or anti-frizz serum. At the back of the book, there are some extra fun tips which are worth checking out. This book has it all!

Each step-by-step direction is numbered so you can’t get lost. It has listed what you need to get started. The illustrations are very detailed and show the layering using red and black colors on a round head with printed instructions down below each step.

This definitely is a huge help! Sure, it will be time consuming the first couple times you use this but to have this resource at your side is priceless. To look back and find which braid you want to make and how you can do it before attempting it would help too. These little pocket books are worth checking out. For $5.99, you can’t beat it. The size of the book is 4-1/8 by 6- 7/8 and about 1/8 thick. There are a few in this series and they’re new. 5 stars.

Sweet Child o’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses

I absolutely adored the cover of this book when I first laid eyes upon it. This song has tons of memories attached to it and I couldn’t wait to read it. Picking it up from the library, I sat inside my car, reading and singing the words to myself, as I looked through the pages before driving home. What a great tribute to a fantastic song as this child reminds us that music is everywhere around us.

The energy that this book projects is powerful as the young girl hangs out with her father. The sights and sounds of the world around her, spin out on the page from the windchimes, to the bees and butterflies on the flowers. She’s enjoying the open countryside with her father until a storm whips up nearby. They find refuge at a market that is having a music festival where they can forget their troubles for a while. The storm passes as the song continues, the pages are turning and “Where do we go? Where do we go now?” becomes the question as they head outside to finish out their day. With fantastic illustrations and the text, that will leave you singing their song in your head, this book is one that you’ll need to check out. Thank you Guns n’ Roses, for taking me there, I really enjoyed it. 5 stars

When You Know What I Know by Sonja Solter

How do you not let someone see something that has affected your entire life? If you’re trying to achieve this misrepresentation, you have to remember that your emotions and personality have also been affected, in fact, your whole being has been altered. In poetic form, this powerful story addresses the issue of abuse. Reporting abuse has been talked about for years but what if that didn’t work and now, you’re left questioning the act itself. Where do you go then?

It was frustrating to read the reaction from Tori’s mom after Tori spoke out about what happened between herself and her uncle. When her mom didn’t believe her, Tori began to doubt herself which then, caused an avalanche of issues. Doubt herself? You were there, right Tori? If you were there and remember it, it happened and it’s real. I couldn’t believe that her mother even said though things without thinking it through.

Tori’s head is now swimming with lots of scenarios, tons of “what if….?” are crossing her mind, as if everything that transpired was her fault. She’s slowing withdrawing herself, closing herself off from everyone. Her grandmother is no help either. I was now having my doubts about the adults in Tori’s life when her teacher noticed that she is not acting like herself. Please let this person be a positive influence in her life?

I liked the way the story flowed with its poetic form. I think it made the story more dramatic, it helped move the story along and it centered the story more. Although Tori dealt with a lot of ups and downs, I feel that unfortunately, what she had to deal with is what many individuals go through today. I thought this was a good book that addresses this issue for younger children. 4.5 stars