Month: April 2018

April 30, 2018

Sometimes You Fly Book Review

From Newbery Medalist and bestselling author Katherine Applegate, Sometimes You Fly is a sweet book of encouragement, filled with humor and insight into the effort behind any meaningful accomplishment in life.

About Sometimes You Fly

This gorgeous gift book, equally perfect for preschool graduations or college commencements, baby showers or birthdays, is an inspirational tribute to the universal struggles and achievements of childhood. Beginning with a first birthday, the scenes travel through childhood triumphs and milestones, coming full circle to graduation. A magical blend of succinct text and beautiful watercolors renders each moment with tenderness and humor and encourages readers to remember then, with every try, “sometimes you fail . . . sometimes you fly.”

My Thoughts

One of the hardest lessons to learn in life is to get back up after failure. This never gets easier as we get older, we just learn how to do it quicker and with less heartache (most of the time).

As parents, one of the greatest gifts we can give our child is the opportunity to make a mistake and to fail but also to encourage them to try again. That this one moment will not define them – that they will make it through. The unknown is scary, even more so for young adults and children who have never had to deal with anything like it before. We have to show them that it is okay to take a leap of faith, to try something new but also step back and allow them the freedom to make a mistake and not jump in to fix it. Not the easiest task for parents as it feels like since day one our main job has been to protect them!

I fell in love with this touching book that would make an excellent graduation gift, even though it seems like it would be geared towards younger children. It explores from birth to adulthood all the major milestones that at the time seem impossible but looking back they seem so small. We can cherish every accomplishment and know that for every failure, we picked ourselves up and tried again. With every risk we take in our lives, there is always a chance of failing but there is also a chance to soar into something new and exciting. That is what makes every risk and jump of faith worth it.

This beautifully illustrated book came at the right time for my family as a reminder that it is okay to make mistakes and to fail. Failure does not define us as a person but instead it gives us the chance to leap into something new. Sometimes You Fly is a special book for young children and adults alike as they move forward in their life and need that little bit of encouragement and pat on the back to say it will be okay.

You can find more information on this book on Raincoast Books and purchase this book on Amazon.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Katherine Applegate ‘s many children’s books include the Newbery Award-winning novel The One and Only Ivan, the bestselling novels Wishtree and Crenshaw, the bestselling Animorphs series, and the picture books Ivan and The Buffalo Storm . She lives in California. Visit her online at katherineapplegate.com and on Twitter at @kaauthor.

When her elementary school classmates said they wanted to be firemen, doctors, and vets, Jennifer Black Reinhardt declared she wanted to draw the picture on greeting cards. Today her diverse body of work includes not only greeting cards but chapter books and picture books, including Yaks Yak by Linda Sue Park and Sometimes You Fly by Katherine Applegate. Jennifer lives with her family in Iowa City, Iowa. Visit her online at jbreinhardt.com, on Twitter @jblackreinhardt, and on Instagram @JenniferBlackReinhardt.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

April 30, 2018

Forever or a Day Book Review

In Forever or a Day, we celebrate the time you have with the ones you love.

About Forever or a Day

Celebrate the time you have with the ones you love.

“The seconds that count in catching the bus;
The idyllic hours that slip by so quickly during a perfect day on the lake;
The summer days that disappear into blissful happiness”

This gorgeous picture book is a conversation between parent and child across the course of a single day. Inviting comparisons to All the Wonderful Things You Will Be, I Wish You More, and Love, this celebration of cherished moments with loved ones is at once simple, profound, and truly beautiful.

Our Thoughts

Forever or a Day is a touching, sweet book that is important for both children and parents to remember the importance of time and to live in each moment as we are never promised tomorrow.

As parents, we are reminded of this every day when we look at our children. They are growing taller, maturing, growing in knowledge and understanding. Sometimes these changes happen so slowly over time that it hits us hard and we look at them and think where did this time go?? I know this happened to me with my eldest, I look at him and think how can he be taller than me now and so handsome and mature? For children, all they want to do is get older so they can do all of the things they feel they may be missing out on. Both sides tend to forget to live in the moment and cherish each and every second. It usually isn’t until a death in the family or a friend or in their community that we have to address this topic. But in those moments we fear that we didn’t show our love enough to that person, could we have spent more time, could we have done a little bit more?

Reading this story out loud to my youngest, actually brought tears to my eyes. It reminded me that I need to slow down – soon enough my kids will be out of the house and not needing me as much anymore and all of those little things that drive me nuts right now, I will miss. It made me want to just hold on to my children tighter and ensure they know just how much I love them right now and that they are perfect just the way they are.

The story itself is simple and I like how the story is played out slowly over the pages, it reminds me of the meaning of the story – to slow down and appreciate each moment. With fewer words on each page, we could take the time to devour their meaning and appreciate the beautiful illustrations.

This is a truly beautiful book to cherish between parents and children – a definite must have in your family library.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Raincoast Books and Amazon.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Sarah Jacoby’s illustrations have won awards from the Society of Illustrators (Gold Medal), Creative Quarterly, and Communication Arts . This is her first book as both author and illustrator. She lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

April 27, 2018

Captives (Mud, Rocks, Trees) Book Three Book Review

In Captives, they find themselves caught up in forces beyond their control, can the three young deliverers break free to find each other?

About Captives (Mud, Rocks, Trees) Book Three

“Welcome to Tzoladia!”

The city on a hill in the center of the empire dazzles in the sunlight. The rich and powerful citizens live luxurious lives. But for those who arrive as slaves, refugees, or spies, it is a foreboding place. And it is on the verge of war.

“Beware the Gates of Hell!” the wise man warned.

Gates open. Some lead to the depths of the underworld. Some to the bottom of the sea. Some to the heights of power.

Caught up in forces beyond their control, can the three young deliverers break free to find each other? Or will they lose their way?

My Thoughts

Book Three in this exciting series is just as good if not the best in this series thus far.

In this book, everything centres around the city of Tzoladia – a city of weird noises, hatred, misunderstanding, slavery and strange ways. Our three main characters (with one minor twist) begin to intertwine with each other in a unique manner that leaves you craving for more.

Our story begins with Brina is sold into slavery, her peaceful people who do no harm to anyone are forced to watch and stand naked in front of the citizens of Tzoladia while they are sold off one by one. You can just imagine the shock and horror along with the sense of betrayal they are feeling at this point. Families are completely torn apart, children were murdered all for something none of them can understand in this foreign city. Brina is saved by an unlikely hero, one whose life she has saved herself and we can start to see something beginning to form between these two very different individuals, something which I am very excited to see how it unfolds!

Amanki is recovering emotionally from the horrors he saw and was part of in book two. He is sent to hide with a secret society while his teacher goes off to find the other characters to bring them together. He thought his life would be safe there but nothing is always as it seems as there is an evil plot underway for the complete annihilation of the webbie people and he is sent with his people to fight a war for a King who despises them.

Now Moshoi’s story seems to have taken a big turn as he is now assumed dead in the rock slide from Book Two. His younger brother has taken up his cause to deliver the jug to Amanki and save the world. He just never realized how dangerous the cause would be!

I fell in love with the plot development – we learned so much about our characters in this book and their stories began to intertwine in such a unique way that you can feel the height of the story beginning to start. I have become so invested in the characters and want to see them through their journey safe, especially Brina. I love her strength and courage, she has become my favourite character in this series with her vulnerability and strength.

Captives is a great book for young adults and adults alike. You can learn more about Refugees Book One here and Seekers Book Two here. You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

R.A. Denny started writing epic fantasy novels when, after watching the first Hobbit movie, she began excitedly spouting off information about C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien’s writer’s group called the Inklings and how their greatest fantasy novels were created. One of her sons commented, “We could do that.” She laughed. Then, he turned it into a challenge.

Her unexpected journey had begun. For several years, she continued her day job as a criminal prosecutor and escaped by night to the world of the Tzoladian Empire. Then, she decided to just do what she loved.

She completed writing her six-book epic fantasy series: Mud, Rocks, and Trees. The series should be read in this order: Refugees, Seekers, Captives, Warriors, Visionaries, and then Deliverers.

R.A. enjoys ancient history, board games, and LEGO. That’s the nerd in her. She rides horses, raised flying squirrels and lives with two cats. That’s the animal lover in her. Oh, and did I mention that she loves a challenge? That’s the adventurer in her.

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

April 23, 2018

A Penny Lost Book Review

In A Penny Lost, Penny searches for answers, she must fight to survive the tragedies of both the past and future in order to get back home.

About A Penny Lost

Penelope Grace, usually forgotten under the shadow of her twin sister’s perfection, tries her hardest to hide her freakish ability to see into anyone’s soul.

Until she senses an unusual energy like a human-shaped void in the universe. When Penny investigates the source, she gets tossed through a crack in time along with the cute boy next door. The Void follows them through history, increasing the dangers as if testing Penny. But what is it testing for? And why does it claim to know her better than even she knows herself? Even as Penny searches for answers, she must fight to survive the tragedies of both the past and future in order to get back home.

My Thoughts

This book is an exciting adventure that follows Penny as she travels back and forward in time in order to stop the mysterious Void that has taken her through a crack in time and the mysterious boy next door who was hosting the Void in his basement.

Penny is an exceptional young lady who has the ability to see into a person’s soul and see auras. Her family doesn’t believer her not even her twin sister. Penny has always felt out-of-place and forgotten especially beside her twin. When she is sucked into the Void along with her neighbour she learns that her powers become even stronger as she is able to control the Void, open doors in time and use her powers to protect herself and the boy whose name he can not remember.

This was an interesting plot that was constantly evolving and changing as the story continued on. The two young children are forced to travel back and forwards in time in order to solve the mystery of the Void, end the darkness and return them home to their own time. Every time they seem to be a step closer, the Void ensures they are a few steps behind again. You are left wondering is the Void really bad or is Penny altering time for the worse? Who is really in charge in this time travelling adventure and what is the ultimate goal? What roles do each of them play? While we receive some of the answers by the end of the book, it leaves you needing to know more especially when the Boy remembers what he had forgotten.

This book is a great read for young adults who will love the adventure and constantly evolving plot. You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Rating: 4/5

About the Author

Aspen Bassett works at a library, telling stories and suggesting books. When she’s not working, she’s usually sipping hot cocoa and wondering what would happen if she had superpowers. She’s been published in multiple anthologies including Oomph: A Little Super Goes a Long Way and Inaccurate Realities.

Aspen grew up learning about chakras and auras and the true power of imagination which slips into her writing whether she intend it to or not. In college, when she wasn’t busy working on her degree in Creative Writing, Aspen also got her certificate in Women’s Meditation (basically general energy work).

Now, she’s working toward a diploma in Integrated Healing Arts with a certificate in Hypnotherapy.

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Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

April 23, 2018

Sass, Smarts and Stilettos: How Italian Women Make the Ordinary Extraordinary

Learn how to live fully within your own philosophy of living in Sass, Smarts and Stilettos: How Italian Women Make the Ordinary Extraordinary

About Sass, Smarts and Stilettos: How Italian Women Make the Ordinary Extraordinary

Ah, that inimitable Italian style. It’s embedded in an Italian woman’s DNA. Fashion doesn’t define her. She defines herself. She knows an extraordinary life is not about status, money, or achievement. The only mastery it requires is one her heritage has given her, the irrepressible passion to make art of life itself.

Ask an Italian woman where she gets her sense of style and she will tell you it’s not about labels. It’s tethered to humble roots; humanity, community, conscious consumerism, and a profound appreciation for art in all its forms.

Sass, Smarts and Stilettos takes the reader on a journey from the humble hill towns of Abruzzo to the revered fashion capitals of Milan and Rome, into the artisan workshops of Florence, and the humanistic business practices of Luisa Spagnoli, Brunello Cuccinelli, and Alberta Ferretti, from the emergence of Italy’s fashion industry after WWII, to slow food and sustainable fashion initiatives taking root around the world.

Life lessons echo in the words of the author’s mother and grandmother, in the voices of Italian film divas, designers, tastemakers, writers, and artisans across generations, from the first Sala Bianca in Florence to the game changing design ethic of Franca Sozzani, Miuccia Prada, and Donatella Versace.

Learn how to live fully within your own philosophy of living. Say good-bye to mindless consumerism, emotional clutter, and others’ expectations. Create a personal style that fits like a custom blazer by Ferrè and enchants like the colors of a Sicilian sunset. Then go on to craft an extraordinary and empowering life made-to-measure for you alone.

My Thoughts

This is a wonderful book of the power, confidence, leadership and intelligence of women. While the title is about Italian women and focuses on this culture, women of all cultures can relate to this book through similar experiences.

I was moved by this story as I thought of my family and the women who came before me. My family is from Venice and I still remember when I was sixteen and landed for the first time in Italy and how in awe I was. The buildings, the relationships, the food, the fashion and the people were incredible and larger than life to me. I fell in love in that moment and was already planning my trip back. This book renewed my love for Italy and all things Italian.

While the book is a celebration of the power of women, it is also a reminder about what life really is about – family, good quality items and love. Gabriella provides us with the key to how the Italian women described in this story (from her Mother to herself to actresses to fashion designers) live their lives and how to follow in their steps. To embrace life with all of its emotions – to love fully and to never be afraid to show these feelings (tears are not weakness!). Quality over quantity – Western culture can be consumed with buying things for the sake of buying them but this book reminds us that it is better to live life uncluttered with things and to buy one quality item that will last over many items that will be thrown out. Everything in moderation is key – Italian women are happy because they don’t deny themselves the joys of life like food, wine and desserts but moderation is key.

I loved every moment of this book that celebrates the Italian woman but also the power of women in general. It made me want to hop on the plane and go home, yearning for something more!

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Chapters and Kobo.

Rating: 4.5/5

About the Author

Gabriella Contestabile is the author of the novel, The Artisan’s Star, and owner of Su Misura (Made to Measure) Journeys; a boutique travel concept for the female traveler who relishes off-the-beaten-track adventures that celebrate the Italian way of life.

The book/travel initiative has its roots in her pre-writer life as a foreign language teacher, later as Executive Director and Vice President of International Training in a number of global companies (including Estee Lauder, Shiseido, and Prada Beauty) where she would create immersive and unconventional learning experiences in unique settings around the world.

One of her favorite pastimes, wherever she is in the world, is to scout out the best, and most ‘Italian’ espresso in the hood. It requires multiple tastings, but that’s the idea. Gabriella was born in Italy, and raised in Ottawa and New York City, where she currently lives with her husband, her mother, and a furry Shih Tzu named Oreo.

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Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.