Author: cvegnad

“To the sea, to the sea, who or what waits here for me?” – A West Coast Summer

About A West Coast Summer

Pairing fourteen of Carol Evans’s wonderful watercolours with a lilting rhyming story by Caroline Woodward, A West Coast Summer tells a story of a timeless, idyllic season where “Sea salt in the air floats everywhere / and cedars smell so sweet beside the shore.”

Children race bikes along sand flats, search under logs and in tide pools for tiny creatures, jig at the dock for herring, dance at a totem raising ceremony, pick berries, make memories and leave footprints in the sand.

Evans’s illustrations capture the jubilation of children exploring the seashore, inspiring young readers to take their own journey to the sea to discover who or what waits for them in the Pacific Northwest―and learn that the best memories are those shared with family and friends.

Our Thoughts

A West Coast Summer is a visually stunning story of all that is perfect about summer. Spending the days exploring, fishing, dancing, making memories and more with family and friends.

First I have to take a moment to acknowledge the illustrations – these are water colours and they are so beautifully painted with attention to details, that a few times I had to look closer as I thought they were a photograph. I do water colours in my spare time (although I have found with my second child and both in soccer, my own time is out the window) and I found myself running my hands along the pages admiring the beauty. They really help to bring the story to life, you can feel the excitement, salt water in the air and the excitement and joy pop out of the pages.

The Pacific Northwest is a special community that embraces their culture and environment. The story acknowledges every angle of their way of life and makes you want to plan your next vacation for your family out there. I want my children to be children and enjoy the things that I loved as a child –  fishing, exploring and just being a kid (which can be hard to do in our urban area in the middle of Canada). The story and illustrations help you to imagine and feel the excitement of the children as they go fishing, jump in the water, hiking, dance with friends and so much more. You can picture yourself and your children there enjoying each and every moment.

A West Coast Summer will be the perfect gift for a young child and addition to your home library as you celebrate these last few days of summer in reflection.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Rating: 5/5

About the Illustrator

Carol Evans’s work has achieved international acclaim as part of many group exhibitions and private collections worldwide. Her art has been published in West Coast: Homeland of Mist (SummerWild Productions, 1992), Releasing the Light (Raincoast Books, 1997), and the bestselling The Shores We Call Home (Harbour Publishing, 2010). She lives on Saltspring Island, BC, with husband Bryn King.

About the Author

Caroline Woodward is the author of multiple children’s books. She has also written books for books, including Light Years: Memoir of a Modern Lighthouse Keeper. She lives and works as a light keeper near Tofino, BC with husband Jeff George.

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

Executive, wife, and mother of an outgoing first-grader, Sydney Clayton crushes her day-to-day obligations at work but flounders in the cutthroat world of parental politics in Go On, Girl.

About Go On, Girl

Executive, wife, and mother of an outgoing first-grader, Sydney Clayton crushes her day-to-day obligations at work but flounders in the cutthroat world of parental politics.

She manages to avoid the local drama until she’s faced with an ultimatum: join the Forest River PTA or risk her daughter becoming a social outcast. Sydney reluctantly becomes treasurer, and takes the recently vacated position of the president’s sidekick. If protecting the children’s freedom of speech, one best friend ban at a time, isn’t complicated enough, Sydney and her husband receive an unexpected offer for their house they don’t think they can refuse.

Embroiled in the deception and manipulation rife among the elementary school moms, Sydney struggles. Should she sell the home she worked so hard to build in a town where betrayal runs rampant? Or should she stay put to avoid the fallout from uprooting her child? As Sydney focuses on what is best for her daughter, and let’s go of her judgments, she finds friendship can develop in very unexpected ways.

Warm, witty, and wise, Go On, Girl dramatizes the dilemmas of life in the suburbs and the bonds shared by women. Perfect for fans of Class Mom and I Don’t Know How She Does It.

My Thoughts

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book but I was hooked in the first chapter. I loved the humour, down to earth characters and the drama that while seems extreme is actually spot on. It felt like I was watching a version of my own years on the PTA but a richer version.

I still remember when I was on my first maternity leave with my second son (I had my first son in my second year at University so no break for me!), I was so excited to be getting some downtime from working full-time, studying part-time and owning a part-time business. Apparently though, this meant to some of the other moms at our very small school that this meant I could take on more responsibilities with the school – especially as some of the Moms of the older kids weren’t getting along with the principal and felt that they had done enough. I gave into a PTA meeting and left as the President. Yes – I caved to the pressure but I could never imagine the drama that would begin! The cliques, the not sharing information, the attitudes and the list goes on and on. I need a drink now just thinking of it!

As I read Sydney’s story and her interactions, I found myself laughing out loud as I had lived some of that. You think why do we do this? Why do we let ourselves get suckered in and deal with the drama? For our kids! I just wanted to contribute to a positive community for my children and spend some extra time with them – what a kick in the butt that became.

While it can come with the drama, it also had its positives like Sydney found out. You realize that you are more alike then you realize, that some of those women become the best of friends and support you through anything and we learn a lot about people and how they behave and interact with others. I wouldn’t change it for a minute.

This is an amazing novel that you will not want to put down – you will laugh, cry and relate to so many moments in Sydney’s life. She becomes your best friend and you don’t want the story to end! I would love to see a second installment in her story as she leaves off with a major change in her and her family’s life.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

By day, Hilary Grossman works in the booze biz. By night she hangs out with her “characters.” She has an unhealthy addiction to denim and high heel shoes. She’s been known to walk into walls and fall up stairs. She only eats spicy foods and is obsessed with her cat, Lucy. She loves to find humor in everyday life. She likens life to a game of dodge ball – she tries to keep many balls in the air before they smack her in the face. She lives on the beach in Long Island.

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

The special relationship that author Kevin Meehan and rescue dog Isosceles formed became the inspiration behind his new children’s picture book, Isosceles’ Day, a whimsical tale that takes readers through a  day in the life of Isosceles as he interacts with a variety of other furry, feathered and friendly animals.

About Isosceles’ Day

Isosceles’ Day – From being awakened by friend Mole, to a breakfast of dancing eggs, howling and grunting with Moose, time spent with Frog and Platypus, lunchtime with Lizard, playing it cool with Mouse, listening to drums with Prairie Dog, riding in a wagon with Rhino, drinking from a hose with Goose and a lullaby with Frog – come share a fun day with Isosceles, a happy rescue dog, and his animal friends.

The Inspiration

Isosceles was neglected, and likely abused for his first three years of life in Wyoming. He had not been allowed to enter the house and had to endure outdoor temperatures down to -20F. He shared this miserable life with his sister, both isolated from any type of human affection. It was said that schoolchildren would feel sorry for them and pet them before and after school. The dogs were given up for adoption when their owners moved out.  The day they were found abandoned, Isosceles was brutally separated form his sister and taken to an adoption center.  

​The very first day he entered the adoption center, he was rescued by the author of this book, Kevin.  For the first time in his short life, Isosceles was introduced to a house, a warm bed, outdoors beyond an isolated cold backyard and homemade food.

With unconditional love and patience, Isosceles was nurtured back to health and started to experience innumerable adventures with new friends, wandering in the woods and interacting with nature. This book is about one day in his new, lovely life, full of magic and fun with the special relationships he has with his friends.

Our Thoughts

I have always had a pet in my home – whether it be hamsters, birds and dogs. Pets were special members of our family – they loved you unconditionally, brought laughter into the home and were always there for you. I still remember my first dog – she would make this crying noise when you got home, pee herself (this continued right into adulthood!) when she saw you and she had this way of knowing when you were sad and would be there for cuddles. I have amazing memories of the animals in my life so I wanted my kids to experience this as well.

We now have two dogs and two young boys in our home and I wouldn’t have it any other way. The dogs sleep with our youngest, they trail him for treats (one bite for him, two bites for them!) and they love to cuddle with you (our puppy has no concept of personal space and I wouldn’t have it any other way). They have an amazing way of teaching us about true love and trust, and this is the lesson I want my children to learn.

What I have never understood is how there are people in this world who don’t see this. Who don’t offer these perfect animals back the same love that they offer us. My heart broke for Isosceles and the thought of him never knowing the inside of a home and never given the affection that he truly deserved. Animals don’t deserve to be lonely, they are such friendly and social creatures – especially dogs.

I loved that this story told the beauty of adopting a shelter pet. Shelter pets are special, loving and in need of a good home. I think we sometimes forget or worry that they will be more work or not as social because of their past. This is not true! They need that extra bit of love and who doesn’t love showering a pet with love? With love, nurture and patience – their true nature emerges and they become the animal they were meant to be.

This is a beautiful story of rescue, hope and the building of trust through love and patience. A definite must read for all children (and some adults too!).

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon and more information on Kevin’s website.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

As a child, the author experienced a similar life condition as Isosceles. Not having much of a home, love or sense of protection and safety, he has a very special understanding of Isosceles’ early years. As a diplomat of acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and an integrative health care practitioner for almost three decades, he recognizes the importance of the compassion essential in helping others; people and animals. The author’s commitment to helping animals and humans, coupled with his passion for biochemistry, lead him to design a unique, patented, line of canine orthomolecular supplements to nurture dogs back to health in a natural way. One of his favorite quotes is, “With the eyes of a child we learn how to see”!

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