Review: Xoc: The Journey of A Great White by Matt Dembicki

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

Explore the ocean's wonders through the eyes of a great white as it treks from the Farallon Islands off the coast of California to the warm waters of Hawaii some 2,300 miles away. Along its journey, the 17-foot shark encounters natural prey and predators-from skittish seals to brazen orcas- as well as man-made impediments that threaten not only the giant fish, but the balance of ocean's ecology.

MY TAKE:

Before reading this book, I was under the impression that it would be literally through the eyes of a great white, kinda like stepping into their skin. Well, it's not exactly like that.

The book is a look at the life of Xoc, a great white shark. The story is not just about Xoc, though, as we do get to see a little about what life is like for other sea creatures.

I'm not really a fan of the illustration style, which is more realistic than I prefer, but the style is good for action sequences. The coloring was beautiful too, especially for the deep-sea creatures.

The story line and the style is generally okay. I did, however, notice a line that was repeated in succeeding panels/pages, plus a couple of typos, incomplete sentences, and one wrong tense ("This time, the whale drives the disoriented shark deeper, hoping to drowned it."). This is understandable for an ARC, though, so hopefully, this will be fixed by the time the book goes to print.

Thanks to NetGalley and Oni Press for providing me with an e-ARC. Publication of Xoc: The Journey of A Great White is on July 25, 2012.

THE GOOD:

1. Illustrations are able to evoke movement.
   
2. It's a great way to introduce kids to marine life or to get acquainted with life under the sea.
3. Realistic coloring.

THE BAD:

1. Font is a little bit hard to read.
2. There were a few typos.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

It is dawn. Light cracks the cold, dark waters of the Pacific.

READ IT IF:

1. You like sea creatures.
2. You would like to learn more about sea creatures, but don't want to read textbooks.
3. You're looking for a well-inked educational comic book.

RATING:

Review: Victory by Carla Jablonski; Illustrated by Leland Purvis

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

The final installment in Carla Jablonski’s Sydney Taylor Honor-winning Resistance trilogy.

World War II thunders to a conclusion in this third and final installment of Jablonski and Purvis’ critically-acclaimed historical trilogy. As the Allied Forces move to retake France from its Nazi invaders, siblings Sophie, Paul, and Marie Tessier must risk their lives once more and journey into the belly of the beast: Paris. They are on a mission to deliver top-secret intel for the Resistance movement . . . they are its youngest agents.

A perfect mix of deft emotional storytelling and hairraising, historically accurate wartime adventure make this final chapter of the Resistance Trilogy the most satisfying yet.

MY TAKE:

I wasn't born yet during World War II, so what I know of the war is from the things taught to us in school and told to me by my parents and grandparents.

Victory is the third book in Carla Jablonski's Resistance trilogy. This book chronicles the adventures of Sylvie, Paul and Marie as they fight for the French Resistance. I was a little disoriented at first when I was reading because I was looking for "Sophie", the girl mentioned in the marketing copy. In the book, however, Paul and Marie's older sister is named Sylvie. I haven't read the first two books, though, so I'm not sure if she was Sophie before.

Anyway, while it helps to read the first two books, Victory is still easy enough to follow. The characters explain the things that you might have missed, without resorting to info dumps.

It's action-packed, informative and very realistic. The illustrations are like sketches, so if you like that style, then this is definitely your cup of tea.

Thanks to NetGalley and First Second for the e-ARC. Publication date of Victory is on July 17, 2012.

THE GOOD:

1. The book is very informative.
2. The story is realistic.
3. You don't have to have read the first books to understand this one.

THE BAD:

1. There are some misaligned speech bubbles.
2. The illustration style may not appeal to everyone.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

Stop fraternizing with the enemy and maybe I'll treat you with more respect.

READ IT IF:

1. You want to know what life was like in wartime France.
2. You're looking for a realistic comic book trilogy.
3. You want to learn more about the Resistance in World War II France.

RATING:


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Review: Edible Party Bouquets by Fox Chapel Publishing

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

Make a lasting impression with a stunning fruit, appetizer or dessert bouquet. Perfect for gift‑giving or any celebration, these 40 homemade, edible centerpieces are easy‑to‑make, inexpensive, and beautiful. Just follow the step‑by‑step instructions to learn how to easily assemble fruit, appetizers or treats into impressive arrangements that will make your next special occasion memorable.

MY TAKE:

I'm no Martha Stewart, but I'm all for making pretty arrangements, especially if they are edible.

Edible Party Bouquets contains easy step-by-step guides to create some really cool sweet and savory party bouquets.

A lot of the sweet bouquets were made of fruit, so I pretty much skipped that, although I did like the Truffle Tower bouquet. I might try that out. The savory bouquets were what really grabbed my attention. The Taco Blooms and the Oriental Garden Bundles look really yummy and easy to make. Those two things are the first on my to-do list.

Thanks to NetGalley and Fox Chapel Publishing for the e-ARC. Publication date of Edible Party Bouquets is on June 1, 2012.

THE GOOD:

1. There are pictures for every step, so you won't get lost.
2. The instructions are easy to understand.
3. The bouquets all look yummy.

THE BAD:

1. You might have to buy special equipment before you can start.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

It is important to keep most fruits and vegetables cool while preparing and arranging your bouquet.

READ IT IF:

1. You are interested in making tasty centerpieces.
2. You want to try something creative.
3. You enjoy baking.

RATING:

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Review: The Paris Directive by Gerald Jay

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

For the travel-hungry reader whose wish list says "France," but whose wallet says "stay-cation," this tantalizing and skillfully written thriller is just the ticket.

In a Berlin hotel room in the late 1990s, two former French intelligence agents hire Klaus Reiner, a ruthlessly effective hit man, to eliminate an American industrialist vacationing in the Dordogne, in southwestern France. Reiner easily locates his target in the small village of Taziac, but the hit is compromised when three innocent people are in the wrong place at the wrong time. Enter Inspector Paul Mazarelle, formerly of Paris but now living in Taziac, charged with bringing his experience and record of success in the capital to bear on the gruesome quadruple homicide at the height of tourist season.

Both Mazarelle's investigation and Reiner's assignment become complicated when Molly, a New York City district attorney and daughter of two of the victims, arrives to identify the bodies and begins asking questions. All evidence points to Ali Sedak, a local Arab handyman, but Mazarelle and Molly have doubts, forcing Reiner to return to Taziac to ensure they see things as he arranged them.

Gerald Jay delivers a perfect vacation read that's also like going on vacation: delicious food and wine, lush countryside, and characters with panache to spare. And the wonderful cat-and-mouse game between the suave, ice-cold killer and the earthy, engaging French detective is the icing on the "gâteau."

MY TAKE:

I've always wanted to visit Paris so this novel's blurb piqued my interest.

The Paris Directive focuses on Mazarelle, an inspector, and Reiner, a hired assassin. The story is set mostly in Paris, but occasionally the location shifts to Spain and other choice places.

Mazarelle is no Poirot or Closseau, but the way he is portrayed is very realistic. He doesn't figure things out of the blue, but he reaches conclusions logically. As for the other characters, I didn't really warm up to them. Maybe that's why even though the plot was interesting and well-constructed, I didn't really get into it.

Thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday for the e-ARC. Publication date for The Paris Directive is on June 19, 2012.

THE GOOD:

1. Vivid descriptions of interesting places in Paris.
2. Interesting protagonist.
3. Well-constructed plot.

THE BAD:

1. Depending on how you like your thriller novels, you might not be too excited about this.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

One of those stores full of interesting jars and tins of Earl Grey tea from London, biscottinos form Milan, and wonderful French mustards, jams, jellies, nuts, and pates wrapped in yellow cellophane and ribbons.

READ IT IF:

1. You like mystery, thriller novels.
2. You like Paris.
3. You are an armchair traveler.

RATING:


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Review: Swipe by Evan Angler

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

Set in a future North America that is struggling to recover after famine and global war, Swipe follows the lives of three kids caught in the middle of a conflict they didn’t even know existed. United under a charismatic leader, every citizen of the American Union is required to get the Mark on their 13th birthday in order to gain the benefits of citizenship.

The Mark is a tattoo that must be swiped by special scanners for everything from employment to transportation to shopping. It’s almost Logan Langly’s 13th birthday and he knows he should be excited about getting the Mark, but he hasn’t been able to shake the feeling he’s being watched. Not since his sister went to get her Mark five years ago . . . and never came back.

When Logan and his friends discover the truth behind the Mark, will they ever be able to go back to being normal teenagers? Find out in the first book of this exciting series that is Left Behind meets Matched for middle-grade readers.

MY TAKE:

I don't usually read YA dystopian novels but the premise of this book was very interesting.

In Swipe, most people are Marked when they turn 13. Most kids would be excited by this. Logan isn't, especially after what happened to his sister.

The idea of people having barcodes is not a new idea. It sounds like a cool idea, technology-wise. Of course, it has a lot of issues.

The book's concept is brilliant. The plot was interesting although I could occasionally tell where it was going. Logan is a perfect hero. He's kind of a weakling, but not completely incapable of functioning. Erin is my kind of heroine. She's bad-ass but not overly so. You can definitely imagine her doing what she does, without rolling your eyes.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tommy Nelson for the e-ARC. Publication date of Swipe is on May 1, 2012.

THE GOOD:

1. Interesting concept.
2. Strong characters.
3. Lots of potential.

THE BAD:

1. Still lacks a little something.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

There weren't windows in the traditional sense, but the walls were indeed lined with glass, behind which were simulated, three-dimensional video projections of vistas from all over the world- a reminder to the students of how thigns once were.

READ IT IF:

1. You like YA dystopian novels.
2. You've thought about a world with unified ID systems.
3. You like mysteries.

RATING:

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Review: Spiked Desserts by Fox Chapel Publishing

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

Raise your plate and say "cheers" to the newest idea in cooking and entertaining‑‑booze‑infused treats! Already‑delicious desserts are loaded with extra flavor when you add a hint of spirits to batters, frosting and more. From martinis and daiquiris to grasshoppers and tequila sunrises, you can turn your favorite cocktail into an intoxicatingly delicious treat for your next adult party.

MY TAKE:

I don't really drink alcoholic beverages, but I don't mind it when they're mixed with desserts.

Spiked Desserts has recipes for both baked treats and frozen goodies. There's a lot of variety when it comes to the liquor used. Right now, I'm eyeing the grasshopper cupcakes. It's mostly creme de menthe, which I like.

A special thumbs up for the food styling, too. It's a little more up-close than I would have liked, but it's still very pretty.

Thanks to NetGalley and Fox Chapel Publishing for the e-ARC. Publication date for Spiked Desserts is on May 1, 2012.

THE GOOD:

1. Gorgeous layout.
2. Interesting recipes.
3. Enticing photos.

THE BAD:

1. Some of the ingredients may be hard to find, especially if you don't live in the U.S.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

Come in and make yourself a drink... and a drink-inspired dessert.

READ IT IF:

1. You like booze.
2. You like desserts.
3. You like baking.

RATING:

SOUNDS INTERESTING?

Review: Luca Lashes and His First Trip to the Dentist by Nicole and Damir Fonovich

SUMMARY FROM AMAZON.COM:

Prepare for your child for their first trip to the dentist with Luca Lashes! Please enjoy your reading experience with this multilingual, educational eBook series.

This eBook reintroduces Luca Lashes as he experiences his first trip to the dentist. Immerse yourself in this eBook, which includes parent suggestions and focuses on a relatable character.

“Luca Lashes and his First Trip to the Dentist” is intended for 0-4 year olds, and promotes literacy in children while highlighting key concepts to help children through new experiences. By combining the original text and artwork with features that entertain and promote reading, this eBook appeals to beginning readers of all ages.

MY TAKE:

I am terrified of dentists, although when I was a kid, I wasn't. Maybe it was because my dentist gave me free stuff like toothbrushes and cute VHS tapes. If this book existed back then, I'm sure she would have given me a copy.

Luca Lashes and His First Trip to the Dentist is obviously about Luca's first trip to the dentist. The book makes use of rhymes and illustrations to tell Luca's story.

Lucas is cute and reminds me of my nephew. The story didn't have as much of a plot as what I would have wanted, but since this book is aimed at toddlers and young kids, it's just right.

Thanks to NetGalley and Luca Lashes, LLC for the e-copy.

THE GOOD:

1. There are tips for parents regarding their kid's dentist visit.
2. Luca's magic lashes seem like a great trick for parents to try on their kids.
3. Luca is cute.

THE BAD:

1. Some people might not like the illustration style.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

So Luca did blink

twice, just right

before

They got to the

dentist's office and

opened the door

READ IT IF:

1. Your child is scared of the dentist.
2. Your child is going to the dentist for the first time.
3. You need tips before you go to the dentist with your child.

RATING:

SOUNDS INTERESTING?

Review: Facing the Hunchback of Notre Dame by L.L. Samson

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

A hidden attic. A classic story. A very unexpected twist. Twin twelve-year-old bookworms Ophelia and Linus Easterday discover a hidden attic that once belonged to a mad scientist. While relaxing in the attic and enjoying her latest book, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Ophelia dozes off, and within moments finds herself facing a fully alive and completely bewildered Quasimodo. Ophelia and Linus team up with a clever neighbor, a hippy priest, and a college custodian, learning Quasimodo's story while searching for some way to get him back home-if he can survive long enough in the modern world.

MY TAKE:

I'm not really a fan of The Hunchback of Notre Dame but I did like the premise of this book.

Thanks to magic, Ophelia and Linus find themselves face-to-face with Quasimodo. Meeting a literary character is fun but keeping him a secret is another matter entirely.

I really liked this book. It has an old-timey feel to it, thanks to the style of the narrator. It gives me a sort of nostalgic feeling, kinda like the one I get when I read The Boxcar Children.

Something that sets this book apart is the way it writes the definitions of difficult words. Some may find it distracting, but its very useful for children who want to widen their vocabulary.

The plot is not particularly deep, but it's very interesting in its own right. There's a lot of potential in the premise of the book. It's something that any book lover would definitely want to try. I'm not sure if this is part of a series, but if done right, this could be a very successful series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Zondervan for the e-ARC. Publication date of Facing the Hunchback of Notre Dame is on May 1, 2012.

THE GOOD:

1. The plot is interesting.
2. The writing style is very whimsical.
3. It works as a teaching tool for kids.

THE BAD:

1. The definitions can be distracting.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

There is room for only so many talentless pop stars and reality TV nincompoops, believe it or not, and thank goodness for that.

READ IT IF:

1. You like The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
2. You like the idea of literary characters coming to life.
3. You like books wherein the narrator interjects a lot.

RATING:

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Review: The Beauty Book by Nancy Rue

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

Learn with Lily and her friends just what it means to be beautiful in God’s eyes—inside and out!

In a society so focused on the idea that external beauty reigns supreme, it can be difficult for young girls to figure out what “true” beauty is all about. This unique and creative book for girls ages 7–11 answers the common questions girls ask during this often confusing and overwhelming stage in their lives in an inviting and conversational manner.

Filled with fun quizzes, imaginative activities, and cool illustrations, The Beauty Book offers cool, relevant information about everything from great hair styles to tattoos, from skin care to clothes, and much more. Above all, the message that God-confidence is beautiful is highlighted on each and every page.

MY TAKE:

There are a lot of books that offer beauty advice to young girls, but I don't think any of them are like this.

The Beauty Book is sort of a companion book to the Here's Lily book and series. It contains tips and tricks and step-by-step guides to enhancing your God-given looks. There are also activities, like fill-in-the-blanks, and Bible verses and reflections that explain how each lesson relates to God. If you've read Here's Lily, you'll be familiar with the girls in the Girlz Want to Know sections.

This is a useful guide for young girls who are just learning to love their body and make themselves prettier.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tommy Nelson for the e-ARC. Publication date for The Beauty Book is on May 1, 2012.

THE GOOD:

1. It has step-by-step guides.
2. Moms will find this a great help when teaching beauty and hygiene to their daughters.
3. It's easy for young girls to understand.

THE BAD:

1. Some of the Bible verses does not fit the topic exactly so they seem just a tiny bit forced.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

Does that mean somebody who was beautiful forty, fifty or four hundred years ago wouldn't be beautiful today? How much sense does that make?

READ IT IF:

1. You have a daughter.
2. You are trying to balance the idea of being pretty and not being vain.
3. You like books that apply Bible verses to modern life.

RATING:

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Review: The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

MY VAMPIRE CREATOR TOLD ME THIS:

"Sometime in your life, Allison Sekemoto, you will kill a human being. The question is not if it will happen, but when. Do you understand?"

I didn't then, not really.

I DO NOW.

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die…or become one of the monsters.

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

But it isn’t easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for.

MY TAKE:

I don't usually read vampire novels, but considering that this was written by Julie Kagawa, I figured I'd give it a try.

In The Immortal Rules, a virus has killed a lot of humans and has left the rest to be servants of vampires. There's more than just vampires to worry about, though. Rabids and other humans are also a threat to the existence of humans who just want to survive.

This world is very chaotic and is basically a war zone. As you would expect, the humans and vampires in this book aren't weaklings or sparkly. Most of them, anyway. That is, they aren't weaklings. Nobody sparkles here.

Allie is a tough girl, which is great. She did get on my nerves, occasionally, though. The other characters did annoy me sometimes, too. There were very few characters in the book that I liked.

What kept me going was the plot. It reads like an episode of The Walking Dead or something. It's gruesome and gross and you definitely get the picture. I don't know if I'd read the next book in the series, but if you like vampire books, you'll like this one.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarlequinTeen for the e-ARC. Publication date of The Immortal Rules is on April 24, 2012.

THE GOOD:

1. Class A world-building.
2. No sparkly vampires.
3. Excellent writing.

THE BAD:

1. Some of the characters can be annoying.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

Because within the pages of every book, there was information of another world - a world before this one, where humans didn't live in fear of vampires and walls and monsters in the night.

READ IT IF:

1. You like your vampires tough.
2. You like kick-butt heroines.
3. You're tired of watered-down, fairy tale young adult books.

RATING:

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Review: The Lean by Kathy Freston

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

Lean In for a Leaner You

If you've ever dieted, you've undoubtedly worked very hard to achieve results -- only to experience the disappointment of having the pounds creep back on. But what if losing weight didn't have to be difficult?

Now wellness expert Kathy Freston lets you in on her secret. With this book she shares the powerful concept of The Lean -- a radically effective approach to positive change -- with an incredibly easy 30-day plan to transform your health. You can jump-start weight loss in the most gentle and automatic way possible. In fact, it can be fun -- yes, fun!

"Leaning in" is about setting an intention for what you want, and then nudging yourself ever so gently in that direction, even if getting there seems impossible. It's about making choices to eat foods that are delicious, filling and supportive of your weight loss goals.

Each day of the Lean plan, Kathy shows how to make and commit to small, realistic diet and lifestyle changes that, over time, yield unexpectedly significant results. It's as simple as adding an apple to breakfast (Day 2), swapping in nondairy milk for cow's milk (Day 6), or having a handful of nuts instead of your usual snack of chips (Day 5). These changes propel you almost effortlessly toward increasingly healthy choices, and work together to boost your progress. There is nothing in these pages that is drastic or strict. In fact, there are only two rules:

All you need is the willingness to take just one step.

As you add the healthier foods to your diet, eat the new foods first.

By gradually adding in these nutrient-dense, fiber-rich foods, you'll simply stop feeling cravings. On Kathy's Lean plan, you can experience ongoing, healthy, and permanent weight loss -- plus more energy, improved digestion, clearer skin, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Complete with more than 45 recipes, and grounded in the latest science and research, this breakthrough book reveals the missing link to weight loss that you've been waiting for. The Lean offers a path to truly leaner body -- and the inspiration we all need to achieve lasting change.

MY TAKE:

I usually don't follow through on diets because the diet books I read feel so hard to follow.

The Lean isn't about making a total change to your diet right away. It's about taking baby steps. That's what makes this such a great book. It's easy to follow. You make changes to your diet, one change per day for 30 days.

The book explains the benefits of each task by citing studies and other scientific facts that show you that this diet is grounded on sound scientific knowledge.

It's not just about food, though. Some of the tasks are things such as loving yourself and having fun, things that we often forget. The book also has a what-to-eat guide, recipes and resources. The caprese panini recipe sounds promising. I might try that.

Thanks to NetGalley and Weinstein Books for the e-copy.

THE GOOD:

1. The writing style is very conversational.
2. It's doable.
3. There are yummy recipes.

THE BAD:

1. The scientific and studies part may be boring for some people.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

I like to do things with the least amount of effort to get the biggest possible payoff.

READ IT IF:

1. You want to lose weight the healthy way.
2. You like to take baby steps when dieting.
3. You want to lose weight but find it difficult.

RATING:


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Review: Here's Lily by Nancy Rue

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

Grow with the spirited, sometimes awkward, but always charming Lily as she learns what real beauty is.

In this fun, entertaining story, readers meet awkward sixth grader Lily Robbins who, after receiving a compliment about her looks from a woman in the modeling business, becomes obsessed with her appearance and with becoming a model. As she sets her sights on winning the model search fashion show, she exchanges her rock and feather collection for lip gloss, fashion magazines, and a private “club” with her closest friends. But when the unthinkable happens the night before the fashion show, Lily learns a valuable lesson about real beauty.

This best-selling, biblically based fiction series for girls—with a fresh new look and updated content—addresses social issues and coming-of-age topics, all with the spunk and humor of Lily Robbins as she fumbles her way through unfamiliar territory. As readers come to love Lily and her stories, they’ll also benefit from the companion nonfiction books that will help them through their own growing pains.

MY TAKE:

These days, people place a lot of emphasis on looks. This book is a good way for young girls to differentiate between primping just to be pretty and emphasizing your looks to enhance it.

Here's Lily tells the story of Lily Robbins, a young girl with some self-confidence issues due to her classmates' bullying. As with what you see on shows like America's Next Top Model, awkward can translate to high fashion, and Lily finds herself in a modeling class run by a modeling agency.

For young girls with an interest in modeling, this is a great way for them to get a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes at a modeling agency. However, this book isn't just about physical beauty. It's also about having faith and trusting in God's love for us.

Lily got a little bit annoying sometimes because of the way she constantly put herself down, but as she became more confident, she got easier to like. I also didn't like the way that her parents just let her brothers tease her. Some of their comments were beyond mean. Of course, by the end, her mother did straighten them out, but still, it's not nice.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tommy Nelson for the e-ARC. Publication date for Here's Lily is on May 1, 2012.

THE GOOD:

1. It has a good lesson.
2. It encourages girls to have more faith in God's love for them.
3. Girls will find it easy to relate to Lily.

THE BAD:

1. Some people might find this book a little bit preachy.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

"I taught you to look at the special gifts and qualities God gave you."

READ IT IF:

1. Your daughter feels she's not pretty enough.
2. You want your child to be closer to God.
3. Your child loves modeling and fashion.

RATING:

SOUNDS INTERESTING?

Review: Dog Number 1, Dog Number 10 by Ami Rubinger

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

Dog Number 1, Dog Number 10 takes readers through a world of playful pups that love to count! Each spread's rhyming text leaves out the last word, allowing little ones to chime in and shout out the missing number. The amusing illustrations provide countable clues for the numbers that have been left out.

MY TAKE:

Just like Ami Rubinger's other books, I enjoyed this one.

Dog Number 1, Dog Number 10 is part-storybook and part-activity book. Rubinger brings his usual fun rhymes to the book and illustrates them with cute, colorful illustrations. If you're a fan, this is a must-have for you.

Thanks to NetGalley and Abbeville Kids for the e-copy.

THE GOOD:

1. It has a plot, of sorts.
2. It's educational.
3. The coloring is pretty.

THE BAD:

1. Some kids might prefer a different illustration style.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

Ten dogs and ten cats-- I think that's plenty!

Count them all

and you get...

READ IT IF:

1. Your child like dogs.
2. You're teaching your child how to count.
3. You want something you can read with your child.

RATING:

SOUNDS INTERESTING?

Review: Ninja Versus Pirate Featuring Zombies by James Marshall

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

In a world where ZOMBIES control banks and governments, only one young man sees the way things are and emerges from the CHAOS and destruction: GUY BOY MAN. While he tries to end human suffering worldwide and in his high school, Guy Boy Man meets a cute PINK-HAIRED girl named BABY DOLL15 who has a UNICORN that follows her everywhere. An EPIC ROMANCE begins, but forces BEYOND THEIR CONTROL are intent on keeping the young couple apart. One of those FORCES may—or may not be!—Guy Boy Man’s closest friend, a handsome African-American NINJA named SWEETIE HONEY; another could be four EXOTICALLY BEAUTIFUL, genetically engineered and behaviourally modified EASTERN EUROPEAN girls; yet another, the principal of their HIGH SCHOOL . . . not to mention an impending standardized test known as the ZOMBIE ACCEPTANCE TEST! Will Guy Boy Man find a way to be with Baby Doll15 in a WORLD WHERE EVERYONE IS DOOMED to become either zombies or zombie food??!!

Ninja Versus Pirate Featuring Zombies is part Napoleon Dynamite, part The Matrix, and ALL AWESOME. It’s the first book in the How To End Human Suffering series.

MY TAKE:

In any ninja versus ____ scenario, I always root for the ninja. As such, I was very intrigued by the idea of this novel.

Ninja Versus Pirate Featuring Zombies by James Marshall is about Guy Boy Man, a self-proclaimed savior who takes it upon himself to save the world from zombies.

When I started reading the prologue, my first thought was "What the heck?!" The prologue is one very long run-on sentence. I thought about abandoning the book but since I try to finish NetGalley books, I decided to give it a few more chapters.

It's a good thing that the main chapters use proper punctuation. There are some paragraphs that read like a teenager's hyperactive mind, but for the most part, this book is quite readable. It's actually very humorous once you get into it. This book's strength is its dark humor and sarcastic take on everything. There were quite a few moments when I couldn't help but laugh out loud. It did get a little tired near the end, though. Less astute people might get outraged by the tongue-in-cheek statements found in the book.

Thanks to NetGalley and ChiZine Publications for the e-ARC. Publication date of Ninja Versus Pirate Featuring Zombies is on May 15, 2012.

THE GOOD:

1. It's laugh-out-loud funny.
2. It's sarcastic and doesn't take itself too seriously.
3. It has ninjas, pirates and zombies!

THE BAD:

1. The run-on, rambling sentences can be very distracting.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

Strangely, when the window breaks, it doesn't make a sound! Ninjas must be trained to jump through windows silently! And, on the way down, tehy probably grab the broken pieces of glass before they hit the ground! ninjas are so awesome!

READ IT IF:

1. You like ninjas, pirates and zombies.
2. You like dark humor.
3. You're not easily bothered by tongue-in-cheek statements.

RATING:

SOUNDS INTERESTING?

Review: I Dream of An Elephant by Ami Rubinger

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

I Dream of an Elephant takes readers through a wondrous world where they will encounter elephants of many colorful shades that sing, dance, and play - each in its own way! These illustrations provide the hints needed for children to chime in and complete the missing word (the color) from each rhyming couplet. I Dream of an Elephant teaches children about colors with an interactive, fill-in-the-blank challenge that encourages participation.

MY TAKE:

Children's books that are part activity books are such a good idea.

In I Dream of an Elephant, the narrator is saying how he or she dreams of different colored elephants. What's great about this book is that the colors are left blank and the child fills in the missing word based on the color of the elephants in the image and what completes the rhyme.

It's a fun way for kids to learn about colors and rhymes.

Thanks to NetGalley and Abbeville Kids for the e-copy.

THE GOOD:

1. It's funny.
   
2. It's a creative way for kids to learn something new.
3. The illustrations are cute.

THE BAD:

1. There's really only so much you can do with colors.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

The animals all love

a rockin' routine!

I dream of an elephant

whose color is ...

READ IT IF:

1. Your child likes elephants.
2. You're teaching your kids about colors.
3. You like activity books.

RATING:


SOUNDS INTERESTING?