The Wild World Handbook: Habitats by Andrea Debbink & Asia Orlando (Middle Grade Nonfiction Book Review)

 We received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

The Wild World Handbook:
Habitats
Written by Andrea Debbink
Illustrated by Asia Orlando
Published by Quirk Books
on April 20, 2021
Genre: Middle Grade, Nonfiction 
Length: 231 pages
Ages: 8 - 12 years

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | BookDepository

Synopsis:
Packed with real-life tales of adventure, breathtaking illustrations, and practical tools, this handbook is an inspiring guide for the next generation of climate activists, conservationists, and nature lovers. 

My Thoughts:

The Wild World Handbook: Habitats is a fantastic exploration of all the different major habitats in our world, with a focus on conservation that is perfect for nature-loving children.

This middle-grade nonfiction is split into 9 chapters that cover the mountains, forests, rainforests, deserts, grasslands, polar lands, the ocean, freshwater, and cities. Each chapter includes two biographies, a natural wonder, a field trip idea, a story of environmental success, a DIY project, and ideas for good stewardship in that particular environment. 

The field trip ideas are very interactive, prompting the reader to research or visit (or both!) a mountain or forest or ocean in the area and gives many questions to find answers to as well as how to wander, explore, and record their findings. The DIY pages are especially fun and the Stewardship pages give lots of great ways to care for or repair nature. 

There is lots to learn and do in this fun look at our world's habitats! 

Follow

Secret Santa by Andrew Shaffer (Adult Horror Book Review)

I won a copy of this book from the publisher in a giveaway on Instagram. All thoughts and opinions are my own.  

Secret Santa
by Andrew Shaffer
Published by Quirk Books
on  November 10, 2020
Genre: Adult, Horror
Length: 220 pages

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | BookDepository

Literary Awards:
Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Horror (2020)

Synopsis:
The Office meets Stephen King, dressed up in holiday tinsel, in this fun, festive, and frightening horror-comedy set during the horror publishing boom of the '80s, by New York Times best-selling satirist Andrew Shaffer. 

My Thoughts:

Lussi Meyer stumbles her way into a job as a senior editor at the old-fashioned Blackwood-Patterson publishing house after working in horror for years. She is tasked with finding the next Stephen King and is determined to find her place but the job starts out rough with an unexpected death, an injured intern, and what seems to be hazing from coworkers that includes a sinister Secret Santa gift that Lussi quickly recognizes. 

I'm not big on 'holiday reads' but this was quick and fun, with a hint of comedy, and perfect for the Christmas season in a spooky Krampus sort of way.
I don't want to give away any important plot but this story has some ancient German folklore that includes a certain terrifying Christmas witch that is said to remove the insides of their victims to replace them with rocks or straw or even garbage. I ended up doing a little research on it and that made the story that much more horrific! 

Many thanks to Quirk Books for the chance to read this!

Follow