StarWars: Be More Leia by Christian Blauvelt (Nonfiction Book Review)

[Star Wars]
Be More Leia:
Find Your Rebel Voice and Fight the System

by Christian Blauvelt
Published by DK Books
on October 3, 2019
Genre: Nonfiction
Length: 72 pages

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Our Thoughts:

This empowering book is full of guidance, positivity, and motivation to go beyond and kick butt doing it! With Princess Leia as the main inspiration for this book, there's a heavy focus on being a leader and doing what it takes to make your vision a possibility.

There's great advice on defining your goals and working toward them, choosing your path, finding your voice, believing in yourself, and so much more! 

Each spread has a color photo of a Star Wars character (with Princess Leia featured the most) with a quote from that character that goes well with and ties into the positive subject at hand. 

This cute little book is the perfect novelty gift for StarWars fans and would make a great addition to any empowered young girl's personal library. 

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The Bad Seed by John Jory & Pete Oswald (Children's Picture Book Review)

The Bad Seed
(Bad Seed #1)

Written by Jory John

Illustrated by Pete Oswald
Published by HarperCollins

on August 29, 2017

Genre: Children's, Picture Books
Length: 45 pages
Ages: 4 - 8 years

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | BookDepository

Synopsis:
An Amazon Best Children's Book of the Month from the New York Times bestselling author of the Goodnight Already! series.

This is a book about a bad seed. A baaaaaaaaad seed. How bad? Do you really want to know?

With Jory John's charming and endearing text and bold expressive illustrations by Pete Oswald, here is The Bad Seed: a funny yet touching tale that reminds us of the remarkably transformative power of will, acceptance, and just being you.

Our Thoughts:

Sometimes life deals us a hard blow and we become 'bad seeds'. Maybe even really bad seeds. In this memorable story, a sunflower seed gets chewed up and spit out, becoming a self-declared 'bad seed'. He wanders about, not using his manners or helping others... but then one day he decides to change. He doesn't want to be a bad seed anymore. He holds doors for others and says thank you. Of course, he still falls short some (or most) of the time, but it still makes a difference to him and others. 

We discovered The Good Egg last year and adored the story, illustrations, and the super important message about taking care of your mental health. When I learned this was a series, I just had to read them all!

The Bad Seed is similarly laden with lessons about self-discovery and life choices. The seed becomes exactly what society sees him as, what others call him when they see him, and he plays that role well until he makes a personal choice to change for the better. Turning his life and perspective around wasn't easy, but all it takes is small steps and the will to do so!

Jory John and Pete Oswald have created a fantastic picture book series that focuses on important life lessons and delivers them in entertaining and humorous ways that both children and adults will enjoy!

More from this author/illustrator duo:

The Good Egg

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How to Catch A Dragon by Adam Wallace & Andy Elkerton (Children's Picture Book Review)

How to Catch A Dragon
by Adam WallaceIllustrated by Andy Elkerton
Published by Sourcebooks Wonderland
on November 5, 2019
Genre: Children's, Picture Books
Length: 40 pages
Ages: 4 - 8 years

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | BookDepository

Synopsis:
Do you have what it takes to catch a dragon?

The 'How to Catch' kids are off again, this time trying to catch a dragon as they chase him through Chinese New Year celebrations! Set in China during the Spring Festival, otherwise known as Chinese New Year, the wily dragon will have to avoid trap as the kids run through paper lanterns, red envelopes, fireworks, and more! Bonus Mandarin translation included in the back!

Dragons are a clever bunch,
They're difficult to catch.
You'll have to set the ultimate trap--But have you met your match?

Our Thoughts:

Our main character's family and friends are preparing for the Chinese New Year. He hears his mother mention that a dragon would bring health and fortune and that they are missing one, so off he goes in search of the elusive creature. Gathering up his friends, who help hang lanterns every year, he chases a long red tail through his festively decorated village. 

This fun book will take you on a chase through a beautifully illustrated cultural holiday, leaving hints of popular traditions and decorations as the group of diverse friends follow a long red dragon tail through town, attempting to catch it at every turn. With bright colors and textured details, this picture book will keep little listeners occupied with its busy illustrations.

I enjoyed this more than How To Catch A Dinosaur but I wish there had been extra information about the cultural items and traditions mentioned in the poem, such as 'Fai Chun'. Also, while I think it's great that the Mandarin version of the poem (both the symbols and phonetics) was included at the back, there is absolutely no mention that the language actually is Mandarin. I only know for sure because I asked someone but a simple heading or footnote stating that it is a 'Mandarin translation' would have been helpful. There are also symbols on the banners throughout the story and if you don't know any Mandarin at all, you don't get to know what it says, which is a little disappointing for someone like me who is fascinated by languages.

More from this author/illustrator:

How to Catch A Dinosaur


More picture books about Chinese New Year:

Looking for different dragon books? Try these!

Do Not Bring Your Dragon to the Library by Julie Gassman
Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin
The Dragon Hunters by James Russell

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How to Catch A Dinosaur by Adam Wallace & Andy Elkerton (Picture Book Review)

How to Catch A Dinosaur

Written by Adam Wallace

Illustrated by Andy Elkerton
Published by Sourcebooks Wonderland
on September 3, 2019
Genre: Children's, Picture Books
Length: 40 pages
Ages: 4 - 8 years

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | BookDepository

Synopsis:
Do YOU have what it takes to catch a prehistoric pal?

This newest installment in the New York Times and USA Today bestselling series is sure to delight every dinosaur fan!

Can you catch a dinosaurand prove they're still around?
Use your brain and set your traps
to get that dino found!

Our Thoughts:

It's time for the school science fair and this imaginative youngster is determined to catch a dinosaur so he can win first place! With the help of his friends, he chases what seems to be a dinosaur all over his school and through his neighborhood, devising plans and creating ways to catch it!

This rhyming book has amazing illustrations with lots of detail, texture, and angled perspectives that truly make this story and its' characters come to life! These kids have lots of fun ideas for how to catch this dinosaur and the traps they set will keep your children's eyes busy throughout the story.

My daughter has always been pretty fascinated by dinosaurs so we picked this up and then realized it's a series with an odd array of creatures that range from mythological creatures like unicorns and mermaids to holiday-related ones like the Easter Bunny and Santa's elves. It's no surprise to me that dinosaurs were our introduction to this series!

The physical hardcover book has an amazing cover with raised text and pictures on both front and back so that it feels textured!

More picture books about dinosaurs:

Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug by Jonathan Stutzman
Never Follow A Dinosaur by Alex Latimer

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Nat Geo Readers: Susan B. Anthony by Kitson Jazynka (Children's Nonfiction Book Review)

Many thanks to the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Susan B. Anthony
(National Geographic Readers series)
[Level 1 / Co-reader]
Written by Kitson Jazynka
Published by National Geographic Society
on December 17, 2019
Genre: Children's, Nonfiction, Biography, History
Length: 48 pages
Ages: 4 - 6 years

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | BookDepository

Synopsis:
Meet one of the most important figures in women's and U.S. history. Just in time for the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment giving U.S. women the right to vote, learn about Susan B. Anthony's remarkable life, from her childhood to her groundbreaking work.

Our Thoughts:
Happy International Women's Day!

Nat Geo Readers presents Susan B. Anthony!

Learn all about the life of Susan B. Anthony, from childhood to her teaching career where she fought for equal pay, and beyond. Anthony thought that slavery should be abolished and that women should have the right to vote. She devoted most of her life to speaking out about equal rights for all and is celebrated as an international icon for women's rights.

This educational little biography is a Level 1 Co-Reader, which is perfect for sharing between kids who are learning to read and a parent! Each spread includes a paragraph that the adult or caregiver can read paired with an easier to read paragraph for the young reader. Each is clearly marked with an 'I read' and 'You read'. 

2020 is the 100th anniversary of women winning the right to vote and this is the perfect book to teach and learn a little about what women had to do to earn that right.  Of course, this book sticks to easy-to-understand facts, mostly covering Susan B. Anthony's life from birth to death, but also a bit about the political aspects of her life and what she fought for. 

This book includes directions on how to read this book and several discussion questions to ask your child and an easy voting activity that only requires a little artistic ability and a few members of the family! There is also a letter to the parents about the National Geographic Readers program and how important it is to read with your child/ren.


More Nat Geo Readers:

Harriet Tubman by Barbara Kramer

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The Sunday Post - 2020 Week 10 - Spring Forward

The Sunday Post is hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer

and is a chance to share news, both new and old!

Hey there, bloggers!

Happy International Women's Day!

It's been an extra busy week AND it's Daylight Savings Time so I'm waking up early (oh wait, nevermind, it's 8 am already?!) to type this up last minute. 

We fit in extra outdoor time this week despite the chilly weather! It's typical for March; freezing in the shade, hot in the sun.
We went on a nice bike ride by the lakes, exchanged books at a Little Free Library, visited a local nursery for indoor plants, and went to a Florida Springs Festival that had plenty of educational opportunities for my Little. We also saw mermaids and a manatee there!

Our garden is doing wonderfully. We have lots of corn, squash, and beans, and some lettuce, radishes, and beets coming up. All the nurseries and stores around here have been wiped out on veggie seedlings so we did it all from seed this year. Hopefully, we have a good run with them!

Edit To Add: I apologize for the typos in this post. I will be back to edit later.

Currently Reading:

I won Station Eleven in a giveaway from the publisher and ReadItForward but it hasn't hooked me yet so I've also started H.G. Wells' The Invisible Man and I'm also reading a nonfiction from Joel Sartore, called Photo Basics, who photographs animals up close for National Geographic. I love photography so maybe that one will be extra helpful at building my skills. 

Recently Finished:

Chapter Books We've Finished Recently:

Recently Posted Reviews:

We read and shared How To Read A Book by Kwame Alexander & Melissa Sweet for Read Across America Day! It's a lovely bookish poem and perfect for any booklover!

We also read and reviewed Joan Procter, Dragon Doctor: The Woman Who Loved Reptiles by Patricia Valdez & Felicita Sala for World Wildlife Day! 

We borrowed a surprising audio version (with highlighted read along) of We Don't Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins and LOVED it! It has lots of humor an adorable T.Rex that has a sweet tooth for humans!

We read and reviewed How To Make A Better World by Keilly Swift for the publisher via Netgalley and loved the brightly illustrated reminders of what you can do to make the world a better place.

I recently reviewed Trevor Noah's 'Born A Crime: Stories From A South African Childhood' and enjoyed it.
I also read and reviewed a Level 1 National Geographic Reader, Susan B. Anthony by Kitson Jazynka for the publisher and shared today on International Women's Day.

What I'm Watching:
I haven't had time to browse for the perfect new show so I'm finishing up You season 2(based on the book b Caroline Kepnes) and I never did finish The Walking Dead since I don't have cable so I'm catching up with that.

What I'm Listening To:

The Midnight - 'Los Angelos'
There's a comment on this video that says this song 'makes me feel like I've fallen in love with someone who doesn't even exist' and I think that's pretty accurate. It gives me the good feels.

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Born A Crime: Stories From A South African Childhood by Trevor Noah (Adult Nonfiction Book Review)

Born A Crime:
Stories From A South African Childhood
by Trevor Noah

Published by Doubleday Canada
on November 15, 2016
Genre: Adult, Nonfiction, Memoir
Length: 285 pages

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | BookDepository

Literary Awards:
NAACP Image Award for Debut Author and for Biography / Autobiography (2017)
Thurber Prize for American Humor (2017)
Evergreen Teen Book Award Nominee (2019)
Lincoln Award Nominee (2019)

Synopsis:
The compelling, inspiring, and comically sublime New York Times bestseller about one man's coming-of-age, set during the twilight of apartheid and the tumultuous days of freedom that followed.

 Trevor Noah's unlikely path from apartheid South Africa to the desk of The Daily Show began with a criminal act: his birth. Born A Crime is the story of a mischievous young boy who grows into a restless young man as he struggles to find himself in a world where he was never supposed to exist. It is also the story of that young man's relationship with his fearless, rebellious, and fervently religious mother--his teammate, a woman determined to save her son from the cycle of poverty, violence, and abuse that would ultimately threaten her own life.

The eighteen personal essays collected here are by turns hilarious, dramatic, and deeply affecting. His stories weave together to form a moving and searingly funny portrait of a boy making his way through a damaged world in a dangerous time, armed only with a keen sense of humor and a mother's unconventional, unconditional love.

My Thoughts:
Born during apartheid in South Africa to a black mother and a white father, Trevor Noah's existence was considered a crime. He spent his childhood hidden away from the world and his growing years searching for his place in a divided country. In this humorous coming-of-age story, Noah describes the laws and social norms of apartheid and how he found his place in it.

I almost never watch cable but I've seen The Daily Show a few times and enjoyed Noah's sense of humor. That really shined through the first part of this book as he describes his childhood, his mother's religion and parenting techniques, and how the world treated him as a boy set apart. His mother's religious stories were a hoot but I also enjoyed how much of a powerhouse she was and how she absolutely did her own thing even though it was sometimes illegal. The end of the story has a good lesson in domestic violence.

I enjoyed how Noah picked apart the differences in races during apartheid and how he never quite fit in with one or the other and how differently he was treated because of it but still found his place despite that.  I thought that a lot of his story was quite relatable, perhaps because of our similar age group, or perhaps because I grew up in a small rural town with high racial tension and feel desensitized to its' existence, but nothing in this book really stood out as overly different except maybe the gang-related transportation system. Even the pirated music money hustle was way too familiar.

Also, I noted that other than his humor showing through his writing, there is very little in this book that shares his actual comedy career or what led him to it. I guess I was expecting a little more of what led him to that career but it didn't seem to come up.

Setting:
Johannesburg, South Africa

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