Children's Book Week: Bedtime Story: I Got It! by David Wiesner

Welcome to Children's Book Week

Check out Children's Book Week's Website for all the happenings and events in your area, and share a book with a child in your life or donate to children's literacy programs.

Read for: Children's Book Challenge & Baseball Season

Synopsis: "David Wiesner presents a near-wordless account of the most suspenseful, nerve-wracking few seconds in a baseball game.

The few seconds after the ball leaves the bat can be infinitely long. For this eager young outfielder, there's plenty of time to envision the increasingly fantastic and funny situations that might interfere with making the catch. Summoning determination and courage, he overcomes the imaginary obstacles and turns them into a springboard for success."

My Review: Munchkin is really getting into Tball this year and when I saw this new release I figured it would be a great way to connect reading with his baseball. It is nearly wordless so you can kind of develop your own story from the pictures, but we read it as participating and becoming friends with new teammates but it also has a nice message of trying again after a failure. This is a great one for young baseball fans and especially those kids who aren't quite reading on their own yet, it will encourage imagination and developing their own story while allowing them to read it on their own.

My Rating: This is a great book to help children with their imagination and story telling. It is fun to come up with a story as to what is happening in the pictures. We had a lot of fun with this book and was great to build Munchkin's confidence with Tball this year.  We give it a rating of Four Paws!

Good Night! Sweet Dreams!

Children's Book Week: Graphic Novel Review of Star Wars Galactic Maps by Tim McDonagh

Welcome to Children's Book Week

Check out Children's Book Week's Website for all the happenings and events in your area, and share a book with a child in your life or donate to children's literacy programs.

Read for: Graphic Novel Challenge & Star Wars!

Synopsis: "Learn about all of the various planets of the Star Wars universe with Galactic Maps! With detailed maps showing the different worlds and characters, this is the perfect book for any avid Star Wars reader. Fans will be delighted to find a spread introducing them to the planet and characters featured in Rogue One!"

My Review: I randomly came across this book online and figured it would be a fun addition to the collection. It is way more than I expected! It has a timeline and list of characters that incorporated characters from the movies and Rebels Cartoon series. It has a map of the galaxy and then goes into detail on the various planets with key points in the saga noted. It is so detailed and I love the art style. It has been great to help Munchkin (and honestly even Hubby) get a grasp on the bigger picture. This is definitely a fun one to add to a collection for new and older fans.

My Rating: This was so much more than I expected and I am so glad to have it in my collection. It is fun to look at the galaxy as a whole as well as the timeline of the saga.  I give it a rating of Three Paws and a Stump Wag!

Don't forget it is Free Comic Book Day, so stop by your local comic book store and pick up your free comic or check at your local library for fun events!

Children's Book Week: Bedtime Story: Ezra's Wookiee Rescue by Meredith Rusu

Welcome to Children's Book Week

Check out Children's Book Week's Website for all the happenings and events in your area, and share a book with a child in your life or donate to children's literacy programs.

Read for: Children's Book Challenge & Star Wars!!

Synopsis: "Star Wars Rebels is a CG animated series that takes place between the events of Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope. Real character voices and thrilling sound effects add to the action in this exciting storybook-and-CD set."

My Review: As you may know, I am a big fan of these Read-Along Storybooks, especially the Star Wars ones which have been a great way to introduce Munchkin to the stories without the long movies. We have really been enjoying the Rebels series and this was a great way to take the story out of the TV and into the car with us. It does follow one or two of the episodes from the TV show and the art work is from it as well, so it may be a bit repetitive but it will also encourage young readers to pick it up.

My Rating: Munchkin really enjoyed this one, especially since we missed some episodes and this was a new story for him.  The sound effects and the same character voices on the CD help pull the kids into the story.  We give it a rating of Three Paws and a Stump Wag!

Good Night! Sweet Dreams! And Happy Star Wars Day!

Children's Book Week: Review of Smuggler's Run by Greg Rucka

Welcome to Children's Book Week

Check out Children's Book Week's Website for all the happenings and events in your area, and share a book with a child in your life or donate to children's literacy programs.

Read for: Recent Purchase & STAR WARS!

Synopsis: "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away....

It is a period of civil war. The heroic freedom fighters of the REBEL ALLIANCE have won their most important victory thus far with the destruction of the Empire's ultimate weapon, the DEATH STAR.

But the Rebellion has no time to savor its victory. The evil Galactic Empire has recognized the threat the rebels pose, and is now searching the galaxy for any and all information that will lead to the final destruction of the freedom fighters.

For the MILLENNIUM FALCON's crew, who saved the life of Luke Skywalker during the Battle of Yavin, their involvement with the rebels is at an end. Now HAN SOLO and CHEWBACCA hope to take their reward and settle some old debts.... "

My Review: After years away from reading Star Wars books, over the past year I have been picking some middle grade books to ease back into the fandom and genre. You never know what you are going to get and if the characters are going to be portrayed the way you imagine, but this book nails Han and Chewie. I also love how the Falcon also gets a bit of a character too. It was a fun action packed book with the classic Han working off the cuff and Chewie voicing his opinion but going along with it. A fun book and a great way for younger fans to expand on their love.

My Rating: I really enjoyed stepping back into reading Star Wars books, and I love the fact that now there are so many available in a wide range of reading abilities.  This is a fast read that is great for younger middle grade fans, but adults can clearly enjoyed as well.  I give it a rating of Four Paws!

HAPPY STAR WARS DAY!

Children's Book Week: Early Reader Bedtime Story: Cars 3 Tales of Speed

Welcome to Children's Book Week

Check out Children's Book Week's Website for all the happenings and events in your area, and share a book with a child in your life or donate to children's literacy programs.

Read for: Early Reader Challenge

Synopsis: A collection of three story featuring the Disney Pixar Cars characters. Lightning McQueen and Mater and the rest of the crew learn life lessons through racing.

My Review: Munchkin of course loves the Cars movies and this was a great one to pick up for him. We read the stories but the audio book CD will be great for car rides and for him to work on reading on his own. I like the variety of stories in this book, the first is taken right from the original movie but the other two are stories that are not part of the movie so it is a nice change. The popular characters will help keep young readers interested and the easy to read sentences and words are great for those young readers to gain confidence. 

My Rating: We really enjoyed these books, they are easy enough for Munchkin to read and the words build from the first book through the third book. We give it a rating of Four Paws.

Good Night! Sweet Dreams!

Children's Book Week: Audio Book Review of The Jungle Book: Mowgli Tales by Rudyard Kipling

Welcome to Children's Book Week

Check out Children's Book Week's Website for all the happenings and events in your area, and share a book with a child in your life or donate to children's literacy programs.

Read for: TBR Challenge/ Audiobook Challenge

Synopsis: "A classic story of friendship between man and beast.Saved from the jaws of the evil tiger Shere Khan, young Mowgli is adopted by a wolf pack and taught the law of the jungle by lovable old Baloo the bear and Bhageera the panther. The adventures of Rikki-Tikki-Tavi the snake-fighting mongoose, little Toomai and the elephant's secret dance, and Kotick the white seal are all part of Mowgli's extraordinary journey with his animal friends.

The magical storytelling and unforgettable characters in Ben Doyle and Richard Kurti's audio adaptation of this children's classic have been brought to life by many well known voices from British film, TV, radio and comedy."

My Review: I don't think I have ever read the actual Jungle Book story, only seen the Disney movie and their book adaptations. This was a fantastic audio book production with a full cast and sound effects. I was surprised at how different the book ended up being compared to the movie and honestly I may actually prefer the development of this book in the second half over that of the Disney movie. This is definitely one that I would highly recommend adding to your audio book collection!

My Rating: There are some classics that it kids will still enjoy and this is definitely one of them, and I highly, highly recommend this audio version with full cast and sound effects, the really did a fantastic job on it.  I give this one a rating of Four Paws!

Children's Book Week: Bedtime Story: Goodnight Unicorn by Karla Oceanak

Welcome to Children's Book Week

Check out Children's Book Week's Website for all the happenings and events in your area, and share a book with a child in your life or donate to children's literacy programs.

Read for: Recently Added/ Children's Book Challenge & I love Unicorns!

Synopsis: "As night falls in the enchanted forest, the unicorns and their friends gather to get ready for bed. Say goodnight to all the types of unicorns — the pearly-whites, the foals, the oldens, the fluffies, the jet-blacks, the cuties, and more — as well as the wonderful beings who attend them, from rainbows and fairies to baby dragons and, of course, the full moon.

Readers who've always wondered about unicorn habits, what a group of unicorns is called, and other mysteries will also be captivated by the fun unicorn facts that follow the story.

It's a magical, fantasy bedtime story for unicorn lovers young and young-at-heart! Grown-up fans of My Little Pony, The Last Unicorn, and Lisa Frank will treasure this book just as much as the new generation of unicornophiles!"

My Review: When I saw this parody, I knew I had to get it. I love Goodnight Moon and read it often with Munchkin, but I have always loved unicorns. I love the way this one integrates the different versions of unicorns from historical art to modern movies and stories. It is a fun little book that while it doesn't quite reach the level of the original is still a fun addition to the shelves, especially for unicorn lovers!

My Rating: While this book doesn't quite have the flow and rhyme of the original Goodnight Moon, I can't help but love this with all my little unicorn obsessed heart! We give it a rating of Four Paws!

Good Night! Sweet Dreams!

Children's Book Week: Review of As Brave As You by Jason Reynolds

Welcome to Children's Book Week

Check out Children's Book Week's Website for all the happenings and events in your area, and share a book with a child in your life or donate to children's literacy programs.

Read for: Recently Added

Synopsis: "When two brothers decide to prove how brave they are, everything backfires—literally.

Genie’s summer is full of surprises. The first is that he and his big brother, Ernie, are leaving Brooklyn for the very first time to spend the summer with their grandparents all the way in Virginia—in the COUNTRY! The second surprise comes when Genie figures out that their grandfather is blind. Thunderstruck and—being a curious kid—Genie peppers Grandpop with questions about how he covers it so well (besides wearing way cool Ray-Bans).

How does he match his clothes? Know where to walk? Cook with a gas stove? Pour a glass of sweet tea without spilling it? Genie thinks Grandpop must be the bravest guy he’s ever known, but he starts to notice that his grandfather never leaves the house—as in NEVER. And when he finds the secret room that Grandpop is always disappearing into—a room so full of songbirds and plants that it’s almost as if it’s been pulled inside-out—he begins to wonder if his grandfather is really so brave after all.

Then Ernie lets him down in the bravery department. It’s his fourteenth birthday, and, Grandpop says to become a man, you have to learn how to shoot a gun. Genie thinks that is AWESOME until he realizes Ernie has no interest in learning how to shoot. None. Nada. Dumbfounded by Ernie’s reluctance, Genie is left to wonder—is bravery and becoming a man only about proving something, or is it just as important to own up to what you won’t do?"

My Review: After hearing Jason Reynolds speak at the Boston Teen Author Festival last year, I really wanted to pick up one of his books but super hero wasn't my thing (at the time his new release was Miles Morales); so I was intrigued by this book and decided to give it a shot. I was very pleasantly surprised, often I struggle with Middle Grade contemporary and connecting with the characters, but it wasn't the case with this one. The two brothers are taken from their home for a summer vacation with their grandparents, but there wasn't a lot of whining or complaining like you often get. The setting was vivid as were all the characters, each was unique and well rounded. The way the lessons were learned and conveyed in this story is so much like some of my own upbringing so was very relatable in that aspect. There was a touch of romance, though it was mostly just an attraction, and it doesn't take over the story, I really appreciated how the focus was able to remain on the dynamics of the family and the way the learn and relate with one another. It was definitely a read I would recommend. My Rating: I was rather pleasantly surprised with this one, I love the familial connections and the way the issues are worked through.  I give this one a rating of Four Paws!

Children's Book Week: Early Reader Bedtime Story: Pete the Cat and the Lost Tooth by James Dean

Welcome to Children's Book Week

Check out Children's Book Week's Website for all the happenings and events in your area, and share a book with a child in your life or donate to children's literacy programs.

Read for: Early Reader Challenge

Synopsis: "In Pete the Cat and the Lost Tooth, the tooth fairy asks Pete for some help. But it’s not easy being the tooth fairy for Pete when a tooth goes missing—will he be able to find the lost tooth before it’s too late?

Beginning readers will love Pete's adventure as the tooth fairy in this My First I Can Read story, complete with original illustrations from the creator of Pete the Cat, James Dean. My First I Can Read books are perfect for shared reading with a child."

My Review: We are getting close to tooth loosing time so we thought this would be fun book to read. Munchkin really enjoyed it and it was easy enough for him to read on his own. I really appreciate that not only does it talk about loosing teeth and the tooth fairy but it also has a cast of characters that are unique and it puts and emphasis on everyone being different but can still be involved.

My Rating: I like how this one didn't make a big deal about actually loosing a tooth but instead on everyone being unique but still being a part of it.  We give it a rating of Four Paws!

Good Night! Sweet Dreams!

Children's Book Week Review of Wishtree by Katherine Applegate

Welcome to Children's Book Week

Check out Children's Book Week's Website for all the happenings and events in your area, and share a book with a child in your life or donate to children's literacy programs.

Read for: TBR Challenge

Synopsis: "Trees can't tell jokes, but they can certainly tell stories. . . .

Red is an oak tree who is many rings old. Red is the neighborhood "wishtree"—people write their wishes on pieces of cloth and tie them to Red's branches. Along with her crow friend Bongo and other animals who seek refuge in Red's hollows, this "wishtree" watches over the neighborhood.

You might say Red has seen it all. Until a new family moves in. Not everyone is welcoming, and Red's experiences as a wishtree are more important than ever."

My Review: This cover originally attracted my attention before it was released, then I happened to see a signed copy as part of the Barnes & Noble Black Friday sale and picked it up on a whim. I finally got a chance to read it and wow, it is such a beautiful book, inside and out! I love that the story is told from the tree's perspective, it is a unique way of telling a story of hate and prejudice from a completely unbiased inanimate object. The writing style is so beautiful and almost lyrical that you can't help but continue reading. At times you don't know where the story is going as it follows random tangents, but as the narrator is nearly timeless it is to be expected that it would take its time getting around to the point. I also loved all the little random facts dropped throughout the story, it distracts the reader from the lesson that is being conveyed overall but at the same time it also draws the attention to the details of the story. I know it is early in the year but I can already say this will be one of my favorites of the year!

My Rating: This was such a fantastic book, I loved the quirk of the perspective of an inanimate object and the way the story is presented.  I absolutely loved this book and even months later I am still thinking about this one and it is still near the top of the list of books I have read this year! I give it a rating of Four Paws and a Stump Wag!

Children's Book Week Bedtime Story: If I Built a Car by Chris Van Dusen

Welcome to Children's Book Week

Check out Children's Book Week's Website for all the happenings and events in your area, and share a book with a child in your life or donate to children's literacy programs.

Read for: Children's Book Challenge

Synopsis: "If I built a car, it'd be totally new!Here are a few of the things that I'd do. . . .

Young Jack is giving an eye-opening tour of the car he'd like to build. There's a snack bar, a pool, and even a robot named Robert to act as chauffeur. With Jack's soaring imagination in the driver's seat, we're deep-sea diving one minute and flying high above traffic the next in this whimsical, tantalizing take on the car of the future. Illustrations packed with witty detail, bright colors, and chrome recall the fabulous fifties and an era of classic American automobiles. Infectious rhythm and clever invention make this wonderful read-aloud a launch pad for imaginative fun."

My Review: This book recently popped up in recommendations and it looked like a fun book for emerging-gear-head Munchkin. I am so glad I picked this one up, it is such a fun book to read aloud and for little ones. There is fun rhyming and the rhythm flows so easily when reading it. There is also a bunch of creativity and imagination in the book that will have little minds thinking (and a few laughs too). It will spark some fun conversations and crazy imaginations for the little ones. I am really impressed with this one and I know it will be one we re-read a lot.

My Rating: This was such a fun book, I wish I had known about it before. It will definitely be one of our favorite reads for a while yet!  We give it a rating of Four Paws and a Stump Wag!

Good Night! Sweet Dreams!

Monday Reading List

Its Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Shelia at Book Journey. Share what books you have finished in the last week, are currently reading and what might be coming up next!

Reviews Posted Last Week:

Links will take you to my review

Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young
Tsum Tsum Book of Haiku by Disney (Bedtime Story)
The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim (Audio Book)

 Books Finished Last Week:

Reviews will be posted at a later date

Heart of Iron
Here Comes the Sun
The One
If I Built a Car
I Got It
Beginning of Armadillos
Still Waters
Artemis: Wild Goddess of the Hunt
Long Walk to Valhalla
Shake Waggle & Roll
3 Tales of Speed

Currently Reading:

Heir to the Jedi by Kevin Hearne - Audio - 67%
Boying Up by Mayim Bialik - Print - on page 64 of 208
Godsgrave by Jay Kristoff - Print - on page 264 of 437

Pages Read/ Time Listened
206:37 Hours Listened (15:53 listened this week)
13,709 Pages Read (1,046 this week)

Books Added to Shelves Recently: TBR
Plague of Giants by Kevin Hearne
Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman
We Have Always Lived in a Castle by Shirley Jackson
To the Sky Kingdom by Tang Qi
Ketchup Clouds by Annabel Pitcher
Dead Man's Walk by Larry McMurtry
Luck Love and Lemon Pie by Amy E. Reichert
Beartown by Fredrik Backman
Ravenous by MarcyKate Connolly
Monstrous by MarcyKate Connolly UNHAUL
The Astounding Broccoli Boy by Frank Cottrell Boyce
Terrier by Tamora Pierce
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
As Brave as You by Jason Reynolds
Smuggler's Run by Greg Ruka
The Lost Stone by Jordan Quinn
The Scarlet Dragon by Jordan Quinn
Sea Monster by Jordan Quinn
Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller
The Wolves of Winter by Tyrell Johnson
Heaven on Earth by Jayne Rylon and Mari Carr
Into the Fire by Jayne Rylon & Mari Carr
Still Waters by Jayne Rylon & Mari Carr
Red Sister by Mark Lawrence
Reflections of Yesterday by Debbie Macomber
Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel
Heir to the Jedi by Kevin Hearne
Jedi Search by Kevin J. Anderson
Heart of Iron by Ashley Poston
Here Comes the Sun by Marie Force
Hermes: Tales of a Trickster by George O'Connor
The Witch's Curse by Jordan Quinn
Emma's Dream by M. Lee Prescott
Eko by Loren Walker
Moving Targets by Cecil Castellucci
Caging the Merrow by Heather Rigney
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
This Dark Endeavor by Kenneth Opel
The Traveling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa
Greedy Pigs by Matt Wallace
Lustlocked by Matt Wallace
Black Powder War by Naomi Novik
Throne of Jade by Naomi Novik
The Scandalous MacKenzies by Jennifer Ashley
The Wicked Deeds of Daniel Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley
The Stolen Mackenzie Bride by Jennifer Ashley
Ladycastle by Delilah Dawson
Frankenstein Alive! Alive! Trio by Steve Niles
Frankenstein, Alive! Alive! #4 by Steve Niles
The Long Walk to Valhalla by Adam Smith
Hard to Serve by Laura Kaye
Mastering Her Senses by Laura Kaye
Theirs to Take by Laura Kaye
The Sapphire Affair by Lauren Blakely
The Joy of Less by Francine Jay
Nightblade's Vengeance by Ryan Kirk
Circe by Madeline Miller
Tomorrowland by Steven Kotler
The Wolf by Leo Carew
My Lady's Choosing by Kitty Curran & Larissa Zageris
Sweet Dreams, Sweet Death by P.K. Norton
Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young
Beyond the Darkened Shore by Jessica Leake
Defiant Heir by Melissa Caruso



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Boy was it a week last week! It was so busy around here but I managed to do a bunch of reading, though not as much as I wanted for Dewey's Readathon, but it was still a lot considering the busy schedule.   Spring means time to start the busy season for us.  Munchkin did fantastic at Tball, it is amazing the difference a year can make, he did so well in fact that the coach put him on 1st Base, a real honor as that make him kind of team leader.  Also, time to start house repairs, Hubby & I spent some time installing some new lights in our garage on Sunday.  I also had to finish a few more Mother's Day cards (now I need to start Father's Day cards).

Can you believe it is May tomorrow?! I definitely can't! And that means, it is Children's Book Week!! I will be posting Bedtime Stories every evening this week as well as reviews for other early chapter books and middle grade books each day this week.  This really is one of my favorite weeks of the year!  Also, Friday is Star Wars Day! Munchkin will get to see the original movies for the first time this weekend and I have big plans for a campout in the living room full of themed snacks and dinner.  Then of course more Tball and finally it is Free Comic Book Day on Saturday, and the local library is having a special Star Wars themed celebration, and of course we are going in costume!  Busy, busy, busy!


I hope you have a week full of fun & if you have little ones in your life, take a moment to share a book with them for Children's Book Week!