Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

About BlackRaven

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I am a Professional Book Pusher. Reading is a passion, as is writing, bragging about nephews, and alligator wrestling. My first year participating was 2018. (Learn more about this Cannonballer: BlackRaven's Quick Questions interview.)

BlackRaven's Reviews:

Once upon a time, Roller Derby met Wrestling. They fell in love and made Extreme Pillow Fighting

Pillow Talk: A Graphic Novel by Stephanie Cooke

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Pillow Talk: A Graphic Novel by Stephanie Cooke and illustrator Mel Valentine Vargas is almost a perfect 5, but there were a few small things that I would have liked to have seen. With that said, this is a fun book about body image, taking back sexuality and standing up for yourself. If wrestling and roller derby got together and added pillows (and minus the roller skates) you have Pillow Talk. It is a clever way of taking a familiar story that could have just […]

My review became longer than the books combined!

Baby Play (Bilingual Portuguese & English) (Barefoot Bilinguals) by Skye Silver

Our World: England by Sumana Seeboruth

Barefoot Baby-Proof: Baby's First Words by Christiane Engel

Feelings & Firsts: Won’t Go! by Sumana Seeboruth

Feelings & Firsts: Not Tired! by Sumana Seeboruth

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Recently I received an envelope from Barefoot Press. (I might have cackled, “MINE! MINE! ALL MINE!” I get emotional when my book dealer comes through for me with a fix. And what a fix it was.) There were hardcovers, board books, paperbacks and one of which is an “indestructible paper not board-board books.” I wanted to read then, but decided working probably was more important. I went home, curled up on the couch and started with the board books. The first was Baby Play (Bilingual […]

Cat-puccinos and more

At the Rescue Cat Café by Anna Humphrey

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Picture books are a great way to read a book without having to read a full novel. You can get a good, strong story, but done quickly enough to get your book fix without a lot of effort. Now that is not to say they are bad, or not “real books” or even not in depth. In fact, just the opposite is true. Some of my favorite books have been picture books. I still talk about Strega Nona, The Clown of God, Zoom and Rezoom, […]

Cool, but bizarre. But you know, cool.

Little Moments in a Big Universe by Todd Stewart

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Little Moments in a Big Universe is a romantic story about bravery, kindness, even environmentally friendly. There are lush, rich, deep, amazing, unique illustrations which capture each moment and allow it to explode to life. The theme is familiar, but the presentation makes for an experience unlike anything else you might have read before. The author and illustrator Todd Stewart (due mid October 2025; read via an online reader) takes several characters and an explorer in a spaceship through the universe. When they crash into […]

Based on a Japanese folktale

The Beckoning Cat by Koko Nishizuka and Rosanne Litzinger

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The cover of the online version of The Beckoning Cat by Koko Nishizuka and Rosanne Litzinger (illustrator) was what caught my attention. This white cat jumped off the screen and meowed “look at my colors, my odd grin and you know you want to read me.” I debated laying down as I was at work and a talking computer screen was more than I was ready for. But I went to get some air and read it a bit later. I would love to give […]

The icon, the myth, the woman

Can You Imagine?: The Art and Life of Yoko Ono by Lisa Tolin

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The spirit of Ono is captured in lovely words and images in the pages of Can You Imagine?: The Art and Life of Yoko Ono by Lisa Tolin and illustrated by Yas Imamura. Though currently available, I had the opportunity to read it via an online reader copy. And though I might not get a finished copy for myself, I do highly recommend getting a copy for yourself, your child and local library or libraries. This is not just a book about Yoko Ono. It […]



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