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:

I really got into Leila Boukarim books!

Mariam’s Dream: The Story of Mariam Al-Shaar and Her Food Truck of Hope by Leila Boukarim

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Leila Boukarim’s Mariam’s Dream: The Story of Mariam Al-Shaar and Her Food Truck of Hope is not a biography about a “woman done good.” Or an Arab woman “done good” or even an Arab refugee woman “done good.” It is all those things and much more. It shows that even if you were born into a situation where all you knew was being a refugee or if you have many obstacles to overcome, you can make your dream come true. Of course, that is a […]

I only counted one of the four as they are short short (but cute) board books

Hello, Beach! by Katherine Pryor and Rose Soini

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All three board books which were read, were read via an online reader copy. All (but the one I have not yet read) are currently available. If you like easy board books that have a seasonal overtone, then the Katherine Pryor and Rose Soini books are for you. We have the books Hello, Beach!, Hello, Rain!, and Hello, Garden!  And due in September 2025 is Hello, Snow! Overall, things are terribly simple as they are aimed at not just the board book crowd to look […]

Kerbel and Lo Present: Animals

What About an Elephant?: A Fact-Filled Savanna Adventure by Deborah Kerbel

What About an Octopus?: A Fact-Filled Underwater Adventure by Deborah Kerbel

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I was looking through a recent email sent to me via a publisher. They were promoting a few new books and What About an Elephant?: A Fact-Filled Savanna Adventure by Deborah Kerbel and illustrated by Dawn Lo was one of them (it is due in mid-August 2025). There was a companion title, What About an Octopus?: A Fact-Filled Underwater Adventure also by Kerbel and Lo (but is currently available) advertised as well. I looked around and found online reader copies for both. While I was […]

I’m on a role with Author Leila Boukarim

Rima and the Painter by Leila Boukarim

Lost Words: An Armenian Story of Survival and Hope by Leila Boukarim

Sundays Are for Feasts by Leila Boukarim

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Once upon a time there was a day where picture books were read. Each one was special in their own way, but since they were picture books I didn’t want to weaken their goodness with a too long review for each one individually, Therefore, I put them in one review. Each one was read via an online reader copy. I will start with Rima and the Painter by Leila Boukarim and illustrated by Melissa Iwai. Due later in July 2025, this book is about a […]

You eat weird

Chomp-O-Rama: The Strange Ways That Animals Eat  by Maria Birmingham

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Chomp-O-Rama: The Strange Ways That Animals Eat  Written by Maria Birmingham Illustrated by: Kyle Reed  Due mid April 2025 Read as an online reader copy Review done by Me This book was exactly what I thought it would be and a little different. The little differences were it was a lot younger looking than I thought it would be and the illustrations were a bit less filled out than I personally would have liked. Exactly what I thought it was was the part about how […]

More than the crow flies

Cranky, Crabby Crow (Saves the World) by Corey R. Tabor

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At first I didn’t think I would like Cranky, Crabby Crow (Saves the World),  but the twist at the end is perfect for kids of all ages. The idea of Corey R. Tabor is simple: a Crow chases off anyone who wants to befriend him, get him to play or give advice. But things are not what they seem. There is a ring-ring nearby, a secret conversation and message (a sassy Kaw!) and one heck of a surprise for the reader. This simple thing turns […]



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