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:

What would you do if you were arrested for wearing pants?

Mary Wears What She Wants by Keith Negley

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Mary Wears What She Wants and there is nothing you can do about it! Well, there is something you could do: You can make fun of her, tell her she is not “lady like” by wearing pants, protest, yell and make her feel bad about herself. Or you could support her. Keith Negley has taken the real-life story of Mary Edwards Walker of Oswego, New York and made a fiction story about the day Mary decided she did not like wearing dresses (with all their […]

It is time to enjoy the snow!

Little Owl's Snow by Divya Srinivasan

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Little Owl’s Snow is pretty much what you see is what you get. Divya Srinivasan’s character, Little Owl, wants to explore the winter forest. Yet, as many of his friends have gone off to hibernate, Little Owl is doing this solo. And of course, in due time, Owl starts missing them. Spring cannot come soon enough for him. However, the slight twist to this story is Spring does not come by the end of the book. Owl still must wait awhile longer. This is unusual […]

What do you do with not one, but two under 20 page books that you want to review?

Baby's First Chinese New Year  by DK Publishing

Who Loves Boo? by Salina Yoon

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When you have two books that are 14 and 18 pages long, you really cannot write a 250-word review for each one, even with a creative writing background and know how to be flowery! Therefore, a combination review: I am not a Valentine’s gal. I like Chinese New Years instead. I do not go “all out,” but like some traditions. In DK Publishing’s Baby’s First Chinese New Year we have an easy introduction. Normally I would not count this a book, as there is not a […]

What do you need more? A good book or a good hug? How about a book ABOUT a hug?

I Need a Hug by Aaron Blabey

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I Need a Hug is a year-round reading book, but also a great book for the upcoming holiday of President’s Day! (Oh wait, wrong kind of snake). Kidding aside, it is a sweet Valentine’s Day book. That “prickly thing” (a porcupine) wants a hug! Just a little cuddle! But all the other characters (Joe and Ken and such) rhyme their very strong No! Along with running away. Quickly! But at the end they are all just as quickly coming back! Do they want a hug […]

26 ways to say Love

L Is for Love: A Heartfelt Alphabet by Greg Paprocki

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L is for Love: A Heartfelt Alphabet is one of those odd little gems that looks like it is from 1950 but is very 2018. The illustrations show you the alphabet of love and friendship. The illustrations are casually modern. Nothing is forced, and things flow with the diversity of people (bi-racial copy, people of color). In fact, the P is for Poetry shows the girl reciting “How do I love thee?” (Or I assume she is…. She is kneeling, with paper in hand, boy […]

Biking in a Winter Wonderland

Chirri & Chirra, the Snowy Day by Kaya Doi

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The Chirri and Chirra books are surreal. You can hear the translation as sometimes the wording does not flow naturally on the ears. You will enjoy the story, but you probably should suspend belief. If you are looking for realism, Kaya Doi’s books are probably not what you are looking for. However, if you like a casual, somewhat natural mix of fantastic and realism, the Chirri and Chirra books are perfect. And the illustrations are very sweet with soft, happy colors, a lot of detail […]



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