Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

Dusty town It’s a busy village Every day Like the one before Little town Full of little people Wanting to say, WHERE THE F IS SUNDAY?

The Lost Sunday by Iléana Surducan

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I won’t say a lot about the themes or story of The Lost Sunday by Iléana Surducan as it is pretty traditional. There are fairy tale tropes, the ideas are what you would expect for an Odyssey like journey of a young girl to the witches lair. The illustrations are amusing, cute, clever, simple and detailed simultaneously. There are good colors to them, without being too bold or too muted. They are supportive of the story. There are not a lot of surprises for big […]

Axolotls are all the rage

Max, a Little Axolotl #1 (An Original Graphic Novel) by Joey Spiotto

Axolotl and Axolittle by Jess Hitchman and Sarah Rebar

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I cannot say that Max, a Little Axolotl #1 (An Original Graphic Novel) is the best book I have ever read. I cannot even say it was a great book. Joey Spiotto made a cute story about coming out of your comfort zone, friendship and even a little bit about axolotls.  The thing is, as an adult, I can like and appreciate the book, but it was slightly too simple for my personal tastes. Therefore, at least five and up would be a good read-to […]

She has a secret

Ellie Has a Secret by Amelia Bothe

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While I enjoyed Amelia Bothe’s Ellie Has a Secret, (due mid-August 2025) for the story, I mostly enjoyed the illustrations. The story itself is not new (which is about a child having a secret that makes the “tummy wobbles” happen), but the illustrations really grabbed my attention. They are not overly colorful, but do not lack in that area either. They are detailed, but not overly so. Sometimes they can be a bit busy, but it does not distract or take away from the experience. […]

She got the picture

Imogen: The Life and Work of Imogen Cunningham by Elizabeth Partridge

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Imogen: The Life and Work of Imogen Cunningham was written by her granddaughter, Elizabeth Partridge and illustrated by Yuko Shimizu. I read via an online reader copy and the book is due later in August 2025. That is a dull introduction but Imogen Cunningham’s life was anything but dull. She was a younger child who was beloved by her father, who does seem to maybe spoil her a little bit, but also believed in her. He made sure she had paints all for herself when […]

Best book of 1998?!

The Decision by K. A. Applegate

Megamorphs 2: In the Time of the Dinosaurs by K. A. Applegate

The Departure by K. A. Applegate

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It’s possible that the best book I’ve read all year is a thirty year old Animorphs book. This whole batch of books is a lot of fun, but book 19 is next level. Book 18, The Decision, is an Ax the Andalite book, and it’s quite good. I think I mention this in an earlier review, but one crazy sci-fi element of the Animorphs books comes to morphing animals that are smaller than oneself. If you, as a human, morph into a tiny cockroach (yes, […]

Morris, Argow and Dalton Authors and Illustrators in Print

Beatrix Butterfly Wings It for Once (Addie Ant's Garden Friends) by Maren Morris, Karina Argow and Kelly Anne Dalton

Addie Ant Goes on an Adventure by Maren Morris, Karina Argow and Kelly Anne Dalton

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I was looking for books for a couple of orders at work the other day and in the process looked at the faceouts of new picture books lining the shelves. One of them was Beatrix Butterfly Wings It for Once (Addie Ant’s Garden Friends) by Maren Morris, Karina Argow and Kelly Anne Dalton (illustrator). It has a funky, cute, interesting cover. It has pinkish-reds and just was sitting there, pushed back from the edge. It was hiding in the shadows. I pulled it forward to […]



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