Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

A Whimsical Cozy Fantasy

Pippi's Inn for Wandering Spirits by Erin Ritch

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Pippi has been able to see ghosts her entire life, and upon her Aunt Hazel’s death, she is bequeathed her aunt’s inn. It’s an inn that caters to spirits who are between life and the afterlife, making it reminiscent at times of Under the Whispering Door, though this book never starts to feel like a copy cat, and it stands on its own merits. The inn itself is sentient and takes care of most of Pippi’s and the guests’ needs. Pippi’s main job is to take care […]

The WOW factor 2

In My Dreams by Effie Lada

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The only real thing that makes In My Dreams a rating of 4.6 and not a true 5 is the physical size of the actual book. It is a bit too large for my personal comfort. However, the illustrations makeup for that. They are amazing! The colors punch you in the nose! They are minimal so their impact is beyond strong. The story itself is poetic (not poetry in the “stereotypical thought”) and a bit weighty. Take your time and read multiple times. Effie Lada […]

The WOW factor

The Crane Girl by Curtis Manley

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OMG! Times Ten!  That is how I felt after I read The Crane Girl by Curtis Manley and illustrated by Lin Wang. Though available, I read via an online reader copy and I plan on finding a finished copy as you need to hold this book, I think, to get the entire picture. The story is dense and deep. We find Manley adapted the Crane Girl/Wife story to fit their needed goals. Still, it feels as if this was a true interpretation of the legend. […]

Four buddies and lots of good times

Sky &  Ty volume 1: Howdy, Partner! by Steve Breen

Surprise! The Adventures of Penguin and Panda volume one by Brenda Maier

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Picture books are fun but once I have read some, I need a little more. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love (and always will love) my picture books. But when that happens and I need that little more, (mostly because I need a different looking format) I need an early reader. The two I found recently were Sky &  Ty volume 1: Howdy, Partner! by Steve Breen and Surprise! The Adventures of Penguin and Panda volume one by Brenda Maier and illustrated by Fanni […]

Running straight into the mouth of danger….screaming all the way

Skull Cat (Book One): Skull Cat and the Curious Castle by Norman Shurtliff

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It is Scully the Cat’s first day as the new garden-keeper at a spooky castle. And by his second day, everyone has gone missing. Is it ghosts? Vampires? Goblins? Dark Sorcerers? Something worse?  You now know the tone of Skull Cat (Book One): Skull Cat and the Curious Castle by Norman Shurtliff. It is just off-the-walls bonkers. Scully is a clumsy, loving son, who is not cut out for adventure. But of course, he lands face first into it. And so much more. With his […]

Yummy yummy yum, in my tummy tummy tum…with a side order of history

Yummy: A History of Desserts by Victoria Grace Elliott

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Yummy: A History of Desserts by Victoria Grace Elliott (author and illustrator) is an amazingly fun book. However, it can be a little dense at times and therefore, is not a quick read. It is a treat for the budding chef/pastry lover and an amazing addition for the classroom to help teach history so it is relatable. From cookies, cakes, pies, gummies and more, you get all the treats!  Tasty: A History of Yummy Experiments is book two (or the companion) graphic novel (where things […]



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