Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

A time to love and a time to hate… and a time for peace and a time to be grumpy

Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang

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Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang seemed to be the “sleeper” book that popped up every place towards the end of last year. It was not a book I really was interested in but needed a break and there before me was the board book. At first, I figured it would be a quick “Monkey is Grumpy. He is now not Grumpy. Yay!” Kind of book. Instead, it is an in-depth book about a chimpanzee named Jim who is having a grumpy day, his friends try […]

Through the grieving process

Bon Voyage, Mister Rodriguez by Christiane Duchesne

The Immortal Jellyfish by Sang Miao

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Today, two books arrived for a customer. I figured these books were new, being promoted or had a contemporary theme as they were purchasing two copies each. They are important as they both deal with the deal of an older male/grandfather. This tricky subject has books that really work or do not depending on beliefs. In November 2019 we saw Bon Voyage, Mister Rodriguez and August 2019 The Immortal Jellyfish published. While they might not be my personal first choices, they were lovely books that […]

He knows when you are sleeping and when you ate the cheese

Santa Mouse by Michael Brown

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Originally written in 1966 Santa Mouse by Michael Brown certainly has a classical feeling tail…. tale.  This came across before I realized it was a retelling. There is one lonely mouse, with a very active imagination. And a mouse who is a bit modern: some of his imaginary friends have tea parties’ others play cowboys, Inuit and a “Spanish-person” with him. However, this political correctness of using Inuit could be the editors doing an updated version to fit the contemporary reader. As I think he […]

A little snoring gets awfully annoyin’

Stop Snoring, Bernard! by Zachariah OHora

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I can empathize with Bernard’s friends in Stop Snoring, Bernard! In typical Zachariah OHora style, their little otter just wants to sleep, his friends want to sleep, but Bernard and his snoring keeps everyone up. Will he ever find a place he will not bother others? This is a cute but somewhat predictable story. I do think a different ending would have been interesting, however. As there is an interesting solution that could have been taken farther, even if not exactly the most realistic ending. […]

Just Pictures of Cute Animals That Will Make You Feel Better

This Book Is Literally Just Pictures of Cute Animals That Will Make You Feel Better by Smith Street Books

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I admit, I am somewhat questioning myself by counting This Book Is Literally Just Pictures of Cute Animals That Will Make You Feel Better towards a book I have read. Because, as the title says, it is only photographs of cute animals. Smith Street Books created a counter book for someone who needs a quick item for someone. However, we all do need this book. It is a great “get well” gift or “having a bad week” gift, even a “housewarming/hostess” gift. It could be for […]

One sled and some bad jokes make for two new early readers

Penny and Her Sled by Kevin Henkes

Little Penguin’s New Friend by Tadgh Bentley

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I do not read all of Kevin Henkes picture books and especially do not read his easier readers. (Or honesty, easy readers in general unless something really speaks to me). Yet, I was looking for something different and that different was when I found Penny and Her Sled by him. It was not either a picture book or an easy reader. But somehow both. This caught my attention. It is a sweet, cute and a fun not your usual snow book. Everything you know and […]



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