Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

He’s Grumpy. He’s a Ghost.

The Grumpy Ghost Upstairs by Mamiko Shiotani

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Online reader copies are all the rage right now, it is environmental and quick and easy to receive. Of course, I sometimes have a hard time reading books from them, but The Grumpy Ghost Upstairs by Mamiko Shiotani and translated by Polly Lawson was an exception. I tend to be able to read picture books online as there is less text and more space to enjoy the overall work. This was especially true with Shiotani’s book. The illustrations and text was Goldilocks/Baby Bear just right. […]

The fact I don’t always like a book is why I love books: something for us all

Vampire Jam Sandwich by Casey Lyall and Nici Gregory

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I am sorry Casey Lyall and Nici Gregory but your story, Vampire Jam Sandwich (which I read via an online reader copy and is due July 2025) did not hit the spot for me. Now I appreciate the ingredients you put into the illustrations, such as the red colors, the pointy teeth sandwich runny and running around (even if it is a bit messy and I am feeling the sticky getting all over) and the flapping capes that hide the surprise ending. Which was written […]

Love, family, friendship makes it all right

Lost and Found Hanukkah. by Joy Preble

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When you are browsing online reader copies you can find everything from books about women’s health, sexuality, horror, mystery, humor, dogs, cats, rhinos, birds, environmental war, Christmas, Easter, Halloween, various New Year celebrations and Hanukkah books. And that’s all in April and May.  And one of those books is one called Lost and Found Hanukkah. The author Joy Preble and illustrator Lisa Anchin put together a book with many layers. In no particular order, it is a book about family, friendship, community, parents, same sex couples, […]

Halloween stories are not just for one day

Murray's Howl-o-ween: A Halloween Picture Book by E. G. Keller

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Unlike Murray in Murray’s Howl-o-ween: A Halloween Picture Book by E. G. Keller I love the country (though “after cow” isn’t my fave scent). Murray is a dog that likes the sounds and smells of home. He’s less than impressed with the odd smells, the weird  decorations and the company (a cat). But eventually, he will learn about the wonders of something called Halloween and the treats are much sweeter than the tricks of earlier. Due in July 2025, it will be out in time […]

Four books for the price of one review (and a lunch break filled with books)

The Peacock Who Howled with Jackals  by Nahid Kazemi

You Can't Tame a Tiger by Stephanie Ellen Sy

RJ and the Ticking Clock by Ian Duncan

Who Needs the Dark?: The Many Ways Living Things Depend on Darkness by Laura Alary

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The other day I found a few titles I was interested in via an email newsletter. When I looked them up to see if reader copies online were available, they had thumbnails of the images, but not the full  text. I read these introductions, but was hoping to find finished copies sometime in the future (as they are all summer and fall publications). The next day what to my wondering eyes did appear? It was eight tiny reindeer…. I mean, those four titles I had […]

Brains are food, not friends.

Zombie and Brain Are Friends by Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic

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Brains are food, not friends. Well, Brian the Brain is a friend to Zeb the Zombie. Which would be okay, if Zeb’s family didn’t farm brains for food (themselves and sell at the local market). But how could anyone in their right mind eat Brian? He’s the pinkest, squishy, cutest brain ever! And this starts Zeb and Brian’s journey in Zombie and Brain Are Friends by Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic and illustrated by Laan Cham. Due early August 2025, I had the pleasure of reading this […]



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