Imagination & Play – Page 4 – Cannonball Read 17

Performance jitters

Something Wild by Molly Ruttan

March 2, 2023 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Hannah loves playing violin, but not in front of people. Of course, she has a recital. On the day of, Hannah wishes for Something Wild to happen. And due to some wonderful imaginative situations, the laughs (and some well needed inspiration and self-confidence) happen. Molly Ruttan has created a tale of cleverness and overcoming stage fright in a fresh, vibrant, manner. Story and text mix together to create magic and humor. Overall, the ideas that Hannah get (her outfit disappears, dolphins in the fountain whisk […]

You got spunk Mazie

Mazie’s Amazing Machines by Sheryl Haft

February 22, 2023 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Mid-September 2023 will see Mazie’s Amazing Machines by Sheryl Haft and Jeremy Holmes. And I will be finding a finished copy. Not so much because I loved this book, but I need to have the final product in hand and not read online via a reader copy, as that was not the way to read it (at least for me). I need to feel this book, and slowly explore the details that hide when you are reading on a small phone screen. The idea of […]

A violin to screech and music to our ears

When Rubin Plays by Gracey Zhang

January 11, 2023 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

CBR15Passport Books recommended by friends When Rubin Plays by Gracey Zhang is due in March 2023. I read it via a reader copy via Edelweiss but learned of it when the staff review email list came out (we get a list of what has been reviewed by staff for our web site). And my coworker in our sister store, Isabel had reviewed When Rubin Plays. I knew this would work for my “recommended by a friend” box (though it was indirectly recommended, and I have technically not meet […]

Don’t pick your nose, pick a book

Got Your Nose! by Alan Katz

December 27, 2022 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Let’s get it out of the way: If I had to pick a nose (book), I would pick this one. I can’t catch my nose, it’s too runny. I hope I don’t blow this review. Alan Katz did similar and a few more jokes inside the pages of Got Your Nose! The “you’re never too old for silly fun” is the center of the tale. When Becky’s grandfather Max makes a surprise visit, they sing and play music and end up on a surprise adventure: […]

Quirk and cute

Bunnygirl: The First Adventure by Holly Jayne

December 22, 2022 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Bunnygirl: The First Adventure by Holly Jayne was a sample I read off Edelweiss. When the book comes out in February 2023, I will be finding the rest, as it ended on a minor cliffhanger. The whole book is meant for fairly early readers, so nothing majorly drastic happens, but you know that the diary our girl Bea wants is coming and there will be something that makes her into Bunnygirl. The publisher description calls the artwork of Jayne “kawaii feeling” and I will just […]

Lizzy and the Cloud

Lizzy and the Cloud by Terry Fan and Eric Fan

December 20, 2022 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Lizzy and the Cloud is written and illustrated by Terry Fan and Eric Fan. They are a couple of odd ducks to start with. Talented as heck, but sometimes I just do not “get them.” They create stories that seem simple on the surface but are deeper. I am going to say there are a combination of themes in Lizzy and the Cloud which include love, taking care of pets, taking care of yourself, friendships, and death. Lizzy is a young girl who wants to […]

Zirza on A Gothic Classic for a ReasonIt's one of those wish-you-could-read-it-again-for-the-first-time books. I loved it.
Emmalita on “It came to something when you found yourself hoping that the footsteps you heard were ghosts.”I loved the ending! I don’t think it’s been out long enough to talk about why though.
Dixie on Track Her Down by Melinda LeighI am just starting Track Her Down and I have read them all in order till now and thought I...
Roland of Gilead on How can you give us the gift of a crazy character named Rando Thoughtful and then just as suddenly take that gift away? We need to talk, Uncle Stevie.I came across this randomly years after it was written because I was searching "Random Thoughtful. But I have the...
Emmalita on “Only you, Em, would refer to heartbreak as a distraction. I think I would have a more sympathetic response if I asked to marry a bookcase.”Oh my goodness, Gallifrey was beautiful. I’m sure her mittens were gloriously murdery.

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