Imagination & Play – Page 9 – Cannonball Read 17

Spencer and his Pet go on an adventure

Spencer's New Pet by Jessie Sima

August 29, 2019 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

I am writing about (and counting) this wordless picture book towards my total book count as it is something people need to know about. There have been wordless picture books before; some hits and others not so much for me. But Spencer’s New Pet is someplace in between. This is because it has (semi-spoiler) one big screwy, creepy, out there, what the fudge (only I didn’t say fudge) just happened ending! Jessie Sima’s story might just be a case of things are not always exactly […]

It was Hard Being Me Yesterday, but Today is a new day

Being Edie Is Hard Today by Ben Brashares

June 21, 2019 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Being Edie Is Hard Today is a modern story about imagination and the issues kids deal with due to a more heighten sense of issues they (and adults around them) have. In other words, this is a touchy-feely book at its best. And make sure that you are at your best when reading; because nothing can ruin this book more than having a “Being You Is Hard Today” kind of day yourself. Ben Brashares created a modern, not fairy tale, but fairy tale for today. […]

Don’t Worry Be Happy… even if your smile is upside down

Don’t Worry, Bee Happy: An Acorn Book by Ross Burach

June 20, 2019 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

The Bumble and Bee books are going to be the next Elephant and Piggie series for the beginning reader. Ross Burach has created three stories about Bumble, Bee and Froggy in the first book, Don’t Worry, Bee Happy: An Acorn Book. Coming out in late December 2019/early January 2020 your young reader can find out how Bumble and Bee and Froggy have adventures and misadventures as they take pictures, scare hiccups and doing a wiggly dance. This book was not meant for me. It is […]

Inspire your fledgling ninja with this treat

Rabbit Ninja by Jared T. Williams

June 20, 2019 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Ninjas do not have to go to school. They use stealth. They do not sleep but mediate, look at their sword and think about being a ninja. And in Rabbit Ninja Jared T. Williams tells you this and more. But he also tells us, via his Ninja Wanting To Be Rabbit, that even though being a small rabbit can be dull when you have to brush your teeth or hurry so you are not late for school, sometimes being a little rabbit is pretty cool, […]

Imagine this

Flora’s Tree House by Gabriel Alborozo

June 18, 2019 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Do you have a sibling? Well, if you do, you know that you do not always get along. But sometimes, they can be your best friend. And in Flora’s Tree House we see a sweet story about siblings that shows you might not always like them, but you usually love them, and they can be your best friend. And we see in Gabriel Alborozo’s book how Flora and Will check off all the boxes. Will: pesky brother, adventurous, loud. Flora: thoughtful, artistic, likes Will’s inspirations […]

When a Tiger comes to dinner she will want to…..

When a Tiger Comes to Dinner by Jessica Olien

June 14, 2019 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

When a Tiger Comes to Dinner is a weak story. The all-knowing narrator Jessica Olien has created has broken the fourth wall and the story/reader relationship has bled together. And this makes the narrator come across as condescending and, in the end, a know-not-a lot narrator. But it is the fun and hidden details in the illustrations that made the book. The mouse has neat things like silly book names/covers and photographs around the rooms. There are puns and just neat things to look at. […]

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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