Kelly DiPucchio – Cannonball Read 17

The World of Raissa Figueroa

Real to Me by Minh Le

What My Daddy Loves by Raissa Figueroa

We Are One by Jackie Azua Kramer

You Will Do Great Things by Amerie

Oona in the Artic by Kelly Dipucchio

February 23, 2023 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

I probably could write at least 250 words on each of these Raissa Figueroa titles, but I won’t. I will let you know about them in one review. They have just come out or will later in 2023. The first is Real to Me by Minh Le and Figueroa illustrated. This story we know because it is about imaginary friendship. Yet, there are twists and turns as well. There are two friends. One is imaginary. But, like all good imaginary friends, they are real to […]

Capybara might have 4,383 friends, but I only had time for three reviews

Extra Ezra Makes and Extra-Special Friend. by Kara Lareau

Oona and the Shark (book two) by Kelly Dipucchio

Capybara Is Friends with Everyone by Maddie Frost

March 17, 2022 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

I did not have high hopes for Extra Ezra Makes and Extra-Special Friend. It looked goofy and off-putting. But when I got into it, despite the um… less than “all there” looking students at Ezra’s school, the story did capture my interest and the illustrations worked for the humor needed. Kara Lareau has written a picture book about friendship, and what not to do. This idea is not new, but because Ezra is a special young person, the theme fits the sensibilities of today. Ezra […]

Spunk is the name of the game!

Julia’s House Moves On by Ben Hatke

Oona by Kelly DiPucchio

November 4, 2020 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Spunk is the name of the game with Julia and Oona. Two different gals, but who both know how to “get-r-done!” Julia’s House Moves On is the latest in the Julia books by Ben Hatke (an author who covers several age ranges with their books, this being for the 5 and up crowd). This darn cute story about “best laid plans” and how things will work out for the better just is silly, funny and educational. As the joke says, “You want to make God […]

Gone to the dogs

Antoinette by Kelly DiPucchio

December 2, 2019 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Antoinette is probably more a 2.5 than a three. There is something missing for me. Plus, the illustrations and I just are not meshing as I would have liked. Kelly DiPucchio is the author of the companion book Gaston as well as this one. If you do not know who Gaston is, that is fine. His story is told as needed to fit Antoinette’s story. However, you do not necessarily need to know who he was. But, of course, it does not hurt to have […]

Let’s Clean Up!

September 9, 2018 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Manny is back in Super Manny Cleans Up! Kelly DiPucchio and Stephanie Graegin have created a story that is all about environmentalism. Manny and Gertie are seeing that there is a lot of trash in their local park and decide to do something very bold and important: to clean it up. With help from their friends (some real and some not so real) they clean up! The story is sweet. You think it is going to be another story about friendship and using their imagination. […]

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s Super Manny!

August 16, 2018 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Manny is what a real super hero should be. He has his capes for each adventure: purple, red, green and so forth. But he has a very special cape for school: his invisible one. Which I think is a nice touch. Usually you see the child wearing a cape to school and everyone accepts it as “okay” and a “normal” thing to do. And rarely, if at all, they are teased for it. I am sorry, they will be teased. Not everyone will accept it […]

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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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