Laurel Snyder – Cannonball Read 17

When in a pinch use a banana

The Book of Candles: Eight Poems for Hanukkah by Laurel Snyder and Leanne Hatch

November 4, 2025 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

After reading the book, Shrinking Violet by Laurel Snyder, I wondered what else they had written. I found The Book of Candles: Eight Poems for Hanukkah (illustrated by Leanne Hatch). It is currently available (it came out mid September 2025) but I was able to find an online reader copy. I might purchase a few copies for some adult friends and/or my local library as it had a fresh take that makes it “not another Hanukkah” story. Most Hanukkah books have an ideal setting for […]

When fear makes you small, friendship makes you tall

Shrinking Violet by Laurel Snyder and LeUyen Pham

November 4, 2025 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

The book, Shrinking Violet by Laurel Snyder and illustrated by LeUyen Pham is a fun and sweet story dealing with the common themes of fear and bravery. We also have friendship and how that ties into overcoming the fear to be brave. While the themes are not new, the presentation gives things a fresh and clever take. The colors and details are rich, but not “too much” and allow focus on the story. The only real issue I had (since I read this due late […]

Slimy but oddly satisfying….

Hungry Jim by Laurel Snyder

September 4, 2019 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

While reading Hungry Jim by Laurel Snyder, I was picking up on a vibe I could not really figure out. In the back of my head, I was thinking, “that’s um…. what is this style like?” It clicked after reading the authors afterwards. This book is a takeoff of Maurice Sendak’s work. And it does a good job of bringing that out but keeping Snyder’s voice. But since I am not a huge Sendak fan, I was not picking that up at first, but once […]

He ain’t heavy he’s my brother

Charlie & Mouse Even Better by Laurel Snyder

Charlie & Mouse by Laurel Snyder

April 12, 2019 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

The Charlie & Mouse series by Laurel Snyder are one of those cute book series that you like but do not necessarily go “OMG BEST BOOKS EVER!” You enjoy the cute stories and the brotherly bond between Charlie and Mouse. The text is not your usual limited picture book text either. These books are more of a beginning to second grade read. This allows it to grow from a read-aloud to the child reading on their own. Also, this helps an older child who still […]

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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