Lucy Ruth Cummins – Cannonball Read 17

Fun Dogs and Funky Grandmothers

Dalmartian: A Mars Rover's Story by Lucy Ruth Cummins

Gaga Mistake Day by Emma Straub, Susan Straub

June 28, 2024 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Books are my thing. In my high school yearbook I was the one to be found reading. (Okay, it might have been because nobody on the yearbook team really knew me, but they also were not wrong). And this would make most think that I have never met a book I have not wanted to read. Trust me, I’ve met plenty (I’m looking at you self-published Zombie Christmas trees….Though I did try three pages…). Some days these “don’t wants” never get read, some are started […]

Ah! Love!

Eyes That Weave the World’s Wonders by Joanna Ho

Love Grows by Ruth Spiro

Say It with Me (Dilo Conmigo) by Nancy S. Torres

October 19, 2023 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Sometimes a theme takes a little while to find when I look at books to write as one fun, roundup review. but the three below took no time at all to find a connection. Each one is about love. Love of family, love of yourself, and love even when we are far away from our loved ones. Love of family and self is the theme in Eyes That Weave the World’s Wonders. Joanna Ho and Liz Kleinrock (also of Come and Join Us!: 18 Holidays […]

Jean Reidy has style

Group Hug by Jean Reidy

Sylvie by Jean Reidy

April 7, 2022 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Some people like hugs, some do not, but in Group Hug by Jean Reidy, Slug likes them and wants to give a hug. They find a lonely beetle and hug them. And then they find Mouse, and Skunk and Squirrel and all their other friends and pass along big group hugs. That is until Bear wants a hug. But nobody wants to be brave enough, after all bears are not known for their, shall we say vegetarian diets. This story is about kindness and knowing […]

Watch your penguin… I mean baby!

Vampenguin by Lucy Ruth Cummins

August 18, 2021 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Vampenguin written and illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins cannot have 250 words written about it. When you say, “A baby vampire trades places with a penguin at the zoo for the day and they cause a bit of mischief.” You have said it all. Of course, you can then say things like, “Why were the parents so clueless?” They and the older sibling had plenty of opportunities to notice the change. Even if they are looking at the other animals or talking on the cellphone. […]

Give a little love

The Love Letter by Anika Aldamuy Denise

November 29, 2019 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

What do you feel when you find a letter on the ground? One that has a poetic love note attached? Why, you feel all sorts of things! And when Hedgehog, Bunny and Squirrel find such a letter, some mix-ups might occur, but in the end, they all learn what The Love Letter is really about. Anika Aldamuy Denise’s story about friendship is sweet and cozy. While a bit predictable to the adult reader, a child might be surprised about who wrote (and why they wrote) […]

Strapping on the impossible

Truman by Jean Reidy

July 29, 2019 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Truman is a fun book. It is not 100% to my personal tastes (as it might be a bit too cute) but there is still a lot to love. Jean Reidy created a story about friendships, changes and being brave. Truman (a turtle) and his human girl, Sarah, have a special relationship. But one day, Truman realizes that Sarah is not just looking at the Number 11 bus, she is getting on the bus! And she does not come back right away like she usually […]

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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