Sophie Blackall – Cannonball Read 17

One word titled books, hold lots of wonder

Thankful by Elaine Vickers

Farmhouse by Sophie Blackall

November 21, 2022 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Sometimes when I combine picture books into one review it is because by themselves writing 250 words on each means writing more words about the book than are in the book(s), and a combo review is a fun way just to get good books out there. And sometimes, like these two books, there is a theme connecting them. This time it is the illustrations are similar with its real and traditional illustration combinations. Thankful by Elaine Vickers can be a book one uses year-round. […]

Silly Ol’ Bear

Winnie’s Great War by Lindsay Mattick

September 27, 2019 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Having read the picture books about the true story behind Winnie-the-Pooh, (one also created by Lindsay Mattick and Josh Greenhut and illustrated by Sophie Blackall) I figured I had a pretty good handle on the story before going into the high second-to-third grade novel, Winnie’s Great War. I will say I liked. But will add, your experience will vary from mine. Shoot, my experience varied from page to page. Mattick is a decedent of the Captain Harry Colebourn of the story. One night her son […]

Silly ole Bear

July 5, 2018 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

I am embarrassed to say, I just realized at 43 what Winnie the Pooh is all about. Sure, it is about friends, adventures, silliness and honey, but reading Christopher Robin: A Boy, a Bear a Balloon I realized what it all means. The characters are the emotions and thoughts and feelings of a child. Who is not scared sometimes (Piglet) or bouncy (Tigger) or a Know-it-All (Rabbit and Owl) or gloomy and needs cheering up (Eeyore)? And not having seen the movie yet (as […]

Shaking Things Up

May 8, 2018 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Poems about 14 different women who “shook things up” and changed the world are seen on the pages of Shaking Things Up: 14 Young Women Who Changed the World by Susan Hood. Various female illustrators illustrate each person’s story in their signature style. From Ruby Bridges (not a woman, but a 6-year-old girl) to the first woman NYC fire fighter (and slave to a local firefighter) to a pair of sisters who were spies (and very important to the war effort. And one was even […]

Hello Lighthouse

April 25, 2018 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Caldecott-winner Sophie Blackall has created a picture book that takes us back in time to when lighthouses had to have a lighthouse keeper and before things were automatic. This was not an easy task, as it was dangerous and at times, even lonely. In Hello Lighthouse, she explains the daily life of a lighthouse keeper. The ups and downs he (and sometimes she) would have to face. The dangers of ice on the windows and keeping the light always wound. The dangers of fog so […]

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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