WWW Wednesdays

What are you currently reading?
Flunked by Jen Calonita
Gilly has a history of trouble. Her latest incident of theft gets her sent to Fairy Tale Reform School, a place especially for fairy tale villains. Is the school all that it seems? Can a villain really turn into a hero?

With a really unique take on fairy tales, this books seems like it's going to be right up my alley. I've been looking forward to it and really like what I've read so far.
 
What did you recently finish reading?
Dino-Mike and the T. Rex Attack by Franco Aureliani
Mike is thrilled to be on the dig site with his famous paleontologist father. When he discovers that the site can be somewhat dull, he goes exploring on his own and discovers a live dinosaur! With the help of a mysterious girl, Mike will track down the rogue T. Rex and send it back to it's proper time.

This is the start of a great new series for young readers, especially those who love dinosaurs. It has an easy to follow plot, mildly challenging vocabulary (and plenty of definitions), and illustrations that add to understanding.

What do you think you will read next?
Breaking Sky by Cori McCarthy
This seems like it's going to skew more the sci-fi end of dystopia than I usually prefer but I thought I'd give it a chance.

Book review - Dinosaurs From Head to Tail

Title: Dinosaurs From Head to Tail
Author: Stacey Roderick
Genre: picture book
Similar books: Prehistoric Actual Size by Steve Jenkins
                     How Big Were Dinosaurs? by Lita Judge
Rating:

A multilevel delight

Summary: With a simple collage illustration of a body part, readers are invited to guess to which dinosaur it belongs. Eight dinosaurs are featured, with seven more briefly explored at the end. Facts shared range from the commonplace to the more obscure.

My Opinion: Usually I don't review picture books on here but I really wanted to talk about this one. There are probably thousands of dinosaur books for kids already in existence but this one is worth noting. The collage illustrations are reminiscent of Steve Jenkins (whose books I adore). I'm very fond of the structure of this book. Because each question (such as "What dinosaur had a neck like this?") is answered first with the dinosaur's species, then a paragraph describing it's notable features, this could easily be read at different levels. Reading to a little one? Just name the dinosaur and talk about the pictures (though good luck pronouncing Therizinosaurus). Older readers will enjoy the facts. This makes it versatile, able to grow with even the youngest dinosaur fans.

More information: Dinosaurs From Head to Tail releases March 1.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.

My new favorite wallet

I've been a pretty big fan of Doctor Who for several years now. One of my favorite episodes is titled "Vincent and the Doctor." (Seriously, if you haven't seen it, go watch it now. Fantastic. Beautiful.) While looking for craft ideas online I came across a painting that inserted the TARDIS into Van Gogh's Starry Night. Now, it so happens that I bought a wallet from Goodwill ages ago with the vague notion that I might like to repaint it some day. When I saw that painting, I knew some day had come. As per usual, I used basic acrylic paint and a seal coat of Mod Podge.

The bottom isn't great but I love the top half

It looks great closed

School vacation

This week was school vacation in our area. During February break we try to have special activities for school-aged kids. Our selections this week were: chess and board games, art, snowman day, and our monthly puppet workshop. I thought of lots of things I could write about our programs but I've decided to let the photos speak for themselves.

Chess and board games

 

Art

 

 

 

Snowman day
(I will add that our snow was not particularly good for snowmen, though we managed to make a few small sculptures)

photo courtesy of Nicholas Navarre

photo courtesy of Nicholas Navarre

photo courtesy of Nicholas Navarre

photo courtesy of Nicholas Navarre

Puppets

Point of clarity - this is Modok and Captain America

Book review - A Darker Shade of Magic

Title: A Darker Shade of Magic
Author: V.E. Schwab
Genre: fantasy
Similar books: The Iron Trial by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare
                     Tandem by Anna Jarzab
Rating:

pretty epic

Summary: There are four realities, linked by parallel Londons. Once, the way between them was open but now only travelers, supremely magical beings, can go between them. Kell is the Red Traveler. Officially he carries messages between realities. Secretly, he's a smuggler. It's this secret that gets him into trouble when he carries through a dangerous object that could see him executed for treason. Now Kell is on the run with Grey London thief Delilah Bard. To escape from treachery and the darkest magic, Kell and Delilah will have to travel between worlds, danger hard on their heels.

My Opinion: This is exactly what we like to see in a fantasy novel. Distinct worlds. Magic with strict rules that are carefully followed rather than changed to suit the plot. Fully fleshed out characters to the extent that even minor characters, those introduced only to die paragraphs later, have motivation. There is enough description to provide a sense of place but not so much as to become annoying. An excellent start to a new series.
More Information: A Darker Shade of Magic releases February 24.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Graphic Novel Spotlight: Binky the Space Cat

Binky the Space Cat series by Ashley Spires

Binky is a great graphic novel series for young readers. Apart from being downright silly (Binky does fight aliens that are actually bugs) each book includes a lesson in teamwork, perseverance, trust, and the like (not to mention exclamations like Holy Fuzzbutt!). They are short adventures sure to thrill and amuse. The humor is layered so parents will enjoy this alongside their kids.

WWW Wednesdays

What are you currently reading?
Disappear Home by Laura Hurwitz
After years at the commune Sweet Earth Farm, Shoshanna and her mother and sister are on the run from it's leader, Shoshanna's father Adam. In the relative safety of Southern California life seems like it's going to be good at last. The girls are thriving until their mother become paranoid that Adam is after them. Shoshanna must decide whether to continue to take care of her mother or put herself first.

I've only just started reading this one but I love the premise.

What did you recently finish reading?
Has Anyone Seen Jessica Jenkins? by Liz Kessler
Jessica has always been average. All of that changes one day in geography class when she starts to disappear. Soon she discovers that she can turn invisible at will. Where did this mysterious ability come from? With the help of her friends Izzy and Tom plus a few other kids who are showing signs of abilities of their own, Jessica is going to find out - and maybe even avert a disaster in the process.

There are a lot of different approaches to superpowers and this is certainly a unique one. This one relies on a "serum", the explanation for which is both vague and overly technical. Read this one not for the abilities but for the interactions between the kids. Middle grade books explore a lot of emotional growth and understanding. This is a solid addition to that effort.
 
What do you think you will read next?
Biggie by Derek E. Sullivan
Weight issues meet sports. We'll see how this one plays out.