Category: Review

Little Darlings – Melanie Golding

I’m not usually a fan of unreliable narrators, on the page or in the flesh. I also don’t tend to seek out stories that include potential changelings, so I’m not entirely sure what drew me to this book. Whatever the reason, I’m so glad I found it. I love any book that challenges me to want to read outside of my comfort zone and this one succeeded.

Lauren and Patrick are first time parents to twins, Morgan and Riley. Despite some initial hesitation as she waited for the instantaneous motherly love for her babies to arrive, Lauren is smitten. Exhausted, but smitten. After terrifying encounters with a strange woman who threatened to steal her perfect bundles of joy and replace them with her own creatures, Lauren refuses to let her twins out of her sight. The staff at the hospital are certain that Lauren’s experiences are mental health related and DS Joanna Harper is the only police officer who isn’t entirely convinced they’re correct.

Weeks later, Lauren’s babies are missing and when she sees them again she knows they’re not her babies. They’ve been switched but, because they look identical to her own, there’s little she can do to prove it. She knows what she needs to do, but if she’s wrong there’ll be no turning back.

I know what I believe happened but I can’t give you definitive evidence to prove my point. I could just as easily argue the opposing view and that, to me, is proof of how well Melanie Golding writes. It’s not only what really happened that is up for grabs in my eyes; I could argue motives of different characters as well, chiefly Lauren’s husband.

I didn’t trust him from the very beginning and I still don’t. I felt he was a condescending, manipulative slimeball but I still don’t know if it was my instincts kicking in or if I’m judging his actions through Lauren or Joanna’s eyes. Regardless, I love a book that messes with me like this.

I had anticipated this story ending during a specific series of events and was surprised when it continued for another couple of chapters, but would have been satisfied either way. I do have a couple of niggling outstanding questions, mostly relating to the book with the old-fashioned gold lettering and Natasha.

I’m really interested to see how this book translates to film, especially the portrayal of Lauren’s thoughts and whether it encourages the viewer to make up their own mind or if it weighs the evidence in a way that provides a definitive answer. Despite my own (thankfully unfounded) prejudices going into this book, I finished it feeling its early hype is warranted.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read this debut.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

Once Upon a Blurb

Everyone says Lauren Tranter is exhausted, that she needs rest. And they’re right; with newborn twins, Morgan and Riley, she’s never been more tired in her life. But she knows what she saw: that night, in her hospital room, a woman tried to take her babies and replace them with her own … creatures. Yet when the police arrived, they saw no one. Everyone, from her doctor to her husband, thinks she’s imagining things.

A month passes. And one bright summer morning, the babies disappear from Lauren’s side in a park. But when they’re found, something is different about them. The infants look like Morgan and Riley – to everyone else. But to Lauren, something is off. As everyone around her celebrates their return, Lauren begins to scream, These are not my babies.

Determined to bring her true infant sons home, Lauren will risk the unthinkable. But if she’s wrong about what she saw … she’ll be making the biggest mistake of her life.

Compulsive, creepy, and inspired by some our darkest fairy tales, Little Darlings will have you checking – and rechecking – your own little ones. Just to be sure. Just to be safe.

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The Blue Day Book Illustrated Edition: A Lesson in Cheering Yourself Up – Bradley Trevor Greive

Illustrations – Claire Keane

I was so excited about this one for a couple of reasons. Obviously the cover was a big one because it’s gorgeous! I loved the elephant and wanted to give it a massive hug; I couldn’t wait to see the rest of the illustrations. Then there was the fact that ‘The Blue Day Book’ and I have history. After much thought I deleted three rambling paragraphs outlining my history with the original. You’re welcome!

Let’s just say I had high expectations for this new edition and it guts me to say that I’m disappointed. The text from the original book seems to be intact but there are also additions; when I read the original I didn’t think it was broken and I still prefer it. Because I loved the cover illustration of this edition so much I assumed I’d fall in love with every illustration but that wasn’t the case.

I really appreciated the introduction to this illustrated edition. I gained some insight into how ‘The Blue Day Book’ came to be in the first place and learned some of the journey of its creator in the years since its publication. I understood why there was one central elephant rather than a zoo of creatures telling the visual story.

No one is immune from painful life experiences. This book acknowledges those and then makes a point about perspective. The author notes in the introduction “but when I really took stock of my life I realized it actually wasn’t that bad”. While I’m a fan of looking at your circumstances from different perspectives and trying to make the best out of bad situations, there are things in life that really are that bad and all the perspective in the world won’t change that.

Twenty years ago I probably would have flung the original book at anyone who had pretty much any crappy life event but I’d be hesitant to do the same now as I know the impact platitudes can have when you’re not in a good place.

My favourite quote is from the introduction, which reads in part

so often it’s the little things that matter most. It’s the endless little setbacks that finally break us, the fleeting gestures of kindness and moments of levity that lift our spirits, and the small personal victories that spur us on to far greater endeavors.

While I’d happily share the photographs in the original book with kids, I wouldn’t put the illustrated edition in their hands. My sensitivity may be showing here but I really didn’t like the wording and illustrations that accompanied the pages that allude to suicide. I also wasn’t a fan of the drunk elephant with bloodshot eyes that’s trashed the bar and don’t get me started on the “pathetic, sniveling victim” page.

I spent more than half of this book glad I wasn’t reading it when I was having a bad day.

Then when the positivity began to trickle in it started with becoming rich and famous before announcing that “best of all, there’s romance.” Thankfully it moved on to positives I can get behind like getting outside and going for a walk but by then the book had lost me. I really hope I’m an exception and look forward to reading reviews written by people who adore this edition.

Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the opportunity to read this book.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5.

Once Upon a Blurb

The Blue Day Book Illustrated Edition is a marvelous relaunch of the original collection that conveys inspirational and poignant text, now brilliantly paired with illustrations of a wonderfully expressive elephant. Not only are the words designed to lift the spirits of anyone who’s got the blues, the whimsical illustrations create a beautiful, visual story for readers to follow along. No one who has lips will be able to read it without smiling; it’s guaranteed.

Nineteen years after its first printing, Bradley Trevor Greive’s global bestseller The Blue Day Book has become a modern classic and is still bringing smiles to readers around the world. And because we all still have bad days now and then, the time is right for an illustrated edition of this uniquely funny, compassionate book that inspired an entire genre of uplifting gift books.

This special edition features stunning new illustrations created by Claire Keane, the artist and animator who created the art for Disney’s Frozen. Still included, of course, are the original, warm, supportive messages and humorous insights guaranteed to raise the spirits of anyone feeling down and blue.

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Our Little Inventor – Sher Rill Ng

Nell is a young girl who believes her invention can help the Big City. Nell and her family live in the countryside, but even from such a distance the pollution is clouding the skyline. After a long journey Nell discovers that the problem is much bigger than she realised.

A group of powerful men in the city are quick to dismiss Nell and her invention. Undeterred, Nell continues to work on her invention, making it bigger and better.

I absolutely adore this book! Nell sees a problem and uses her intelligence and creativity to solve it. Her inspirational journey is not success only but her persistence and belief in herself are a shining example to young world changers in the making. I loved that the one adult in the city who sees the potential of Nell’s invention is a woman, whose encouragement made me want to simultaneously jump up and down, hug her and buy her a coffee.

Sher Rill Ng’s story is wonderful and her illustrations are amazing, with a steampunk vibe that’s perfect for this story. The smallness of the girl with the answer to the Big City’s problem is contrasted with the looming size of the city officials who have the power to make a change but don’t.

I’m not entirely sure what I would have made of this book as a kid with little understanding of environmental issues back in the dark ages but if I was a few decades younger I’m certain I would’ve wanted to read it over and over until I came up with my own brilliant idea to fix the world. I’ll definitely be following this author/illustrator’s career.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Once Upon a Blurb

A gorgeous and inspiring picture book about a young girl, Nell, who invents a machine to fix the pollution that is choking the city.

‘My invention is ready!’ exclaimed Nell. ‘I must show it to the people in the Big City. Uncle says he can take me most of the way.’

‘It won’t work,’ scoffed Little Brother.

Little Nell has worked hard to make an invention that will help clean up the pollution in the Big City. But she soon discovers that it can be hard for a girl to get the attention of the people in charge. 

A wonderful picture book about a girl with a big idea and a determined spirit, and who just needs a little help to make the world a better place for everyone.

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Phoebe and Her Unicorn #3: Unicorn vs. Goblins – Dana Simpson

You know those days where you just want to comfort read? That was me today.

This is the third Phoebe and Her Unicorn book that has had me wondering why a random comic was placed in the middle of a storyline but because I was enjoying myself so much it didn’t really matter.

In this collection Phoebe goes to music camp where she meets her weird bunkmate, Sue, while Marigold meets the lake monster. Marigold gets a letter from her sister, who has a more ‘unfortunate’ middle name than Phoebe. Todd, the candy dragon, makes both an appearance and some ice cream – BLECH! Dakota has a staring contest with a goblin. Max proved why I knew I loved him

and we met a new potential friend, Sam.

While Phoebe and Marigold are brought to life with kids in mind, if I’m any indication then there’s definitely a lot for kids at heart to enjoy as well. I could easily keep bingeing these today but am going to attempt to restrain myself for two reasons:

  1. Because I acknowledge that somewhere in another dimension there could be people who don’t want to be Goodreads spammed with unicorn read after unicorn read. If those people do in fact exist, it’s probably unicorn intermission time.
  2. I don’t want to get to tomorrow and know that if I had just restrained myself a little bit then I’d have more new Phoebe and Marigold to look forward to. So, although I sort of feel like Marigold, here’s me restraining myself.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Once Upon a Blurb

School’s out! That means no more teachers, no more books, and lots of time to compliment Marigold Heavenly Nostrils on her good looks. In this third volume, Phoebe and her obligational best friend, Marigold, learn that summer still has plenty of surprises. Have fun with Phoebe and Marigold as they continue the “Pheobegold Detective Agency”, spend a week at Wolfgang Music Camp, and find themselves in odd misadventures, thanks to Marigold’s enchanted sparkles.

When school resumes, read along as Phoebe enjoys (or suffers from) a brief case of popularity, mentally catalogs her grievances against dodge ball and, with Marigold’s help, rescues Dakota and her hair from the queen of the goblins. Through these wacky adventures, Phoebe and Marigold learn that their friendship is the second most magical thing of all, after Marigold’s beauty, of course.

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Phoebe and Her Unicorn #2: Unicorn on a Roll – Dana Simpson

Phoebe and Marigold are back, and are apparently my new graphic novel obsession. In this second collection they reflect on what life was like before they became best friends, discuss Boogergate, exchange Christmas presents, make New Year’s resolutions, practice for the school play, and even visit Marigold’s home! Oh, and you get to watch a unicorn roller skate!

I love watching Phoebe embracing her nerdiness.

I enjoyed the pop culture references, most of which would fly straight over the heads of any kids reading it. The Alanis/Irony quip was probably my favourite. Happily, my new favourite superhero and villain, Claustrophoebea and Pointyhead, also return!

It’s probably a nerd thing but I absolutely adored Phoebe’s dream sequence.

Dakota and Max return, as do Phoebe’s amazing parents, and even though this is only my second Phoebe and Her Unicorn read it feels like they’ve been my friends for a long time.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Once Upon a Blurb

Been to school and paid my dues
Feel like I’ve gone and lost my clues
Unenthused and all confused
What have I really got to lose?

My unicorn’s my newest muse
She taught me now to lose my blues
From her I’ll chose to take my cues
And take a snooze without my shoes

What’s more magical than a unicorn on roller skates? Phoebe and Marigold Heavenly Nostril’s friendship! They’re on a roll in this second adventure as they share their finest finery, their most secret secrets, and their most magical mysteries. 

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Phoebe and Her Unicorn – Dana Simpson

🦄 Happy Unicorn Day! 🦄

When lonely fourth grader Phoebe rescues Marigold Heavenly Nostrils, who was trapped in the beauty of her own reflection, she is granted one wish. As the self appointed Federal Awesomeness Inspector, Phoebe declares herself the “most awesome girl in the world!”, which of course must be true because she wished to be best friends with a unicorn!

Together they play video games, have slumber parties in their pyjamas, play superhero and detective agency, gossip and enjoy music. Marigold gets trapped in her reflection more than once and I expect this will be a running joke throughout the series.

With our main characters fluent in sarcasm and dry humour, I found a lot to love. In this first graphic novel of the series we meet Phoebe’s parents, Dakota (Phoebe’s arch enemy, who calls her Princess Stupidbutt) and Max (Phoebe’s spelling partner). We’re also introduced to Todd, the candy dragon, who was my favourite minor character because … CANDY DRAGON!!!

Despite being so self absorbed, Marigold is capable of compassion and insight. I loved how literal she is and my stubbornness appreciated the stubbornness of both Marigold and Phoebe. Though they’re often not on the same wavelength these new friends get along surprisingly well.

I adore these new friends and feel like I’ve made two new ones myself. I’m especially looking forward to more superhero segments with Claustrophoebea and Pointyhead. I smiled a lot during this book and can’t believe it’s taken me this long to finally start this series. Thank you, Unicorn Day!

P.S. The magical picture of the unicorn reading is by Ivona Design.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Once Upon a Blurb

Do you believe in unicorns? Phoebe does. She has no choice … one day she skipped a rock across a pond, and hit a unicorn in the face. Improbably, this resulted in a lasting friendship between Phoebe and the unicorn, one Marigold Heavenly Nostrils.

Come along for the unicorn ride with Phoebe, as she deals with the usual burdens of childhood (cruel classmates, gym class, piano lessons) and also some unusual ones (magic hair, candy-breathing dragons, and the legendary Shield of Boringness).

Can a precocious little girl and a self-absorbed mythical forest creature find common ground? Indeed they can, and that’s how Phoebe and Her Unicorn unfolds.

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How to Catch a Unicorn – Adam Wallace

Illustrations – Andy Elkerton

🦄 Happy Unicorn Day! 🦄

This was everything I want in a unicorn book! It was a fun read and the illustrations were bright and colourful, with plenty of glitter and rainbows (plus the requisite reference to unicorn flatulence).

From ice cream traps to butterfly nets, a group of kids try their best to catch a wiley unicorn through the zoo’s exhibits but this unicorn has a host of animal friends ready to help it evade capture.

I smiled my way through this book and particularly loved Andy Elkerton’s illustrations. I enjoyed the various expressions on the kids’ faces when their attempts to catch the unicorn didn’t quite go to plan. My favourite near miss resulted in a couple of kids getting soaked by some penguins. I couldn’t choose a favourite animal because they’re all amazing; they’re full of joy and adorably cheeky as they foil the kids’ plan.

I really appreciated the creative substitution of the unicorn horn and star for the “i” in the book’s title. Oftentimes it’s the little extras that make a book memorable long term for me and it wouldn’t surprise me if that sparkly yellow “i” is one of the things that find its way into my spontaneous recommendation to some unsuspecting book store visitor weeks or months from now.

I’ve read this book three times (so far) and plan to read it every day until I have no choice but to return it to the library. I previously fell in love with How to Catch a Monster. Now it’s a given that I need to get my hands on the rest of Adam Wallace’s How to Catch series.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Once Upon a Blurb

Try to catch one of the world’s most elusive mythical creatures – the unicorn! Filled with zany traps and lots of rainbow unicorn fun, this is the unicorn book of the year!

Can you catch the unicorn?

You’ll have to use your brain, 

So set your traps and prep your team

To pet that rainbow mane!

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I’m a Duck – Eve Bunting

Illustrations – Will Hillenbrand

Now I’m a duck who’s scared to go

in the pond or lake, and so

I cannot swim, and that is bad.

A landlocked duck is very sad.

Our adorable duckling watches their brothers swimming, but only from the safety of the shore because they’re scared they won’t be able to swim. They seek advice from Big Frog and Owl, and their mother encourages them as they practice swimming in puddles. Then the big day arrives; it’s time for our brave duckling to face their fear.

I read this sweet little book at least five times when I borrowed it from my library last year. Over the past couple of months I’ve kept thinking about it and had to read it again.

I love that our duckling’s friends and mother gently encourage them to face their fear but don’t push them to jump in before they’re ready. By gaining confidence as they approach their fear in small steps it helps them take the final plunge. I practically melted when everyone celebrated this brave duckling’s accomplishment and rejoiced when they were encouraged, not teased, for doing things differently.

Will Hillenbrand’s illustrations are absolutely gorgeous! The colour palette is soft and all of the animals are expressive. This is one of those books I’d be happily pulling out to read each bedtime. I don’t think this is the last time I’ll be borrowing this book.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Once Upon a Blurb

Sometimes it takes a lot to get your webbed feet wet! An adorable picture book makes a splash with a satisfying story about conquering your fears.

I cannot swim, and that is bad. 
A landlocked duck is very sad. 

One day, an egg rolled out of a nest and right into a deep pond. Now that egg is a little duck, and the water is still very scary. Jumping into the pond at all seems impossible, never mind swimming in a line with all his brothers. “You’re a duck, and ducks don’t sink,” Big Frog points out. Practicing in a puddle helps a little, while backrubs and snacks from his mother help a little more. Big Frog offers to hold his friend’s wing and dive in together, but our little duck knows that some challenges need to be faced alone. Even when they are very scary!

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Quiet – Tomie dePaola

As far as I can tell this is my first Tomie dePaola read. It’s a nice book but it didn’t really grab me. A grandfather is walking in the park with his grandchildren and points out how busy all of the animals are. He encourages his grandchildren to sit on the park bench with him and appreciate being quiet and still because

“To be quiet and still is a special thing.”

The illustrations are fairly simple and sweet, with plenty of animals to look at. Although I like the message of this book I don’t know how much the target audience would actually appreciate it, especially without some further explanation from the adult reading it to them. While this author appears to be quite prolific and popular I don’t think their books are for me.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5.

Once Upon a Blurb

Tomie dePaola reminds us that mindfulness – being quiet, still, and present with one another – is a very special thing.

Everything is in such a hurry, busy as busy can be. The birds are flying so fast, the dragonfly is zooming over the water – even the trees are waving their leaves.

So what if we sit here, you next to me … and we can just be?

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Ducktective Quack and the Cake Crime Wave – Claire Freedman

Illustrations – Mike Byrne

Ducktective Quack is trying to find
A thief stealing cakes of every kind
With Constable Crackling joining the chase
They aim to solve this sweet criminal case

Told in rhyme as you may already have guessed
You’ll follow along with Quack on her quest
Questioning suspects and searching for clues
Among lovely pictures that will surely amuse

I invite you to read this cute children’s book
The clues are all there if you’re willing to look
I followed along and woohoo, I was right!
Now I’ll crave cakes and donuts all night!

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Once Upon a Blurb

There’s a crime wave in town and Ducktective Quack needs your help to solve the mystery. Follow the clues in the pictures and see if you can work out who-done-it! Someone has been helping themselves to all the cakes and sweet treats and it’s up to Ducktective Quack and her sidekick, Constable Crackling, to catch the culprit. A hilarious and engaging story full of clues to spot and a delicious crime to solve.

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