As someone who’s technically an adult I can tell you I love this series. I can only imagine how much fun they’d be to read as a kid. This series focuses on the friendship between Hotdog, Kevin and Lizzie. Hotdog is our main character and he’s looong. Kevin the rotund cat is a champion eater and sleeper. Lizzie the lizard enjoys reading and making others laugh but is terrified of heights.
In Circus Time! Lizzie goes off to join the circus to fulfill her dream of being a clown. Through unforeseen circumstances she has to face her fear of heights when she is asked to fill in as a trapeze artist! The support and encouragement of her friends and her bravery as she prepares to face her greatest fear is a great example for readers, teaching them valuable lessons in how to be a good friend.
As always I loved the humour in the story and illustrations. While the illustrations are primarily grayscale, each book also has splashes of colour. In this book it’s a couple of shades of purple so it deserves some brownie points for that alone. There are also purple words and phrases throughout the story.
My favourite minor character was the helpful duck who wears a vest and bow tie, and says clichéd but somehow still funny things like “egg-xactly”. I also loved the twist on the lion tamer, who is a lion that tames wild poodles.
I’ll be continuing to look out for new Hot Dog! titles at my local library and look forward to the next adventure in the lives of these friends.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Once Upon a Blurb
Lizzies joining the circus! Her sister Emma is a high-flying trapeze star, but Lizzies terrified of heights! She’s going to be a clown, the funniest around!
Hotdog and Kev can’t wait to see the show. Hopefully everything goes to plan!
I’ve done it! I’ve finally done it!! I’ve found an author whose writing is worthy of being compared to Tess Gerritsen in a sentence like “I’ve finally found an author as good as Tess” or “This book had everything I love about Tess books and more, and it’s not even written by Tess!”
Friends, please allow me to introduce you (if you haven’t already discovered her) to Joanna Schaffhausen. I’m going to go out on a limb here and call it early … remember this name because Joanna’s ability to immerse you in her character’s world has bestseller written all over it. I feel as though nothing I say here can possibly do justice to her debut but I’ll give it a shot and encourage you to read it yourself so we can gush together about how much we loved it.
Ellery Hathaway is the sole survivor of infamous serial killer Francis Michael Coben. Saved by Agent Reed Markham before she became Coben’s seventeenth murder victim, Ellery now works as a police officer in a quiet town where no one knows who she really is. She is the only one who believes there’s a link between three seemingly unconnected disappearances in three years in her town, which all occurred around her birthday, the day she was abducted fourteen years ago. Ellery’s next birthday is approaching and she calls Reed, knowing he is the only one who will believe her.
I wanted to both rush through The Vanishing Season and read as slowly as possible to draw the experience of the first read out for as long as possible. I became immersed by about paragraph 3 and each time I came back to where I’d left the story I got sucked straight back in. I wound up so engaged that I didn’t realise I’d said, not thought, “I knew it!” until one of the people that had been respectfully honouring my ‘don’t you dare interrupt me until I finish my book or there will be dire consequences’ look came from the other side of the house to find out what my outburst was about. Oops!
I know a book has its hooks in me when I start repeating a phrase to myself while reading, as if the number of times I repeat it can magically increase the likelihood of my being able to influence the outcome. Yes, in my mind I wield that much power! In this case I had two magical phrases:
“Please don’t let Bump die!”
“Let the killer be anyone but 🤚.” (And, no, I’m not telling you who the hand represents but it seemed an appropriate substitute given the content of the book.)
I adored Bump. The loyal and trustworthy male in Ellery’s life, Bump is a basset hound who loves walks and rides in the car, liberally distributing slobber over humans he likes and dreams of the day when someone will accidentally drop a piece of chocolate in his vicinity. Also, the story surrounding the choice of his name is wonderful and dog owners everywhere will relate and wonder why they didn’t think of naming their dog Bump.
I loved the people characters as well. No one was perfect. All of the major players had pasts which influenced the way they thought and acted in the situation they found themselves in. There were questionable ethics and life choices, secrets galore and issues surrounding trust were hiding beneath the surface, and shame and guilt were both explored.
I really enjoyed Ellery and Brady’s banter. Their friendship felt comfortable and their bond over 80’s music and quips about what they disagreed on made me feel like I was being included. I almost wanted to add my own opinion a couple of times. I’m looking forward to reading Ellery and Reed banter in future books. There were hints of it here but good banter takes time to develop in a friendship so I’m thankful it didn’t happen immediately.
Coben gave me a what a fantastic yet disgusting and interesting in a disturbing way vibe that was similar to the way I felt when reading about Hannibal Lecter. Which brings me to the gore. It was gruesome enough to satisfy the disturbed side of me that watches B grade movies in part to cheer when the gigantic shark leaps out of the water and takes down a plane, yet it wasn’t so focused on the brutality of the murders that it detracted from the interactions between characters and the mystery of who was behind the murders and why.
The references to sexual assault are not gratuitous by any means but I felt the character directly affected was so realistic that if this has been your experience you are likely to see parts of your own response mirrored back at you (which incidentally I applaud because life after sexual assault is rarely written well). I wasn’t personally triggered while reading, instead feeling hopeful when I encountered ‘me, too’ moments.
I’m always interested, when someone is rescued after being kidnapped or otherwise traumatised, in what happens next. What becomes of the survivor? What does their life look like now compared to what it looked like prior to whatever happened to them? How do they cope? Do they think they’re a victim or a survivor? So many books that explore the effects of sexual assault portray the person who experiences it as either a victim hiding from the world in a corner or someone who’s taking on the world and has no residual physical or psychological impacts in their life.
The character in The Vanishing Season who’s been sexually assaulted was irrevocably changed by their experiences and is a wonderful mix of strength and vulnerability. They’ve overcome so much but there are still physical reminders on their body and in their home that speak to the pain they carry with them. They’re at a point in their life where they’ve worked so hard to no longer be the victim yet they still feel the need to hide. I loved the dichotomies and the implication that healing from sexual assault isn’t a one size fits all process.
If I were to nitpick I’d tell you that I wanted more details of the Big Bad’s background. It’s not as though we don’t know some pivotal moments in their life that help set their particular brand of crazy in motion and we’re given access to the twisted way they think, but I wanted more. To be fair, I have an obsession interest in what causes people with similar genetic and environmental factors to take drastically different paths in life, so my need to know more says more about me than it does about this book. I was also left wanting to know what happens to Anna after the book finished.
And now for your chance to laugh at and with me, I’ll tell you my favourite How Stupid Am I moment I encountered while reading. Initially when I read the town’s name I got Woodbury confused with Woodsboro and for a while I was thinking of how funny it would be if there was a cameo of some random person in a Scream mask running through a scene. 🤪
I love debut novels but I often wind up disappointed by a feeling of knowing how good a book could have been if only that brilliant idea had the execution you usually only expect with experience. Joanna’s debut had the excitement of a first time author’s passion but was written with the character development, story arc, backstories, delightful twists and sucked into a reading black hole ability I only expect of the greats once they’ve found their feet. There were some sentences where the imagery made it feel like I was reading poetry.
I don’t even know Joanna yet I feel proud of her for writing such an impressive debut. If this is what she can accomplish with a first novel I can only imagine how much fun it’s going to be to read her future novels. If anyone has any spare stars I’d love to borrow some because ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ aren’t enough.
Thank you to NetGalley, Minotaur Books and St. Martin’s Press for ✨ granting my wish ✨ and giving me this opportunity to read this book. I don’t know if I can wait for the next Ellery/Reed/Bump book to be released. I’ve found a new author whose books will be added to my to be read list sight unseen.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Once Upon a Blurb
Ellery Hathaway knows a thing or two about serial killers, but not through her police training. She’s an officer in sleepy Woodbury, MA, where a bicycle theft still makes the newspapers. No one there knows she was once victim number seventeen in the grisly story of serial killer Francis Michael Coben. The only victim who lived.
When three people disappear from her town in three years, all around her birthday – the day she was kidnapped so long ago – Ellery fears someone knows her secret. Someone very dangerous. Her superiors dismiss her concerns, but Ellery knows the vanishing season is coming and anyone could be next. She contacts the one man she knows will believe her: the FBI agent who saved her from a killer’s closet all those years ago.
Agent Reed Markham made his name and fame on the back of the Coben case, but his fortunes have since turned. His marriage is in shambles, his bosses think he’s washed up, and worst of all, he blew a major investigation. When Ellery calls him, he can’t help but wonder: sure, he rescued her, but was she ever truly saved? His greatest triumph is Ellery’s waking nightmare, and now both of them are about to be sucked into the past, back to the case that made them … with a killer who can’t let go.
Fun, fun, fun! Kelvin is the new kid at his school, 56,000 light years from Earth. His parents are supergeniuses. His father works in robotics and his mother’s a neuroscientist. With two supergeniuses as parents, then Kelvin must be a Mighty Mega Supergenius, right?
Kelvin’s new friends at Sci-Fi Junior High are:
Spotch, the first friend Kelvin makes
Rand-El, the only person on his planet who needs to wear glasses – on his six eyes
Gil Lagoonie, who attends school in a portable fish bowl
Zot Totzie, who’s happy and positive all the time
Grimnee, who doesn’t like bullies
Brian Stem, the most intelligent kid at school, except for when he’s stressed and his brain shrinks
Mippett, another new kid who doesn’t talk.
With robots, an evil bunny, spaceships, a super secret project, a father who says, “Har” at the end of his jokes (that may be the only clue he told one) and tea parties, there’s no time to look away from this book. Part novel and part graphic novel, the story is pure entertainment and the illustrations are amazing!
I loved the use of illustrations of the head of the person who’s talking next to the words they’re saying. I can’t remember having seen this technique used before and it worked so well with this story. With so much dialogue, the reader isn’t bogged down with, “He/She said” all the time. A quick glance over the page and you know immediately who’s involved in the conversation.
The diversity of friendships was fantastic. Each friend was from a different planet and they all worked together as a team when they needed to and had fun together. Bullying was explored as was having the courage to be who you are, not who people expect you to be. I loved the message of acceptance in this book.
Overall it was a quick but super fun read and before I’d even finished the book I was on Goodreads looking for when the sequel is due to be released. While this is marketed as a kid’s book, adults will enjoy it just as much. This is one of those books I’d try reluctant readers with as there aren’t any boring bits, there are plenty of quirky illustrations to break up the text and there’s space travel, aliens and a baddie who tries really hard to take over the universe.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Once Upon a Blurb
Kelvin Klosmo isn’t just the new kid at school – he’s the new kid in the galaxy! Welcome to Sci-Fi Junior High: an inter-galactic space station with students of all shapes, sizes, smells, and … slime content. As the son of Earth’s two most famous geniuses, Kelvin isn’t just the smartest kid in the world … .he’s the smartest kid in the UNIVERSE. At least, that’s what everybody at Sci-Fi Junior High thinks.
So, maybe Kelvin lied a little about being a genius to fit in. And maybe a mad scientist is about to take over the universe unless Kelvin can stop him. Maybe everyone is doomed.
Well, at least Kelvin won’t have to worry about math homework anymore.
Sci-Fi Junior High is an out-of-this-world story about friendship, accepting our differences, and the fight against evil … bunnies. Yes, evil bunnies – don’t ask.
Jasper is a big rabbit now, so green underwear that glows shouldn’t scare him. Even though he’s most certainly not scared of them, he’s done with them now. But they’re not done with Jasper. This picture book had an R.L. Stine / Paul Jennings sort of vibe to it.
The illustrations, mostly black and white but with a Halloween green glow to add to the spook factor, were brilliant! Who knew underwear had so many expressions?! And where can I put my order in for some?
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Once Upon a Blurb
Jasper Rabbit is NOT a little bunny anymore. He’s not afraid of the dark, and he’s definitely not afraid of something as silly as underwear. But when the lights go out, suddenly his new big rabbit underwear glows in the dark. A ghoulish, greenish glow. If Jasper didn’t know any better he’d say his undies were a little, well, creepy. Jasper’s not scared obviously, he’s just done with creepy underwear. But after trying everything to get rid of them, they keep coming back!
David Litchfield’s illustrations are so beautiful. The first page was probably my favourite. We’re in a forest with so much atmosphere you can almost feel it. There’s darkness with rays of light shining through the trees. There’s a gorgeous tree with a door to Mouse and Bear’s home, with stones leading to it and there are scattered flowers in the area, concentrated around the bottom of the page. Vines wrap themselves around tree branches and it looks like there’s some moss covering the bottom of the tree where our friends live. We’re introduced to our characters as they’re walking, backs to the reader, up the steps to their home. The rest of the illustrations show just as much talent but none took my breath away like the first.
So, there was also a story and it’s adorable. Mouse wants to go to the Moon so he studies and then makes a Moon Map. When he’s finished he sets off on his adventure – alone, because he can do it himself – but then he discovers that the forest can be very dark when you’re by yourself. This is a lovely friendship story and Bear’s catchphrase, “But I’ve got you, and you’ve got me – so we’ll be all right.”, which is repeated throughout the story says it all.
Adults, pay attention to the names of the reference books Mouse uses and you may find one by Stephen Pawkins. 😊 Also to the adults, in this book a map that you presume is made from paper can turn into a boat that holds both characters and not sink, and it’s okay. It’s only a story. You’ll be fine. Go with it and enjoy the ride. Ooh, and there’s even instructions for how to make your own paper boat.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Once Upon a Blurb
One day, adventurous Mouse sets off to find the moon with his Marvellous Moon Map, leaving his worried friend Bear behind. But as the Woods get darker, and the weather gets worse, Mouse soon realises that he needs more than just the Moon Map to find his way …
An emotional and atmospheric tale of true friendship, beautifully told by Teresa Heapy with stunning illustrations from Waterstones Prizewinning David Litchfield
I love this series! I stumbled across them after a bunch had already been released and I binge-read them, then encouraged my mother to do the same. Now each time a new one shows up in my library’s acquisitions list, I jump right in there and push the kids out of the way to get my hands on it first. Sorry, kiddies!
This one was even better than the rest for me because, well, Halloween. 👻🎃🦇
Not only do we get to check out Weir and Henry’s Halloween costumes throughout the years, we also enjoy Bella and Weir’s rummage in the garage to find stuff that can be transformed into this year’s costume. With some trick or treating, a missing pet, haunted house and the impending tragedy of the Do family needing to move house, there’s plenty to keep your attention. And did I mention the terrible Dad jokes?
Every book in this series is so much fun to read and I love Jules Faber’s illustrations. They really bring the characters to life. I am already looking forward to WeirDo #10!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Once Upon a Blurb
Halloween’s coming up, and Bella and Weir are busy working on their costumes. But everything will be turned upside-down when Weir Do finds out his family is moving away!
Before I begin, please be warned that there are potential sexual assault triggers in this book and possibly this review. If you have a #MeToo story, whether you’ve shared it or not, whether it happened yesterday or decades ago, you are stronger than you think you are and healing is possible.
#MeToo – Essays About How and Why This Happened, What it Means and How to Make Sure it Never Happens Again delivers what it promises. While I personally connected with some essays more than others, overall this book does a really good job of shedding a light on this … I don’t want to call it a movement because that implies an ending. Perhaps cultural shift is a more hopeful term?
Some of the essays were political and others were heart wrenching accounts of experiences people have survived. Written by males and females, some who’ve experienced sexual assault and some who haven’t, I appreciated the different viewpoints and the opportunity to consider opinions that differed from my own.
I think my personal favourite was the first essay, where I learned of Patricia Douglas, who in 1937 was the first woman to “publicly call out the studios”. We’ve been inundated with news items of men and women silenced for so long bravely coming forward and telling their #MeToo stories. Knowing how difficult this is for survivors today I can only imagine the courage it must have taken for Patricia Douglas to speak of this in 1937. That is one extraordinary woman!
I could go into detail about the contents of each essay, what I liked, what irritated me, what encouraged me to want to do more in this area, but what I’d really like is for you to read it yourself. Riverdale Avenue Books has committed to making this ebook available to download FOR FREE across platforms and are selling the paperback at cost, so they’re not making money from this project.
While you’re reading, please be safe if there are likely to be triggers for you and reach out for support if you need to, but also:
Think about the issues (painful as they are).
Consider what you personally have the power to do to make sure we’re not talking about this time in history as a movement that could have been the catalyst for lasting change, if only …
One of the things I love about #MeToo is that people who have been living in silence are finding their voices. Survivors are finding the support they deserve and I hope they’re accessing services that can help them navigate healing.
I could tell you my #MeToo story but I think I’ll give you a lesson in your response when someone tells you their #Metoo story. Believe me when I say that your response, especially if you’re the first person they’ve told, can make all the difference.
Now, some of these are outrageous in their insensitivity whereas others are more subtly damaging but I’ve heard every one. Please don’t say any of these to a survivor.
“What did you do to make him think he could?” – a friend
“What were you wearing?” – a friend
“He was only being affectionate.” – his wife
“How many seconds/minutes did it happen for?” – teacher in charge of student welfare, said in the context of if it didn’t last long enough it didn’t count
“He told me what happened and he said that he didn’t mean to. It was an accident.” – his wife
“Did you enjoy having sex with him? Is that why you didn’t tell earlier?” – a friend’s mother who worked as a nurse who primarily cared for abused children
“Are you sure he did that?” – a friend
“It couldn’t have possibly happened the way you described.” – the detective investigating my case
“He told us what you said about him. You embarrassed us and we didn’t know what to say. He was really quite mad about it.” – friends
“Are you sure it was him? Maybe it was someone else and you’re only saying it was him because you don’t want to tell me who it really was.” – teacher in charge of student welfare
“You’re saying it happened the second time you saw him? That never happens! Why didn’t he do it the first time you met?” – the detective investigating my case
“You can’t tell your friends about this. They’re not old enough to be able to handle it.” – teacher in charge of student welfare
“The Royal Commission is unable to investigate individual matters.” – Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
“He’s going through a difficult divorce, he’s an alcoholic and he has two children, one a girl a few years older than you. This would make his life even more difficult.” – teacher in charge of student welfare, who thought if I felt sorry for her friend I’d shut up
“I can’t see you anymore. I can’t talk to you about any assault other than the one you were referred to us for.” – sexual assault counsellor
“You’re the only one who’s made a complaint about him so far. Unless someone else makes a complaint there’s nothing we can do.” – the detective investigating my case
It’s pretty complicated coming up with dodgy reasons to shut someone up, isn’t it? Want to know what you can say that will help someone who has trusted you with their #MeToo story?
I believe you
It was not your fault
You are not alone
Simple, huh?!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Riverdale Avenue Books for the opportunity to read this book.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Once Upon a Blurb
More than 16 million people had posted their #MeToo story and support against sexual harassment by mid-October as a reaction to Rose McGowan’s brave admission that she had allegedly been raped by Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein. A groundswell of reaction to and exposure of this sexual predation was unleashed that has spread throughout Europe and beyond. New revelations of unacceptable behavior in every industry break every day as people come forward in response to the viral #MeToo posts. Protests are scheduled such as the “Take back the Workplace” Hollywood march in November of 2017, and legislation is being drafted in New York and California to finally change the way things have been for far too long.
This is the turning point. Things are going to change.
This is a historic moment and it needs to be memorialised, passed around and passed on. Although social media is a fantastic means of igniting a fire, it needs to keep burning, like a torch.
So Riverdale Avenue Books, a woman-owned leading hybrid publisher, is putting its money, words and power, behind this and publishing this collection of 26 essays from people who understand want to make this change, and we, as a society, have got to figure out a way to drive that change forward.
So pass this book around. Share it with your sons, brothers, fathers, your daughters, sisters and mothers, your co-workers and friends. Read passages to them, if they won’t read it for themselves. Leave it on the desk of someone who should know better.
You know all of that Harry Potter memorabilia you desperately want need but will never have enough Galleons for? For those of us who barely have two Knuts to rub together, this is the book to drool over while you’re feeling sorry for yourself for not having generous millionaire family members. In it you’ll find the wish list of your dreams, some of which would set you back more than what you paid for your car and others, your house. If anyone’s feeling generous, I wouldn’t reject your offer of gifting me one of J.K.’s hand-written and illustrated copies of The Tales of Beedle the Bard.
Eric Bradley’s book takes you on a journey through such treasures as first edition signed books, movie posters, movie props, Harry Pottery (including the chair J.K. sat in while she wrote the first two books and original artwork), Harry Potter merchandise, limited edition collectibles, fandom (including a themed wedding and tattoos), and Potter-inspired collectibles.
You’ll read details and see photos of items that have sold at auction as well as those which have not been made available for sale and are used in exhibitions. For most of us this book will be as close as we get to most of these coveted items. I particularly enjoyed reading about other fans and what this series means to them.
Disclaimer: Tissues for cleaning up your drool are sold separately.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Krause Publications and F+W Media for the opportunity to read this book.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Once Upon a Blurb
A legacy of magical treasures!
Since 1997 with the publication of the first book, Harry Potter has cast a spell over millions of Muggles around the world – not the least of all bewitched collectors. Harry Potter: The Unofficial Guide to the Collectibles of Our Favourite Wizard conjures rare, extraordinary and magical treasures sprung from the Potter books and movies, and even the imaginations of fans. In its enchantingly visual pages, you’ll discover delightful riches including author J.K. Rowling’s writing chair that sold at auction for almost $400,000, first-edition books, original art, movie posters, film props, exclusives, limited-edition items, fun fandom pieces, and other wonders to behold.
So with a whisper of “accio” and a flick of your wand, summon forth the fascinating, the fantastical and the fabulous found in Harry Potter: The Unofficial Guide to the Collectibles of Our Favourite Wizard.
I’m really enjoying the bite sized chunks (sorry!) of information in this Inside Out series. This book provides interesting facts about sharks’ skeletal system, cardiopulmonary system, reproductive system, digestive system, liver, sensory/nervous system, muscular system, and dermal system.
Did you know that the disks in a shark’s vertebrae have growth rings? You can tell the age of a shark by counting the rings, just like you can with trees.
“Female blue sharks can have litters as large as 135 pups!”
Some of the more interesting items found in the stomachs of captured sharks include a cuckoo clock and a suit of armour.
Ever since Jaws taught me to be afraid to go back into the water I’ve been fascinated by sharks, especially Great Whites. Hey, did you know Great Whites can live 70 or more years? When I first saw Jaws he was the most terrifying thing I could imagine. After watching my mate Bruce rip people to pieces I was convinced he had the power to come out of the shower head in pieces and magically reform before my eyes before he ate me while I showered. I was under 7 at the time and had a marvellously detailed imagination.
Like the Egyptian Mummy book I’ve already read in this series I loved the layout of the pages, with a nice balance of text, illustrations and photos. I also personally appreciated the pronunciation help with more difficult words such as “elasmobranchs (i-LAZ-muh-branks)”, the group of fish sharks belong to.
While my journey through this book wasn’t in 3-D as I received a digital copy, I can imagine how much fun a kid in my life would have learning about sharks while playing with the interactive die-cut model, if they managed to pry it out of my hands first. I would have loved using this as a resource for a school project or reading it for my own enjoyment. While aimed at kids aged 8 and above, adults will also enjoy learning more about these awesome creatures.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – becker&mayer! kids for the opportunity to read this book.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Once Upon a Blurb
Journey inside a shark and live to tell the tale! With Inside Out: Shark, you’ll take a three-dimensional tour through a different sharks to learn about the unique bodies of these eating machines!
Sharks are some of nature’s largest and most ancient creatures on the planet. This is your chance to learn how they move, how they work, and tons of facts about how they live. Inside Out Sharks brings you all of this information and a whole lot more!
Why are shark eggs called “mermaid purses”? What in the world are “skin-teeth”? Do sharks deserve the nickname “man-eater”? Find the answers to these questions and more in this action-packed book, which dives deep under the surface to explore the world of these astounding animals.
From the eerie goblin shark to the wide-eyed hammerhead to the most feared shark of them all, the great white, see the world from a shark’s-eye-view – and get an in-depth look at these most mysterious and misunderstood predators.
A beautiful poetic story with absolutely stunning illustrations.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Once Upon a Blurb
Sarah Brennan’s words are captivating; with their rhyme, rhythm and descriptive detail. For such a simple story of three sisters who come across a whale stranded on the beach, Brennan manages to capture the impact we are able to have on the environment and nature, including the perseverance and commitment required to care for and protect our planet.
The story begins with a dreary feel, a cold day on the beach and a hard day ahead. After working together and dedicating their day to the stranded whale, the sisters are left deflated as they return home to bed; only to wake to a day of success and sunshine. An important message for children to not give up in their determination for a peaceful and friendly world for all living things.
Schizanthus Nerd 