Tag: 5 stars

Frozen Charlotte #2: Charlotte Says – Alex Bell

Suspend all disbelief and take a ride back to the early 1900’s where we meet Jemima, a 17 year old girl who takes a position as assistant mistress at Dunvegan School for Girls, an industrial school for girls who haven’t committed crimes but have nowhere else to go, located on the Isle of Skye. Jemima herself is desperately trying to escape her tragic past at Whiteladies. So, no happy family stories here.

After spending some time on the Isle of Skye at the beginning of 1910 setting up the story we then travel seamlessly back and forth between there and Whiteladies where we gradually learn more about the past 18 months, Jemima’s past and reasons she wants to start over. Jemima was an interesting, complex character who longed to be the girl she was before Whiteladies yet knowing her physical and emotional scarring had changed her irrevocably.

Jemima begins work for Miss Grayson, the evil woman who should be fitted with a device that gives her an electric shock when she gets within 200 metres of a child, otherwise known in this story as the schoolmistress. This is a school where little things like light in the form of candles are rationed and punishments are doled out in abundance and recorded for posterity in The Punishment Book. Punishments may include wearing the imbecile’s cap while sitting in the stupid corner, being made to go without meals and heating, and being sent to Solitary where you may well freeze to death.

Needless to say, Miss Grayson wasn’t exactly my favourite character and throughout the book I determined her appropriate punishment would be for me to lock her in Solitary to enjoy some quality time with Annabelle, who I would have previously arranged to loan indefinitely from Lorraine and Ed Warren. While on the subject of punishments, I think Redwing may have benefited from a new friendship with Chucky.

Now that you know which characters’ names and offences should be inked into The Punishment Book for perpetuity, allow me tell you about my favourite character, Estella. Besides having the coolest name of anyone in the book which translates appropriately as star, Estella is a strong willed little girl who, despite having a history of not being believed no matter what she says, defiantly tells her truth regardless of the consequences. And believe me, for Estella there are always consequences. I definitely had a soft spot for her and would’ve adopted her in a heartbeat.

Henry was going to be my second favourite character as he was so sweet and loyal and loving, but he ended up annoying me because no one is that perfect. So, my actual second favourite character/s? The super creepy evil dolls, all named Frozen Charlotte with the exception of the lone male known as Frozen Charlie. Interestingly enough I don’t remember Charlie being psychotic but the poor guy was surrounded by some seriously unbalanced female dolls.

If you’re like me, by the halfway point, reading “Charlotte says…” will fill you with equal parts dread and morbidly fascinated anticipation that mirrors hearing Chucky’s “Wanna play?”. I loved the supernatural aspects of this book, dabbling in mediumship, automatic writing, séances, ghosts, possession and, of course, creepy dolls. I enjoyed the slow reveal of Jemima’s past and the reason why she doesn’t remember what happened the night of the fire at Whiteladies.

I spent a lot of the middle of the book arguing with myself about Jemima’s actions and lack of action – “Why doesn’t she just – she’s only 17. She’s just a kid! But couldn’t she just – remember her past. But what if she told – I told you! She’s a traumatised 17 year old! Just shut up and enjoy the book!”

I don’t usually find books creepy these days. I’ll get to the end and think to myself, ‘You think that’s scary? Come and sleep a night in my nightmares!’ Yet Charlotte Says was delightfully creepy, best read at night when the house is silent and you can hear the creaks from the house settling and the wind rustling through the trees. This book comes with a fairly significant death toll and some really disturbing and detailed descriptions of actual and fantasised about violence against animals.

I’m not usually that into books that linger in the early 20th century. Sure, I’m happy to time travel there on my way to another time period, but Alex Bell is such a talented writer that I would have happily signed up to stay longer on the Isle of Skye reading by rationed greasy, stinky, animal fat candlelight.

Having not read Frozen Charlotte first like I probably should have as it got buried under my towering TBR pile and temporarily forgotten about until I heard about Charlotte Says, I now have the excitement of knowing I get to read about what happens next with the benefit of knowing the backstory. I can’t wait!

Thank you to NetGalley, Little Tiger Group, Stripes Publishing, and a special thank you to Charlie for the opportunity to read this book. “Charlotte says you need to read this book!”

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Once Upon a Blurb

The much-anticipated prequel to the bestselling Frozen Charlotte, a Zoella Book Club title in Autumn 2016. 

Following the death of her mother in a terrible fire, Jemima flees to the remote Isle of Skye, to take up a job at a school for girls. There she finds herself tormented by the mystery of what really happened that night.

Then Jemima receives a box of Frozen Charlotte dolls from a mystery sender and she begins to remember – a séance with the dolls, a violent argument with her step-father and the inferno that destroyed their home. And when it seems that the dolls are triggering a series of accidents at the school, Jemima realizes she must stop the demonic spirits possessing the dolls – whatever it takes.

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Quiet Girl in a Noisy World: An Introvert’s Story – Debbie Tung

Introverts of the world unite! In your home … on your couch or in bed … alone … Just the way we like it!

Debbie Tung has done a brilliant job of turning my biography into a graphic novel. Sure, she got my name wrong and I’m not married to a wonderful extrovert called Jason, but she got everything else spot on so who am I to quibble? Okay, so maybe Quiet Girl in a Noisy World wasn’t written with me specifically in mind, but it could have been! Debbie has totally nailed what being an introvert looks and feels like.

In this graphic novel, we follow Debbie through her final year of college, meeting and marrying an extrovert, navigating the workplace and surviving the nightmare of social interactions, often by using her husband as a social shield. From experiencing doubt about who she is and feeling different from the extroverts surrounding her who thrive on small talk, we see Debbie’s transformation upon learning there’s a word that describes her – introvert. Upon learning more about her tribe, Debbie learns to accept herself as she is and begins to embrace her dreams and passions rather than trying to fit into the extrovert shaped box she’s been struggling to fill.

In a world that seems to be filled with extroverts (probably because all of the introverts are at home or in hiding) introverts outside of their natural habitat can be made to feel like they’re from another planet when forced to interact with more than one person at a time and from another galaxy if even one of those people are a stranger. A stranger in the Dictionary of Introverts could be defined as ‘a person who isn’t a family member, partner or closest friend’.

Debbie is a very talented illustrator and captures the worldview of introverts so well that there will be people safely tucked away in their homes quietly murmuring, “Me, too” as they wander with hope through this graphic novel. I loved that you can just as easily enjoy this book in snippets as you can reading from cover to cover. I adored the use of a battery percentage above Debbie’s head showing how long she has to go before she needs a recharge. Should extroverts want to discover why we introverts act so weird in social situations (and let’s face it, we do!) this is the perfect way to find out because we’ll most likely be too shy to tell you face to face.

Through the wonder of internet anonymity, those who have read a couple of my book reviews most likely already know me better than some people who have been in my life for decades. I know the pain of feeling alone in a roomful of people who are happily making small talk and the comfort of not feeling lonely at all when I get to recharge by myself. My fellow introverts and I must have forgotten to register for Small Talk 101.

If you don’t know me you could be forgiven for wondering if I was born without a voice box. If you’ve managed to find your way through the labyrinth and cracked the code at the end to become a trusted friend then you may wonder if I’ll ever shut up! I guess that’s just one of the many paradoxes of introversion.

Thank you very much to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the opportunity to read this graphic novel. I love it so much and will be rereading it whenever I need to remind myself that being an introvert can be a strength, not a character flaw.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Once Upon a Blurb

Sweet, funny, and quietly poignant, Debbie Tung’s comics reveal the ups and downs of coming of age as an introvert.

This illustrated gift book of short comics illuminates author Debbie Tung’s experience as an introvert in an extrovert’s world. Presented in a loose narrative style that can be read front to back or dipped into at one’s leisure, the book spans three years of Debbie’s life, from the end of college to the present day. In these early years of adulthood, Debbie slowly but finally discovers there is a name for her lifelong need to be alone: she’s an introvert.

The first half of the book traces Debbie’s final year in college: socializing with peers, dating, falling in love (with an extrovert!), moving in, getting married, meeting new people, and simply trying to fit in. The second half looks at her life after graduation: finding a job, learning to live with her new husband, trying to understand social obligations when it comes to the in-laws, and navigating office life. Ultimately, Quiet Girl sends a positive, pro-introvert message: our heroine learns to embrace her introversion and finds ways to thrive in the world while fulfilling her need for quiet. 

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The Monster at Recess – Shira C. Potter

The Monster at Recess has an inviting bright and cheerful cover featuring a cute, diverse assortment of monsters that capture your imagination before you even read the blurb. Shira C. Potter has written an uplifting book that will resonate with young girls, especially those who don’t feel like they belong.

Sophie attends Grey Stone Day School. The monsters at Monstamasta Day School share the same playground as the students at Sophie’s school but have recess at a different time, as girls at Grey Stone aren’t supposed to talk to the monsters. Sophie’s school is filled with drab grey and black, and she’s envious of the various monster colours.

Sophie doesn’t fit in at her school, even after she convinces her mother to dye her naturally red hair brown to match the other girls. She is bullied, ignored and gossiped about. When Sophie meets Zaragilda, a purplish pink monster with red stars on her face, she finds a new friend and discovers that being different isn’t so bad after all.

The messages about making judgements about other people based on their looks and reputation, the constraints of conformity versus the freedom of being yourself, the damaging effects on self esteem of bullying, and having the courage to go against the grain are vital and made clear to the reader.

I appreciated the positivity and hope found in this book, and the encouragement to be yourself. One of my favourite things about this book was learning that it was the bullies who were the real monsters, not the colourful monsters the girls were taught to fear. I want this book to find its way into homes, libraries and schools, and into the hands of lots of young girls, particularly those who have experienced bullying or feel different from their peers.

Thank you very much to NetGalley and Independent Book Publishers Association for the opportunity to read this book.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Once Upon a Blurb

Meet misfit Sophie, too used to bullies at Grey Stone Day School. Her classmates Julia and Molly tease her to no end and her teacher, Mrs. Cook ignores the bullying.

The playground at Grey Stone has a special secret though: it’s shared with the students of a monster school!

Craving acceptance and diversity, and trying to defeat her feelings of fear towards these strange and colourful monsters, Sophie bravely steps into the unknown and meets a little monster at recess – and makes her first friend. Through her friendship with the monster, she develops stronger feelings of self-confidence and self-esteem. In addition, she learns to stand tall and to appreciate differences and she discovers that sometimes you really can turn lemons into lemonade.

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Laser Moose and Rabbit Boy #2: Disco Fever – Doug Savage

Laser Moose and Rabbit Boy: Disco Fever. Huh? Having never heard of Savage Chickens or Doug Savage before, I had to rely solely on my intrigue at the strange illustration on the cover in my decision to take a chance on this graphic novel. I am so glad I did! Although this book’s target audience is kids, don’t let that fool you! Adults will get as much, if not more, joy from this book as their kids.

Whenever the cute but obviously evil chickadee is around, bad things happen. Laser Moose, protector of the forest who shoots lasers from his eyes, and Rabbit Boy, his dancing sidekick, are on the case. Cyborgupine, Laser Moose’s cyborg-porcupine nemesis, makes use of a truckload of disco balls to attempt to defeat Laser Moose once and for all. Can Laser Moose still be a hero if he can’t use his lasers?

With Gus (a vegetarian wolf), Frank (a deer), squirrels, a fish, an eagle and a spider along for the ride, I couldn’t choose a favourite character. I liked them all! I even noticed a cameo appearance by Mechasquirrel from the first Laser Moose and Rabbit Boy book.

Doug Savage’s illustrations had me happily making a fool of myself by randomly bursting into laughter throughout the book. I particularly loved the chain reactions that evil chickadee caused. This graphic novel is the perfect example of a picture painting a thousand words. The details are important in Doug’s pictures and if you pay attention to what’s happening in the entire scene you’ll be rewarded. Something small and seemingly insignificant at the beginning of the story may well come back into play later.

As soon as I finished reading I searched for more graphic novels by Doug Savage. I found the first of this series along with plenty of Savage Chickens offerings available on my library’s digital comic book and graphic novel app. (What would I do without libraries?!) Needless to say, every single one has been downloaded ready for my amusement. Incidentally, as I’ve recently discovered my love for this publisher, I also downloaded as many Andrews McMeel Publishing titles as I had space to store and plan to go back for more once I’ve devoured this lot.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the opportunity to read this graphic novel.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Reread 23 September 2019

Following on from my reread of Laser Moose and Rabbit Boy I’m revisiting the one that started it all for me – Disco Fever!

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Laser Moose and Rabbit Boy’s new adventures begin with a Disco Avalanche. Laser Moose has been tracking a new evil in the forest, a really cute chickadee.

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It’s a good thing Laser Moose is so suspicious because that sweet little bird manages to set off a chain reaction that results in this!

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Poor Frank encounters another one of Laser Moose’s errant laser beams so it’s time for yet another visit to the Doc.

We learn that Mechasquirrel has been working on an evil nemesis type plan for the past two months in A Moose Without Lasers. Meanwhile, Laser Moose and Rabbit Boy are still debating whether that chickadee is a super villain or not.

In Disco Fever Mechasquirrel decides to involve other forest animals in his ongoing battle with Laser Moose by taking hostages. Poor Frank! Laser Moose and Rabbit Boy have a plan, or at least the beginning of one.

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I loved this graphic novel just as much as I did during my first read! I think I appreciated all of the chain reactions and background details even more during my reread and I smiled the entire time. I’m almost positive this is going to remain my favourite Laser Moose and Rabbit Boy read.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Once Upon a Blurb

Laser Moose and Rabbit Boy face a familiar foe, a terrifying new enemy, and the frightening possibility that lasers can’t solve everything in their biggest and most dangerous adventure yet.

An accident (involving a pine cone, a fish, and a truck delivering disco supplies) triggers a series of events that leads to the ultimate confrontation between Laser Moose and his nemesis Cyborgupine. And it’s a fight that Laser Moose can’t win with lasers. Especially when faced with a malevolent new enemy: a cute little chickadee.

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Feeling Worried – Kay Barnham

Illustrations – Mike Gordon

Feeling Worried is a great little picture book aimed at children from 5 to 9 years and is part of the Everyday Feelings series.

Ava helps her brother understand his maths homework that he’s been worried about all week. She advises her friend Bahar to talk to her parents because she’s worried about her parents’ divorce and which parent she’ll be living with when they separate. Ava helps the new girl at school, Mila, overcome her worry about having a different accent than the other kids in their school. Now Ava is worried about going to the dentist tomorrow. Will she ask anyone for help with her worry or keep it to herself? Can she overcome her worry?

Kay Barnham has done a great job of making a scary feeling not so scary. The message is clear in the different scenarios in the book that when you’re worried it can help if you talk to someone about it. There’s the sense in reading this book that having worries are understandable and there’s no judgement attached to them. There’s also positivity shining through the book, with the constant hope that things will be okay. Feeling Worried would make a great starting point for discussions with children about what worries them personally.

There’s a section at the back of the book with suggestions for other books relating to this topic along with a very useful section for parents and teachers. This section provides ideas for the adult to make the book interactive with the child or children they’re reading it to, with questions and activities aimed at exploring worry more.

Mike Gordon’s illustrations are also easy to ‘read’. The expressions on the faces of the people make it clear when someone is worried and when they feel better and the pictures line up well with what’s happening in the story. There’s a softness to the colours used, along with some brighter areas, that make the images calming to look at. I loved the style of the illustrations. There was a quirkiness to the pictures that really appealed to me, particularly the expression on the cat’s face and the tooth picture on the wall in the dentist’s office. The illustrations in this book remind me of Quentin Blake’s style, but in colour.

I can see this book being used for bedtime reading and also at libraries, schools and childcare centres. While I haven’t read any others in the series I would anticipate that this book along with the other books about being angry, jealous, sad, scared and shy would make a great set to help teach children to identify and deal appropriately with their feelings.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Free Spirit Publishing for the opportunity to read this book.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Once Upon a Blurb

Anna is there to help her friends and her little brother with their worries, showing them how to talk it out, ask for support, and face new challenges. When she faces a visit to the dentist, though, Anna feels what it’s like to be worried herself. Will she take her own advice and help herself not worry?

Everyday Feelings Series: Young children face many strong feelings, some of which can be difficult to handle. This series uses humour and compassion to show children how to help others — and themselves — feel better when dealing with challenging emotions. Lively art illustrates the stories with charm and energy. At the end of each book, a special section for adults presents ideas for helping children deal with feelings in healthy ways, as well as a list of recommended books for further reading. Also available is a free downloadable leader’s guide for this series with additional information, discussion questions, and activities.

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Lighter Than My Shadow – Katie Green

Katie’s troubles with food began when she was a young child hiding toast in her bedroom and throwing food away. After experiencing bullying Katie’s doubts about herself really take root, especially after she compares her body to others and thinks hers is out of proportion. She begins deliberately restricting her food intake, then becomes obsessed with nutrition and calorie counting. Her father takes her to see a doctor at 17 and in the doctor’s ‘wisdom’ she suggests Katie eat ice cream. Surprise, surprise … this is not the solution. I know! Shocking, huh?!

Finally Katie is taken to hospital where she’s diagnosed with anorexia nervosa. Her parents withdraw her from school so she can be monitored at all times and she begins to see a psychologist and a dietician. Katie then uses the same perfectionism that got her into trouble in the first place as she begins to work towards recovery. Her intense need for control ensures she feels like she needs to do everything she attempts perfectly to make her feel good enough, but of course that doesn’t help.

Katie is very honest about her struggle with food and about instances of sexual assault she later experiences. Her discussions with her therapist about her anorexia, binge eating and effects of sexual assault are difficult to read but so important. Those who have experienced any combination of these issues will see themselves in Katie’s experience of healing and those who haven’t experienced them will gain valuable insight into the thought processes that accompany such painful experiences. Katie’s experience, while it certainly highlights how difficult recovery is, tells us that recovery is indeed possible.

Katie’s illustrations in this graphic novel are fantastic. I loved how well the story came to life through the pictures alone. It was clear how all of the people were feeling in each panel and the depiction of Katie’s thoughts and illness hovering over her head worked perfectly for the story. I applaud Katie for her strength and courage in not only telling her story in the first place but in sharing it with the reader.

I personally appreciated all of the “me, too” moments I felt while reading, as if Katie was speaking directly to my experience in specific sections. There was also a very significant lightbulb moment for me that I expect will help me immensely once I’ve had a chance to process the magnitude of the revelation I received. While it’s not all about me (except when it is) I’d like to personally thank Katie if she ever comes across this review because her courage in telling her truth is causing a ripple effect in my life. Thank you, Katie! I’ll be revisiting this book whenever I’m looking for wisdom, strength and understanding.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Diamond Book Distributors for the opportunity to read this graphic novel.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Once Upon a Blurb

Like most kids, Katie was a picky eater. She’d sit at the table in silent protest, hide uneaten toast in her bedroom, listen to parental threats that she’d have to eat it for breakfast.

But in any life a set of circumstance can collide, and normal behavior might soon shade into something sinister, something deadly.

Lighter Than My Shadow is a hand-drawn story of struggle and recovery, a trip into the black heart of a taboo illness, an exposure of those who are so weak as to prey on the vulnerable, and an inspiration to anybody who believes in the human power to endure towards happiness.

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Rizzoli & Isles #12: I Know a Secret – Tess Gerritsen

I adore the Rizzoli & Isles TV show and have watched every episode at least once and sometimes about five times. I love the friendship between Jane and Maura. I love the stories about their families and the crime scenes they attend and the murders they solve. I love that I get to observe Maura doing the job that should have been mine.

I adore Rizzoli & Isles books even more. You’d think after 12 books, the whole Rizzoli & Isles things would be stale. I’m delighted to tell you it’s not! I’ve been waiting so long for this book and now begins the wait for Rizzoli & Isles book 13. After not being completely overjoyed by the last Tess book I read, Playing with Fire (please forgive me Tess), I was approaching I Know a Secret with some trepidation. However I needn’t have worried as this book instantly reminded me of the Tess whose writing I fell in love with, admittedly after I’d already fallen in love with her TV characters.

I don’t want to discuss the plot for fear of accidentally giving something away but I couldn’t wait to find out how it was all going to unravel. I’m pleased to report that I got some of the big reveal correct but I’m equally pleased that I was completely wrong about some of it too. I hate books where the ending is telegraphed from about page 6 but I’ve never encountered that problem with a Tess book.

The only person I know who’s about to read this book is my mother (also a huge Tess fan) but she’s got half a book to go before she starts this one and I may well explode before I get to discuss it with her and find out what she thought about the things that surprised me and what didn’t, and all the things I loved about this book.

So, here’s the information you need to remember. If I’m found as an icky, explodey jumble of splatter in the next couple of days, please tell Maura when she does my autopsy that I couldn’t hold in my excitement about this book any longer and accidentally detonated myself, and I’m very sorry about the mess.

Bring on book 13!

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Once Upon a Blurb

In the twelfth gripping novel featuring Jane Rizzoli and Maura Isles, the crime-solving duo — featured in the smash-hit TNT series Rizzoli & Isles — are faced with the gruesomely staged murder of a horror film producer.

The crime scene is unlike any that Detective Rizzoli and medical examiner Maura Isles have ever before encountered. The woman lies in apparently peaceful repose on her bed, and Maura finds no apparent cause of death, but there is no doubt the woman is indeed dead. The victim’s eyes have been removed and placed in the palm of her hand, a gesture that echoes the terrifying films she produces. Is a crazed movie fan reenacting scenes from those disturbing films?

When another victim is found, again with no apparent cause of death, again with a grotesquely staged crime scene, Jane and Maura realize the killer has widened his circle of targets. He’s chosen one particular woman for his next victim, and she knows he’s coming for her next. She’s the only one who can help Jane and Maura catch the killer.

But she knows a secret. And it’s a secret she’ll never tell. 

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Fish-Boy – Vanita Oelschlager

Illustrations – Mike Blanc

Fish-Boy is an Inuit folk tale told by Vanita Oelschlager. It’s a wonderful book in which the story of Fish-Boy is told to a young child by Teragloona, a wise old Inuit man. Fish-Boy is the origin story that explains why there are so many sea-parrots (Atlantic puffins) on the stony islands of the far north. This is a story of fathers and sons, kindness and rejection, hospitality to guests, friendship and some magic.

I loved the story and found the glossary very helpful and well written. The illustrations by Mike Blanc are what initially grabbed my interest in this book and are absolutely brilliant. I loved the people, the backgrounds, the use of colour, and the way they immerse you in the story.

I adore the tradition of teaching origin stories to each generation by the elders in so many Indigenous cultures. I’ve had a huge interest in learning about Indigenous cultures, their traditions and stories since I was a child. I had a computer program called 500 Nations with audio by Kevin Costner and I’d lose all concept of time as I explored the richness of cultures I knew nothing about. This book has really whet my appetite again and I want to learn more about the culture of the Inuit people.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Vanita Books for the opportunity to read this book. I hope to see more books retelling other Inuit folk tales by Vanita and Mike.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Once Upon a Blurb

The Arctic region of North America is a land of long days, icy cold, hardy people and peculiar creatures. The Inuit people there have made traditional use of remarkable folk tales to find truth and explain the mysteries of an astonishing world.

In Fish-Boy, An Inuit Folk Tale, Vanita Oelschlager retells a tale passed down by a wise old Inuit. It’s an origin story involving a little magic and a very odd boy with a large heart for friendship. On a journey with his new father, he must confront misfortune and the malice of cold hearted villagers. But he has a way … and a lesson for all in the virtues of kindness and hospitality. 

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This is What a Librarian Looks Like: A Celebration of Libraries, Communities, and Access to Information – Kyle Cassidy

I didn’t think I could have any more admiration for the work librarians do, but that was before I read this book. This Is What a Librarian Looks Like is a celebration of the unsung superheroes of the literary world. They are the keepers of knowledge, protectors of words, and walking and talking book recommending extraordinaires! I’m sure they get their superpowers from inhaling the smell of new books. They perform surgical procedures second to none repairing stories that have been loved to pieces. They know the secrets of how to reserve the upcoming bestseller before there’s a queue 50 deep waiting for it (and if you’re nice to them they may even share this coveted knowledge with you). They are the holders of the key to unlocking the universe, a library card, and they’ll give you one for free! Friends to book nerds everywhere, librarians are underappreciated paperback royalty.

This Is What a Librarian Looks Like is a fantastic book and should be required reading for any politician or government official who has any say in how much funding libraries receive. I’ve haunted libraries for as long as I can remember yet I still didn’t realise how integral libraries and librarians are to society. While this book’s focus is America its principles are universal. In a nutshell, libraries and librarians are awesome!! This book is chock full of photographs and quotes from librarians who work at various public, school, prison and hospital libraries across America, along with essays about the history of libraries and personal library experiences of authors including Neil Gaiman and George R.R. Martin.

My Mum was the one who introduced me to our local library (A.K.A. the most magical place on earth). I’d marvel at the selection of books on offer that I got to choose from, knowing that the next time we visited I’d get to do it all over again. Mum and I would visit the library not only for ‘just for the pleasure of reading’ books but also for help with school projects.

The librarians knew everything! Mum and I would tell them what my project was about and they’d lead us to wherever Mr Dewey called. They’d make personal recommendations about the best books for the topics I was looking for and even let me in to the special back room that held the super important local history archives and other curiosities that you could photocopy but could never, ever cross the seal. Oh, wait … that was Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, but I swear I felt important enough that I may as well have been holding the Holy Grail.

When I came across Roald Dahl’s Matilda I wanted to read all of the books in my local library but ended up in awe of her because there were just so many to choose from. Some of my all time favourites that I first discovered on a library shelf as a child have made their way to my own personal library as an adult. I loved my school libraries as well and became a library monitor in high school. Even when I wasn’t ‘on the job’ I could be found hanging out chatting to the school librarians during my lunch break. Not much has changed. Just ask my local librarians!

Decades later Mum and I once again haunt our local library together, but now my local library doesn’t just have books. Between us we borrow books, magazines, CD’s, and DVD’s, along with electronic books, audiobooks, music, magazines, comic books, movies and documentaries. My local library doesn’t even charge for reserving items from another branch and getting them sent to our Mother Ship branch, so I spend time every weekday scouring the new acquisitions and ordering everything Mum and/or I are interested in. There’s even the option to ask the library to buy something they don’t have in stock and I feel like a child at Christmas every time a librarian gives me an item I asked the library to purchase.

Now, I’m definitely not biased and I’m not one to boast, but my librarians are the best in the entire world! They’re so friendly and so helpful, and over the years have become friends I look forward to seeing and catching up with. I go to my library on certain days to see my favourite librarian and love hearing about their life, seeing their holiday photos, and of course hearing about what they’re reading. The best librarian in the world has recommended books to me she knows I’ll love, patiently explains when my brain decides it doesn’t want to understand something, has been a social worker to me when I’ve had bad news, is happy for me when I’m excited about something (like writing book reviews), and laughs with (and at?) me when I’m being weird, eccentric me.

Back to the book, I had too many favourite quotes to list but here are some that made the short list:

“The library was a safe place filled with thousands of potential life-changing friends who couldn’t talk to you, but would tell you a story nonetheless.” – Kyle Cassidy

“Libraries are the connective tissue of the community; connecting people with the resources they need and want in order to do, see, and be all they aspire.” – Brian Hart

“Libraries are very much like oysters; common, abundant, and seemingly ordinary. That is, until you find the endless beauty held within.” – Majed Khader

“Libraries are a safe space where you can challenge your views about life.” – Scott Nicholson

Thank you very much to NetGalley and Hachette Books for the opportunity to read this book. I love it!

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Once Upon a Blurb

In 2014, author and photographer Kyle Cassidy published a photo essay on Slate.com called “This is What A Librarian Looks Like,” a montage of portraits and a tribute to librarians. Since then, Cassidy has made it his mission to remind us of how essential librarians and libraries are to our communities. His subjects are men and women of all ages, backgrounds, and personal style-from pink hair and leather jackets to button-downs and blazers. In short, not necessarily what one thinks a librarian looks like. The nearly 220 librarians photographed also share their personal thoughts on what it means to be a librarian. This is What A Librarian Looks Like also includes original essay by some of our most beloved writers, journalists, and commentators including Neil Gaiman, George R.R. Martin, Nancy Pearl, Cory Doctorow, Paula Poundstone, Amanda Palmer, Peter Sagal, Jeff VanderMeer, John Scalzi, Sara Farizan, Amy Dickinson, and others. Cassidy also profiles a handful of especially influential librarians and libraries.

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Honey Moon #1: Dog Daze – Sofi Benitez

Illustrations – Becky Minor

When there’s a mystery, Honey Moon needs to solve it and she always goes where she’s needed. When Honey hears howling during a stormy night in Sleepy Hollow, the town where it’s Halloween all year round, she and her mother find a dog out in the storm. After looking after the dog for the night and christening her Stormy, they take her to the local animal shelter to give her the best chance at finding a forever home.

Through this experience Honey comes up with the idea for a dog walking business to keep busy during the holidays and earn some money. Along with her best friend Becky, the business begins and throughout the book there are adventures with runaway dogs, mud puddles, a competition with Honey’s arch nemesis, Clarice, and lots of fun along the way.

Honey and Becky make a new friend, Isabela, who lives in a foster home. Isabela volunteers at the dog shelter and empathises with the dogs because she’s also wanting to find her very own forever home.

The first in a new series and a companion to the Harry Moon series, young girls will really connect with Honey Moon. She’s quirky, is a loyal and trustworthy friend, and loves to have fun and help others. She wears her heart on her sleeve and is someone that you’d want your child to be friends with.

This book subtly teaches children so many valuable lessons and values including responsibility, honesty, bravery, generosity, empathy, resilience, helping others and being a good friend. Throughout the book you hope, right along with Honey, that Stormy and Isabela both find their own forever homes.

The illustrations by Becky Minor (based on the artwork of Christina Weidman) are perfect for the target audience. The use of an illustrated dog tag at the beginning of each chapter is a really cute but effective way of communicating something about the chapter’s contents.

I expect young girls to enjoy this book and want to continue reading about the new adventures Honey and her friends experience in subsequent books. I know I plan to continue reading the series. This book is both a fun read and a rewarding experience.

Thank you very much to NetGalley, Rabbit Publishers and Diamond Book Distributors for the opportunity to read this book.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Once Upon a Blurb

Wanting to start a business together to earn some spending money, Honey Moon and her friends have a magical idea. In the town where every day is Halloween night, Honey and friends start a dog–walking service called the Sleepy Hollow Howlers. But when the business becomes more than the girls can handle, dog–walking suddenly takes on a new leash and fur flies with disastrous and entertaining results. 

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