Wild and Tame Animals by Dahlov Ipcar

Wild And Tame Animals by Dahlov Ipcar
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A long, long time ago all animals were wild

The concept of teaching kids that all animals were once wild but now some of them are tame and how the help "man" is an educational and enlightening one.

I don't know if it is the wording, being an older book, or if it just me but I couldn't help but feel that this book seemed to radiate with "man conquered these animals and put them to work." Which really how it was, but I was hoping for more compassion woven into the pages. Though it is mentioned only a couple times, I wish there was more on how much we love and how well most of us treat our tame animals(our pets).

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Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult

Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I found this book at the library and since it was on my TBR list, I picked it up. I was not at all disappointed.
The characters are believable, and the author did a wonderful job jumping for past to present and between characters narrating the story. The only time this confused me is when I had to stop in the middle of a chapter. There was great balance between fact and fiction, showing enough information about the elephants but it didn’t overpower the story or the characters.
I think the reason I had pressed on so enthusiastically, reading 200 pages in 2 days, was that I had read a review claiming that the end was a HUGE surprise. I will not reveal any spoilers but it wasn’t until the last 30 pages that everything came clear and I, myself, was extremely surprised with the ending.
A mix of elephant facts and a compelling story, this book is a must read and one I will reread again.


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The World Before Us by Aislinn Hunter

The World Before Us by Aislinn Hunter
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I found this book to be very confusing. I am not sure if it was because I was interrupted constantly while trying to read this or, if it was, due to the fact that the author jumps from past to present with little warning except by the beginning of a new chapter. I couldn't fall in love with the characters because I couldn't even who exactly was narrating. My assumption is that they were ghost that were following the main character around looking for answers.

I will be honest, I was very curious about how everything connected together but halfway through I was so confused about what was going on that I didn't even finish it. I think, though, if I was reading a physical copy not an ebook I might have had an easier time going back to find where I had stopped understanding what was going on and reread it for better clarification.

In short, this might be a good book but as far as my experience everything was against this book being good for me.

I received the ARC of this book from edelweiss.abovethetreeline.com for this review.

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Ticker by Lisa Mantchev

Received From:   Netgalley.com for this review.

• Publisher: Skyscape (December 1, 2014)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00JJZ3QV2
• Published: December 1, 2014

Now, to be honest with you I am not sure what the genre sub-category 
Steampunk is but I can tell you I found I enjoyed this book, though it 
was not my favorite. There were twist and turns that I didn't 
anticipate; culprits that were right under your nose and you didn't even
 know it. The cover compliments the story quite well but I will admit 
that the title wasn't as catching as the cover itself was. I have not 
read Lisa Mantchev's previous series Theatre Illuminata so I can't 
compare it to them but I can compare it to one of my favorite series The
 Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer. This book had a lot of similarities 
to The Lunar Chronicles, minus the fairy tale theme, that I can see fans
 of Marissa Meyer enjoying this book.

The Little Gardener by Emily Hughes

The Little Gardener by Emily Hughes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to the publisher I got a chance to read this book with my girls before it was released.

I am a gardener at heart and my middle child loves to join me in the garden and planning what we are going to plant next.

This book ignited that desire this winter, with the beautiful illustrations and a cute story of a little gardener trying to grow his own garden. This hard work and determination inspires others to grow there own gardens.

Many thumbs up in my opinion.

I received this book from the publisher for this review. All opinions are my own.

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Black and White by Dahlov Ipcar

March 23, 2015

9781909263444, 1909263443

$17.95 USD, $19.99 CAD

Discount Code: Juv Hardcover

Hardcover Picture Book

Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Dogs

Ages 3 to 7, Grades P to 2

This 1960's Civil Rights inspired book uses rhyming and wonderful illustrations to keep the younger children's attention. This book shows us that black and white can be as beautiful as any other color. Dahlov uses these two colors to introduce children to the world around us by telling a story of two dogs, their friendship, dreams and adventures. Returning to the shelves in March 2015 this book not only teaches preschoolers the colors black and white, it also shows them the world around them a little different and is a piece of history to add to any child's library.

I recieved this book for this review. All my opinions and review is all my own.
I enjoyed reading this book to my two daughters and the historical element of this book quite intriguing. Espeically after I watched this video about Dahlov Ipcar's paintings .

The Water and The Wild By K.E Ormsbee

The Water and The Wild

By K.E Ormsbee

Age Range: 8 - 12 years
Grade Level: 3 - 7
Hardcover: 448 pages
Publisher: Chronicle Books (April 14, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1452113866
ISBN-13: 978-1452113869

Rating: MUST READ

A beautiful mix between the magic of Harry Potter by J.K Rowling and the mysteries of another world of Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll.

Lottie Fiske is out of place in her island home, just like the apple tree in Thirsby Square. Her only friends are her best friend Eliot and the mysterious letter writer that sends her special gifts on her birthday. When Lottie finds out that her best friend is diagnosed with an incurable disease she feels lost, helpless and useless. That is until she finds this mysterious girl in her closet and a magical door in her apple tree. Lottie's world is turned upside down when she is introduced to the magic of the world that she is also apart of. Can she save this new world and Eliot?

A spellbinding book for all ages. 

I recieved this book for free for this review from Edelweiss. All my opinions are my own.