So it only made sense to make a free printable Star Wars library display! The idea originated with this share from Ridgewood Public Library. I liked it so much, I thought I'd make my own to share.
Friday, April 29
May the Fourth Be With You - Library Display
Star Wars is just getting better and better. And thus, more and more popular! There's so many great books and such to promote. And guess what's coming up next week? Yep, May 4th!
So it only made sense to make a free printable Star Wars library display! The idea originated with this share from Ridgewood Public Library. I liked it so much, I thought I'd make my own to share.
So it only made sense to make a free printable Star Wars library display! The idea originated with this share from Ridgewood Public Library. I liked it so much, I thought I'd make my own to share.
Thursday, April 28
The Screaming Statue
Hey guess what? I have a guest-post on the Cybils blog today--a truly terrifying book list!
The Screaming Statue
(Curiosity House #2)
Lauren Oliver & H. C. Chester
My rating: ★★★★
ISBN: 978-0062270849
Publisher: Harper Collins
Date of publication: May 3, 2015
Age: Grades 4 - 6
Genre: Mystery, Historical Fiction
Themes: murder, friendship, curiosities & marvels, orphans, New York City, dime museum
Pippa, Sam, Thomas, and Max are happy to be out of harm’s way now that the notorious villain Nicholas Rattigan is halfway across the country in Chicago. But unfortunately their home, Dumfreys’s Dime Museum of Freaks, Oddities, and Wonders, is in danger of closing its doors forever. But their troubles only get worse when the four friends discover that their beloved friend, famous sculptor Siegfried Eckleberger, is murdered. As they investigate, they find clues that his death may be tied to the murder of a rich and powerful New York heiress, as well as to their own pasts.
Yep, these four awesomely extraordinary kids are at it again. The second book in the series added some further depth to the characters, keeping the reader invested in the story. For instance, turns out Max does have some heart. We continue to delve into their mysterious past and Rattigan is as terrifying as ever. Which, I'm not going to lie, (spoiler alert!) I was a bit upset at the end because of him—a good upset, you know, like a I-need-the-next-book-now-please upset.
Which brings me to the story itself. This one was a bit tidier than the first—not so many murders and clues thrown at you—but I sure got depressed by the continuing tragic saga of whether or not Dumfrey's museum would have the funds to survive. Plus the drama between the residents...it all created a rather stressful subplot. A minor, personal-preference complaint, really. Overall, a fantastic follow up to book one. I'd definitely recommend the series thus far.
And guess what? I'm hosting a giveaway of both books in the series! Just check out yesterday's post, the Curiosity House Blog Tour!
Find it at your library or on Amazon
(Curiosity House #2)
Lauren Oliver & H. C. Chester
My rating: ★★★★
ISBN: 978-0062270849
Publisher: Harper Collins
Date of publication: May 3, 2015
Age: Grades 4 - 6
Genre: Mystery, Historical Fiction
Themes: murder, friendship, curiosities & marvels, orphans, New York City, dime museum
Pippa, Sam, Thomas, and Max are happy to be out of harm’s way now that the notorious villain Nicholas Rattigan is halfway across the country in Chicago. But unfortunately their home, Dumfreys’s Dime Museum of Freaks, Oddities, and Wonders, is in danger of closing its doors forever. But their troubles only get worse when the four friends discover that their beloved friend, famous sculptor Siegfried Eckleberger, is murdered. As they investigate, they find clues that his death may be tied to the murder of a rich and powerful New York heiress, as well as to their own pasts.
Yep, these four awesomely extraordinary kids are at it again. The second book in the series added some further depth to the characters, keeping the reader invested in the story. For instance, turns out Max does have some heart. We continue to delve into their mysterious past and Rattigan is as terrifying as ever. Which, I'm not going to lie, (spoiler alert!) I was a bit upset at the end because of him—a good upset, you know, like a I-need-the-next-book-now-please upset.
Which brings me to the story itself. This one was a bit tidier than the first—not so many murders and clues thrown at you—but I sure got depressed by the continuing tragic saga of whether or not Dumfrey's museum would have the funds to survive. Plus the drama between the residents...it all created a rather stressful subplot. A minor, personal-preference complaint, really. Overall, a fantastic follow up to book one. I'd definitely recommend the series thus far.
And guess what? I'm hosting a giveaway of both books in the series! Just check out yesterday's post, the Curiosity House Blog Tour!
Find it at your library or on Amazon
Wednesday, April 27
Curiosity House Blog Tour
Welcome to this here stop of the Curiosity House Blog Tour!
Remember when I reviewed The Shrunken Head, book 1 of the Curiousity House series? Yeah, well, guess what, you guys: Curiosity House book 2, The Screaming Statue, comes out in just ONE WEEK—awesomeness! And how do we celebrate? Well, I got super lucky and was invited to not only interview the two authors, Lauren Oliver and H.C. Chester, but one of Dumfrey's Dime Museum's residents. Yep, the ever gruff and tough, but so lovable (ahem, don't tell him I said that), Danny the Dwarf.
AND (said in my best game-show-host voice) I've got another sweet giveaway! See below for details!
Okay, okay, first up, let's hear from the authors about their work...
Remember when I reviewed The Shrunken Head, book 1 of the Curiousity House series? Yeah, well, guess what, you guys: Curiosity House book 2, The Screaming Statue, comes out in just ONE WEEK—awesomeness! And how do we celebrate? Well, I got super lucky and was invited to not only interview the two authors, Lauren Oliver and H.C. Chester, but one of Dumfrey's Dime Museum's residents. Yep, the ever gruff and tough, but so lovable (ahem, don't tell him I said that), Danny the Dwarf.
AND (said in my best game-show-host voice) I've got another sweet giveaway! See below for details!
Okay, okay, first up, let's hear from the authors about their work...
Tuesday, April 26
Twenty Yawns
Written by Jane Smiley, illustrated by Lauren Castillo
My rating: ★★★½
ISBN: 978-1477826355
Publisher: Two Lions
Date of publication: April 1, 2016
Age: 3 - 7 years
Themes: bedtime, family, beach, stuffed animals
Lucy and her parents spend a long, fun day at the beach. They all yawn as they head home for an early bedtime. As her mom reads a bedtime story, Lucy drifts off. But later, she awakens in a dark, still room, and everything looks mysterious. How will she ever get back to sleep?
Yes, there are actually twenty yawns to count in this book. Which, I mean, is a nice added bonus to a bedtime book—it's a counting book, too! And yes, the story will in fact make you sleepy; it's nearly impossible to read about twenty different yawns without you yourself yawning. Also, the illustrations are perfect—all soft and cuddly with Castillo's signature thick outlines and softly textured colors. Really, forget counting sheep, use this book to get your child to sleep!
Now I didn't give it quite as many stars because the story itself is not my favorite. While Smiley is a very well-respected novelist and writer, this is her first picture book, and that shows. Referring to moonlight as "a silver veil," some of the vocabulary choices, and lots of details add a bit of a too-mature voice to the story. This, of course, is personal opinion and I'm sure there will be plenty who appreciate this fact. Overall, like I said, it's still a good bedtime story and I'd recommend it.
Find it at your library or on Amazon
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