Willa of the Wood is an updated and darker version of Fern Gully. There was so much I loved about this novel, and I am interested in checking out his Willa of the Wood is an updated and darker version of Fern Gully. There was so much I loved about this novel, and I am interested in checking out his other work. I was slightly distracted by trying to read everyone's names backwards, but that might not be a problem with the text so much as a problem with this reader....more
My daughter says "this book is AMAZING" and "I wish it had an epilogue!"My daughter says "this book is AMAZING" and "I wish it had an epilogue!"...more
Pretty good. I enjoyed the development of the town and how the people had to work together not just for supplies and survival, but to create an atmospPretty good. I enjoyed the development of the town and how the people had to work together not just for supplies and survival, but to create an atmosphere that they wanted to live in....more
A fun and spooky read! I loved hearing more from Coco's perspective and I loved observing the friendship of the three heros grow and strengthen in theA fun and spooky read! I loved hearing more from Coco's perspective and I loved observing the friendship of the three heros grow and strengthen in their newest adventure....more
This was an enjoyable read. I liked the author's light style. There are lots of great resources in here, but the chapter on flower faeries was silly.This was an enjoyable read. I liked the author's light style. There are lots of great resources in here, but the chapter on flower faeries was silly....more
Rereading this as an adult was just as fun as reading it as a child. I loved hearing about all the food. My almost 5 year old was enamored. I thought Rereading this as an adult was just as fun as reading it as a child. I loved hearing about all the food. My almost 5 year old was enamored. I thought all the food preparation would bore her, but she was ALL IN....more
I really enjoyed this quirky, funny, fast-paced novel. It dips SLIGHTLY into the realm of speculative fiction, but I could not call it fantasy. AdelaiI really enjoyed this quirky, funny, fast-paced novel. It dips SLIGHTLY into the realm of speculative fiction, but I could not call it fantasy. Adelaide is a wonderful character and I strive to be more like her! Finding humor in the face of sadness, horror, and unfairness is a gift....more
Superfudge was very, very funny. My daughter and I laughed out loud reading this together. It's definitely dated (telephones, the kids' level of freedSuperfudge was very, very funny. My daughter and I laughed out loud reading this together. It's definitely dated (telephones, the kids' level of freedom, an actual spanking) but those instances did not take away from the story. We chatted about the spanking. Everything was fine. The family dynamics were a perfect mixture of hilarious, angering, and sweet. We fell in love with Peter, Fudge, Tootsie, the parents, and even Alex and Jimmy....more
6/23/22 We reread this book for the beginning of third grade and it still holds up as a beautiful story of tolerance. We picked up more topics this ti6/23/22 We reread this book for the beginning of third grade and it still holds up as a beautiful story of tolerance. We picked up more topics this time like what it means to be a bystander and how anyone can help other people feel welcome.
Wow! My family listened to this on a short weekend trip and it was perfect. The story's themes are friendship, tolerance, community, and heritage. The symbol of roots plays a crucial role here. I would highly recommend this powerful and engaging little book....more
I have nothing but good things to say about this series. The artwork is beautiful, the characters are well written, the world building is interesting,I have nothing but good things to say about this series. The artwork is beautiful, the characters are well written, the world building is interesting, the plot is engaging...I am excited to dive deeper into this universe....more
I can't wait to see what happens next. I love the way the author changes classic tropes to add a new dimension into the story; the history of the elveI can't wait to see what happens next. I love the way the author changes classic tropes to add a new dimension into the story; the history of the elves is messy and has many layers....more
I really loved this graphic novel. The big themes were caring for the environment, caring for the self through caring for others, and love. I read thiI really loved this graphic novel. The big themes were caring for the environment, caring for the self through caring for others, and love. I read this to my almost 5 year-old daughter, and she enjoyed it, but I'm sure she missed out on the nuances that I enjoyed. The only reason that this gets 4 stars rather than 5, is because the ending wrapped VERY quickly with some heavy-handed speeches. I don't think it was necessary, but it was still good. I have recommended this to at least 3 people already....more
This was certainly a strong finish to a wonderful triology. I am so sad there aren't more. In The Winter of the Witch, I appreciated the relationship This was certainly a strong finish to a wonderful triology. I am so sad there aren't more. In The Winter of the Witch, I appreciated the relationship between Sasha and Vasya. Their sibling dynamics transformed into friendship, and Sasha's personality is developed more fully and his history illuminated certain similarities to his sister.
This book was the most action-packed, and it was fairly bloody. I did find myself wondering how Vasya managed it all, but the implication was desperation and the situation was indeed desperate, so I can accept that she was as functional as she was. I also noticed that the narrative drew back a little from her, an instead began to cast a wider net. This I also felt as fitting, as Vasya was becoming more difficult to keep/place in the human world. Really, I can't think of anything negative.
Arden's book is a lovely fantasy book based in Russian folklore that sucked me right in. This would be a wonderful beach read or air plane book or a bArden's book is a lovely fantasy book based in Russian folklore that sucked me right in. This would be a wonderful beach read or air plane book or a book you want to escape inside of for a little while and not have to do any work. I am excited to read the next book and sad I will have to wait until I get to the library!...more