[Graphic Novel Mini Review] Wild Cats, around the globe with Suki and Finch (Vol. 1)

Wild Cats, around the globe with Suki and Finch

(Wild Cats, #1)

Muhammad Tauhidul Iqbal Sampad (3-D artist), Rebecca Merry Murdock (Goodreads Author), Isabel Iglesias (co-author)

What rating would you give it?
3 of 5 Stars

Give us a summary.

(Taken from GoodReads)
Middle Grade Graphic Novel/Comic. Based on the Bark and Howl FaceBook series, The Big Adventure.

A new kind of graphic novel, with a new kind of eco-hero. 3-D Suki & Finch travel the globe investigating the welfare of all 36 species of wild cats. They start in Canada where they gather data on the Cougar, Bobcat and Canada Lynx – Volume One. It’s one big adventure (8 Volumes in all), full of exciting travel and lots of misadventures. Learn about the threats facing all wild cats – loss of habitat, poaching, trophy hunting – set against the backdrop of an ongoing drama. Linked to Google Maps, readers can find Suki & FInch in the Great Bear Rainforest, crossing the North Pole, and landing on the Volga River in Moscow. In Volume Two they’re off tracking Eurasian Lynxes and Siberian Tigers in Russia, Snow Leopards in Mongolia, Asiatic Golden Cats in China and the rare Pallas’s cat in Nepal. Things never go as planned.

What did you think of the book?

Wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, but I wasn’t disappointed with the results. Definitely a new kind of graphic novel for kids that I think they’ll gravitate to. It would really be good to hear that there’s a tie-in interactive website to go along with this series – kinda like with the wildly popular The 39 Clues series.

Either way, an unexpectedly good read! Great for kids.

Any warnings you wish to make for your readers?

Nope. Nada.

Does it count towards any reading challenges?

• 2015 GoodReads Reading Challenge
• You Read How Many Books?
• 52 Books in 52 Weeks
• Read A Million Pages
• 105 Reading Challenge (Categories: 1, 2, 4, 9, 10)
• 2015 New To You Reading Challenge (Brand New 2015 Series / New Author (To Me) as well)
• 2015 Graphic Novel and Comic Reading Challenge
• NetGalley & Edelweiss Reading Challenge
• Ethereal 2015 (Talking animals who act as spirit/animal guides)

Would you recommend this book?

Worse case scenario, you don’t like it. Best case scenario, you love it recommend it for your school/library/kids/etc. Why not give it a shot? 😉

Reviewed by AMS (amomentsilence)

Publisher: Bark and Howl Press Ltd. Publication Date: April 2015 Format: ARC, ebook Pages: 110 Genre / Themes:  Middle Grade, Graphic Novel, CGI, Wildlife, Nature, Cats, Wild Cats, Big Cats, Nature Guides, Guide Book, Science & Biology

Age: Middle Grade / Kids & Teen Reviewer: AMS (amomentsilence) Source: Provided by NetGalley Challenge:  2015 Good Reads Reading Challenge (18), 52 Books in 52 Weeks, You Read How Many Books?, 2015 New To You Reading Challenge, Ethereal 2015, Read A Million Pages, 105 Reading Challenge, NetGalley & Edelweiss Reading Challenge, 2015 Graphic Novel and Comic Reading Challenge

[Mini Review] Glitterville’s Handmade Christmas by Stephen Brown

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Glitterville’s Handmade Christmas by Stephen Brown (author) • Andrews McMeel Publishing • 2014 •  208 pages

Blurb (from NetGalley): Have yourself a Glittery Little Christmas — with twenty new whimsical, winter-wonderful projects from the Craft Elves at Glitterville!

Following the success of Glitterville’s Handmade Halloween, Glitterville is back for the sparkliest holiday of all! Glitterville’s Handmade Christmas is as bursting as a mantle-hung stocking with twenty new whimsical, winter-wonderful craft projects that will fill your home with sleighfuls of cheer. Hundreds of beautiful, easy-to-follow, step-by-step full-color photos and how-tos make the crafting fun and the results foolproof. From a Jolly Dolly Holly Wreath or a charming Glittery Village you can nestle into its own Sparkle Forest, to the frostiest Magic Snow and the jolliest pine-cone-bodied Glitter Gnome, “yule” find everything you need to make your home glisten and shine this holiday season!

Genre/Themes: Hobbies & Crafts, CHRISTMASSSSSSUUU!!!!!!!!!, Glitter, Fun times and JOY xD

Got My Copy: From NetGalley

Overall Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Mini Review:

Brilliant! Simply loved it! Just wished there had been more pictures throughout. In a craft book, I prefer to see the ideas moreso than just simply having them described in detail to me in words. Nonetheless, I am actually looking forward to trying some of these out this upcoming holiday! 🙂

Would you recommend this book?: Oh, I think so. After all, CHRISTMAS!!!!!

[Book Review] A Tale of Two Mommies by Vanita Oelschlager

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A Tale of Two Mommies by Vanita Oelschlager (author); Mike Blanc (illustrator) • VanitaBooks, LLC • 2014 •  24 pages

Blurb (from GoodReads): A Tale of Two Mommies is a beach conversation among three children. One boy asks another boy about having two mommies. A young girl listening in asks some questions too. True to a child’s curiosity, practical questions follow. “Which mom is there when you want to go fishing? / Which mom helps out when Kitty goes missing?” To which he answers: “Mommy helps when I want to go fishing. / Both Mommies help when Kitty goes missing.”

Genre/Themes: Parenting, Children, Different Types of Families, Adoption, Important Issues/Current Topics, Children being AWESOME, Intended for young children (4 to 8 yr olds), Family Bonds, Child’s Curiosity

Got My Copy: ARC From NetGalley

Rating: 3.75 of 5 stars

Review & Evaluation:
→ Illustrations: 4.5
→ Plot/Concept: 5
→ Delivery: 3.5 or 4
→ Message: 5 (although I’m inclined to give this a 3 or even 2 instead. See my review for why…)

Thoughts?

This book was a little weird for me, especially since I read Two Daddies first and absolutely LOVED that one. I was really hoping that there wouldn’t be stereotyping and/or gender profiling while reading both of these books, and… in one case, I was pleasantly surprised! In the other… not so much.

This was the “not so much” case.

I have to give it props for the incredible and engaging art, delivery, and overall concept and idea. Those things matched the kudos I gave Two Daddies well enough. But the actual message… seemed to get really lost in this one, and I can’t understand why. It’s EXACTLY the same format as the other one, yet the actual message coming across was… kind of ridiculous.

The biggest issue I think I had with it was that it seemed the responsibility of the two moms wasn’t very equal or evenly distributed at all… And with one of them (Momma), seemed almost non-existent! It was like she did NOTHING AT ALL. “Mommy,” on the other hand, was the proverbial super-mom! who could do anything and DID do everything, because obviously Momma couldn’t be bothered! (Okay… so maybe that might have been a bit harsh and wasn’t really implied in the story, but…! You kinda get that feeling… y’know?)

It just wasn’t working for me. I can understand if the idea is that she (Mommy) is a stay at home mom or something, while the other mom (Momma) is the main provider for the family or works outside the home, etc. which is why she wouldn’t be around as much to help with their son. But it still doesn’t seem very… positive – as the message of these books are supposed to be. My own parents were in a similar situation (where one was at home all the time and the other worked 6 days a week), and I assure you that my working parent still did A LOT more for me and participated a heck of a lot more in my life than what apparently Momma does for her son in this book.

And that’s a real shame. Otherwise, I think I would have given this book a big thumbs up, because I was honestly hoping for awesomeness x2 after reading the incredible job done with Two Daddies! But because the message seems a bit muddled (and I was even backed up on this observation by others who had read ARCs of it) I just can’t say I’d recommend this book to anyone. Sorry.

Placing the likes and dislikes section AFTER my thoughts because… well, these are my original notes jotted down and are even a bit rrepetitive so you don’t have to read them if you don’t wanna XD

Likes:

– This is my third of Oelschlager’s books – the first being Eye To Eye, and the second A Tale of Two Daddies. Out of them all, this would be my second favorite (even if it doesn’t get the high ratings of the other two). Somehow, this story didn’t work out as nicely as the other one did. But I’ll say this much – I absolutely LOVE how the child(ren) asking the questions immediately know there are cat(s) in the home of the little boy. XD
– On a not so stereotypical point, it was nice to see the child of two moms as a POC and enjoying playtime with other children regardless of color of skin or ethnicity. That was real awesome to see. 🙂
– Um… What else? Um… Oh! My favorite page! Entirely unique to this book, as it was. It was about halfway in when the boy and his two friends are playing underwater and the friends ask him a question which has to be translated because all that’s heard above water is “BLUP BLUP BLUP?” XD Priceless.
– Also, the style of the artwork is very similar and yet different to Two Daddies, but I think would appeal to children of all genders. I get the impression it was meant to be more suited for boys than for girls, but like I said, it would work well for either.

Dislikes:

– I feel like in this one the responsibility of the child is almost solely dependent on one of the moms only. “Mommy” to be specific. “Momma” does nothing. Like maybe she’s there when the kid has a bad dream and can make scary faces when they go camping… but I swear that’s all she’s good for. What the hell?! XD
– It was cute, but I feel like it fell a little short of the mark, especially after having read Two Daddies, and seeing how well this sort of story can work there. There seemed to be more of a stereotypical approach and nature to this book, which is why I would have given it a 2 or 3 for delivery.

Would you recommend this book?:

I’d say if I had to choose, I’d go with the Two Daddies one instead since the message in that book isn’t as muddled, but I suppose there’s room for discussion in this book too. Not sure I’d actually want to buy this one or get it for anyone as a gift though… If you want to compare and contrast, then go for it! If not… then… well. Yeah.

 

[Book Review] A Tale of Two Daddies by Vanita Oelschlager

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A Tale of Two Daddies by Vanita Oelschlager (author); Kristen Blackwood & Mike Blanc (illustrators) • VanitaBooks, LLC • 2014 •  24 pages

Blurb (from GoodReads): A Tale of Two Daddies is a playground conversation between two children. The boy says he heard that the girl has two dads. The girl says that is right–she has Daddy and Poppa. True to a child’s curiosity, practical questions follow: “Which dad helps when your team needs a coach? / Which dad cooks you eggs and toast?” To which she answers: “Daddy is my soccer coach. / Poppa cooks me eggs and toast.”

Genre/Themes: (DAMN GOOD) Parenting, Children, Different Types of Families, Adoption, Important Issues/Current Topics, Children being AWESOME, Intended for young children (4 to 8 yr olds), Family Bonds, Child’s Curiosity

Got My Copy: From NetGalley

Overall Rating: 5+++ of 5 stars

Review & Evaluation:
→ Illustrations: 5+++
→ Plot/Concept: 5
→ Delivery: 5+++
→ Message: 5+++

Likes:

– EVERYTHING XD
– The illustrations were adorable (as were those kids, WHAT EVEN)
– MESSAGE. Important shiz, yo

Dislikes:

– I’m supposed to dislike something?????? 😕

Other Thoughts?

I don’t have enough words to proclaim my utter joy before, during, and after reading this book. Where do I even begin?

Okay, first thing’s first: THIS IS THE CUTEST FREAKIN’ THING I HAVE EVER READ IN MAH LIFE!! (Okay… maybe not THE CUTEST, but definitely up there! So friggin’ adorable with these kids ANDLJSAKDNLS—!)

There. Now that’s out of the way…

What an excellent portrayal of such an important and fundamental topic right now! I cannot believe how well this worked out. I was hoping beyond hope that this wouldn’t be cliche` or stereotypical… and THANK THE UNIVERSE IT WAS NOT.

This is how it goes:

A little boy and girl are playing in a park (with the little girl’s two daddies supervising) and the question is “asked.” The boy begins by saying, “So my friend, Lincoln, says you have two daddies.” Which she responds quite happily that he’s correct. He then launches into a series of queries about who’s the dad that does “this” or “that,” to which she answers every question honestly and in rhyme. (Because this is, after all, a children’s book. 😉 ) As they play around, it’s revealed that both daddies are equally participant in her life, helping her with all the things she’s inquired about (or, as she boasts, letting her do herself since she’s old enough to do some things!)

As I mentioned before, the story is written in rhyme, which would absolutely appeal to not only children, but readers of all ages, who will enjoy and be delighted by the cute and informative storytelling experience. The message clearly emphasizes that regardless of who a child’s parents are, love is the foundation and basis to a happy and healthy child. Understanding from those around both the child and their parents is also necessary to ensure and maintain that healthy environment. A loving family is key and the most important thing to take away from this book. The stigma of today and yesterday’s society that tries to demonize and misrepresent QUILTBAG families is cast aside as these sweet, innocent children discuss what so many already-desensitized adults have trouble even discussing amongst themselves.

The adorable illustrations compliment the well-written message and engage the reader in the storytelling experience. Also, since the whole book is told from the POV of the children, the colorful, happy pictures will easily delight a young reader and draw them into what the story is trying to get across — posing questions and promoting thought which parents and educators alike can take the opportunity to discuss with their students and children.

Delivery was spot-on. At first I was worried there would be stereotyping (conscious or unconsciously) from the author. Especially when questions like, “Who braids your hair?” (Poppa) and “Who’s there when you’r afraid?” (Daddy) came up. But I was pleasantly surprised that even the fathers (who were seen solely from a child’s POV, so… basically as really long legs haha) were treated as real people and not stereotypes of a gay couple or even a gay couple pretending to be (and thus taking on the gender-typical roles of) heterosexual couples. It was refreshing and AWESOME and I love this book. XD

Would you recommend this book?:

This is such an important topic and it was portrayed so well! Definitely a keeper!

 

[Book Review] Eye to Eye by Vanita Oelschlager

Eye to Eye: A Book of Body Part Idioms and Silly Pictures by Vanita Oelschlager

Synopsis (from GoodReads): Eye to Eye shows children the magic of idioms words that separately have one meaning, but together take on something entirely different. Children are curious about words, especially phrases that make them laugh (Stick Your Neck Out) or sound silly (All Ears). Eye to Eye uses outlandish illustrations of what the words describe literally. The reader then has to guess the real meaning of the phrases (which are at the bottom corner of the spread). At the end of the book, the reader is invited to learn more about these figures of speech.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thoughts: Thanking NetGalley for my ARC!

I really enjoyed this book and could easily see it in a classroom or in the hands of a young reader, helping to broaden their language and learning skills. This book focused on the concept of idioms, which is one of the hardest things to pick up when learning a new language. Many may not know, but there are hundreds and thousands of idioms in EVERY language. (To my knowledge over nearly 25,000 idioms in the English language alone!) That’s a lot of slang to pick up, especially when you haven’t even gotten the hang of proper grammar and sentence structure yet! Eye to Eye starts introducing some basic idioms to readers early on so they can start “reading between the lines” and picking up hints from the slang of the every day.

The only downside to this book was how small the explanation text was at the bottoms of each page. It seemed a bit jarring to me, and would have worked better if it had been incorporated into the image or perhaps typeset in a different font.

Otherwise, a great read! Definitely recommending this book for the classroom (for young children and educators, alike), the library, and the home. Great educational learning tool with fun, whimsical pictures to boot! I’m impressed.

Would You Recommend? Yup