Sorry

No Read Around Sue until Monday, Nov. 4th.

More Spooky Books

 

 

 

 

 

 

KIDZ KORNER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wouldn’t you like to be a spooky Jack O’ Lantern?  The spookiest Jack O’ Lantern in the town?  Sometimes you’ll see me wear a spooky smile and sometimes you’ll see me wear a spooky frown.  On Halloween, on a dark, dark, night  I scare away the goblins with my light.  I’m the spookiest Jack O’ Lantern in the town!!  Just a fun little ditty to share with your child! Happy Halloween.  I’ll be off next week due to the holiday.  See you in November.

 

Skeleton Hiccups by Margery Cuyler

 

Poor Skeleton can’t stop sneezing.  His pal, Ghost, tries and tries to help him using every remedy you ever heard of but to no avail.  He hics out his teeth and just can’t stop until he sees himself in the mirror!  This is a cute book with great pictures that even the youngest kids will enjoy.  I would read this book to kids 2-6.

 

The Halloween Kid by

 

When I saw the cover of the book I thought I wasn’t going to like it.  But I fell in love with the rootin’, tootin’ Halloween Kid who protects the town from all the Halloween bad guys.  Until some varmints show up and get the best of him.  How will the town’s kids help out the Halloween Kid?  They sure want to but can they?  Find out in this fun tale of the good guy of Trick or Treat.  I would read this book to kids 4-8.

 

The Ghost’s Dinner by Jaques Duquennoy

 

The ghosts are heading to a feast and as they enjoy their food they start to turn different colors depending on what they ate!  What a dilemma with Halloween right around the corner when ghosts have to be their scariest white selves.  Find out what happens in this fun story.  I would read this book to kids 3-6.

Have a wonderful Halloween!!  Don't eat too much candy and keep on reading until next week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All In the Mind by Jenny Twist

Rated 5 STARS

 

Tilly is part of an experiment working on a cure for Alzheimer's disease. She and most of the other patients taking part in the experiment seem to make a full recovery, but there is a strange side effect. Tilly and her fellow experimental subjects appear to be getting younger. Can the same experiment be repeated for Tilly's beloved husband so that he can recover from a stroke? Tilly thinks it can ...

 

 

 

Jenny Twist has created a cast of unforgettable and enjoyable characters in her book, All in the Mind. Tillie, a World War II nurse, awakes to find herself in a strange place with no knowledge of how she came to be there. The explanation and her path with her dear husband, Johnny  is the backbone of the story.

They become part of an extraordinary experiment that helps them recover from two afflictions that every elderly person wants to avoid-Alzheimer’s and stroke.

When Tilly wakes up and finds out Johnny has had a stroke she does everything in her power to help him recover and her ideas along with the doctors from the original experiment put things into motion.

I loved learning about Tillie and Johnny’s early married life and the setting of World War II in England was fascinating.  I really got a feel for the couple and loved them.

One of their doctors, and Indian man named Kim was the subject for one of the other stories in this book.  He returns to India to see his dying father and suddenly is trapped in old expectations and traditions.

His friend, Steve, helps with the experiment and is instrumental in getting Kim back on track.  In a fair payback, Kim helps Steve work out a problem he is facing.
You want everything to turn out wonderfully for all the people you meet in this book. They are an engaging bunch who is involved in a unique and exciting experiment.
If you know anyone who has suffered from dementia, this book will be especially dear to you.

Trick or Treat

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kidz Korner

 

 Trick or Treat

 

 

 

 

As a kid, I hated Halloween.  I was the kid whose bag broke.  We had a lady on our street that scooped out a ton of candy corn and then shook the scoop until you ended up with two or three. Most years I hated my costume. 

However, I love Halloween books so the next two weeks are dedicated to them.

BOO!

 

The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Megan Lloyd

 

A little old lady is out in the woods collecting herbs when she begins to hear strange noises behind her like clomp, clomp and shake, shake.  She continues on her way to her little house just a little faster as each noise gets a little scarier until she is home safe and sound.  Or is she?  The knock on the door reveals a sad bunch of parts but the little old lady has a solution. I would read this book to kids 4-8.

 

Room on the Broom  by Julia Donaldson

 

A witch’s flight is interrupted as she keeps losing things and picking up extra passengers.  They all squeeze onto the broom until there is no room left. When the witch gets into big trouble all her passengers help her out.  This is a not to be missed book that is cute and funny in a non spooky way. I would read this book to kids 3-6.

 

Space Case by Edward and James Marshall

 

What do you do when you meet a real alien space ship?  You take it trick or treating.  I mean, what else would you do?  Everyone thinks it is a great costume. The alien has to leave at the end of the book until he finds out about…….Christmas. .  Don’t forget to use your best robot voice when you read this book!  I would read this book to kids 4-8.

 

Rotten Ralph’s Trick or Treat by Jack Gantos

 

Ralph the cat just can’t help himself.  He is just rotten. His owner Sarah loves him so much she puts up with his crazy antics.  In this story, Sarah wants them to dress as each other for the Halloween party but Ralph wants nothing to do with that idea. This is one of a great series of books about Ralph. I never get tired of his “evil” ways.  I would read this book to kids 4-8.

 

So pull up the bowl of candy corn and until next week, keep on reading!

On vacation

 

 

Be back for Kidz Korner on Thursday!!

Enough said.

Not So Scary Monsters

 

 

KIDZ KORNER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Monster at the End of this Book by John Stone and Mike Smolin

 

This book builds up anticipation.  Grover is scared and he doesn’t want you to turn the pages because of the monster at the end.  On each page he gets more and more desperate.  You’ll never guess who the monster at the end of the book actually is.  This was my son’s favorite book for the first five years of his life.  My daughter loved it too.

I would read this book to kids 1-5 years old.

 

Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds

 

Jasper cannot stop snitching carrots from the garden.  Then one day, he thinks he is being followed by carrots.  He sees them all over but it always turns out to be something else.  He gets so frightened he builds a fence all around the garden so he won’t pick any more and they can’t escape.  Does it turn out the carrots had a plan all along?  Any kid who gets a little scared of things in the dark that turn out to be a pile of clothes or something will enjoy this story.  I would read this book to kids 3-6 years old.

 

Where the Wild Thing Are by Maurice Sendak

 

They gnash their terrible teeth but Max is the king of the wild things after he gets sent to his room for his behavior.  The wild things are ugly but lovable.  And what kid doesn’t love a wild rumpus?  The end shows that moms always forgive their kids no matter what.

A real classic.  I would read this book to kids 3-6 years old.

 

The Principal from the Black Lagoon by Mike Thaler

 

Hubie has been sent to the principal’s office because of his antics in the classroom.  He is really sweating it because he heard all kinds of rumors about the principal and how she turns kids into coat racks and some kids never even return.  He is shaking in his boots but to his surprise it turns out she is a kind and understanding principal.  Hubie “escapes” with his life in tact but will he confess to his friends?  I would read this book to kids 4-7 years old.

 

So you see not all monsters have to be scary..... unless they're Godzilla. But that's a story for another day.  Until next week, keep on reading.

 

Serenya's Song by Mysti Parker

No one ever said love was easy...
Serenya Crowe may be a half-elf commoner, but she's no ordinary woman. With the ability to interpret dreams, and a birth defect that forces her to wear gloves, she's endured gossip and the cruelty of her husband, Sebastian, The Earl of Summerwind. All she's ever wanted is to live a quiet life and raise a family. When she meets the new stranger in town, her world and her heart, are turned upside down.

Wood-elf Jayden Ravenwing is an ex-secret agent who wants nothing more than to forget matters of the heart. He left the bustle of Leogard and his failed marriage to make a fresh start in Summerwind. He never planned to fall in love again, especially with the enchanting Serenya Crowe.Serenya is a kind-hearted, warm woman who loves music, her stepfather, and her friends.  She is helpful and sweet.  She sings like an angel, plays the piano like a virtuoso, and is married to an Earl.  Sounds perfect doesn’t it?

 

Serenya is living her life as she is used to when she meets Jayden, an elf of musical talents and handsome to boot.  They bond instantly over their music.

In the meantime, her husband is treating her cruelly and trying with all his might to impregnate her.  He is unkind at best and horribly cruel at worst.  Serenya feels beholden to him and so she tries to keep her feelings for Jayden from developing.

Serenya starts to notice some unusual changes in herself.  She loathes her husband but craves his touch.  She has an insatiable need for raw meat and she even begins to have physical changes.

She is frightened and intimidated by her husband and saved by Jayden and the love they ultimately share.

 

Serenya interested me from the beginning.  I liked that she was helpful to her father and loyal to her friend, Lilly.  Even though she was stifling her dreams to be a good wife, I found that believable.  I liked how she found the strength within herself.

Her husband, Sebastion, was an interesting fellow too.  Sometimes, you thought he loved  Serenya so much and other times, you hated him for his cruelty.

Jayden was the typical hero, a concept I always enjoy.

The supporting cast of characters were believable and all played an important part.  They embodied the support group we all need in this life.

There were a lot of unexpected turns in the story which I found intriguing.  There were just the right amount of surprises to keep the reader engaged.

The love scenes were handled subtly and the culminating fight scene was incredible.

I have read all the Tallenmere books and found myself immersed in a fantasy world that was at once remarkable but believable.  The author does a great job of putting you in that environment.

If you enjoy fantasy, I highly recommend Serenya’s Song.

 

Rating  4.5 stars

 

 

Fall is Here!!!!

Kidz Korner

Fall is my favorite time of year.  I love putting on a sweater in the morning and taking it off in the middle of the day and putting it back on in the evening.  I love crispy apples and falling leaves.  Here are some books that will put you in the fall mood.

Apples and Pumpkins by Anne Rockwell

This is a simple little book that follows a little girl as she and her family choose apples and the right pumpkin.  The illustrations are simple and fun.  I would read this book to kids 2-6.

 

Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf by Lois Ehlert

 

This book tells the story of a tree in the fall.  I love the illustrations that show the things that go on around the leaf.  The text is large and readable.  Did you know that you can paint the underside of a leaf red or yellow or orange, press it on to black paper and sprinkle on a little glitter and you will have a lovely design to hang up anywhere in your home....probably the fridge! I would read this book to kids 3-8.

 

The Little Yellow Leaf  by Carin Berger

 

The little yellow leaf watches all his friends fall to the ground but he just isn't ready.  He refuses and refuses until he is the last hold out...or is he?  When he finds red leaf, he finds the courage to let go.  Don't forget to iron some leaves between wax paper.  You know you want to.  Plenty of room left on the fridge, right? I would read this book to kids 3-6.

 

The Little Scarecrow Boy by Margaret Wise Brown

 

The little scarecrow is dying to get out there with his dad to scare those nasty crows.  Sadly, dad keeps telling him that he's too little.  He needs to grow.  One day, little scarecrow takes matters into his own hands and the results are not what he expected.

Did you ever make a scarecrow?  It's pretty easy once you have the sticks or poles made into a T.  Add some cast off clothes and a paper bag head with an old hat and no crows will darken your doorstep. I would read this story to kids 3-7.

There's lots of  things to do in the fall so get out there and have some fun with the kids.  And until next week, keep on reading.