Alexis Lampley's Blog, page 12
November 21, 2017
Maddie Moo Toddler Book Review: Deep in the Woods
By: Christopher Corr
This is the most bright and brilliantly colorful book I have ever owned. It is an absolute delight for the eyes. Especially for little eyes.
Madeline loves this book. It's supposed to be a folk tale, and I think it does a good job of coming off that way. I always imagine folk tales to have more of a fables with a motto kind of feel to them but perhaps I'm wrong? There is a theme of sharing and helping one another, but it doesn't come right out and say it like I thought it might.
But that doesn't seem to bother Madeline. And the message comes across in it s own way, which is good. At this point, she's more interested in telling me which animal is going into the house next anyway!
We definitely recommend that you check this one out. The colors just make us really happy and the story is fun and easy for a two year old to follow, which sometimes isn't the case with picture books, since those span an age range that she's at the bottom of right now.
This is the most bright and brilliantly colorful book I have ever owned. It is an absolute delight for the eyes. Especially for little eyes.
Madeline loves this book. It's supposed to be a folk tale, and I think it does a good job of coming off that way. I always imagine folk tales to have more of a fables with a motto kind of feel to them but perhaps I'm wrong? There is a theme of sharing and helping one another, but it doesn't come right out and say it like I thought it might.
But that doesn't seem to bother Madeline. And the message comes across in it s own way, which is good. At this point, she's more interested in telling me which animal is going into the house next anyway!
We definitely recommend that you check this one out. The colors just make us really happy and the story is fun and easy for a two year old to follow, which sometimes isn't the case with picture books, since those span an age range that she's at the bottom of right now. 
November 13, 2017
Maddie Moo Toddler Book Review: Journey
By: Aaron Becker
This is a magical story about imagination that has no words but is quickly becoming a favorite story all the same.
It's like a grown up Harold's Purple Crayon.
So the story, which features very subdued colors in its illustrations except for the red and purple of the magical chalk(?) and the lines and things that are drawn, at first, depicts a girl who is lonely and bored who takes up her bright red chalk and draw herself a door into another place. There she adventures along using different ways of traveling that she draws into existence. There's a magical forest, a beautiful castle, sky pirates, a daring rescue and more!
We call the girl Josephine, because that's who the book is dedicated to. We call the boy Alex, because that's Madeline's best friend at school. She stares at the pages as though she's watching Toy Story (for the millionth time) with absolute focus and interest. She really enjoys it and so do I. It's a great story, and it's really visually appealing. This is definitely going on the shelf of books that I will keep when she's grown.
This is a magical story about imagination that has no words but is quickly becoming a favorite story all the same.
It's like a grown up Harold's Purple Crayon.
So the story, which features very subdued colors in its illustrations except for the red and purple of the magical chalk(?) and the lines and things that are drawn, at first, depicts a girl who is lonely and bored who takes up her bright red chalk and draw herself a door into another place. There she adventures along using different ways of traveling that she draws into existence. There's a magical forest, a beautiful castle, sky pirates, a daring rescue and more!
We call the girl Josephine, because that's who the book is dedicated to. We call the boy Alex, because that's Madeline's best friend at school. She stares at the pages as though she's watching Toy Story (for the millionth time) with absolute focus and interest. She really enjoys it and so do I. It's a great story, and it's really visually appealing. This is definitely going on the shelf of books that I will keep when she's grown.
November 9, 2017
Maddie Moo Toddler Book Review: A Little Christmas Tree
Written by: Anthony Merrill & Michael Bast
Illustrated by: Dan Burr
She refused to take her new backpack off for this photo lol
This is the story of a tree who thinks he is destined to be a Christmas tree, and his journey to discovering that he is actually much more, and how, exactly, he is to be a part of the true meaning of Christmas.
I think this is actually a really nice way to bring the Christian aspect of this Christmas tradition into focus. Now, I'm not going to get into the logistics of Christmas and its origins and all that stuff, because not all of my readers hold the same beliefs and this is not meant to start a debate when I quote the book as saying "the true meaning of Christmas." I'm not trying to convert you.
But I do really like this story. So many Christmas books focus on Santa, who, let's be honest, is in large part a reward system set up to get your child to behave in all the stores you inevitably have to go into to do all your holiday shopping! (Don't even get me started on Elf on the Shelf) And as fun and magical is the Santa part of a child's life is, I think it's good to temper that a little and let them know there's more to it than just the big man who hands out presents if you were mildly less annoying than lovable that year.
But for those who are looking for an engaging way to help explain or introduce kids to the Christ aspect of Christmas, I think this is a great way to do it. And the illustrations are beautiful. They remind me of old CocaCola ads. And Madeline, who is just starting to see and fawn over t he twinkly Christmas trees, already loves the book for its tree-quality anyway. Even if the concepts are currently a bit over her head. She and I both adore this book cover, and she proudly held it up for me for her picture. It really is a beautiful book.
I also like the underlying message that even if things don't work out the way we imagined, something great is still in store for us. I really liked that aspect a lot actually.
Illustrated by: Dan Burr
She refused to take her new backpack off for this photo lol
This is the story of a tree who thinks he is destined to be a Christmas tree, and his journey to discovering that he is actually much more, and how, exactly, he is to be a part of the true meaning of Christmas.
I think this is actually a really nice way to bring the Christian aspect of this Christmas tradition into focus. Now, I'm not going to get into the logistics of Christmas and its origins and all that stuff, because not all of my readers hold the same beliefs and this is not meant to start a debate when I quote the book as saying "the true meaning of Christmas." I'm not trying to convert you.
But I do really like this story. So many Christmas books focus on Santa, who, let's be honest, is in large part a reward system set up to get your child to behave in all the stores you inevitably have to go into to do all your holiday shopping! (Don't even get me started on Elf on the Shelf) And as fun and magical is the Santa part of a child's life is, I think it's good to temper that a little and let them know there's more to it than just the big man who hands out presents if you were mildly less annoying than lovable that year.
But for those who are looking for an engaging way to help explain or introduce kids to the Christ aspect of Christmas, I think this is a great way to do it. And the illustrations are beautiful. They remind me of old CocaCola ads. And Madeline, who is just starting to see and fawn over t he twinkly Christmas trees, already loves the book for its tree-quality anyway. Even if the concepts are currently a bit over her head. She and I both adore this book cover, and she proudly held it up for me for her picture. It really is a beautiful book.
I also like the underlying message that even if things don't work out the way we imagined, something great is still in store for us. I really liked that aspect a lot actually.
November 2, 2017
The Stacks: October 2017
This month I designed two full boxes for Nerdy Post and created three Halloween costumes, so the fact that I was able to read anything at all is, in my opinion, super impressive. There are so many books I want to read in November, but I don't know whether I'll get the time given that I'm participating in NaNoWriMo and creating two boxes again. *sigh* I never learn. But hey, for once I actually read most of these without Audible. Like, actually physically read them! (This was because I was listening to The Fiery Cross all month and I'm still not done with it). And I swear I'm going to get more consistent with my reviews. I have so many to do! But I keep forgetting to sit down with Madeline and take the photos. Maybe I need to change up my review photos again...DeathNote (vol.5&6) Tsugumi Ohba
Review to Come
The Handmaid's Tale Margaret Atwood
Review to Come
On Tyranny Timothy Snyder
Review to Come
Till We Have Faces C.S. Lewis
Review to Come
The Chronicles of Narnia C.S. Lewis
Review to Come
October 9, 2017
The Peculiar Incident on Shady Street
by: Lindsay Currie
I was sent an early e-copy of this story, but I downloaded it to my phone, which is what I take these review pictures with, so this is actually photoshopped since I wanted to keep on theme but don't have a physical copy... yet.
The book goes on sale tomorrow (Oct 10) and after reading this story, I must include it on my bookshelves!
First off, this cover is so lovely! I adore the colors in it. It manages to put off a fun vibe while also maintaining a spooky perfect-for-Halloween-time-read vibe as well. Such a great balance and also a great way to sum up the feelings I got from this whole story.
I was actually really surprised how much scary there is in this book. I mean, I wasn't necessarily scared {I just came off reading a ton of Stephen King, if you'll recall} but I found myself definitely surprised by the directions the spooky scenes went. It was an impressed surprise. I was expecting something that alluded to ghosts but circumvented it. This did not. This was a great little ghost story mystery. I think it would make quite the introduction for middle grade readers to the world of scary stories. The best part was that it wasn't just about the reader being spooked. There was a great character arcs and group dynamics that happened throughout.
Since I have an ARC I didn't write down any particular quotes, so I will simply end this by saying that I think this book makes an excellent October read for any middle grader {or middle-grader at heart} looking to get a little on the edge of their seat with excitement and, yes, a bit of fear, too.
Can't wait to own an actual copy of this! Kids, read this one with your lights on! ;)
I was sent an early e-copy of this story, but I downloaded it to my phone, which is what I take these review pictures with, so this is actually photoshopped since I wanted to keep on theme but don't have a physical copy... yet.The book goes on sale tomorrow (Oct 10) and after reading this story, I must include it on my bookshelves!
First off, this cover is so lovely! I adore the colors in it. It manages to put off a fun vibe while also maintaining a spooky perfect-for-Halloween-time-read vibe as well. Such a great balance and also a great way to sum up the feelings I got from this whole story.
I was actually really surprised how much scary there is in this book. I mean, I wasn't necessarily scared {I just came off reading a ton of Stephen King, if you'll recall} but I found myself definitely surprised by the directions the spooky scenes went. It was an impressed surprise. I was expecting something that alluded to ghosts but circumvented it. This did not. This was a great little ghost story mystery. I think it would make quite the introduction for middle grade readers to the world of scary stories. The best part was that it wasn't just about the reader being spooked. There was a great character arcs and group dynamics that happened throughout.
Since I have an ARC I didn't write down any particular quotes, so I will simply end this by saying that I think this book makes an excellent October read for any middle grader {or middle-grader at heart} looking to get a little on the edge of their seat with excitement and, yes, a bit of fear, too.
Can't wait to own an actual copy of this! Kids, read this one with your lights on! ;)
October 2, 2017
Maddie Moo Toddler Book Review: The Snatchabook
By: Helen Docherty & Thomas Docherty
"In every house, in every bed, a bedtime book was being read...
But then, one night, all the animals' bedtime storybooks start disappearing. Is there a book thief? And who could it be? One brave little bunny sets out to solve the mystery." {cover copy}
We got this book in our latest Bookroo box, and it's quickly becoming a favorite for both of us. Madeline loves it because she feels the need to tell me all about it in her own little Toddler language. I posted some videos of her reading/seek and finding this one on IG today. SHe had read it to me about 17 times, and has sat through me reading it about three. She much prefers reading it to me, which is fine. I was able to read the story at least one time through, so I know how it goes.
This is easily becoming one of my new favorites of hers as well. I absolutely love the illustrations. The colors and artwork are beautiful. The words have a cute little rhyming to them and the story itself is actually super cute. I hope this one remains a favorite of hers because I would not mind reading this to her over and over.
October 1, 2017
The Stacks: September 2017
I am actually kind of blown away by the amount of books I read this month. I say it a lot, but seriously, thank goodness for Audible. Though I did actually physically read a good portion of these, which is impressive considering my schedule. The Stand Stephen King
I just realized this was completed last month, but it got in this month's picture *smh* oops.
The Eyes of The Dragon Stephen King
This was a re-read, so I'm not sure right now whether I will be reviewing this one. Probably I will since I love it so much.
11/22/63 Stephen King
Review to Come
Full Dark, No Stars Stephen King
Review to Come
On Writing Stephen King
Review to Come
The Green Mile Stephen King
Review to Come
Pet Sematary Stephen King
Review to Come
Tommyknockers Stephen King
Review to Come
DeathNote (vol.1-4) Tsugumi Ohba
Review to Come
A Darker Shade of Magic V.E. Schwab
Review to Come
The Stack: September 2017
I am actually kind of blown away by the amount of books I read this month. I say it a lot, but seriously, thank goodness for Audible. Though I did actually physically read a good portion of these, which is impressive considering my schedule. The Stand Stephen King
I just realized this was completed last month, but it got in this month's picture *smh* oops.
The Eyes of The Dragon Stephen King
This was a re-read, so I'm not sure right now whether I will be reviewing this one. Probably I will since I love it so much.
11/22/63 Stephen King
Review to Come
Full Dark, No Stars Stephen King
Review to Come
On Writing Stephen King
Review to Come
The Green Mile Stephen King
Review to Come
Pet Sematary Stephen King
Review to Come
Tommyknockers Stephen King
Review to Come
DeathNote (vol.1-4) Tsugumi Ohba
Review to Come
A Darker Shade of Magic V.E. Schwab
Review to Come
September 30, 2017
Fortunately, The Milk
by: Neil Gaiman
I picked this one up while at BookCon back in the spring and read it in like one sitting on the airplane on my way home. It was really silly and fun and exactly what I was hoping it would be from the cover. It spun a delightful tale that felt very much like a parent making stuff up as he went, but one who has serious skills with plot. haha This is a really short review because I blew through it, so I'll just say that it is definitely recommended.
There was only orange juice in the fridge. {first line}
"I said, "You're a stegosaurus!" / "I am an inventor," he said. "I have invented the thing we are traveling in, which I call Professor Steg's Floaty-Ball-Person-Carrier." / "I call it a balloon," I said. / "Professor Steg's Floaty-Ball-Person-Carrier is the original name," he said. "And right now we are one hundred and fifty million years in the future." / "Actually," I said, "we are about three hundred years in the past." / "Do you like hard-hairy-wet-crunchers?" he asked. "Coconuts?" I guessed. "I named them first," said Professor Steg."
• paper • {last word}
I picked this one up while at BookCon back in the spring and read it in like one sitting on the airplane on my way home. It was really silly and fun and exactly what I was hoping it would be from the cover. It spun a delightful tale that felt very much like a parent making stuff up as he went, but one who has serious skills with plot. haha This is a really short review because I blew through it, so I'll just say that it is definitely recommended.
There was only orange juice in the fridge. {first line}
"I said, "You're a stegosaurus!" / "I am an inventor," he said. "I have invented the thing we are traveling in, which I call Professor Steg's Floaty-Ball-Person-Carrier." / "I call it a balloon," I said. / "Professor Steg's Floaty-Ball-Person-Carrier is the original name," he said. "And right now we are one hundred and fifty million years in the future." / "Actually," I said, "we are about three hundred years in the past." / "Do you like hard-hairy-wet-crunchers?" he asked. "Coconuts?" I guessed. "I named them first," said Professor Steg."
• paper • {last word}
September 27, 2017
Pet Sematary
by: Stephen King
I usually always have the kid in my review photos, but this one
called for the fur-baby to take her place. It was too perfect.When the Creeds move into a beautiful old house in rural Maine, it all seems too good to be true: physician father, beautiful wife, charming little daughter, adorable infant son--and now an idyllic home. As a family, they've got it all...right down to the friendly cat.
But the nearby woods hide a blood-chilling truth--more terrifying than death itself...and hideously more powerful. {cover copy}
So, I have seen this cover and heard this title for years but never actually knew what it was about. Somewhere in my brain I thought vaguely that Pet Sematary had to do with Cujo. But after picking it up and reading the introduction from Stephen himself in which he said this was the novel he put in a drawer and thought he had finally gone too far. It, to him, is the most terrifying novel he's written. And honestly, I can see why. On one level, for me, it wasn't scary. But on another, it was chilling. I can't quite figure out why I remain split on this except to say that it had something to do with the ending. I could see where things were going for a good part of the story, probably because I read the intro. {So be careful there if you want to go in without expectations}. And also because I asked my dad if he had read it when I was just starting it and he was vague enough not to spoil anything but hinted at how dark it would get. That, combined with the intro, meant I had a good idea of what was coming and I think my level of fear lessened due to that. But then, even knowing, it definitely ramped up to a great ending that surprised me and was truly creepy as sh*t. This was a great one. Definitely one I will count as his scariest.
Louis Creed, who had lost his father at three and who had never known a grandfather, never expected to find a father as he entered his middle age, but that was exactly what happened...although he called this man a friend, as a grown man must do when he finds the man who should have been his father relatively late in life. {first line}
"Cats were the gangsters of the animal world, living outside the law and often dying there."
"Only children tell the whole truth, you know. That's what makes them children."
"...there are rusty, half-buried things in the terrain of any life and ... human beings seem compelled to go back to these things and pull at them, even though they cut."
"there is no gain without risk, perhaps no risk without love."
• said • {last word}
I usually always have the kid in my review photos, but this onecalled for the fur-baby to take her place. It was too perfect.When the Creeds move into a beautiful old house in rural Maine, it all seems too good to be true: physician father, beautiful wife, charming little daughter, adorable infant son--and now an idyllic home. As a family, they've got it all...right down to the friendly cat.
But the nearby woods hide a blood-chilling truth--more terrifying than death itself...and hideously more powerful. {cover copy}
So, I have seen this cover and heard this title for years but never actually knew what it was about. Somewhere in my brain I thought vaguely that Pet Sematary had to do with Cujo. But after picking it up and reading the introduction from Stephen himself in which he said this was the novel he put in a drawer and thought he had finally gone too far. It, to him, is the most terrifying novel he's written. And honestly, I can see why. On one level, for me, it wasn't scary. But on another, it was chilling. I can't quite figure out why I remain split on this except to say that it had something to do with the ending. I could see where things were going for a good part of the story, probably because I read the intro. {So be careful there if you want to go in without expectations}. And also because I asked my dad if he had read it when I was just starting it and he was vague enough not to spoil anything but hinted at how dark it would get. That, combined with the intro, meant I had a good idea of what was coming and I think my level of fear lessened due to that. But then, even knowing, it definitely ramped up to a great ending that surprised me and was truly creepy as sh*t. This was a great one. Definitely one I will count as his scariest.
Louis Creed, who had lost his father at three and who had never known a grandfather, never expected to find a father as he entered his middle age, but that was exactly what happened...although he called this man a friend, as a grown man must do when he finds the man who should have been his father relatively late in life. {first line}
"Cats were the gangsters of the animal world, living outside the law and often dying there."
"Only children tell the whole truth, you know. That's what makes them children."
"...there are rusty, half-buried things in the terrain of any life and ... human beings seem compelled to go back to these things and pull at them, even though they cut."
"there is no gain without risk, perhaps no risk without love."
• said • {last word}
