Alexis Lampley's Blog, page 4
November 2, 2018
Charlotte's Web
by: E. B. White
Some Pig. Humble. Radiant. These are the words in Charlotte's Web, high up in Zuckerman's barn. Charlotte's spiderweb tells of her feelings for a little pig named Wilbur, who simply wants a friend. They also express the love of a girl named Fern, who saved Wilbur's life when he was born the runt of his litter. {cover copy}
I do believe I have read this before, but the movie and the book are so tangled up for me that I honestly can't remember. I suppose that's a good thing since it means they stayed true to the book. And either way you look at it, its a fun story. Sometimes, stories come along and totally override your sense of "ew" ... like how I actually felt sympathy for a cockroach in the Gregor the Overlander series. But in this case, it's liking and caring for a spider. I mean, I don't hate/fear them the way I do cockroaches, but I genuinely like this spider and that's not the case with spiders in person. I actively avoid them. I'm also not usually a fan of animal protagonist stories, but this one gets a pass. I can't explain it. But there you go. Definitely a classic I will encourage Madeline to read.
"Where's Papa going with that axe?" {first line}
"Perhaps if people talked less, animals would talk more."
"You asked for words and I brought them."
"Never hurry and never worry!"
"The world is a wonderful place when you're young."
• both • {last word}
Some Pig. Humble. Radiant. These are the words in Charlotte's Web, high up in Zuckerman's barn. Charlotte's spiderweb tells of her feelings for a little pig named Wilbur, who simply wants a friend. They also express the love of a girl named Fern, who saved Wilbur's life when he was born the runt of his litter. {cover copy}I do believe I have read this before, but the movie and the book are so tangled up for me that I honestly can't remember. I suppose that's a good thing since it means they stayed true to the book. And either way you look at it, its a fun story. Sometimes, stories come along and totally override your sense of "ew" ... like how I actually felt sympathy for a cockroach in the Gregor the Overlander series. But in this case, it's liking and caring for a spider. I mean, I don't hate/fear them the way I do cockroaches, but I genuinely like this spider and that's not the case with spiders in person. I actively avoid them. I'm also not usually a fan of animal protagonist stories, but this one gets a pass. I can't explain it. But there you go. Definitely a classic I will encourage Madeline to read.
"Where's Papa going with that axe?" {first line}
"Perhaps if people talked less, animals would talk more."
"You asked for words and I brought them."
"Never hurry and never worry!"
"The world is a wonderful place when you're young."
• both • {last word}
October 31, 2018
The Splendor of Birds
Art and Photographs by National Geographic
A radiant Great Egret creeps through the shadows of a mangrove swamp. Convivial macaws socialize at a clay lick in the Peruvian rain forest. A Wandering Albatross flexes its expansive wingspan. Revel in these extraordinary sights and more, captured in The Splendor of Birds, a sumptuous visual celebration of the winged wonders that share our world as they have been explored, displayed, and revealed throughout the years by National Geographic artist and photographers.
Organized chronologically, this magnificent book reflects our expanding knowledge and changing awareness of birds over the past 130 years. Vivid and compelling, each chapter illustrates new aesthetics and technological advances, as well as the dawning of na environmental consciousness and the urgency to protect species at risk. The stories behind these avian images are equally fascinationg, blending adventure and art, courage and recklessness, politics and passion--whether classic illustrations by Louis Agassiz Fuertes, historic moments witnessed by Jane Goodall, or bold portraits by Joel Sartore from his celebrated Photo Ark project.
Now, collected into one exquisite volume, this elegant treasury displays the irresistible beauty, grace, and intelligence of our feathered friends, discovered and portrayed by the world's finest artists and photographers. {cover copy}
If you can't tell from the photo, I like birds. I mean, what other reason would I have for owning four of them if I didn't think they were pretty much the coolest species in the animal kingdom. So when I was sent this book to review, you might understand better how absolutely delighted I was to have it in my possession. And I'll be honest, I came for the photos. But as usual, Nat Geo hooked me with the reading portion as well. What I love about this book is that it feels like a bunch of bird-related Net Geo magazines rolled into one place, with all the info and stories in an easy to find central location, rather than a bunch of magazines. I'm sure this is not actually what they did, mind you, but it has that feeling like you are getting all the best content from the inception of the magazine till now. Though I was more drawn to the later photographs, I think the earlier ones and the stories that go along with them are fascinating. It was really cool to see the evolution of capturing the images of birds (whether that be painting, drawing, or photograph) as well as what we know about them and how we as humans interact with them. But listen, even if you don't read a single word of this (and you'd be missing out, so I don't recommend it), this book is spectacular.
A radiant Great Egret creeps through the shadows of a mangrove swamp. Convivial macaws socialize at a clay lick in the Peruvian rain forest. A Wandering Albatross flexes its expansive wingspan. Revel in these extraordinary sights and more, captured in The Splendor of Birds, a sumptuous visual celebration of the winged wonders that share our world as they have been explored, displayed, and revealed throughout the years by National Geographic artist and photographers.Organized chronologically, this magnificent book reflects our expanding knowledge and changing awareness of birds over the past 130 years. Vivid and compelling, each chapter illustrates new aesthetics and technological advances, as well as the dawning of na environmental consciousness and the urgency to protect species at risk. The stories behind these avian images are equally fascinationg, blending adventure and art, courage and recklessness, politics and passion--whether classic illustrations by Louis Agassiz Fuertes, historic moments witnessed by Jane Goodall, or bold portraits by Joel Sartore from his celebrated Photo Ark project.
Now, collected into one exquisite volume, this elegant treasury displays the irresistible beauty, grace, and intelligence of our feathered friends, discovered and portrayed by the world's finest artists and photographers. {cover copy}
If you can't tell from the photo, I like birds. I mean, what other reason would I have for owning four of them if I didn't think they were pretty much the coolest species in the animal kingdom. So when I was sent this book to review, you might understand better how absolutely delighted I was to have it in my possession. And I'll be honest, I came for the photos. But as usual, Nat Geo hooked me with the reading portion as well. What I love about this book is that it feels like a bunch of bird-related Net Geo magazines rolled into one place, with all the info and stories in an easy to find central location, rather than a bunch of magazines. I'm sure this is not actually what they did, mind you, but it has that feeling like you are getting all the best content from the inception of the magazine till now. Though I was more drawn to the later photographs, I think the earlier ones and the stories that go along with them are fascinating. It was really cool to see the evolution of capturing the images of birds (whether that be painting, drawing, or photograph) as well as what we know about them and how we as humans interact with them. But listen, even if you don't read a single word of this (and you'd be missing out, so I don't recommend it), this book is spectacular.
October 29, 2018
Maddie Moo Kids Book Review: Library Lion
Written by: Michelle Knudsen
Illustrated by: Kevin Hawkes
I almost didn't buy this book.
I saw the cover and was immediately intrigued. I was at a bookstore I frequent less often than Barnes and Noble, because it's farther from my house, and they always seem to have books B&N don't. (The store is Books-A-Million btw). I had both my girls with me, which means I was trying to chase a 3 year old around while pushing a stroller that held a carseat (aka it's bulky). The BAM lacks the child area corral I so desperately depend on at B&N, plus it has two exits because it is in the mall, so I was trying to peruse the shelves while simultaneously keeping both kids in my line of sight.
I managed to get Madeline distracted by a toy for long enough that I could grab this one off the shelf, as the title and artwork intrigued me, and flip through it very quickly. I had only seen a few pages and was thinking that perhaps there were too many words per page to keep her interest when she was off again and I was left to make a very quick decision. Do I put it back or throw it in my bag?
Ultimately, the New York Times Bestseller sticker on the front told me to give it a shot, maybe she would like it. So when we got home, I sat down and read it with her. And it. was. ADORABLE. I was so glad I went ahead and got it.
Madeline has no problem listening along very intently throughout, and it is such a sweet story. This is definitely one of my top picture books, just because there is something indefinable about it that I have a feeling will have it being considered a classic by my children when they have their own.
Illustrated by: Kevin Hawkes
I almost didn't buy this book. I saw the cover and was immediately intrigued. I was at a bookstore I frequent less often than Barnes and Noble, because it's farther from my house, and they always seem to have books B&N don't. (The store is Books-A-Million btw). I had both my girls with me, which means I was trying to chase a 3 year old around while pushing a stroller that held a carseat (aka it's bulky). The BAM lacks the child area corral I so desperately depend on at B&N, plus it has two exits because it is in the mall, so I was trying to peruse the shelves while simultaneously keeping both kids in my line of sight.
I managed to get Madeline distracted by a toy for long enough that I could grab this one off the shelf, as the title and artwork intrigued me, and flip through it very quickly. I had only seen a few pages and was thinking that perhaps there were too many words per page to keep her interest when she was off again and I was left to make a very quick decision. Do I put it back or throw it in my bag?
Ultimately, the New York Times Bestseller sticker on the front told me to give it a shot, maybe she would like it. So when we got home, I sat down and read it with her. And it. was. ADORABLE. I was so glad I went ahead and got it.
Madeline has no problem listening along very intently throughout, and it is such a sweet story. This is definitely one of my top picture books, just because there is something indefinable about it that I have a feeling will have it being considered a classic by my children when they have their own.
October 27, 2018
Ella Enchanted
by: Gail Carson Levine
At her birth, Ella of Frell received a foolish fairy's gift--the "gift" of obedience. Ella must obey any order, whether it's hopping on one foot for a day and a half or chopping off her own head! But strong-willed Ella does not accept her fate. Against a bold backdrop of princes, ogres, giants, wicked stepsisters, and fairy godmothers, Ella goes on a quest to break the curse forever. {cover copy}
This is another book I am guilty of having seen the movie before reading it. But still, I really enjoyed it. As ever, the book had a lot more going on. Or, it seemed to anyway. It has actually been years since I saw the movie, so I only had a vague recollection of the story. But this was such a fun read. This will definitely be one I'll want to read along with Madeline when she's old enough! It's a really interesting premise, and makes you consider just how hard things would be if you always had to obey commands. I think it'll be a good little hint to my girls that obeying mom about cleaning their room isn't so bad since they do have the ability to say no! I also think it could sneakily teach how important it is to have say over your own body and actions. Important lesson for girls especially.
That fool of a fairy Lucinda did not intend to lay a curse on me. {first line}
"If she couldn't sleep, she could read."
• after • {last word}
At her birth, Ella of Frell received a foolish fairy's gift--the "gift" of obedience. Ella must obey any order, whether it's hopping on one foot for a day and a half or chopping off her own head! But strong-willed Ella does not accept her fate. Against a bold backdrop of princes, ogres, giants, wicked stepsisters, and fairy godmothers, Ella goes on a quest to break the curse forever. {cover copy}This is another book I am guilty of having seen the movie before reading it. But still, I really enjoyed it. As ever, the book had a lot more going on. Or, it seemed to anyway. It has actually been years since I saw the movie, so I only had a vague recollection of the story. But this was such a fun read. This will definitely be one I'll want to read along with Madeline when she's old enough! It's a really interesting premise, and makes you consider just how hard things would be if you always had to obey commands. I think it'll be a good little hint to my girls that obeying mom about cleaning their room isn't so bad since they do have the ability to say no! I also think it could sneakily teach how important it is to have say over your own body and actions. Important lesson for girls especially.
That fool of a fairy Lucinda did not intend to lay a curse on me. {first line}
"If she couldn't sleep, she could read."
• after • {last word}
October 25, 2018
Space Atlas
by: James Trefil
As spacecraft probe every dimension of our solar system and astrophysicists tap into phenomena from the beginning of time, our vision of the universe is changing fast. This new edition of National Geographic's spectacular Space Atlas, thoroughly revised and updated, captures it all.
Starting with the sun, moons, and planets in out own solar system, moving outward to stars and galaxies, and reaching beyond into the fascinating mysteries of dark matter, pulsars, and the multiverse, these pages glow with dazzling photography, revealing graphics, and exquisite maps, their details newly rendered thanks to cutting-edge data from the latest space missions.
Renowned physicist James Trefil guides us through this cosmic journey, including key facts on every heavenly object and introducing us to the astronomers, past and present, whose discoveries have shaped our understanding.
Every page, every map in this new edition of Space Atlas has been reviewed in light of new discoveries--from the polar craters newly discovered on Mercury to the evidence of gravitational waves, captured as two neutron stars collided more than a hundred million light-years away. Some maps reflect significant new findings, such as Pluto--now replete with details we know thanks only to NASA's New Horizons--or the new dwarf plant Ceres, prominent in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter and visited by NASA's Dawn mission in 2016.
With a new foreword by Buzz Aldrin, reflecting on 50 years of changing knowledge about the universe and the moon he walked on, this exquisite book is sure to intrigue every newcomer who looks up with wonder at the night sky--and to satisfy every reader already attuned to the amazing drama of the cosmos. {cover copy}
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book actually came as quite a surprise to me. I expected that I would mostly enjoy the photos and little tidbits scattered through those pages. Instead, I found myself rather fascinated and wishing that I had had this book as subject material for my college Astronomy class (unfortunately I had a teacher who spoke in monotone and I don't even remember the text because it was so dull). Of course, I did still very much enjoy the photos and the tidbits as they, too, were fascinating. I kept finding myself telling my husband "hey this is cool, listen" and then reading out or pointing out sections of the book. I also kept losing time when I would sit to read just a page during lunch and look up an hour later to realize I'd been reading far too long than I planned. This book actually makes me miss learning things that aren't directly related to my job, but are rather just really interesting things to learn.
Also, I have to add, that the foreword by Buzz Aldrin had me thinking of many different stories in turns: First Star Wars, then Firefly, The 100, The Martian, Red Rising... It made me glad I love Science Fiction.
In conclusion, this book was way more than I expected and I'm so happy to own it because I will definitely be sharing it with my girls when they get old enough. I look forward to seeing the wonder on their faces as they learn about the universe, because it is super fascinating. Also, because Science is important. (This, coming from an artist and author, might seem surprising. But truth be told, I loved Science as a kid. It was Math that killed Science for me as I got older. Curse you, Algebra!)
As spacecraft probe every dimension of our solar system and astrophysicists tap into phenomena from the beginning of time, our vision of the universe is changing fast. This new edition of National Geographic's spectacular Space Atlas, thoroughly revised and updated, captures it all.Starting with the sun, moons, and planets in out own solar system, moving outward to stars and galaxies, and reaching beyond into the fascinating mysteries of dark matter, pulsars, and the multiverse, these pages glow with dazzling photography, revealing graphics, and exquisite maps, their details newly rendered thanks to cutting-edge data from the latest space missions.
Renowned physicist James Trefil guides us through this cosmic journey, including key facts on every heavenly object and introducing us to the astronomers, past and present, whose discoveries have shaped our understanding.
Every page, every map in this new edition of Space Atlas has been reviewed in light of new discoveries--from the polar craters newly discovered on Mercury to the evidence of gravitational waves, captured as two neutron stars collided more than a hundred million light-years away. Some maps reflect significant new findings, such as Pluto--now replete with details we know thanks only to NASA's New Horizons--or the new dwarf plant Ceres, prominent in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter and visited by NASA's Dawn mission in 2016.
With a new foreword by Buzz Aldrin, reflecting on 50 years of changing knowledge about the universe and the moon he walked on, this exquisite book is sure to intrigue every newcomer who looks up with wonder at the night sky--and to satisfy every reader already attuned to the amazing drama of the cosmos. {cover copy}
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book actually came as quite a surprise to me. I expected that I would mostly enjoy the photos and little tidbits scattered through those pages. Instead, I found myself rather fascinated and wishing that I had had this book as subject material for my college Astronomy class (unfortunately I had a teacher who spoke in monotone and I don't even remember the text because it was so dull). Of course, I did still very much enjoy the photos and the tidbits as they, too, were fascinating. I kept finding myself telling my husband "hey this is cool, listen" and then reading out or pointing out sections of the book. I also kept losing time when I would sit to read just a page during lunch and look up an hour later to realize I'd been reading far too long than I planned. This book actually makes me miss learning things that aren't directly related to my job, but are rather just really interesting things to learn.
Also, I have to add, that the foreword by Buzz Aldrin had me thinking of many different stories in turns: First Star Wars, then Firefly, The 100, The Martian, Red Rising... It made me glad I love Science Fiction.
In conclusion, this book was way more than I expected and I'm so happy to own it because I will definitely be sharing it with my girls when they get old enough. I look forward to seeing the wonder on their faces as they learn about the universe, because it is super fascinating. Also, because Science is important. (This, coming from an artist and author, might seem surprising. But truth be told, I loved Science as a kid. It was Math that killed Science for me as I got older. Curse you, Algebra!)
October 23, 2018
Black Beauty
by: Anna Sewell
Black Beauty spends his youth in a loving home, surrounded by friends and cared for by his owners. But when circumstances change, he learns that not all humans are so kind. Passed from hand to hand, Black Beauty witnesses love and cruelty, wealth and poverty, friendship and hardship . . . Will the handsome horse ever find a happy and lasting home? Carefully retold in clear contemporary language, and presented with delightful illustrations, these favorite classic stories capture the heart and imagination of young readers. {cover copy}
This book, because I read it in so close a succession as The Call of the Wild, feel very similar to that book to me. You basically follow the life of an animal who runs into some hardships and some seriously crappy people in their lives, and it is told from their perspective. I have a feeling Madeline will be into this one, given her love of horses, but I think I just read it too late in life to appreciate it. I'm not saying I hated it, but it didn't stand out as a classic I want to read again out loud with my kids. Good quotes in it though.
The first place that I can well remember was a large pleasant meadow with a pond of clear water in it. {first line}
"Every man must look after his own soul."
"Good luck is rather particular who she rides with, and mostly prefers those who have got common sense and a good heart."
"Bad words were made for bad things."
"If you in the morning throw minutes away, you can't pick them up at the end of the day."
"only ignorance? Don't you know that it is the worst thing in the world, next to wickedness?"
• trees • {last word}
Black Beauty spends his youth in a loving home, surrounded by friends and cared for by his owners. But when circumstances change, he learns that not all humans are so kind. Passed from hand to hand, Black Beauty witnesses love and cruelty, wealth and poverty, friendship and hardship . . . Will the handsome horse ever find a happy and lasting home? Carefully retold in clear contemporary language, and presented with delightful illustrations, these favorite classic stories capture the heart and imagination of young readers. {cover copy}This book, because I read it in so close a succession as The Call of the Wild, feel very similar to that book to me. You basically follow the life of an animal who runs into some hardships and some seriously crappy people in their lives, and it is told from their perspective. I have a feeling Madeline will be into this one, given her love of horses, but I think I just read it too late in life to appreciate it. I'm not saying I hated it, but it didn't stand out as a classic I want to read again out loud with my kids. Good quotes in it though.
The first place that I can well remember was a large pleasant meadow with a pond of clear water in it. {first line}
"Every man must look after his own soul."
"Good luck is rather particular who she rides with, and mostly prefers those who have got common sense and a good heart."
"Bad words were made for bad things."
"If you in the morning throw minutes away, you can't pick them up at the end of the day."
"only ignorance? Don't you know that it is the worst thing in the world, next to wickedness?"
• trees • {last word}
October 22, 2018
Maddie Moo Kids Book Review: The Color Monster
by: Anna Llenas
Okay so with the kid in the thick of being a
threenager, books about emotions are where it's at lately. Mainly for my own sanity, but also to give her some tools to help deal with all the giant emotions her little body is dealing with at the moment. (Case in point, this photo, which I snapped in the moment that she realized she wasn't wearing a dress today, but wanted to be wearing a dress. I hadn't told her she couldn't wear one. I hadn't said anything at all yet. Because she just immediately was on the verge of tears over it before she'd even explained why).
I think this book does a good job of explaining and describing the core emotions and giving them a nice corresponding color (which is pretty common for emotion books). But what I love most about this book is the artwork. It's not just drawn on the page. It is drawings that are cut out and arranged onto the page. And something about this style is just really eye-catching and beautiful. I love when Madeline requests this book at bedtime because its just a delight to look at. The details and textures that arise from using this style just really give this book a richness, visually.
We only recently picked this book up, but it has been on heavy rotation due to Madeline requesting it, so this is most definitely a hit for her as well.
These photos were taken less than a minute apart, so don't feel too bad when you see that sad little pout. It didn't last lol
Okay so with the kid in the thick of being a threenager, books about emotions are where it's at lately. Mainly for my own sanity, but also to give her some tools to help deal with all the giant emotions her little body is dealing with at the moment. (Case in point, this photo, which I snapped in the moment that she realized she wasn't wearing a dress today, but wanted to be wearing a dress. I hadn't told her she couldn't wear one. I hadn't said anything at all yet. Because she just immediately was on the verge of tears over it before she'd even explained why).
I think this book does a good job of explaining and describing the core emotions and giving them a nice corresponding color (which is pretty common for emotion books). But what I love most about this book is the artwork. It's not just drawn on the page. It is drawings that are cut out and arranged onto the page. And something about this style is just really eye-catching and beautiful. I love when Madeline requests this book at bedtime because its just a delight to look at. The details and textures that arise from using this style just really give this book a richness, visually.
We only recently picked this book up, but it has been on heavy rotation due to Madeline requesting it, so this is most definitely a hit for her as well. These photos were taken less than a minute apart, so don't feel too bad when you see that sad little pout. It didn't last lol
October 20, 2018
Treasure Island
by: Robert Louis Stevenson
For sheer storytelling delight and pure adventure, Treasure Island has never been surpassed. From the moment young Jim Hawkins first encounters the sinister Blind Pew at the Admiral Benbow Inn until the climactic battle for treasure on a tropic isle, the nevel creates scenes and characters that have firetd the imaginations of generations of readers. Written by a superb prose stylist, a master of both action and atmosphere, the story centers upon the conflict between good and evil - but in this case a particularly engaging form of evil. It is the villainy of that most ambiguous rogue Long John Silver that sets the tempo of this tale of treachery, greed, and daring. {cover copy}
I liked this book way more than I expected to. There is a very simple explanation for this: my husband and I were obsessed with Black Sails, which is a show on Starz that is basically meant to be the lead-up of events to this very book. So I was immediately attached to the characters. I guess you could say this book had a head start in terms of whether I was going to like it or not.
Squire Trelawney, Dr Livesey, and the rest of these gentlemen having asked me to write down the whole particulars about Treasure Island, from the beginning to the end, keeping nothing back but the bearings of the island, and that only because there is still treasure not yet lifted, I take up my pen in the year of grace 17--, and go back to the time when my father kept the 'Admiral Benbow' inn, and the brown old seaman, with the sabre cut, first took up his lodging under our roof. {first line}
"They say cowardice is infectious; but then argument is, on the other hand, a great emboldener."
"Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum!"
• eight • {last word}
For sheer storytelling delight and pure adventure, Treasure Island has never been surpassed. From the moment young Jim Hawkins first encounters the sinister Blind Pew at the Admiral Benbow Inn until the climactic battle for treasure on a tropic isle, the nevel creates scenes and characters that have firetd the imaginations of generations of readers. Written by a superb prose stylist, a master of both action and atmosphere, the story centers upon the conflict between good and evil - but in this case a particularly engaging form of evil. It is the villainy of that most ambiguous rogue Long John Silver that sets the tempo of this tale of treachery, greed, and daring. {cover copy}I liked this book way more than I expected to. There is a very simple explanation for this: my husband and I were obsessed with Black Sails, which is a show on Starz that is basically meant to be the lead-up of events to this very book. So I was immediately attached to the characters. I guess you could say this book had a head start in terms of whether I was going to like it or not.
Squire Trelawney, Dr Livesey, and the rest of these gentlemen having asked me to write down the whole particulars about Treasure Island, from the beginning to the end, keeping nothing back but the bearings of the island, and that only because there is still treasure not yet lifted, I take up my pen in the year of grace 17--, and go back to the time when my father kept the 'Admiral Benbow' inn, and the brown old seaman, with the sabre cut, first took up his lodging under our roof. {first line}
"They say cowardice is infectious; but then argument is, on the other hand, a great emboldener."
"Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum!"
• eight • {last word}
October 15, 2018
Maddie Moo Kids Book Review: She's Got This
by: Laurie Hernandez
We were sent this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book pretty much started with an unfair advantage, because Madeline has been attending gymnastics classes every week for about a month and a half, so as soon as she saw the cover, she was hooked.
It was really fun to see how she recognized so many of the things that she does during her practices in the book.
Aside from the obvious draws of the book, given her current extracurriculars, this book also has a great message. It's about falling down and learning to get back up. It addresses the fear of falling again and makes it not so scary.
Madeline hasn't had a big fall in her own gymnastics experience yet, but I'm glad that we have this book and will have read it (probably a million times) before she ever does have a big fall at gymnastics, because I think this will definitely stick with her and give her the courage to
We were sent this book in exchange for an honest review.This book pretty much started with an unfair advantage, because Madeline has been attending gymnastics classes every week for about a month and a half, so as soon as she saw the cover, she was hooked.
It was really fun to see how she recognized so many of the things that she does during her practices in the book.
Aside from the obvious draws of the book, given her current extracurriculars, this book also has a great message. It's about falling down and learning to get back up. It addresses the fear of falling again and makes it not so scary.
Madeline hasn't had a big fall in her own gymnastics experience yet, but I'm glad that we have this book and will have read it (probably a million times) before she ever does have a big fall at gymnastics, because I think this will definitely stick with her and give her the courage to
October 8, 2018
Maddie Moo Kids Book Review: Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls
From Timbuktu Labs
Madeline thought she was being quite sneaky when I told her we could only read one book because it was a late night and she pulled this one off the shelf. Her brilliant plan to stall bedtime backfired, of course, because this book is a collection of one-page stories about extraordinary women in history or even present day.
I love that these are bite size stories. They make it really easy for me at bedtime. They also do a really good job of condensing the tale of each woman into a tiny one page plot.
Of course, I also love that Madeline will be able to read about all these amazing women, which isn't information as easily accessible or digestible to me when I was her age. It sets her up with a vast amount of women she can aspire to be like, and that's awesome.
As an artist, I also really love the aspect of the portraits that are all done by female artists as well. It gives just that much more depth to the book as a whole and hopefully empowers the heck out of my girls.
Madeline thought she was being quite sneaky when I told her we could only read one book because it was a late night and she pulled this one off the shelf. Her brilliant plan to stall bedtime backfired, of course, because this book is a collection of one-page stories about extraordinary women in history or even present day.I love that these are bite size stories. They make it really easy for me at bedtime. They also do a really good job of condensing the tale of each woman into a tiny one page plot.
Of course, I also love that Madeline will be able to read about all these amazing women, which isn't information as easily accessible or digestible to me when I was her age. It sets her up with a vast amount of women she can aspire to be like, and that's awesome.
As an artist, I also really love the aspect of the portraits that are all done by female artists as well. It gives just that much more depth to the book as a whole and hopefully empowers the heck out of my girls.
