Bonnie Ferrante's Blog, page 12
March 7, 2018
Bloom – A Story of Fashion Designer Elsa Schiaparelli by Kyo Maclear and Julie Morstad. Book Review.
This is a 8X10 picture book that tells the story of a fascinating and unique individual, Elsa Schiaparelli. It begins in early childhood where we learned that Elsa was a disappointment to her parents because they wanted a boy and she wasn’t as pretty as her sister. This compelled Elsa her to examine the concept … Continue reading Bloom – A Story of Fashion Designer Elsa Schiaparelli by Kyo Maclear and Julie Morstad. Book Review.
March 4, 2018
My Kingdom for a Burp – Recycled Sundays
By the time my colicky daughter was one week old, I cherished belches. Colic, for you sheltered souls, results in painful gas. Babies crying incessantly and periodically empty their stomachs. I read books and articles, consulted medical personnel, and coffee klatched. I found there are 4,000,552 possible causes. I could avoid seven. No cure! … Continue reading My Kingdom for a Burp – Recycled Sundays
March 2, 2018
Melissa and Doug Peek-a-Boo Turtle – Toy Review
Beginning today, I will be reviewing toys, games, and activities for children every Friday. Although Melissa and Doug toys have a great reputation. I have found that their products vary in quality and usability. Happily, the peekaboo turtle is an exceptionally good toy. Durability five stars. My granddaughter has had this toy for four years … Continue reading Melissa and Doug Peek-a-Boo Turtle – Toy Review
February 28, 2018
Morton McMortimer and the Mars Expedition by Franz. Illustrated by Sebastian Caceres. Book Review.
Morton McMortimer is a creative, fearless child who feels disappointed that his nemesis, Priyanka, won first place in the science fair for her trip to the moon. His day is made even worse by being served kale at supper. He decides to build a spaceship and go to Mars. The journey is long and … Continue reading Morton McMortimer and the Mars Expedition by Franz. Illustrated by Sebastian Caceres. Book Review.
February 25, 2018
A Crowbar and a Cat – Recycled Sundays
I bought my daughter a new mattress not knowing this would lead to 12 garbage bags of rubble. I also owed her an apology for blaming the dankness in her room on leftover pizza, bugles, and chocolate chip cookie crumbs. When I pulled her bed away from the wall, I discovered the homeowner’s dreaded … Continue reading A Crowbar and a Cat – Recycled Sundays
February 23, 2018
Toy, Game, or Activity Review Guidelines
Any submitted toys will be used for 1-6 months before being reviewed. I will generally be reviewing toys I’ve purchased but will also accept submissions/donations from companies and individuals. If readers want to recommend a toy, I might purchase it or pass on their recommendation in a post. The toy will be rated 0-5 stars … Continue reading Toy, Game, or Activity Review Guidelines
Rinny and Oko by Hunter R. Hennigar. Illustrated by Brooklyn Holbrough. Book review.
This children’s picture book has a comic book feel in that dialogue bubbles are used throughout. The illustrations by Holbrough are quirky pen and watercolour featuring highly individualized characters. Rinny is a little girl who is ignored by the adults in her judgemental and delusional community. They blame all their problems on the monster … Continue reading Rinny and Oko by Hunter R. Hennigar. Illustrated by Brooklyn Holbrough. Book review.
February 21, 2018
Duck, Duck, Moose by Joy Heyer. Book review.
This is a delightful picture book about missing a friend. Duck is lonely because goose has gone away for winter. The other animals try to cheer him up by engaging him in games such as duck, duck, pig. However duck does not find this enjoyable nor does he like playing with the fish, snakes, porcupine, … Continue reading Duck, Duck, Moose by Joy Heyer. Book review.
February 18, 2018
Words are Confusing – Recycled Sundays
Considering the complexity of the English language, rich with synonyms, homonyms, and metaphors, it is amazing that humans understand each other as well as they do. Still, if we could eliminate misunderstanding most therapists, lawyers, marriage counselors, and peacekeepers would be out of a job. Children play an old game called telephone or … Continue reading Words are Confusing – Recycled Sundays
February 16, 2018
Who Can Fix It? Written and illustrated by Leslie Ann MacKeen. Book Review.
The premise of the story is very clever. Jeremiah T. Fitz drives his crank up car every Sunday for dinner with his mother. When his car breaks down a series of animals offer suggestions on how to fix it. The ideas are humorous and clever. The kangaroo suggests he check the jumper cable. The … Continue reading Who Can Fix It? Written and illustrated by Leslie Ann MacKeen. Book Review.
