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Libbie Lyndton and the Looking Glass
A horse-crazy, eight year old girl can't help but to search for a Grandmother that she had never known because she had passed away before she was born. That seemed not to be a barrier when one day she sneaked into her Mother's room; gazed into her Grandmother's looking glass and a lifelong adventure began. Magic, mystery and the sounds of hoof beats accompany her along her special journey.
113 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 12, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 14, 2019
ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Overall this story was lovely. The ending was so heartfelt and it did have me in tears. The emotional connection I felt in the end to Libbie was something special and I applaud the author for this. Libbie really is the star of the show.
So you may now be asking me why then did I only give this 4 stars and not 5. The first half whilst good did not grip me in the same way and I did put this down a few times. Due to the length this book could be easily read in one sitting and the second half I did read non-stop as the story finally drew me in.
I think this story really is great. Children and Adults will love it in equal measure. If you like the sound of the synopsis give it a try, I really do not think you will be disappointed.
Overall this story was lovely. The ending was so heartfelt and it did have me in tears. The emotional connection I felt in the end to Libbie was something special and I applaud the author for this. Libbie really is the star of the show.
So you may now be asking me why then did I only give this 4 stars and not 5. The first half whilst good did not grip me in the same way and I did put this down a few times. Due to the length this book could be easily read in one sitting and the second half I did read non-stop as the story finally drew me in.
I think this story really is great. Children and Adults will love it in equal measure. If you like the sound of the synopsis give it a try, I really do not think you will be disappointed.
December 29, 2019
If you're reading this story to a child between the ages of 3-6, then this is a sweet little book. Anyone else? It's way too sugary sweet, and the editing is absolutely atrocious.
The story takes place in 1953. In chapter One it's mentioned in the very first sentence that the Lyndton family is a working class family living in Chicago. Both parents work, and while they live comfortably, they are by no means wealthy.
Libbie looks into her mothers handheld mirror and sees her dead Grandmother. No background is given here...is this a magic mirror? Does this happen regularly? Has Libbie seen her Grandmother in this manner before? Nothing. The story just starts there.
For Libbie's birthday, her family takes a trip to Mackinaw Island. This is where I had some major issues.
There is absolutely ZERO conflict or hardship in this story. Everything Libbie needs to do in order to solve the 'mystery' happens with ease. When Libbie manages to secure a spot on the Historical Carriage Tour of the island, she rides as a guest of the tour guide, meaning she doesn't have to pay. She later tells her family this saved them $20.
TWENTY dollars!! Upon looking at few different inflation calculators, $20.00 back in 1953 is the equivalent of roughly $190.00.
Am I really supposed to believe people were paying $190 EACH for a historical guided tour of the island? And if they were, how in the heck did her parents afford to spend three days at that hotel? If a simple carriage ride was $190, what was the nightly rate?!
Also, Libbie refers to a Grand Ball her Grandmother attended 8 years earlier at the same hotel, back in 1945. It's mentioned more than once that tickets for the Ball were $200.00 each. $200 in 1945 is the same as $2,850 (ish) today.
Really??
This is just sloppy writing/editing in my opinion. Not to mention the sheer luck of any of it even happening. The whole mystery hinges on a raffle ticket drawn back in 1945. Libbie's Grandmother went to all that trouble to buy a raffle ticket for a raffle she had no way of knowing whether or not she would win?? It was just ridiculous.
Overall, this was pretty terrible. It reads like it was written by a child or a teenager. There's absolutely no background, the characters are all cardboard and one dimensional, and the story wraps up in a nice, neat, improbable little bow.
As I said at the start, it's perfect for very small children (which is why I begrudgingly gave it two stars). Other than that, I cannot forgive the sloppy storytelling and poor editing.
The story takes place in 1953. In chapter One it's mentioned in the very first sentence that the Lyndton family is a working class family living in Chicago. Both parents work, and while they live comfortably, they are by no means wealthy.
Libbie looks into her mothers handheld mirror and sees her dead Grandmother. No background is given here...is this a magic mirror? Does this happen regularly? Has Libbie seen her Grandmother in this manner before? Nothing. The story just starts there.
For Libbie's birthday, her family takes a trip to Mackinaw Island. This is where I had some major issues.
There is absolutely ZERO conflict or hardship in this story. Everything Libbie needs to do in order to solve the 'mystery' happens with ease. When Libbie manages to secure a spot on the Historical Carriage Tour of the island, she rides as a guest of the tour guide, meaning she doesn't have to pay. She later tells her family this saved them $20.
TWENTY dollars!! Upon looking at few different inflation calculators, $20.00 back in 1953 is the equivalent of roughly $190.00.
Am I really supposed to believe people were paying $190 EACH for a historical guided tour of the island? And if they were, how in the heck did her parents afford to spend three days at that hotel? If a simple carriage ride was $190, what was the nightly rate?!
Also, Libbie refers to a Grand Ball her Grandmother attended 8 years earlier at the same hotel, back in 1945. It's mentioned more than once that tickets for the Ball were $200.00 each. $200 in 1945 is the same as $2,850 (ish) today.
Really??
This is just sloppy writing/editing in my opinion. Not to mention the sheer luck of any of it even happening. The whole mystery hinges on a raffle ticket drawn back in 1945. Libbie's Grandmother went to all that trouble to buy a raffle ticket for a raffle she had no way of knowing whether or not she would win?? It was just ridiculous.
Overall, this was pretty terrible. It reads like it was written by a child or a teenager. There's absolutely no background, the characters are all cardboard and one dimensional, and the story wraps up in a nice, neat, improbable little bow.
As I said at the start, it's perfect for very small children (which is why I begrudgingly gave it two stars). Other than that, I cannot forgive the sloppy storytelling and poor editing.
November 26, 2019
The girl in this story loves horses and well the story gravitate a lot around it. A lot of little events bring more and more happiness to her life. Too much at some point. The girl is too nice, too polite and everything is too much and perfect. If you life stories that are sugarcoat with positivity and all that’s for you. Book still needs a bit of editing since I found a few typos myself :) I would prefer the pictures to be presented differently but overall it’s ok.
Overall it’s cute and a fun story for young ladies. It’s joyful and not violent. No morals but just a nice story to read
Thanks to netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Overall it’s cute and a fun story for young ladies. It’s joyful and not violent. No morals but just a nice story to read
Thanks to netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.
November 7, 2019
This was a fun short story for children. It would be particularly suitable for those who love horses. The main character is 8, and solves a trail of clues left for by her grandmother.
As an adult, I found this book a little to saccharine for my personal taste, and one or two plot points didn’t quite seem logical to me. However, I can imagine that I would have loved it as a young child.
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
As an adult, I found this book a little to saccharine for my personal taste, and one or two plot points didn’t quite seem logical to me. However, I can imagine that I would have loved it as a young child.
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 4, 2019
ARC Copy...felt it short + ended quick but the setting of the hotel was promising along side the photographs to illustrate the mood.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews