In 'A warm friendship' we meet cute and curious Squirrel that finds a lonely Snowman who's shaking and shivering in the cold. She comes up with a plan to help him. Not only does she bring him a woolen scarf, but she also encourages other animals to stop by and bring a scarf or a blanket to wrap around and warm the poor thing up. They become great friends, until the warm spring sun melts the snowman, and the squirrel is sad to see that all that is left is a colourful pile of scarves. Wise Owl reminds Squirrel that she can see Snowman in every flower and leaf, as well as other animals' hearts who also loved her little friend. Sometimes we make friends for a brief time and then move on, and we have to learn to be kind to each other, even if we are in a temporary situation. There are many different ways of explaining this story, which is essentially about caring for each other while we are together and sometimes having to let it go, without forgetting your friend. The illustrations by Jacqueline Molnar are sweet and adorable. Thank you to NetGalley and Clavis Publishing for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion. A visually-appealing and informative book designed to introduce 8-10 year old to the wonders of one of the greatest civilisations in the world's history and its lasting impact.
Clear organisation and accessible text are extremely important in a children's non-fiction book and this one is a fantastic example of how words and pictures can be combined to help the young reader remember the facts. The book deals with the main periods in Roman history: the beginnings, the republic and the empire. As you would expect, a fair deal of attention is given to the army, weapons and battle tactics roman generals employed in order to expand their empire.There was more to the Roman world than just the never ending war and conquest, as we are reminded in the chapters that deal with the society, entertainment, arts, clothes, food and drink, and, of course, famous baths. There is also information on Roman beliefs and the rise of Christianity in the late period. What distinguishes this book is the practical activities and projects that make learning about Roman civilisation a hands-on experience e.g.create a mosaic, build a mini catapult or make a shield. I also loved little vignettes with quick and quirky facts that make these various aspects of ancient life more entertaining and memorable. Thank you to NetGalley and Ivy Kids (quarto Publishing Group) for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion. “Remember, my dear, you do not really and truly exist.”
Made of dust and bone and imagination, Irréelle fears she’s not quite real. Only the finest magical thread tethers her to life—and to Miss Vesper. But for all her efforts to please her cruel creator, the thread is unraveling. Irréelle is forgetful as she gathers bone dust. She is slow returning from the dark passages beneath the cemetery. Worst of all, she is unmindful of her crooked bones. When Irréelle makes one final, unforgivable mistake by destroying a frightful creature just brought to life, Miss Vesper threatens to imagine her away once and for all. Defying her creator for the very first time, Irréelle flees to the underside of the graveyard and embarks on an adventure to unearth the mysterious magic that breathes bones to life, even if it means she will return to dust and be no more. With echoes of Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book, debut author Heather Kassner crafts a gorgeously written story humming with magic, mystery, and dark imaginings. (From Goodreads) My thoughts: A truly original story. Spooky, scary, perfect for a camp cabin or a sleepover story sharing. I loved the protagonist of the Bone Garden, aptly named Irréelle (' Unreal'). Made of bone dust and her creator's magic imagination, Irreelle is courageous, loving, and loyal. The beginning might scare you because it takes place in underground tunnels under a graveyard, and Irreelle is on her mission to collect (extract) bone dust that will permit Miss Vesper, her cruel creator, continue looking for a clearly marked unmarked grave that holds a secret to her life and magic. All Irréelle wants is to be a real girl, like her neighbours she quietly observes, making sure nobody notices how deformed she is. Nothing ever pleases Miss Vesper who is always quick to remind Irréelle that she doesn't really exist and can be easily replaced. When Irréelle tries to protect herself from a strange creature, brought into life by Miss Vesper's magic, and accidentally breaks it, Miss Vesper wants to destroy her in a really painful and cruel way, but luckily Irréelle manages to run away and hide in the tunnels she knows so well by now. Here she helps to free Guy who becomes her first friend and together they make their way outside. But if you think the scary part is over, you're mistaken. The adventure only begins. Together, Irréelle and Guy must solve the mystery of Miss Arden Mae Vesper and help her reunite with the love of her life. Irréelle undergoes a huge transformation from a quiet, obedient, awkward girl, who wants to do everything in her power to please her tormentor, even if deep down she knows it is wrong. Gradually, she begins to question her own motivation, and proves to be a smart, tenacious, perceptive girl 'with a big heart and a will of her own'. The setting is really dark (most of it happens either undergound or in the graveyar), so it might not be suitable for young children, but midlle graders will appreciate the dark Gothic charm of the magic world created by Heather Kessner. Thank you to Edelweiss and Henry Holt and Co. for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion. |
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