babyleo's reviews
1689 reviews

Published on Lost in a Good Book - https://wp.me/p3x8rS-33H

A picture book I picked up for the cover and it 100% delivers internally as well. This is a wonderful book. It is funny, cute, and the illustrations are half the fun. I liked how Lou isn’t unhappy with being a lovebird, but he still wants to be more interesting and these new birds he hasn’t seen before are what he wants to become.

I loved how unequivocally supportive Lou’s parents are. He wants to be a flamingo, they are right behind him, he wants to be a pelican, they tell him he’s an amazing pelican. There are brilliant lines as Lou admits defeat in his quest to be a [different] bird, “Being a bird is for the birds” he admits and becomes a rock. This was the highlight of this book for me. There is nothing more adorable than a flock of supportive lovebirds helping this little bird start his journey to be a rock. There is nothing more fantastic than the greatest image ever of a bird sitting in a field with a sign beside him that reads #1 Rock. Laberis has added so much to this story with the illustrations and as much as I love Sauer’s story, the illustrations are divine. 

A longer version of this review was published on Lost in a Good Book - https://wp.me/p3x8rS-38j
 

I am so glad I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. I have been trying to diversify my diverse reads and this is such a rare identity in books I needed to read it and it turned into an amazing story! There are many asexual book lists (aromantic even rarer) and so often it’s vague, implied, a throwaway comment that people can hang their hopes on, but Zhao holds nothing back and makes it clear these girls are aroace and are proud of it.

Jo/Wanda is definitely the antagonist in starting the feud between the pair. She takes it as a joke then intentionally antagonises Sophie/Wendy. Publicly too which is poor form. But Zhao balances on the line because I was waiting for it to go too far and become the main conflict but Jo stops right before it becomes too hurtful. For all the different ways this could have played out I really enjoyed how Zhao works this storyline. There’s tension and suspense, while remaining heartfelt, honest, and wholesome.

I love having a book where there are set feelings/identity. The focus is then on a different story and not only on exploring character feelings. Not that having books only about that are bad, I have loved more than my fair share, but sometimes it is nice to have a plot with a diverse character and not have the diverse character be the plot. The aroace representation in books is so low (finding any openly or definitive asexual or aromantic rep in books is hard) and I am glad this one shines brightly with an amazing story and amazing set of characters.

400 pages/10 hours and 70+ chapters makes it feel like the book is slow and dragged out, and sometimes it does, but it is a medium paced story, a lot of little things happen and it fills a range of side elements like exploring characters, plus the culture and community at the school. The complexity of the book world and having each character have their own friends and family around them meant there was a lot to explore and Zhao gives everything the right pace and attention.

This is a great book that gives attention to a little know part of the diversity alphabet and hopefully it’s one people can fall in love with. If not for the refreshing identity exploration, than an amazing rivals plot and finding new intense friendships. 

A longer version of this review was published on Lost in a Good Book - https://wp.me/p3x8rS-38e

 Spratt comes in guns blazing with a lot of yelling and chaos which was great. I liked for once there was a character who wasn’t studious, wasn’t on top of stuff, it’s about time there was a teen who got their own book who skipped out on doing any homework and it’s not entirely their fault. Selby I put up with as she is 15 and her actions are a very 15 year old response. There’s a balance at 15 where you can be a bit more immature than maybe a 16 or 17 year old character can get away with. Though immaturity has no age limit really, but you get more leeway the younger you get.

I didn’t like the note from the author essentially warning readers they will encounter Shakespeare in the book. It was like to let them know not to be scared off and to still give this book a chance. If you are reading a book having a few verbatim Shakespeare quotes in it shouldn’t deter you. I think the kids will survive. Especially given how it’s in a narrative form so it isn’t even the big scary play version they supposedly should detest. What was wonderful about having it put through a narrative lens is it’s a great example of how amazing Shakespeare is to see performed live. How reading a play in a book isn’t the right format. A play is to be performed and experienced. Diving right into the text to see it before you is the next best thing. If you can manage it.

 Having a teen Hamlet interact with a modern teen really brings to light his angst and the family drama he has to endure. It's easy to see how Shakespeare can be modernised because there are a lot of universal things and Selby getting to experience the plot points first hand is a great reminder that people have always been people even if you say it in a poetic form.

Fast paced and light hearted it’s a quick read and one that might help the Shakespeare wary understand the universality and enduring nature of Shakespeare. 

A longer  version of this review was published on Lost in a Good Book https://wp.me/p3x8rS-2Yu

Sleepy Sheepy is fluffy, cute, and not at all sleepy.

The best part is through the entire book of telling me Sleepy Sheepy was not sleepy, Sleepy Sheepy couldn’t look more sleepy if they tried. It’s fantastic. A perfect example of an over tired child who won’t go to bed despite looking like they could fall asleep at any moment.

It’s a great book to read to get your own sheepy to sleepy. Cummins’ writing is fun and full of emphasis. I shouldn't be surprised since Cummins also wrote one of my favourite books of all time - A Hungry Lion or a Dwindling Assortment of Animals. The layout of the book works well to help tell the story of Sheepy’s night time antics and couple with the illustrations it's a fun read.