This book tells you everything you need to know about identifying wild edible plants in the SouthEastern United States. There is information about the types of plants that are ready for harvest at different seasons throughout the year. You can harvest wild plants in meadows, mountains, by riverbanks, or by the sea.

I love that there are beautiful photographs of each plant, so that you can easily identify them. You can see all the details of their leaves, blossoms, seeds, and fruit.

There is detailed information about when and how to gather these edibles, how to cook and eat them, and how to preserve them for later. There are also warnings about staying away from polluted areas that could contaminate the plants.

There are commonly recognizable fruits and berries, like crabapple, plums, gooseberry, and strawberries. Vegetables like wild onion, and tree nuts like hickory and hazelnut are all included. There are aromatic herbs that can be gathered, like field garlic, mustard, and wild ginger. And there are also more rare or less well-known plants like the pawpaw, orache, and sea purslane.

I love how this book is designed and organized! The photos are attractive and useful, and the information is reliable.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

Elsa is worried about moving into a new house and having her own room, separate from her sister, Sara. When she hears scratching and mysterious noises coming from the attic, she is terrified. But then she discovers an adorable black kitten, and has to keep him a secret from her family.

This chapter book is so sweet and fun! The writing is perfect for ages 8-11, as children start to read more on their own. The plot is fairly simple, but keeps things interesting as Elsa meets new friends, solves the mystery of the kitten, and figures out how to convince her family to keep the kitten.

I love Elsa's character. She is smart and compassionate, but she is full of anxiety about moving to a new house. She learns to have more confidence and build stronger bonds with her family. I was impressed with her simple but powerful character development.

The illustrations are beautiful pencil drawings in a light and airy style that is very attractive. There is an illustration every 4-5 pages, bringing the story to life.

I love the positive messages of compassion and hope in this book.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

Callie loves animals, especially lions. She is visiting the zoo with her class, when she is whisked away to the African Serengeti, where she rescues a lost lion cub and tries to find the lion's family.

This chapter book is so sweet and fun! The writing is perfect for ages 8-11, as children start to read more on their own. The plot is fairly simple, but keeps things interesting. I loved learning more about different African animals and how lions survive in the wild.

However, I did not like that Callie reaches the African plains through some kind of magical portal opened by a postcard. I would have enjoyed it much more if she had just been on vacation for a safari with her parents or something. It seemed oddly out of place with the rest of the story.

The illustrations are beautiful pencil drawings in a light and airy style that is very attractive. There is an illustration every 4-5 pages, bringing the story to life.

I love the positive messages of compassion and hope in this book.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

Olga, a very plump woman, lives in her newspaper kiosk, and dreams of travelling. She finds herself stuck in her kiosk, and unable to leave by the door because of her girth. So she picks up the kiosk structure and walks down the street looking for adventure with her kiosk on her back.

The illustrations are full of bright colors and little details in the setting that make the story come alive. Each character in the story has their own unique look. I like the whimsical art style.

I am concerned about stereotypes and unhealthy messages in this book. Olga lives in squalid conditions in her kiosk where she has an armchair, sink, and toilet squeezed into a small space. I worry about children getting confusing messages about the health of this woman and her extreme weight. She never leaves the kiosk at all. She can't exercise. She has no place to cook a healthy meal. She is literally trapped in her own bad habits. It's so sad, and yet this is portrayed as a funny book. And then I'm supposed to believe that this person is capable of walking through the city streets carrying a building? It doesn't make any sense, and I think it could be harmful for children to read about. This woman needs to see a doctor and take care of herself. It's unfair to portray her as a clownish silly character just because of her weight. She deserves respect and a happy healthy ending.


Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

The tiny baker has the most dainty and delicious treats at her fashionable tearoom. Her insect customers are always well-behaved and elegantly dressed. But when the ladybug pastry chefs in the kitchen are called away to migrate, they leave a huge mess in the kitchen! How will the tiny baker clean up the mess and deliver delectable desserts to her fancy clientele? She discovers that true friends are always willing to help in a crisis.

I adore this book! Everything about it is perfection.
I love the positive messages about true friendship and jumping in to help someone in need.
I love the interesting plot, and how the tearoom and kitchen are described.
I love all the crazy insect characters with their refined manners and fashionable Victorian clothing.
I love the beautiful illustrations with all the little details in the background that make the story come alive.

It literally made me hungry seeing all the wonderful desserts in this book! I had to go get myself a little piece of chocolate to munch on while reading it.
Suddenly I'm inspired to bake some madeleines or ladyfingers or eclairs. I want pink lemonade and rose-hip tea.

This book is a complete delight from beginning to end!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

Tim and Teo love to eat hazelnuts together on top of their favorite mountain. When each of them thinks their friend selfishly took the last hazelnut instead of sharing, they have a huge argument! But who really took the last hazelnut? Tim and Teo spend the days missing each other and wishing they could be friends again. Can these friends ever forgive each other?

I love the positive messages about forgiveness and tolerance in this book. The friends really do rely on one another and they miss each other. Their anger quickly dissipates and they have the emotional maturity to ask for forgiveness and renew their friendship.

I love the bright illustrations! There are so many fun animal characters in the background who are swimming, flying, playing card, cooking, reading, and jumping rope. The whole woodland is busy with animals. It provides the perfect background for each scene. The art style is fun and expressive!

This book is a complete delight from beginning to end!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

A little vampire tries to scare a girl, but he isn't scary at all, and she only laughs at him. He needs to pass his exam to become a vampire, or he will be forced to work with the banana peelers. With the help of some adorable werewolves and bats and a friendly ghost, the little vampire might be able to give the girl a big scare, but only if she plays along and pretends to be scared.

Un pequeño vampiro intenta asustar a una nina, pero él no da miedo en absoluto y ella solo se ríe de él. Necesita aprobar su examen para ser vampiro, o se verá obligado a trabajar con los peladores de platanos. Con la ayuda de unos adorables hombres lobo y murciélagos y un fantasma amistoso, el pequeño vampiro podría darle un gran susto a la niña, pero solo si ella sigue el juego y finge estar asustada.

I love this cute book! It's perfect for little kids because it isn't scary. It might help to assure children that there is nothing to really be afraid of, but sometimes it's fun to pretend to be scared.

¡Amo este lindo libro! Es perfecto para los niños pequeños porque no da miedo. Puede ayudar asegurarles a los niños que no hay nada a lo que temer realmente, pero a veces es divertido fingir estar asustado.

The illustrations are bright and expressive, bringing a lot of humor to the story. I love the crayon art style, and the cute background characters.

Las ilustraciones tienen colores brillantes y son expresivas, aportando mucho humor a la historia. Me encanta el estilo artístico con crayones y los simpáticos personajes en el cuento.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

A little girl and her grandmother share a cup of tea, bundle up in multiple scarves, and dance with the autumn leaves. But as the months go by, the grandmother begins to decline. She can't get out of bed, but the little girl paints the trees for her on a canvas full of autumn color. When the grandmother dies, her granddaughter still remembers how she was taught to dance with the leaves and enjoy a warm cup of tea. The moments of joy that they shared will never be lost.

My emotions!!! This is so beautiful and sad. It really packs an emotional punch straight to the heart. The grandmother is such a joyful and free spirit, and she teaches her granddaughter to love nature and enjoy life. Seeing the little girl grieve for her grandmother and honor her legacy is truly touching and sweet.

I love the colorful illustrations in this book! The spirit of autumn is captured perfectly in the falling leaves and beautiful landscapes. The art style is bright and fun, bringing a hopeful attitude to the story.

I love everything about this book! It would be wonderful to share with a child who has lost a grandparent. It might help them to talk about their grief in a healthy way, maybe cry a little, and hold onto precious memories and family traditions that make us who we are.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

Perry is the adopted daughter of Lakti noble parents, but her real parents are Bamarre servants. Her true bloodline is kept a secret, because the Bamarre people are considered inferior and cowardly. The fairy Halina visits Perry and urges her to embrace her true heritage and free the Bamarre people from Lakti tyranny. With the help of a magic tablecloth, seven-league boots, and a perfect disguise, Perry plunges into espionage and rebellion. But can she ever escape her Lakti upbringing and be accepted by the Bamarre?

I liked Perry's character. She is headstrong and awkward, but always willing to learn. I love how she interacts with the different characters in her life. There are so many social dynamics that have to be understood and navigated through as she tries to build a new life for herself. I love how she gradually learns more about her birth family and about the Bamarre culture.

The world-building is excellent! There are so many layers to the different cultures and history. Their different manners, their attitudes, and their customs are all explored as we learn the difference between Lakti and Bamarre people. They have different values and priorities, and that affects their behavior. Lakti people value strength and plain straight-forward language. The Bamarre value courtesy and selflessness, so their speech is much more quiet and apologetic.

The plot is good, with plenty of intrigue and action. I loved the magical elements in the story. There are some serious scenes, but also some humor to balance things out. The writing style is excellent, pulling the reader into the scene and tugging on your emotions.

However, I did not like the way the ending was rushed. It was all a little too convenient and quick. After all that build-up, it was disappointing. If the ending had been better, it would have been a 4-star book for me. Not that the ending is terrible. It's fine. I just felt like it could have been more drawn-out and complex. It was a little too simple and easy.

This book puts the reader into an imaginary spaceship, the Stella Nova, complete with scientists and crew. We follow the ship's log as we travel through the solar system and learn about each planet, asteroid, moon, and dwarf planet.

Once we have traveled through the solar system, we head back to earth and learn about how our own world is formed. Then we discover more about the stars and galaxies beyond our little solar system, and even speculate about dark matter, aliens, and multiple universes.

I enjoyed reading the short bios of famous scientists and astronomers like Stephen Hawking, Albert Einstein, and Galileo.

The artwork and photos are so colorful and attractive. The design of each page is beautifully organized with factoids and bits of information in separate boxes on the page. It makes it easy to read, and it catches your attention.

One thing that I really hate in scientific books is when a scientific THEORY is presented as if it were a fact. This is so unethical, and it would be so easy to correct. If only the text said, "One theory about the origin of the universe is ... etc." But they don't say that. They write as if the age of the universe and the theory of how planets evolved are established empirical facts that have been tested and proven. But they're not. And it is dishonest to present a theory and pretend that it is a fact. It makes me not trust anything else that the book says. If they are misrepresenting one theory, they might be doing it all over the place. How can I trust what is written in this book if they aren't careful to present the information in the correct way? I really expected more from a great organization like National Geographic.


Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.