This journal offers the reader the perfect journal for recording their experiences while in the great outdoors, really noticing things they encounter and the places they see. You can draw a map of your surroundings, sketch a famous garden, and record the different types of plants or animals that you see. There are little tidbits of information about famous outdoor explorers and different famous places around the world.

I loved the colorful pages full of fun activities and journal prompts! Doing these activities is really relaxing and thoughtful. It really forces you to consider a different perspective and see things in a fresh way.

I really liked all the cool illustrations and bits of history. There are little one paragraph bios about Beatrix Potter, Mary Anning, John James Audubon, and Nellie Bly. I loved reading all the factoids about insects, birds, trees, and national parks.

This would be the perfect gift for a kid going on vacation, and would encourage some quiet and reflective moments during the trip.

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.

This cute board book teaches all about how rockets can go to outerspace, how astronauts can land on moon, and how they reenter earth's atmosphere for a safe return. The die-cut pages are layered to show the inside of the space ship, and all the different stages of space travel.

I love this such interesting little book! This is the perfect way to introduce rockets and space travel to little readers. The illustrations are bright and fun with a little mouse hidden on every page. The design is simple and clear, and the text is easy to understand.


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.

There is a parade of animals all squeezing for more room in this book. They crowd onto the page from all sides, but how will they ever make enough room for the biggest mammal of them all, the blue whale, to fit in?

This is such a cute book! The first page starts with just one or two animals, and then they gradually pile in more and more animals of all kinds, until finally the page is filled with a hundred animals. I like that there is a chart at the end of the book that lists all one hundred animals, so you can hunt through the pages and find them all and count them up.

The illustrations are bright and vibrant with energy, but I don't like the art style that much. It looks a little sloppy at times. I don't like the designs for some of the animals. Their faces look strange. The lions especially look weird. The art work is fine, but it's just not my favorite style.

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.

Princess Naomi is fed up with everything, so she goes galloping on her horse. They find a unicorn who needs help. The unicorn leads them to a mysterious cave opening, and only Naomi is small enough to fit inside and find what the unicorn needs.

I loved this cute story! Naomi is so brave and smart to help the unicorn, and the whole fairy tale setting is so fun!

Each page includes dance moves and steps that mimic what is happening in the story, so that you can act out the story as you read. Most of the photos showing the dance steps are clear, but I was a little confused about what some of the movements were supposed to look like. I guess you could just make it up, or interpret the photos to be whatever movement you wanted. I would probably understand it better if I knew anything about ballet or dance.

I loved the cute illustrations! The soft art style is so beautiful, and the colors are bright. The designs for the characters are really adorable and sweet. I like the fuzzy kind of art.

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.

Badger has a simple and quiet life studying rocks and doing Important Rock Work. One day Skunk shows up on Badger's doorstep as his new roommate, and Badger's quiet life is thrown into chaos. Skunk cooks delicious meals, but dirties up the kitchen. Skunk moves furniture around and recycles all the cardboard boxes that Badger was saving. Skunk invites guests over for a story-time popcorn party until the house is overrun with chickens! Badger is torn between enjoying all the excitement and being angry with Skunk for his wild behavior. How will these two roommates ever find a way to live together in harmony?

I loved this book so much! It reminds me of one of my favorite animal books, "Wind in the Willows". There is a quiet character and an adventurous character, and they learn to be friends.

The character development is fantastic! Badger goes through a whole internal journey as his world begins to open up and he realizes just how isolated he has become. He is initially dismayed at Skunk's antics, but also enjoys the good food and companionship that comes into his house. Skunk makes him think differently about his life and see things from a new perspective. I love the warmth of their friendship and how they laugh together.

Skunk is just adorable. He is the underdog of the animal world, because society looks down on his skunk smell. He is a little bit of an outcast, and it's so endearing. He is energetic and kind and quirky. He is charming and charismatic with everyone he meets. He's a breath of fresh air in the musty old Badger house.

The story is full of little bits and pieces of small everyday things that happen: cooking breakfast, getting a telegram, cleaning out a closet, having guests to the house, reading a novel. And yet each of these things take on a thrilling significance, because they are so far outside of Badger's routine.

Skunk will do some completely normal thing, like move some boxes, and Badger is electrified by the unfamiliarity of it. I felt that so strongly along with Badger. I am a creature of habit too, and I don't like people coming in and messing up my neatly-laid plans, and yet... sometimes... when they do, I find myself having fun against my will. Just like Badger, God bless his dear heart.

I love that the story is simple enough for a children's chapter book, but it is very meaningful. Badger and Skunk have to apologize and explain and try to do better and learn how to get along. There are so many positive messages about relationships and friendships in this book, but it never feels preachy at all. It flows perfectly with the story.

I just adore the artwork. Some of the illustrations are in color, and others are in black and white, but they are all delightful. The lines are so expressive, and the whole mood is quaint and charming. There are lovely little details in each scene that bring the story to life.

I can't wait to read more from the Skunk and Badger series! This story made me smile; really deep-down joyful smile from head to toe.

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.

Skunk and Badger set off on a new adventure searching for Important Rocks, and they go camping in the woods. All Skunk wanted to do was eat a leisurely breakfast and read the Sunday "New Yak Times" Book Review, but instead he forces himself to trek miles through the countryside with a massive pack on his back. A simple rock expedition turns into a wild adventure with cats, rats, bears, and a very strange egg.

Skunk and Badger are so funny and adorable! I love the warmth of their friendship and how they laugh together. In this second book, their friendship is put to the test, and they have to prove their loyalty.

I love that the story is simple enough for a children's chapter book, but it is very meaningful. We find out more about both Badger and Skunk's back stories, their memories, and their deepest fears. Badger has to face his mean cousin who bullied him when they were children. Skunk reveals more of his past, and reconnects with old friends who show up at opportune times.

I just adore the artwork. Some of the illustrations are in color, and others are in black and white, but they are all delightful. The lines are so expressive, and the whole mood is quaint and charming. There are lovely little details in each scene that bring the story to life.

I can't wait to read more from the Skunk and Badger series! This story made me smile; really deep-down joyful smile from head to toe.

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.

Jean ValJean is an ex-convict. Everywhere he goes he is shunned and reviled, but one old priest is kind to him. ValJean undergoes a change of heart, and determines to become respectable and good. He conceals his past, and becomes a philanthropist. He gives to the poor, supports the elderly and the orphaned, and shows kindness to a dying prostitute, Fantine. However, the police inspector Javert has not forgotten ValJean's criminal past. Javert pursues ValJean into the crowded streets of Paris, stubbornly intent on bringing ValJean back to the galley prison for his past crimes.

I loved so many things about this book! The dramatic storyline was wonderful with so many compelling and complex characters. The writing is so powerful!

I loved that we get a very in-depth look into the inner struggles of each of the main characters. We see into their heart. We hear their thoughts. We look right into their innermost souls. And then when they make a decision and take action, it really means something profound because we have experienced all those internal workings that led up to that moment of action.

The writing does take a LOT of rabbit trails. There are entire chapters and massive sections that dive into the etymology of slang words, the history of the Battle of Waterloo, how the sewer system below Paris was constructed, the history and organization of religious convents, and many more subjects. If you are interested in history and non-fiction, you might enjoy these long passages that have very little to do with the actual fictional story. But if not, you might be better off with an abridged version of this book. I mostly skimmed over these rabbit trails. They weren't at all necessary to the story.

However, the rest of the writing is wonderful! The majority of the book is full of powerful writing that captures your attention and is never boring. With one sentence, Hugo can tear your heart out.

The plot takes some wonderfully surprising turns, with a lot of converging plot lines. There are several daring escapes that had me on the edge of my seat, and there are so many suspenseful scenes that really grabbed my attention.

I loved the exploration of so many deep themes about honor and goodness, and betrayal and loyalty. There is a lot of social commentary about how society creates its own tragedies, how history shapes our ideas, and how our cultural understanding will affect our behavior. I especially the themes about the nature of humanity and how people find God and their lives are changed.

But by far, the best parts of this book are the complex characters!

I adore Jean ValJean's character. He began with nothing: No future, no education, no status. And through his own ingenuity and persistence, he created a good life for himself. I really admire the high ideals and high morals that he hold himself to after his reformation. He educates himself and reads a lot of books. He shows kindness and generosity to everyone. He lives a very frugal life so that he can give more to the poor.

The only thing I don't agree with is how Valjean never really forgave himself for his past crimes. He punishes himself and isolates himself from others in a really unnecessary way. If God forgives you, then you can certainly forgive yourself! Christ paid for those sins when He died on the cross. You don't need to keep punishing yourself! It made me sad that ValJean could never quite find peace from his own self-inflicted guilt.

I loved the old priest, Bishop Myriel. Most of the first part of the book is just a lengthy description of the Bishop and his life: how he gave to the poor, how he counselled the foolish, how he forgave the sinners like ValJean with fatherly love and advice. The writing made him such a real person to me and I was flooded with feelings of admiration and respect. Some people might say that he was too good and too perfect to be true, but I have been blessed to know people very similar to Bishop Myriel in real life.

I was distressed by Fantine's story. She was so poor and lonely and desperate. Her story left me feeling disgusted at the terrible circumstances she was in, and made me feel such a strong pity for her. I can't say that I ever really connected with her character though. To me, she was just a plot device to connect us with Cosette and to show evidence of the extent of Valjean's goodness and generosity.

Cosette is another character that I didn't particularly connect with on a deep level. She is pitiful and sweet and innocent. I loved her because ValJean loved her. She was like an extension of his life, but without any life or personality of her own. It annoyed me that she was always content to go along with whatever was happening. I wish she had more independence of thought. Her main characteristics are that she is beautiful and sweet, but there is not much depth there. However, she is just so adorable and childish and cute! I like her despite her silliness.

I have conflicting thoughts about Marius. I did not like him very much. He is an airhead. He is lazy and doesn't work to improve himself or his circumstances. He moons around daydreaming instead of doing something with his life. However, I do admire his high ideals. He is resolute in his morals and ideas about duty, and I really love that about him. He is quick to defend the helpless and to aid anyone in trouble. He is loyal to his friends. But he makes really dumb decisions! Oh, Marius, you adorable idiot! I can't help but like him because he is charming and stupid and sweet.

Javert is one of the most complex villains in all of literature. He thinks he is doing what is right by upholding the law of France. He shows no mercy. There is no room in his mind for anything other than the letter of the law. Hugo says that "He [Javert] had... the intention of restoring Jean Valjean to the law of which Jean Valjean was the captive, and of which he, Javert, was the slave." Javert's entire life, his thoughts, his motives, his emotions, his soul, his entire identity is wrapped up in enforcing the earthly laws of France, which (judged by heavenly standards) are entirely without mercy or tolerance. Javert ignores the higher laws of God, while Valjean obeys the laws of God in showing mercy and charity. I loved hating this villain!

Thernardier is another villain that I loved to hate, but on a different level. While Javert is a very cerebral villain, Thernardier is primitive and coarse. His evil comes from his base instincts to the point of savagery. He is utterly crude and he does not have any kind of natural emotion or higher feeling that would usually prompt people to kindness or love. He even despoils his wife and children for his own selfish profit. I was completely disgusted with Thernardier, which just shows how powerful the writing is. And yet, he plays such an important role in the story on many levels. A brilliantly written character!

Eponine was certainly a pitiful character, but I didn't really feel pity for her. She was just so icky. I couldn't get a grasp of what was going on in her mind. I couldn't relate in any way. She reacted in all these mindless ways that must have been a result of her abusive childhood and her wicked parents. I found her greedy and coarse. She is in every way the opposite of Cosette, and yet their fates could have been the same. While Cosette is sweet and elegant, Eponine is awkward and cloddish. It is definitely a powerful contrast!

Poor little Gavroche was a pathetic young boy who really broke my heart. Abandoned on the streets, he makes his living as a pickpocket, and yet he is full of bravado and songs. He is one of these innocents who were a victim of the injustices of society. His story made me cry!

Overall, I loved this book! It was so dramatic and emotional, and it really tugged at my heart strings. I liked that while there is certainly a lot of misery, there are also moments of sweetness and light and laughter.

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I thought the ending was really touching and emotional. It made me cry! I wish that ValJean could have lived, but then I remembered.... it's French literature. Somebody (usually multiple people) have to die at the end. Or if they don't die, they have to go into a convent as a nun or monk. And as a literary device, it is fitting that the end of the book is the end of ValJean's life, since the entire book is about him. I'm just glad that he was vindicated and appreciated at the end.

One thing that I was disappointed about at the end was the unresolved storyline of Thenardier's two little sons who were abandoned. I kept thinking that Marius would inquire more into Thenardier's life and find the boys and adopt them. But we never really find out what happened to the boys.

A friend of the Bobbsey's is moving and gives the twins a little train engine just big enough to pull a car that seats five or six people. The twins have fun setting up the tracks, putting water in the boiler, starting up the fire, and getting the steam engine running. They go whizzing around the track, and Bert learns how to operate the engine all by himself. But their fun is short lived when part of the train tracks are stolen! Can the Bobbsey twins solve the mystery of the missing tracks and find the thief?

I loved this simple story and all the fun adventures that the Bobbsey twins have! The plot is interesting and really kept my attention. There is something so charming about these books that takes me back to my childhood.

Bert is such a take-charge kind of person. He is ready to dive into any adventure with courage and tenacity!
Nan is sweet and kind. She is always thinking of others and ready to help anyone in trouble.
Flossie is so cute and adorable! I just want to hug her and kiss her fat little cheeks.
Freddie is mischievous and always getting into crazy situations. He is so funny and wild!

I love the straightforward writing style, and the way the story paints a picture of a simple world where people are good and trustworthy.... well, except for the thieves and that rascal Danny Ruggs!

Professor Challis is invited into a garden with statues of twelve girls, and is intrigued by the mysterious disappearance of the sculptor. He meets one of the models, a Greek girl named Polly, and he begins to inquire into the mystery. Challis is plunged into the world of art dealers, audacious fake art, blackmail, and murder. But the mystery always goes back to the twelve girls who modeled for the statues in the garden.

I liked this murder mystery! It was interesting and kept my attention. I liked the writing style and the way the author paints this picture of sultry models, glamorous artists, and shady art deals in Paris or Athens. With just one paragraph, the reader is plunged into a world of glamor and deceit.

I liked the character of Professor Challis. He is old and curious and intelligent. He is full of charm and kindness. All the characters around him are hiding their own little secrets, and he cleverly calls their bluff and finds out the truth.

I enjoyed the mystery and the action. There were several plot twists that caught me by surprise. There were a few wonderfully suspenseful scenes and wild moments of danger.