Lots of fun for Thanksgiving or any day.  It has Pilkey’s usual wit and vigor, which will make children smile.

#WinterGames2020 #TeamReadNosedReindeer +16

 

 

This was kind of boring.  Santa is the number one toy expert.  He is the number one wish expert, etc.  the illustrations are nice, but they don’t make up for the lack luster story.

#WinterGames2020 #TeamReadNosedReindeer +26

 

 

A fun rhyming story that uses the alphabet to seek the magic and love of the holidays.

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I didn’t know that Hallmark had a book division until I started this book.  And yeah it feels like a Hallmark movie.  That’s not a bad thing.  It was exactly what you want a Hallmark movie to be, light, fluffy, and romance.  That being said it was not what i wanted a book to be.  It had some extremely cheesy parts, and I think they went way beyond overkill with the “veteran” things.  That the main man is a veteran with a messy past, and the main girl is a military brat whose dad left when she was young become the main issue.  And it would make a fine issue, but it was just done in overkill.  I’m sure in a movie, it would play fine because they would find other ways to show strife, but to keep saying it over and over again.  Ugh.  Overall, I enjoyed the listed, even if I did roll my eyes quite a lot. Will I listen to it next year, no.  Will I watch it if made into a movie, yes.

#WinterGames2020 #TeamReadNosedReindeer +26

 

 

I don’t know what I was expecting, but I wasn’t expecting what I got, and I loved it.  For some reason I had it in my head that this was going to be a fantasy.  So i was really surprised when it was a modern day kidnapping and the mystery of where did they go and who took them.  Them is the June Boys.  On June 1 every few years, 3 boys are taken.  They are released a year later.  Then the next year, sometimes the year after, 3 more are taken.  There is no real rhyme or reason to who gets taken, they vary by age, skin color, etc.  Our story starts in 2010.  Thea and her friends have been trying to solve the Gemini Thief (June Boys) case for a year.  Her cousin was taken (they think).  Because of crazy family secrets, Thea’s dad becomes a major suspect and the story grows from there.  

An interesting thing about this story is the Elizabeth letters.  We get both sides.  We see Thea’s side of what is going on, and the side of the missing June boys.  One of the boys, writes the “elizabeth letters.”  some of these could make you cry, so be warned.  I really enjoyed this book. I loved finding out who Elizabeth way.  However, on the audiobook, there are 2 extra things.  The first is with one of the survivors 10 years later and the second was an interview with the author.  I wish I hadn’t listened to them, as they took away from the story instead of enhancing it.  This was a great mystery that kep me entertained over a few days.  It would be enjoyable by teens and adults alike.   

 

 

These books are simple in concept but amazing in execution.  It’s a board book and each page has 1 word, but the  time and effort that goes into creating these felt creations is amazing.  My favorite creation in this book is Hans and Greedo sitting in the cantina.

#WinterGames2020 #TeamReadNosedReindeer +16

 

 

These books are simple in concept but amazing in execution.  It’s a board book and each page has 1 word, but the  time and effort that goes into creating these felt creations is amazing. The best creation is the kiss between Han and Leah in this book.

#WinterGames2020 #TeamReadNosedReindeer +16

 

 

These books are simple in concept but amazing in execution.  It’s a board book and each page has 1 word, but the  time and effort that goes into creating these felt creations is amazing.  Jabba the monster takes the credit for the best creation in this book.

#WinterGames2020 #TeamReadNosedReindeer +16

 

 

The illustrations are greatly disturbing which is what you expect from Gris Grimly.  The grim limericks are okay.  Many are really cute.  I just wish the book had a better flow.

#WinterGames2020 #TeamReadNosedReindeer +16

 

 

This was a lot of fun.  Most of the song worked.  They followed the patrons from the original songs with little tripping over the tongue that can normally happen with parodies.  The illustrations are Gris Grimly and fit perfectly.  My favorite illustration is from I’ve been running over road toads, but my fav song is 99 bottles of blood.

#WinterGames2020 #TeamReadNosedReindeer +16