The Red Shoes

Because I now have a daughter this book brings a whole new meaning to me!!  The Red Shoes is about a little girl and her shoe shopping dilemma.  Who doesn't like to shoe shop?!?!  BUT - what if you are shoe shopping and you have to buy the practical BROWN pair of shoes when you'd really rather have the BEAUTIFUL red pair!?!?  There is the dilemma for this adorable little girl.  Even the saleslady is "pushing" for the practical shoes but when mom gives in and lets this little girl try on the red pair - it is LOVE - "Cherry Blossom Sweet" as this little girl puts it. What a great book by Eleri Glass and such adorable illustrations by Ashley Spires.  I am definately taking this one home to read to Chloe - she WILL relate!

Great New Website - All things Kidlitosphere!!!

Well - sometimes you're famous and you don't even know it.  My humble little blog made the list on this WONDERFUL new website that compiles all things Kidlitosphere.  Go check it out!!
Kidlitosphere Central

School and Library Journal - Best Books of 2008

School and Library Journal's Best Books of 2008 are up!!!  The list is well worth checking out.  I am hanging my head in shame and admit we don't have them all at our library - oh well, now I have a list to buy from!!

Angel Girl Disappointment

I was so disappointed to read THIS. I posted about this wonderful book HERE. And here are my thoughts now - as long as I tell the kids that it isn't a true story - why wouldn't I keep it in our collection?? It was such an inspiring story that even if it's not true - it's still worth keeping. What do you think???

2009 Newbery and Caldecott Announced Today

Ok - if you've already heard then click away now - but if you haven't - here are the BIG WINNERS!!
Caldecott Award:  The House in the Night by Susan Marie Swanson - illustrated by Beth Krommes.
Newbery Award:  Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book.




For more information on Honor Books and other Awards go HERE.

The Heretic's Daughter

Kathleen Kent's The Heretic's Daugther was a recent book I was sent from Hachette. It is a very good read - I have always enjoyed the Salem Witch Trials and learning more about them and that time period, and this book did just that - it covered so many different aspects all told from Sarah's (a young New England girl's) perspective. You follow Sarah through a tough life culminating with Sarah's mother being accused of witchcraft - and thus the trial begins.   I found it fascinating - the whole book - I am glad they sent me a copy and I could read it.  I highly recommend it.

Chinese New Year Books

Because I have been asked a few times for recommendations on books for Chinese Celebrations, I'm going to post a bunch here - this will be a long post, sorry. I am also posting them this way so that in case you were interested in buying them from Amazon - if you click here off of my site then I can earn money towards our next adoption. This is from a previous post with NEW ADDITIONS added on the beginning of the links. So, here goes:

Barefoot Books

I recently signed up with Barefoot Books so that if you shop from my blog - I get a portion of your sale.  I am going to be adding it to our adoption fund so if you are even in need of these WONDERFUL books - remember I am here!!!  They have a super sale going on right now - check it out!

Time of My Life

Allison Winn Scotch's Time of my Life was a book I picked up on a whim.  The cover was appealing - that's all it took.  I got about 3 pages in and from then on I couldn't put it down. I REALLY enjoyed this book - the whole concept was appealing to me - going back in time to redo your life - what would you change and what would you leave the same??  I just thoroughly enjoyed it - Scotch is an excellent writer.  My only caution is that the language is a bit rougher than I usually like to read - but if you can get by that - it is worth the read.