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Very nice illustrations and wonderful words can be found in this book about the animated film Rise of the Guardians. I learned about all the inspiration for the characters, what shape theme they are, some cultural story differences about the legends, and what the animators wanted them to represent. Fantastic book that I would recommend to artists or film fans! ~Ashley
An interesting tale about 4 lucky kittens that were born with wings to fly to a new home. ~Ashley
This book has my favorite animal in it, a hedgehog! It's a cute story about searching for someone who doesn't mind your quills! (even though a hedgehog and a porcupine could never really get together) My favorite quote is...
“You don't look like a hedge or a hog!” said Cushion.
“And you don't look like a pork or a pine!” said Barb
You can pick up this book at the Colona Public Library. ~Ashley
Alanna is a girl who wishes to be a knight and has a brother who wishes to go and learn magic. They come up with a plan to switch places and have Alanna pretend to be a boy. This was a pretty good middle grade novel with a middle age setting, a bit of fantasy/magic, and a strong female protagonist. The story I feel is just getting started, I wouldn't mind picking up the next books in the series to see how Alanna grows and what encounters she runs into when she achieves knighthood.
I got this on audio book. The story was I felt was entertaining, sometime I would space and loose my place in the story. I think I wasn't connecting with the narrator very well, although the words were nicely spoken.
~Ashley
Pretty good guide if you have interest in making a podcast or maintaining one. There are some very helpful tips on how to podcast the only parts I got lost was the more technological savvy parts. ~Ashley
This book is beautifully illustrated and has a very detailed account about a dinosaur and human society. It surprised me how much thought was put into this book there is a hatchery, a form of racism, and even a form of writing! Fantastic read for any dino fan! ~Ashley
This story is intense. It's about a couple who invite another couple over to their house because the Martha's (the wife) father insisted that they be nice to them. Martha and George's marriage is basically having a meltdown in front of their guest Honey and Nick. The young couple eventually get wrapped up in the whole mess and for some reason don't just leave. Both couples are dysfunctional and there are many interesting themes of illusion vs. reality, sex being used for power or revenge [ I'm talking about Martha marrying a man to control the university, Martha using sex in an attempt to hurt George, Honey's hysterical pregnancy to get married. (although I feel Nick is an abusive character. I imagined he used her and only married her to keep his reputation. ) (hide spoiler)] and the individual problems of the characters. (Martha is over bearing, George is spineless, Nick being unfaithful and pompous, and Honey who seems depressed) If you read or watch a performance of this it's hard to look away. It's like a train wreck, where it is awful but you can appreciate the chaos of it. This work is really fun to analyze and talk about with others.
I would strongly recommend seeing this performed or a performance audiobook! ~Ashley
Adventure, bravery, and fantasy! This book is an interesting Irish tale that would be a perfect addition with all the other fairy tales before bedtime! ~Ashley
This is an incredibly fun series, the first book, Dealing with Dragons, but the rest of the books do follow up and have very likable characters that settle most disagreements by talking or compromise in a very clever way! Through out the series also have very cute shout outs to fairy tales or children's songs (like old McDonald). As the series goes on it seems there are less dragons which is sad because the books titles are promising. I would strongly recommend the audio books because of a wonderful full cast performance, such a treat! ~Ashley
Dealing with Dragons (**) Best thing I have read in my life! This will get its own review!Searching for Dragons () Good story but did not impact me as much as Dealing with Dragons.
Calling on Dragons () Some amusing parts that make it worth it but the donkey character was very annoying. Surprisingly a dramatic end that you must know to read the next book.Talking to Dragons (*) Good ending and very emotional to see the gang age.
I actually think about this a bit, I'd like to re-read it sometime to get more of the details down.
Audiobook was rather nice.
Yikes, no thanks. I love [b:Saga, Vol. 1 15704307 Saga, Vol. 1 Brian K. Vaughan https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1486028947s/15704307.jpg 19113524] (a large part because of Staples art) but in this book there is not much of anything good. Vaughan has no idea how to write women, then goes on to write about women now running society. Like every thing falls in society falls apart without men? Fuck no. What makes that bit even worse is because our protagonist is a dumbass and we get nothing likable about him.
I was completely touched by this book it made me laugh, think, and cry. Take the journey though different lands with the little prince. I was listening to the audio book on a dark and starry night it was just happenstance that this was the perfect setting to listen to it. The performance was great and it included subtle sound effects that were effective to the mood. I strongly suggest the audio book but this story is without a doubt a must read on a starry night.
These are a short graphic novel series about a girl filled with curiosity and adventure! I am surprised for being so short that they make a beautiful full world, interesting stories, and a wonderful character. Very nice illustration and powerful color schemes. ~Ashley
It tended to drag along for me.The thing I love about this book is that I hope it sparks a conversation about death. Everyone should consider what their loved ones what if they should be in a horrible accident or their wishes after their passing. I believe everyone's life is important and more importantly that person's wishes for their life or body should be respected. I believe everyone should have a conversation with someone they love and trust about this. Wow! Kinda morbid but I think it's super important.IF you enjoyed this you may like [b:The Midnight Library 52578297 The Midnight Library Matt Haig https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1602190253l/52578297.SY75.jpg 74043794]
This is probably the fastest I've ever read through a graphic novel! The art style and the bizarre world they present to you is absolutely captivating! There are so many interesting creature designs and mysterious plot to uncover. This graphic novel is set aside with our ADULT graphic novel section because of some of its content. You can pick up this graphic novel at the Colona Public Library! ~Ashley
If you liked this you may enjoy Maestros, Vol. 1 by Steve Skroce
Warning to the few like myself with tokophobia: There is a birthing scene and thankfully it is short.
Pretty amusing, we did this on a trip. Got some good laughs
Audiobook was good
In lgbt+ reads because author is in that community!
This is about a strike about the cruel treatment women faced in the clothing factories. Many of them were young children, not payed well (even sometimes docked or fined money), working conditions were cruel. Despite this Clara worked hard in the factory, worked hard on her education, and worked hard on the strike for better worker conditions. Does a very good job with the information, illustrations, and has a reference page and more info in the back. ~Ashley
(Disability reads for asl later in series)
What I really love about this graphic novel is the coloration and the layout. The layout and direction they took with the art is what made it really, wow, phenomenal. If the art was “bleh” it would still be good because the layout is what is key that makes this novel so strong. The jokes they set up are really funny, bro. Kate is a ray of sunshine whenever she is on the page and I really enjoy how many times she's in this book, especially because it's really the first thing I read with her in it. I wanted to learn more about Hawkeye and have had this recommended to me a few times and in the end I still don't care about him. In this he just seems to be unlikable?
I'll probably read the next few and see if Hawkeye grows on me, other than that they put a lot of effort in this graphic novel and it shows. ~Ashley
If you should happen to be studying the Holocaust or are looking for some memoirs this would be the book I recommend for you. Truly haunting and powerful accounts of what happened inside a Nazi camp that will stay with you forever.
I usually don't read dog stories because we all know what happens at the end, but it was interesting to learn more about the story of Laika. I'm interested in reading more about her to see if I can't learn more about her handler and the others involved with Laika.
If you like learning about Russia you might like this graphic novel The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain ~Ashley
One of those classic sci-fi movie monsters. Good story, a dangerous and invisible person. Do you lose your humanity if you can't see your human?
This book was so beautiful and emotional. About a girl who is lonely and picked on, who has to attend a school camping trip and ends up having a best friend. I can relate very much to this girl, I too, read on the bus to attempt to deflect mean comments. The illustration works with the story telling and its theme. The ending is absolutely touching. You can order this book at the Colona Public Library. ~Ashley
I am a sucker for is a coming of age summer time stories, so I naturally immediately grew attached to this book. There is something about summer that is so magic and this book captures it really well. This is about a young boy romanticizing the vaudeville and wanting the lifestyle. He easily makes friends with their kids when they come to relax each summer. This is a pretty powerful summer story with a very beautiful watercolor art style. I was also surprised that this is a historical fiction of Buster Keaton who was an early film star. ~Ashley
If you like Matt Phelan you may enjoy Brian Selznick. Especially if you love illustrated historical fiction!