Gnomes. Gnomes. Gnomes by Anne Fine (Children's, Reading Age 7 years +, Actual age 8-12 years, 10/10E)

The banana is important!

July 2013, Barrington Stoke, 64 pages, Paperback, Review copy, Short 'n' Sweet review 

Summary from Barrington Stoke

Sam's a little obsessed with making gnomes out of clay - the garden shed is bursting with them!

But Sam's mum says the gnomes have got to go. So together with his sister Alice, Sam plans a send-off for his little clay friends that they will never forget! 

Nayuleska's thoughts

It was the fun looking cover and title which grabbed my eye for this book - come on, who can resist the cute gnomes? I loved learning why Sam enjoyed making them so much, and how his mother reacts to them. Alice's ideas made perfect sense to me, and they definitely went down with a mystery someone who joined in the party while Alice and Sam were asleep. It's clear who the mystery someone is, but if memory serves me right it's never actually stated. The story's end was clever, unexpected and extremely good fun to read. I laughed a lot with this book!  Readers will definitely be eyeing up clay to make their own gnomes! 

Find out more about on Anne's website.

Suggested read

Anne has written so many awesome books - check out Eating Things On Sticks (Children's, 9 years +, 10/10)

Fairy Animals of Misty Wood: Paddy the Puppy by Lily Small (Children's, 5 years +, 10/10E)

 July 2013, Egmont, 144 pages, Paperback, Review copy,

Themes: magical wood, using your talents to help the community, having a birthday, what happens when you are super excited, not thinking about what you are doing, accidentally upsetting people, being sorry, making new friends, having heaps of fun, enjoying a party, loats of yummy food and drink

Content: lots of smiles

Summary from Egmont

Enter an enchanted world of animal friends!

Each cute animal has its own pair of pretty fairy wings, and a special job to do in Misty Wood to make it a wonderful place to live.

In book 3, it's Paddy the Puppy’s birthday! As Paddy flies all over Misty Wood, spreading pollen to make the flowers grow, he invites his fairy animal friends to come to his party. And when he arrives home, he’s in for a lovely surprise!

Nayuleska's thoughts 

I loved how the often over excitement that comes with birthdays was portrayed - I was surprised by and pleased that Paddy's parents reacted as they did - I fully expected them to be angry. Even more surprising was his sister's sweet reaction. The illustrations raise up the already cute story - my favourite pictures are of the hedgehog (who didn't look that angry) and the cute mice).

Suggested read

Read other books in the series which starts with Chloe the Kitten (Children's, 5 years +, 10/10E)

Moshi Monsters Poppet Dress-Up Sticker activity book (Children's, 7 years +, 9/10, short 'n' sweet review)

 July 2013, Puffin, 16 pages, Paperback, Review copy

Summary from Puffin

Dress up Monstro City's most fabulous fashionista in this Poppet Sticker Activity Book! Everyone's favourite Moshi Monster loves to dress up. Help Poppet put together awesome outfits and design gorgeous accessories!

 

Nayuleska's thoughts 

I know next to nothing about Moshi Monsters, but as soon as I saw this book I knew I'd like it - come on, Poppett is pink, cute, and fluffy! And she has bunny slippers! You can't get much cooler than that (no, I don't own a pair). 

I know I was tired when I read this, which is why I think I was a tad grumpy in my summary of it in the latest What Are You Reading Meme? #181 when I said the following:

There were one too many outfits which is fine as you can always put one over the other but, if you like everything to have a place then the extra outfits can be frustrating...Yes I realise this is me being weird.

I am weird ^o^ I don't care though! Looking back on it, it's fun that the reader has a choice in outfits, that they don't have to use the ones provided. The stickers aren't given page numbers, so you can mix and match to your heart's content - or, in my case, get grumpy because I'm not being directed where to put every single sticker. What? I like directions!

Check out the moshi monsters website!

Suggested read 

Another fab sticker book involving a character who is pink, cute, and sort of fluffy is Hello Kitty Princess Wishes Sticker Activity book (Children's, 5 years +, sticker book, 9/10)

Night School: Fracture by C. J. Daugherty (Young Adult, 10E/10E, short 'n' sweet review)

August 2013, Atom, 374 pages, Paperback, Review copy, Short 'n' Sweet review 

Content: lots of peril, some grim moments, moderate teen romance

Summary from Little, Brown

 Cimmeria has been more than a school for Allie, it's been a safe haven. But no longer.

A nefarious group - one that is tied up with Allie's family in ways she could barely imagine - is trying to destroy everything Cimmeria stands for.

Even worse, it's clear that somebody they eat with, sleep with, train with is betraying them. There's a spy in Night School. As the paranoia grows and the fights begin, it's not an attack from outside they need to worry about . . .

Nayuleska's thoughts 

Book 1, Night School is the whole reason why I invented a new mega special grade, 10E/10E. Book 2, Legacy was a mixed read for me. However, having read Fracture I now understand why Allie acted as she did in Legacy - it was the build up for Fracture's story, which I ADORE! 

Seriously, this is as good if not better than Night School. No, I'm not creating another new grade - 10EE/10EE looks like a typo! It is so wow. I was dreading reading it a bit, in part because of the latter half of Legacy, and also at the moment I want happier reads. I loved how much danger there was for Allie, but it wasn't always in your face. The teen romance was a tad annoying (you can tell I haven't read romance for over a month!), but no worse than normal. I loved Allie's punishments - she totally deserved them as she'd been a right idiot in Legacy. She learns actions have consequences. I learned that this isn't the final book in the series - somehow I'd gotten it into my head that it was. Yay! It isn't! And book 4 looks INCREDIBLE!!!!  

Happy sigh. Go read this awesome series!

You can find out more on C. J's website. 

Suggested read

These are obvious: Night School (Young Adult, 10/10E)

Night School Legacy(Young Adult, 6/10 (this grade will change upon reread!)

The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon (Young Adult, 9/10)

20th August 2013, Bloomsbury, 460 pages, Hardback, Review copy,  Short ‘n’ Sweet review  

Summary from Bloomsbury 

The year is 2059. Nineteen-year-old Paige Mahoney is working in the criminal underworld of Scion London, based at Seven Dials, employed by a man named Jaxon Hall. Her job: to scout for information by breaking into people’s minds. For Paige is a dreamwalker, a clairvoyant and, in the world of Scion, she commits treason simply by breathing.

It is raining the day her life changes for ever. Attacked, drugged and kidnapped, Paige is transported to Oxford – a city kept secret for two hundred years, controlled by a powerful, otherworldly race. Paige is assigned to Warden, a Rephaite with mysterious motives. He is her master. Her trainer. Her natural enemy. But if Paige wants to regain her freedom she must allow herself to be nurtured in this prison where she is meant to die.

Nayuleska's thoughts 

I used the press release sheet as a page marker at the end of the 3rd chapter, because despite how awesome Paige's adventure sounded, upon seeing the size of the proof copy, as well as the charts at the start of the book I thought it would be too complex an epic tale for me to follow in my usual sleepy state. I'm glad I shot passed chapter 4 and kept going until the thrilling finale - there's not too much brutality or romance, and Paige has feelings and isn't cold-hearted, unlike her adversaries who will give the chief villainess in Melissa Meyer's Cinder competition in cruelty, and match K. C. Rivers' bizarre tenderness of Evanthe's captor in The Prince of Light by K. C. Rivers. (I rarely mention other books before the suggested read part of the post - I had to in this case as they were the two books I instantly thought about).

You can find out more on the official website as well as Samantha's blog.

Suggested reads 

Well, I think you know which books I'm going to suggest! Cinder by Melissa Meyer

Love this book!

The Prince of Light by K. C. Rivers

One of my favourite reads

What are YOU reading? #181

What are you reading on Monday? is a weekly meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey where you post books completed last week and plans for upcoming books. Jump over to her blog and see who else is participating.

Read

Baby It's You! by Ruth Redford

Children's, Picture book, Activity book

10/10

(Adults will have as much fun as the 0-6 month olds in this bright clear book with heaps to feel and do, with encouragement and ideas of helping babies interact with their environment...)

Gnomes. Gnomes. Gnomes by Anne Fine

Children's, Reading Age 7 years +, Actual age 8-12 years

10/10E

(Sam's creative gnome making causes frustration and entertainment in this sweet, funny gnome filled read, encouraging boys and girls to experiment with art...)

The Fairy Bell Sisters: Silver and the Fairy Ball by Margaret McNamara

Children's, 5 years +

10/10

(Tinkerbell - the non-Disney version - has sisters with distinct personalities; the book has a few fairy facts which is totally different to what I've ever read and despite it not being Disney Tink, I absolutely loved it with the sibling drama!)

Hello Kitty and Friends #1: The Friendship Club

Children's, 5 years +

10/10

(Despite the story being all narrative and no talking, this a super sweet read, teaching readers a good lesson in how to go about treating friends and respecting them...)

Kite Spirit by Sita Brahmachari

Children's, 11 years +

10/10E

(Having gone through 2 events similar to Kite, it took me a long time to read it as it brought back so many emotions so I had to stop for several weeks, but it was worth it, especially with the end chapter...)

Cherry Crush by Cathy Cassidy

Children's, 11 years +

10/10E

(This is one of the best sister series I've read; Cherry learns a lot from her new family and they learn from her too!)

Read It Yourself with Ladybird:  The Ugly Duckling illustrated by Richard Johnson

Children's, 5 years +

10/10E

(A well-known story retold with emotion filled pictures.  It does show how prejudiced people can be - everyone should be able to fit everywhere.)

Moshi Monsters Poppett Dress-Up Sticker activity book

Children's, 5 years +

9/10

(Heaps of stickers to dress Poppett in and lots of room to draw your own creations.  There were one too many outfits which is fine as you can always put one over the other but, if you like everything to have a place then the extra outfits can be frustrating...Yes I realise this is me being weird.)

We're Going On a Picnic! by Pat Hutchins

Children's, Picture book

10/10

(The bird friends are not the brightest which is part of the story's charm.)

Read It Yourself with Ladybird: The Princess and the Pea, illustrated by Marie-Anne Didierjean

Children's, 5 years +

10/10E

(Ignoring how silly it is to only want a perfect princess, this classic retelling is funny and charming.  I mean, there's no such thing as a perfect princess! I wouldn't want to marry a prince who was that fussy - there didn't seem to be anything wrong with the other princesses! Still, classics are classics for a reason, no matter how bizarre the meaning is. I've always adored this tale, and feel the illustrations are exquisite - including the pea mark on the princess!)

Read It Yourself with Ladybird: Heidi, illustrations by Tamsin Hinrichsen

Children's, 5 years +

10/10

(I call Heidi the mountain girl! She gets moved around and eventually gets to be where she wants to be. Dete is actually nice in this version, although I laughed at Clara's miraculous recovery - readers may need it explained - people  in wheelchairs can't be cured just by trying to walk. Regardless of which elements are emphasized this is a charming retelling.)

Marshmallow Skye by Cathy Cassidy

Children's, 11 years +

10/10E

(Second in the incredibly captivating series about 5 sisters sees Skye getting wrapped up in the past to escape the present...)

Watched 

AKB0048

REWATCH! - Anime, Japanese version

10/10E

(You can tell I'm addicted to this anime because the night I saw the final 5 episodes I immediately watched episode one again...^_^) 

Winx: Season 1

REWATCH! - Anime, French version

10/10E

(One of several shows that continues to sparkle more each time I watch it!) 

Winx: Season 4

REWATCH! - Anime, French version

10/10E

(No, you aren't seeing things. I really am watching several seasons at once - explanation will come in a Nayu's News...)

Winx: Season 5

REWATCH! - Anime, English version

10/10E

(Slowly the dvds are being released - by the end of the year I may have a full English set and 1/3 of a French set. Got to love Harmonix & Sirenix!!) 

Loulou de Montmartre

REWATCH! - Anime, French version

10/10E

(I watched one too many episodes the other day, so I'm having a break from it as it is quite intense...I doubt my break will last past the weekend though!) 

Pop Pixie

REWATCH! - Anime, French version

10/10E

(I love how when the pixies cry they drench everything around them [or if you're Sherrie, the Pop Pixie of Weather, you can make it rain!]...)

Planet Earth: Fresh water episode

REWATCH! - Documentary

10/10E

(It's fascinating to learn how little fresh water there is on Earth, and exactly where most of that is found!) 

Casualty

Drama, English version

9/10

(Thankfully Robyn was not terribly injured, which it seemed in the trailer. She was however a bit of an idiot professionally...)

Played 

No craft this week, but I have been gaming! 

Atelier Rorona

Role Playing game

10/10E

(Mega cute, as you can see in Nayu's News #91!) 

Final Fantasy 13-2

Role Playing game

9/10

(In which I have a blast running around a town talking to people...)

AKB0048 Spotlight on... Music, Songs & Yukirin! (all 26 episodes, 10/10E)

AKB0048 trainees, who are the main focus of the anime. From left to right Suzuko (aka Linda), Makoto (aka Grumbly), Sonata (Kanata's sister) aka Sonati, Mimori, Chieri (aka Cherry), Kanata, Orine, Nagisa, Yuka. All pics are from internet searches

Seeing as I've recently finished this show (& started it again in the same night...) & seen it over 5 times I figured a review was in order!

Front to back row: trainees, current succesors, previous successors

It's a little review, as I tend to comment on it in my weekly What Are Your Reading? memes (the link takes you to the latest one), since I add what I watch to what I read. But being a short(ish) review is by no means is an indication of how great this show is. Because I want to talk about all aspects of it, there will be SPOILERS. You have been warned! Edited to add: instead of a small review, trying to cram everything in, I'm just going to write about 1 character and 1 other aspect of the show each time I review it, which will be whenever I finish watching the entire series.

Regular blog readers will know that I think this show is 

TOTALLY AMAZING! 

Yay!

It rivals Winx, which is saying something. Funnily enough Winx is mentioned in a previous review of AKB0048!

Winx season 5, top row Bloom, Musa, Tecna, bottom row Leila (French version, other versions she is Aisha), Flora, Stella

I can't remember how I first came across AKB0048. I do know that thanks to the bizarrre set up on the Crunchyroll app on my tablet, I saw a few episodes of the second season (which is really just eps 14-26...),  AKB0048 Next Stage first. I couldn't understand why not more of an explanation was given for who the girls were, what they were doing. I had the sense to Google the show, and then discovered the correct order to watch. Funny how I understood it perfectly after that! 

Trainees - see if you can name them from previous pictures!

As far as genres go, it's not a magical girl anime, which I'm rather fond of. It can be filed under drama & sciencefiction, as it is on Anime News Network, who summarise the show as follows: 

At the start of the 21st century, an interplanetary war broke out. Earth's ecosystem was damaged, and humanity was forced to flee the planet. In this new society, things that "disturb the heart" like music and art are forbidden. 48 years later, a legendary idol group is resurrected as AKB0048. Labeled as terrorists, they must take up arms to defend their careers and their fans.

I class this as being a 'music' anime, because there are lots of songs (since the girls are training to be singers) - some of which I'm listening to now.

Winners of the election singing (Yukirin top right)

  I love how the songs played always match the scene perfectly. For example, when Orine is dealing with her first hater (the opposite of a fan) the song is all about why haters are so necessary. 

Orine with hater

The songs are highly addictive. It doesn't matter that if I ignore the subs I don't always understand the meaning, I can still sing along. 

Heehee!

 They are extremely uplifting, which because of their frequency makes this anime a regular on my screen. If you watch the girls train, the dance moves to each song are pretty hard, especially as they often aren't on a stable stage. 

trainees in concert

When preforming 'guerilla' concerts, the girls are often using their flying stage thingies (it's near lunch, my brain isn't up for thinking of a more accurate word) which can transform into mini planes! 

Takamina getting in LAS plane thingy

 That's part of the science fiction part, I guess. How they manage not to fall off must be an anime mystery ^o^ If you like the songs as much as I do, you can find them on Youtube. I've created a playlist with 1 song on repeat, and another with a variety of songs on (not repeated). I'm not linking to my playlists as I'm not sure how to do it and my tummy is rumbling. 

So, it's time for a character viewpoint! As I am hurrying for lunch I will pick one of the successors, Yuki Kashiwagi the 6th - Yukirin! (the 6th refers to the number of times someone has 'become' that person, as it were. You can search for info on successions online, as it's a bit complex) 

Yukirin in concert uniform (there are lots of uniforms...)

I love her hair style and colour, as well as her non-uniform clothes.

Yukirin in normal/practice clothes

She's very sweet and dainty in her moves - but she can still fight when she needs to! 

Yukirin laughing

Yukirin fighting, singing & relaxing

Some of her qualities, like the way she cares so much about how the other successors and trainees feel, and wants to disperse arguments reminds me of Mimori (who I'll definitely write about n the next review!) 

Mimori with kirara (spirit thingy)

Yukirin has lots of fun. She gets in virtually all the concerts as she's a successors and got elected in the election...

Yukirin gets a place in the election!

 She gets to be in charge of the spaceship & operations when the AKB0048 manager Tsubasa isn't around....

She's got her eye on the space around her...

She seems medically trained...

Yukirin checking over Nagisa

She gives good advice to the trainees with Nyan-Nyan...

I couldn't find the shot I wanted, so left to right is Nyan-Nyan, Mayuyu, Yukirin in concert costume

She gets caught up with DES when they capture Sonata & Chieri...

Sonata, Chieri & Yukirin standing on trial

Yukirin, Sonata & Chieri at the trial when the calvery arrives to save them

She hangs around with Mayuyu a lot...

Good friends singing together

 All in all, what's not to love about Yukirin! 

Go Yukirin!

I hope you've enjoyed this first of many AKB0048 reviews. If you've seen it, do you like the songs, music & Yukirin? If you haven't seen it, do you want to? Thank you for letting me chat about one of my favourite animes!

Bye!