Tuesday 31 December 2013

Sticky Icky Booger Bugs by Sherry Frith and Carol Newell Walter (Children's, Non-fiction, Picture book, 10E/10E)


July 2013, Archway Publishing, 32 pages, Ebook & paperback, Review copy

Themes:  living with chronic illness, cystic fibrosis, having extra needs, taking medication, physiotherapy

Summary from press release
Sticky Icky Booger Bugs, is the tale of a boy's battle with cystic fibrosis as he attempts to avoid the hospital. Kory is just like any other kid. He loves recess, playing soccer, and exploring his neighborhood with his best friend. With every puff, cough, and sneeze, Kory keeps the sticky icky booger bugs away so he can have fun every day!

Cystic Fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system. There are 30,000 children each year diagnosed and battling cystic fibrosis. There is no cure for this progressive disease. 

Sherry wrote Sticky Icky Booger Bugs after her sons, Kory and Kevin, were diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. She wanted to explain aspects of the disorder using words they could understand. Helped by colorful illustrations, and the knowledge they gained, they were able to deal with the sticky icky booger bugs using simple routines to keep their cystic fibrosis at bay. This story lets children know that they are loved, no matter what their medical situation may be.

Nayuleska's thoughts 
I jumped at the chance to learn more about CF because a friend has it and somehow I don't know much about it. The book explains what the routine of someone who has CF can be like. I knew my friend had physio, I didn't realise exactly what it was for or how often she needed it, which is explained in the book. I smiled at the amount of times medicine gets taken - I take a fair number of meds with meals, but for now my friend 'beats' me in the number taken. I felt it was good that the book explained why someone at school withCF may need a drink in class-often with chronic illness little things like drinking enough can have a huge impact on the body if it is ignored. I hope that there may be another book looking further into CF, what happens at hospitals when someone with CF has to stay in and what it's like living with them because this book is informative and sent me on an internet search into physio techniques.

You can find out more on the dedicated website. And check out how to win a copy below this review!

Suggested read
For other children who live with a medical condition check out Max the Champion by Sean Stockdale (Children's, Picture book, 10E/10E)
 .

Competition time!
Sherry with her sons
As part of promotion for Sherry's book there's one copy of Sticky Icky Booger Bugs up for grabs! Here are the all important details: 

Competition prize: One ebook copy of Sticky Icky Booger Bugs
Who can enter: Anyone from anywhere in the world, so long as you can download an ebook. 
Competition deadline: ends 12pm Tuesday 14th January 2014
Other details: The winner will be chosen using a random number generator website. Please read my privacy policy
How to enter: Simply fill in this form.

Get entering!

Monday 30 December 2013

What are YOU reading? #199



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



The Day My School Fell Down by Gemma Ramji
Children's
9/10E
(This school is beset by trouble from staff and students!)





The Whimsy Wood:
Posie Pixie and the Copper Kettle
Posie Pixie and the Lost Matchbox
by Sarah Hill and Sarah Maucline
Children's, 5 years +
10/10E
(Adorably cute pixie story jam packed with colour illustrations...)





Archie and Archie by Ruth Rendell
Children's, 7 years +
10E/10E
(An insight into how mischievous cats are!) 





Mermaid Puzzles by Stella Maidment and Daniela Dogliani
Children's, 5 years +
10E/10E
(An underwater puzzle book filled with fun!)





Off To Market by Elizabeth Dale and Erika Pal
Children's, Picture book
10E/10E
(A read with a positive message and lots of humour!) 





Unicorn Puzzles by Stella Maidment and Daniela Dogliani
Children's, 5 years +
10E/10E
(A magic filled puzzle book...)





Sticky Icky Booger Bugs by Sherry Frith and Carol Newell Walter
Children's, Non-fiction, Picture book
10E/10E
(An informative read about living with cystic fibrosis...)




The Anteater That Didn't by Greg Allum and Quirky Joe
Children's, 9 years +
9/10E
(A purple cake eating anteater is the centre of this story...)








Reread


Sweetness and Lies by Karen Mc Combie
Children's, 8 years +
10E/10E
(Tilly discovers who a true friend is...)









Watched 


Pretty Rhythm Aurora Dream
REWATCH! - Anime, Japanese version
10E/10E
(Soon the girls will split up as Mars & go their separate ways to master Aurora Rising technique - I both love & hate this part of the show!) 





Aikatsu: Season 1
REWATCH! - Anime, Japanese version
10E/10E
(I love how this strongly happy show focuses on working hard for your dreams and being a good friend....) 





Various food documentaries including patisserie
Documentary, English version
10E/10E
(These shows are evil because they made me want lots of sweet pastries!) 





Pretty Rhythm Dear My Future
REWATCH! - Anime, Japanese version
10E/10E 
(This is a zillion times better the 2nd time round!) 





Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya
Anime, Japanese version
10E/10E
(Somehow despite having seriously scary moments, this anime remains awesome!) 









Craft 
I've been working on my Tinkerbell jigsaw puzzle: here is an early picture....



...and here is my latest progress! Coming along nicely - I did most of it in one day ^o^ 






Since I haven't been up for a lot I've been working on my Gorjuss cross stitch. Last week I'd gotten pretty far ...but now I've done this much! 





And, as promised, here's a crochet square I've made recently - they are pretty much the same colours, so you get the gist of it. 






Sunday 29 December 2013

The Crowded Kingdom by Louella Dizon San Juan (Children's, 9 years +, 8/10E)


Themes: fairies, magic, being shrunk, good and evil, hunting for answers, Central park, shoe shops, cool modes of transport
 
Content: Some scary moments, a few laughs,

Summary from The Crowded Kingdom Website 
 What if you woke up in Central Park as someone so tiny that you discover a fairy kingdom in New York City? The Crowded Kingdom is the story of two sisters, Jada and Jinny, who find themselves shrunk to the size of dandelions and discover a world of fairies, elves, and other small folk in New York City. Along with several elf friends and a rebellious purple fairy, the girls embark on a journey to find out how to return to their normal size – and get caught up in a magical war instead. Will the curious girls ever find a way back to their families, or will they be forever trapped in this wondrous world?

Nayuleska's thoughts
What I love about this story is how Jada and Jinny don't stay tiny for the entire book, which can make a change from some stories where characters only go back to their normal size at the end. There are things that Jana and Jinny can do only when they are small, and only when they are big. I enjoyed their wonder when they first encounter being small, which is fun but also rather dangerous. I felt the names for the different clans were rather clever, as were the ways magic is used around the sisters who discover they have special powers. Additionally the illustrations, which are often in colour (in a pencil style) bring an extra element to the story, as most illustrations I see in similar books are black and white. I'm a visual reader, and the drawings made the enemies that bit scarier for me - that is both and unpleasant at the same time!

There were a few parts in the story where there was odd inconsistency in the grammar and the story itself (it felt like words were missing) but I can't quite remember if this was an advanced reader copy, which is why I mention it. There was an instance where characters were muddled up (I had to read it a few times to make sure it wasn't my fatigue muddling it up), which isn't a huge deal (especially if its an ARC) but it did break up my flow and disrupt my enjoyment a little. Overall though, the fun magic and wonder of Jinny & Jana's world makes this a charming read.

Find out more on the dedicated website.

Suggested read
Other stories involving fairies and characters shrinking is the somewhat legendary (in my eyes) R J
Anderson's series which starts with Knife (Children's, 11 years +, 10E/10E)

Saturday 28 December 2013

Usborne Illustrated Arabian Nights by Anna Milborne, Alida Massari, and Sam Chandler (Children's, 7 years +, 9/10E)


 Themes: tales from unknown authors, princesses, princes, poor people, slaves, Sinbad, Sheherazade, Aladdin,

Content: Lots of adventure, some major peril, death, love (mega mild), humour

Summary from Usborne
A gloriously illustrated collection of the most enchanting stories from ‘The Thousand and One Nights’.

From the travels of Sinbad to the wishes of Aladdin, from tales of genies to adventures in magical lands, children will be enchanted by these stories of magic and wonder.

Beautifully designed and with a ribbon marker, this gorgeous clothbound hardback book makes a gift to be treasured.



Nayuleska's thoughts 
Squee! At last I have a copy of an abridged version of the original 1001 Arabian Nights! Although as the informative chapter at the end of the book explains there may not have been 1001 stories...The illustrations are superb. The first few pages of each story has vivid colours all over the pages with elaborate background images. Later on pages are white, some having more rich and mystical looking illustrations. There is a regal purple ribbon to use as a bookmark, and even the inner cover pages are prettily decorated

As for the stories themselves, I think the most famous were chosen for retelling. There is a strong sense of humour in all the tales which had me chuckle away to myself. Here are my thoughts on each story.

The Fisherman and the Genie shows how not all genies are fun and friendly like the Disney Aladdin one, and being quick thinking can save your life.

Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves I vaguely remember reading this story before, but only in this book was I a bit distressed over what happened to the thieves. I know they deserved it, and the slave girl is incredibly brave which counters the grisly bits. Greedy people don't prosper!

The Sultan and the Doctor This is my first time of reading the tale which is full of intrigue and plotting. Not my favourite story but very clever.

The Clever Prince, the Princess and the Genie First time read of another not so nice genie tale.I admired the prince's tactics. I was fuming when the princess fled, leaving the prince to face the genie on her own but her diligence in finding a way to destroy the genie raised my admiration of her.

The Robbers and the Donkey First time read of a funny tale where robbers get away with their crime in an unusual way.

Aladdin and the Magic Lamp As well as being obsessed with the Disney film version when I was little - so much so I even had the glow in the dark pjs - I've read various versions. I was a bit baffled by Aladdin's actions, and annoyed the princess fell in love with him so easily, although at least they chatted lots and found things in common unlike her first husband who got very cold...

The Flying Horse I've read other versions, and I adore this one as it is the funniest. It's a happy romance story with intelligence on both the prince and the princess's side.

The Poor Man's Dream First time of reading this sweet tale where good fortune shines on someone who deserves it.

The Voyages of Sinbad the Sailor I had to skip a few of the stories as they involved creatures that freaked me out, but the rest had me captivated. I feel so sorry for the emotional pain and suffering that Sinbad goes through during his adventures

Of course the background story to Arabian Nights (however many stories there are) is about how Sheherazade managed to stop the king killing her the next day by telling him a story and saying the next story is even better. I liked the different images which were at the start of each story showing the king and Sheherazade, although not all the stories had them which was a shame. I'm in awe of her story telling abilities, and her determination that she wouldn't die. She saved so many girls from death, and finds it in her heart to forgive the king.

Suggested read
More tales are told in Royal Fairytales for Bedtime retold by Mairi Mackinnon & Lorena Alvarez (Children's, 7 years +, 10E/10E) 

Friday 27 December 2013

Nayu's News #101 Expect the Unexpected


Anything can happen, anytime, anywhere.



Please note all pics are taken from online searches, and all quotes are by me. 
It's the holidays, and I'm no longer ill - yay! So today I'd planned to catch up with tweeting/emailing my book reviews, which I did. 
"How should I phrase this?"
I'd planned to schedule no more than 3 blogposts, which I did. 
"1 scheduled, 2 to go..."
I'd hoped to write..
"Come on, Muse, let's play!"
...therein the unexpected happened. 
"I don't want to!"
Muse decided that since I took so long to figure out who I shall use as my new Twitter avatar that she refused to share her ideas. In other words, she's on strike.
"No means no!"
I can't force her to work - it's not worth the trouble, so for now it's a quieter than planned day for me ^o^ Going to do some crochet and cross stitch later, but for now will watch some anime. You never know, Muse might relent and be inspired to work...a girl can dream!

Time for operation inspire Muse!

Wednesday 25 December 2013

The Dinotek Adventures Book 1: The Secret Dinosaur by N. S. Blackman (Children's, 7 years +, 10E/10E)

Themes: school trip to museum, worksheets, stumbling across the unexpected, sneaking around, mending things, close relationship with an uncle, engineering, making plans, talking dinosaurs, helping others,

Content: heaps of adventure, moderate to major peril, awesome end

Summary of the book from press release
When Marlin Maxton visits a museum on a school trip he discovers a forgotten room with a dusty old dinosaur display. To his astonishment and delight his interest in these old "machines" sparks them into life!

These are dinosaurs for today - life sized animals and metal machines combined. They are as awesome as their prehistoric predecessors - and best of all they befriend Marlin. Together boy and dinosaurs embark on a series of thrilling adventures - the first being to protect them from the immediate danger of hunting humans. For some, these animals are a menace, to be destroyed - and Marlin is the only protection they have against the adults who fear them. 

Nayuleska's thoughts
*breathes deeply...attempts to stay calm...* I have to say this book has a brilliantly evil end! I obviously didn't expect everything to be sorted by the end as it's a series, but how it ended made me mad in a good way. As it has a male protagonist I didn't expect to be as sucked into the story as I was. I loved Marlin's techincal/engineering tinkering, I particularly liked his solid-grounded relationship with his Uncle who provides the extra help he needs. 

And then there's the dinosaurs. They are cute! They probably would hate to be called that but oh they are sweet in how fearsome they can appear and the way they look out for their friends and do their best not to be discovered by other humans. The dinotek concept is spot on and for many reasons I'm eager for book 2!

Find out heaps more on the Dinotek website 

Suggested read
For another cool dinosaur series check out Steve Cole's Astrosaurs, including Astrosaurs: Earth Attack (Children's, 7 years +, 10E/10E) 

Tuesday 24 December 2013

Usborne Princess Stories box set (Children's, 5 years +, 10E/10E)

Pretty!
August 2013, Usborne, 5 books each with 48 pages, Hardbacks, Review copy

Themes: princes, princesses, gentleness, selfishness, being spoilt, promises, fairies, castles, magic,
 
Content: Loads of humour

Summary from Usborne

Five enchanting princess story books in a beautifully designed gift box, specially produced to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Usborne Publishing in 2013.

Includes Cinderella, The Princess and the Pea, Sleeping Beauty, The Twelve Dancing Princesses and The Frog Prince.

Each hardback book is colourfully illustrated and has a ribbon page marker. All titles are taken from the Usborne Reading Programme.

Nayuleska's thoughts 
Now, when I opened up the books I had a minor panic. I'd recently read Royal Fairy Tales for Bedtime, also by Usborne and expected the stories in there to be the same as this collection. I was delighted to find they weren't! I've never read such humorous versions of these fairy tales - the speech bubbles and the pictures add another element of magic to the already amazing stories.

There's a ribbon on each book to mark the next page to read-each book has a slightly different colour of pink and purple. Plus at the end of the story the origin of the story is explained, along with which version this particular retelling uses. Here's what I think of each of them.

The Frog Prince: Princess Poppy is a little madam, and the frog certainly livens up her life.

The Twelve Dancing Princesses: This is the first version of this tale where I don't think the princesses are stupid for dancing the night away. Their father is a tyrant! I adore the youngest princess.

Sleeping Beauty: Another first for me - never had a frog feature in Sleeping Beauty - never! It had me falling about laughing. Plus the fairies look how I imagine to look- one even looks like Flora from one of my favourite anime Winx - look! 
Note the green and pink colour combination & the style of the skirt part.
 
Taken from online search, flora in a fight (she doesn't usually frown...)

Similar colour and style skirts! Books connect readers to the stories, but also to other similar things, like my favourite fairy anime, Winx! 

The Princess and the Pea: As one of my favourite fair tales I was super eager to see what this one was like. Boy, it's an awesome retelling! I've never seen a retelling like it. The search for the perfect princess left me laughing one moment and staring with my mouth open at the next. Truly magical.

Cinderella: I saved this book until last in the review because this Cinderella stole my heart. It's a retelling that I'm familiar with,  but the illustrations are breathtaking. Just look at her. 
Photo of illustration take by myself
For all the reasons stated this collection is a superb set for anyone who loves fairy tales. If you think you've read them and they are all the same then prepared to be surprised!

Suggested read
For more fairy tales check out the already mentioned Royal Fairy Tales for Bedtime (Children's, Picture books, 10E/10E