tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017364533241782132024-03-17T11:24:03.828+00:00Nayu's Reading CornerWelcome to my world! It's full of book, game, + anime reviews, my crochet creations, cute things, & everything else in my life ^o^Nayuleskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08693548526829437580noreply@blogger.comBlogger3753125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601736453324178213.post-70248223631291346042024-02-16T00:30:00.043+00:002024-02-16T00:30:00.133+00:00Review: Lie or Die by A J Clack (Young Adult, Thriller, 9/10E)<p style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqAXcEmL4s00XoW11e4NNdPQ6cxat3x3zyf4W1smeBf28WxsvFpEAsnNqwxP7S69znaZJ5_9omhkY1-LqWane-zeJARVnZ5shC6Wp8ACke61KzNwBNTU6aKckUYVeGDfWzkyy2wXVhZIO5eBMOWvK_hG_9ZyVCSt9hXDTQSpsm0ndn9XJOmqXbRoTQ0jI/s1169/Lie%20or%20Die.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1169" data-original-width="760" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqAXcEmL4s00XoW11e4NNdPQ6cxat3x3zyf4W1smeBf28WxsvFpEAsnNqwxP7S69znaZJ5_9omhkY1-LqWane-zeJARVnZ5shC6Wp8ACke61KzNwBNTU6aKckUYVeGDfWzkyy2wXVhZIO5eBMOWvK_hG_9ZyVCSt9hXDTQSpsm0ndn9XJOmqXbRoTQ0jI/w260-h400/Lie%20or%20Die.jpg" width="260" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't let the chirpy cover fool you!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p style="text-align: center;">7th March 2024, Firefly Press, 304 pages, Paperback, Review copy</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Book summary from <a href="https://fireflypress.co.uk/books/lie-or-die/" target="_blank">Firefly Press</a></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b> </b><em>Ten strangers trapped in a television studio</em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em>Forty-two remote cameras<br /> </em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em>One rule: Trust no one</em></p><div class="page" style="text-align: center;" title="Page 1"><div class="layoutArea">
<p><span data-sheets-textstyleruns="{"1":0}{"1":167,"2":{"6":1}}{"1":177}{"1":232,"2":{"6":1}}{"1":243}{"1":257,"2":{"6":1}}{"1":267}" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":47873,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0,"14":{"1":2,"2":0},"15":"Calibri","16":12,"18":0}" data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"Ten strangers trapped in a television studio\nForty-two remote cameras\nFive dead bodies\nOne rule: Trust no one\nWhen a casting call is announced for new reality TV show Lie or Die, Kass is tricked into auditioning by her best friend. Big Brother meets Mafia, Lie or Die pits contestants against each other as they try to discover who is a murderous agent and who is an innocent player. But when contestants start to turn up dead (the real kind, not the fake kind), Kass realises that not being eliminated and winning the game is the least of her worries. No longer a game of truth and lies, Kass and her friends are in a fight for survival. 'Reality' just got very real."}"><i>When
a casting call is announced for new reality TV show Lie or Die, Kass is
tricked into auditioning by her best friend. Big Brother meets Mafia,
Lie or Die pits contestants against each other as they try to discover
who is a murderous agent and who is an innocent player. But when
contestants start to turn up dead (the real kind, not the fake kind),
Kass realises that not being eliminated and winning the game is the
least of her worries. No longer a game of truth and lies, Kass and her
friends are in a fight for survival. ‘Reality’ just got very real.</i></span></p>
</div>
</div><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Nayu's thoughts</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">Hot in the wake of the thrilling BBC show <i>The Traitors</i> this young adult thriller is a perfect match for fans of the show (and if you haven't seen the show yet, do! I have seen most of the 1st season (not the finale<b> </b>as I can only watch at family's house due to lack of tv licence) and <i>Lie or Die</i> is far worse than traitors as people actually die. </p><p style="text-align: center;">In the beginning Kass and her bestie Thea are the ones on the show, joining in a way that should have been an alarm bell for the chaos that follow. Kass is content as her other bestie Lewis is outside the sealed set, helping out the production in what feels like a dream come true role that runs into a distinct nightmare. At first the game feels fun, and the murders somehow go under the radar. How is that possible? Well you will have to read the book to find out how but in the world of TV where reality and fiction collide it is plausible for the contestants not to notice the deaths. There are warning signs for the reader but it takes Kass, Thea, and their rivals a lot longer to catch up. </p><p style="text-align: center;">When the penny finally drops, and when the murderer starts laying clues, the tone of the show completely flips. It's impossible to know who to trust and who will die next. The mastermind behind the show is both extremely sadistic and very clever. Got to give credit where it's due, it took some planning to create the show and pull it off. The question is, can Kass and her friends survive alongside the other competitors and outwit the murderer? I'm not saying but the end itself is full of great twists and turns that made me glad I read it all in one sitting as waiting more than a few seconds to read on would have been agonising. </p><p style="text-align: center;">I liked learning more about reality TV shows since I don't really watch them. The tension gets pretty intense, although it fell shy of completely wowing me as I feel spoiled since the <i>Pretty Little LIars</i> TV drama which blew my mind and made me less easily surprised in mysteries. Because of a certain incident Kass and Thea aren't actually getting along too well for a while, but when the murders become evident they team up because they both want to stay alive. Kass finds another ally, or so she thinks, but doing so also makes her look guilty. Lewis has to do all he can to help his trapped friends but his skills are severely limited for various reasons. There is a hint there may be a book 2 so I hope that will happen! </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Suggested read</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">Love a good scare? Check out <a href="https://nayusreadingcorner.blogspot.com/2019/08/the-retreat-by-sherri-smith-thriller.html">The Retreat by Sherri Smith (Thriller, 10E/10E)</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2d63Er1OpVRmvJcrJQowvO4t73k3sX_64A0YgQ43Km5oLew6hvy8ZVWuhCZBZxlq5HmrXxwNp6SouoNiPYq-RtSy13y9TwbFFY_3qzI0t24ala0ZuvWPpAl-NNL02ysM_k7Qtyc8RCwMRIja-JR27tmcaLKzmQEiyo7gHCz3DS5xopKoVHqTOVLDoGiY/s600/the%20retreat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="394" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2d63Er1OpVRmvJcrJQowvO4t73k3sX_64A0YgQ43Km5oLew6hvy8ZVWuhCZBZxlq5HmrXxwNp6SouoNiPYq-RtSy13y9TwbFFY_3qzI0t24ala0ZuvWPpAl-NNL02ysM_k7Qtyc8RCwMRIja-JR27tmcaLKzmQEiyo7gHCz3DS5xopKoVHqTOVLDoGiY/w131-h200/the%20retreat.jpg" width="131" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><b> </b></p>Nayuleskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08693548526829437580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601736453324178213.post-6133769031971270002024-02-15T09:19:00.002+00:002024-02-15T09:19:35.633+00:00Review: Confetti by Dean Atta and Alea Marley (Children's, Picture book, 10E/10E)<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIs3XCHy1YguVsNMQT4UjExHuiLFTt_emjmcSvqEwFP3vB7-cW9dYEYtBC0JofViZM47Vdg9OCNmmySfewdj43jRncTkXuiTQEjBLhlkV8OiEU6pShk2521huOkP1VEvgFBU-UlUVhv6fcDXwNzczn1JAT_p9DbpgWMSiv7H8pr4U69oO4_M9lxTS9A94/s1500/confetti.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1363" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIs3XCHy1YguVsNMQT4UjExHuiLFTt_emjmcSvqEwFP3vB7-cW9dYEYtBC0JofViZM47Vdg9OCNmmySfewdj43jRncTkXuiTQEjBLhlkV8OiEU6pShk2521huOkP1VEvgFBU-UlUVhv6fcDXwNzczn1JAT_p9DbpgWMSiv7H8pr4U69oO4_M9lxTS9A94/w364-h400/confetti.jpg" width="364" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"> January 2024, Orchard Books, 32 pages, Hardback, Review copy<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Book summary </b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span><i>One day, Ari discovers a piece of pink confetti under the sofa.
She throws is up into the air and watches it helicopter down: a small,
bright moment of celebration. <br /><br />And before long, Ari discovers
confetti in other places: at her birthday party; at the Pride parade; in
autumn's falling leaves; in the magical sprinkling of snowflakes. She
finds that when you look around, life is full of celebrations, each
moment bursting with colour and joy - just like a handful of confetti. <br /><br />The
debut picture book from acclaimed poet Dean Atta, winner of the
Stonewall Book Award and shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal Prize, is
stunningly brought to life by award-winning Alea Marley.</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Nayu's thoughts </b></p><p style="text-align: center;">They say don't judge a book by it's cover, which is true but in this case I fell in love with <i>Confetti</i> because of the cover. Look how joyful Ari is, and how beautiful the multi-coloured paper scraps are! Once she sees it at home Ari sees confetti in all it's colours everywhere. There is a magic to the way the colours encompass every scenario this sweet girl encounters. The soft yet vibrant colour palatte draws in the reader as much as the story of life's celebrations. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Ari's love<b> </b>is that<b> </b>of a child's untainted by adult worldviews<b>, </b>innocent and seeing how love is everywhere with everyone. She has such a fun life and the confetti emphasizes that. It's an accurate portrayal of a child's imagination, as well as their innate compassion. I hope readers see confetti everywhere after reading Ari's adventure. The world can be so beautiful and friendly.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Suggested read</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">If you love colours and love check out <a href="https://nayusreadingcorner.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-perfect-flower-girl-by-taghred.html">The Perfect Flower Girl by Taghred Chandab and Binny Talib (Children's, Picture book, 10/10) </a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ru_rAId6kl655Oj0SkLG31sZR1Yx7Af3SmHNvYlygho_Mdm5ErytvWua0B2foyaLPt2NjOWpzXyqwCf4XQSBE9tXGLzepXNo2ecT3URqgalBa9W87Qh3jLgC9j1kHV3cXfgolgryGVbvBrBQE1XzN3weiaaIzCAOs9zT4D2bTQ1lc-LRPAMaq3sKE8I/s220/the%20perfect%20flower%20girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="208" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ru_rAId6kl655Oj0SkLG31sZR1Yx7Af3SmHNvYlygho_Mdm5ErytvWua0B2foyaLPt2NjOWpzXyqwCf4XQSBE9tXGLzepXNo2ecT3URqgalBa9W87Qh3jLgC9j1kHV3cXfgolgryGVbvBrBQE1XzN3weiaaIzCAOs9zT4D2bTQ1lc-LRPAMaq3sKE8I/w189-h200/the%20perfect%20flower%20girl.jpg" width="189" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p> </p>Nayuleskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08693548526829437580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601736453324178213.post-80827361791585953512024-01-21T14:29:00.004+00:002024-01-21T14:29:50.057+00:00Review: Winner Takes Gold by Eloise Smith (Children's, 9 years +, 10E/10E)<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8n16IdYLn0cv5e9zVs5ZaXiV3ZdoXJNhJLpL4Z9PrH7cIzKS5rb0YbeT9x873lwkO2Lo20Xup94uCeCeW7ZM8LI-Tp-Z0zsmJh6keaHQJHCGlFTJ8WxAEEnG5sfslQ1HyYpLyEV4gPGcIxzR8-WYeTdB9Wspyk1ri0kAo30KGyj0JP-ZSyy4EnuBeQmI/s1024/Winner%20Takes%20Gold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="667" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8n16IdYLn0cv5e9zVs5ZaXiV3ZdoXJNhJLpL4Z9PrH7cIzKS5rb0YbeT9x873lwkO2Lo20Xup94uCeCeW7ZM8LI-Tp-Z0zsmJh6keaHQJHCGlFTJ8WxAEEnG5sfslQ1HyYpLyEV4gPGcIxzR8-WYeTdB9Wspyk1ri0kAo30KGyj0JP-ZSyy4EnuBeQmI/w260-h400/Winner%20Takes%20Gold.jpg" width="260" /></a></div><br /> 4th January 2024, Chicken House, 320 pages, Paperback, Review copy<p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Summary from <a href="https://www.chickenhousebooks.com/books/winner-takes-gold/" target="_blank">Chicken House</a></b></p><h3 style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">It takes courage to follow your dreams . . . </span></i></h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"><i>Young gymnast Pearl dreams of winning gold in Paris. It’s what Mum would have wanted.</i></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><i>However, elite training camp is super tough, even with the help of best friend Ryan and rising star, Jada-Rae.</i></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><i>Think ice baths, rivalry … sabotage.</i></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><i>When others will do anything to win, what will Pearl risk? Safety? Morals? Friendships?</i></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><i>This thrilling tale reminds us sport is about more than medals. It’s about making friends, being brave and freeing your soul.</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Nayu's thoughts</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">I read this after a YA thriller, and honestly I was at at times more scared by the antics in <i>Winner Takes Gold</i> than the thriller. Partly because at least the killer in that novel was obvious about what they were up to, and partly because after the TV show <i>Pretty Little Liars</i> it takes a lot to scare me in a thrilling tale. I know, death is worse than gymnastic pranks but the pranks were serious and got the various competitors out of the training scheme. And I felt like Pearl didn't know who to trust, that included her best friend Ryan. Would Pearl be next? </p><p style="text-align: center;">Once she and Ryan investigated a little, before they fell out, it seemed that so many of the staff and pupils were prime suspects. I had a sneaky feeling the staff's actions were less suspicious than they seemed - as an adult I know how certain actions taken out of context by younger people can seem suspicious but its just part of someone's private life, not actually anything illegal. <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">How books start sets up the whole story, and Pearl being at her mother's grave was really touching. She has so much to live for and keeps her mum included in her gymnastic dreams. I like how realistic it was the way Pearl got onto the special program, and how by the end she does stick to her good principles even though it cost her her dream. I know competitive gymnastics is cut-throat, and Pearl does well to survive. I hope she gets to shine again and we get another tale with her as she has learned a lot in this adventure. </p><p style="text-align: center;"> Find out more on Eloise's website, I'm certainly going to check out her other book, <i>Sister To a Star</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NL6DIEXUzbfXAcIM94YdEwy4nQ45mNRnArhpEMBMH_2qHRKTu7bUyYHcmKbwMXM0NtInCNYeRoeI4VIQgPeyXkzs-iaEb02OoZT1gwFtzcy6XuwD1L3ZoEkidP3cvNbozZ3DxFO4-rBq7XGEJpK7YHRyu4n8lIYfOjXvIvA350eXKxfuj1U7Kf1lQSs/s1024/Sister%20to%20a%20star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="678" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NL6DIEXUzbfXAcIM94YdEwy4nQ45mNRnArhpEMBMH_2qHRKTu7bUyYHcmKbwMXM0NtInCNYeRoeI4VIQgPeyXkzs-iaEb02OoZT1gwFtzcy6XuwD1L3ZoEkidP3cvNbozZ3DxFO4-rBq7XGEJpK7YHRyu4n8lIYfOjXvIvA350eXKxfuj1U7Kf1lQSs/s320/Sister%20to%20a%20star.jpg" width="212" /></a></i></div><i><br /> </i> <br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Suggested read</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">If you like heartwarming tales try T<a href="https://nayusreadingcorner.blogspot.com/2018/10/the-girl-cat-and-navigator-by-matilda.html">he Girl The Cat, and the Navigator by Matilda Woods and Anusker Allepuz (Children's, 9 years +, 10E/10E) </a></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKTnd_wDlCEi5Us0_cGrnLkYyI_AZ7hopOlP40JcrH74NBtDZ-hN2LZFZQzjhL1DVPc39WeC3joGycf__Yllajx-dDZzmZ6IW6LPrip1nwTjm8DYVh4hzA4QmaNkrVA2upcl3fFbmv1M0bOFhyyhPgclEJqK_QvspwtFBNSt1QVLvHYvuHVQhAD7JOSE/s400/the%20girl%20the%20cat%20and%20the%20navigator.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="264" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKTnd_wDlCEi5Us0_cGrnLkYyI_AZ7hopOlP40JcrH74NBtDZ-hN2LZFZQzjhL1DVPc39WeC3joGycf__Yllajx-dDZzmZ6IW6LPrip1nwTjm8DYVh4hzA4QmaNkrVA2upcl3fFbmv1M0bOFhyyhPgclEJqK_QvspwtFBNSt1QVLvHYvuHVQhAD7JOSE/w132-h200/the%20girl%20the%20cat%20and%20the%20navigator.jpg" width="132" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><b> </b></p>Nayuleskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08693548526829437580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601736453324178213.post-24357488478690927632023-12-30T00:30:00.002+00:002023-12-30T00:30:00.367+00:00Over on Nayu's Crochet Dreams #70 Sickness and Crafting<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzdwOp_jGdCkJq9YNIU1PiWBn50NIj70bsw5R0AF3qalGxWwEXs0hQ68mMuzD3zcjn1onpbSPOsiOII44_YeX5zFCC42cu3kVZX2nImRjY9VTKga2-LVcM4tgJ6tmM4WLEvf9yuL4Tk46kb5O4am4F7TfmvC2zqeqrf9hVtfmawYyCjt71cmha9uudrY/s1024/Dec%2023%20guinea%20pig%20front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="620" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzdwOp_jGdCkJq9YNIU1PiWBn50NIj70bsw5R0AF3qalGxWwEXs0hQ68mMuzD3zcjn1onpbSPOsiOII44_YeX5zFCC42cu3kVZX2nImRjY9VTKga2-LVcM4tgJ6tmM4WLEvf9yuL4Tk46kb5O4am4F7TfmvC2zqeqrf9hVtfmawYyCjt71cmha9uudrY/w242-h400/Dec%2023%20guinea%20pig%20front.jpg" width="242" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Catch up with what I've been up to including making this little guinea pig on <a href="http://nayuscrochetdreams.blogspot.com/2023/12/nayus-craft-time-237-season-of-illness.html" target="_blank">Nayu's Crochet Dreams</a><br /></p>Nayuleskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08693548526829437580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601736453324178213.post-88122310405696097322023-12-29T00:30:00.065+00:002023-12-29T00:30:00.146+00:00Review: Bubba and Squirt's Shield of Athena by Sherry Ellis (Children's, 9 years +, 10/10E) <p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-bw8AWUeO4eEa4ZDSl7jaEW32X4iuIrc2tPXAK57A1jR1veX6TGWZ6PWLniOUmcblZ2cZeoH46hZ60cznjewtXe7RyMXRj1u8AS_gLm6RabjAQK3luBX1HMfmLKIIMj2Qc-V_o13gwxldciEVPr1Y5qSqJAoqG9lO22OOZ8N5Y7wMKNbPuLFwg0IatAo/s275/bubba%20and%20squirt's%20shield%20of%20Athena.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="183" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-bw8AWUeO4eEa4ZDSl7jaEW32X4iuIrc2tPXAK57A1jR1veX6TGWZ6PWLniOUmcblZ2cZeoH46hZ60cznjewtXe7RyMXRj1u8AS_gLm6RabjAQK3luBX1HMfmLKIIMj2Qc-V_o13gwxldciEVPr1Y5qSqJAoqG9lO22OOZ8N5Y7wMKNbPuLFwg0IatAo/w266-h400/bubba%20and%20squirt's%20shield%20of%20Athena.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">7th May 2024, Dancing Lemur Press, 114 pages, Paperback, Review copy</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Book summary</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span>When Bubba and Squirt travel through the mysterious vortex on a
quest to save their father, they end up in Athens, Greece where they
meet an old woman known as the Oracle of Delphi. Her intriguing riddles
set them on a path that leads to the Netherworld, a place where danger
lurks around every corner.</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span>With the help of
their new friends and some unlikely allies, they must defeat the monster
that holds their father captive. Will they succeed or be trapped
forever in the labyrinth of the Netherworld?</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Nayu's thoughts</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">This is genuinely one of my favourite sibling adventures. It has all the good stuff, friendship,<b> </b>dangerous moments, humour, and magical powers. I love how facts about the ancient world are woven into the duo's adventure. There's an ease with the protagonist that comes of being a few books into the series which is noticable from someone who has read the others. Bubba and Squirt definitely have a bigger picture adventure going on, I like how their family are more involved now, as unbelievable as their powers seem to be they come in handy too. The way they time travel feels natural and is well explained. <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">All is not plain sailing, but together with the temporary new friends they make they can overcome anything. I really liked the various deceptions that happened in this installment that I hadn't anticipated at all. I hope that readers decide to look further into ancient Greece as it's an amazing era with loads of fantastic myths and pot fragments to fangirl over (that might just be me, give me a fragment of a pot and I'm in heaven but I did my degree in Ancient History so I have more than a passing interest in it all). I like that there's a recipe in the book for a food they ate, makes the story more tangible. The Netherworld is a tricky place sure, they don't leave unscathed but they do succeed eventually. <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Find out more on Sherry's <a href="https://www.sherryellis.org/" target="_blank">website</a>, like why music works it's way into her books as she is a musician. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Suggested read</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">Check out the first book in the series, <a href="https://nayusreadingcorner.blogspot.com/2018/11/bubba-and-squirts-big-dig-to-china-by.html">Bubba and Squirt's Big Dig to China by Sherry Ellis (Children's, 9 years +, 10/10E)</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU4VwQmMn6ZwWlusNGsVoKuB2PLg69U3DI6ASqH8pA1HiFQ4BNWvMI0mOu5oo7GFmuIBM1zgbc9CJFPMsp7DPhNgfBWT59wltiZQxgiE0F_iH7goZ_GVbyZ_a6hf3UDXMvw35z2n-tDSnVE_I-c-nmOC_IJIeYHNxvj_e1mPK-m1nySk7mETTy09suwkg/s499/bubba%20and%20squirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="333" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU4VwQmMn6ZwWlusNGsVoKuB2PLg69U3DI6ASqH8pA1HiFQ4BNWvMI0mOu5oo7GFmuIBM1zgbc9CJFPMsp7DPhNgfBWT59wltiZQxgiE0F_iH7goZ_GVbyZ_a6hf3UDXMvw35z2n-tDSnVE_I-c-nmOC_IJIeYHNxvj_e1mPK-m1nySk7mETTy09suwkg/w134-h200/bubba%20and%20squirt.jpg" width="134" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><b> </b></p>Nayuleskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08693548526829437580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601736453324178213.post-73626414967761764052023-12-28T16:37:00.000+00:002023-12-28T16:37:07.544+00:00Review: Hidden Truths by Elly Swartz (Children's, 9 years +, middle grade, 9/10E)<p style="text-align: center;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPHzMCvXFpBlgxnyjqTcGDd1lhilQZkJ_qcSae7gAFCAUQqfKSJvh0rr54NGjPjOxHsq2BezykUM328oHRIfPMlL_FXaXAi9XKv9HZXBblbZlFJq6XqPSTYC8eJ-8qSmPOxuzvxQBVGOt0AUfrWVN8h0IczLpiTCGvBIkyyWmISMEP0MpysiOfF8clsk/s450/Hidden%20Truths.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="298" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPHzMCvXFpBlgxnyjqTcGDd1lhilQZkJ_qcSae7gAFCAUQqfKSJvh0rr54NGjPjOxHsq2BezykUM328oHRIfPMlL_FXaXAi9XKv9HZXBblbZlFJq6XqPSTYC8eJ-8qSmPOxuzvxQBVGOt0AUfrWVN8h0IczLpiTCGvBIkyyWmISMEP0MpysiOfF8clsk/w265-h400/Hidden%20Truths.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorgeous cover!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> </p><p style="text-align: center;">October 2023, Delacorte Press, Hardback, Review copy</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Book summary</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Dani and Eric have been best friends since
Dani moved next door in second grade. They bond over donuts, comic
books, and camping on the Cape.<br /><br />Until one summer when everything changes.<br /><br />Did
Eric cause the accident that leaves Dani unable to do the one thing in
the world she most cares about? The question plagues him, and he will do
anything to get answers about the explosion that injured her. But Dani
is hurting too much to want Eric to pursue the truth—she just wants to
shut him out and move on. Besides, Eric has a history of dropping things
he starts. Eric knows that and is determined that this will be the one
time he follows through.<br /><br />But what if his pursuit brings him into direct conflict with another friend? Where does Eric’s loyalty really lie?</i>
</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Nayu's thoughts</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">I was initially intrigued by how Dani ended up in hospital, since I have experience of staying in one as a child. Prior to the accident it was interesting seeing how close Dani and Eric were, they were like brother and sister in how they treat each other. Having a more conservative background I found it a little odd they were allowed to stay sleep over with each other but there was absolutely nothing romantic about their friendship, it was purely platonic. </p><p style="text-align: center;">The accident itself was very dramatic in a good way, and the range of emotions Dani experienced were what I'd expect from her age. Baseball was her life and she felt her world was destroyed by her injuries which needed a very long recovery period. Being a few decades older than her I could see that while she felt it was awful, given time she would see it wasn't the end of her career, it was just a little set back and she would eventually get back to the boys' team which she had been able to join right before the accident, a great achievement for her. </p><p style="text-align: center;">As for Eric, the agony he went through by keeping a lot of his worries about the accident to himself tore him up inside. His emotions were equally as raw as Dani's. I absolutely loved the realism of when his family finally found out about his possible involvement, they clearly wanted to support him and boost his shattered confidence but there was a real sense of disappointment and fear that his accidental mistake could have caused everything that Dani went through. The way both the two friends had to try rebuild their trust in each other and deal with ugly realities was really well written and relatable. Elly definitely is fantastic at dealing with tricky emotions and making it realistic, not melodramatic. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Make sure you check out Elly's <a href="https://ellyswartz.com/" target="_blank">website</a>. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Suggested read</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">For another tale about emotions check out T<a href="https://nayusreadingcorner.blogspot.com/2018/12/the-snow-witch-by-rosie-boyes-childrens.html">he Snow Witch by Rosie Boyes (Children's, 9 years +, 10E/10E)</a></p><p style="text-align: center;">\</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDJxTSq6CyeW190xnh-i0bhmWpdc1CSe2d-Qkn612gF1I78amEXrdQPriqVobK76dELCgWJjc1ZOCA-TS9tZz4O9vyLNF_XYjiBqvYeZNpnMEVH7N8gKvE_iKS62X0Rjmk1AyDEZr1VDNIo1wuQfXZPdfhMnlygkVl4n4pVDP-w_I3iejRwk77RKTTRaA/s499/the%20snow%20witch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="313" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDJxTSq6CyeW190xnh-i0bhmWpdc1CSe2d-Qkn612gF1I78amEXrdQPriqVobK76dELCgWJjc1ZOCA-TS9tZz4O9vyLNF_XYjiBqvYeZNpnMEVH7N8gKvE_iKS62X0Rjmk1AyDEZr1VDNIo1wuQfXZPdfhMnlygkVl4n4pVDP-w_I3iejRwk77RKTTRaA/w126-h200/the%20snow%20witch.jpg" width="126" /></a></div><br /> <br /><p></p><p><b> </b></p>Nayuleskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08693548526829437580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601736453324178213.post-80175431078642653582023-12-17T21:56:00.001+00:002023-12-17T21:56:00.147+00:00Book review: Molly and the Shipwreck by Malachy Doyle and Andrew Whitson (Children's, 5 years +, Picture book, 10E/10E)<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheCQ9vzfKVklE58En2WeV7BbQ4iiaV3j6TYPPqwvixd_dWgNt2w9u8LlRMUoj27aMhJNxgSt8rUEjELeTNG18Z7zGvsd8O4D47Wa5Pq1DuvPCoiGEzQc8xSafGn75mVPug8Lhbf31q9oQ9NX4UlNjXhoQsf4fc8QKqD3SDw56zRYpaJl2LsLEFjv1ABV0/s342/Molly%20and%20the%20shipwreck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="342" data-original-width="342" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheCQ9vzfKVklE58En2WeV7BbQ4iiaV3j6TYPPqwvixd_dWgNt2w9u8LlRMUoj27aMhJNxgSt8rUEjELeTNG18Z7zGvsd8O4D47Wa5Pq1DuvPCoiGEzQc8xSafGn75mVPug8Lhbf31q9oQ9NX4UlNjXhoQsf4fc8QKqD3SDw56zRYpaJl2LsLEFjv1ABV0/w400-h400/Molly%20and%20the%20shipwreck.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">October 2021, Graffeg, 36 pages, Paperback, Review copy </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Summary from <a href="https://graffeg.com/products/molly-and-the-shipwreck?_pos=1&_psq=molly%20an&_ss=e&_v=1.0" target="_blank">Graffeg</a></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b> </b>Molly and her dad rescue three people in trouble from a small boat off
the coast. Though they speak different languages, the new arrivals
quickly make friends with the islanders, who offer them somewhere to
stay and some clothes and food. Just a few weeks later, a new challenge
threatens this relationship, but will Molly and the islanders be able to
help their new friends?</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Nayu's thoughts</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">I try not to read about real world issues because honestly the reality is so depressing and I mentally can't cope with it. I thought a shipwreck sounded exciting. What I ended up reading was an uplifting tale about the happy ever after boat refugees who end up on a small island where a helpful community exists. Molly needs more people for her school or it will close, little does she know more pupils appear from an unexpected quarter, the sea. </p><p style="text-align: center;">The close-knit feel of island life is evident. There is definitely 'the main land is slightly evil' feel when immigration turn up to take away the new residents, but that is not the end of the tale, thankfully. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous and made each image feel alive. I love the slightly muted colours which fit islands I've seen on TV. This book touched my heart, it's beautiful and filled with hope for a better future, which we do all want. I may not willingly read current affairs books, but I'm really glad this one popped into my life. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Find out more on Malachy's <a href="http://www.malachy.plus.com/" target="_blank">website </a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Suggested read</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">Check out some of Malachy's other books including <a href="https://nayusreadingcorner.blogspot.com/2021/09/one-hundred-and-one-daffodils-by.html">One Hundred and One Daffodils by Malachy Doyle and Denise Hughes (Children's, 5 years +, 10E/10E)</a> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPivhnLT249hp0xyi1JgBiWb8BLR8NMvQiO9qO803HSJpxikrNZW9lEF7gub-K4tUAkplrVhEWXg8njKOvdCv1pK3WQXytuwepJLeeWeNotfpRAv-DsCxpFkyysDK1Yj8RpbB4hVrj8r6QVLeNLJbS8RVQJndfWP2QkGZ-LY58lp3YrJswVzqMiod19Q/s526/a%20hundred%20and%20one%20daffodils.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="360" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPivhnLT249hp0xyi1JgBiWb8BLR8NMvQiO9qO803HSJpxikrNZW9lEF7gub-K4tUAkplrVhEWXg8njKOvdCv1pK3WQXytuwepJLeeWeNotfpRAv-DsCxpFkyysDK1Yj8RpbB4hVrj8r6QVLeNLJbS8RVQJndfWP2QkGZ-LY58lp3YrJswVzqMiod19Q/w137-h200/a%20hundred%20and%20one%20daffodils.jpg" width="137" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">and <a href="https://nayusreadingcorner.blogspot.com/2011/05/jaws-of-death-by-malachy-doyle.html">The Jaws of Death by Malachy Doyle</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv0j96Kf9t1KlqgwNkzx3DlyVdpv7HhlHBTtQRYJQtFwnXG7-sVZc0-TqU4D3a74Gt9XsBKKjclGOQWkuHUVrfLnADa1aygYTa1M6NP7HCtsNMe3bQHGdqL7SmD2OSbkdc6MrRQJB_hyphenhyphen-HFBKofh43EX7Pgvw9thJSgd9zK3co1e-sSCdD_stmtBYVFH4/s400/the%20jaws%20of%20death%20by%20malachy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="260" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv0j96Kf9t1KlqgwNkzx3DlyVdpv7HhlHBTtQRYJQtFwnXG7-sVZc0-TqU4D3a74Gt9XsBKKjclGOQWkuHUVrfLnADa1aygYTa1M6NP7HCtsNMe3bQHGdqL7SmD2OSbkdc6MrRQJB_hyphenhyphen-HFBKofh43EX7Pgvw9thJSgd9zK3co1e-sSCdD_stmtBYVFH4/w130-h200/the%20jaws%20of%20death%20by%20malachy.jpg" width="130" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Nayuleskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08693548526829437580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601736453324178213.post-63624894159924424402023-12-16T00:30:00.001+00:002023-12-16T00:30:00.132+00:00Book review: Polly Bee Makes Honey by Deborah Chancellor and Julia Groves (Children's, Picture book, 9/10E)<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5b8yZNAHkV4Jskq_S-kU9GzF1dqWLy8xAl77LPGvSGFJY57s3KLeDKOCJZDO_QCWRiNG1iIMZvMetKmx9RkPI_ujd_hvlstgJs-NAxDeeWDTTPficl9eQK_LZsb2UKn97xhZv1yBIboqS1z6gQNXTxQRnengWoCqh6-boIBm6V9gweU-lL-BLyxvH1EE/s303/Polly%20bee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="303" data-original-width="300" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5b8yZNAHkV4Jskq_S-kU9GzF1dqWLy8xAl77LPGvSGFJY57s3KLeDKOCJZDO_QCWRiNG1iIMZvMetKmx9RkPI_ujd_hvlstgJs-NAxDeeWDTTPficl9eQK_LZsb2UKn97xhZv1yBIboqS1z6gQNXTxQRnengWoCqh6-boIBm6V9gweU-lL-BLyxvH1EE/w396-h400/Polly%20bee.jpg" width="396" /></a></div><br /> September 2021, Scallywag Press, 32 pages, Hardback, Review copy<p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Summary from <a href="https://www.scallywagpress.com/books-polly-bee.html" target="_blank">Scallywag Press</a></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b> </b>The second title of a new non-fiction series aiming to help children
understand and appreciate where their food comes from, and to be more
environmentally aware.</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>A girl follows Polly the worker bee collecting pollen and nectar
from various flowers, and bringing it back to the hive where it is
stored in the honeycomb. We meet the queen bee and the drones, and
finally see honey being harvested and enjoyed.<b> <br /></b></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Nayu's thoughts</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">I adore honey, the thick kind rather than runny honey, so was eager to see what Polly's tale was about. I like the simplicity of the illustrations, they weren't crowded with lots to look at and I feel that helps focus the reader on exactly what the bee is doing. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Everything from the different types of bees, to life in hive and out of it is explored. There is a fun section at the end which recaps some of the key bee facts covered in Polly's journey. I hope it gets readers interested in bees, and less afraid of them as they are magnificent creatures and do so much good in the world. I'm sure young readers will fall in love with Polly and think many bees are called that! <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p>Find out more on Deborah's <a href="http://www.deborahchancellor.com/" target="_blank">website</a> and Julia's <a href="https://juliagrovesillustrator.myportfolio.com/" target="_blank">website</a>. </p><p><b>Suggested read</b></p><p>Another natured themed read is <a href="https://nayusreadingcorner.blogspot.com/2020/10/we-planted-pumpkin-by-rob-ramsden.html">We Planted A Pumpkin by Rob Ramsden (Children's, Picture book, 9/10E)</a></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFjGohBxUjI8I0vz1RJxcdbjKMWU499SqpIfMquKp-KKJYHCsJPbtzDW1wlFlwGLgEAU5VOF44gVZv9GUJRGB2xz6IM71Awk0TPERs6zlXcW__Nq8BybkNZ4xI84BFpslZj0vFivlUNFtj8QwNgCfpvn1ZhAkP_SOM33iRBOsFaVUMo1_scHqWYaq8iW0/s500/we%20planted%20a%20pumpkin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="499" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFjGohBxUjI8I0vz1RJxcdbjKMWU499SqpIfMquKp-KKJYHCsJPbtzDW1wlFlwGLgEAU5VOF44gVZv9GUJRGB2xz6IM71Awk0TPERs6zlXcW__Nq8BybkNZ4xI84BFpslZj0vFivlUNFtj8QwNgCfpvn1ZhAkP_SOM33iRBOsFaVUMo1_scHqWYaq8iW0/w199-h200/we%20planted%20a%20pumpkin.jpg" width="199" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p></p><p></p><p><br /></p><p></p>Nayuleskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08693548526829437580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601736453324178213.post-75267818820421248002023-12-15T00:30:00.045+00:002023-12-15T00:30:00.148+00:00Book review: Mouse and Mole Lo and Behold! by Joyce Dunbar and James Mayhew (Children's, Picture book, 10E/10E) <p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijN76JgWdAEVjFHcaVhP8tSIS5-l33JStOEV9KY-S6EtDdTAeqfSpPsZmjMVaplEoe3DSkoO3dLLglWB8FPHtR8xeBDjY07SJseZhekXH19UxcTG1devCzyY4ZB-nH1GEV1zyW93-SC38JOEAgva0xS0EH_dqznfSKBhhtLE22keCa6U0lwX6JVn1nVdE/s385/Mouse%20and%20Mole%20Lo%20and%20Behold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="385" data-original-width="310" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijN76JgWdAEVjFHcaVhP8tSIS5-l33JStOEV9KY-S6EtDdTAeqfSpPsZmjMVaplEoe3DSkoO3dLLglWB8FPHtR8xeBDjY07SJseZhekXH19UxcTG1devCzyY4ZB-nH1GEV1zyW93-SC38JOEAgva0xS0EH_dqznfSKBhhtLE22keCa6U0lwX6JVn1nVdE/w323-h400/Mouse%20and%20Mole%20Lo%20and%20Behold.jpg" width="323" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">October 2021, Graffeg, 32 pages, Hardback, Review copy </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Summary from <a href="https://graffeg.com/products/mouse-mole-lo-and-behold?_pos=1&_psq=lo%20and%20b&_ss=e&_v=1.0&variant=43005763420379" target="_blank">Graffeg</a></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b> </b><strong>Snowmole</strong></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><strong> </strong>Mole wakes one morning to find the ground is covered in snow! Mouse
and Mole decide to build their very own snowy friend – Snowmole – but
Mole doesn’t want to leave him alone so decides to keep him company all
night long and wakes to find another snowy surprise.</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><strong>Lo and Behold!</strong></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><strong> </strong>Mole is impatiently waiting for Christmas to come when Mouse
presents Mole with a brilliant gift – an advent calendar! Mouse and Mole
use the advent calendar to countdown to Christmas and complete all the
festive chores that need to be done and before they know it…it’s
Christmas Eve!</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><strong>A Bump in the Night</strong></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><strong> </strong>Late at night on Christmas
Eve, Mouse and Mole are getting ready for bed, when they realise they’ve
forgotten a few important tasks – putting the stockings by the chimney,
leaving the mince pies and cherry brandy out for Father Christmas and
sending their Christmas lists – but as they finish these jobs something
goes BUMP! in the night…</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Nayu's thoughts</b> </p><p style="text-align: center;">This is quite a perfect winter read. The second and third story are amusing tales about Christmas, but the first was my favourite. I haven't read <i>Mouse and Mole</i> series before (this is the 7th book in the series, I think), but honestly it felt like I already knew them the way the story is written. It has such a cozy feel, and not just because I'm warm inside as I read it. </p><p style="text-align: center;">The duo have definitely been friends for a long time. Mouse knew that Mole staying out in the snow to keep the snow mole company wouldn't end well so helped him get back inside while slept. I like how mole literally took his comfy armchair outside and plonked it beside the snowmole, it felt realistic to the tale even though in real life it would be extremely odd to do that. Their friendship meant Mouse understood Mole's anxieties and accomadated them by doing something extra sweet that made me smile. The following two tales cemented how strong their friendship is. They do have other friends but the tales are about them and how they understand each other. Honestly it's an utterly charming series and one day I hope to collect them all. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Suggested read</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">It turns out I have read another book by Joyce, quite a while back in 2012 so do check it out, <a href="https://nayusreadingcorner.blogspot.com/2014/04/do-dare-duck-by-joyce-dunbar-and-jane.html">Do Dare Duck by Joyce Dunbar and Jane Massey (Children's, Picture book, 10/10E)</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZc3MA7TfBizWDSupPJE6M_SbfEkVs3Red_IMmkS_iW-TqCaii3XejBSFtqLtWjwLOERe-oaATFssLs14G_EUVvz3dPTOFEBq0NYB2TKZedilo5cUXp5fFpou_qE-x0BH5x7nsFwiUViEixaNGI-PLCIbJPwnCxY6Y9XtWr4APvtS1IZG1oaf4N4X6w8/s560/do%20dare%20duck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="496" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZc3MA7TfBizWDSupPJE6M_SbfEkVs3Red_IMmkS_iW-TqCaii3XejBSFtqLtWjwLOERe-oaATFssLs14G_EUVvz3dPTOFEBq0NYB2TKZedilo5cUXp5fFpou_qE-x0BH5x7nsFwiUViEixaNGI-PLCIbJPwnCxY6Y9XtWr4APvtS1IZG1oaf4N4X6w8/w177-h200/do%20dare%20duck.jpg" width="177" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Nayuleskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08693548526829437580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601736453324178213.post-38378790394786596432023-12-14T00:30:00.048+00:002023-12-14T00:30:00.145+00:00Book review: Supendous Sports: Cracking Cricket by Robin Bennett and Matt Cherry (Non-Fiction, Children's, 9/10E)<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuI7Nk4VPSP9YBcf8FI_YtiDMPwvwltdVB0T5HhY6qjna3gS1cikTBnRgNn6XUmlG48pMBSfrPhSAQc5Xp-PtBqiTSmalmk8bTj1eFkEZ6GxqzxgNgn2-1SuDKWSwjXyIctxIa92w3cm0tTUVU2hvHIH-BCz-mWCdNp9T1Pgdinqw73EGpGwBBHrBoB8I/s2339/Cracking%20Cricket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2339" data-original-width="1524" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuI7Nk4VPSP9YBcf8FI_YtiDMPwvwltdVB0T5HhY6qjna3gS1cikTBnRgNn6XUmlG48pMBSfrPhSAQc5Xp-PtBqiTSmalmk8bTj1eFkEZ6GxqzxgNgn2-1SuDKWSwjXyIctxIa92w3cm0tTUVU2hvHIH-BCz-mWCdNp9T1Pgdinqw73EGpGwBBHrBoB8I/w260-h400/Cracking%20Cricket.jpg" width="260" /></a></div><br /> August 2023, Firefly Press, 140 pages, Paperback, Review copy<p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Summary from <a href="https://fireflypress.co.uk/books/stupendous-sports-cracking-cricket/" target="_blank">Firefly Press</a></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b> </b>Originally
a way for bored shepherds to pass the time, via a first international
in New York in 1844, to an estimated 60 million players worldwide today –
it’s no surprise that cricket is the second most popular sport in the
world.</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Find out all about the sport in Cracking Cricket – full of jokes, fun
facts and spotlight on famous cricketers, perfect for cricket fans and
newcomers alike.</i></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">
</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Nayu's thoughts </b></p><p style="text-align: center;">I'm fairly sure I'm about<b> </b>to insult most sports fans by saying prior to reading this book I thought cricket was a glorified game of rounders (the type I played in school). I'm not a sport person. I knew very little about cricket other than a bat is used to hit a ball (well, hopefully), and people ran after the ball got hit. And the ball got caught. <br /><br />Despair not, after reading this really interesting fact-filled book I understand cricket is both more complex than rounders and also quite simple too. Somehow all the explanations made sense. With my poor memory I can't easily recall all the facts (or many of them, other than the names for parts of a cricket field are unusual) but that's what this book is for. Any cricket fan will love learnng more about their beloved game. Any non-sport person like myself will be surprised by enjoying learning the ins and outs of cricket, pun intended. </p><p style="text-align: center;">I now understand why some matches can last literal days which always baffled me when I heard about major cricket matches on the news. I could never understand why a game couldn't be completed in a day. Now I understand how it can drag meander through countless hours when teams are evenly matched in a competitive level. I can't say I now want to watch cricket, or any other sport, but I absolutely did like learning about it and seeing how it is similar to but quite different from my childhood rounders (whose rules I barely knew, I ran when told to run (no-one minded I was slow)). There are loads of facts told in a humourous away, totally aided by the fun illustrations which made me smile a lot. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Suggested read</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b> </b>For another sport themed read check out this football poetry collection, <a href="https://nayusreadingcorner.blogspot.com/2012/09/give-us-goal-by-paul-cookson-childrens.html">Give Us a Goal by Paul Cookson (Children's, Non-Fiction, Poetry, 8/10)</a></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0tNZ6JRpA098-i7K7fvpWCvJGe-zwuvpTmZ6X1Gb3Qwko_vqi3-ICNu2BCcl0_dKDcbkE7uRmGXdIGnmLm9D0Vhj_MUoyaSi7mydoEBI30RowKrb87pSnHVXuFl3MV3wzxc2Kt-BK9ruLj76M-x43DVuI4hsEPRkT3HumejSzTAjzIILPPq87rshAEHw/s400/Give%20Us%20a%20Goal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="261" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0tNZ6JRpA098-i7K7fvpWCvJGe-zwuvpTmZ6X1Gb3Qwko_vqi3-ICNu2BCcl0_dKDcbkE7uRmGXdIGnmLm9D0Vhj_MUoyaSi7mydoEBI30RowKrb87pSnHVXuFl3MV3wzxc2Kt-BK9ruLj76M-x43DVuI4hsEPRkT3HumejSzTAjzIILPPq87rshAEHw/w131-h200/Give%20Us%20a%20Goal.jpg" width="131" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p> </p>Nayuleskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08693548526829437580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601736453324178213.post-43205736943672521862023-12-13T00:30:00.048+00:002023-12-13T00:30:00.150+00:00Book Review: The View From Here by Annie Stewart and Michael Avery (Children's, 5 years +, 10/10E)<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGvRORAAoiQHdXcRzGHl3YXxWpQuHS58Ac_yp-4QRaaXXJSVGz1ucWfRcm3P_yzt1-ZOXY8wSYI6ua2tsTmm_b4YJZYtmOe9zlCV7SNsB4n_pOuatca-W_YMzF2F8NAvcbxZVABCpfXxTx0V_ZHQJd1EncycMoZPpnpE7G5r7C2HuZz1rsduirSx8VCXM/s385/The%20View%20From%20Here.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="385" data-original-width="270" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGvRORAAoiQHdXcRzGHl3YXxWpQuHS58Ac_yp-4QRaaXXJSVGz1ucWfRcm3P_yzt1-ZOXY8wSYI6ua2tsTmm_b4YJZYtmOe9zlCV7SNsB4n_pOuatca-W_YMzF2F8NAvcbxZVABCpfXxTx0V_ZHQJd1EncycMoZPpnpE7G5r7C2HuZz1rsduirSx8VCXM/w280-h400/The%20View%20From%20Here.jpg" width="280" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">October 2022, The Book Guild Ltd, 26 pages, Paperback, Review copy </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Book summary</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">T<span class="a-text-italic">he View From Here</span><span> <i>is all about Harriet, a beautiful pink toy hippo, who goes to live with a little girl called Alice.</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span>Harriet
has been bought for Alice as a birthday present by her father at the
Henley Regatta and she leads a very glamorous lifestyle until Alice is
given a computer for her 7th birthday.</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span>Suddenly, Harriet is no longer the apple of Alice's eye but a 'has been hippo' languishing on top of a dusty wardrobe. </span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span>How can she make Alice love her again...</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Nayu's thoughts</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">I love how real this tale is. We all have had toys that are favoured more than most. I felt the reason for Harriet's abandonment is very true for some children, technology can overtake their young world and toys get ignored in favour of watching shows online or playing games. I grew up when computers were only just starting to get popular so most of my childhood was spent without screens. However, there were a few toys that would stay on the top shelf, loved from afar just not always played with. That's why I love how real this tale is. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Harriet's sentiments are relatable and exactly how toys must feel when loved a little less as some grow up. Thanfully Alice eventually sees sense and remembers the fun she had with Harriet, and takes her down permanently to play with by the end. I love the soft illustration style which has a timeless quality. While not exactly a picture book there is a picture on every page alongsitde the clear text. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Suggested read</b> <br /></p><p> Another feel good read about toys is <a href="https://nayusreadingcorner.blogspot.com/2016/09/blog-tour-happy-birthday-old-bear-by.html">Happy Birthday Old Bear by Jane Hissey (Children's, Picture book, 10E/10E, short 'n' sweet review) </a></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNb-YXJGggcJIVYgvbaJOPgQ3JJD8k9ZrQRpRTvPOBbmRy_2aRjTB2O50oAsANs0aLq7ZcO6Mk3Qdf-x2DTzEyCxqNTYxnIRwlxeA8nSuuUOaUv8R1xyimW3kNT3cjXnkUufRXKOTT_hQ58onxtJgH9Ym1uUpBiTJd8cJrtb2DDDQRooyKFPBeopMQ1I/s400/HAPPY_BIRTHDAY_OLD_BEAR_CVR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="322" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNb-YXJGggcJIVYgvbaJOPgQ3JJD8k9ZrQRpRTvPOBbmRy_2aRjTB2O50oAsANs0aLq7ZcO6Mk3Qdf-x2DTzEyCxqNTYxnIRwlxeA8nSuuUOaUv8R1xyimW3kNT3cjXnkUufRXKOTT_hQ58onxtJgH9Ym1uUpBiTJd8cJrtb2DDDQRooyKFPBeopMQ1I/w161-h200/HAPPY_BIRTHDAY_OLD_BEAR_CVR.jpg" width="161" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Nayuleskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08693548526829437580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601736453324178213.post-2311762064347713512023-12-12T00:30:00.054+00:002023-12-12T00:30:00.136+00:00Book review: Daughter of Winter and Twilight by Helen Corcoran (Young Adult, Fantasy, 9/10E)<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6p0LqXZ3Ditet_51I0bj-Hks4WekQw6ACL00l6BaAT94AO1G59cYEpzfjlm5_ZDKjxwEqFh8BzPKfnotYEgQa684npHBkbyBGcXymLpkq-YV19OTV7yLzQckIwSUyNifJkJ_A02OjfgkUv3pRFcFLaByPU7w7hSiSsLA5EDswqzKnCxUOotV8D1fh9Gg/s440/Daughter%20of%20Winter%20and%20Twilight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="287" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6p0LqXZ3Ditet_51I0bj-Hks4WekQw6ACL00l6BaAT94AO1G59cYEpzfjlm5_ZDKjxwEqFh8BzPKfnotYEgQa684npHBkbyBGcXymLpkq-YV19OTV7yLzQckIwSUyNifJkJ_A02OjfgkUv3pRFcFLaByPU7w7hSiSsLA5EDswqzKnCxUOotV8D1fh9Gg/w261-h400/Daughter%20of%20Winter%20and%20Twilight.jpg" width="261" /></a></div><br /> September 2023, The O'Brien Press, 576 pages, Paperback, Review Copy<p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Book summary from The O'Brien Press</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Sequel to</i> Queen of Coin and Whispers</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><i>Emri – the
adopted heir and daughter of two queens – and her estranged cousin,
Melisande, are attacked by a magical force and spirited away. Can they
put their differences aside and survive the trials of a goddess they
always considered a myth: Lady Winter?</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Nayu's thoughts</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">Unlike many I haven't yet the first book in this series, <i>Queen of Coin and Whispers</i>, but truly it didn't matter that I didn't know all the back story. Background to Emri is given freely and I will read the first book because I'm so intrigued by what happens. This reminds me a bit of the Valdemar series by Mercedes Lackey in the layers of intrigue and fantasy that are woven in the tale. I have to admit some of the non-main character narration chapters were a little dull, but that is a personal thing as I wanted to know what happened next as there were a lot of chapter cliff hangers. I know the filler chapters were important to, I was simply impatient and I really hate cliff hangers! Be warned there are a lot. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Life Emri starts in the court of her two mothers, her being a princess having to deal with pomp and ceremony, her over-indulging in alcohol, and then having to play nice with her cousin when she visits for a festival. What happens to them is scary and dark. Lady Winter is not a friendly goddess, not at all. She means business and she isn't afraid to put Emri and her comrades (more join her and Melisande) on their quest. If they fail the quest conditions, which are quite specific, death would be better than what awaits them. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Emri and her friends suffer a lot. I don't mean they are deprived food and shelter, which does happen. Emotionally they have to overcome seeing visions of their past, which in front of an audience paints them in a bad light. I love how gritty the journey is, they suffer a ridiculous amount but there is a lot of personal growth for all of them. They don't all become instant friends as a result, that's what makes it so real. And sometimes that real-ness gets a bit too dark which is why it's not 100% my most favourite book. I like that what happens at the end has me eager for the next book (there <i>must </i>be one) and I already know I will reread this after I eventually get book one. I have to say that Melisande is my favourite character, Emri is great but Meli nailed it in likability.. I'd love a book focused on her next please! </p><p style="text-align: center;">Make sure you check out Helen's <a href="https://helencorcoran.com/" target="_blank">website</a>. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Suggested read</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b> </b><a href="https://nayusreadingcorner.blogspot.com/2015/09/the-mage-storms-omnibus-by-mercedes.html">The Mage Storms Omnibus by Mercedes Lackey (Fantasy, 10E/10E)</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl75BtMTsgfP9DmS9BqlFLcqaIHDoe78pbZzNe4wQWLm_rZITcD8bqA0WND2p6jnpuKFGJ5EGhycM5ZqaUK6t2W4WFFPx_k4YKXN40EgyT13tYh3d-Wee-aVBHGNaZHtIrbjODXG_yFHNaUJ_i1Z7iLGAAKkZlMRz8P7yHy1xU3mNjuMFt1flb5m0-9yI/s350/the%20mage%20storms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="230" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl75BtMTsgfP9DmS9BqlFLcqaIHDoe78pbZzNe4wQWLm_rZITcD8bqA0WND2p6jnpuKFGJ5EGhycM5ZqaUK6t2W4WFFPx_k4YKXN40EgyT13tYh3d-Wee-aVBHGNaZHtIrbjODXG_yFHNaUJ_i1Z7iLGAAKkZlMRz8P7yHy1xU3mNjuMFt1flb5m0-9yI/s320/the%20mage%20storms.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Nayuleskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08693548526829437580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601736453324178213.post-32260306627407858252023-12-11T19:23:00.000+00:002023-12-11T19:23:42.330+00:00Review: The Traitors Card Game (Card game, 8 years +, family, game, 9/10E)<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaEhDrO8ofLLp96Qmsz-RQSAoWCy0TpztIJIXeMI9U189FvzzChtr2jhDmDkblBZ1Mfucjc8jxO6kVYEVqpa0AkbS_5s9jhiIh-ZXDlSGUAIO5SYoK1h0TAPvx7K3r27IwjBlgFgLEW4OkNnakP7rs7V8TbxNECcpi13YVOw0RDR0HgxTIC2nv-Q-bZ1w/s2360/The%20Traitors%20(cover).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2360" data-original-width="1786" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaEhDrO8ofLLp96Qmsz-RQSAoWCy0TpztIJIXeMI9U189FvzzChtr2jhDmDkblBZ1Mfucjc8jxO6kVYEVqpa0AkbS_5s9jhiIh-ZXDlSGUAIO5SYoK1h0TAPvx7K3r27IwjBlgFgLEW4OkNnakP7rs7V8TbxNECcpi13YVOw0RDR0HgxTIC2nv-Q-bZ1w/w303-h400/The%20Traitors%20(cover).jpg" width="303" /></a></div><br /> 4-8 players, 8 years +, Card game, Ginger Fox Games Ltd, Review copy<p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Game summary</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b> </b><i><span class="a-list-item">BASED ON THE HIT BBC TV SHOW: Drawing inspiration from the popular BBC
show, the game captures the essence of intrigue, betrayal, and teamwork.
Players will find themselves fully immersed in the world of trickery
and hidden agendas, making every game feel like the TV series.</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="a-list-item"> </span><span class="a-list-item">FAITHFUL VS. TRAITOR GAMEPLAY: Players are randomly assigned the roles
of The Faithful or The Traitor at the beginning of each game. The
Faithful’s must collaboratively deduce The Traitors' identity and vote
them out whilst The Traitor must cleverly deceive them to win the game.</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="a-list-item"> </span><span class="a-list-item">ALL-NEW GAMEPLAY ELEMENTS: The latest version introduces fresh gameplay,
new cards, and digital events that keep players on their toes
throughout the game. Get ready to outwit, outplay, and outlast the other
players in The Traitors Card Game! For ages 8 years and over.</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="a-list-item"> </span><span class="a-list-item">SPECIAL EDITION MINI GAME: When you buy the Special Edition of The
Traitors Card Game, you'll gain exclusive access to a captivating
psychological mini game, where you and your fellow players can seize the
chance to earn additional Gold which could greatly help you win the
main game. </span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="a-list-item"> </span><span class="a-list-item">ENGAGING DIGITAL INTEGRATION: The new version of The Traitors Card Game
features digital elements, adding a dynamic and immersive layer to the
traditional card game. Players can utilise this to Banish players or
commit murder, elevating the overall gameplay experience. </span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b> </b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Nayu's thoughts</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">This is based on a BBC show which I've not seen, but I liked the premise of murdering people (which totally says something about me...) While this says its for over 8 years, I feel it will depend on the child if children play as to whether they are ok with the murdering part. Feel it's probably more for teens and adults than younger ones. </p><p style="text-align: center;">What I love about this game is that it is quite small, so can easily be packed in a bag if going on holiday. What is more, those who love their screens can access the online version (not used for this review), but those who love more traditional games without using screens (totally me), the clear instructions explain just how to do that. The aim is to end the game with as much money as possible, trying to figure out who is a traitor and hope you aren't murdered by said traitor. If people really know each other they may be able to notice if they are are behaving suspiciously, but many will be good at fooling others into thinking they are innocent. </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPgKf4ZDy2sJEgigrPHWsM4PFSh8sVlSwbrMav-kupJxaFLKF1QQuMQ674wkCnQTOb5cJi7wZBEIogSv88WnJFPZID-Tb0FbDfkZasp3uXoQ9NqAjlSTPBckeS2Ut2Tx0KhgDTFuE1w5oHeF3yuG2akC5DPm3uusyEXXXqTV5OGWvaoZQnt0BGgeM5To4/s4000/The%20Traitors%20(cards).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPgKf4ZDy2sJEgigrPHWsM4PFSh8sVlSwbrMav-kupJxaFLKF1QQuMQ674wkCnQTOb5cJi7wZBEIogSv88WnJFPZID-Tb0FbDfkZasp3uXoQ9NqAjlSTPBckeS2Ut2Tx0KhgDTFuE1w5oHeF3yuG2akC5DPm3uusyEXXXqTV5OGWvaoZQnt0BGgeM5To4/w400-h180/The%20Traitors%20(cards).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">I liked that quite a large number of people can play if needed, although then there are less rounds but more options open up as there can be more than 1 traitor with higher numbers. The cards are easy to see despite being quite small, and the premise is nice and simple. It can get tense when there is a murder due, with anticipation on learning if you stay alive or not. Being able to sometimes see another player's cards isn't always advantageous. I feel that repeated play really depends on who is played with, some will definitely only want to play it once, whereas others will want to play more often. </p><p style="text-align: center;">I feel fans of the show would really enjoy this, and I will try to watch the show sometime if it's still on iPlayer (I can only watch it at my family's since I don't have a licence). All in all a good card game regardless of if the show has been watched! </p><p><br /></p>Nayuleskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08693548526829437580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601736453324178213.post-87238666638584956502023-10-17T00:30:00.155+01:002023-10-17T00:30:00.160+01:00Blog Tour: Sally In The City of Dreams by Judi Curtin, illustrator Rachel Cocoran (Children's, 9 years +, 10E/10E)<p style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWWr0FbrizHj9A4ICwz3LQqRx-KnAMeRzZBh6ltFC0Q0mva9eHMyfH13aUFPrYe0WPkb-ZZYHz4edF8dg-XKhxqdIQPe9zMJ8TBqVh3pzKwy9lPjHIflzxCW2Gw-e30CL7XOCTUaULjxGF3xxBSjKeBTMjtbkAVCeT7FU0UBLdeV-WlO_e5WMm2AVgoMg/s940/SallyIntheCityofDreams_tourbanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWWr0FbrizHj9A4ICwz3LQqRx-KnAMeRzZBh6ltFC0Q0mva9eHMyfH13aUFPrYe0WPkb-ZZYHz4edF8dg-XKhxqdIQPe9zMJ8TBqVh3pzKwy9lPjHIflzxCW2Gw-e30CL7XOCTUaULjxGF3xxBSjKeBTMjtbkAVCeT7FU0UBLdeV-WlO_e5WMm2AVgoMg/w400-h335/SallyIntheCityofDreams_tourbanner.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out the other tour stops!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3EiNfD0ts-GGEHNt1wIRzvnrQ6TfOAWj3Pht79JoiBQ7-T8g2Ufqy8SH02ZiWhSQP6oUkkmld5ImFlaG2r-RgQcONpKcy2z1BR7vzp9KuD-u6oxl3v2CJcDRGuLe7e9JIt8oXVoJ04rFEu4UwHcSB3xHUyTXE9W14Tv6uHAaD4VMKMRpDPvEO9oIuEGY/s1000/SallyIntheCityofDreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="693" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3EiNfD0ts-GGEHNt1wIRzvnrQ6TfOAWj3Pht79JoiBQ7-T8g2Ufqy8SH02ZiWhSQP6oUkkmld5ImFlaG2r-RgQcONpKcy2z1BR7vzp9KuD-u6oxl3v2CJcDRGuLe7e9JIt8oXVoJ04rFEu4UwHcSB3xHUyTXE9W14Tv6uHAaD4VMKMRpDPvEO9oIuEGY/w278-h400/SallyIntheCityofDreams.jpg" width="278" /></a></div> 9th October 2023, The O'Brien Press, 288 pages, Paperback, Review Copy <p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Summary from <a href="https://obrien.ie/sally-in-the-city-of-dreams" target="_blank">The O'Brien Press</a></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>It’s 1911 and young sisters Sally and Bridget are sailing to New York
to find work – leaving behind their home and everything they know in
Ireland. The city is so big and strange, but the sisters and their new
friend Julia are determined to make the most of this exciting new world.
They have each other, and if they work hard, New York is full of
opportunities.</i></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><i>Then, when a false accusation threatens to destroy
everything, the girls realise there’s nothing more important than
sticking together.</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Nayu's thoughts</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180;">It is an absolute pleasure to review Judy's latest books, as they are always wholesome and uplifting, even when danger strikes. That is certainly true for <i>Sally In The City of Dreams</i>, with a gorgeous cover by Rachel Cocoran whose work I have seen before and like a lot. It captures the essence of sisterhood and friendship. Sally and Bridget are really brave to go to America on their own, but their family needs the money and they are young (ages not revealed that I can recall but suspect younger than 18 years old), it's a lot of responsibility. They discover their American relative is not as kind as she appears, which was a bitter disappointment for them both. They make a friend with Julia whose own tale has its' share of ups and downs (all 3 girls get a happy ending). <br /><br />Sally is the narrator, and the story is about their new jobs and how they learn to adjust to life in America. It is not all plain sailing at all - even I didn't know how discriminated against the Irish used to be. Their homesickeness was relatable, as was their yearning for all the finer things in life that they couldn't afford even if they saved up for it. But life has a way of surprising people, and they were able to send their family something nice after a lot of hardship. Being in trouble with the law is never easy, but it was made harder for the girls because they were in a foreign land, even if English was the main language there was terminology they didn't know and, unfortunately, the Irish were treated poorly and misjudged instantly by too many people. I liked the letters between Sally and her mother, it might have been nice to have her mother's in a slightly different font, but the cursive style suited the tone. I liked how no matter what Sally and Bridget stuck by each other. It was a shock to learn a certain personality trait of Bridget as she is the older sister and always seemed so confident. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180;">While thankfully children these days can't work as young as those in the past (well they shouldn't, even if they do in some parts of the world), Sally's tale is absolutely an insight into life back in the 1800s. Life without instant communication lead to some disappointing situations. But everything, and I do mean every plot point got a happy ending eventually, ones that may need tissues too. </span><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Interview with Judi Curtin</span> <br /></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpXAz5NWim6lPa1rr6jJgVnVOmTkhS2u-RnQie0ZrkW3I1Wq5A4pIO9WX4S-w0jRTk93QUdzwyX59dFEf3hMltzlO81F-LsdYwGmfYet_c4RD5kxaInEUWRzAigc8fdSYVbb6KLrxEYItQ-88FCYnCMEizPJkqfXIRV8VOMTNATJzcI_D5jNrVmoROqZU/s900/JudiCurtin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpXAz5NWim6lPa1rr6jJgVnVOmTkhS2u-RnQie0ZrkW3I1Wq5A4pIO9WX4S-w0jRTk93QUdzwyX59dFEf3hMltzlO81F-LsdYwGmfYet_c4RD5kxaInEUWRzAigc8fdSYVbb6KLrxEYItQ-88FCYnCMEizPJkqfXIRV8VOMTNATJzcI_D5jNrVmoROqZU/w266-h400/JudiCurtin.jpg" width="266" /></a></b></div><span style="color: #800180;">Total fangirl moment was being able to ask Judi some questions about <i>Sally In the City of Dreams. </i>Please note the questions were asked before I'd read the novel, so I didn't anything about it.</span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b><span style="color: #800180;">Was
it harder writing two main protagonists rather than just one?</span></b> </span><span lang="EN-IE" style="color: #073763;">Not really. Even though Bridget and Sally are equally important to
the story, Sally is the narrator. That means we see everything through her
eyes - and it’s easier for me to write!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b><span style="color: #800180;">What
made you decide to have sisters instead of say a sister and a
brother?</span></b> </span><span lang="EN-IE" style="color: #073763;">I thought of a sister and brother, but went with
two sisters in the end. This is partly because my story was inspired by my
grandmother’s emigration from Kerry to New York in 1912 - and she
travelled with her sister. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b><span style="color: #800180;">Have
you or your family had personal experience with migrating to another
country that might have influenced this tale?</span></b> <span style="color: #073763;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-IE" style="color: #073763;">Yes, apart from my grandmother and great aunt, mentioned above, my
parents emigrated from Cork to London, where I was born. My brother and
his wife also emigrated to England. Interestingly, all my emigrant family
members returned to Ireland in the end. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Was
there an event or person which sparked the idea for Sally and Bridget’s
tale? </b></span><span style="color: #073763;"> The concept of a young person emigrating definitely was
inspired by family members, but the story is pure fiction. I think it was
helped by listening to the Bad Bridget podcast, which alerted me to the
difficulties faced by the Irish in America in the early 1900’s. This
strand was important to me, as there are so many immigrants in Ireland
these days, and I am very aware of the discrimination they often face.</span></span><span style="color: #800180;"><b><span lang="EN-IE" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></b></span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #800180;"><b> </b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Do
you have a special writing mug or glass for your writing sessions?</b></span><span style="color: #073763;"> I have
a selection! I take carefully timed coffee breaks, and part of the
ceremony is choosing which of my pretty mugs to use.</span></span><span lang="EN-IE" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><br />
<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Extract from <i>Sally in the City of Dreams</i> by Judi Curtin </span></b><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span lang="EN-IE">Chapter 2</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-IE">‘Wake up, girls. It’s time to go.’ </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-IE">It was still dark outside, but Mammy’s
candle gave enough light for Bridget and me to get up and wash our faces and
put on our best dresses, which we’d laid out on the chair the night before. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-IE">Aggie and Joe half woke, stretching up
sleepy arms for hugs, before settling back to their dreams. I pulled the
blankets over their shoulders so they wouldn’t get cold. I knew they’d
sometimes miss Bridget and me, but in their own little world of two, things
wouldn’t change too much. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-IE">Tom was curled in a corner of the bed, with
a little smile on his face, as if he were dreaming of something nice. I picked
his book up from the floor, and turned to the page with the picture of
beautiful Princess Tiana, so he’d have something pretty to look at when he
woke. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-IE">Bridget and I kissed his soft, warm cheek.
‘Goodbye, my sweet boy,’ I whispered. ‘Be good, and safe until …’ </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-IE">I choked on the last words, as Bridget
pulled me away. ‘No tears,’ she whispered. ‘We promised each other, remember?
If we cry we’ll only make it harder for Mammy and Daddy.’ </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-IE">She was right, but I wasn’t sure I could
keep my promise. I patted Tom’s curls, which were damp from sleep, and followed
Bridget out to the kitchen. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-IE">‘Come here, Sal,’ said Mammy, taking the
brush from the shelf. ‘Let me plait your hair for you one last ... </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-IE">She didn’t finish, and I pinched my arm to
stop myself from crying. Of course I could plait my own hair in America, I’d
been doing it for years, but I still loved Mammy’s gentle but firm touch, and
how she hummed to herself as she combed and braided. So I sat quietly and tried
to store up the moment like a treasure so I could take it out in the future,
and remember it.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-IE"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘I’ve heated some milk for you,’ said Daddy,
handing Bridget and me a cup. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-IE">‘And here’s some bread for the journey to Queenstown,’
said Mammy, jumping up and wrapping a few slices in a cloth. ‘They say you’ll
get nice food on the boat, and you won’t go hungry at all.’ </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-IE">Neither Mammy nor Daddy looked at us, and
their voices were funny as if they’d both caught colds overnight.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-IE">I drank my milk, and looked at the trunk
that was next to the door. Inside were our few bits of clothes, and the
presents of stockings and scarves some of the neighbour women had made for
Bridget and me. Also in the trunk was the seed cake Mammy’d made as a present
for her second cousin, Catherine, who was letting us stay with her in New York,
and had found jobs for Bridget and me. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-IE">‘What’s Cousin Catherine like?’ I asked,
suddenly afraid. Catherine left Ireland before Bridget and I were born, so we’d
never met her. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-IE">‘I can barely remember her,’ said Mammy.
‘She grew up a few miles away from here, and we were both only young ones when
she left.’ </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-IE">‘Is she kind? Will she be good to us?’ </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-IE">‘Didn’t she send the money for your fare?’
said Mammy. ‘And I heard a few years ago she sent money for another two girls
from the other side of her family – wasn’t that a very kind thing to do?’ </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-IE">‘Are those girls still with her?’ I had no
idea what New York was like, but I suddenly had a lovely picture in my mind.
Cousin Catherine would have a big house, maybe near a stream or waterfall.
There would be lots of bedrooms, and all the girls she brought to America would
live there and be best friends. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-IE">‘I think there was a letter saying those
two girls moved on to California a few months ago,’ said Mammy. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-IE">‘California,’ I sighed. That sounded even
more exotic than New York. Maybe one day I’d actually see it for myself. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-IE">There was a sharp knock on the door.
‘That’ll be Connie,’ said Daddy. ‘Aren’t you lucky girls altogether that he has
business in town today, and has room for you on the cart. Otherwise it would
have been the train for you, and a night in lodgings in Queenstown.’ </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-IE">Bridget put her cup on the table, wrapped
her shawl tightly around her shoulders and picked up her basket. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-IE">‘Come on, Sally,’ she said. ‘Get a move on.
The boat won’t wait for us.’ </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-IE">As I picked up my bag and took my shawl
from the peg, I suddenly felt sick and weak. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-IE">What were we doing? Why were we leaving our
cosy home and our family to voyage across the sea to America? </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-IE">I wanted to run to Mammy and throw myself
into her arms and never let her go again.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-IE">I wanted to take Daddy’s hand and go for a
long, long walk through the fields I’d known all my life. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-IE">I wanted to go back to bed and cuddle next
to my sweet little brother, and tell him stories that would make him laugh like
mad. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-IE">Manny came and put her arms around Bridget
and me. ‘Be good girls,’ she said. ‘Promise me you’ll stay together and look
out for each other. As long as you’re together all will be well.’ </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-IE">‘We promise,’ we both said, as Mammy pulled
away and stood in the shadows, maybe thinking we wouldn’t see the tears in her
eyes. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-IE">Daddy slipped some coins into Bridget’s
bag. ‘I’m sorry I can’t afford more, but maybe this will help a little in the
early days. After that you’ll be fine – sure aren’t the streets of New York
paved with gold? Be safe, my dear girls. Now go, before Connie gets fed up of
waiting.’ </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-IE">So Bridget and I walked out into the cold
darkness on the first steps of our big journey.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-IE" style="color: #073763;">From <b><i>Sally in the City of Dreams </i></b>by
Judi Curin, in bookshops now, priced €12.99/£11.99. Published by The O’Brien
Press. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Suggested read</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180;">Be sure to check out Judi's other work which it turns out I've been reviewing since 2011! I have sadly not yet read all her books, but a fair few as you can see! Here's to another decade of Judi's work ^u^ Links lead to my reviews which are all highly rated. <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhv0xGfc5VBEPy_54DdZzI9jGbM5GK2jOXDQhjZXLCZOO2ao4Wg_Su0m9JZstuDgrqV8gOpIIednw1lhxXEtZVbYwT-iZP8VLu04P3My_X5Xg3ptoleA90A00umFJG43RkahbUJ_r8knZ3XfWO4zZVC1ruSWh_e03yF7L64YCsfToi4QKlzbQXEH4YUU/s2344/viva%20alice%20cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2344" data-original-width="1535" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhv0xGfc5VBEPy_54DdZzI9jGbM5GK2jOXDQhjZXLCZOO2ao4Wg_Su0m9JZstuDgrqV8gOpIIednw1lhxXEtZVbYwT-iZP8VLu04P3My_X5Xg3ptoleA90A00umFJG43RkahbUJ_r8knZ3XfWO4zZVC1ruSWh_e03yF7L64YCsfToi4QKlzbQXEH4YUU/w131-h200/viva%20alice%20cover.jpg" width="131" /></a><span style="color: #800180;"><b><i> </i></b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b><i><a href="https://nayusreadingcorner.blogspot.com/2014/08/blog-tour-review-of-viva-alice-by-judi.html" target="_blank">Viva Alice!</a> </i></b></span></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b><i> </i></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3t0Iydd59jJXmE7hpq7zvEW-Fxtgft274uyyNS48qgnlaIJ01ymCLcbzbnSNTJ8UVeqFCD3MnxTQCZ9gtnz2dj_J8ZTlK27sZzoblctcW1DadzqIvMcubfkEDCH53phBA67mU7phEUyOuo5YslIIW3y1KlJ_Mtyh3qrELzoVA6dzaIsL1ZIzdWriJSmM/s226/eva's%20holiday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="226" data-original-width="150" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3t0Iydd59jJXmE7hpq7zvEW-Fxtgft274uyyNS48qgnlaIJ01ymCLcbzbnSNTJ8UVeqFCD3MnxTQCZ9gtnz2dj_J8ZTlK27sZzoblctcW1DadzqIvMcubfkEDCH53phBA67mU7phEUyOuo5YslIIW3y1KlJ_Mtyh3qrELzoVA6dzaIsL1ZIzdWriJSmM/w133-h200/eva's%20holiday.jpg" width="133" /></a></i></b></span></div><span style="color: #800180;"><b><i><a href="http://nayusreadingcorner.blogspot.com/2011/08/evas-holiday-by-judi-curtin-childrens.html" target="_blank">Eva's Holiday</a></i></b></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b><i> </i></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKuKXH2Kd5aaWl_SkrWH6gZfRPnOeQH7zmvtbF5VvqJGhdIYAyRs7l8SMCbAyMEl0dHHzvdLyCoktRBQqGmARls5-GgVu5q01Q8651-88wYsoyaPbPAkbotSc88JsZu2QWOKXvqkrTSwrOSwePffXnOv9rN5Yeh5YS0YInGLxc3YqN3vH1-SVlBTiUddI/s400/time%20after%20time.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="281" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKuKXH2Kd5aaWl_SkrWH6gZfRPnOeQH7zmvtbF5VvqJGhdIYAyRs7l8SMCbAyMEl0dHHzvdLyCoktRBQqGmARls5-GgVu5q01Q8651-88wYsoyaPbPAkbotSc88JsZu2QWOKXvqkrTSwrOSwePffXnOv9rN5Yeh5YS0YInGLxc3YqN3vH1-SVlBTiUddI/w141-h200/time%20after%20time.jpg" width="141" /></a></i></b></span></div><span style="color: #800180;"><b><i><a href="https://nayusreadingcorner.blogspot.com/2016/09/blog-tour-review-guest-blog-post-time.html" target="_blank">Time After Time</a></i></b></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b><i> </i></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b><i></i></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiytqcWYfRR2g3E6SORfIWvKLbnact7LATwCXFERGD1Rws4SNgR_gX-JXKafY4hxKCHKhVMl_h8EEZ_spU5EcGoFekOLHZqrflneJtEm9AV_egxUUuGuiMttd29vqq0yRZA82Oz74Ezw6_wBdxenjBupM3awcYxzD65MyR-exgyFQ4Ko_K_fzIRMFCSpLM/s499/fast%20forward.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="311" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiytqcWYfRR2g3E6SORfIWvKLbnact7LATwCXFERGD1Rws4SNgR_gX-JXKafY4hxKCHKhVMl_h8EEZ_spU5EcGoFekOLHZqrflneJtEm9AV_egxUUuGuiMttd29vqq0yRZA82Oz74Ezw6_wBdxenjBupM3awcYxzD65MyR-exgyFQ4Ko_K_fzIRMFCSpLM/w124-h200/fast%20forward.jpg" width="124" /></a></i></b></span></div><span style="color: #800180;"><b><i> <a href="https://nayusreadingcorner.blogspot.com/2017/03/fast-forward-by-judi-curtin-childrens-7.html" target="_blank">Fast Forward</a></i></b></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b><i> </i></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj720RVqg0xZ7ZQaczGsAWUO_V_4OscaAM1JRrDcBR-jUz_o2SpcF-X5EgQwXu8ZW-8kYyUJ4nRjL0afCMF7JiUxwnXj0DBy7wfS2CAlFUEPfgJAqXvDv7MBSZD-76w-drgfjoiNlsfiedi2uwh0Ia8u115z-CPpWttDjjpFILrdt6ILHfQklKUwPYRuoo/s400/you've%20got%20a%20friend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="277" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj720RVqg0xZ7ZQaczGsAWUO_V_4OscaAM1JRrDcBR-jUz_o2SpcF-X5EgQwXu8ZW-8kYyUJ4nRjL0afCMF7JiUxwnXj0DBy7wfS2CAlFUEPfgJAqXvDv7MBSZD-76w-drgfjoiNlsfiedi2uwh0Ia8u115z-CPpWttDjjpFILrdt6ILHfQklKUwPYRuoo/w139-h200/you've%20got%20a%20friend.jpg" width="139" /></a></i></b></span></div><span style="color: #800180;"><b><i><a href="https://nayusreadingcorner.blogspot.com/2018/10/youve-got-friend-by-judi-curtin.html" target="_blank">You've Got A Friend </a></i></b> </span><br /><p></p><p><b> </b></p><p><b> </b><br /></p>Nayuleskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08693548526829437580noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601736453324178213.post-8296481263182760812023-10-13T00:30:00.044+01:002023-10-13T00:30:00.139+01:00Review: Meli and Mac: Rendez-vous with a Flamingo by Elena Joannides, Margherita Ende (Children's, Picture Book, 10/10E)<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0sqRaBnh0seHS5K9e6piBU0LrHkgzymZb3c1LkHbu4R0JZJTNeKR8KhCU3hezGPhpmi8Fw232MmEuAm-ZaxyaTD9bbtV8bXBkv4CkvHQi3GVqbEx2jSqmVqAUZKlobcXS7c6dgYwF4W-zYMdjiQ_CEpgPQE5YkzuAIdBdLHakUeUdfPFOXPYrlQKS70E/s1500/Mac%20and%20Meli.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1205" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0sqRaBnh0seHS5K9e6piBU0LrHkgzymZb3c1LkHbu4R0JZJTNeKR8KhCU3hezGPhpmi8Fw232MmEuAm-ZaxyaTD9bbtV8bXBkv4CkvHQi3GVqbEx2jSqmVqAUZKlobcXS7c6dgYwF4W-zYMdjiQ_CEpgPQE5YkzuAIdBdLHakUeUdfPFOXPYrlQKS70E/w321-h400/Mac%20and%20Meli.jpg" width="321" /></a><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">December 2022, Mythiko Press, 32 pages, Paperback, Review copy </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Summary from <a href="https://www.mythikopress.com/product-page/meli-mac-rendez-vous-with-a-flamingo" target="_blank">Mythiko</a></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i> "It's expedition o'clock!" cries Mac, putting down his French book.<br /><br />"Expedition Supervisor ready!" replies his sister, Meli. <br /><br />Adventure isn't far away when they stumble across a lost flamingo who speaks French. Can they help Freddie find his way to the flamingo festival of the year?<br /><br />Join Meli and Mac for some flamingo fun in Serendipity Forest - and use the translation guide to learn a little French along the way!<br /><br /></i>Meli & Mac: Rendez-Vous with a Flamingo <i>was selected by the Cyprus Association of Children’s and Young People’s Books (Cyprus IBBY), exhibited at the 60th annual Bologna International Children's Book Fair in March 2023 and at the 19th annual Book Fair in Thessaloniki, Greece in May 2023.</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Nayu's thoughts</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">As someone who learned French at school and who enjoys watching anime in French and occasionally reading novels in the language, I was very intrigued how French would be incorporated in Meli and Mac's adventure. I was happily surprised it was done perfectly. There is a double-page spread at the back of the tale with all the translations and a few extra, but most importantly all French in the story is translated somewhere on the page, so breaking immersion of the tale to flip to the back is not necessary. This is good as it won't break story flow. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Meli and Mac are really sweet siblings who somehow have a magical journal which when taken to a nearby forest transports them to far away lands and bring them home again. I loved the soft yet bright style illustrations which had loads of details to explore on each page. I love how Freddie is originally Mac's toy brought to life, how they see sights typically French, and they use what they learn when the finally go on the trip to France that they were studying for. There are lots of fun facts about flamingos to learn while Meli and Mac help their new friend out. The characters are lively and it is a great way to help introduce or reinforce words readers may have already learned in French class. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Suggested read</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">Another colour read is <a href="https://nayusreadingcorner.blogspot.com/2018/06/the-art-garden-by-penny-harrison-and.html">The Art Garden by Penny Harrison and Penelope Pratley (Children's, Picture book 10E/10E) </a></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-QQeNAsM-zrO3Zg4WoXDeemRLb2Y89HiHOUx-nbU4Wei219Gnv8MiG86rU1ohGi-KE1BV9z89Lhc34fias7BogXYF0Y4GxtqWepXTPFBb8YIyeHUuSfE7_UQ8IyudglFKP9LaBOYpt7mDDyE0wkdRAu-i_z8hueH4TMgqsdgMMPIoEgG_aoWi3YGMIg/s500/the%20art%20garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="500" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-QQeNAsM-zrO3Zg4WoXDeemRLb2Y89HiHOUx-nbU4Wei219Gnv8MiG86rU1ohGi-KE1BV9z89Lhc34fias7BogXYF0Y4GxtqWepXTPFBb8YIyeHUuSfE7_UQ8IyudglFKP9LaBOYpt7mDDyE0wkdRAu-i_z8hueH4TMgqsdgMMPIoEgG_aoWi3YGMIg/w200-h192/the%20art%20garden.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Nayuleskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08693548526829437580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601736453324178213.post-74428833838626026822023-10-12T09:58:00.000+01:002023-10-12T09:58:09.018+01:00Guest Blog Post: Are Courageous Women in Stories More Interesting To Read About? by Linda Weaver Clark<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyaKhk0MOU4rj-TwOUyOhu6VQb1caKjWsF3aXS5fjzbLLy2zy7DjvnQwP-wOUozGKFimfOMxHwd4iSEtY_Nr8nzUp3kTkDbNFd7U4ULba3Loll7PmzhFxIHqEDlp_SmBqqiuBgv0U8Vzd3eP4qf0oq0Ss3OVZLo6rq1E8PKUwBhmA_EBLgsRyRrUQ88eg/s1000/Linda's%20trilogy%20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1000" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyaKhk0MOU4rj-TwOUyOhu6VQb1caKjWsF3aXS5fjzbLLy2zy7DjvnQwP-wOUozGKFimfOMxHwd4iSEtY_Nr8nzUp3kTkDbNFd7U4ULba3Loll7PmzhFxIHqEDlp_SmBqqiuBgv0U8Vzd3eP4qf0oq0Ss3OVZLo6rq1E8PKUwBhmA_EBLgsRyRrUQ88eg/w400-h200/Linda's%20trilogy%20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Nayu: </b>It is with great delight I present today's guest post, Linda Weaver Clarke, an author who writes a range of fiction including romance and cozy mysteries. My favourite series by her is the <i>Amelia Moore</i> detective series, I have links to the books I've reviewed in it in the 7th book, </span><a href="https://nayusreadingcorner.blogspot.com/2017/05/amelia-moore-7-lighthouse-secret-by.html">Amelia Moore #7 The Lighthouse Secret by Linda Weaver Clarke (Audiobook, Cozy Mystery, 9/10E) </a></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOhw_Tv32xu3FjiyCBF3GfuS140uv5n9GerE9nMWrAgIqpT7ZCTtF8-LxN6cKt3avEtzP34QRWR0qYjKedpnKI1zBDuX6VuSQlYx7TMwiOVlmZ-jH68SPnJq0LBWc8a-aKgobNfubncW1yLY7Qx9KYcJ6xx6lv3_FvetVxET_l85tx6faDaQ3fT8miGno/s278/the%20lighthouse%20secret.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="181" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOhw_Tv32xu3FjiyCBF3GfuS140uv5n9GerE9nMWrAgIqpT7ZCTtF8-LxN6cKt3avEtzP34QRWR0qYjKedpnKI1zBDuX6VuSQlYx7TMwiOVlmZ-jH68SPnJq0LBWc8a-aKgobNfubncW1yLY7Qx9KYcJ6xx6lv3_FvetVxET_l85tx6faDaQ3fT8miGno/w208-h320/the%20lighthouse%20secret.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><br /> <span style="color: #800180;">You can find out about her romance books at the end of the guest post. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do, and check out her work! Be sure to check out Linda's <a href="http://www.lindaweaverclarke.com/" target="_blank">website </a>too. I've read but not yet reviewed <i>Light At the End of the Tunnel. </i></span><br /><p></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Are Courageous Women in Stories More Interesting To Read About? by Linda Weaver Clarke</span></b></p><p><b> </b><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;">Courageous women in stories seem to draw
readers’ attention and grab their interest. The bravery and
strength of character easily draws them into the story. It takes
courage to stick up for one’s rights and defend one’s beliefs.
During the 1840s, there were many brave women who fought against
injustice and inequality. Many wanted to have a better education.
These women made a difference and influenced others to make a better
life for themselves. </span>
</p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 0.48cm;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;">A
fairly new </span></span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;">historical
romance</span></span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;"> series
was released that has received outstanding reviews on Amazon and
Audible Audiobooks. It is called “Women of Courage.” In these
novellas, the spunk and courage of these women seem to draw the
readers into a world of adventure. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 0.48cm;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;">In
</span></span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The Light at
the end of the Tunnel</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>,</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;">
Hannah is a young single mother who has had a few hardships since
arriving in America. But the trials in her life only make her
stronger. </span></span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hannah
realizes she can make something of her life by opening a hot
chocolate shop. She soon finds that starting her own business isn’t
as easy as she thought. But she will not give up. When Thomas learns
that she has spirit, he is intrigued with her. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 0.48cm;">“<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;">This
romance wrapped around my heart as it took me into the struggles of
Hannah, such a brave woman… The characters come to life on the page
as Thomas falls for Hannah and adores her child. However, Hannah is
caught up in her day-to-day trials and with her independent streak,
she only thinks of making a life for her and her daughter. Can Thomas
get her attention and change her mind?” ~ Author Gail Pallotta</span></span></span></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 0.48cm;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hannah
isn’t the only one who shows her independent nature. Serenity has
just as much courage. </span></span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;">Chasing
thieves off her property and entering a horse race are just a few
things that describe this young Welshwoman’s spunk. </span></span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;">In
</span></span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>A Lady of
Refinement</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;">,
Serenity teaches an evening class for adults and helps them to read
and write and have a better education. </span></span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;">Reading
is Serenity’s favorite pastime, where she can go on one adventure
after another.</span></span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"> </span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;">She
wonders if anyone can measure up to the heroes in her books. </span></span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;">But
the adventures soon become real after arriving in America. </span></span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;">When
Jonathan meets Serenity, a refined woman from Wales, he wonders how
he can win her heart. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 0.48cm;">“<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;">How
I enjoy finding a book that will not let me put it down until I'm
done! This was the case with </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>A
Lady of Refinement</i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;">.
Linda Weaver Clarke used a true story of her ancestor’s as a base,
and it rang familiar to me, as my ancestors also migrated to America
during the same time period. The main character, Serenity, is the
refined lady and it was such a delight when she bested a few arrogant
males. My favorite character, however, was Jonathan, who was
very taken with Serenity. Time will tell if he is successful at
capturing her attention.” </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;">~
</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;">Louise
Pledge Reviews</span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 0; text-indent: 0.48cm; widows: 0;">
<span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;">There is one more independent woman in this
series. The third novella is about a young woman </span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;">who
stands before an audience and fights against </span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;">involuntary
servitude and slavery</span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;">. </span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;">Frederick
Douglass, an abolitionist, wrote: “When the true history of the
antislavery cause shall be written, women will occupy a large space
in its pages; for the cause of the slave has been peculiarly a
woman’s cause.”</span></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 0.48cm;">
<span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;">In </span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><i>A
Mississippi Sunset</i></span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;">, </span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;">Laura
McBride is a liberated and courageous young lady who is convinced
that she can help others in her crusade for equality. </span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;">She
</span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;">encourages women to fight for their
beliefs and be heard. But she soon finds out that </span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;">women
who speak publicly are looked down upon. </span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;">When
Deputy William Davies meets Laura, he </span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;">admires
her spunk and determination to fight against slavery. </span>
</p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 0.48cm;">“<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
really enjoyed this sweet and clean historical fiction and romance. </span></span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>A
Mississippi Sunset </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;">is
part of a series of brave women who were not afraid to take a stand
in what they believe needed to be changed and you will see some
historical figures that appear in this book! Loved that. This
is a very enjoyable book and it is well worth a read!” </span></span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;">~
</span></span><span style="color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">Sunnie
Reviews</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 0; text-indent: 0.48cm; widows: 0;">
<span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;">Taking true experiences from the author’s
ancestors, this series of novellas was created. These young ladies
were considered “women of courage.” </span>
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 0.48cm;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;">Watch
2 book trailers below to peak your interest. </span>
</p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 0.48cm;"><a href="https://youtu.be/eINkefmBcIA" target="_blank">Women of Courage trailer 1</a></p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 0.48cm;"><a href="https://youtu.be/x03SIls_sZU" target="_blank">Women of Courage trailer 2</a> <br />
</p><p><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;">About
Author: </span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;">Author Linda Weaver Clarke
is the author of 35 books. All her books are family friendly. Linda
works at the FamilySearch Center where she helps people find their
ancestors. She also teaches a free class at FamilySearch about
writing biographies and publishing it.</span>
</p><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 0.48cm;"><br />
</p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 0.46cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 0; text-indent: 0.48cm; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><i><span style="background: #ffffff;">The
Light at the End of the Tunnel</span></i></span></span><span style="color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">
is available on </span></span></span><span style="color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><b><span style="background: #ffffff;">Amazon</span></b></span></span><span style="color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">
and on </span></span></span><span style="color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><b><span style="background: #ffffff;">Audible</span></b></span></span><span style="color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">
narrated by BreAnne Okoren.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 0.48cm;">
<span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/product/B09JHRQYF1"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">https://www.amazon.com/dp/product/B09JHRQYF1</span></span></a></u></span></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 0.48cm;">
<span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Light-at-the-End-of-the-Tunnel-Audiobook/B0B4F65DGY"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;">https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Light-at-the-End-of-the-Tunnel-Audiobook/B0B4F65DGY</span></a></u></span></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 0.46cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 0; text-indent: 0.48cm; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><i><span style="background: #ffffff;">A
Lady of Refinement</span></i></span></span><span style="color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">
is available on </span></span></span><span style="color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><b><span style="background: #ffffff;">Amazon</span></b></span></span><span style="color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">
and on </span></span></span><span style="color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><b><span style="background: #ffffff;">Audible</span></b></span></span><span style="color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">
narrated by BreAnne Okoren.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 0.46cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 0; text-indent: 0.48cm; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lady-Refinement-Women-Courage-ebook/dp/B09PHZK76M"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;">https://www.amazon.com/Lady-Refinement-Women-Courage-ebook/dp/B09PHZK76M</span></a></u></span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;">
</span></span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 0.48cm;">
<span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/A-Lady-of-Refinement-Audiobook/B0BFJW9KJX"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;">https://www.audible.com/pd/A-Lady-of-Refinement-Audiobook/B0BFJW9KJX</span></a></u></span></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 0.46cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 0; text-indent: 0.48cm; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><i><span style="background: #ffffff;">A
Mississippi Sunset</span></i></span></span><span style="color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">
is available on </span></span></span><span style="color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><b><span style="background: #ffffff;">Amazon</span></b></span></span><span style="color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">
and on </span></span></span><span style="color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><b><span style="background: #ffffff;">Audible</span></b></span></span><span style="color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">
narrated by Elizabeth Schmidt.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 0.46cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 0; text-indent: 0.48cm; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mississippi-Sunset-Women-Courage-ebook/dp/B09SRDBHNX"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">https://www.amazon.com/Mississippi-Sunset-Women-Courage-ebook/dp/B09SRDBHNX</span></span></a></u></span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">
</span></span></span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="JUSTIFY" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 0.48cm;">
<span style="color: blue;"><u><a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/A-Mississippi-Sunset-Audiobook/B0BMDFDVQJ"><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua;">https://www.audible.com/pd/A-Mississippi-Sunset-Audiobook/B0BMDFDVQJ</span></a></u></span></p>
<p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
Nayuleskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08693548526829437580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601736453324178213.post-16629703931120754152023-09-25T13:26:00.000+01:002023-09-25T13:26:00.011+01:00Review: Fae Farm (Nintendo Switch, Simulation, Adventure, Fantasy, 6/10)<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3EiYgAsFyjYxax3QyfwA3-K97TYFBrVjVcjrfhuJgWqORF3GlXnLGXrsH1KekFBJmf1j9jnXcU6hCo6FtEaoJ1l6cTEnLkmn7iKldaU9BVLYBiKOZD9UeV_TtQfbKXOe94-EPEfA77hWfL-hKLR3fbmp5Fj5bjo8CzhkLSSPYp8bMkhq-aiHDjVEHNew/s500/FaeFarm_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3EiYgAsFyjYxax3QyfwA3-K97TYFBrVjVcjrfhuJgWqORF3GlXnLGXrsH1KekFBJmf1j9jnXcU6hCo6FtEaoJ1l6cTEnLkmn7iKldaU9BVLYBiKOZD9UeV_TtQfbKXOe94-EPEfA77hWfL-hKLR3fbmp5Fj5bjo8CzhkLSSPYp8bMkhq-aiHDjVEHNew/s320/FaeFarm_cover.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"> Check out my review for the fun if very bug filled <i>Fae Farm</i> over on <a href="http://www.cubed3.com/review/6885/1/fae-farm-nintendo-switch.html" target="_blank">Cubed3 </a><br /></p>Nayuleskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08693548526829437580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601736453324178213.post-8847025740971475782023-09-08T09:11:00.002+01:002023-09-08T09:11:18.726+01:00Over on Nayu's Crochet Dreams #70 Fresh naan and plushie laundry!<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUsMpXEQpR3ylJEqv8sc7osUUdZiIv-P493bjje4mfzvVvhOM65IaO484C-QcgSFrtbNuv5tcUKvymJetWMzVnmpq1cPbt5P15FXWM72SukZG2QmtAAyaHJSKEbRYzyJJUomjo4CJ_JSjkN7bZvaqejXey6qrj0W7kDuyA62Clbo0zLjQOk3lw-gLUhcg/s1024/Sept%208th%20onions%20raw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="1024" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUsMpXEQpR3ylJEqv8sc7osUUdZiIv-P493bjje4mfzvVvhOM65IaO484C-QcgSFrtbNuv5tcUKvymJetWMzVnmpq1cPbt5P15FXWM72SukZG2QmtAAyaHJSKEbRYzyJJUomjo4CJ_JSjkN7bZvaqejXey6qrj0W7kDuyA62Clbo0zLjQOk3lw-gLUhcg/w400-h180/Sept%208th%20onions%20raw.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Find out what I've managed to cook recently on my other blog, <i><a href="http://nayuscrochetdreams.blogspot.com/2023/09/nayus-craft-time-236-fresh-naan-plushie.html" target="_blank">Nayu's Crochet Dreams</a></i>, as well as how I took advantage of the current and probably final UK heatwave! <br /><p></p>Nayuleskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08693548526829437580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601736453324178213.post-7952211404089370472023-09-01T14:38:00.000+01:002023-09-01T14:38:09.984+01:00Review: Creative Embroidery and Beyond by Jenny Billingham, Sophie Timms, Theresa Wensing (Non-fiction, 8/10E) <p style="text-align: left;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5cAUX2tG0-jgH2htu-J3i86HnIuOgLsvY24Fd2XBlrViP5Qz4gO28_6QEVI277DJx-TMrp25yONw21sAVRccoLL2hCzE0nyZOjmSHF3WyMNyt-URonUqGABXD4zpgD3JDJ7s3yIfyDOYyHCInGck_9zFzdfUBpUMLZI-a724mskudHg8z-5W7roo-ess/s693/Creative%20embroidery%20and%20beyond.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="693" data-original-width="536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5cAUX2tG0-jgH2htu-J3i86HnIuOgLsvY24Fd2XBlrViP5Qz4gO28_6QEVI277DJx-TMrp25yONw21sAVRccoLL2hCzE0nyZOjmSHF3WyMNyt-URonUqGABXD4zpgD3JDJ7s3yIfyDOYyHCInGck_9zFzdfUBpUMLZI-a724mskudHg8z-5W7roo-ess/w310-h400/Creative%20embroidery%20and%20beyond.jpg" width="310" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table> June 2023, Walter Foster Publishing, 144 pages, Paperback, Review copy </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Book Summary from Quarto </b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b> <i>Practice the mindful art of hand embroidery with 18 gorgeous
projects you can use to create home decor, upcycled clothing, and
personalized gifts.<br /></i></b>
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<b>Creative Embroidery & Beyond</b><i><b> expands on the best-selling Creative...and Beyond series, which includes Creative Lettering & Beyond,
to focus on one of the most popular crafting methods out there:
embroidery. In this visually stunning book that presents hand sewing as
accessible and fun, three talented, on-trend artists—</b></i><b>Jenny
Billingham (@flynn_and_mabel), Theresa Wensing (@get.stitch.done), </b><i><b>and
</b></i><b>Sophie Timms (@mindfulmantra_embroidery)</b><i><b>—each present six designs. They
are ideal for embroiderers of all skill levels, from total beginners to more advanced. You will find:<br />
</b></i></p><ul><li><i><b>
Step-by-step embroidery projects featuring flowers, animals, insects, and more
</b></i></li><li><i><b>
Instructions for how to embroider on denim, hats, and t-shirts
</b></i></li><li><i><b>
Primers on essential stitches, including whipstitch and satin stitch
</b></i></li><li><i><b>
Information on embroidery tools and how to use them
</b></i></li><li><i><b>
Advice for threads and brands to use
</b></i></li><li><i><b>
And so much more
</b></i></li></ul>
<i><b><br />
Embroidery is a fun, accessible art medium that’s proven relaxing and
mindful for millions of crafters around the world. Make your own
embroidered gifts and more with Creative Embroidery & Beyond.
</b></i><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Nayu's thoughts</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">I've been doing cross stitch, a form of embroidery, since I was 7 or 8 years old, yet it's only in the past 2 years I've started to dabble in what I call 'proper' embroidery, every stitch that isn't cross stitch. It meant that the request to review <i>Creative Embroidery & Beyond</i> was well received and I was delighted to check out the book. There are so many beautiful designs, mostly what I call classical looking embroidery style but used in interesting ways (such as on clothing and household items). I had never thought of using fabric pen to colour in the centre of a design instead of stitching it, something I may try in the future. I liked most of the designs which made choosing just one a little tricky In the end I opted for <i>Cup of Planets</i> by Theresa Wensing. </p><p style="text-align: center;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjgPmkTUy-rMvQ3vPycQdcMyUPM2CBAewVockyaFvvy07KL10xaDerRWBG6VFJcszd9-cG3jKTUvWM0qLM-pquMTemTnLeI6Hn8BfQ6M4C62L4IpdgBeAEz3X1IhFgD_SBDe7tp-V8OEagOU_LpgHQ15MW1o5Nb5M8d5SBDwZ0p29y6PzkVfGbLQ9ThM8/s1641/PlanetHijab_original.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1641" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjgPmkTUy-rMvQ3vPycQdcMyUPM2CBAewVockyaFvvy07KL10xaDerRWBG6VFJcszd9-cG3jKTUvWM0qLM-pquMTemTnLeI6Hn8BfQ6M4C62L4IpdgBeAEz3X1IhFgD_SBDe7tp-V8OEagOU_LpgHQ15MW1o5Nb5M8d5SBDwZ0p29y6PzkVfGbLQ9ThM8/w281-h400/PlanetHijab_original.jpg" width="281" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Design in the book <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">As you can see it is a beautiful pattern...however I'm not mad about hands so I removed them. I needed some fabric so I decided to put the design onto a spare hijab I had. Let's bypass the unorthodox methods I used to get the pattern onto the headscarf, here is it on me. </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5FgJlaPUxUC0cXYK1XYzW91RtShOtSm9Bve0vXiw3MpYD1JpZiT5zxFQQj6q3RGaMKq1qpufVd9-9QPr5XBg_Gis8iJxAa93Bruqr7p91rcf8ff84noz_FMAKvQvZkH4JcVS2AiEt4RX29638pT9lOrF25421YeSJGkbHsWDcPRtael425f71DARgZ0/s587/PlanetHijab_onme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="587" data-original-width="430" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5FgJlaPUxUC0cXYK1XYzW91RtShOtSm9Bve0vXiw3MpYD1JpZiT5zxFQQj6q3RGaMKq1qpufVd9-9QPr5XBg_Gis8iJxAa93Bruqr7p91rcf8ff84noz_FMAKvQvZkH4JcVS2AiEt4RX29638pT9lOrF25421YeSJGkbHsWDcPRtael425f71DARgZ0/w293-h400/PlanetHijab_onme.jpg" width="293" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">And here it is as a full hijab. </p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Lcx875Y7DL7He3olaHLhFnHQq5SQ8TZZjOxehEcn4xbCFDNuL2X3xhWpPz1M_xd6FCGq_JxG21QB2Srq0RI5kyzgupshTmCK4FgqkRV6z1yGEBpYh3yfSPFANcpLlkk6khq9xa_K76rik27pSxEhLCaF4x-k0P18kN5r_LeOvj_Wvo17EUqZfriLDxs/s2598/PlanetHijab_fullhijab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2598" data-original-width="1760" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Lcx875Y7DL7He3olaHLhFnHQq5SQ8TZZjOxehEcn4xbCFDNuL2X3xhWpPz1M_xd6FCGq_JxG21QB2Srq0RI5kyzgupshTmCK4FgqkRV6z1yGEBpYh3yfSPFANcpLlkk6khq9xa_K76rik27pSxEhLCaF4x-k0P18kN5r_LeOvj_Wvo17EUqZfriLDxs/w271-h400/PlanetHijab_fullhijab.jpg" width="271" /></a></div> Now, while the book does do some diagrams for most stitches, there was one stitch, reverse chain stitch, which was not explained in the book so I had to Google it as I had no clue how to do it. Given how many other stitches are explained I felt this was a bit of a let down as beginners will not have a full library of stitches in their heads. I also had to watch some videos of the stitches that were given diagrams, whipped backstitch, as I didn't fully understand exactly how to do it from the diagram which used a really dark thread which is not the best for when stitches are displayed. Again this was a bit of a let down as I had expected the book to explain all the stitches required for every pattern. <p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGcLhzdLCYz87AbYrWxLoFmAL-Ely8MnZTRpt8eZ0XEYlDjsKuN1LFDgM48_9vOcb6CAALbB5Ckt3AO67MS25KUU7AygsUsgrsiEvwsfGSweo6L2UbVedJNaIcn_zAmareG8gI2IivfOR96FKj7oduMAQYydQTaEQ3TH-efLccHNAEf7g8wUdnjOkQQU/s1822/PlanetHijab_planetcloseup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1822" data-original-width="1789" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGcLhzdLCYz87AbYrWxLoFmAL-Ely8MnZTRpt8eZ0XEYlDjsKuN1LFDgM48_9vOcb6CAALbB5Ckt3AO67MS25KUU7AygsUsgrsiEvwsfGSweo6L2UbVedJNaIcn_zAmareG8gI2IivfOR96FKj7oduMAQYydQTaEQ3TH-efLccHNAEf7g8wUdnjOkQQU/w393-h400/PlanetHijab_planetcloseup.jpg" width="393" /></a></div><br />Stitch explanation aside the pattern was a delight to work. I didn't use the recommended 6 threads for the french knots so had to do many more than the pattern indicates, but I rather like French knots so I didn't mind. Please ignore the pink planet: again I didn't do the recommend number of threads for the planet rings, so I unpicked it but it wasn't easy to unpick, resulted in holes and um yes moving on from that! <p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcpte0pzIghsJEXeMca-apjbEsrbj3xVyVaT0hqkFWrgZV1NJX64ETmZuF8WxvcU5sH7l8bX0g6JS3QSuH15Msi8WVJ_DsCFp3dC9KlK04hVqEkqAGYvWQvzTAxxepisQkB56Xh6p_5GFCU2vRpxsrNHxYn5bflU9wthGjYeZ8wyM1losxBTV3Lo7uPmU/s1800/PlanetHijab_cupcloseup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1468" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcpte0pzIghsJEXeMca-apjbEsrbj3xVyVaT0hqkFWrgZV1NJX64ETmZuF8WxvcU5sH7l8bX0g6JS3QSuH15Msi8WVJ_DsCFp3dC9KlK04hVqEkqAGYvWQvzTAxxepisQkB56Xh6p_5GFCU2vRpxsrNHxYn5bflU9wthGjYeZ8wyM1losxBTV3Lo7uPmU/w326-h400/PlanetHijab_cupcloseup.jpg" width="326" /></a></div><br />I love how the planets turned out overall, I made do with what thread I had, whch is why the green dots are green rather than white, so I like to think of them as little aliens floating around space. I loved doing whipped backstitch, it gives a pretty looking effect on the cups. <p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Apart from not having all the stitches explained in the book, or explained clearly enough for a beginner, this book is full of great designs to use. I'm already eager to use some planets on the bottom border on my hijabs, as well as some of the flower designs as they would look good since they are mostly plain. I like how <i>Creative Embroidery & Beyond</i> sparked my interest in using embroidery on clothes I own to make them unique, and will share my progress as I slowly do more. </p>Nayuleskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08693548526829437580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601736453324178213.post-75302995508839785542023-08-29T14:27:00.000+01:002023-08-29T14:27:04.145+01:00Nayu's News #257 Life happens<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjdoufSECspM95UDXmGFSztjBV63qvfNvlEulWXCkpIM26PiUUkAdldMTspojmGoxtsnUKyGNPn47tLJHoFEtcUPoj3UUSobCq3jGbxIgqt-0QbrpTIsM29IQu4G2pomKzO2xr2Ag2rZuS5-fFwgOybqd0YoPFI4czVKlkRFp1IQbzexsosSOifG67nB0/s1280/mikuru%20looking%20uncertain.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjdoufSECspM95UDXmGFSztjBV63qvfNvlEulWXCkpIM26PiUUkAdldMTspojmGoxtsnUKyGNPn47tLJHoFEtcUPoj3UUSobCq3jGbxIgqt-0QbrpTIsM29IQu4G2pomKzO2xr2Ag2rZuS5-fFwgOybqd0YoPFI4czVKlkRFp1IQbzexsosSOifG67nB0/w400-h225/mikuru%20looking%20uncertain.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mikuru from the anime <i>Aikatsu!</i> looking unsure<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: center;">So new posts are coming very soon, I've just had life drama happen (still the stuff which I can't talk about) but I am relaxing when I can. Still working hard on <i>My Time At Portia</i> on Nintendo Switch, awaiting my 1st child with Aadit (Yes I know what happens to him) while helping Portia expand in size by taking on quests for the town. Stay tuned!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIeXY_ks6C-hkAc6S-vXIfLWy0jJ1GU1MOh3d2pZLtdWH7JBE4WQje7nclYSbiGr3IYJ27JgzbZQh8FJRyAoKUXi5m15PjJ7WxZR2QEfH-03tMarRSgV3bm6scu6D0aiiMazGcjFaO24wp-q2GAssIvoNA4c8pe7uKGmMzRlxj5l2Rr0JJDix1xekQWVw/s500/MTAP%20cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIeXY_ks6C-hkAc6S-vXIfLWy0jJ1GU1MOh3d2pZLtdWH7JBE4WQje7nclYSbiGr3IYJ27JgzbZQh8FJRyAoKUXi5m15PjJ7WxZR2QEfH-03tMarRSgV3bm6scu6D0aiiMazGcjFaO24wp-q2GAssIvoNA4c8pe7uKGmMzRlxj5l2Rr0JJDix1xekQWVw/s320/MTAP%20cover.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>Nayuleskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08693548526829437580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601736453324178213.post-82307213730884161392023-08-18T09:11:00.000+01:002023-08-18T09:11:13.813+01:00Review: ZeroWater 12 Cup 2.8L Ready-Read Jug <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTAClGPjOcnX7JkPu8tCRD9koRMR3KNDq-qKspIz_vJZOG953GrhmQ5gPEj0RgWS8iJ8hNgj2v4PtBFcPa-1qSbnJjK08pj-zY6HRRU0iRxD8EuvYV8dIsLIIJcapCknsany5Zr_-hNvuqPQfcpNqjEGCYd7UL1Fb6TFmbvjfbgE0tqUD6MV_37aBQsfI/s2093/ZeroWaterDisperser_Mainbox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="2093" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTAClGPjOcnX7JkPu8tCRD9koRMR3KNDq-qKspIz_vJZOG953GrhmQ5gPEj0RgWS8iJ8hNgj2v4PtBFcPa-1qSbnJjK08pj-zY6HRRU0iRxD8EuvYV8dIsLIIJcapCknsany5Zr_-hNvuqPQfcpNqjEGCYd7UL1Fb6TFmbvjfbgE0tqUD6MV_37aBQsfI/s320/ZeroWaterDisperser_Mainbox.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">I received this water dispenser (it can be a jug but I feel it's primarily a dispenser unlike the other ZeroWater jug I reviewed which was more, well, jug-like) in exchange for an honest review, so that's what I'm doing. The appeal of ZeroWater is that it reduces not so nice particles in water down to zero. As someone who lives in a hard water area and has both two beautiful guinea pigs and two handsome zebra finches who need as little rubbish in their water as possible, as well as trying to keep my trusty kettle low on limescale, a water filter system is a necessity. I currently use a Brita Maxtra Plus slim line jug for my purified water needs. </p><p style="text-align: center;">In the box for this ZeroWater Jug is the jug itself, instructions, 1 filter plus the handy device that tells you how much gunk is in your water (dissolved solids). You can find out all the technical details on the <a href="https://zerowater.co.uk/" target="_blank">ZeroWater UK</a> site. Basically it filters out all the rubbish leaving you with super pure water. I know it may sound unbelievable but it really does work! </p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4lJNmaqw6VTpVXySlXKUDhuSurNpcGuAA_nsv9bj8poD6S6_rNQWtP6dQH3QRzFV8sIQqkRACnVNoCq-NziSDfRDYXjoS7Ac2oVkAnAJTS0gzfp8N5HGzZ2rZZfm-1r-Okxf-9cJRQ5UT9yMI9uihwm9IgxkUVmZZqeVwMEZdY7_7OYgr_HGT_wo4Co0/s4000/ZeroWaterDisperser_Boxtop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="4000" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4lJNmaqw6VTpVXySlXKUDhuSurNpcGuAA_nsv9bj8poD6S6_rNQWtP6dQH3QRzFV8sIQqkRACnVNoCq-NziSDfRDYXjoS7Ac2oVkAnAJTS0gzfp8N5HGzZ2rZZfm-1r-Okxf-9cJRQ5UT9yMI9uihwm9IgxkUVmZZqeVwMEZdY7_7OYgr_HGT_wo4Co0/s320/ZeroWaterDisperser_Boxtop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> The dispenser is easy to put together once you work out how to take it apart to get at the filter parts. Unlike Brita it doesn't need a zillion rinse throughs (ok 2 or 3) to get it to work properly. Just remove the top and pop in (I don't think there was another step). First I tested the tap water. <p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnSHnU80EFVdm0xvDt29b1gwqyn-SqfAznY3gN8y_8SuP2Fu6_2n7t0nbg-sppIxxihRVcUsBJo8nBaYFSRYsLgZZZd5NPWo0CMHosGuCqF-gUhY4jpiR6Xf6kr0HNDLZzuaxm3CFriI-WG2IeKy_xQphGspCRyvxZRoouxjo22X0iw-Tb3L9V1mGU_Ho/s4000/ZeroWaterDisperser_plainwater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="4000" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnSHnU80EFVdm0xvDt29b1gwqyn-SqfAznY3gN8y_8SuP2Fu6_2n7t0nbg-sppIxxihRVcUsBJo8nBaYFSRYsLgZZZd5NPWo0CMHosGuCqF-gUhY4jpiR6Xf6kr0HNDLZzuaxm3CFriI-WG2IeKy_xQphGspCRyvxZRoouxjo22X0iw-Tb3L9V1mGU_Ho/s320/ZeroWaterDisperser_plainwater.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">As you can see the reading for gunk was 303 which sounds quite high. Next up I tested my mid-cycle faithful Brita jug <span style="font-size: x-small;">(which I bought myself so not sponsored).</span> </p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkDuF35Vl-jcQVmj6qc3G65V-BW-hSvxwsoxm2gDBiI1bIdhY_jPMTdmCKtOqn8i89D0kUzLNe6P0uzkNw9y7a-cB20_w-Mq15Y4S5GLPliKZJBd3mok3FJVsaBT-A2ctXJivPWSwisXDf4AQVC39twRNbW1S_HiO5GoeGuF9eZSHG1q1eTfMDXXM8IVs/s4000/ZeroWaterDisperser_britawater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="4000" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkDuF35Vl-jcQVmj6qc3G65V-BW-hSvxwsoxm2gDBiI1bIdhY_jPMTdmCKtOqn8i89D0kUzLNe6P0uzkNw9y7a-cB20_w-Mq15Y4S5GLPliKZJBd3mok3FJVsaBT-A2ctXJivPWSwisXDf4AQVC39twRNbW1S_HiO5GoeGuF9eZSHG1q1eTfMDXXM8IVs/s320/ZeroWaterDisperser_britawater.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">With a reading of 152 it's better than tap water for sure, which is good to know. Finally I tried the water that I put in the ZeroWater 12 Cup Dispenser. </p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNHhmRaVn2_TXKDtSnrZf24Cc3xxN9K3tnYJjOcR9qC94_MaX_6_lCLonElUvvlQI7_i20zjZxPbhdrnXFXPWKxMe5r8HucRr6J_iXk7dR3H0irUQw0eRQzC1tXYmWwyhKyEqCl0IvrpeDcUO3gujTiHxKCR1mn6PO-1Kozd5N83CWGFRbyEwge_OV7M4/s4000/ZeroWaterDisperser_zerowater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="1800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNHhmRaVn2_TXKDtSnrZf24Cc3xxN9K3tnYJjOcR9qC94_MaX_6_lCLonElUvvlQI7_i20zjZxPbhdrnXFXPWKxMe5r8HucRr6J_iXk7dR3H0irUQw0eRQzC1tXYmWwyhKyEqCl0IvrpeDcUO3gujTiHxKCR1mn6PO-1Kozd5N83CWGFRbyEwge_OV7M4/s320/ZeroWaterDisperser_zerowater.jpg" width="144" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Yes it really read Zero. It's not a trick, it comes out exactly as advertised.Now I do like the dispenser as although the tap mechanism sometimes feels a bit flimsy it is easy to use, and can be used as a jug if preferred. I did have to adjust my fridge shelves to fit it in (love cold water), obviously it can be left on the counter if preferred. It looks really nice but I do need the extra shelf that I had to remove so for me I won't use this dispenser regularly. </div><p style="text-align: center;">Time to talk cost of filters. Somehow I'd misread the cost so thought it was more expensive than I thought. I'm not sure how long one filter will last me: a Brita Maxtra Plus filter lasts me 2 months or more. I can get 6 BMP for around £22 on Amazon. ZeroWater filters are £19.99 direct from the site or £18.99 on Amazon. They may be cheaper elsewhere. It does get cheaper the more you buy with the 2 pack costing around £29, and the 3 pack costing around £43. <br /><br />If I had a bigger fridge I might seriously consider using my ZeroWater Dispenser full time as it is conveniant, and lets face it, having zero solids in the water sounds much more appealing than the current one hundred and something floating about in my Brita filter. It all depends on how long a ZeroWater filter would last me, which I don't know and due to space issues I probably won't. I do recommend it for those who care about what's in their water. I do care but I have weak hands my slimline Brita filter is easier for me to manage on a daily basis. </p><p style="text-align: center;">I do feel ZeroWater is the superior filter on the market, I'd be interested to see how long it stays zero. I feel that unfortunately those in the USA get a better deal as if they input their ZeroWater readings they can get further discount on new filters. I am thankful to try another item in the ZeroWater range and will be recommending them to friends and family <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Let's not go into why I really like the US style coupon system which seems kinder to consumer than some non-existant UK systems)</span></p><p style="text-align: center;">Read my review on the ZeroWater 12 Cup water Jug <a href="https://nayusreadingcorner.blogspot.com/2022/03/zero-water-12-cup-water-jug-vs-brita.html" target="_blank">here</a>. <br /></p>Nayuleskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08693548526829437580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601736453324178213.post-79745379111894419402023-08-15T09:55:00.002+01:002023-08-15T09:55:31.410+01:00Over on Nayu's Crochet Dreams #69 Coming Soon! <p style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_G439rVzMTau3Tm1vpwmwsspasgJi5yp584u9vBVDNa5ZrYID7bcmo-QnekhsjXEMHzb8ToX3vJcbOJCXrvUyIAY6EZQk3F6_tyB53DPwbZybA4OFUtDXzM_aO9fG7hfwq_OoXrTDjhPtdx3rQJGDgvHUKsxNDLjMVN8907ZE4SjEH6B4t3g79qmNS4/s2115/Cupcake%20Blanket%20progress%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2115" data-original-width="1800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_G439rVzMTau3Tm1vpwmwsspasgJi5yp584u9vBVDNa5ZrYID7bcmo-QnekhsjXEMHzb8ToX3vJcbOJCXrvUyIAY6EZQk3F6_tyB53DPwbZybA4OFUtDXzM_aO9fG7hfwq_OoXrTDjhPtdx3rQJGDgvHUKsxNDLjMVN8907ZE4SjEH6B4t3g79qmNS4/s320/Cupcake%20Blanket%20progress%201.jpg" width="272" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table>Done more of this blanket but not got an updated photo<br /> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> Check out my upcoming projects <a href="https://nayuscrochetdreams.blogspot.com/2023/08/nayus-project-progress-42-coming-soon.html" target="_blank">here</a>! <br /></p>Nayuleskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08693548526829437580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601736453324178213.post-77302621577450885522023-06-19T00:30:00.041+01:002023-06-19T00:30:00.143+01:00Review: The Lightbringers by Karin Celestine (Children's, picture book, 8/10E)<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdHVjmk6HJu8WFtyPR3kRUOvQvBLpH0OY0bsjflzWGjIfFuX8srF8FY7tlmfIRm5jRX-dC69uQWMwcZimsjAPJbUsIPcS9dcqYBeA6RHBCTijmvQFYeRh1OHJfyjpeBaAEXsN7nqNIQrokh_LTSTIJEFa8P1bEixqokMKe-ewzPeNCtfkBjmzhE647/s500/The%20lightbringers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdHVjmk6HJu8WFtyPR3kRUOvQvBLpH0OY0bsjflzWGjIfFuX8srF8FY7tlmfIRm5jRX-dC69uQWMwcZimsjAPJbUsIPcS9dcqYBeA6RHBCTijmvQFYeRh1OHJfyjpeBaAEXsN7nqNIQrokh_LTSTIJEFa8P1bEixqokMKe-ewzPeNCtfkBjmzhE647/w400-h400/The%20lightbringers.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> November 2020, Graffeg Limited, 48 pages, Hardback, Review copy<br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Book summary from <a href="https://graffeg.com/products/the-lightbringers?_pos=2&_psq=lightbringer&_ss=e&_v=1.0" target="_blank">Graffeg</a></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>The first in a series of four titles based on the seasons, nature and folklore, The Lightbringers is a story of hope centring on the notion that the light will always return, even in the darkest of days.<br /><br />The midwinter solstice provides the focal point for a journey by the little creatures as they seek to return light to earth, but it is a journey that evokes the traditions of the Mari Lwyd walking the villages of Wales and Wassail songs being sung in the orchards. Made up of two key parts, this book contains the story of The Lightbringers and a brief introduction to the myth and legend surrounding the season and festivals of midwinter. <b><br /></b></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Nayu's thoughts</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">What intrigued me the most was the fact Karin uses a crafting technique called felting to create all the characters photographed. Felting involves using a needle and I think yarn to create this unique fuzzy effect. Felting isn't something I've tried or wanted to try, but I admire the skill involved as it isn't an easy one to master. The effort going into each piece is signifcant. Unfortunately, somehow I found most of the characters creepy looking, which did diminish my enjoyment of the story which tells of winter and how spring slowly returns in a tradition called Mari Lwyd (Grey Mary) procession which is explained at the end of the tail. </p><p style="text-align: center;">I could see the compilation of objects, using the felted creatures alongside natural components is really good, I just didn't like most of the pictures (sorry!). The story itself is engaging and creates an atmosphere of everything almost dead in winter then slowly coming to life as the lights are carried along by the animals. It just wasn't for me. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Suggested read</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">Other nature themed books include <a href="https://nayusreadingcorner.blogspot.com/2018/01/national-trust-up-and-down-walk-in.html">National Trust: Up and Down, A Walk in the Countryside by Rosalind Beardshaw (Children's, Picture book, Board book, 10E/10E)</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrYP7_Kp2fV3J2ZBhiMO4misNM1W7ULDTTmcHGmaidpRsuhHQAQ2AomV-_jxCetXHbCVCI1Vkn07YKkwKOMmofzCuEfF-z5ZetwucdIkrPC925aacnV0FIL8TkErktLhouQvV0w-nBcuNdFm8E0v5Yxa0b2ZTD6OM-4S5PgQZ2BJ9MKfWqDVpgsVMA/s457/up%20and%20down.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="457" data-original-width="456" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrYP7_Kp2fV3J2ZBhiMO4misNM1W7ULDTTmcHGmaidpRsuhHQAQ2AomV-_jxCetXHbCVCI1Vkn07YKkwKOMmofzCuEfF-z5ZetwucdIkrPC925aacnV0FIL8TkErktLhouQvV0w-nBcuNdFm8E0v5Yxa0b2ZTD6OM-4S5PgQZ2BJ9MKfWqDVpgsVMA/w199-h200/up%20and%20down.jpg" width="199" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p><br /></p>Nayuleskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08693548526829437580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601736453324178213.post-65072408206319426262023-06-18T11:12:00.000+01:002023-06-18T11:12:10.356+01:00Review: Fletcher and the Rainbow by Julia Rawlinson and Tiphanie Beeke (Children's, Picture book, 10/10E)<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvLxxPxpqDa4sDM7Uv6riOxmD2NsBcg906BPLo4mYXttZEgxoDsqTKDRe3cA7WCUHLWi9KkWGiDC8gTUAXeWgb_z3SBTSe7KG63tHb-Pz0arBrWVThi-z0n8UdRHDj4QuoxRdwUhU2y4umLXLkS6ZBgnshNXLChfymQDo2-L6vM2c6AqjGY3mmuvX/s500/Fletcher%20and%20the%20Rainbow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="405" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvLxxPxpqDa4sDM7Uv6riOxmD2NsBcg906BPLo4mYXttZEgxoDsqTKDRe3cA7WCUHLWi9KkWGiDC8gTUAXeWgb_z3SBTSe7KG63tHb-Pz0arBrWVThi-z0n8UdRHDj4QuoxRdwUhU2y4umLXLkS6ZBgnshNXLChfymQDo2-L6vM2c6AqjGY3mmuvX/w324-h400/Fletcher%20and%20the%20Rainbow.jpg" width="324" /></a></div><br /> August 2021, Graffeg Limited, Hardback, Review copy<p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Book summary from <a href="https://graffeg.com/products/fletcher-and-the-rainbow?_pos=1&_sid=c439854d8&_ss=r" target="_blank">Graffeg</a></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i> When Fletcher sees a dazzling rainbow, he is determined to help it shine forever. Guided by his friends, he chases it through the dripping wood… but the rainbow soon starts to fade. Once the last scrap of colour is gone, Fletcher feels he has failed - until he realises something wonderful!<br /><br />Join Fletcher and his friends as they celebrate the glorious colours of autumn in this uplifting story of hope.</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Nayu's thoughts </b><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Not only is there a beautiful rainbow on the cover, but the inner cover pages are full of rainbow coloured leaves which made me smile the instant I spotted them. I love the soft style of the illustrations, how Fletcher is so eager to save the rainbow, and how his frog friend is always beside him, just like a child's favourite toy goes everywhere with them. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Fletcher meets a lot of people and sees different things which help culminate in a beautiful ending. His disappointment at the rainbow going is palpable, but he then realises not everything in this world is permanent and that is ok, memories are made during rainbows and other similar events. I feel this tale captures the innocence and wonder children have about absolutely everything they see. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Suggested read</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">Be sure to check out Fletcher's other adventures including <a href="https://nayusreadingcorner.blogspot.com/2021/05/review-fletcher-and-falling-leave-by.html"><i>Fletcher and the Falling Leaves</i> by Julia Rawlinson and Tiphanie Beeke</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ha3Z-sg9Ic25pHzZbohMYgRoEuYQ3AdEzkjbU2H4mrgxWfZSkZU75YG5CRWubpLmEW3liJopZQsLisv0xvlFzapdJOxgg6ucsrS7XaIMIKRxl55zVDO3ScAWFRV0pvRH_vNPQ5GpvjhBX7M0K7Z-wG0_mJkd5OPLchXRmeplASU8jroU__Gbl7_h/s275/Fletcher%20and%20the%20Flling%20Leaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="220" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ha3Z-sg9Ic25pHzZbohMYgRoEuYQ3AdEzkjbU2H4mrgxWfZSkZU75YG5CRWubpLmEW3liJopZQsLisv0xvlFzapdJOxgg6ucsrS7XaIMIKRxl55zVDO3ScAWFRV0pvRH_vNPQ5GpvjhBX7M0K7Z-wG0_mJkd5OPLchXRmeplASU8jroU__Gbl7_h/w160-h200/Fletcher%20and%20the%20Flling%20Leaves.jpg" width="160" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Nayuleskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08693548526829437580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601736453324178213.post-46720655291867211392023-05-31T00:30:00.046+01:002023-05-31T00:30:00.150+01:00Review: Help Me Reader by J W Hurcomb & Jason Pacliwan (Children's, Picture book, 10E/10E)<p style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NIhZrBqL2d_fQjRKxaA-4nbKF7-iIfeQGZNdDXJYfOaaaAvapdamTQH-XrFPxZ6qCou58zvkObDClxz7s77GfNxidUyiBsB4W45IYUnx6xVfYiq_a16x1kabPgPUUNA0vGRN0FOwvJxRxyYlKl1CBNJzpmortWLY1cr12MHQHq-vFSEdog1pjdOr/s500/Help%20Me%20Reader.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="350" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NIhZrBqL2d_fQjRKxaA-4nbKF7-iIfeQGZNdDXJYfOaaaAvapdamTQH-XrFPxZ6qCou58zvkObDClxz7s77GfNxidUyiBsB4W45IYUnx6xVfYiq_a16x1kabPgPUUNA0vGRN0FOwvJxRxyYlKl1CBNJzpmortWLY1cr12MHQHq-vFSEdog1pjdOr/w280-h400/Help%20Me%20Reader.jpg" width="280" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who could refuse helping such a cute little bear?<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> July 2022, Independently published, Paperback and Ebook, Review copy </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b> Book Summary</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">Help me Reader<i> is an interactive children’s book full of fun! Salsa is lost and needs your help to find her way home.</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Nayu's thoughts </b></p><p style="text-align: center;">I was curious how a book could be interactive and how it's done is both clever and fun Salsa asks for help finding her way through various mazes, sometimes objects need to be counted too. I knew from the start it's an exciting read when the reader is asked to touch Salsa to say hello. The soft coloured illustrations are in a cozy vibe style which helps because the setting is night and darkness can seem a scary time. </p><p style="text-align: center;"> Despite there being quite a few mazes within the tale they never felt repetitive and are not too hard to solve either. Salsa's journey home definitely takes unexpected turns and the warm welcome makes any fear she feels worthwhile. Feel the engaging nature of the book will encourage it to be reread multiple times. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Suggested read </b></p><p style="text-align: center;">For another night themed tale check out <a href="https://nayusreadingcorner.blogspot.com/2015/08/daddy-i-cant-sleep-by-alan-durant-and.html">Daddy I Can't Sleep by Alan Durant and Judi Abbot (Children's, Picture book, 10E/10E)</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7sEMIM1MFuuAwQLBbW1xi3o0bneGi3rN1qh_YrBd6_RApS5_Ywt0N_9C3pkNOIwg3O7q0pLh7hF6MPdeq9hmHXwpcjNmJqRmN6_Y4AllcNeQJTBoT_16tmx5xOpuFZV77e9uQsw6qk6hBYgzSNsu0MeRw114lOWpyWAMvsiqfSh2_bRw9Z3GGO-MJ/s314/daddy%20i%20can't%20sleep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="314" data-original-width="260" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7sEMIM1MFuuAwQLBbW1xi3o0bneGi3rN1qh_YrBd6_RApS5_Ywt0N_9C3pkNOIwg3O7q0pLh7hF6MPdeq9hmHXwpcjNmJqRmN6_Y4AllcNeQJTBoT_16tmx5xOpuFZV77e9uQsw6qk6hBYgzSNsu0MeRw114lOWpyWAMvsiqfSh2_bRw9Z3GGO-MJ/w166-h200/daddy%20i%20can't%20sleep.jpg" width="166" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b> </b></p>Nayuleskahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08693548526829437580noreply@blogger.com0