February 2023

The Prince, The Showgirl and Me – The Colin Clark Diaries

The Prince, The Showgirl and Me – The Colin Clark Diaries

‘The Prince, The Showgirl and Me’ are a set of extracts from the Diaries of Colin Clark for the six months he was on the sets of a movie starring Laurence Olivier and Marilyn Monroe. The movie, ‘The Prince and the Showgirl’ was shot in its entirety at Pinewood Studios, on the outskirts of London and … Continue reading The Prince, The Showgirl and Me – The Colin Clark Diaries…

Picture Books to Prepare Kids for the School Year

Back-to-school season is always so exciting. I remember the thrill of new backpacks, new pencils and notebooks, and even new shoes! But, not every kid finds the season as fun as some do. For some kids, it can be depressing, scary, or just plain intimidating to return to a new or old school. The great thing about books, however, is that they strive to cover a wide range of experiences — and that’s what this list of back-to-school picture books is about. Whether your kids love school or dread the first day of school, there’s an encouraging tale for them on…

D.E. Stevenson’s Novel “The Empty World”

Did you know that D.E. Stevenson had written a post-apocalyptic novel? I didn’t, until I read the description of this one and was intrigued by how different it sounded from her usual light romances and family sagas. First published in 1936, it’s available in ebook format from independent publisher Lume Books. I’m not sure whether … Continue reading The Empty World by D.E. Stevenson…

Exploring Middle Grade Graphic Novels for Girls

Graphic novels are such a unique format — for kids and adults alike — and I cannot make enough lists about them. Really, we have an entire series of graphic novel recommendations by age (for ages eight, nine, ten, and eleven). This list of middle grade graphic novels for girls is for graphic novels featuring female protagonists. Of course, the books on this list aren’t only for girls but may appeal more to them!
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Exploring the Historical Accuracy of Real People and Fictional Characters in Musings #78

Welcome to my monthly post on all things historical fiction! This month, I’m going to look at two different kinds of historical novel – those that insert fictional characters into historical settings and those that focus on real historical figures. The second type of book is sometimes referred to as a ‘biographical novel’ and ranges … Continue reading Historical Musings #78: Real people or fictional?…

Exploring the Varied Experiences of Maya in “The Many Fortunes of Maya”

This book is all about Maya who enjoys playing soccer, but especially so because it makes her sports-obsessed dad happy. She’s convinced herself that to be a great soccer player and be picked by a junior league, she needs to stop focusing on the other thing she loves (but won’t admit to loving as much): playing her flute. But when her parents tell her they’re separating and friendship with her bestie starts to evolve with the addition of a third friend, Maya begins to feel really lost and it’s tough to figure out what she wants. Thankfully, she has a trusty…

ley”Exploring the Journey of Self-Discovery in Emilia Hartley’s Weyward”

Witchcraft is a subject I always find interesting to read about, so I was curious to see how Emilia Hart would approach it in Weyward, her debut novel published in the UK earlier this month. It’s a book set in three different time periods, something which doesn’t always work for me, but in this case … Continue reading Weyward by Emilia Hart…

Exploring Imagination Through Picture Books

Our imagination is so powerful, and it can be wonderful when kids discover that there’s a whole world inside their heads. These picture books about imagination are all so gorgeous and take readers into the minds of kids and their dreams. Many of them also feature funny, imaginative stories to keep kids dreaming. If you or your kids love whimsical, creative, inspiring, and funny picture books, these are some lovely options.
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“Lasagna Means I Love You: A Review”

In Lasagna Means I Love You, 11-year-old Mo is facing a hard life moment. Her Nan (and sole guardian) has died and her uncle (and only surviving relative) has decided to pass on caring for her in favor of enlisting in the military. So, Mo’s entering the foster care system. Her Nan’s last wish for Mo was that she find a hobby, but Mo isn’t sure about that — until she finds a book with family recipes. After one failed homing, she ends up in the home of a very well-to-do white couple who seem delighted to have her. There, Mo…