The Gentle Bulldozer - Amy Baron, Illustrations Rogério Coelho

Being part of a construction vehicle family is tough for Bulldozer. Whilst Excavator and Backhoe happily and loudly sing their daily song of wrecking and smashing, Bulldozer barely whispers the ditty.

The need and love of breaking down and destroying something doesn’t sit well with him.

As these strong machines plow through their work, banging and cracking, debris flying around, Bulldozer quietly moves piles of dirt questioning why he needs to do this work.

When the crew begin to knock down a tree, Bulldozer can’t do it, he just can’t hurt a tree. He’s a disappointment to his family; he’s not tough but he’s supposed to be – he’s a bulldozer!

Taking off he drives for hours, thinking, when he happens across a farmer in trouble. A rainstorm is approaching, and his barn needs repairing. Can Bulldozer help the farmer? He’s supposed to be all about tearing down and demolition. How can he support the farmer and assist with keeping the animals warm and safe?

Baron’s portrayal of a construction vehicle with an identity crisis is endearing. Isn’t it fun to knock things down? Sure, but just not for the Gentle Bulldozer. Whilst the story is short, it’s still engaging and will capture the mind of many a young child (ages K and up). It’s accompanied by beautiful, sumptuous illustrations that really bring the characters to life.

The story of the gentler side of a bulldozer creates a warm cozy tale for children that shows them that you don’t need to be what everyone expects of you. Find your own dream and look inside yourself to find who you are and be happy with that – you’re okay, just as you are.

The Gentle Bulldozer is a narrative that has hidden depths that will appeal to parents and children alike. A highly recommended read.

 

The Scavenger (A Hopps Town Duology #1) - Aidan Lucid

Jared Duval wants Lydia Moran to stop bullying him. He also wants the football captain to like him, even just notice him. And, to know why is he having vivid and scary dreams.

Adrian Cole needs to stay fit for soccer, keep his grades up, study harder. He also misses his mother, who died in a car incident. Aside from all of that, he’s looking for a relationship. The substitute teacher is stunning but why would she be interested in him?

Jessica Barlow craves for her mother’s love. Ever since her dad left them, any affection Bertha has for her daughter is hidden far beneath the verbal and physical abuse, smoking and alcohol.

Will life change for them? 

Hopps Town is small, so it's doubtful. But a chance encounter after the school’s Halloween dance with a seemingly lost girl makes change possible. In pursuit of the runaway girl, they come across an abandoned shack with a well outside. They lean in and all make a wish…

Jessica wakes up to her mother happy and making breakfast. Stunned at this change in attitude, the young girl heads off to school, prepared lunch in hand (she can’t remember when that last happened) in a daze. Is this real?

Adrian’s head is filled with his father’s chastisement of how important going to college is, but these thoughts are soon discarded when he finds a note in his locker. Who is it from and why do they want to meet him?

The nightmares that Jared experiences intensify but unexpectedly, Tom, the handsome football star has suddenly noticed him. Jessica loves her ‘new’ mom and Adrian's new relationship is turning out better than expected. Did those fanciful wishes they made at the well actually come true?

And then Adrian and Jessica encounter the same supernatural occurrences that Jared has. They are dismissive and unsure of what they've seen and felt, but soon become scared as the realization that the wish bestowed upon them comes at a price.

There is something obviously evil that granted their wishes – but what has the death of a disgruntled man back in the late '70s to do with this evil entity and can Jared’s aunt really help the three teenagers get rid of this supernatural being?

The author’s introduction to Hopps Town and its inhabitants is a great beginning. He has managed to entwine some chilling and horrific moments without it being cliché. The emotions of the teens as they experience an abusive mother or peer bullying are real and expressive. His characters are believable as are the episodes of hearing haunting voices and seeing frightening images that plague them.

With novella’s, there is a tendency to be short with descriptions or moments and they can have a slightly disjointed feel. There are elements of this in the book, but Lucid has managed to say a lot in a limited number of words and the overall premise of the book hasn't been lost. And whilst I wished the story could be expanded – more tension created, more dialogue to really get behind the characters -Lucid has still created a story that is exciting, filled with unsettling moments and believable personalities. 

As a YA book the language used is fairly suitable, it skims issues that teens face - sexuality, bullying, acceptance - with some positivity given to these situations but there is a lot of negative attitudes too. However, falling under the genre of horror, it perhaps shouldn't be expected to be teaching lessons of acceptance etc., - the main focus is the battling of evil spirits!

Overall an enjoyable story that is a good grounding for the next installment. It will keep the reader fairly engaged and for them to look forward to what happens next in Hopps Town. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author to read and review. The opinions expressed are my own and I was not required to give a positive critique.

The Strange Tales of the Alphabet Children - Matthew Rumbelow. Illustrations by Deborah Panesar.

 

A collection of lyrical stories about children that through their hobbies, interests or fears, often tend to meet a rather unfortunate end. 

Each child's first name, as the title of the book suggests, begins with a letter from the alphabet accompanied with unusual surnames. You'll meet a Leo Prickleton-Patch, a Clara Poppleton-Brown and a Yorick Sticklewick but to name a few. Each child/young adult have their passions or anxieties - rats, volcanoes and even Harry Potter - that will ultimately lead to a disaster or death! 

Easily read from A to Z, the reader can also throw conformity out of the window and randomly select a story to start. Either way, these tales won't disappoint. 

The author, whilst giving reverence to Edward Gorey's Gashlycrumb Tinies and Hilaire Belloc's Cautionary Tales for Children, has created his own compilation of narratives that are a backstory to Gorey's children. However, they have been updated to reflect today's child - use of a smartphone, global warming, designer labels - yet still have that gothic air to them. 

Rumbelow's verses are clever and filled with so much imagery. His choice of lesser known or less used words has meant the need for a glossary. However, the use of these words such as profligate, abstemious or lagomorph, adds to the sumptuous story telling which has been written in rhyming verse too! 

The accompanying illustrations are outstanding and well thought out. Deborah Panesar has captured the essence of each child's perilous situation perfectly to enhance each story. Colors are subtle and have a slight old-world feel/look to them, which meant that it didn't quite tie in with the modern tales being told but it's a minor issue (and subjective). 

Overall, Matthew Rumbelow's debut into the world of children literature is off to a phenomenal start. Like an updated Aesop's Fables, the Strange Tales of the Alphabet Children is a collection of humorous, chilling often grisly exploits that end with a cautionary note. Had these children not died, surely they would have learnt their lesson? Thankfully, not all meet their maker, but they are left somewhat battered and bruised. And, whilst aimed at children, I'd hesitate to read them to a child with a sensitive nature as some of the stories are somewhat gruesome. Regardless, a highly recommended read. 

A Bride of Convenience (The Bride Ships: No. 3) - Jody Hedlund

Having travelled thousands of miles from England to British Columbia, Zoe Hart isn’t expecting a completely new life. But, certainly a decent one. And, to find her twin brother Zeke. She’s already mourning the loss of her mother, niece and estrangement from her sister. To lose touch with her sibling would be too much.

And then, her best friend Jane with whom she travelled with, dies.

Cursing the hard mill life, they left behind in Manchester, she aches for the loss of her sweet friend and that pain is soothed by Pastor Abe offering condolences. When he speaks the Lords words of comfort over Jane’s still body, Zoe finds a new resolve but shuns the thoughts of noticing that Abe is a good-looking man.

All is forgotten momentarily when a miner arrives (at the hospital) with a filthy, pungent bundle explaining to Pastor Abe that he can’t be a father. Zoe immediately lays claim to the unwanted babe vowing to care for the infant despite its mother being ‘native’ and therefore unwelcome amongst the white townspeople.

Pastor Abe Merivale administers to the miners up in the mountains. He’s not the typical clergyman as he sees value in talking to the and with the people not just preaching to them. When he arrives at the hospital to say last rites, he’s recalls seeing Zoe on a visit to Victoria. He had noticed her beauty and had admonished himself over such thoughts. He had also noticed her being accosted by local man, Dexter Dawson, a man that can’t be trusted. Abe watched her walk away from his attentions and had prayed she and the other wannabe brides would choose their husbands carefully. And now, he stands in front of her as she willingly offers to care for a stranger’s child.

Zoe knows that in order to look after the orphan baby, she needs to be married. So, when Dexter is happy to marry her despite the child, she jumps at the chance. However, Abe is mortified at the thought and tries to dissuade Zoe from making a horrific mistake. And, through a misunderstood question, Abe finds himself married to Zoe.

Will they like being married to each other? It’s a marriage of convenience, certainly, but for Zoe or Abe? Will they be able to find happiness? Find love with each other? And will Dexter let go of Zoe that easily?

The third book in the series and it just gets better. An epic journey for a woman escaping the dreary mills of England and deceased family could easily be a forlorn tale, but Hedlund’s finesse of storytelling creates a heartwarming tale of how two apparently mismatched souls can come together to form a bond of friendship, family and eventually love. There are moments of drama – Dexter Dawson, Bishop Hills and local madam, Wanda – throwing what could be a run of the mill romance off course and therefore creating a rounded story of two people coming together in the spirit of love and with God’s guidance.

It’s a treacherous tale emotionally and the reader will find themselves quickly and easily involved with the characters. The author has created people who are epitomes of kindness and selflessness. Their generous hearts make them an ideal couple to the townspeople of Yale. A book that is easy to read with superb descriptions of 1800s Vancouver Island and the references to indigenous people are written respectfully and sympathetically.

Overall, a great installment in the Bride Ships series. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story and I'm excited to read the last book of the series. Fans of Christian fiction, historical fiction, romance and  Jody Hedlund will not be disappointed.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers to review. The opinions expressed are my own and I am not required to give a positive critique. 

Word Search, Monsters & Coloring Oh My!

Wordsearch - For Kids Ages 8-10

Each puzzle is on one page with the words to search, below the grid of letters. Answers are in the back. The themes vary from 'Bakery' to 'Superheroes' with only six words associated with that subject matter. Letters are large and there is enough odd letters in between the words to challenge a child. My soon to be 7yrs old liked this book. She had a little difficulty with longer words but overall, she said (with the searches she completed) it was fun and challenging.

For me, I also liked it but would have liked to see more words to find as you progressed. Although my daughter flipped through and chose particular puzzles, I think increasing the number of words a child needs to find makes it more of a challenge. A lovely book with easy to read puzzles/words as well as it being a great summer activity that can help continue term time learning of  reading, spelling and understanding themes.

How to Draw Monsters

Starting off with a quick lesson on how to use the book, each page allows the artist to create their own type of monster and then color the page in. There is ample opportunity to customize the shape given  - larger eyes, longer talons - so there is room for creativity.

Whilst my daughter isn't one for monsters, she did find it easy to follow the instructions and design her own monster. I also tried drawing my own creature and thought that with practice a child could take their monster out of the book and create their own story or comic book. This book is a great starter for improving drawing skills as well as creating monsters!

Color By Numbers  - For Kids Ages 4-8

Various images from a cat, to trucks to fantasy figures. Behind each picture is a black/blank side to avoid any bleed through from coloring, although if, as in my daughters case, you press super hard with a marker, it will get through - it is only paper after all. I colored in a page also with markers with normal pressure and no color appeared on the next image.

My little girl isn't one for huge amounts of coloring and a lot of the images - trucks, dinosaurs etc., didn't speak to her. It's a shame there wasn't more 'girl' friendly images. All the images are marked with a number and associated colors. It looks a tad odd to have a number printed that had to be colored white so it would have been better if it were just left blank. A good range of images with enough details to be interesting.

Overall, these are three excellent books that will keep your child engaged and busy. They are set out in such a way that its easy to flick through and do what piques their interest. My almost seven years old, enjoyed all of them although she is more partial to the word search. Highly recommended for all.

I received complimentary copies of  Color By Numbers, How to Draw Monsters and Word Search from Activity Wizo. The opinions expressed here are my own and I am not required to give a positive review.

Connect the Dots for Kids (4-8)

A fun collection of dot-to-dot animals ranging from simple number sequences to ones that have a little more complexity. Having received the digital copy, it was easy to print off a range of pages instead of the whole book.

My six years old daughter loved doing them - especially the cat ones! The pages printed out clearly with all the numbers present. There is an art in completing dot-to-dot pictures - lines need to be continuous and straight to create an image that is clean and distinguishable.

Whilst the age range is 4-8, an older child may find these particular images not challenging enough. My daughter zipped through the samples I gave her. The most fun came from naming the characters and coloring them in a variety of colors.

Overall, it's a really good book that's easy to pick and choose which image your child would like to do. For my daughter it was a starting point of creating a story to the character that she 'created'. A recommended book for all creative children.

I received a complimentary copy to review. The opinions expressed are my own and I am not required to give a positive critique.

The Englisch Daughter - Cindy and Erin Woodsmall

Things are different within the marriage and Jemima Graber can't fully understand what has gone wrong. Devoted mother and wife, her life for the last ten years belonged to her family.

When an accident causes her husband and daughter to be injured, the distance starts. It was a time to be thankful as they survived yet Roy isolates himself from them, their family. When did things get so bad? Jemima hardly sees him and her desire to own a food truck, sanctioned by the Bishop, is fast becoming a pipe dream.

Roy loves his family, the horse farm he owns is successful. But, that one night with an old friend has caused so much internal turmoil. He doesn't know how to face Jemima, the love of his life. Would she understand the relationship he has with Tiffany, an Englisch woman he met before joining the Old Order faith? Not only does Roy have to find the courage to speak to his wife, he also needs to explain why she won't be able to purchase the food truck. When did things go so wrong?

Abigail loves her independence, helping out at Endless Grace (a group helping men in recovery and at risk teens), working on the horse farm. She knows something isn't right between her brother and sister-in-law but, whatever it is, she's on Jemima's side. Her opinion of men is a touch jaded. And, then she meets Chris, the newly employed farmhand.

Chris Fisher is in between the Order. He's taken on boxing, frowned upon in the Amish community, but he has to compete in one more fight. It may be his downfall, but it will help his brother. When he meets Abigail, he's not inclined to tell her the whole truth. But, if he wants to have a relationship with her he'll have to come clean - will she still accept him?

When the situation with Tiffany comes to head all four have to work together to save a life - but will it save Roy and Jemima's relationship?

Together, the lives of  Jemima, Roy, Abigail and Chris converge to create both a heartwarming and heart wrenching story. Erin and Cindy Woodsmall's story is thoughtful, sincere and scattered with touches of humor. Love and strength of family is the main theme with heavy doses of being truthful and facing the consequences of ones' actions.

Being told from a different perspective, the story shines a new light on how an Amish family deals with trouble within a marriage. It's a story that you hope turns out well if only for the sake of Jemima. The Woodsmall's have created such a strong kind and compassionate protagonist that the reader can  only wish the best for her.

Another well written and thought out novel. The authors have managed to create a story filled with so much emotion and believable characters. Capturing the nuances of children, a strained relationship, a burgeoning one as well as unconditional love and deep faith, The Englisch Daughter will be a book that can't be put down once started. A highly recommended read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House to review. The opinions expressed are my own and I am not required to give a positive critique.