Big Hid – Roisin Swales

Big Hid by Roisin Swales

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Received: Publishers Group Canada
Publication Date: 2017
Publisher: Flying Eye Books
Genres & Themes: Picture Books, Friendship, Animals

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BLURB:

Big and Little are the very best of friends. They do everything together! That is until one day, when Big suddenly hides away inside his shell… Little tries every method to get Big to come out and play again—he bakes him his favorite cake, he even asks all of his friends for help—but nothing seems to be working! What could possibly be wrong?

Return (Journey Trilogy #3) – Aaron Becker

Return by Aaron Becker

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Received: Publisher
Publication Date: 2016
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Genres & Themes: Picture Books, Family, Art, Creativity, Adventure

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BLURB:

Failing to get the attention of her busy father, a lonely girl turns back to a fantastic world for friendship and adventure. It’s her third journey into the enticing realm of kings and emperors, castles and canals, exotic creatures and enchanting landscapes. This time, it will take something truly powerful to persuade her to return home, as a gripping backstory is revealed that will hold readers in its thrall.

Ivy and the Lonely Raincloud

Ivy and the Lonely Raincloud by Katie Harnett

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Received: Publishers Group Canada
Publication Date: 2017
Publisher: Flying Eye Books
Genres & Themes: Picture Books, Friendship, Emotions

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BLURB:

Everyone loves the warm sunshine—except the lonely raincloud. No one wants to be his friend! But one day, he stumbles across a grumpy little florist . . . could she be looking for a friend too? In this charming tale, a solitary raincloud finds a way to make a sad little girl happy again, by using the very thing that most people dislike about him—rain!

Quest (Journey Trilogy #2) – Aaron Becker

Quest by Aaron Becker

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Received: Publisher
Publication Date: 2014
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Genres & Themes: Picture Books, Friendship, Art, Creativity, Adventure

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BLURB:

A king emerges from a hidden door in a city park, startling two children sheltering from the rain. No sooner does he push a map and some strange objects into their hands than he is captured by hostile forces that whisk him back through the enchanted door. Just like that, the children are caught up in a quest to rescue the king and his kingdom from darkness, while illuminating the farthest reaches of their imagination. Colored markers in hand, they make their own way through the portal, under the sea, through a tropical paradise, over a perilous bridge, and high in the air with the help of a winged friend.

The Lines on Nana’s Face

The Lines on Nana’s Face by Simona Ciraolo

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Received: Publishers Group Canada
Publication Date: 2016
Publisher: Flying Eye Books
Genres & Themes: Picture Books, Family, Memories, Storytime

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BLURB:

It’s granny’s birthday, but her little granddaughter wonders why, because of the lines on her face, she looks so worried! But they are simply wrinkles, and grandma is very fond of her lines because they are where she keeps her memories. In this imaginative and charming story, Simona Ciraolo turns the lines from old age into little wrinkles of wonder and memory as a little girl learns all about the precious moments in her grandma’s life.

Journey by Aaron Becker

Journey by Aaron Becker

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Received: Publisher
Publication Date: 2013
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Genres & Themes: Picture Books, Journey, Art, Creativity, Adventure

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BLURB:

A lonely girl draws a magic door on her bedroom wall and through it escapes into a world where wonder, adventure, and danger abound. Red marker in hand, she creates a boat, a balloon, and a flying carpet that carry her on a spectacular journey toward an uncertain destiny. When she is captured by a sinister emperor, only an act of tremendous courage and kindness can set her free. Can it also lead her home and to her heart’s desire?

Shadow Kiss (Vampire Academy #3)

Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Received: Publisher
First Published: 2008
Publisher: Razorbill
Recommended Age: 12+
Pacing: Normal
Genres & Themes: Young Adult, Urban Fantasy, Boarding School, Forbidden Love, Friendship, Mystery, magic, Vampires, Action, Death, Ghosts

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BLURB:

Rose knows it is forbidden to love another guardian. Her best friend, Lissa – the last Dragomir princess – must always come first. Unfortunately, when it comes to gorgeous Dimitri Belikov, some rules are meant to be broken… Then a strange darkness begins to grow in Rose’s mind, and ghostly shadows warn of a terrible evil drawing nearer to the Academy’s iron gates. The immortal undead are closing in, and they want vengeance for the lives Rose has stolen. In a heart-stopping battle to rival her worst nightmares, Rose will have to choose between life, love, and the two people who matter most… but will her choice mean that only one can survive?