Children's Picture Book Standings (Vacation Reading)

Knowing I would be busy working in Sports Focus Camp at Parma Heights Baptist church this week, I knew I wouldn't get much reading done so stocked up on some short children's books I could easily read in just a few minutes.  Here is my report on the ones I read going from best to last (in my opinion):

1st place:  Don't throw It To Moe by David A. Adler (Penguin Young Readers level 2)
I really liked this book a lot!  It is about a little kid who loves football even though he is small, gets teased and doesn't get much playing time.

2nd place:  Miss Hazeltine's Home for Shy and Fearful Cats by Alicia Potter, illustrated by Birgitta Sif
This is another very good picture book with an interesting story line as well about cats.  The most timid cat of all finds inner courage when it counts.  The illustrations are very good!  My cats voted this their favorite because of the plot with the timid cat becoming courageous.

3rd place:  How Many Cats by Lauren Thompson, illustrated by Robin Eley
This is a fun book that encourages counting and subtracting with very good pictures of cats to count doing all sorts of things.  I liked the pictures, trying to find all the cats, and the rhyming of the words.  My cats liked this book too because of the good cat pictures and the writing.

4th place:  Castle Life by Laura Durman
I liked this one next because I enjoy the medieval period with castles and knights.  This is a non-fiction book geared to children with colorful pages and short fact boxes throughout.  It gives lots of information and I found it interesting.

5th place:  Look by by Jeff Mack
This is amazing writing because he tells the story with just two words!  It's a funny book about a boy glued to the TV and his gorilla who tries to get his attention.  I don't want to give away the ending so won't say any more, but it's cute with great pictures on every page!

6th place: Cat and Mouse by Ian Schoenherr
This is about the relationship between a cat and a mouse.  The mouse gives tips on how to get along with a cat in a fun way.

7th place:  Bandit's Surprise by Karen Rostoker-Gruber, illustrated by Vincent Nguyen
I didn't care too much for this one because it is sad.  The first cat resents the new kitten which is normal but then the cat ran away and I didn't like that part at all.

8th place: How to Catch a MOUSE by Philippa Leathers
Neither my cats nor I cared much for this one because it made the cat be stupid and it was way too silly and demeaning to cats.

9th place:  War Dogs:  Churchill and Rufus by Kathryn Selbert
This is a non-fiction children's picture book about Winston Churchill and his dog before, during and after World War II.  I thought it was boring.

10th place:  If I Ran the Zoo by Dr. Seuss
I guess I was so disappointed in this book that I ranked it last.  It made absolutely no sense whatsoever and puts down zoos.  Didn't care for the drawings or the writing in this.

These were fun, quick reads that I got from the children's section at the library.

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"Confess" by Colleen Hoover (Updated)

Confess by Colleen Hoover is told from two points of view--Auburn and Owen.  Auburn is a young teen girl and Owen is a 21-yr-old man.  They both have secrets and if they confess them, it could break apart their relationship.

I loved this book!  The characters are really good.  The story was good too, a real page turner with an excellent twist at the very end which is fantastic!  This was the first book I read by Colleen Hoover, but it sure will not be the last!
(Gerard's review 6/25/15, 5++ stars)

Karen read this too:
Confess by Colleen Hoover is a contemporary romance about Owen, an artist who does paintings inspired by anonymous confessions that people leave on notes for him at his studio. One day Auburn shows up the day of a showing who he hires to collect the money and is impressed with her interest in his paintings and her salesmanship skills. She looks familiar to him and they hit it off. Both Owen and Auburn have secrets that test their relationship when they are revealed.

I enjoyed this love story because I really liked Adam and Owen and found myself pulling for Owen throughout the book. I didn’t care at all for Trey, the cop, right from the start and was very pleased with the ending. The only thing I didn’t really care for was the quickness of the physical relationship between Owen and Auburn. This book deals with drug issues, domestic violence, jealousy, love and sacrifice, and a mother’s fight for custody of her child. It also has some humor related to a cat that made me like Owen right off.
(Karen's review, 4 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"Slammed" by Colleen Hoover Was Better Than Expected! (UPDATED)

Slammed by Colleen Hoover is about an 18-yr.-old girl, Layken, who grows a lot in just a year. She has a lot of drama going on her senior year including her father’s death, moving, romance, lung cancer and caring for her 9-yr.-old brother. That’s half the story, with the other half being about her 21-yr.-old neighbor across the street named Will and his 9-yr.-old brother. Will’s parents both died in a car accident and Will became his younger brother’s legal guardian. He is working towards a teaching job but then falls for Layken.

This book just drew me in very quickly and deals with heavy issues in such an interesting way. It is packed with feeling and mostly good advice that is given through Will and Layken’s mother, Julia. I was both amused by funny things that happened and touched by some tender parts. I even cried at one part involving Layken’s best friend, Eddie. One of the themes is poetry-what it is and why write it. This is the first book I read by this author and look forward to reading more.
(Karen's review, 5 stars)

Gerard read this too--here's his review:
This YA novel is about a young girl named Layken (Lake).  Her mom, younger brother and her move from Texas to Michigan.  Her dad passed away.  She meets a young man named Will.  His younger brother  connect right off, but does Layken and Will connect?

This is an outstanding read because all emotions are at play here.  You feel connected to the characters very quickly.  This is a page turner I loved!  The good news is that there is a follow up book that I will read too.  (5++ stars)


Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday-Three Today

Gerard's:

I stop fighting it with those words.  I fist his shirt in my hands and begin to sob against his chest while he holds me.

From page 10 of Confess by Colleen Hoover.

Karen's: 

I slowly round the front of the U-Haul, holding my arms out in front of me, when I notice someone grasping my brother and his new friend by the collars of their shirts.
"Get 'em!" The stranger yells as he holds the two screaming boys.

 From page 10 of Slammed by Colleen Hoover.

Whatever made me think we should come out here like this?  We are on the verge of nowhere, no father, an enterprises that is feeling shadier by the minute, people who really don't want us here, people of questionable moral fiber, a town--She snorted at that thought, which made for a syncopation in the pounding of her head.

From page 83 (Loc. 1268 on Kindle) of Ruby (Dakotah Treasures Book 1) by Lauraine Snelling.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm. Anyone can play along, so I thought  I  would play for fun! Just pick two sentences from the book you are reading.

Happy Reading!

"Lost No More" by CeeCee James

Lost No More (Ghost no More series) by CeeCee James is based on her husband’s true story about a boy growing up with an alcoholic father and how their relationship changed over the years. It is a touching story about the complicated feelings between a father and son. This was an interesting read that I enjoyed. I really liked the ending.
(Karen's review, 4 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!