Review 5 star
Find It On Amazon When You Feel Better: A Get Well Soon Gift Book is a beautiful little picture book by Misty Black. It’s designed to be given as a gift to someone sick and is filled with comforting images of serene skies, happy friendships, and promises of fun adventures at the beach and on the mountains when the sick person has recovered. The characters are two small animals, a koala who is sick in bed, and a rabbit who visits his friend and offers him this book, saying he made it just for him. The rabbit then narrates adventures to the invalid about the wonderful things that will happen “when you feel better.” A tender and uplifting book with a gentle atmosphere to it, When You Feel Better: A Get Well Soon Gift Book is indeed a good choice for a sick child. I liked the lilting, rhymed verses that took the sick bear on all kinds of adventures that did look like a lot of fun to think about if you’re cooped up in bed—playing under the stars; flying in a balloon; camping in springtime meadows; and watching the Aurora Borealis in winter. Shimmering and attractive pictures by Marina Batrak really sealed the deal on making this book a delight. One of the main charms of a picture book is how the words and images work together to build a story and this book’s accomplishment was above average. Subtle and filled with an enchanting tone of caring, Misty Black’s book is on my list of good items for children. Rental Secrets: Reduce Your Rent, Get Better Value, Create Quality Communities by Justin Pogue10/18/2019
Review 5 star
Find It On Amazon Rental Secrets: Reduce Your Rent, Get Better Value, Create Quality Communities is a short book of business advice by Justin Pogue. Having worked in real estate for years, he shares what to look for in renting an apartment and how to negotiate with property managers and landlords. The book is divided into 10 structured chapters covering key material including using industry competition to your advantage; understanding why property owners charge what they do; strategies for paying less rent; and making sure you aren’t incorrectly charged for repairs. Each chapter has a list of questions for the readers regarding their specific relationship to the chapter’s topics, and there are several pages at the end for jotting down your own notes. Justin Pogue’s book is out of this world when it comes to providing practical assistance to the prospective renter. Easy to read, it makes the subject matter quite easy to manage. As someone who’s unfamiliar with negotiating a good deal on an apartment, I’ve found the subject intimidating—but not anymore. Good solid suggestions, transparency in describing the property owner’s point of view, and insider tips on deciphering incentives and choosing a good time to rent make Rental Secrets: Reduce Your Rent, Get Better Value, Create Quality Communities a book that lives up to its title in every way. The relationship between owner and renter is really mutual instead of antagonistic, each helping the other, and Justin lays out a load of tips for how to get a great deal on your next place to live. I wish there were more books like this outstanding resource. Review 5 star
Find It On Amazon Jolly Time Books: Kelly’s Adventures 1-3 Boxed Set is a collection of three short novels for children by Karen S. McGowan and Dennis E. McGowan. It’s about a girl named Lizzy Jolly, who lives with her brother, her quirky parents, and—most important—a short-haired dachshund named Kelly. Lizzy starts out very insecure, feeling bullied at school, but after her family moves near Washington D.C. she starts an exciting life learning piano, becoming student council vice-president, and touring the White House. Along the way she hangs out with friends, gets good guidance from teachers, and loves her cute, trouble-making dog to distraction. Jolly Time Books: Kelly’s Adventures Boxed Set is a really fun set of books! It offers a lot of laughs, a pair of amusing parents that just had me chuckling my way through the pages, and a thrilling conclusion of a hiking trip gone wrong that turned this sweet tale into an exciting adventure story at the last minute. Although Lizzy narrates how she feels, with a sincere tone that made her seem exactly like any girl you know, the many pictures of Kelly the dog serenely doing a variety of little activities emphasized that this dog is the central identity of the family. She brings out things about each family member and if they have relationships—good or bad—going on with each other or with anyone else, Kelly is sure to bring that out. There are no secrets in the Jolly family, thanks to Kelly, and the openness and tone of gentle humor in this leisurely paced book is something children can appreciate. Karen S. McGowan and Dennis E. McGowan are good at entertaining kids. |
AuthorThis is the companion for Sarah Scheele's newsletter blog. In it I share reviews for books I'd recommend/are similar to my own. Archives
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