Extreme Animals by Nicola Davies

by CarolNo Comments
Extreme Animals: The Toughest Creatures on Earth by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Neal Layton Are you ready for the competition? From the persevering emperor penguins of the South Pole to the brave bacteria inside bubbling volcanoes, from the hardy reptiles of the driest deserts to the squash-proof creatures of the deepest seabeds, animals have adapted to survive in conditions that would kill a human faster than you can say "coffin." Discover how they do it in this amazing natural history book from a celebrated team — and find out who wins the title of the toughtest animal of them all! My thoughts: Amber and I have been reading a lot of shorter books in the evening lately, ones from her shelves, like this one, which is why I've had several kids books reviews lately. Don't worry, I do still read "adult" ones. I've got at least one review scheduled for part of a blog tour next week and will hopefully finish a couple other...
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Wally the Walking Fish by Gary Lamit

by Carol3 Comments
Wally the Walking Fish Meets Madison and Cooper by Gary Lamit From the back: Get ready for fun and laughter as three very unusual friends seek adventure, in education Gary Lamit's Wally the Walking Fish Meets Madison and Cooper. Madison is a pig-tailed little girl and one day, she  and her huge, hungry , yellow lab named Cooper discover a marvel at the local pond: a walking fish! They've never heard of a walking fish, but even more wonderful, this critter is also a talking fish whose name is Wally! As the group explores their pond, dunes, and forest they all begin to understand the world around them a little better.  My thoughts: This is a cute little story about three friends learning about the natural world around them. The fantasy aspect of talking animals is great for kids. Amber and I loved the dog, who was always hungry and grumbling about it. The pastel illustrations are beautifully done and go with the text perfectly. I also like the...
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Wondrous Words Wednesday

by Carol7 Comments
Thanks to Bermudaonion's Weblog for hosting this weekly event. Head over there to play along.   My first word is from Extreme Animals: The Toughest Creatures on Earth by Nicola Davies. qiviut- the soft, dense, light-brown woolly undercoat of the musk ox, used in making fabrics. "Arctic musk oxen have the warmest wooly coats. Their wool grows right down to their ankles and is eight times warmer than sheep's wool. (It even has a special name: qiviut, pronounced KEE-vee-ut.)"   My other word is from Dark Hunger by Rita Herron. turgid- swollen; distended; tumid. swollen or distended, as from a fluid; bloated. "To feel the turgid peaks of her nipples against the pads of his thumbs." I understand what she was saying but personally think it was not the best choice of wording. What do you think?   What new words did you run across this week?...
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Book Blogger Appreciation Week, September 14-18

by CarolNo Comments
  Last year over 400 blogs came together to celebrate the art of book blogging during the first ever Book Blogger Appreciation Week! My blog didn't exist yet, so I didn't get to participate, but the second annual Book Blogger Appreciation Week will be taking place September 14-18. Count me in this time. Here are the details from the BBAW site. WHO Anyone who blogs about books is invited to participate.  In fact, we want everyone who blogs about books and reading to be a part of this week! WHAT A week where we come together,  celebrate the contribution and hard work of book bloggers in promoting a culture of literacy, connecting readers to books and authors, and recogonizing the best among us with the Second Annual BBAW Awards.  There will be special guest posts, daily blogging themes, and giveaways. WHEN September 14-18, 2009 WHERE Here at the new Book Blogger Appreciation Week Blog!  (Please note that this year there are three separate blogs and feeds—one for...
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Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller

by Carol3 Comments
Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality by Donald Miller "I never liked jazz music because jazz music doesn't resolve. . . . I used to not like God because God didn't resolve. But that was before any of this happened." In Donald Miller's early years, he was vaguely familiar with a distant God. But when he came to know Jesus Christ, he pursued the Christian life with great zeal. Within a few years he had a successful ministry that ultimately left him feeling empty, burned out, and, once again, far away from God. In this intimate, soul-searching account, Miller describes his remarkable journey back to a culturally relevant, infinitely loving God. My thoughts: This is like a meadering memoir of Miller's spiritual journey. He makes some good, although by no means unique points. We need to be able to accept God's love for us and we, in turn, need to love everyone, Republican or Democrat,  poor or rich, straight or gay. Miller...
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