A Net in Time

Curriculum and book reviews, faith, homeschooling and more!

Reviews

What Ollie Saw

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What Ollie Saw struck me as such a quirky book.  Joukje Akveld brings us a young character (in the form of a pig) who has such an amazing perspective on the world around him.  A perspective that… I can totally understand his teacher not appreciating…but as an homeschooler looking in… definitely can!  🙂  

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What Ollie Saw

What Ollie Saw, the basic details

Published by Levine Querido, What Ollie Saw is a 59 page hardcover book suitable for children 5-9 years old.   Ollie is a youngster who sees the world in a creative light, not always in logical others around him do.   He’s part of a standard family unit with mom, dad and older sister.  Ollie’s teacher is frustrated as he answers the question according to how he sees the world rather than giving a simple direct answer.   Author Joukje Akveld tells the story as if he were narrating Ollie’s thought patterns.  Illustrator Sieb Posthuma does an excellent job of showing us Ollie’s perspective on the world around him.    I am reviewing on behalf of Raincoast Books. 

I need to tell you this… Ollie’s sister is a pessimist.   And she comes across as an entitled pain in the rear. She does!  She’s not a nice character.  But as the narrator tells us…. this book is NOT about his sister.  It’s about Ollie!  Her attitude is a counter-note to Ollie’s. 

This of course makes Ollie’s unique perspective stand out, shining like the sun.  He’s a fun character with so much possibility. 

Despite the nay-sayers in Ollie’s life, he continues to see the world from a fresh perspective.  Seeing the possibilities rather than the logic of the here and now.   Sieb Posthuma shows Ollie’s imagination with simple line drawings filled with colour. 

Should you get it?

You know how some children are differently-abled and some children stand up well under their uniqueness?  Ollie is one of those children.  I can see reading this book with your differently-abled children might give them a boost of confidence. 

One also gains an appreciation for the positives of a unique personality, to see the wonder and hope that such a perspective holds.  And, as an adult, it helps me to reconsider what might approach with such children might be.

I can TOTALLY understand the teacher’s frustration.  Ollie is so locked into how he sees the world that he fails to actually answer the question the way the teacher would like him too. 

It’s one of those things I would have liked to see added to this book, the teacher starteing to understand Ollie’s perspective, or even Ollie starting to understand how to answer his teacher in a way that worked for her.  But in not answering that question leaves it as a talking point between parent and child, or teachers and students.  How can we help the teacher (and Ollie’s parents) se parktake in the wonder of Ollie’s imagination?  How can we help Ollie learn to answer the question in a more logical manner? 

Definitely a book I would buy if I were a teacher, and one that I would happily borrow from the library as a homeschool parent.  What Ollie Saw … a young lad’s confident acceptance of who he is…. and it is good. 

Ways to Grow Love

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product (Ways to Grow Love) through Raincoast Books.

Renee Watson has written a story about girls learning how to show love to each other in Ways to Grow Love. Ryan Heart is a young lady in a faith-based home struggling to make good decisions as she is maturing.  I found this a sweet story that rang true.   Come….. let’s learn more shall we? 

Affiliate Links will be used in this review, no cost to you, helps me to maintain this blog and review good books.  🙂 

ways to grow love

The Details for Ways to Grow Love

Ryan Hart is back again in Ways To Grow Love.  Renee Watson is a Newbery Hoor and Coretta Scott King Award winning author.   Her first Ryan Hart book was Ways to Grow Sunshine.   Bloomsbury Press is the publisher of this 192 page easy to read book for elementary children.  Short chapters interspersed with illustrations by Nina Mata. 

Children 7-10 years will find this an easy read with situations they can easily relate to.  I am reviewing an advanced readers copy for Raincoast books. 

Ryan is a middle school girl who is having friendship problems and is adjusting to a new family member on the way.  In this sweet story we get to walk with Ryan through church camp, skits, scarey moments, bad decisions, and learning new skills.  Can she navigate it all with the help of her family? 

Even though this book is part of a series it stands quite nicely on it’s own.  The sentences suit elementary students perfectly and the tone was warm and friendly, just like a kid telling a story to his folks.  

The characters are fairly well developed, Ryan sounds like a nice child and her friends have their own personalities.  It was good to watch the development of the girls as the story progressed. 

Should you get Ways to Grow Love?

I tend to think that girls will like this book more than most boys due to the subject matter.   It was well-written and I enjoyed the read. If I had a girl-child in this age range I wouldn’t hesitate to pick Ways to Grow Love for her.  It would be a good book to gift for a birthday party, or to add to a church library.   Even though the story is faith-based, I didn’t noticed any obvious signs of faith in their day to day life.  No prayers before meals, no calling upon God to help in challenging situations, yet…. the girls put on a skit based on the bible and learned from the bible story and let it affect their lives.  Wise choices made.   Get it for your elementary girls! 🙂   

The Secret Life of Viruses

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Disclosure: I received an advanced readers copy (The Secret Life of Viruses) through Raincoast Books.

Helping children understand how viruses work is the first step to enabling them to protect themselves in a virus-ridden world.   The Secret Life of Viruses is a picture book geared to helping our younger children understand how viruses work.  This helps them know how to protect themselves and reduces the fear that some children have.  

Affiliate links will be used in my review, no cost to you, and helps to support my blog. 

The secret life of viruses

The Details

Sourcebooks explore, part of sourcebookkids brings us The Secret Life of Viruses by Mariona Tolosa Sistere.   This science-based picturebook is part of the Ellas Educan Collective.   A hardcover version will be available in August 2021.   The Secret Life series also contains the Secret Life of Boogers and the Secret Life of Boo-boos. 

The Ellas Educan Collective is a group of six female scientists.  They wish to promote women in leadership positions.  Their goal is to create a sustainable world, as they empower women and engage people in science.  

The Secret Life of Viruses is written for children 4-8 years and covers 32 pages. Colourful illustrations fill the pages connecting well to the text that is in simple, but informative language.   I received an ARC version from Raincoast. 

I just love picture books that are a combination of good information and good illustrations.  Mariona Tolosa Sistere has given me just that.   Not only does she make the science of understanding how viruses work easy for children, but she writes in an engaging tone. 

In The Secret life of Viruses readers will learn what a virus is, what types of viruses there are, how they reproduce, what they do inside your body, and how they spread.   They will learn what a pandemic is and how to stay healthy.  You’ll even get a history of viruses in history.     The bright colourful images draw in the eye and the shapes would intrigue children. It’s actually kind of fascinating to see all the different shapes that viruses are don’t you think? 

Two pages are devoted to quizz questions with the answers given later. 

Should you get The Secret Life of Viruses

Whether you are young or old, The Secret Life of Viruses is an excellent primer into understanding the world of viruses.   It would work well just for helping elementary students understand viruses and be a good introduction to older students.  I love using picture books with older students as it can spur on questions they have and possible research opportunities. 

It’s not perfect, in places it feels a little “teachery”. But the information presented is solid, and sometimes you need the teacher-aspect to make the point more clear.  🙂   I liked that accurate terminology was used when delineating categories, and simple language was used where it could be easily done.  

Popcorn Bob

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product (Popcorn Bob) through Raincoast Books.

Looking for a fun silly book for your upper elementary kids?   Popcorn Bob will suit the bill.  Quirky characters, fun illustrations make this a good book to borrow from the library.  

Affiliate Links will be used in this review.  No cost to you, and it helps to support this blog. 

Popcorn Bob

The Basic Details

Popcorn Bob is a hardcover book geared for upper elementary students.  Illustrated by Martijn Van De Linden and written by Maranke Rinck, you’ll main characters Ellis and Popcorn Bob to be unique characters. Ellis is a typical upper elementary child winding her way through the difficulties of school and family.  Popcorn Bob is well…. a saucy, cantankerous curiousity.  

At 152 pages this easy reading chapter book is filled with illustrations dotting every page.  Levine Querido is the publisher of this artfully done friendship book.   I am reviewing a hardcover copy for Raincoast Books. 

Ellis LOVES popcorn.. but then her school… and her parents… ban unhealthy snacks.  What can a popcorn loving girl do?   Is there any kind of solution?   And how does a constantly hungry, rather annoying, bit of talking popcorn have to do with it all?   Well.. as I don’t give out spoilers… you’ll have to read to find out!  🙂 

Martijn Van De Linden does an excellent job of bringing Popcorn Bob to life.  Interspersing the illustrations into the text help make this an easy read for children 8-12 years old.   They are simple, yet detailed pencil drawings.  They make a fun read even more enjoyable. 

Should you get Popcorn Bob?

Honestly, Popcorn Bob is a fun, somewhat silly story.  Is it a show-stopper?  No, but it’s not meant to be.  It’s a story simply meant for children to enjoy.  Bob is a saucy character who gets Ellis into too much trouble but not out of ill-intent. He’s just too hungry all the time to be thoughtful. 

For those who need to know, Ellis has two daddies.   They are very present and attentive parents. 

To borrow from the library, I honestly would be happy enough to do!  I can see children laughing as they read through Popcorn Bob’s antics and Ellis’s responses to him.   

The Sea-ringed world

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product (The Sea-Ringed World) through Raincoast Books.

Have you ever taken the time to ponder the stories of those who were here before our ancestors came here? In The Sea-Ringed World we get to read 56 stories of the original inhabitants of the Americas.  Stories from the Hopi, Maya, Andean. Sioux and many others.  As we read their stories, native inspired art dot the pages. 

The Sea-Ringed World

The Basic Details

232 pages filled with the original history of the Americas. Stories that Maria Garcia Esperon helps to bring to life and awareness.  The artwork is done by Amanda Mijangos while David Bowles translates into English.  These stories focus on the Native America peoples of the Lower United States, Mexico, and Central and South Americas.   I am reviewing this book of the sacred stories of the Americas for Raincoast books.  These stories are geared to youth 8 – 14 years.

You’ll find 56 stories contained with in the pages of this hardcover book from Levine Querido publishing.  Each story is four pages long.   The stories come to us by way of the Hope, Mexica, Muisca, Andean, Guarani, Taino, Maya, Nahua, Mapuche, Blackfoot, and Ona peoples among others. 

Artwork is scattered throughout it’s pages, all are in the blue/black/white motif. Some feature plants (I think), others animals, and the rest a variety of scenes.  The artwork (to me) didn’t seem to be connected to the stories. 

Each story in The Sea-ringed World is predicated by poetry?  Moral?  Not sure what to call it.  These words do call you to pay attention to the main character or thought of the story that follows. 

Should you get it?

I know this isn’t the intent of the author, but one of the things I find interesting when I read the ancient stories of another people is how a kernel of God’s truth can be found within.  So when I read of a people became so evil that their god reigned down destruction upon them… I think of the God of the bible and the ark.    When I read of how all was good in the world… and then a trickster came along who wrecked havoc, and I think of God, the garden of Eden and how Satan tricked the woman. Even when the language isn’t the same kernels of truth can be seen, and it always surprises me. 

But that aside, it is interesting and helpful to get to know the stories of the people around you.  Knowing a person’s stories, and knowing a person’s past, helps you to gain insight in their now.  And that’s how you help to build a community.  The stories were varied and came from different sources which helped give glimpses into different original American cultures. 

These stories would be fun to use in a wide-variety of situations.  Discernment and truth-seeking classes with middle through highschool students.  Bedtime stories with elementary students.  Supplement to learning about Native Americans.   An addition to geography and history classes.  Learning about peoples of the world.  And I’m sure there are more situations that I haven’t even thought of.  🙂 

These Unlucky Stars

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raincoast FTC

Isn’t it nice when you finish a book and you think to yourself… I’m glad I read that!   These Unlucky Stars left me feeling like that.  So glad that I took the time to read it through.  I’d love to tell you all about Gillian McDunn’s touching middle school novel.   Affiliate links will be used in this review. 

These unlucky Stars

Annie is such an unlucky girl, who has learned to keep people away, and yet… people keep intruding.   Can she learn to trust anyone?  To let a door into her life crack open… just a bit?  Enter into.. sticky situation.  What will Annie do?  And thus the story unfolds as Annie works to solve her problem and learns a few things along the way. 

I loved seeing her heart…. Through all 288 pages, Gillian McDunn unwraps Annie’s character showing us her angst as she tries to do what is right, even when she knows she should have done better. Well-developed additional characters help to round out the story, each with their own struggles.   The whole community gathers around building a parade showcasing the rosy maple moth. 

Published by Bloomsbury books, I am reviewing on behalf of Raincoast books.  I received an advanced readers copy.  Geared for middle school, it is being released as a hardcover. 

What I liked

BUT Annie makes an error in judgment… and solves the problem.  Therein we find Gloria and her weird dog.  And yes… the dog is a tad bit weird. But Gloria is interesting, and watching the relationship between Gloria and Annie (as an adult reader) develop is just fun.  Thinking as a middle school reader, I think kids would see themselves in the awkwardness between the two.  This is a fun book to read, there were times when I laughed aloud.  Thoroughly enjoyable. 

I’m actually finding it hard to write this review because I enjoyed it and think most middle schoolers would as well.  It would be easy for them to see themselves in the story.  It’s hard to not tell you the whole story.

The characters were interesting, the back-stories made them so real. The way the community worked together and recognized the gifts of each other was heart-warming.  The struggles that Annie had are real ones, that could totally happen to any child.   

There was artwork scattered throughout.  All was just roughed in since I received an ARC.  Annie is a young artist, and it is her artwork featured. 

Should you get These Unlucky Stars?

Yes!  If you have middle schoolers who like to read real people stories where individuals their age solve problems in a realistic way.  Annie in These Unlucky Stars,  didn’t solve her problems in isolation, she had a community around her.  She needed to learn who to depend on and what errors in judgment she had made. Others around her also needed to learn this as well.  It was all-around well done and worthy of reading.   I would have liked to see more of the illustrations done so I could better tell you about them. I didn’t see anything objectionable within the covers. 

When Twilight Breaks

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product (When Twilight Breaks) through Nuts About Books. 

I have developed a love of reading about WW2 from a variety of perspectives.  The perspectives of Americans living in Germany just as WW2 was breaking out was the focus of this tome by Sarah Sundin.  When Twilight Breaks is a light read, but introduces the reader to key facts about WW2 history. 

Affiliate Links will be used in this review, this doesn’t affect your bottom dollar and helps support my reviews!

When Twilight Breaks

About When Twilight Breaks

Sarah Sundin tells the story of American correspondent Evelyn Brand and graduate student Peter Lang in When Twilight Breaks.  Over 384 pages, Ms. Sundin brings us back to Munich, in 1938.  Germany is joining with Austria, running the communists out, and has just started persecuting the Jews.   Feeling about Germany were very mixed, and we are transported into those seething emotions of the time.    In When Twilight Breaks you not only read the history of these early war years, but also get to watch a romance unfold. 

Sarah Sundin has written several books about WW2.  This is the first of her books that I have read.  This particular book has been published by Revell which is a division of Baker Publishing Group.  A historical romance, this book is geared toward adult readers, though I could see teens enjoying it as well.  

This is by no means a difficult book to read.  The style is interesting and the characters are real.  I appreciated how determined Evelyn was to get to the story behind what she heard.  Such a determined lady, yet, with a heart to consider the people behind the stories she was after.  Even though there is romance there is nothing to be alarmed about, it’s actually mostly just sweet.  

I love when historical romance fiction does not make the romance central to the whole story.  Evelyn and Peter have their ups and downs, but it’s the story behind it all that is most important. It makes for a much better read when the story is most important. 

Should you get it?

When Twilight Breaks is written from a lite Christian perspective.  Even though faith wasn’t a huge part of this read, their growth in their Christian beliefs was evident. Peter learned to forgive, Evelyn learned that dependence on God was a good thing.  Faith inspired good action.   

Part of me was a bit hung up on Peter’s adoration of Evelyn from the get go.  It’s like… he loved her before he even knew her and I don’t like that message being portrayed.  

I did like the story itself, the learning more of the thoughts and feelings in this pre-war time, of the danger people people were in for simply expressing an opinion.  Sometimes, we don’t really understand when we think of WW2. I know I tend to think.. Germany bad, killed Jews, and that’s the end of it.  But really there’s so much more to it. And the perspective of When Twilight Breaks gave me a deeper understanding.  For that it’s well worth reading.