A Net in Time

Curriculum and book reviews, faith, homeschooling and more!

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The Book That Can Read Your Mind

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product The Book That Can Read Your Mind through Raincoast Books. Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so, and it is so much appreciated. 🙂

You know those books that give you a choice in what you do?  If you choose this, then go to page ____, but if you choose that, then go to page _____.  The Book That Can Read Your Mind is one such book. You make a choice and simply follow the instructions.  Before you know it, this book will prove that it can read your mind.  Just a little touch of magic. 

the book that can read your mind

The Basic Details for The Book that can read your mind

Title: The Book that can Read your Mind
Author: Marianna Coppo
Illustrator: Marianna Coppo
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Pages: 48
Intended Audience: 5-8 years
Genre: picturebook, activity book, fantasy & magic, interactive book
Available formats: Kindle, Hardcover
Received: Hardcover
Reviewed for: Raincoast Books

About the author and book

Author and illustrator Marianna Coppo hails from Rome.  She studied in Milan and Bologna and has written several pieces of children’s literature. In-between writing picture books she enjoys eating bruschetta and searching out cheap flights! 

The Book that Can read Your Mind takes the idea of an interactive book where your decisions influence how the story goes, and turns it into a magic trick.  Can you make a choice, and through options presented, discover that this book can indeed read your mind?

Digging in Deeper

You will find clearly written text with a sense of humour.  We are not told the name of the magician, but does one really need to know who is playing the trick on you?  

Can you believe that this speaker, this magician can actually read your mind?   Could it be possible that a book can reveal your very own secret? 

Discover a wide variety of characters.  Make some choices and behold…. watch your secret be revealed!

This is a book that can be tried and tried again.  Can you ever fool the magician? 

My Thoughts

You will find “the book that can read your mind” to be a deceptively simple book with what appears to be pages and pages that look the same.  BUT if you give it a chance, you might find yourself amazed at how you will feel as if your mind has been read.  

And it’s all done in the choices you make!

Can choices really reveal that much about your decision-making? 

I urge you to find a copy and let your children play with the delight of a book knowing what their decisions are.  Delight in the magic.  Smile along and try again, maybe this time…..  🙂  

If you are a person of faith who doesn’t believe in magic, show them the trick of it, and how their decisions matter.  Paying attention to those little decisions makes a difference for you and others. 

If I were a Fish

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product If I Were A Fish through Raincoast Books. Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so, and it is so much appreciated. 🙂

Looking for a fun picture book to enjoy with your littles? This book is the result of some bullying received on a Tiktok video.  Some people are weird (but aren’t we all to some degree or another?) and this is a book that celebrates that it’s okay to be a bit weird. I love that it has no overt agenda, it’s just a happy book the celebrates the uniquenesses of people.   And isn’t that something to be joyful about? 

If I were a fish

Basic Details for “If I Were a Fish”

Title: If I were a fish
Author: Corook and Olivia Barton
Illustrator: Mike Curato
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Pages: 26
Intended Audience: Kindergarten to Elementary
Genre:  friendship, music book, bullies, bullying, picture book
Available formats: Kindle, Audio, Hardcover
Received: Hardcover
Reviewed for: Raincoast Books

About the Author and Book

corook also known as Corinne Savage is a singer, songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist and a huge dork. Corook’s music is filled with vulnerability and sprinkled with humor. Corook currently resides in Tennessee.   Her companion is Olivia with whom a mutual love of music is shared. 

Olivia Barton a singer/songwriter who writes songs stream from who she is. Barton tours regularly and has release multiple albums. She received her bachelor’s degree from Berklee College of Music. She lives is Tennessee with her partner and her dog Cubby. 

If I Were a Fish takes us into the uniquenesses of who we are showing the reader that we all have someone who can celebrate with us. We don’t have to be stuck with the mean comments from bullies.

if I were a fish

Looking Deeper

If the catchy lyrics don’t immediately capture your attention, the bright colours the flow across the page, depicting under water scenes will!   Enjoy the vibrancy and joy is brilliant tones from across the rainbow.   Balloons, fish, socks, rocks, beats of rhythm, and unique fish dot the pages.  White space is used well and some pages of completely full of colour.

The lyrics are easy to read, written in a nice font, with a decent size.  Sitting with a group of children gathered around to listen (and possibly sing) would be easy to do.  And all the talking points within which makes it just lovely! 

I love it when a fun book with a good message doesn’t include overt messages about gender, sexuality, colour, race, or anything divisive.  It’s all about people being who are they, getting to be who they are, without having to deal with bullying.  Regardless of who you are, you are encouraged to live your life with meanness.  Find your people!  Celebrate living with each other and leaving the garbage of the world behind. 

It’s a good thing NO?  Find your own copy of If I Were a Fish and be glad you have your own uniqueness. 

Jawbreaker

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product Jawbreaker through Raincoast Books. Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so, and it is so much appreciated. 🙂

Braces, bullying, and reporting.  This fair sums up the themes of Jawbreaker by Christina Wyman. Max is a typical teenager in so many ways.  She wears braces, and tries to figure out life.  Hanging out with friends and managing school.  It would all be so much easier without the bullies!   How will Max find her way through?  I’d tell you but that would destroy the fun of reading her story! 

Jawbreaker by Christina Wyman

The Basic Details of Jawbreaker

Title: Jawbreaker
Author: Christina Wyman
Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux
Pages: 320
Intended Audience: 8-12 Years
Genre:  bullying, friendship, middle school, siblings, family, braces, dental work, 
Available formats: Kindle, Hardcover, Audio, paperback
Received: ARC Paperback
Reviewed for: Raincoast Books

jawbreaker by christina wyman

About the Author and the Story

Author Christina Wyman takes a moment of her life, her middle school years dealing with dental issues, and turns it into a story of courageous determination to become better. She doesn’t mitigate the pain of dealing with the bullying and family situations, but at the same time shows a light of hope.  This Michigan teacher has shed her tiny bedroom as a child for a home with hubby, rescue cats, and various wandering wildlife.  She wants more rescue cats and chocolate as she continues her dream of being an author. 

Her story Jawbreaker walks us into the first person experience of seventh-grader Max.  Living with her sister and parents on a paycheck to paycheck basis.  She deals with family dysfunction, bullying, teachers who just don’t understand, and a desire to be something more!  She loves reporting the news and writing opinion pieces.  Will her life ruin her love of reporting? 

Digging Deeper into Jawbreaker

One thing you’ll notice in this ARC version I received is the art work is not complete.   You’ll find placeholders for each chapter.  This did not detract from the story for me, but rather helped me to not pay attention to the non-essentials in pursuit of a solidly good read. 

Max is a solidly real person, battling the angst of friendship, school, and family.   It’s not easy to be the one being bullied over something you can’t fix.  Only time is the answer, but that’s hard to see when you are in middle school you know?  Wyman does an excellent job of drawing us into the lives and actions of Max, her family, and her friends. 

This is a very readable, and relatable story.  My sister grew up having to wear braces, and a head piece, and she had to be so careful about what she ate. So Jawbreaker gave me a bit more of a glance into her life.  Being part of a family of six she came into her own amount of teasing, but then, so did I with wearing glasses.  We weren’t downright mean to each other though, so spared that! 

Jawbreaker would make an excellent story for any child (braces or no) experiencing bullying.  Not everything comes out excellent in the end, but it does come out better.  Through Max and her family, perhaps some reader will feel some hope, or at least some kinship, and know in the end, it will come out better. 

How to Catch a Mamasaurus

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product How to Catch A Mamasaurus through Raincoast Books. Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so, and it is so much appreciated. 🙂

I don’t know if you remember the fun of How to Catch a Daddysaurus, but today I have another in the series: How to Catch a Mamasaurus.   Just as the first was a quick spin on the attributes of being a dad, this fun romp delights in the joy of being a mom!  Come along for a rhyming good time about the loveliness that is mom! 

how to catch a mamasaurus

The Basic Details for How to Catch A Mamasaurus

Title: How to Catch a Mamasaurus
Author: Alice Walstead
Illustrator: Andy Elkerton
Series: How to Catch
Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland
Pages: 40
Intended Audience: 4-10 Years
Genre:  children’s books, picturebooks, mother’s day, activity book, children parenting
Available formats: Kindle, Hardcover, Audio
Received: Hardcover
Reviewed for: Raincoast Books

About the Author and The Book

Author and Illustrator

Alice Walstead (author) and Andy Elkerton (illustrator) have put together several how to catch books.  Children’s book author, Alice Walstead, loves to make kids smile with her stories.
Andy Elkerton, who is based out of the UK, is a children’s book illustrator who loves to create creatures that are impossible to catch! 

How to Catch a Mamasaurus

Filled with brightly coloured illustrations and busy active children, all things mom are celebrated.  Who is mom to you?  It’ll be covered in this fast-paced children’s book.  

how to catch a mamasaurus

Looking More Closely

First thing you’ll discover an any “how to catch” books is the mission.  Today’s mission… catch a mamasaurus.  They’ve tried for many creatures but this one… it’s a special one!!!!  

Colourful images filled with action flood the pages.  

Rhyming text to tell the story and make for ease of reading. 

Most pages are full-colour.  I love the emotion throughout.  Smiles, alarm, dissatisfaction, glee, concern, and determination.  Tons of great adjectives are used bringing home the importance of mom and all the different roles she plays.  Words that could generate great conversations with the children you are reading with.  Questions like how is mom a doctor?  Can mom be a referee? Is Mommy really an alarm clock?  How can mama be a teacher? 

The pages are so full of action they provide lots of talking points?  What kind of trap would you lay to catch a mamasaurus?  What type of meal would you make?  Does your mom like PB and J sandwiches, or would she rather have cheese and crackers?  Do you have a pet?  What kind?  So many ways to engage a child in this fun read. 

Find How to Catch A Mamasaurus before mother’s day this year.  Have fun reading with your children, and maybe they might find their OWN ways to trap their mom! (or their mom-like figure)!!  

Farther Than the Moon

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product Farther Than the Moon through Raincoast Books. Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so, and it is so much appreciated. 🙂

Did you know that I used to work with CP kids?  They are SO MUCH FUN.  Granted not all the time, sometimes life with CP kids is hard.  Helping them control their bodies, helping them to show their intelligence to those around them, helping people see more than their physical limitations, and helping them deal with the pain of life.  It’s not always easy for them, OR their families/caretakers.  Farther Than The Moon by Lindsay Lackey gives some insight into that WHILE showcasing the abilities of another family member.  Family and friends learning to work together.  It’s a VERY good read and suggest you run out and get it now!  🙂 

farther than the moon

The Basic Details for Farther Than the Moon

Title: Farther Than the Moon
Author: Lindsay Lackey
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Pages: 336
Intended Audience: 10-14 Years
Genre:  children’s books, epilepsy, Jr Astronauts, children’s sibling books
Available formats: Kindle, Hardcover, Audio, Paperback
Received: Hardcover
Reviewed for: Raincoast Books

About the author and the book

Californian Lindsay Lackey grew up with big curly hair, and is the proud owner of two small dogs.  Growing up in Colorado, where most of her stories are based, she was (and still is) an avid reader.   Never wanting to be a story writer, she always wrote books making construction paper books as a wee child.   Her encouragement to aspiring authors is to keep at it.  Only we can tell our own stories!   A bonus!!   Lindsay has a jr. astronaut program on her website!   

About Farther Than the Moon

Thirteen-year-old Houston Stewart wants to become an astronaut. His dreams feel like they’re finally coming true when he’s accepted to the highly-competitive Junior Astronaut Recruitment Program.  Problem though, he’s made a promise to his younger brother. 

Ever since their dad left, Houston and Robbie have been inseparable. It’s hard to tell where Houston’s love of space ends and where Robbie’s begins. But Robbie’s cerebral palsy and epilepsy mean he needs medical attention at home, so Houston is forced to take this giant leap for the two of them all on his own.

At camp, Houston is quickly drawn into the orbit of new friends, cosmic adventures, and a long-lost grandfather. But can he keep his promise to his brother Robbie?  Will his idea work?  What if Robbie doesn’t like it?  Then what?  Can he make the right plan using his new friends and family? Can he and Robbie still shoot for the stars?

farther than the moon by lindsay lackey

Digging Deeper

I love a book that shows youth learning, growing, and following their passions.  Houston does all these things.  He learns and does so much it’s just a fantastic read.  Ms. Lackey did an excellent job of bringing the insecurities and devotion of a 13 year old to life.  She showed the determination that teens have to following their passions… in this case to be astronauts! 

Houston has SO much work to do that JARP (Jr.Astronaut Program), assignments to complete, a grandfather to get to know, and working in group situations with people who are difficult.  Life became just a wee bit complicated.  Lies, truths, equipment failure, lack of confidence, bullying, and worry over his brother… it was all a bit much.  Will advise from his astronaut grandfather help?   

Part of the learning that Houston had to do was discovering what it means to make promises to his brother.  It’s hard to be a person with limitations, and it’s even harder when promises are made that seem impossible to keep.  Hurt feelings abound on both sides of the equation.  Houston and his teammates struggle to find the solution. 

I love how Ms. Lackey showed all these intense emotions and thought processes.  Each member of the team felt like real people.  The adults adulted well, which I find is an important part of middle school fiction. I love how mom admitted to struggles in the past but through changing her perspective onthose events (now as an adult) decided she could change the present.  

I love how it was not just Houston who needed to learn, grow, and change, but all the members of the his team learned new things.  Such a nice well-rounded book to encourage young teens to follow their passions and be better people in the process.   Farther Than the Moon is well worth reading whether young or old! 

With a Little Luck

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product With A Little Luck through Raincoast Books. Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so, and it is so much appreciated. 🙂

Music, friendship, Dungeons and Dragons, the joys of school, and magic dice.  Smack dab in the middle of it is Jude.  Twin to Pru, friend of Ari, dungeon master, and artiste. A coming-of-age story that is heart-warming, funny, and interesting.  With a Little Luck is a magically musical story filled with a good mix of competence and uncertainty…. teens in a nutshell!  

With a little luck

The Basics for With a Little Luck

Title: With a Little Luck
Author: Marissa Meyer
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends/Square Fish
Pages: 368
Intended Audience: 12-18 Years
Genre:  children’s books, teen contemporary, young adult contemporary, teen literature & fiction
Available formats: Kindle, Hardcover, Audio, Paperback
Received: ARC paperback
Reviewed for: Raincoast Books

About the Author

Marissa Meyer has wanted to be an author since she knew such a job existed.  She’s written under various pen-names, and engaged in various types of writing.  Hitting the New York Times best seller lists she lives with her hubby and adopted daughters near Tacoma, Washington. 

About the book

Jude is determined to fly under the radar. He just wants to draw comics, host D&D night with his friends, work at his parents’ vinyl record store, and escape high school as unscathed as possible. That is, until the night he finds himself inexplicably gifted with a bout of supernatural good luck.  

Suddenly, everything Jude has ever wanted is within reach. …… But how long can Jude’s good fortune last?

with a little luck

Learning More

I have to admit, I laughed a lot reading With a Little Luck.  Jude is such a likable character who just something got in over his head.  His sisters were excellent, his folks were real, and Ari is a sweet girl with a good talent.  The characters fit the story so well and the interplay with them all showed family in action with good friends mixed in. Laughter and fun are a part of this coming-of-age story. 

Jude is an artist!  His illustrations help tell the story!   In the ARC version that I received the illustrations were all done in black and white.  It fits Jude’s style to have them as simple pencil drawings. 

Chapter headings show off the lucky dice.  Lucky number 20 is an important part in playing dungeons and dragons. Knowing Jude is to be part of the stories he creates for his friends. How will Jude handle the luck that has dropped into his life.  Or if the luck leaves, what will that mean for him?   Can Jude truly discover who he loves and what he really wants to do?

READ THE STORY and find out.  Laugh a bit.  You’ll be glad you did.  We all need a bit of young romance in our lives and the love of family to see you through. 

More Than Words

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product More Than Words: So Many Ways to Say What we Mean through Raincoast Books.  Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog.  It costs you nothing to do so, and is a huge encouragement to me.  As such it is deeply appreciated. 

Do you know what augmentative and alternative communication is? Do your children have any ideas about all the different ways that people can communicate?  More Than Words brought me back to my time with with differently abled children.  And honestly, I thought I knew a lot but there are even more ways to communicate than I had thought of!  Come along, learn the different ways people communicate! 

More than words

The Basic Details for More than Words

Title: More Than Words: So many ways to say what we mean
Author: Roz Maclean
Illustrator: Roz Maclean
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. 
Pages: 48
Intended Audience: 4-8 years
Genre: Picture Book, Children’s disabilities, Augmentative Communication, Communication, Children,  
Available formats: Hardcover, Kindle
Reviewed for: Raincoast Books
Received: Hardcover with fly

more than words

A Closer Look

Having worked with people who need to be creative in how they communicate I love how More Than Words expresses more variety than you can imagine.  

Can play be a form of expression?  What about choosing between one thing and another?  How about facial expressions or written language?  Everyone has ways to communicate, and sometimes a preference or need to shown for one method over another!  

I suppose it’s no different than a mom saying to her child, I’m so disappointed… or just showing disappointment in her body language.  Both convey the same thing but are spoken differently.  So does it matter how a person communicates as long as they are trying? 

Good use of colour and facial expression fill the pages.  And I love Maclean adding a personal touch to each communication method.   Perhaps you might know a Jaya, Mateo, or Nathan who has preferred method of communicating different than you too? 

The font changes were fantastic.  The informative text appears as you see below.  A simple, easy-to-read font, but occasionally large colourful words will jump off the page.  Can you play, choose, dig, or cry?  In what manner will you express yourself today?  Who might you run into who talks differently? 

My Thoughts

Did you know that the Roz Maclean so wants people to understand alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) that section is included at the close of the book to teach more.  These forms of AAC might not be well-known to everyone.  Learning how others find ways to talk is ever so helpful don’t you think?   More Than Words is an easy read that I think children would enjoy reading.  Perhaps they can guess how people will communicate!  I love how even though we learned how a whole variety of people communicate, we needed to really think about how Nathan communicates.   So as you read, give it some thought.  What might Nathan be trying to say and how does he do it?