Review: Juno Valentine and the  Magical Shoes by Eva Chen

Goodreads Blurb

Juno Valentine’s favorite shoes don’t light up. They don’t have wheels. They are, to be perfectly honest, the tiniest bit boring. But they’re still her favorite muddy-puddle-jumping, everyday-is-an-adventure shoes. One day, when they go missing, Juno discovers something amazing: a magical room filled with every kind of shoe she could possibly imagine!

Juno embarks on an epic journey through time and space, stepping into the shoes of female icons from Frida Kahlo and Cleopatra to Lady Gaga and Serena Williams. Each pair of shoes Juno tries brings a brand new adventure–and a step towards understanding that her very own shoes might be the best shoes of all.

Parents and children alike will adore Instagram superstar Eva Chen’s precocious debut picture book–a story that’s equal parts fashion fairy-tale and guide to girl power–and fall in love with the brilliantly spirited Juno Valentine.

My Review: Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Another fabulous adventure in the magical close. This time, Juno is looking for her favorite shoes. They were plain and not exaggerated like her friends. She ended up in a closet full of shoes, I wish that happened to me. I’m such a shoe lover for life. As she went through her adventure, she was able to try on fabulous shoes from iconic women in history. Juno had fun playing dress up. After her adventure she found her shoes and saw that they were a little boring. She used a little splash of all the shoes she tried on and made her shoes sparkly. I loved the illustrations and the guide to groundbreaking women shoes. It describes who each woman was that Juno resembled when trying on the shoes. Fun book for all those fashion lovers.

Upcoming Book Event: Henry Winkler, Lin Oliver, and Dan Santat

Description

Henry Winkler & Lin Oliver – TICKET/BOOK Emmy Award–winning actor & famously known as ‘the Fonz” Fonzarelli on TV’s “Happy Days”.Plus Co-writer Lin Oliver and Illustrator Dan Santat will be signing their new book: DUCK DETECTIVE: The Case of the Tadpole – Tues., Oct 15th @ 7pm. Each person needs a book for entry.

Bookends Or At Event Location
211 East Ridgewood Avenue Ridgewood, NJ

Link to order book https://bookends-online2.square.site/product/henry-winkler-lin-oliver-ticket-book-emmy-award-winning-actor-famously-known-as-the-fonz-fonzarelli-on-tv-s-happy-days-plus-co-writer-lin-oliver-tues-oct-15th-6pm-each-person-needs-a-book-for-entry-/688?cs=true&cst=custom

Review: Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell

Goodreads Blurb

Deja and Josiah are seasonal best friends.

Every autumn, all through high school, they’ve worked together at the best pumpkin patch in the whole wide world. (Not many people know that the best pumpkin patch in the whole wide world is in Omaha, Nebraska, but it definitely is.) They say good-bye every Halloween, and they’re reunited every September 1.

But this Halloween is different—Josiah and Deja are finally seniors, and this is their last season at the pumpkin patch. Their last shift together. Their last good-bye.

Josiah’s ready to spend the whole night feeling melancholy about it. Deja isn’t ready to let him. She’s got a plan: What if—instead of moping and the usual slinging lima beans down at the Succotash Hut—they went out with a bang? They could see all the sights! Taste all the snacks! And Josiah could finally talk to that cute girl he’s been mooning over for three years . . .

What if their last shift was an adventure?

My Review: Rated 4 Out of 5 Stars

If you need some cheering up with some added pumpkin spice, then look no further. This YA graphic novel brings you to the most amazing pumpkin patch you could ever imagine. The adventure Deja and Josie has will leave you craving all those delicious treats only available in the autumn season. Deja and Josie are such fabulous friends. They are both so upset that this will be their last year working at the patch since they’re going to college. Josie has had a crush on the fudge girl Marcy for three years. Deja decides they need to check out all the stops at the patch, have fun, eat delicious treats, and have Josie talk to Marcy for once. His love at first sight truly ends with unexpected reality. Love most times is right under your nose. You just need to see the signs and connect the dots. The illustrations really brought this beautiful pumpkin patch come to life.

Author Biography

Rainbow Rowell writes all kinds of stuff.

Sometimes she writes about adults (ATTACHMENTS, LANDLINE, SLOW DANCE).

Sometimes she writes about teenagers (ELEANOR & PARK, FANGIRL) .

Sometimes — actually, a lot of the time — she writes about lovesick vampires and guys with dragon wings. (THE SIMON SNOW TRILOGY).

Recently, she’s been writing comics, including her first graphic novel, PUMPKINHEADS, and the monthly SHE-HULK comic for Marvel.

She lives in Omaha, Nebraska.

More at rainbowrowell.com.

Upcoming Book Event: Christina Ricci’s

Christina Ricci

Tarot Deck & Guidebook Signing

One of Hollywood Most respected actors and stars in numerous recent hits, including Wednesday and Yellowjackets.

Thurs., Nov. 7th @ 6pm.

Tarot Deck & Guidebook:
From the mind of Christina Ricci comes Cat Full of Spiders Tarot Deck and Guidebook, a surrealist dive into the cinematic subconscious of the iconic actress. Featuring a personal foreword by Ricci and deluxe custom artwork, fans will experience a retrospective of her personal and professional journey told through tarot.

Link to order your copy to attend the event https://bookends-online2.square.site/product/christina-ricci-ticket-tarot-deck-guidebook-one-of-hollywood-most-respected-actors-and-stars-in-numerous-recent-hits-including-wednesday-and-yellowjackets-thurs-nov-7th-6pm-each-person-needs-a-book-for-entry-/808?cs=true&cst=custom

Event Location

Bookends
211 East Ridgewood Avenue Ridgewood, NJ

Free Copy of the Book: In The Stillness by CC Gilmartin

In The Stillness by CC Gilmartin 

Campaign Date: 10th Oct

Genre: Crime Thriller Mystery

Blurb:
Winter 1984. When Colin Buxton hitchhikes from Glasgow to London with his troubled best friend, little does he know their lives will change forever before they reach their destination. Along the busy motorways of the North, Colin is led into a world of casual pick-ups and easy money. Though intrigued, he looks the other way—until a line is crossed…

In the Stillness is a prequel to PC Colin Buxton’s story, available exclusively for free to CC Gilmartin Readers Club members. Signing up will also get you updates on new releases!

Newsletter Link
Join the CC Gilmartin Readers Club for your free copy!

Review: Nessie by Ilse De Keyzer

My Review: Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Wouldn’t you love to see the mythical creature called the Lock Ness monster? Rhona will be in for a treat. Her uncle Allister is desperate to see up close what others have seen in the lake in Scotland, an immense sea creature with a long neck and two humps. Allister believes the Lock Ness monster would enjoy pancakes since it’s everyone’s favorite. Sometimes, surprises show up quietly and unexpectedly. Pancakes were not the reason the creature made an appearance. Maybe he picks who he wants to see. The illustrations made this story enjoyable. The colors bring calmness to the story, where the one character is wild with his pancakes. Children will enjoy this adorable story and illustrations.

Out Now: The Night Sky Lined with Silver by Yvonne David

The Night Sky Lined with Silver by Yvonne David

Out Now: 7th Oct 

Genre: Children’s Fiction

Blurb
In the blustery winter of 1938, the Bieman Buddies’ sled- ding adventure abruptly ends, due to a horrible storm. They huddle in the train station with Major Morris, the local war- time hero, and his golden retriever, Honey. Uncle Morrie captivates the children with one more engaging life story before they rush home to escape the winter wipeout.

Eliot’s father, Adam Bieman, has become the town doctor, but Eliot is a boy who hates to take chances. When Honey drops his master’s hat by their back door and bolts off bark- ing, Eliot and his younger sister, Abbie, realize Uncle Morrie is missing. Yet the rescue team cannot look for him in the treacherous snowy conditions.

The Bieman Buddies pray for their own Hanukkah miracle. At first light, the villagers join in the intense search, includ- ing Eliot’s uncle, whose family recently arrived from Ger- many after Kristallnacht, the “Night of Broken Glass.” Eliot leads the rescue effort and discovers that his sister becomes his best ally. What Doc Bieman reveals will shock everyone to the core.

This charming American tale references the winter hotel business in the Catskill Mountains and captures the essence of Hanukkah, a story of miracles and survival. Through the beautiful descriptions and extraordinary illustrations, Eliot and Abbie will tug at your heartstrings.



Buy links



https://www.amazon.co.uk/Night-Sky-Lined-Silver-ebook/dp/B0CKK7B7HW



https://www.amazon.com/Night-Sky-Lined-Silver-ebook/dp/B0CKK7B7HW

Currently Reading: The Women in the Walls by Amy Lukavics

Goodreads Blurb

Lucy Acosta’s mother died when she was three. Growing up in a Victorian mansion in the middle of the woods with her cold, distant father, she explored the dark hallways of the estate with her cousin, Margaret. They’re inseparable—a family. 

When her aunt Penelope, the only mother she’s ever known, tragically disappears while walking in the woods surrounding their estate, Lucy finds herself devastated and alone. Margaret has been spending a lot of time in the attic. She claims she can hear her dead mother’s voice whispering from the walls. Emotionally shut out by her father, Lucy watches helplessly as her cousin’s sanity slowly unravels. But when she begins hearing voices herself, Lucy finds herself confronting an ancient and deadly legacy that has marked the women in her family for generations.

Author Biography

Ever since she was little, Amy was especially intrigued by horror books and movies. Raised in a small mountain town in Arizona, she sustained herself on a steady diet of Goosebumps, Fear Street, and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark books before discovering Stephen King in her mother’s bookshelf.

Amy lives with her husband, their two precious squidlings, and an old gentleman cat by the name of Frodo. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys cooking, crafting, and playing games across many platforms.

Review: Find the Kind: The Biggest Day in Kindness History by Samantha Berger

Goodreads Blurb

The Gnumans are moving! And they are in for quite an adventure. Packed with hilarious details, larger-than-life characters, and endless amounts of kindness, this zany story reimagines classic search-and-find books with a whole new world of fun.

The Gnumans—a family of gnus—aren’t sure how they will feel about their new home. After a rocky move to Kindness County, they discover that their new neighbors have BIG plans for them. Young ones will laugh out loud as the family and the narrator try to keep up with an itinerary that only keeps getting bigger and more exciting!

Throughout, readers will look for Otto the sharing otter, Hildey the helpful hippo, Plácido the polite-y-osaurus, the Grati-Dude—and many more kind critters—on every page. Searching for and finding each of these characters’ acts of kindness makes this book a unique search-and-find story adventure. And with so much to look for, readers will discover new details every time they return to this book.

My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars

This book will bring happiness to all who read it. Being kind goes a long way, especially when a new family moves to a new town named Kindness. I had never seen a town so friendly and helpful. This book has a kind vibe, and the beautiful animals and colors will bring a smile to anyone. Children will enjoy not only a lovely story but also the illustrations and colors, which are perfect. There are so many details to look at and enjoy the story. The story also includes things to find throughout the illustrations—a second chance to go back to reading and searching for characters and items. I’m off to locate the town of Kindness and all the friendly neighbors who will become new friends.