Heal the Earth

Heal the Earth
Author: Julian Lennon
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Reviewer: Denise Z.

Summary: Encourages the reader to join in an imaginary journey aboard a magical plane, the White Feather Flier, to help sick and hungry children, restore coral reefs and rain forests, and more. Includes a note from the author about The White Feather Foundation. 

Review: I was looking for more interacting picture books and came across this one with a very important message. I really liked how the author made sure that kids can make a difference in this world and how this works so well with them being able to press buttons in the book, and tilt the book sideways. Just like a child needs to be active when reading the book, so do they when they want to help the world. The illustrations are fresh and the explanations about difficult environmental topics are explained in a simple way for children to understand. I especially enjoyed the added poem at the end. I would have loved to have seen even more interaction opportunities in this book. 

Coco Chanel

Coco Chanel
Author: Isabel Sanchez Vegara
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Reviewer: Gloria

Summary: The book was about the story of how Gabrielle Chanel became Coco Chanel. It was about her journey in life and what she went through. She was an orphan and was sent to a strict school, and that is where she learned to sew. As a young adult she was a seamstress during the day, and a night she would like to entertain people so she would sing. She was always different and at first everyone judged her for it. But Coco remained herself no matter what others thought. Until finally she wasn’t seen as different and everyone wanted what she was making, because it was different and comfortable.  

Review: I really enjoyed reading this book, the story was creative and very amusing. I liked how it teaches you that it is okay to be different. To believe in yourself. And that is how to ultimately be happy.  

The Apprentice Witch

The Apprentice Witch
Author: James Nicol
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Reviewer: Christi

Summary: Sent away in disgrace after failing her witch's assessment, Arianwyn learns that the remote community where she works as a magic apprentice is under the shadow of a dark hex infestation. 

Review:  A great read for this upcoming fall season. A story of a witch who is the only one in her school to fail her witch’s test much to the amusement of her nemesis Gimma. Thankfully her grandmother is on the council of elders and is able to get her an ‘apprentice’ badge to wear to her appointment in the town of Lull. A small sleepy town that has recently been battling a variety of magical things. There she meets Salle who quickly becomes a friend and the bumbling mayor. As she tackles some of the problems in town using the book she received at her grandmother’s bookstore she starts to learn her craft. When the mayors niece, Gimma, her protagonist comes to town and starts to cause trouble she has to find a way to fix it. In the end she earn the respect of her grandmother and the town and she finally gets the badge she should have got all along. The only reason I gave the book 4 stars was it was in my opinion slightly dry. It lacked warmth but overall a great story. Slightly reminiscent of JK Rowlings. 

Book 2 “A Witch Alone” comes out September 25, 2018.