Women in Sports: 50 Fearless Athletes Who Played to Win by Rachel Ignotofsky

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Publication date: 2017
Publisher: Ten Speed Press
Pages: 119
My rating: 5 Stars
Ages: 8+

Do you know who the first woman figure skater was? Or that a woman dressed as a man for 20 years in order to play polo? This book explores the life and achievements of women in sports from the 19th century to the present.

Just like in Ignotofsky's previous book, this book was just as wonderful and charming! It's colorful and bright, with fun illustrations and interesting facts. Each athlete gets a two page spread, with a one page bio.

While there are obviously a lot more women who could have been featured in this book, Ignotofsky chose women who were trail blazers, record breakers, or especially respected in their sport. There are mountaineers, coaches, weightlifters, jockeys, and so many other kinds of sports.

This is a must for anyone and is particularly good for children to learn more about athletes and sports history.

*I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.
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The Fir Tree by Hans Christian Anderson; illustrated by Sanna Annukka

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Publication date: 2012
Publisher: Ten Speed Press
Pages: 45
My rating: 4 stars
Ages: 8+

The young fir tree in the forest wants nothing more than to grow up. As it grows, it sees men come and get the tall majestic trees, and the small beautiful trees, and it wonders where they go and dreams of traveling.

I've read quite a bit by Hans Christian Anderson, but never this story. Like most of his fairytales, The Fir Tree is a moral story. The tree doesn't enjoy its youth or the small moments in life. The ending is actually rather sad.

Annuka's illustrations in this edition are gorgeous. The modern geometric pictures perfectly complement Anderson's 19th century story in a way that wouldn't seem possible at first.

This is a quick, bittersweet little story that should be added to everyone's Christmas reading list. As the rays of sunlight tell the tree, "Enjoy your youth!"

There is no language or sex.

*I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World by Rachel Ignotofsky

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Publication date: 2016
Publisher: Ten Speed Press
Pages: 121
My rating: 4 stars
Ages: 8+

Women have been contributing to science since the beginning of time, though it has always been difficult. From Hypatia in Ancient Egypt to astronaut Mae Jemison, this book celebrates and introduces these women to a new generation of scientists.

This book is wonderful! Each scientist gets her own two page spread, with a wonderful illustration of her and her work, along with a quote, interesting trivia, and a page of information about her life and work. The illustrations are colorful and fun and the information just simple enough to be understood but not to seem condescending.

There were a lot of women in this book who grabbed my interest. Some I had heard of before, some I didn't know anything about. I felt empowered by them. The women are from all time periods (that we have history of), different countries, different races, and different disciplines. I loved learning that every single one of these women had someone who believed in them and supported them--whether that was their parents or spouses or mentors. It's really important to know that you aren't doing it all alone.

This is a great book for everyone to read, whether you're a kid or an adult, male or female.

*I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.
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The Illustrated Compendium of Amazing Animal Facts by Maja Safstrom

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Publication date: 2016
Publisher: Ten Speed Press
Pages: 117
My rating: 4 stars
Ages: 4+

If you've ever wondered what a group of ravens is called, or if Kiwi birds have wings, this is the book for you. Full of strange, interesting, and yes, AMAZING animal facts that will keep the whole family entertained.

The first thing I said when I unpacked this book was "Oh, it's so cute!" And it is! The illustrations are fun and beautiful, taking up most of each page, with the facts here and there around them.

I think that a lot of kids would find this book fun and even funny, if they think that bodily functions are funny--which I think most kids do. It's a quick read, since the facts are short and concise.

Other than the aforementioned bodily functions (and we are talking about animals here), there is nothing that parents should worry about. Just sit down with your kids and learn some cool stuff about animals.

*I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

The Time Chamber by Daria Song

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Publication date: 2015
Publisher: Watson-Guptill Publications
My rating: 4 stars
Pages: 80
Ages: all ages

The red haired fairy wonders what the world is like outside of her Time Garden. Once the girl falls sleep, the fairy creeps out and discovers many wonderful things.

I wasn't sure how much a "story" this book would have, since it's also a coloring book. And while there aren't very many words, the story is lyrical. Song's drawings just add to the magical feeling of the story about the red haired fairy.

Mostly, I was eager to start coloring and make the book and story my own in a way. So I pulled out my colored pencils and colored while catching up on my TV shows. One thing I learned what that I need to sharpen nearly all my pencils. Another was that once I made a color decision, I was going to have to stick to that throughout the entire book, if I wanted to appease any sort of perfectionism. Also, my fingers got a little tired from coloring.

The drawings are intricate and detailed, not at all like your child's coloring book, meaning that it could provide you with hours of relaxation and entertainment as you decide on color schemes and watch the drawings come to life.

*I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Plumdog by Emma Chichester Clark

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Publication date: 2014
Publisher: Potter Style
Pages: 160
My rating: 4.5 stars
Ages: 8+

Plum lives in London with Emma. She keeps this diary to share the fun, annoying, interesting, and thoughtful things that happen to her. The words are her own, but Emma helps by illustrating them.

This book is completely charming and fun. It follows Plum throughout a year as she travels and meets up with her dog friends. The illustrations are beautiful and colorful and fun.

I wasn't really sure what I would be getting when I requested this book to be sent to me, but I am so glad that I choose this one. I think everyone will like this book, kids, adults, dog lovers, and probably even cat lovers! There isn't much that I can say about it except pick up a copy. It will provide a great evening's entertainment

There is one swear word near the end of the book.

*I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

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Publication date: 1900 (original), 2005 (this edition)
Publisher: Barnes and Noble Classics
Pages: 213
My rating: 4 stars
Ages: 10+

In Baum's classic story, Dorothy travels by way of cyclone to the enchanting land of Oz. In order to get back home to Kansas, she must make her way to the Emerald City to see the wizard. On her journey she makes friends with a scarecrow, a tin woodman, and a cowardly lion, with which she shares adventures as they travel West, North, and back again.

I was surprised when I was at the bookstore and realized that I had never read The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. I was in the play in fifth grade, and the movie is probably one of my favorites. But I had never read the original book. So of course I had to buy it and read it.

The book is enchanting. Younger readers will like the story and the characters. Older readers will pick up on the symbolism, themes, etc. I was surprised that the movie had added so many characters, but really, it's pretty true to the main feel of the story. I was a little surprised at how violent it could be at times. The Tin Woodman at one point chops off the heads of 40 wolves. More than one thing is dashed on rocks. Of course, every thing and person that is killed is wicked.

The person who annotated this edition called Dorothy a flat literary character, which I suppose in a sense she is, though I think that the innocent, wide eyed main character is fairly typical in children's literature, and I find it a bit charming. She knows what she wants, and she helps others get what they want. There is so much conflict in the story surrounding the band of four's quest to get brains, heart, courage, and home that having a more complex character isn't really that important.

In all, a great story that will be enjoyed by all ages.

*I do not receive compensation from Barnes and Noble.