Too Narrow Focused

You Cant Make a Monkey Out of Me by Andrew Babick.

This book designed for children from the ages of 4 to 7 is written by Andrew Babick, and illustrated by Bryan Pickens. The book tells a story of a young boy who challenges basically the idea of Darwins Theory of Evolution.

Heavily tinged with religion, this book is written in a way that does not really teach, it more so tell the reader that the Bibles teachings are right and what kids are taught in school about evolution is wrong.

That is fine, however where I feel this book falls short is the way the writer goes about it in the story. Edited in a cohesive and proper manner, well put together book wise, the story just leans to far right for my liking, and may scare some kids who do not have exposure to certain Christian teachings.

So I give it

1 Star

Christmas was a blast

Reading this book I smack my forehead at the fact that they still are milking a great authors name by claiming the book is based off of notes he kept.

Then placing his name under it, in an effort to sell it. A Memory of Light I read over the holidays, and I was looking forward to reading this massive 912 page work. However once into it, I was let down.

Filled with little gems of great writing, and with room in the story to have a great read, the writer tried to hard to write like Jordan, he tried to be the master of fantasy instead of simply letting it flow and making his own mark on it. Then again he made his mark and maybe that is the problem.

Filled with a potpourri of characters and scenes, the story is broad in scope but he drones on, filling the pages with long winded accounts, the battle scenes I admit were decent to read, and more in line with Jordan's style. However character development and readability just was not there.

Jordan's widow edited these works, and I think it is best she no longer does so. She tries to leave her husbands mark on something that he did not write. Yes the books are based on his notes and such. However also the books need to be BASED on his works, let the new author go with it, run with the story. Her control and obvious leanings are all over this work.

Thus this gets a well deserved, but could have been better...

3 stars

A Tale of Two Tales

A Tale of Two Tales by Valorie Veld. This book that teaches young kids that being nice and about friendship was a surprising read. The authors writings far outpace the drawings, which to me were more minimalistic that really the book deserved.

However saying that this was an amusing book, the writing was crisp and fun, and the author has a knack for really making things "work."

After calling the publisher they informed me that this author as her bio indicated was a teacher, and it shows. I would have to suggest this book to anyone that has a child going into a new school. This book in my opinion would make it a lot easier for them to deal with these types of changes.

This author gets a well deserved...

5 Stars

Part of a series of books, this being the 9th, this one comes from my sisters daughter. Author Sophie Blackall amazes not only with this book but with the previous eight.

The books tend to teach younger ones to read better, have fun with math and science, and tells the adventures of the two main characters, which the books are titled.

The writing is fresh and interesting, and I was surprised at how I even got into them, even with my adult mind with all of its prerequisites and preconceptions.

The author tells her stories in a clean and interesting way, the story is fun and age appropriate for the audience, and she uses little tricks to keep her readers interesting. Always a little hint of what is in the next book, my sister told me my niece LOVED the books, and my niece confirmed it by badgering me with questions when I read it.

Due to the interactivity and cute and innovative storyline, I give this book a solid...

4 Stars

Authors Please

I have lately gotten a spate of books from publishers and authors who have used the chance to write and publish to suffer us through their own personal agendas.

When one writes, they write for the pleasure of doing so. Placing the words on the page to help tell a story, to send a message. Agendas are for revenge not for publishing. So please Mr. or Mrs. Author, leave the relational politics out of it all.

A Slice Of Time

This book by self described historian Dianne Griswold chronicles the history of and her experiences with a museum she worked for.

I love history, and I love books that tell little bits of history and the little stories of the behind the scenes goings on of these places. However, after reading this book I just have many issues with her writing.

First the storyline if you want to call it that is hard to read, her writing style tries to be grandiose and interesting and well... She just fails. Her wittiness comes across as being flat, and she lacks the inciteful wittiness that a book like this demands.

However what turned me off about this book the most, is the obvious animosity she has towards certain people in the book. When a historical book is used to express and indulge in personal agendas, then that right there ruins it. The author should have left out the pettiness and kept to the meat and interesting tasty potatoes of it. Overall this book had SUCH GREAT potential, however hit me wrong. So this book gets....

2 Stars

A Mewsing Haiku

This book by Sharon Lee is essentially a book of Japanese style poetry that is paired with pencil images. I purchased this from a small shop in Jackson when there at the suggestion of the publisher.

I am not into poetry that much, and I do not review much of it, however haiku is something I have always tried to wrap my head around as it is not what I would call 'normal' poetry. However I gave it a whirl.

Book design is standard, although I would like to have seen it a bit smaller, maybe a pocket edition would have suited this book better. However it is what it is.

The haiku is cute at time, centered around cats, and although I am not a huge lover of it, the book unfortunately did little to change my mind. I gave the book to my friend who is a self described poetry addict, and she agreed. The haiku is just flat, uninspiring... The artwork that went with it was cute, suited for the subject however the pairing just did not work. I overall just could not get into this book, and struggled with competing the review reading. I would be interested in seeing the authors regular non haiku poetry.

Thus I give a generous.

3 Stars