pets

Book and audiobook review: The One and Only Ivan

Posted on June 28, 2018 Leave a Comment

Title: The One and Only Ivan
Author: Katherine Applegate
Format: Single book, audiobook
Audiobook narrator: Adam Grupper
Audiobook length: 3hrs 46min
Age Group: 10+

There once was a 400lb western lowland gorilla named Ivan, who lived in a concrete cell in the middle of a shopping mall. For 27 years, he entertained shoppers and gawkers, but had no contact with others of his kind.

It is from these dire, real-life circumstances, that author Katherine Applegate spins a soaring and unforgettable tale. Read more…Book and audiobook review: The One and Only Ivan

Bridging with Boris

Posted on July 8, 2017 Leave a Comment

Finding great book series that form a bridge between picture books and chapter books can be surprisingly hard. If your child is stuck on the journey to independent reading, check out this series by Australian author and illustrator Andrew Joyner. Read more…Bridging with Boris

Horse tales, aloud

Posted on March 27, 2017 Leave a Comment

If you’re looking for audiobooks that have adventure, nail-biting excitement, friendship, courage and loyalty, look no further than these three, great, horse-tales. Read more…Horse tales, aloud

Book review: Pax

Posted on February 14, 2017 Leave a Comment

Title: Pax
Author: Sarah Pennypacker (author of acclaimed Clementine series)
Illustrator: Jon Klaassen (award-winning picture book author/illustrator of I Want My Hat Back)
Format: Single book
Age group: 9+

A mesmerizing book about the profound bond between a fox and a boy.

Peter is 7 years old when he finds an abandoned and starving fox kit in the woods nears home. Peter adopts the fox and names him Pax. The two form a deep connection, “two, but not two”. But the disease of war encroaches, and Peter’s angry and restless father has caught the bug. When he decides to enlist in the army, Pax and Peter are forcibly separated after more than 5 years at each other’s side. Read more…Book review: Pax

Audiobook review: Nooks and Crannies

Posted on September 15, 2016 Leave a Comment

Title: Nooks and Crannies
Author: Jessica Lawson
Narrator: Susie Riddell
Length: 7h 27m
Format: Full length story
Age Group: 9+

Tabitha Crum has two great joys in her life: (1) talking to her pet mouse Pemberly, and (2) reading mystery novels featuring a wise, fictional mentor – Inspector Pensive. Otherwise, she is a lonely child, bullied at school and sadly neglected by her parents. But wait! Excitement is just around the corner. When Tabitha and five other children receive invitations to the home of a wealthy countess, Tabitha is plunged into a delicious, real-life mystery. Read more…Audiobook review: Nooks and Crannies