The Magic Christmas Tree by Carolyn Irby

I recently reviewed The Magic Christmas Tree by Carolyn Irby. When I first heard about reviewing this book I thought it would be a perfect Christmas story for my children. I was very wrong.

This book is nothing but folded paper and has only four pages of writing. There is no color in the pictures either. The story itself was confusing to read as it covers days worth of time in just the four pages of written word. The story tells about a little girl who wishes on a Christmas tree that her family can become healthy and financially sound and then the snow blows in and gives them everything she wished for.

The storyline itself would be good but it is way underdeveloped and the book format is anything but kid friendly. I would recommend skipping this one and moving on to something else.

I received a complimentary copy of The Magic Christmas Tree as a member of the Dorrance Publishing Book Review Team.  Visit dorrancebookstore.com to learn how you can become a member of the Book Review Team.

How To Pack A Giraffe by April Beker - Review

About How To Pack a Giraffe:

It is exciting when the circus comes to town and the elephant's parade around so everyone will know that they have arrived. People are busy caring for the animals and setting up the circus in a new town. There is a petting zoo and animal rides, and of course the performances. It is spectacular, but soon it is time to leave and move to another town.
One little boy wonders after the circus departs one night how this all works, how they pack up and move all the animals so fast but especially, how they pack the giraffes?
It is not until the following year when the circus again comes to his town that he finds the answer to his question.

My Thoughts:

The story line of this book is good. I love that it encourages kids to ask questions and keep looking until they find an answer. I did however find two big problems, for me, in this book. First is that it is too old for my kids. They like the pictures with all the animals but the story itself is still too mature and would be better for someone in the 8-12 age range. The second is the punctuation. The use of commas is simply awful and it was very hard to read when much of the punctuation was incorrect. Great story if you can get past that though.

Ride The Dappled Mare - By Joan Elizabeth Moody Baker

About Ride The Dappled Mare:

The Mason-Dixon Line clearly delineated the geographical territory between the North and South; but people and their lives are not so easily categorized. In this Civil War novel, the reader meets a Southern judge who has never owned a slave; an Englishman who joins the Confederate Army; a free-spirited Southern belle who often chafes under her social restraints; and Episcopalian rector who is not what he seems; and a free black family who choose to stay with their employers. They joys, delights, heartbreaks, and trials of life are magnified during times of trouble; and all these are here in Ride The Dappled Mare.

My Thoughts:

For me reading Ride the Dappled Mare was not at all what I expected, it was however a great book. There were a few times that I felt like transitions between characters were a little awkward but other than that it was great. I loved the story line and although I do not believe the history was completely accurate, it was realistic and somewhat educating. Although this is a romance it is appropriate for young readers and I would recommend anyone who likes a good historical romance adds it to their collection.

I received a complimentary copy of Ride The Dappled Mare as a member of the Dorrance Publishing Book Review Team.  Visit dorrancebookstore.com to learn how you can become a member of the Book Review Team.

Book Review: Jake's Pride - By B.J. Strong

About Jake's Pride:

What happens when two individuals having suffered through painful marriages get thrown together by fate? This is exactly what happens to Sara and Jake in this romantic novel. When Jake, a private cop, is sent to protect Sara, a woman with a madman out to kill her, the attraction is mutual but their willful personalities keep pushing them apart. Can Jake and Sara overcome their pride and show their love for each other?

My Thoughts:

For me the first two or three chapters of this book were painful. I had a hard time with the transitions and noticed quite a few editor errors but once I got into the story I could not stop. I loved the story line and was constantly on my toes wondering if everything was going to be ok. By the end of the book I had cycled through a whole range of emotions with Sara as she worked to win Jake's love and overcome her abusive past. Overall I thought this was a great book and will add it to my bookshelf.  **Note: This is a romantic book and may not be appropriate for youthful readers.

I received a complimentary copy of Jake's Pride as a member of the Dorrance Publishing Book Review Team.  Visit dorrancebookstore.com to learn how you can become a member of the Book Review Team.