Monthly Archives: November 2021

Aviation History, Biography, book review, Children's, Children's Historical Biographies, children's Reading, Children’s Girls and Women’s Books, Non-Fiction, Women in History

Soaring in Style – Review

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Litercurious Book Review

Soaring In Style: How Amelia Earhart Became
a Fashion Icon by Jennifer Lane Wilson
TitleSoaring In Style: How Amelia Earhart Became
a Fashion Icon
AuthorJennifer Lane Wilson
IllustratorLissy Marlin
PublisherCapstone Editions (February 1, 2022)
FormatHardcover
Pages32
GenreChildren’s Literature, Historical Non-Fiction
LanguageEnglish
ISBN 10/131684464285 / 978-1684464289

AUTHOR

Author Jennifer Wilson Image and bio.

If you would like to learn more about Jennifer Wilson, check out her website here.

ILLUSTRATOR

Illustrator Image and bio.

Lissy Marlin is an award winning illustrator and character designe from the Dominican Republic. She has worked on many projects and has illustrated on a plethora of titles. Learn more about this fantastic artist here.

SYNOPSIS

Soaring in Style is the little known side story of Amelia Earhart. This story not only tells the tale of her becoming a woman pioneer of aviation, but also a pioneer of women’s fashion. It details the motivation behind the aviation icon and what drove her into fashion design.

CONCLUSION

Soaring in Style is a simple story for young girls 8-10 years old. It describes the hardships that women endured in the early 1900’s in a man’s world. Although the story is uncomplicated, it is inspiring for young girls who want to chase their dreams. Amelia Earhart not only breaks down barriers in the aviation industry, but she bucks the system in women’s clothing design as well.

Although I knew quit-a-bit about Amelia the aviator, I had no knowledge of Amelia, the designer. This book introduces a whole new dimension to the aviation icon.

Soaring in Style is brilliantly illustrated. Lissy Marlin’s use of color and design is breathtaking. The images may be simplistic in nature, but they are provocative, they describe the story well and they are just the right type for young audiences.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to thank Jennifer Lane Wilson, Capstone Editions, and NetGalley for affording me the opportunity to review Soaring In Style: How Amelia Earhart Became a Fashion Icon.

FREE TO READ NOW ON KINDLE UNLIMITED

Let’s Go On A Hike, by Katrina Liu is currently free-to-read on KindleUnlimited. Discover all the wonders of nature with this beautifully illustrated book all about a little boy on a hike with his dad, mom, and Archie, the corgi. Great for children ages 2 to 8.

book review, Children's Historical Biographies, children's Reading, Non-Fiction

Charles Dickens – Review

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Litercurious Book Review

Little People, BIG DREAMS Charles Dickens by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara
Little People, BIG DREAMS Charles Dickens by Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara
TitleLittle People, BIG DREAMS Charles Dickens
AuthorMaria Isabel Sánchez Vegara
IllustratorIsobel Ross
PublisherFrances Lincoln Children’s Books
FormatHardcover, Kindle
Pages32
GenreChildren’s Non-Fiction, Children’s European
Books, Children’s Historical Biographies
LanguageEnglish
ISBN 10/130711258961 / 978-0711258969

AUTHOR

Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara, born in Barcelona, Spain, is a writer and creative director in constant search of new concepts for children’s books. Working for more than fifteen years for clients in top advertising agencies, her books combine creativity with learning, aiming to establish a new and fresh relationship between children and pop culture.

ILLUSTRATOR

Isobel Ross is originally from Bath, UK.

Studied at the Arts University Bournemouth, graduating with a BA (hons) in Fine Art.

SYNOPSIS

Charles Dickens is a micro biography staring the eponymous man himself. Charles Dickens is part of the hugely popular Little People BIG DREAMS Series. Vegara has focused on one of Englands favorite authors. Only one other author ever came close in popularity, that being Sir Arthur Conan Doyle the writer of Sherlock Holmes.

In this monograph Vegara writes to her audience of 4-7 year olds. Simple sentence structures and short paragraphs make up the concise history of Dickens.

The book begins well, however the end comes too quickly and lacks detail of the latter part of his life. Vegara did include a more formal chronology at the close. This short chronology is accompanied by plates of Charles Dickens as he aged.

CONCLUSION

Charles Dickens by Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara and illustrated by Isobel Ross is a brief partial history of the great man.

It is age appropriate and the illustrations enhance the readers overall experience. The illustrations were both informative and fully supported the written narrative. They are fun and add color to the story.

Overall, Charles Dickens is a good read for younger children. It is brief enough to be read at bedtime.

Rating: 3 out of 5.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara, Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, and NetGalley for affording me the opportunity to review Little People, BIG DREAMS Charles Dickens.

OTHER WORK BY THIS AUTHOR

Aviation History, book review, History, Military History, Non-Fiction, Reference Works, World War 2

Aircraft of World War II – Review

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Litercurious Book Review

Aircraft of World War II: 300 of the World's Greatest Aircraft 1939-1945 by Chris Chant
Aircraft of World War II: 300 of the World’s Greatest Aircraft 1939-1945 by Chris Chant
TitleAircraft of World War II: 300 of the World’s
Greatest Aircraft 1939-1945
AuthorChris Chant
PublisherAmber Books (February 1, 2022)
FormatFlexibound
Pages320
GenreAviation History, Aircraft of WWII, Warplanes
LanguageEnglish
ISBN 10/131838861904 / 978-1838861902

AUTHOR

Chris Chant is a successful writer on aviation and modern military matters. He has more than 90 titles to his credit and more than 15 co-authored titles. You can learn more about Chris on his blog.

SYNOPSIS

Aircraft of World War II: 300 of the World’s Greatest Aircraft 1939-1945 comprises a brief detail and the specifications of wartime aircraft during WWII. The introduction describes the aviation role in war and the evolution of the fighter plane. After the introduction each page has an airplane listed in alphabetical order, with a very brief description of the plane, its use and its specifications.

CONCLUSION

Aircraft of World War II is a very basic book. There are only three real pictures of aircraft in the entire book. Each aircraft described has only a profile depiction available to the reader. The information provided is short and concise.

As a military pilot I love books about airplanes, pilots, and especially fighter pilots. I have been fascinated with aviation since I was a child and love to read about pilots and aircraft. However, this book leaves a lot to be desired. The information is very basic, there are drawings instead of pictures and there is no scale in the depictions.

The author did a pretty good job trying to cover 300 airplanes in such a short book, but I would rather have 150 airplanes with more information and pictures. This book would have been better served if it were cut into factions and the airplanes given much more attention.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank Chris Chant, Amber Books, and NetGalley for affording me the opportunity to review Aircraft of World War II: 300 of the World’s Greatest Aircraft 1939-1945.

SPITFIRE!-REVIEW

Spitfire is an exceptionally researched historical account of 19 Squadron and the Battle of Britain. The information contained within its pages is in-depth and vast. From the different types of airplanes the RAF used from WWI through the beginnings of WWII, to the political infrastructure and bickering that took place.

by Kado

WOLVES AT THE DOOR – REVIEW

Wolves at the Door: The True Story of America’s Greatest Female Spy is a very good book. It details the life of Virginia Hall and her contributions to the war effort. Virginia is a remarkable woman with a dedication and drives that far exceeds the average man.

by Kado

The Moth and the Mountain – Review

The Moth and the Mountain: A True Story of Love, War, and Everest is the story of a troubled WWI veteran and his trek to find solace and meaning in his life.

by Kado
book review, Children's Equestrian, Children's Fiction, Children’s Girls and Women’s Books, Fiction, Horse Books

Meg and Merlin – Review

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Litercurious Book Review

Meg and Merlin by Tanya Landman
TitleMeg and Merlin: Making Friends
AuthorTanya Landman
IllustratorSònia Albert
PublisherBarrington Stoke Ltd (January 2022)
FormatUnknown, e-ARC used for review
Pages64
GenreChildren’s Literature, Children’s Equestrian Books
LanguageEnglish
ISBN978-1-80090-085-1

AUTHOR / ILLUSTRATOR


Tanya Landman has authored more than forty books for children and young adults. She writes across a broad age range and has earned many awards and accolades for her literature. Learn more about her and her books on her website.

Sònia Albert is an illustrator from Mataró, a Mediterranean city near Barcelona. Her true love has always been the illustration world. When she’s not drawing you can find her walking by the beach, reading or learning to play the ukulele.

SYNOPSIS

Meg just turned ten today and she dearly loves horses. Her sole wish in life is to have her very own pony. She dreams of ponies; she wishes for ponies; she even writes Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy asking for ponies. Unfortunately, for Meg, her parents have fallen on hard times. Not only can they not afford a pony, but they had to dramatically cut back on her riding lessons.

When Meg wakes up on her tenth birthday, she notices something is different today. She smells stables, but that can’t be because she lives in a housing estate. Going to the window Meg sees a pony in her front garden! Did her dream finally come true? Did mom and dad finally find a way to get her a pony? Read the book and find out what happens to Meg and the pony.

CONCLUSION

Meg and Merlin: Making Friends is a wonderful tale for young children. The reader can feel Meg’s frustration and anguish at being unable to have her own pony or be able to ride when she wants to. The reader sympathizes with her plight and roots for her to get her very own pony. When Merlin arrives in the yard, there is a feeling of expectancy yet tempered with suspense; will she be able to keep the horse?

The story is heartwarming and up-lifting. I enjoyed all the little nuances the author included in the story such as when horses twitch their lips when they are tickled. She does an outstanding job of integrating the horse characteristics with the riders instincts.

Sònia Albert has done a superb job with the illustrations. Although they are black and white, they are age appropriate and tell the story wonderfully. Her depictions are accurate and simplistic in nature and possess just the right amount of detail to make them perfect for this book.

I definitely recommend this book to anyone who has ever wished to have a horse or misses their own horse. Young children will love this feel-good story!

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank Tanya Landman, Barrington Stoke Ltd and NetGalley for affording me the opportunity to review Meg and Merlin: Making Friends.

Jubilee – Review

Jubilee: The First Therapy Horse and and Olympic Dream is a book about courage, determination, overcoming insurmountable obstacles, and a love for horses. This book is an inspiration to all those who not only love horses, but to those who are undergoing extreme hardships.

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by Britney Haim

Prince of Ponies – Review

Zofia was a young girl in Poland when the Germans invaded. Many years later she has the opportunity to help another refugee from a war torn country. Mira loves horses and Zofia takes her under her wing and mentors her to become a wonderful horsewoman.

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by Britney Haim

HORSES – Review

Horses, by Paula Hammond is a stunningly illustrated, beautifully narrated and skillfully written work. Containing 200 high definition, highly colored, rich, photographs that paint an evocative image of the species. So powerful in fact, that you can almost smell the leather, sweat, and soil that is so familiar to horse lovers everywhere.

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by Nemo