Review Cupcake Queen

Kylie Jean needs money, so she decides to start selling cupcakes. But her doggie cupcakes can fund a really important cause helping orphan dogs at the shelter!

~~~

My name is Kylie Jean Carter. Here are some of the things you need to know about me: I live in Texas. My color is pink. I have two brothers, but one of the is a dog. And my number-one dream is to be a beauty Queen!.

I'm starting my own business! Momma and I will be making dozens of yummalicious cupcakes and selling them at garage sales. At first I plan to keep the money and get rich, but when I find out that the Puppy Place animal shelter might close, I come up with the perfect plan for my cupcakes to help save those puppies....

Just you wait and see!(Goodreads)

My Thought

Cupcake Queen is another book of Kylie Jean series that's up on NetGalley. Thanks to the publisher who has accepted my request. The printed version will be out on February 1, 2013. 

This is the third book of Kylie Jean series that I read. Before Cupcake Queen, I have finished Blueberry Queen and Dancing Queen. There are still many books in this series. Although I read the book not in the sequence number, I miss nothing. Because in the beginning there is one chapter where she tells me anything that I need to know. Like she does in the previous book. There is nothing change from this confidence girl.  She is still the same girl who loves pink and stuff, who lives in yellow house on Peachtree Lane in Jacksonville, Texas. Something that she never forget to tell is her beauty queen dream. She also tell me about her family including the bulldog, her pet, Ugly Brother. 

In this newest  story, Kylie told me about a garage sale, where she got the idea to start a cupcake business to get more money. She was so excited and could not wait any longer to start it. Something unique was she made not only a regular cupcake, she also made it for dogs.  She thought it would make her own business run better. With her momma help, all things are done smoothly. 

It is not difficult to guess where the story of this light book run. I like some parts of the book that show me another side of Kylie. However it makes she looks completely spotless. But I guess fans of this series will not mind about it.

The illustration is still awesome. I like it. 

The extra pages is also great. One glossary page and recipe of cupcake are there.

This book is so perfect book for young  reader ages 6-8 and a reluctant reader or the one who are learning English. The word choice is simple enough for a beginner. 

~~~

About the Author

Marci Bales Peschke was born in Indiana, grew up in Florida, and now lives in Texas, where she is a librarian. She has lived in three haunted houses, but now lives with her husband, two children, and a feisty black and white cat named Phoebe. She loves reading and watching movies.

About the Illustrator

When Tuesday Mourning was a little girl, she knew she wanted to be an artist when she grew up. Now, she is an illustrator who lives in South Pasadena, CA. She especially loves illustrating books for kids and teenagers. When she isn't illustrating, Tuesday loves spending time with her husband, who is an actor, and their two sons. 

Preorder Cupcake Queen (Kylie Jean) at Amazon.

Cupcake Queen

Author: Marci Peschke

Ilustrator: Tuesday Mourning 

Hardcover: 112 pages

Publisher: Picture Window Books (February 1, 2013)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1404881026

ISBN-13: 978-1404881020

Source: NetGalley

Kylie Jean Web Page

Book Review: The Bremen Town Musician by Brian Wildsmith

 

A retelling of the Grimm Brothers’ beloved tale about an old donkey who leaves the farm to travel to Bremen where he hopes to join a band. On the way, he meets a dog, a cat, and a rooster. With a bray, a bark, a meow, and a cock-a-doodle-doo, they become fast friends and decide to travel together to Bremen—getting there leads to great unexpected results. (Goodreads)

~~~

Once upon a time there was a donkey who decided to leave the farm where he had worked for many years. He knew that he grew old and could not work anymore. He was so upset when he found out that the farmer planned to sell him. Bremen is the city that he chose. He thought that he could sing with the town band. In his way to Bremen, he met a dog, cat and rooster who agreed to go along and sing together.  When night fell they decided to take rest. Some of them were about to close their eyes when Rooster saw a lighted house. They looked inside and saw many food and five fierce robbers who gathered around it. Looking at the food on the table made them created one big plan.

The Town Musicians of Bremen is one of the fairytales that was written by the Grimm Brothers. I have read the translation. Now Brian Wildsmith retells the story with colorful illustrations. It was nice to see the donkey, dog, cat and rooster. I like the way he drew them complete with the background. Unfortunately I could not really see the delicious food.  I saw the bread and some meat. But they were just plain pictures.  

From 40 pages, my favorite is the illustration where the dog climbed onto donkey’s back, cat was on dog and rooster perched on the cat. It reminds me to the bronze statue of the Town Musician. The statue surprised me when I saw it for the first time. Just like the story, it was located in Bremen, Germany. I want to touch the hooves. 

I recommend this book for children who love illustration book.  I hope they can enjoy it as I do.

Image source: Wikipedia

Author: Brian Wildsmith

Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Star Bright Books | Blog  
Publication Date: April 15, 2012
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1595723455
ISBN-13: 978-1595723451

Early Review: Isabella - Girl on the Go by Jennifer Fosberry

Isabella's back, and her dreams are turning an ordinary backyard into an exciting adventure!

Jennifer Fosberry has created an inspiring follow-up to her New York Times bestselling series featuring everyone's favorite purple-haired, little girl. Previously, Isabella discovered her favorite heroes in My Name Is Not Isabella. Now she travels around the world experiencing its greatest wonders without ever leaving her own backyard.

Isabella, as precocious as ever, spends the day playing her dad as they discover some of the greatest places man has made around the world. She pretends everyday things (like the sandbox) are extraordinary places (like the desert and pyramids of Egypt). Isabella ends the day in her own home-sweet-home, the most wonderful place to be.

A back of the book "Places that Changed the World" section features descriptions of all the places Isabella visits. (Goodreads)

~~~

My Thought
Isabella: Girl on the Go is another good book for children. It has not only beautiful illustration but also nice story.

Isabella, a little cute girl who has a great Imagination is the main character. I liked her.  She does not need any sophisticated things to play. All simple things that she got around were more than enough. Look at how Paintbrush and a fence could make her become a warrior who built the longest and strongest wall in the world to protect her people. Or a flashlight that took her to New York and made her become the Lady Liberty, the defender of freedom.I liked all her journey. Her father was also nice. He's the one who prompted everything for her.

Another thing that I liked from this book was the few last pages. It revealed clearly about all places that mentioned in the previous pages. It also explained to the reader about some words that were said by Isabella. Totally complete - great book for children.  I think I am going to buy this kind of book for my future child.  

Before this one, Jenniffer Fosberry has written another book about Isabella. I wonder what she wrote about. I'd love to know what kind of adventure that Isabella have inside.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebook who has approved my request. I got this free Galley in exchange for an honest review.  

Cover and Illustration

I like the cover. It revealed what we're going to find inside. I love the illustration and its colors. I am going to put Mike Litwin as one of my favorite illustrators. He drew Isabella with very well

5/5

Author: Jennifer Fosberry | Website

Illustrator: Mike Litwin

Reading level: Ages 4 and up

Hardcover: 32 pages

Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky (February 21, 2012)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1402266480

ISBN-13: 978-1402266485
Source: NetGalley

Review: Turkey Monster Thanksgiving by Anne Warren Smith

This year, instead of celebrating Thanksgiving in the family's traditional way by eating pizza in their pajamas, nine-year-old Katie wants to create the perfect holiday and be just like a "real" family. But by Thanksgiving Day, Katie has invited guests Dad didn't expect, festooned the house with what may be poison oak, and set the sweet potatoes on fire. Ultimately everyone sits down to a most unusual dinner—one that succeeds because it comes from the heart. (Goodreads)

My Thought 
At first Katie was fine with his father's plan for this year Thanksgiving. Instead of turkey for dinner, they were about to choose pizza. In that day, they would wear pajamas till noon, eat popcorn and watch football. She did not mind at all. She believed what her father said. Everything would be fine even if they did not celebrate that national holiday like another family. Since her mother left home, Katie could fully understand this year they were going to have a different year.


It was two weeks before Thanksgiving when her best friend, Claire Plummer, told her her family's thanksgiving plan. At first Katie did not care at all. She still stuck to the first plan. But Claire just could not stop talking about the party day after day. The more Katie heard about it, the more she thought that they also have to celebrate Thanksgiving like another normal family. Suddenly all things that she thought was fine seems horrible. 


Turkey Monster Thanksgiving is another book for children that I put in my favorite list. Most of characters are like-able. Katie and her father were my favorite. Claire was little bit annoying. But if she was not there, this book would be really plain. She is also counted as important character. One character that I think was failed with his role was Tyler. He did not act as his age. Whereas I expected he would be an adorable little brother. 


Everything about Thanksgiving was another thing that I liked from this book. Even though I do not celebrate Thanksgiving and read many thing related to it, I am still curious. 

Cover
Turkey Monster Thanksgiving was first published on September 28, 2003. Its format was Library Binding. They used this cover.What you saw above are the cover for paperback. It will be released on August 11, 2011. I wonder why it takes so long to publish the paperback. 


I like both of the cover. The first edition reminds me of old books when I was in elementary school. Most of the cover are printed this way.  It is so classic. It was nice to see little Tyler. But it looks like a mystery book. The paperback itself was designed very well. I can see Katie's worried face.  I like the color.


4/5


Author: Anne Warren Smith | Website
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 112 pages
Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company (August 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0807581267
ISBN-13: 978-0807581261

Preorder Turkey Monster Thanksgiving at Amazon

Review: Cinder and Ella by Melissa Lemon

After their father’s disappearance, Cinder leaves home for a servant job at the castle. But it isn’t long before her sister Ella is brought to the castle herself—the most dangerous place in all the kingdom for both her and Cinder. Cinder and Ella is a Cinderella story like no other and one you'll never forget. (Goodreads)

My Thought

When someone mentions Cinderella, I will straightly remember about her wicked step mother and sisters, a fairy godmother, the glass shoes, a great ball, and a prince charming with his castle. It is so easy to retell the story. But when I saw Cinder and Ella, I got no clue. I wondered what the author brought to the surface. How much it was related to the original story was the main question.

In the beginning Mellisa Lemon, the author, has warned the reader that in Cinder and Ella, there would not be any fairy godmother who could grant any wishes. There was not any prince charming. She told us to left the entire tale behind. Cinder and Ella brought a different story. It’s about two sisters who used to have a happy life with their parents and two other sisters in Willow Top. But everything changed when the prince came and met their father. Few days after, their father disappeared. A comfortable dwelling suddenly turned into hell. Quarrelling between the siblings happened almost everyday. Nasty words were in the air. Two of them just could not stop screaming or whining. If Katrina was the most demanding, Beatrice, the youngest, become much more spoiled. Adelle, their mother did not do anything but sat at an spinning wheel. She could no longer care her four daughters. So all things related to household was run by the remaining one, Cinder and Ella.

Cinder did everything without any complaint. Ella, herself, stayed in the house because Cinder was there. So when her sister decided to work at castle to get more money for the family, Ella chose to leave the house. Because she found no more reason to stay with her family who has totally forgotten her. After sometimes, the destiny brought Ella to the castle. Not only met Cinder, but she also found some revealed facts about her long lost father. She had nothing with her but she knew that she had to move fast or the evil prince would win everything.

The idea in Cinder and Ella was unique. I like the adventure inside. Almost all characters were  interesting.  Ella was my favorite. Her strength made me like her. Although they were so annoying, Katrina and Beatrice played a good role. Some knights were also in a great shape. The plain Cinder even took a part that made this book become special.

However I did not enjoy all of the part of the story.  I almost lost my interest in the end of the book. Especially when it connected to the vicious prince. I was glad that  I was not lost and could finish the book. But I still recommend this book to anyone.

Cover

If you have read the book, you will understand why they put the tree in the front. But I wish I could see Cinder or Ella, even both of them. 

3/5

Author: Mellisa Lemon| Facebook fan page | Twitter |  Blog |  Goodreads

Paperback: 208 pages

Publisher: Cedar Fort, Inc. (November 8, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1599559064
ISBN-13: 978-1599559063
Source: Net Galley

Buy Cinder and Ella at Amazon

Check the blog tour schedule, to read another reviews and Melissa's Guest Post

Review: Scenarios 4 : Making Waves by Nicole O'Dell

Kate Walker joins the swim team and becomes obsessed with practice and making it through the championships with flying colors. What will Kate do when she s faced with pressure from her teammates to take an illegal substance that will help her swim multiple events in their championship meet? Girls ages 10 to 15 make the choice in this interactive story and see how the consequences change Kate s life. Includes a contract and prayer to remind the reader of the importance of making godly decisions.

My Thought

This is one of the first books that I received through Net Galley. The other book is Magna. You can find my review about Magna here. The publisher combined these two books and put Risky Business as the title. I think I prefer to review it one by one.

In Making Waves, I met Kate Walker. She was left by many people she loved. One of them is Julia, her best friend, who moved to another town. So she has no friend to talk to and shared everything. She still has a great and lovely mother. But it would be different. And that explained why she felt so lonely.

Then one day, Kate decided to join the swim team to ease the pain. Just in one training season, she directly become the stars. In few day, she was already become a part of the team. Her couch prepared her to participate in State competition. No need to wonder why. Kate was a great and avid swimmer. Since then, her schedule become so tight. It made her really exhausted. Then, one offer that sound promising was approached. It made her become so confused. In one side, it could help her get more energy. In other side, she knew it so well, it was illegal. What a dilemma!

I liked many things from this book. It has simple word choice, nice plot and also sweet ending for everyone. There was one scene that touched my heart. My eyes were teary because of it. From all the characters. Kate's mother was my favorite.


Just like in Magna, you can get two different endings in one book. They let you choose. But I did not do it. Because I was just too curious. So I read both of them. I wanted to know how the plot ran for each options.

Cover

The setting is drawn well in the cover. The color combination is also nice. I liked it. But in my imagination, Kate is more beautiful than the model above. However it's not stated in the book.

3/5

Author: Nicole O'dell | Website | Twitter | Goodreads

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.; Original edition (April 1, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9781602608450
ISBN-13: 978-1602608450
ASIN: 1602608458
Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches

Buy Scenarios 4: Making Waves (Scenarios for Girls) at Amazon

Review : Blueberry Queen by M. Peschke, Tuesday Mourning

From blueberries to beauty pageants, third grader Kylie Jean wants to be the queen of everything! But in her quest to be the best, this young southern belle learns a few lessons of her own. Mischievious, delightful and fun, this series will be at the top of every young girl's list

It's time for the annual Blueberry Festival, and Kylie Jean just knows she'd be the perfect Blueberry Queen.

My Thought
Blueberry Queen is one light reading for middle grade. It did not take an hour to finish its 114 pages. There are also illustrations inside the book. It makes the readers easier to get the pictures for everything that happen in every chapter.

In the beginning, we are introduced to Kyle Jean who lives in Texas with her big family. Kyle is a little girl who wants to be a beauty queen. She has knitted that dream since she can remember or in her words, since she was a bitty baby. She practices all the time to be the one.Then, the Annual Blueberry Festival is coming. Kyle Jean thinks this is a big chance for her to make her dream come true.

For me, Kyle was a cute little girl. She was self-motivated girl. I liked to see her enthusiasm. She knew that all the steps to be the beauty queen were not easy. But she never gave up.

The reactions from all family and people around her were remarkable . They were amazing. Just like me they thought it was funny but they still encourage Kyle to fulfill her dream. Her mother become the most adorable character. I loved when she kept remind her with her Pretty is as pretty does sentences.

However there is not any conflict that troubled her, this book is still an enjoyable reading. The message inside is wonderful. I would recommend this book to all young readers.

Cover and Illustration
I like all the illustrations that were drawn by Tuesday Morning. Kyle was so cute.

4/5

Source: eBooks from Net Galley
Author: M. Peschke | Website | Facebook
Illustrator: Tuesday Morning
Reading level: Ages 4-8
eGalley: 144 Pages | Paperback: 112 pages
Publisher: Picture Window Books (January 2, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1404866159
ISBN-13: 978-1404866157
Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5.7 x 0.4 inches
Buy Blueberry Queen (Kylie Jean)

Review: The Little Prince Graphic Novel by Joann Sfar

For over sixty-five years Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's The Little Princehas captured the hearts and minds of its readers. The whimsical story with a fairy tale touch has sold over 80 million copies in 230 languages. This exciting graphic adaptation features beautiful, new artwork by Joann Sfar. Hand-chosen by Saint-Exupéry's French publishers for his literary style and sensitivity to the original, Sfar has endeavored to recreate this beloved story, both honoring the original and stretching it to new heights. A vibrant, visual gift for longtime fans and those experiencing the story for the first time.

My Thought
After travelling to some planets, the Little Prince finally arrived on Earth. He landed in a desert. Snake was the first creature that he met. Few days later, he found an aviator with his broken plane. To the man, who could not draw well, he told about his little planet. How conceited the Rose that he kept. The Baobabs trees that he cleaned every day. Even about the Volcano. He also shared his story about some adults whom he met in another planets. In few days, the Aviator learnt many things about the boy. The bond between them knitted and got stronger day by day.

The little Prince, I never get bored reading this book over and over again. This is one of my favorite books. The more I read it, the more I understand what the author tried to say. The first version that I read is in Indonesian. I think I have lost my count how many times I read this book. Now the paper is not as neat as the first time I bought. The English version, I read through the web. I was so glad that I could find my favorite quotes in English. The French was also available, but I gave up. I know no words in its original language. When I checked Net Galley and found its graphic novel. I was so eager to read it, although I remembered how the story was. But I must have slipped my mind that the publisher has approved my request. Because it took me more than a month to finish it.

I could not help myself but comparing this book and its novel. Since the original book also got the illustration. However I still prefer the original novel, there were some parts in graphic novel that I loved. Let's say when The Little prince met the snake in the desert, or his quality time with the Fox. Even when he talked to his rose. Joann Sfar drew it very well. I could see how arrogant that flower was. I also got many new things that I might have missed in the original book. It looks like that Joann Sfar added something in the story. Some of his artworks also made me giggling. A same emotion remained when I was in the last page.

Reading this graphic novel made me wanted to read the book especially when The Little Prince traveled to one planets to another.

From Goodreads, I saw another graphic novels of Joann Sfar. I'd love to read them all.

I recommended this graphic novel to all readers who adored The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.

4/5

Favorite quotes

"Grown-ups never understand anything by themselves"

"Perharps It's my fault that you didn't understand. You are as foolish as I am"

"You'll always be responsible for what you've always tamed."

"There's a risk you might cry sometimes, if you allow yourself to be tamed"

~~

Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 112 pages
Publisher: HMH Books (October 18, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9780547338026
ISBN-13: 978-0547338026
Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.4 x 0.7 inches
Source: Net Galley
Buy The Little Prince Graphic Novel at Amazon.

Review: Just Grace and the Terrible Tutu by Charise Mericle Harper

In this sixth installment in the Just Grace series, Grace and Mimi have a secret... Mimi is going to be a big sister. Then when Lily, a visiting four year old, turns into the Terrible Tutu, Grace can't escape her, and Mimi can't wait to be with her. Using all her empathy powers Grace shows Lily and Mimi the creative path towards a new friendship

My Thought

I was so glad when I found out that Net Galley offered this entertaining book for review. Although I just read the first two book of Just Grace Series, I still can keep up with all the rest of the story. Although there was one character whose story that I completely forgot, I did not get lost. I still enjoyed what Grace told in every chapter.

This is the sixth book. I thought I would see a grown up Grace. Unfortunately, I found there was nothing new from Grace. She still could not take "Just Grace" as her nick name at school. Great empathy power was something that she proud of. Her superhero breakfast, french toast, did not change at all. But it was not tedious to read all those stuff above. Grace and her words have hooked me since I read the first book. Besides Grace has many new things to tell.

Something interesting in this book is the appearance of Lily, a four years old - little girl with colorful tutu. For me, she was so cute. But for Grace, Lily was trouble. She even called her terrible tutu. Grace almost gave up. Moreover, when she found out that Lily could not make a friend with Mimi. Undeniable, dealing with a girl like Lily was exhausting. I could not stop giggling when I read about all time that they spent together. Lily was absolutely one of my favorite girls in this installment.

Another great character from this quick read book was Mimi, Grace's best friend. That sibling adoption things made her over-excited. Most of her idea, plan even fear about "big sister" were totally hilarious.

The illustration on this book was another thing that also does not change. It is still nice to see it.

I hope Atria, local publisher, will publish the next series. Since they have brought out the first and the second book.

Cover

Although I am not a big fan of pink, I think the chapters were representative in the cover. Read this book so you will get what I mean.

4/5 stars

~~~

Author: Charise Mericle Harper; Website, Twitter, Facebook

Buy This Book at Amazon; Just Grace and the Terrible Tutu

Hardcover, 176 pages

Published January 17th 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children

Source: Net Galley

Review: Magna by Nicole O'Dell

Molly Jacobs isn't sure what she should do: Should she follow through with stealing some clothes for her friends from Magna the trendy girls clothing store where she works? Or should she do what she knows is right, even if it means losing her newfound popularity? Girls ages 10 to 15 make the choice in this interactive story and see how the consequences change Molly's life. Includes a contract and prayer to remind the reader of the importance of making godly decisions

~~~

Magna is one of the first book that I got from Net Galley. Actually they gave me two different books in one title, Risky Business. I think it will be hard if I have to write the review all at once. So I decided to write each of them. Besides I have not finished the second.

This is also the first book of Nicole O'dell that I read. The other two books has been published before Magna.

This book started with Molly and her friends' idea to have a part time job in some place. Getting extra cash and a discount for cool clothes are their aims and Magna was the first place on their list. Because it was well known with its great clothes and accessories. At first everything ran well till Molly got some pressures. She had to take a tough decision. Every option has its own risk and consequences.

In the beginning ,I liked the main character. Molly was smart and creative young girl. She knew lot of about fashion. But then I started to hate her just because she suddenly turned into clueless girl when the problems hit her. But It did not stop me from reading the next pages. I loved when Molly talked to her parents.

At first I thought they seems so perfect and too good to be true. But still I love her parents.

I enjoy when they shared everything. A good family relation is something that I look up to in fiction book.

However there is one unnecessary thing included into the plot, it still moved smoothly. I never get stuck. I think I am going to read the Scenario 4.

Something unique from the book is you can get two different ending

Cover :

The girls are cute but I prefer if they are not there. I wonder what will the designer put on the cover if they are not there. But I still fall for its color. The color combination is lovely.

3/5


Author: Nicole O'Dell
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR);
First Edition edition: (May 12, 2009)
Language:English
Source: Net Galley