Review: Our Lunar New Year - Yobe Qiu - June 2020 Earlier this year I read and reviewed for another book tour - Our Moon Festival by Yobe Qiu and found it fascinating. When I saw Yobe had written a new one, I wanted to read it. I have to admit though that the cover of this book is a bit of an eye-sore compared to Our Moon Festival as the reds were a bit too vibrant. Other than that, the illustrations are similar to our Moon Festival. In Our Lunar New Year, we will read how a variety of Asian cultures celebrate their New Year. In each Asian culture except for Indian which is a variety of colors with their Diwali New Year festival, most use the color red predominantly. During the new year celebrations, they give each other monetary gifts often in red envelopes which symbolize good luck for the rest of the year. It is also a time for families to get together and celebrate the past year that has been and to prepare for the new year ahead. Unlike the Western ways of celebrating New Year, ...

Review: It Started with a List - Tinia Montford - January 2022 This particular book had captured my attention by the brightly colored cover and when I started it, I didn't necessarily have high expectations and I am glad I didn't as in this case, it made me enjoy this book more. There were quite a handful of things that just made this book such a good read for me.  The first thing which due to the cover, I will point out is that nowhere in this book did I feel like the issue of race was being shoved down my throat. Yes, the main character was black and the guy was white but throughout the story, the race of the characters wasn't the main point and it was nice for a change as I find sometimes when they focus on race the book can become a tad political. The other thing I loved was that this book was set in San Francisco as the characters visited the sights and this brought back good memories as I was there in December 2013. The other thing I loved was that the main characte...

Review: Happenstance Farms : A New Home - S. McMichael - January 2022  If you have a child who loves horses, then this picture book is a great step into reading and perfect for those young horse lovers who aren't quite at Saddle Club, Canterwood Crest, and Pony Pals level. Happenstance Farms: A New Home is also a great read if you are moving houses and to a new area where your child doesn't know anyone and has to start over and make new friends. Growing up, we moved a lot and by the time I was 18, I had lived in 20 different houses. Whereas my sister didn't mind, as she was extroverted and made friends easily, I was the opposite and struggled which is why I don't have close friends to this day. Savanna has moved to a new home and feeling beside herself and worried and her new horse etc will become her trusted confidant and her new friend while she settles into the new house and routine with her new horse trainer etc. In the end, Savanna can't believe how she was s...