The cat on Blossom Street is very, very busy.  He visits almost every house on the street during the day and does everything from having tea, to gardening, to dancing and posing for a painting with each resident.  Each person calls the cat by a different name.  There is one house on Blossom Street that no one visits, life is slower there.  At number eleven Blossom, Mrs. Murray simply likes to knit and sit by the fire.  When the cat visits Mrs. Murray, he decides that he likes it there, but the other residents wonder where their cat went.  When everyone figures it out, number eleven Blossom becomes a bit more exciting.
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Archie Snufflekins Oliver Valentine Cupcake Tiberius Cat is a fun story that also sends a great message about people in your community.  Kids loved this cat and his silly variety of names.  The cat of Blossom Street has a kind and gentle way of reminding us all of friendship, the value of animals and having a sense of community.  Everyone called the cat by a different name and no one realized that he visited them all until he goes missing; and then no one thinks to look at their elderly neighbor’s house.  Illustrations are done with soft and subtle tones; the cat is always expressive and the community members are diverse.  With an endearing and happy ending, and simple text, Archie is perfect for beginning readers and little ones.
 
This book was received for free in return for an honest review. 

Amelie is a little girl who lives on the top floor of a tower.  She is used to staying inside and playing.  No matter what her parents say, Amelie would rather stay inside and play, watch a movie or play on the computer.  One day, Barlow the bird stops by Amelie's window, he wants her to come play outside.  Season after season Barlow tries to convince Amelie to venture into the great outdoors.  What will Amelie do?

An important story for kids who think everything that they need is inside.  Highlighting a bunch of fun things to do outside such as puddle jumping, sandcastle building, jumping in leaves, picking berries, and sledding, Barlow reminds kids of how much there is to do, and that these things might not be there forever, whereas computer games and TV will wait for you.  Eventually, Amelie realizes that the great outdoors holds many amazing things.  With simple pictures in muted tones, Amelie and the Great Outdoors is a sweet story great for kids 0-5. 

This book was received for free in return for an honest review. 

​A Geis is a curse, a vow or a spell where, if broken, the infractor will suffer dishonor or death. 
The chief matriarch is on her deathbed with no heir to rule in her place.  She has decided that a contest will be held to find the one worthy to rule in her place. Fifty people have signed her will to participate, unknowingly being placed under a geis by a powerful sorceress.  Now, the participants must complete the challenges or face the consequences.  
I am just starting to read more comic books, so I am not the greatest judge.  However, I was really pulled into this story and it's cast of characters.  There is a wide variety of people who are competing for the position including a judge, Councillor, village witch and a young girl, a Kite Lord's daughter.  I enjoyed seeing the first challenge from several of the characters perspectives.  The artwork uses a muted pastel palate which brings the focus to the characters and keeps the tone classic and serious.  The story leaves us on quite a cliffhanger with the end of the first challenge.  I would have really liked to learn more about the curse itself and some of the characters and I'm hoping book two of the trilogy will answers these questions. Appropriate for middle grade readers and up, a suspenseful, exciting story with a little bit of a dark streak. 


This book was received for free in return for an honest review.