This is a fascinating catalog of deadly, intoxicating, illegal, painful, dangerous, offensive and destructive plants. It's basically an A to Z of the This is a fascinating catalog of deadly, intoxicating, illegal, painful, dangerous, offensive and destructive plants. It's basically an A to Z of the "botanical atrocities" of the world. Each entry is fairly short, with interesting and cautionary information as well as noteworthy anecdotes. And the seemingly neverending list of potentially deadly plants makes me want to be very cautious before ever nibbling on something in the wild. The illustrations and etchings are gorgeous and worthy of any field manual. This is an entertaining and informative book.
interesting quotes:
"And when a baby comes home, we rush to add safety caps to electrical outlets but ignore the houseplant in the kitchen and the shrub by the front door - this in spite of the fact that 3,900 people are injured annually by electrical outlets while 68,847 are poisoned by plants." (p. xiv)
[regarding quinine and tonic water] "Pilots in the armed forces are advised not to consume tonic water for seventy-two hours before flying, and to avoid drinking more than thirty-six ounces of tonic water per day." (p. 61) Huh? I've been flying in the armed forces for over sixteen years and have never heard of this before.
This is a fascinating account of the family history of a man. He admits that some of it might be mixed up or made up after so many years, but for the This is a fascinating account of the family history of a man. He admits that some of it might be mixed up or made up after so many years, but for the most part, it is a biography of his immediate family tree. The story is very interesting and the black and white illustrations are wonderful. It was written in 1940, so it's amazing to think that the story is more than 70 years old and yet still is as important as a historical account as it was then.
I will acknowledge that there are things written in this book about slavery, Native Americans, religion, and war (among other things) that would not be acceptable today. But in my opinion, that makes this book even more important to treasure, as it is an accurate portrayal of life in those times. We really enjoyed reading this book together, especially since we attended a Civil War program at our local library the next day and many of the same topics were discussed.
This is the next to the last Caldecott Medal book for us to read until we are caught up with the list as it stands now. Of course, they will add new books each year, but once we read Abraham Lincoln by Ingri D'Aulaire and Edgar Parin D'Aulaire, we'll be finished until they announce next year's book. Then we can continue working on the Caldecott Honor list. We're not even halfway through that list!
We found a Netflix treat: we just watched Shelley Duvall's Bedtime Stories, which features animated adaptations of children's storybooks with celebritWe found a Netflix treat: we just watched Shelley Duvall's Bedtime Stories, which features animated adaptations of children's storybooks with celebrity narrators. This story was narrated by Rick Moranis and we just loved the format. It reminded us of the Tumblebooks animations that we occasionally watch online. As the book is narrated, we followed along with a slightly animated version of the illustrations. It was very entertaining and we really enjoyed watching all of the episodes on the DVD.
This tale involves a little tugboat who wants to find the Loch Ness Monster, but finds out that lots of others are out to get her as well. It's an entertaining story and the illustrations are great. ...more
This is another fun mystery in the Agatha Raisin series by M.C. Beaton. I started reading this series this year and I like it; I will certainly be looThis is another fun mystery in the Agatha Raisin series by M.C. Beaton. I started reading this series this year and I like it; I will certainly be looking for the next book in the series soon. The stories are short, entertaining brain candy. This was an interesting story about a group of ramblers, and considering my recent trip to England, I can see how this kind of group would be popular. I did a lot of walking there, myself, and I'd like to think that it would be right up my alley (sans the militant part, of course!) The ending seemed a bit rushed, but I can't wait to find out what happens next...
This is an interesting book that shows us how little we truly know about all the various species of animals in the world. For the longest time, peopleThis is an interesting book that shows us how little we truly know about all the various species of animals in the world. For the longest time, people thought that creatures like the giant squid and the Komodo dragon were fictional creatures, but now we know they exist. But what about Bigfoot and plesiosaur-like creatures like the Loch Ness Monster? This book has great illustrations and helps children to understand how myths about monsters are created and how we are still discovering new creatures. ...more
This is a fascinating book about the life (and of course, death) of nineteen famous people. I borrowed this book months ago, started it, but never finThis is a fascinating book about the life (and of course, death) of nineteen famous people. I borrowed this book months ago, started it, but never finished before it was due (and there were holds - it seems this book is quite popular.) So then I borrowed it again and it's due today (and once again, there are holds...), so I just had to finish it. But it wasn't a struggle. It was a quick and entertaining read and although I mainly read it to myself, I read parts of it aloud to our girls. I especially liked the One More Thing afterward; it was very inspiring and thought-provoking. I made sure to read that part aloud with our girls and I hope they take those words to heart as they grow up.
In all, this was a very entertaining, humorous, and enlightening march through history, learning about famous people, their lives, their work, and especially the gross ways in which they died.
This is the fourteenth book in the The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids series. We've only read a couple of them so far, but our oldest really likThis is the fourteenth book in the The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids series. We've only read a couple of them so far, but our oldest really likes them. It's in the middle, so we get the feeling that we're missing out on some of the background history of the kids. But it's a fun story and we are looking forward to reading more books in this series. ...more
This was a bizarre, but entertaining entry in the Hamish Macbeth series by M.C. Beaton. Both my mother-in-law and I love these books and we are steadiThis was a bizarre, but entertaining entry in the Hamish Macbeth series by M.C. Beaton. Both my mother-in-law and I love these books and we are steadily working our way through them. They are fun, quick reads and we've grown attached to the characters. This story had a lot of sub-plots, almost too many to keep track of, but the story of the geriatric sleuths was my favorite. On to the next story...
This is another fun and cozy mystery in the Hamish Macbeth series by M.C. Beaton. Both my mother-in-law and I love these books and we are steadily worThis is another fun and cozy mystery in the Hamish Macbeth series by M.C. Beaton. Both my mother-in-law and I love these books and we are steadily working our way through them. They are fun, quick reads and we've grown attached to the characters. This story had a few too many deaths for my taste, but overall, it was an interesting and quick read. Perfect for my summer vacation!...more
Our girls love stories about princesses, and so our oldest borrowed this book from her elementary school library. It is a book with eight different taOur girls love stories about princesses, and so our oldest borrowed this book from her elementary school library. It is a book with eight different tales from different areas around the world, and all have a common thread of dancing. Many of the stories feature princesses and our girls really enjoyed looking at the illustrations and following along with the narrative in the book as we listened to it being read aloud on CD by Juliet Stevenson. ...more
Steadily working our way through the Hamish Macbeth series by M.C. Beaton. Both my mother-in-law and I love these books. They are fun, quick reads andSteadily working our way through the Hamish Macbeth series by M.C. Beaton. Both my mother-in-law and I love these books. They are fun, quick reads and we've grown attached to the characters.
This story was a bit messy and convoluted, but overall it was still an entertaining story. We finally realized that all along we'd been pronouncing the town wrong. It's Lochdubh as in "Lochdoo," not "Lochdubb." (p. 3)...more
This is a sweet and very short book in the Hamish Macbeth series. If I had timed it better, I could have read this book during Christmastime, which woThis is a sweet and very short book in the Hamish Macbeth series. If I had timed it better, I could have read this book during Christmastime, which would have been nice. Still, we are trying to finish out the series in order, so we are reading this one now. I am glad, too, because there are things that occur in this book that will continue in future books. After first jumping around within the series, I am glad to see events occur in chronological order. It satisfies my need for order.
I like that the book has a whimsical slant and the spirit of Christmas truly shines through. And it offers a deeper glimpse into Hamish's personality and his good nature and makes me like him all the more. All in all, it was a pleasant and very quick read.
A sequel to Moon Rabbit, this is an all too true story about the busy-ness of life in the city. We enjoyed reading this story together and it has a goA sequel to Moon Rabbit, this is an all too true story about the busy-ness of life in the city. We enjoyed reading this story together and it has a good message, but I think I prefer the first book better....more
This is a fun book that celebrates diversity and emphasizes that it is the differences that make us unique and interesting and not just cookie cutter This is a fun book that celebrates diversity and emphasizes that it is the differences that make us unique and interesting and not just cookie cutter imprints of our friends or parents.
It also encourages us to dream big, no matter how impossible that dream might be. We enjoyed watching the pages animated as the story is narrated by Billy Dee Williams on a Scholastic Storybook Treasures DVD.
It included seven other sing-along songs with animations of the illustrated books. It was a great way to see the book in a new way.
February 2018 update: I recently saw a paperback edition (9780439539470) of this book at the book swap at our local library and just had to read it again. I enjoyed reading the book, but realized after reading my review that I missed the charm that Mr. Williams brought to the animated version. ...more
Another slightly bizarre, but highly entertaining mystery in the Hamish Macbeth series by M.C. Beaton. The characters are fun and quirky and I had to Another slightly bizarre, but highly entertaining mystery in the Hamish Macbeth series by M.C. Beaton. The characters are fun and quirky and I had to laugh at how many times poor Hamish was stood up for a date in this book. It's a quick read and I am eager to read the next book.
My mother-in-law and I started reading this series in May 2009, and initially we skipped around the series. Before long, we were hooked and started reading the books in order. Now we are more than half-way through and hope that more are being written!
interesting quote (from the beginning of the Epilogue): "It doesn't much signify whom one marries, for one is sure to find next morning that it was someone else." (p. 190)
This is a sweet story about a city rabbit who longs for a friend and finds one in a park rabbit. It has the same kind of flavor as "City Mouse and CouThis is a sweet story about a city rabbit who longs for a friend and finds one in a park rabbit. It has the same kind of flavor as "City Mouse and Country Mouse," but it is a more gentle, calmer story. It's a good story to read at bedtime with younger children. ...more
This is another entertaining, but surprisingly violent mystery in the Hamish Macbeth series by M.C. Beaton. I lost track of how many people died in thThis is another entertaining, but surprisingly violent mystery in the Hamish Macbeth series by M.C. Beaton. I lost track of how many people died in this book and the book just started to drag on at the end.
My mother-in-law and I have been reading this series fairly steadily now for the last couple of years and we have really enjoyed reading about Hamish, his loves, and his shrewd detecting. We only have one more book to go until we are all caught up with the series. We like the characters and the stories are interesting and quick reads.
Overall, it was a decent bit of brain candy. I like Hamish et al, but I am looking forward to diving into a new series.
interesting quote:
"He was in the clear because writers only brought policemen into detective stories, and detective writers never got literary awards." (p. 127) [a wry comment, if I ever saw one!]...more
Our oldest adores all the stories in the Rainbow Magic series and I think she really likes these special edition books that have three stories in one.Our oldest adores all the stories in the Rainbow Magic series and I think she really likes these special edition books that have three stories in one. This is a fun tale that takes place in a Scottish castle and it's a quick read.
I read these books along with her, so we can chat about the plots and discuss her thoughts and ideas. I will be glad when she outgrows these books, but in the meantime, I'm just so happy that she enjoys reading!...more
I read this book because it was the selection of the month for a local book club. I liked it, although it was a bit slow-going at first with all of thI read this book because it was the selection of the month for a local book club. I liked it, although it was a bit slow-going at first with all of the transitions from plot to plot, past to present. I didn't know the characters and it was a bit confusing at first. But I forged on and finally caught up. It was an engaging story (at least once I got halfway through) and I was fascinated by the intertwined mysteries. The sideplot that involved the dolphin seemed to be a bit Carl Hiaasen-esque in its Floridian absurdity, but it was entertaining nonetheless. Overall, I enjoyed the story and I really liked the characters. I will look for more books in the Elizabeth MacPherson series of stories at my local library.
I have enjoyed reading M.C. Beaton's Hamish Macbeth series and this was an entertaining story. It's a quick read and follows the fairly typical plot fI have enjoyed reading M.C. Beaton's Hamish Macbeth series and this was an entertaining story. It's a quick read and follows the fairly typical plot for this series. I think I enjoy reading about the characters as much as I do the mystery itself and I like seeing how Macbeth interacts with the villagers, especially Priscilla. I am looking forward to the next story in the series, Death of a Dentist.
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