This is a fun, colorful coffee table Christmas book that briefly goes into the history of Krampus and gives you dozens of amazing Victorian-era postcaThis is a fun, colorful coffee table Christmas book that briefly goes into the history of Krampus and gives you dozens of amazing Victorian-era postcards, all featuring the long-tongued devil of Christmas. Some of those postcards are hilariously salacious and put monster-lover into a whole new category. The styles of postcards are going to be comfortably familiar to anyone who’s dived down that rabbit hole of Victorian era anything. It’s just some of them were a little shocking how much some of those drawn women…welcomed Krampus, shall we say. Although it should come as no surprise considering what he, um, brings to the table, shall we say.
There’s really nothing else to review with this book. It cheered me up after a string of lackluster Christmas cozies. While not cozy itself, it definitely warmed me on the inside and I look forward to pulling it out every year from here on out and using it as a unique conversation starter. ...more
SPOOKY STORIES OF THE WORLD is a great introduction to supernatural creatures from all over the world, makWhat a fun book! The art was fantastic, too!
SPOOKY STORIES OF THE WORLD is a great introduction to supernatural creatures from all over the world, making it a point to focus on each continent. It’s not like they skipped Europe. Of course not. But because I think our knowledge of the supernatural is very limited to European-centric creatures thanks to our media, it can be hard to know where to look for something outside of that bubble. Shearer does a great job of collecting a small sampling of creatures and tales and compiling them here.
Told in contexts that most children would understand, they get a short description of the creature, followed by a tale to put it into context. Most of the tales have some level of upbeat ending, but not all of them. Some endings are more neutral, and a couple are not all that positive. Such is life, and I think that message is delivered a little better in this more fictional context.
This is a great book to plant the seeds of knowledge in a kid’s head. They can start here, and then if something excites them, there are more than enough rabbit holes in while to tumble down. I don’t even have kids and I’ll be buying a copy of this book to keep on my shelves. I love what I learned from it and again, the art is wonderful!
5
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review....more
I certainly had some flashbacks flipping through this coloring book. But I loved it. All the drawings, all the designs, are just so indicative of the I certainly had some flashbacks flipping through this coloring book. But I loved it. All the drawings, all the designs, are just so indicative of the decade. It was difficult to choose just one to color. Granted, it’s not like I have to give the copy back so I can color them all whenever I want. But for the sake of this review I did choose just one.
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How could I not with the Zach Morris phone? Look at that brick. I used a combination of colored pencils and watercolor markers and came up with this neon 90s gem. There’s some real Lisa Frank-looking stuff in here so if you’re looking for a mindless nostalgia break to take your mind off the hellscape around us, pick up TOTALLY ’90S COLORING BOOK. You won’t regret it.
5
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review....more
I absolutely adored this book. The art was amazing, at times creepy and other times cute, and often blending the two in a most excellent way. The infoI absolutely adored this book. The art was amazing, at times creepy and other times cute, and often blending the two in a most excellent way. The information the book provided was on point. It let you have that supernatural element you’re looking for, but ground you in reality with it too. I especially liked reading the Godzilla part because I’d just listened to a podcast that talked about similar things, about how Godzilla would basically be too big for his body and wouldn’t be able to move. Plus Beccia mentioned The Lost Boys in the vampire section. Automatic favorite book for that.
I know this is being marketed as a children’s book, but the amount of information in here makes me think it’s not for very young kids. Unless they’re super into this stuff and it’ll hold their attention. Otherwise it’s a bit dense for really young kids. Maybe 8 and up would be a good place to start. But hey, if you can start them younger on the creepy and the kooky, I full support that. And MONSTROUS would be a good place to start them.
5
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review....more
Adorable. Although I have to say I don’t think this reads like a regular picture book reads, just structurally. Not that I review a ton of picture booAdorable. Although I have to say I don’t think this reads like a regular picture book reads, just structurally. Not that I review a ton of picture books or anything. It’s just . . . the flow of it didn’t seem quite right. But that’s not really the point, is it?
The point is to stick a foot up Mike Pence’s ass by taking his bunny, making him gay, and having him get married in a children’s book and then donating all proceeds of said children’s book to The Trevor Project and AIDS United. That’s called irony, kids. That should be the next book: A Day in the life of Ernie Irony. Also the angry, homophobic bug that looks shockingly similar to Pence. Gee. I wonder if that’s a coincidence.
Look. If you bought and read this book you didn’t get it because it’s a quality picture book. You bought it because you hate Mike Pence and it just so happens to pass as a children’s book with an excellent, teachable message. It served its purpose with some cute images and a whole ton of money going to some great charities.
This book is just incredibly adorable. Initially I wasn’t sure if it was an adult book in comic form or a kids book because some of the humor does getThis book is just incredibly adorable. Initially I wasn’t sure if it was an adult book in comic form or a kids book because some of the humor does get a little dark. But reading the blurb on Goodreads it calls itself a chapter book so children’s book it is!
I freaking love the art. Especially when the characters get all bug-eyed or insensate or chuffed. And the shark getting dressed up in women’s clothing. Ha! Looking at Blabey’s other books on his website he seems to have a style that really speaks to my amusement. Just those googly-eyed characters that look a bit frazzled . . . they speak to me and they just move in.
It’s a cute story too, about a wolf who’s sick of the bad rep he has just because he’s a wolf so he tries to do good and recruit others to do good and they look at him a little side-eyed for doing it. Eventually the wolf gets them to go along with his plan and they may or may not have a different view of things by the end of their escapades.
THE BAD GUYS has a good little message about not judging a book by its cover and one bad deed doesn’t forever brand a person as bad and all of that. So good for kids in that regard. But as an adult (usually) I was so incredibly amused by the jokes and the art that I want to keep reading in the series! I just want to look at the pictures. It’s nice to look at the pictures every once in a while.
5
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review....more
OMG talk about an excellent find at Changing Hands. And I was totally meant to find it too. I was in a section of the store I NEVER go in (the TV/moviOMG talk about an excellent find at Changing Hands. And I was totally meant to find it too. I was in a section of the store I NEVER go in (the TV/movies section, it’s just never on my radar) and this beautiful book is just sitting there, all wrapped in plastic and waiting for me to grab it. At first I’m all like, wait, what? Labyrinth? THAT Labyrinth? I grab it, see what I’m holding, and don’t put it down until I’ve paid for it. I vaguely knew the book existed, but I certainly didn’t expect to find it on the shelf at my local bookstore. Surprise! Early birthday present for me!
And it’s glorious. Just absolutely glorious. All the drawings and the photos and the behind-the-scenes information. I love seeing everything it took to create Labyrinth, the sheer amount of time it took just to get the story together. There’s this one sketch of the Sarah character lying on a bed and the caption indicates that it’s in Jareth’s room in his castle. MIND BLOWN. I always know that David Bowie’s codpiece and the tight pants and the “is it sexual/is it not” vibe going on in the movie was very much intended. I just didn’t realize HOW intended. (very, very intended) Jim Henson took great pains to delicately approach this because he knew that it wouldn’t take much to push it over the edge into inappropriate.
And the number of people who auditioned for Sarah. Marissa Tomei, Alley Sheedy, Sarah Jessica Parker, Laura Dern, and then some. Can you imagine??? And the men who were considered for Jareth? Mick Jagger, David Lee Roth, Ted Nugent, among others. I can’t even. I really can’t.
Plus the fact that the Creature Shop worked on the puppets for literally YEARS before the movie even went into principle photography. They basically had ideas and started putting things together and melded those creations with the movie practically seamlessly. It’s amazing. And watching the story itself evolve from this high fantasy epic to what it is today. The number of incarnations it went through is mind-blowing.
LABYRINTH: THE ULTIMATE VISUAL HISTORY is a must-have for any Labyrinth fan. If Jim Henson was as big of a part of your life growing up as he was mine, you’ll adore his behind-the-scenes notes, you’ll smile when you read about what he was like on set, and how much he believed in Labyrinth and how sad it was that he didn’t live to see it grow into the beloved film it is today. Luckily there are plenty of people still left to keep the love alive.
Urban exploration has always fascinated me so combine my favorite city in the world with abandoned exploration and I’m game. I didn’t realize that thiUrban exploration has always fascinated me so combine my favorite city in the world with abandoned exploration and I’m game. I didn’t realize that this was a website first and foremost and the book was built from the exploration that Ellis did. His photos are pretty awesome and, if you’ve finished reading the book, you should definitely check out his website for more abandoned places.
I was a little disappointed to find out that none of the “famous” places are featured, like the City Hall subway station or Renwick on Roosevelt Island, but at the same time I’m glad they weren’t. There are so many other places, as illustrated in the book, that deserve a look for all the history they hold.
It’s very easy for me to see the former beauty of otherwise rundown and dilapidated places. I think it’s the main reason I’m so attracted to urban exploration. Plus I love history. Despite the fact that these places are no longer in use, and haven’t been for some time, their very presence makes history come alive and my mind just starts buzzing.
The photography itself isn’t the absolute best but that’s not to say it isn’t good. The images just don’t seem to pop as much to me based on other similar photos I’ve seen. They certainly give you a story and they give you a good piece meal look into what these places look like but they’re not as vibrate as some of the urban exploration photos I’ve seen. Some of them are striking, like the Rennie up in Harlem and PS 186. But a lot of them fall flat to me. They’re aesthetically pleasing but I’m not blown away by them.
I liked the little bit of history that Ellis provided with each photo set. While the photos speak for themselves the bit of background information helps to bring the building to life and let you overlay what the photo is showing you with an image out of history.
Overall I did enjoy what I read and what I was seeing and I will be frequenting Ellis’s website for more photos. He goes to some interesting places and makes an effort to unearth history that’s been forgotten and based on what I’ve seen that’s on his website that isn’t in the book, I can definitely get on board with his photography. I just don’t think the selection used in ABANDONED NYC was the best of the lot.
4
I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review....more
Seeing as how this book is really just an illustrated run-down of events surrounding the Titanic, there isn't all that much to review but that doesn'tSeeing as how this book is really just an illustrated run-down of events surrounding the Titanic, there isn't all that much to review but that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it.
The illustrations were, of course, the highlight of the book as they were the most pervasive. Richly colored and detailed it was hard not to stare at the visuals more than the words. I wouldn't recommend reading it in its digital form, though. I couldn't manage to zoom in on my Digital Editions and while I could in my eReader Library, I had to read the captions first and then zoom out to see the images it was set against. Kind of annoying but I lived with it. TITANIC is a book best viewed in hand. That much is clear. There's something to be said for being able to hold something in your head and stare at it and not have a glaring back-lit screen staring back. In my opinion anyway.
The only thing that kind of irked me about this title was that it presented the imprisonment of the third class passengers below decks during the sinking as fact. While it may have made for good drama by Stephen Spielberg, the likelihood of it actually having happened is pretty slim. As seen in Tim Maltin's 101 THINGS YOU THOUGHT YOU KNEW ABOUT THE TITANIC . . . BUT DIDN'T! in the excerpted testimony from the crew no one was forcibly kept below decks during the sinking. Many opted not to come above and, of course, there was a language barrier with some. One must take into account, though, that the British did attempt to whitewash what happened and perjury isn't such a far-flung idea. But since there are accounts from others about helping the third class passengers into boats (although few, they still exist), it kind of debunks that myth. But again, it's still something that pulls at the heartstrings.
This would be an excellent picture book for any kid, from the cross section of the Titanic's floors to the drawings and photos littering the pages making the Titanic come alive again, it's a visual smorgasbord of Titanic awesomeness. Hell, you don't even need to be a kid to enjoy this one. Buy it for the illustrations alone. You don't even need to read most of the captions. The images tell their own story....more
From the people that brought you awkwardfamilyphotos.com and awkwardfamilypetphotos.com, they bestow upon you the book form of the latter, filled to tFrom the people that brought you awkwardfamilyphotos.com and awkwardfamilypetphotos.com, they bestow upon you the book form of the latter, filled to the brim with awkward people and pets looking chagrined. Really, you're either going to love something like this or you're going to hate it. If you hate it, I'm pretty sure you don't have a soul. Because really, who doesn't like to gaze upon picture after picture of horribly awkward people inflicting their deep-seated dorkiness onto their non-human loved ones? It'll give you the chance to laugh, even for just a moment, as you project the horror onto someone other than yourself. That is, after you fix the antlers on your dog.
There's really not much to say about AWKWARD FAMILY PET PHOTOS other than poor animals and hilarious people. It's nice to know that people can laugh at themselves. Because when it's 1986 and you're posing with your cockatiel and you both have matching hair, if you can't laugh at that, you're going to give yourself an ulcer.
AWKWARD FAMILY PET PHOTOS would make a great Christmas gift for the jokester in your family, or a super stocking stuffer for anyone. Image the conversations that would ensue with this book lying about on your coffee table. You might find far more out about your neighbor than you were willing to live with. But that's okay. That's what evergreens are for. Really high evergreens.
With quirky commentary and photos so epically awkward they're have you laughing until you cry, AWKWARD FAMILY PET PHOTOS is something you not only need to buy for yourself, but for all of your loved ones. If they don't appreciate it, see above re: soul....more
Consider this a quickie review because really, without a plot, or words other than FAIL in it, and no viable characters to show for it, I'm just revieConsider this a quickie review because really, without a plot, or words other than FAIL in it, and no viable characters to show for it, I'm just reviewing the pictures of idiocy that is our world. And by god are they fantastic. Showcasing the de-evolution of our society, FAIL HARDER perfectly captures all that is dumb on the planet.
The pictures say it all. The FAIL splashed over them only adds to it. If you like the sick, twisted, self-deprecating humor of the Fail Blog, then you'll love this compilation of harder fails and want to add it to your collection immediately. It'll make a great coffee table book. Or will just make you want to curl up in a corner and cry for our lost brain cells. Either or.
I know I've talked about it here before (I mean, I took a nice big long trip there a year ago) but I can't express enough how much I love Santa Cruz, I know I've talked about it here before (I mean, I took a nice big long trip there a year ago) but I can't express enough how much I love Santa Cruz, California and it's Boardwalk. There's just something about it that keeps drawing me in and even now, I have a craving for Santa Cruz. It's been a year. I need to go again.
I was lucky enough to be in Santa Cruz in 2007 when they had their official centennial (it was also my first trip there) and I've been back nearly every year since and they continue to celebrate a century strong by the sea. While the Boardwalk and Municipal Wharf have kept up with the times, there's just this feeling in the air that keeps it all anchored in history. If you can appreciate that nostalgic feeling, then not only would you love Santa Cruz, you'd love this book as well, even if you've never been there.
The Lost Boys was what first introduced me to the Boardwalk and my love of seaside amusement parks blossomed from there. I've done research on a much closer seaside park, Coney Island, from it's beginnings until it's current state (unlike Santa Cruz, unfortunately, Coney Island is being eaten up by developers and slowly dismantled). So of course, why wouldn't I dive into Santa Cruz's history as well?
While A CENTURY BY THE SEA doesn't go into great detail about the Boardwalk's past, it offers enough of a glimpse into history to get a feel for what the area used to be. It shares not only company stories (the Seaside Company, that is) but stories from locals as well and it just roots you further in the nostalgia. And they're told as if someone were sitting across from you just talking about history. Nothing pretentious or showy about it. It just is what it is. The photos only add to all that is awesome about this book, bringing to life the past and showcasing how the Boardwalk morphed into what I've seen these last few years.
It's evident that The Santa Cruz Seaside Company takes great care in preserving the history of the Boardwalk. There is an unabashed pride simmering in the pages that's almost tangible. You can grab hold of it and actually feel the history of the Boardwalk. As someone non-local that has been there, I can root the history to its current map but even if you haven't, and you have a love of history, you'd be able to appreciate, and maybe even love, the fun times that this book relives.
If you have any interest in boardwalks or seaside towns, or want it to feel like summer no matter what time of the year it is, pick up A CENTURY BY THE SEA and relive the history of the Santa Cruz Boardwalk and roll around in its present. Then book your vacation because after reading this, if you've never gone, you'll want to remedy that as soon as humanly possibly. Just an FYI, there's a Chili Cook-off in October and a Clam Chowder Cook-off in February. Just saying....more
It's about freakin' time adults got their own picture books to put them to sleep. The market is sorely lacking in this niche. I'm glad Adam Mansbach (It's about freakin' time adults got their own picture books to put them to sleep. The market is sorely lacking in this niche. I'm glad Adam Mansbach (and Richard Cortes) were able to fill this gap just a little more.
What can be said for a 20 page adult picture book whose blurb has more words than what's between the pages? Aside from the fact that it's absolutely brilliant? If parents can't laugh at this, then their senses of humor were tossed out with the last placenta. It's painfully real and equally funny. If you're like me and are without loinfruit, you'll laugh uproariously. If you do have offspring, you'll still laugh your ass off but it might be tinted with a hint of psychotic insanity because you can relate all too well.
My favorite lines -
Hell no, you can't go to the bathroom. You know where you can go? The fuck to sleep.
How can you go wrong with that? What's even better is all of the art is so sweet and serene, like something you would actually find in a child's picture book. It'll just make you laugh even harder. Take a look. Open Road Media supplied me with a couple of examples to illustrate (click for a larger look) -
Soldier boy bought it for his friends, at my insistence, who have a kid. He was afraid they wouldn't laugh. They laughed their asses off. And so will you. You can buy the eBook form from Amazon, Apple, BN and Sony....more
First I have to just say that galleys of picture books are just so cool! They're all loose pages and the book is all floppy but it has all of the art First I have to just say that galleys of picture books are just so cool! They're all loose pages and the book is all floppy but it has all of the art and story that the published bound version will have. I just get a kick out of it every time I see it!
This is one of those one-off reviews that I have. This was another BEA pick-up for me. They were stacked all neat in a pile at the Disney display and I just couldn't resist. While I'm not the best person at all to review a picture book, I can give a few words on it.
Dave Barry co-wrote it. How can you go wrong? Sure, it tells the same Peter Pan story we all know and love but at the same time it has this subtle snark that not all children might get but will have the parents snickering as they read the story to them. It's a nice touch and adds a bit of spice to a very over-told story.
And I love the artwork. They look like rough drawings but they're so full of life and color that you can't help but find yourself staring at them long after you've read the words that accompany them. It's just so rich. The art is a perfect compliment to the words. Or the words are a perfect compliment to the art, however you want to look at it.
I really don't have much to say about this one. You know the story. It's been jazzed up with Dave Barry's touch. Very cute. Just a hint of snark. Excellent art. If you have a young relative or know a young child, I'd recommend picking up this book for them for Christmas. I'm sure they'd enjoy it....more
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