Review: If I Were Invisible, by Lily Lawson, Illustrated by Gustyawan

If I were Invisible

Think of all the things we could get away with if nobody could see us! But how long would the fun last, if we had to do it all alone?

Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/IfIwereInvisible

Continue reading “Review: If I Were Invisible, by Lily Lawson, Illustrated by Gustyawan”

Review: 42 – The Wildly Improbable Ideas of Douglas Adams, Edited by Kevin Jon Davies

HARDBACK
978-1-80018-268-4
320 pages
303 × 216 mm
24 August 2023
£30 / $36.95 / C$54.99 /
€32.49

A full-colour compendium of hundreds of never-before-published artefacts
from Adams’ archive, including diary entries, notes and musings, letters,
photographs, scripts, poems and more.

– Authorised by the estate of Douglas Adams, it includes personal
memorabilia from his family.
– Features a foreword from Stephen Fry and letters written after Adams’
death from friends and fans: Neil Gaiman, Margo Buchanan, Dirk Maggs,
Robbie Stamp, Arvind David.

When Douglas Adams died in 2001, he left behind 60 boxes full of notebooks, letters, scripts, jokes, speeches and even poems. In 42, compiled by Douglas’s long-time collaborator Kevin Jon Davies, hundreds of these personal artefacts appear in print for the very first time.
Douglas was as much a thinker as he was a writer, and his artefacts reveal how his deep fascination with technology led to ideas which were far ahead of their time: a convention speech envisioning the modern smartphone, with all the information in the world living at our fingertips; sheets of notes predicting the advent of electronic books; journal entries from his forays into home computing – it is a matter of legend that Douglas bought the very first Mac in the UK; musings on how the internet would disrupt the CD-Rom industry, among others.

42 also features archival material charting Douglas’s school days through
Cambridge, Footlights, collaborations with Graham Chapman, and early
scribbles from the development of Doctor Who, Hitchhiker’s and Dirk Gently. Alongside details of his most celebrated works are projects that never came to fruition, including the pilot for radio programme They’ll Never Play That on the Radio and a space-inspired theme park ride.
Douglas’s personal papers prove that the greatest ideas come from the fleeting thoughts that collide in our own imagination, and offer a captivating insight into the mind of one of the twentieth century’s greatest thinkers and most enduring storytellers.

Continue reading “Review: 42 – The Wildly Improbable Ideas of Douglas Adams, Edited by Kevin Jon Davies”

Review: Defeating SAD, by Norman E. Rosenthal, M.D.

Title: Defeating SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder)
Subtitle: A Guide to Health and Happiness Through All Seasons
Author: Norman E. Rosenthal M.D.
Trim Size: 6×9 • Page Count: 238 • Pub Date: 8/15/2023 • Self-Help / Emotions
Trade Paperback: 978-1-7225-0630-8
Price: $24.95 US, $32.99 Can., £17.99 UK, €21.99 EU
ePub: 978-1-7225-2762-4 Audio book: 978-1-7225-5094-3

Blurb

In his landmark new book, Defeating SAD, Dr. Norman E. Rosenthal, who first described Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and is
the foremost authority on the subject, offers an up-to-date guide to
overcoming the miseries that millions experience with the changing
seasons.
In his lively style, Rosenthal offers advice on how to identify, treat
and overcome both winter and summer varieties of seasonal affective
disorder, as well as the less severe, yet bothersome, winter blues.
Having pioneered the use of bright light therapy for SAD and
relying on his decades of experience treating SAD patients, Rosenthal offers strategies and techniques for defeating the condition,
including cognitive-behavioral approaches, diet and exercise advice,
medication, and meditation.
Dr. Norman Rosenthal is the author of Poetry Rx released last year to
rave reviews including:

  • The New York Times The Well Book List of 8 Favorite Books in
    2021 for Healthy Living
  • The subject of a New York Times op ed by Jane Brody
Continue reading “Review: Defeating SAD, by Norman E. Rosenthal, M.D.”

Review: Helping Paws from the Mayo Clinic, by Pat McCaw @MccawPat @mayoclinicpress @KellyALacey @lovebookstours #Ad #LBTCrew #BookTwitter 

Cricket Gives Comfort: Exploring Epilepsy (Helping Paws Academy)

This inviting chapter book series explores health topics through the friendly lens of therapy dogs. Follow an adorable therapy dog helping a child through a diagnosis of epilepsy with strong messages of empathy, kindness, and courage. Therapy dogs are specially trained to help kids through medical experiences—from lifting spirits, motivating movement, modelling the power of play, and more. Nonfiction back matter provides more information about medical topics introduced in the books, from acute to chronic issues, while also providing more information about therapy dog programs and the Mayo Clinic Children’s Center.

My Review

A short chapter book with lots of illustrations, covering epilepsy. Cricket spends the day helping a child cope with his seizures and the tests he needs to help control them. Cricket also plays with a child in physio rehab and plays frisbee with another of the therapy dogs.

I liked the story. I think it explains epilepsy, and the way seizures are investigated, well, and the illustrations are very good. They’re fun and cheery. The book shows the relationships between therapy dogs, their handlers, hospital staff and, most importantly, patients.


Dash and the Cancer Center: Learning About Leukemia

This inviting chapter book series explores health topics through the friendly lens of therapy dogs. Follow an adorable therapy dog helping a child through a cancer diagnosis with strong messages of empathy, kindness, and courage. Therapy dogs are specially trained to help kids through medical experiences—from lifting spirits, motivating movement, modelling the power of play, and more. Nonfiction back matter provides more information about medical topics introduced in the books, from acute to chronic issues, while also providing more information about therapy dog programs and the Mayo Clinic Children’s Center.

Mayo Clinic Press Kids creates empowering health and wellness content in partnership with paediatric experts.

My Review

In this book we meet Dash, who helps a child with leukaemia understand their diagnosis and treatment. Again, short, educational chapters and fun illustrations, that follow Dash through their day.


Lumos Helps with Healing: Battling Broken Bones (Helping Paws Academy)

This inviting chapter book series explores health topics through the friendly lens of therapy dogs. Follow an adorable therapy dog helping a child who broke her arm with strong messages of empathy, kindness, and courage. Therapy dogs are specially trained to help kids through medical experiences—from lifting spirits, motivating movement, modelling the power of play, and more. Nonfiction back matter provides more information about medical topics introduced in the books, from acute to chronic issues, while also providing more information about therapy dog programs and the Mayo Clinic Children’s Center.

Mayo Clinic Press Kids creates empowering health and wellness content in partnership with paediatric experts. Proceeds from the sale of every book go to benefit important medical research and education at Mayo Clinic.

My Review

We meet Lumos, a therapy dog at children’s hospital, and his handler. They help Ada, a child with a broken arm, cope with her first visit to a hospital after falling and hurting her arm, and Greta, a child in a wheelchair at her rehab session. Lumos enjoys helping children and mentoring other therapy dogs, and playing with his handler’s sons once his working day is done.

This story guides children through hospital trips and what happens when you have an X-ray and brake an arm. The story sensitively explains the process of having a cast put on and how to properly care for it. The interlude with Greta normalises children being in wheelchairs and the freedom a set of wheels brings. A wheelchair opens up the world to those who need them. I wish they’d mentioned that you shouldn’t touch a person’s chair without asking. The story shows Greta and Lumos navigating an obstacle course and having a lot of fun.

I enjoyed this story; the information is explained in a way children will understand but without being condescending. I also enjoyed the illustrations and the relationship between Lumos and his handler.

There’s only so much I can say about each of the books, but overall I think these books are helpful introductions to hospitals and a variety of medical conditions, for young children. I also think they’re good introductions to the concept of therapy dogs and what they can do for patients. I found the stories engaging and characters likeable.

Review: How to draw a giraffe the Alice May Way, by Alice G May

How to Draw A Giraffe – The Alice May Way

There is only one rule when you draw the Alice May Way and that is to have FUN!

Follow along with Alice, step by step, and learn how to draw a giraffe.

Packed with interesting facts about giraffes, the environment and what we can do to protect our planet, this all-age book is a must-have for those who love to draw animals.

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Draw-Giraffe-Alice-May-ebook/dp/B0CB3Y4RNR

https://www.amazon.com/How-Draw-Giraffe-Alice-May-ebook/dp/B0CB3Y4RNR

Continue reading “Review: How to draw a giraffe the Alice May Way, by Alice G May”

Review: Unladylike Lesson in Love, by Amita Murray

20 July 2023 | Paperback Original | £8.99 | 9780008598013 |

Blurb

Not every Regency lady is looking for a husband…
Meet Lila Marleigh.

As the daughter of an English earl and his Indian mistress, impulsive Lila Marleigh has already broken the rules of society into tiny pieces.

When a face she never thought she would see again appears and begs for help, Lila must court notoriety once more and pit her wits against the annoyingly handsome aristocrat, Ivor Tristram.

But does she risk opening her heart to the one person who can break it…?

The start of a fun, fiesty new series featuring the Marleigh sisters

Continue reading “Review: Unladylike Lesson in Love, by Amita Murray”

Review: Don’t Disturb The Dragon, by Rhiannon Findlay & Sian Roberts

Information about the Book
Title: Don’t Disturb the Dragon
Author: Rhiannon Findlay
Illustrator: Siân Roberts
Release Date: 22nd June 2023
Genre: Picture Book
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Puffin

Summary

Somewhere near, a huge beast lies,
with giant claws and great big eyes . . .
DO NOT DISTURB THE DRAGON!

Oh no – the Princess’s little brother has gone missing! Can YOU help her find him?

A brilliantly interactive rhyming read-aloud adventure before bedtime from the bestselling author of the Ten Minutes to Bed series.

Tiptoe over, under, round and through the book, just . . . don’t disturb the DRAGON!

Fans of Ten Minutes to Bed, Little Unicorn will love helping the Princess on her quest in this immersive, interactive adventure with a wind-down-to-bedtime ending!

Continue reading “Review: Don’t Disturb The Dragon, by Rhiannon Findlay & Sian Roberts”

Review: Heal your Body and Mind with Yin Yoga, by Miranda Mattig Kumar

Format: 202 pages, Paperback
Published: March 1, 2023 by Quadrant Books
ISBN: 9781739864545 (ISBN10: 1739864549)
Language: English

BLURB

This new book by Yin Yoga expert Miranda Kumar helps achieve deep relaxation in an overstimulated world through the power of Yin Yoga.

This simple, well-designed, and fully colour illustrated guidebook is a detailed handbook to practising Yin Yoga relaxation techniques with ease, and its many benefits are provided by comprehensive Yin Yoga illustrations, diagrams and additional interactive online exercise sessions available via our YouTube channel, which can be easily accessed by QR codes through your mobile phone.

Stress, pain, anxiety is all a result of our fast-paced and sometimes impersonal and unforgiving society. If you add a lack of physical activity, recurring ailments like back, hip, or shoulder pain may affect your quality of life. It is important to understand how essential it is to adopt regular movement and activity that helps to reintegrate the mind-body connection. You will then begin to experience the benefit of that integration in your daily life through better sleep and enhanced mood. That is why Yin, a Yoga discipline, can be beneficial to young and old, male, and female alike and is easily accessible to everyone.

Practising Yin Yoga postures which are maintained for several minutes allows the mind to calm and reconnect. You will also discover a particular meditation or creative visualization that works well for you to integrate your mind, body, and spirit. See more at www.yin-yoga.pro

Continue reading “Review: Heal your Body and Mind with Yin Yoga, by Miranda Mattig Kumar”

Review: Whisperwood, by Alex Woodroe

● Genre – Fiction > Dark Fantasy > Fairy Tales, Folklore & Mythology
● ISBN hardcover – 9781787588431
● ISBN paperback – 9781787588424
● ISBN ebook – 9781787588448
● Pricing [USD] $26.95 (HC) / $16.95 (PB) / $4.99 (EB)
● Releases July 11 2023
● Published by Flame Tree Press
● Distributed by Simon & Schuster
 

SYNOPSIS

A must-read dark fantasy debut for fans of “The Witcher”, woodland survival guides, the gruesome original Grimm Brothers stories, and dark folklore from around the world…

A journey into the wild woods with a character who just needs a break—and the terrible things that stare back at her.

When curious nomad Anna hears about Whisperwood, a town that’s not on any maps, that nobody goes to, and nobody comes from, she sees an opportunity to hide from her violent witch-hunting ex.

But not everything is peaceful in the isolated community. A vanishing town, a gruesome funeral rite, an emergency field surgery—these surprises and more test Anna’s resolve.

Prevented from leaving the frontier settlement by folk magic she doesn’t understand, Anna lends helping hands everywhere she can, but quickly finds that investigating the forest too closely could end up being the last thing she does.

Continue reading “Review: Whisperwood, by Alex Woodroe”