BEDTIME FOR SWEET CREATURES

Nikki Grimes, author

Elizabeth Zunon, illustrator

Hardcover, 32 pages

Published January 14th, 2020 by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky  

ISBN: 1492638323 (ISBN13: 9781492638322)

Such a treat! A beautifully illustrated hardcover book by Nikki Grimes and illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon. Zunon's illustrations use brilliant colors that lift right off the page. Her sweet creature's expressions are beautifully done. Grime's mommy is admirably calm and patient, and her sweet creature is full of spirit. The language used is alive, active and strong. The story and the illustrations perform well together, making Grimes and Zunon a talented team.

***Thanks to Nikki Grimes, Author, Elizabeth Zunon, illustrator, Sourcebooks Jabberwocky and Multicultural Children's Book Day for the opportunity to read and review this book. I won this through an MCBD giveaway.***

THE LIBRARY AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD

Felicity Hayes-McCoy

Paperback, 368 pages

Published November 14th 2017 by Harper Perennial

ISBN:  0062663720 (ISBN13: 9780062663726)

also available kindle and audiobook.

Things start a quiet confusion while Hannah tries to figure out her life after divorce and moving back to her small, rural hometown. Then chaos when she starts renovations on her house and the community finds out they are losing governmental support for the library and seniors.
I am a library lover to begin with. Set that in Ireland, I am in heaven. This was a fun read. Some of the crotchety characters and the description of the landscape were great. Hayes-McCoy usually writes non-fiction about the Dingle Peninsula where this book is set, so she knows the area well. Her words bring out the beauty of the area wonderfully. Hannah's character was a little too stubborn for me, at first. But as I continued with the story, I soon realized why.

THE LIFE SHE WAS GIVEN

Some of the reviews were negative and I wasn't sure I would finish this book. As it turns out, I really like Wiseman's writing. There is the circus animal abuse in the book that was graphic;  but in remembering when Lilly's part of the story was to take place (1930's/1940s), this type of abuse is not addressed in the same way it is today. Lilly's character is different, her parents and the general population did look upon her as someone who needs to be caged or treated like a freak in the circus. The author does well in showing Lilly's progressing into accepting herself and her new circus family, and thus starts Lilly's understanding that all people and animals deserve respect.

Alternating chapters with Lilly is Julia. She had the choice to run from the same parents who raised Lilly. Julia's life is not so great on her own, but then she inherits the family property. The author does develop this character decently away from the angry daughter who ran away from home.

A lot happens in the book. It is a tough read with the animal abuse issue in the book, and the neglect and abuse that Lilly as a child, and her circus family endures as freaks. Seeing that people may be different on the outside, but more alike on the inside, is written well here. Understanding that people still hold the older views and how keeping all this private affects our lives is brought to light in the book.

Diversity, coming of age, forgiveness are all part of the plot. The ending could have been written a little tightened up, and maybe a not so perfect, happy ending. I believe, after reading <u>The Life She Was Given</u>, I will read more of Ellen Marie Wiseman.

The Unquiet Daughter

Danielle Flood

ISBN: 1944393188 (ISBN13: 9781944393182)

I had read The Quiet American, a while a go, and was quite intrigued when I read the description of this book. The author did her homework/research for this memoir, so there were a lot of description of what was happening in Vietnam when her mom, father, and stepfather were living there. Having a not so wonderful childhood, and parents who either did not communicate well or outright lied to her, I could feel her struggle in trying to figure out who she was and where she belonged. The research Flood has done of her mother's background, as well as that of her biological and stepdad's, gave a lot of insight as to what was lost to her in her formative years. Many of us have a lot more from our parents as we grow up. I did enjoy reading this memoir. At times, I felt as if the author's need for positive attention from her mom and for a relationship with her biological dad came across as a childlike "I want, I want" flare up. I wasn't sure how much of that came from the upbringing she had.

***This copy was received from the Author through a Goodreads Giveaway in exchange for a fair review***