Books! Super Short Reviews

I'm just one year away from getting my license in elementary education. So, this summer I am going to spend ample amounts of time reading children and teen's literature! I also have a taste for weird books as well. I will reviewing the good books I've read from time to time in this here blog:

A Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck
A girl (in 1937) goes down south to live with her grandma for a year. I loved this book-very unpredictable and funny.

Coraline by Neil Gaimen
(Just came out in theaters). I liked this book and I liked the ending in the book better. This book didn't have the little boy that tries to befriend Coraline, she doesn't fall asleep in the other house and wake up in her own house each night, and the two old ladies don't have a million stuffed Scotties (if I'm recalling accurately).

The Collection of Alison Dare, Little Miss Adventures by J. Torres (graphic novel)
A nice look at a different part of the world, while not relying on cliches but defusing them. A lot of vocab/foreign words that children might be unfamiliar with are introduced.

Autobiography of My Dead Brother Myers
Black characters in a city where gangs and poverty are present. Has pictures from the main character's sketchbook. The beginning and ending come full circle.

The Little Endless Storybook by Jill Thompson
This storybook is apparently based on Neil Gaiman's Sandman characters, which I haven't read yet (I'm putting basically the entire catalog of Gaiman on my summer reading list). I love, love Thompson's art! She also did a book called Magic Trixie, that's somewhat similar.

Days Like This J. Torres
A graphic novel on the rise of a girl group in the 60s (50s?). I love the Ronnettes, the Shirelles, etc. so I liked reading this :)

Bridge to Terabithia Paterson
A book about living in a small town, friendship between a girl and a boy and death.

What the World Eats Menzel and D'aluisio
Lots of photographs of families around the world and what they eat for a week, how much it costs, etc. Includes profiles on the families and a family recipe.

My Etsy Purchases Part 1

I love ALL my etsy purchases. Here are some that are my most favorite-est:

picture from MartinsvilleEmporium

-Cinnamon apple peach soap by MartinsvilleEmporium. I discovered this shop when I received a Sample (homeofthesampler.com) and in it was a soap sample! I love handmade soap! I eventually went to their etsy shop, and ordered a holiday handmade soap sample pack. They included a small soap extra, cinnamon apple peach scented. I love this scent! I went and ordered a full bar. I see they don't currently offer this scent at the present moment :( but there's a good assortment of goodies available to purchase.

Picture from fizzypOpshoppe


-Pink TrenchCoat by fizzypOpshoppe. This was my most expensive Etsy purchase to date ($100) but soooooo worth it. I love this jacket, I've gotten a lot of compliments on it. AND it's one of a kind :) I randomly found this jacket on etsy and I couldn't stop thinking about all night when I went to bed. In fact, I believe I woke up extra early to buy it because I was sooo afraid someone else would take it away from me. This listing (click to see more pictures on this closed transaction) has a huge number of views and a whole ton of hearts (Something like 27, maybe?).

It's a fab jacket but right now it's too cold to wear in ChillyMinnesota. I can't wait for my state to defrost so I can start wearing it again! :)

-Pandora