Marshmallow by Clare Turlay Newberry

Marshmallow
story and pictures by Clare Turlay Newberry

Published: 2010
Publisher: HarperCollins
Genre: Children, Animals, Rabbit
Paperback: 32
Rating: 5
Goodreads

First sentence(s):
Oliver was a gray cat with tabby markings who lived in an apartment.

Marshmallow is an endearingly and beautifully illustrated book about an adorable baby bunny who comes to live in the house of a pampered cat, and the friendship that develops between them.

My two-bits:

Sweet friendship tale with adorable illustrations to match.

~*~
* starting a new meme: posting on the first of the month with something rabbit themed (rabbit rabbit)

Happy Release: Shred Girls by Molly Hurford

Shred Girls:
Lindsay's Joyride
by Molly Hurford
illustrated by Violet Lemay
-Sports, Middle Grade | Goodreads
Release date: May 7, 2019
An empowering new series from the cyclist who runs Shred-Girls.com is guaranteed to give readers an adrenaline rush--and the confidence girls gain from participating in sports!

It's time to ride and save the day!

Lindsay can't wait to spend her summer break reading comics and watching superhero movies--until she finds out she'll be moving in with her weird older cousin Phoebe instead. And Phoebe has big plans for Lindsay: a BMX class at her bike park with cool-girl Jen and perfectionist Ali.

Lindsay's summer of learning awesome BMX tricks with new friends and a new bike turns out to be more epic than any comic book--and it's all leading up to a jumping competition.

But some of the biker boys don't think girls should be allowed to compete in BMX. Now it's up to Lindsay, Jen, and Ali to win the competition and prove that anyone can be great at BMX.

Little People, Big Dreams series

Little People, Big Dreams: Coco Chanel
by Mª Isabel Sánchez Vegara, Ana Albero

Find out more about this book and author:
Amazon | Goodreads

Published: 2016
Publisher: Frances Lincoln Childrens Books
Genre: Biography, Children
Hardback: 32 pages
Rating: 5

Little People, Big Dreams series:
Coco Chanel
Frida Kahlo
Audrey Hepburn
Amelia Earhart
Agatha Christie
Marie Curie
Ella Fitzgerald
Maya Angelou

In this new series, discover the lives of outstanding people from designers and artists to scientists. All of them went on to achieve incredible things, yet all of them began life as a little child with a dream. The first book follows Coco Chanel, from her early life in an orphange--where she is a genius with needle and thread--to her time as a cabaret singer, hat maker, and, eventually, international fashion designer. This inspiring and informative little biography comes with extra facts about Coco's life at the back.

PeekAbook:

Gabrielle "was" different. While the other girls played, she liked to sew with a needle and thread. -page 5

My two-bits:

A quick way to learn about inspirational women in history is with this illustrated children's series. The basic essential qualities of each woman is presented with key moments in their lives as they strived towards their dream.

I love the look of this collection and plan on reading more of it.

~*~

Little People, BIG DREAMS: Maya Angelou
by Lisbeth Kaiser
illustrated by Leire Salaberria
Rating: 5

Amazon | Goodreads
Mom & Me & Mom by Maya Angelou Amazon | Goodreads

I picked this up to read before getting into Maya's book. I love the overall theme of girls with dreams and working towards it despite hardships.

Paris Sketchbook by Fabrice Moireau, Mary Kelly

Paris Sketchbook
illustrated by Fabrice Moireau
text by Mary Kelly

Find out more about this book and author:
Amazon
Goodreads

Published: 2001
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Genre: Art, Illustrations, France
Hardback: 96 pages
Rating: 5

First sentence(s):
Everyone develops his or her own personal relationship with Paris. It begins with a visit, a book or a film but then it seems to take on a life of its own.

Paris is seen through the eyes of artist Fabrice Moireau, with sketches in watercolor and pencil perfectly matched by an introduction by Mary A. Kelly. These residents of the world's most romantic capital city are the perfect guides to its streets, monuments, gardens and delightfully hidden corners.

PeekAbook:

=====> Shakespeare and Company is a MUST go-to spot for book lover ;-)

My two-bits:

I loved looking through this book of watercolored sketches. This collection of illustrations brings about a cozy feeling with its use of warm subtle colors of old architecture and street scenes.

Some of the sights get into the nooks and crannies of the historic centre, Northern Paris, Eastern Paris, Southern Paris and Western Paris. Each scene includes a brief description of the location and some with trivia bits.

This is a good travel book as well when planning a trip to Paris. I found that there are still so many places and things to see in Paris. Southern Paris with its Hong Kong-style eateries is an area that caught my attention in the book. I plan to visit one of its noodle shops on Tolbiac and Porte de Choisy in the 13th arrondissement.

If you like coffee table art books, this is one to get that should be left open to random pages to enjoy when you walk past.

~*~
* part of October Paris virtual book event (schedule)

The One-of-a-Kind Cat Book by Ciye Cho

The One-of-a-Kind Cat Book
by Ciye Cho

Find out more about this book and author:
Available here
Goodreads
Website
Blog
Facebook
YouTube
Twitter @ciyecho

Published: 2015
Publisher: self
Genre: Animals, Cats, Illustrations
ebook
Rating: 4

First sentence(s):
Catalina Deneuve is the only cat with a speaking voice. Yet, this feline has done much, much more than talk.

The One-of-a-Kind Cat Book is a whimsical treat for cat lovers everywhere. Dive into its pages to meet Catalina the narcissistic movie star, Kit the steampunk genius, and Guillaume the macaron chef. Browse through letters, notes, and photos to learn about mystery cats from Svalbard and the Amazon. Follow a detective as he unravels the crimes of “Murder Kitties.”

The OOAK Cat Book is a grown-up picture book full of modern themes: a shameless search for fame (or infamy), an obsession with true crime, and our constant need for adventure and kawaii cats. The felines here will guide you to places like Paris, Varanasi, Woodstock, and the Great Barrier Reef.

Find your adventure amid 127 pages, 16 chapters, and 46 illustrations.

PeekAbook:



My two-bits:

This is a gem of a book in a unique and whimsical format. The stories are in various layouts - magazine, letters, electronic tablet, etc. Also full page illustrations are included that provide very colorful eye candy.

It is fun to flip through this ebook and read whatever catches your eye.

The stories are short and varied. The steampunk one was a treat ;-)


~*~
* review copy courtesy of author

One of Ciye's cat's in galactic glamour joins in the Star Wars mania (here).

Warren the 13th and The All-Seeing Eye: A Novel by Tania del Rio and Will Staehle

Warren the 13th and The All-Seeing Eye: A Novel
by Tania del Rio and Will Staehle

Find out more about this book and author:
Amazon
Goodreads
BookExcerpt
Website for Tania
Website for Will
Activity Booklet: (here)

Just released: November 24, 2015
Publisher: Quirk Books
Genre: Middle Grade, Paranormal, Steampunk, Witches
Hardback: 224 pages
Rating: 5

First sentence(s):
Warren the 13th tiptoed across the roof of the Warren Hotel, and the old slate tiles clattered like bones.

Meet Warren the 13th, a cursed 12-year-old Victorian bellhop who’s terribly unlucky . . . yet perpetually optimistic, hard-working, and curious. Orphan Warren’s pride and joy is his family’s hotel, but he’s been miserable ever since his evil Aunt Anaconda took over the management. Anaconda believes a mysterious treasure known as the All-Seeing Eye is hidden somewhere on the grounds, and she’ll do anything to find it. If Warren wants to preserve his family’s legacy, he’ll need to find the treasure first—if the hotel’s many strange and wacky guests don’t beat him to it! This middle-grade adventure features gorgeous two-color illustrations on every page and a lavish two-column Victorian design that will pull young readers into a spooky and delightful mystery.

PeekAbook:



My two-bits:
Loved the illustrations along with this story that has that gothic Edward Gorey feel to it.

It is playful with puzzle/riddle like sleuthing set in a hotel.

Treated to steampunkery scenes.

~*~
* review copy courtesy of Quirk Books

* SIGNUP to win a copy (here)

Upside of Iris by Helen Rose (with giveaway)

Upside of Iris
by Helen Rose

Find out more about this book and author:
Amazon
Goodreads
BookExcerpt
Website
Facebook
Twitter @TheUpsideOfIris

Release date: September 9, 2015
Publisher: Through the 4th Wall
Genre: Fairy Tales, Illustrated, Romance
ebook
Rating: 5

First sentence(s):
I know what you must be thinking right now: something's gone terribly awry and you do hope this picture is turned right side up immediately.

What does love look like to you?

For young Iris, the whole world looks upside down, and the only person who truly understands and appreciates her perspective is her new friend Charlie, who has his own unique trait: he cannot speak. His silence, her precociousness, and their acceptance of each other make the two a perfect match.

But happiness is fleeting, as Iris’s new stepsisters, skeptical and jealous (as conventional folks often are of those who dare to swim against the tide), manage to drive the two apart. Iris and Charlie are separated for the remainder of childhood.

Grown-up Iris never forgets about Charlie, though, and her love for him influences the charming art gallery she now owns. But despite the visually magical environment she inhabits, Iris finds herself doubting Charlie once again, thanks in no small part to those pesky stepsisters of hers.

Still, before she decides to give up hope altogether, she decides to do one small thing for the other lonely souls around her . . . with wonderful consequences.

The Upside of Iris is an illustrated love story for all ages, and for anyone who has ever felt misunderstood. It is a whimsical, touching reminder that perspective is truly everything, and that a change in perspective can make all the difference in the world.

PeekAbook:



My two-bits:

This is a gem. I would love to see a print version of it as the colors are so warm and whimsical to behold.

I read this on my black/white kindle and did not get the full effect. But looking online at the video clips (here) is a treat.

The story is fairy tale-ish and a cute one with longing and love and some things in between.

~*~
* review copy courtesy of author via Kate Tilton's Book Bloggers

* SIGNUP to win an ebook copy (here).