Tag: book review

Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Self Published Book Review of the Week: The Adventures of PJ and Split Pea

The Adventures of PJ and Split Pea, Vol. 1: Fine Feathered Friends

by S.D. Moore

This self-published book was recently reviewed by www.readerviewskids.com:

“The Adventures of PJ and Split Pea, Vol. 1: Fine Feathered Friends” begins with a boy named PJ trying to decide what kind of pet he wants to get. After not being able to decide he hears a voice say hi to him. He sees that it is a bird named Split Pea. Nobody has wanted to bring Split Pea home because his feathers look like they have splits in them, so the pet shop owner just gives him to PJ.

Cayden: “In the beginning of the book it said they were going to the pet shelter to get a pet that was lost or that someone got rid of but then on the next page they were in a pet store. A pet store isn’t the Humane Society. We went to the Humane Society and brought the dogs treats and other stuff, remember? I liked that he got a bird that no one else wanted though. That was good that they gave it a home. It was funny when PJ tried to fix Split Pea’s wings. I liked that the bird could talk to him.”

Parent’s comments:
I agree with Cayden that there was a little bit of an inconsistency in the beginning about stating that “his mom was going to take him to the pet shelter to adopt a lost and abandoned pet” and then three sentences later it says that “PJ and his mom arrive at Mr. Peppy’s Pet Store.” However, they do end up with a pet that no one else seems to want so it all evens out in the end. The story of PJ and Split Pea was a creative one and we enjoyed reading about all of the “solutions” to the split wing problem. I also liked the great lessons taught in the story of self-acceptance and of accepting others the way that they are. We recommend “The Adventures of PJ and Split Pea, Vol. 1: Fine Feathered Friends” by S.D. Moore.

For more information or to buy the book, visit the author’s webpage: www.outskirtspress.com/pjandsplitpea


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Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Self-Published Book Review of the Week: The Heroes of Googley Woogley

The Heroes of Googley Woogley

by Dalton James

This self-published book was recently reviewed by www.readerviewskids.com:

“The Heroes of Googley Woogley” is a creative book written and illustrated by seven-year-old Dalton James. The book tells the story of a boy and his father going off to space to help the people of the rectangle-shaped plant of Googley Woogley.  Cayden: “I liked that a kid wrote this book and drew the pictures. He colors and stays in the lines good like me. I liked the pictures of the SooDos and the SooDonts. My favorite part was when the bad guys got stuck. That was funny! This was a good story.”

Parent’s comments:
We found “The Heroes of Googley Woogley” to be an interesting and fun book. I love the fact that it was created by a child! I hope that Dalton James continues to follow his dreams and produce more work in the future.

For more information or to buy the book, visit the author’s webpage: www.outskirtspress.com/DaltonJames


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Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Self-Published Book Review of the Week: By the Side of the Buffalo Pasture

Buffalo Pasture.coverBy the Side of the Buffalo Pasture

By Lisa Boblett

Recent review for By the Side of the Buffalo Pasture:

Kathleen Buerer’s memoir, By the Side of the Buffalo Pasture, evokes yearning for meaning in life. This woman of courage left a materially comfortable existence in pursuit of that which is intangible yet as necessary as water. Clearly and compassionately, she describes her experience of leaving her position with the Environmental Protection Agency in Washington DC and the promise of a “fat retirement check” in search of something more.

That something more begins to unfold after she reads a newspaper article about the birth of a White Buffalo on a farm in Janesville, Wisconsin. She plans to visit the farm during her next trip to the Midwest. When she gets there, she feels drawn to Miracle, a “muddy beast” that in Native American culture represents the fulfillment of an ancient prophesy.

While many in midlife might turn to materialism to avoid confronting the mystery of life, Buerer chooses to delve deeper into life’s purpose and find meaning in her own existence. She visits Miracle repeatedly over the animal’s life span of 10 years and finds herself learning lessons from those encounters. She becomes more sensitive to the environment. “Love the Earth” is fixed in her subconscious. She becomes sharply aware of consumerism and the carelessness of the modern age and examines what it means to be a woman, a keeper of the earth, a mother.

Miracle, the White Buffalo, represents an era that has passed and the author romanticizes a simpler time when herds of buffalo roamed the plains offering their lives to sustain Native peoples. The captivating mythological
Legend of the White Buffalo Calf Woman is beautifully retold and reminds us of the wisdom in the search for the still voice within. Buerer poignantly takes us back to the simplicity of the earth, the beauty of nature and the search for those things that make life worth living – love, compassion and honoring the planet and all of its inhabitants.

This book is an easy read. And well worth the journey.

To find out more about the author and her work visit www.kathleenbuerer.com.

 

 

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Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Self Published Book Review of the Week: Drift

sb10067280c-001Drift

by Sara San Angelo

Recent reviews for Drift:

“I had to force myself to put it down so I could savor it.  One of the best books I’ve read!”–Jackie Giorna
 
“There are so many life lessons in this book that I don’t think I will ever see things the same again.”  Cathy Raymonds

For more information or to order the book, visit http://www.driftnovel.com/


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Self-Publishing Book Review of the Week

Self Published Book Review of the Week: Hesitating at the Gate

Layout 1Hesitating at the Gate: Reflections on Aging

by Ann Tudor

This author submitted the following recent review for her book:

In this collection of wry essays and poems, Ann Tudor says things about aging that no one else is saying. She offers insights, though no solutions. What she gives us, in her unique voice, is not inspirational writing about growing old. Instead, the word “subversive” comes to mind. You might laugh or you might cry, but you will certainly have a different view of aging after reading this little book.

You might try to read it in small bites, one essay at a time, but you’ll find it hard to stop reading once you’ve started. The second time around you can read it more slowly and savor each clever, pithy phrase.

Perhaps the prospect of the Land of Old scares you. Well, it won’t be nearly as lonely and frightening when you approach it in the company of this unorthodox author, whose frank response to the aging process will make you grin (and then grimace) with recognition.

Anyone who has ever grown old, who is currently growing older, or who suspects that growing older is in his/her future will want to read this book—and then buy additional copies to share with friends.

Visit www.anntudor.ca, where you will be able to read one of the essays and learn about Ann Tudor’s other work.

TO ORDER: Order through www.anntudor.ca (using PayPal) or email the author at atudor@pathcom.com.



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