Category Archives: Book Review

Cougar Cub Tales:The Sneezy Wheezy Day

January 25, 2012 – 12:04 am

Cougar Cub Tales:The Sneezy Wheezy Day by Sharon Cramer is one book out of three from the series of book under Cougar Cub Tales. This book which is aimed at young readers age 2-8 is filled with lovely water colour painting like illustrations of the cougars and the other forest animals who they visited . I loved the vivid colours associated with each animal and how aptly it represents them.

Cramer’s book focuses on about the love and bond between the siblings made up of a brother and sister Cougar pair. Both of them search around for a cure for the boy cougar’s ailments as he seemed rather unwell that day. Girl cougar brought her brother to visit the white owl, royal king stag, Bobby the goose , the fox and a few others looking for a cure for him. They tried the suggested methods suggested by the various friends but Boy cougar only got worst after each visit.

In the end it was care and tea made by his sister that made his flu bug go away. The love and care of the sister for her sick brother is something which is admirable and can be modeled upon.

Even though this book is aimed at young readers but the language used in the book seems beyond the comprehension of a child that age. I would recommend it for intermediate readers instead as I had to do a lot of explanation about the use of words like “admirably kind” and “taken a chill” as my kids are not used to Sharon Cramer’s writing style.

Note: For the week of Jan 23-27 you can download the book free from Amazon.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book for review. All opinions are 100% my own. This post has a Compensation Level of 1. Please visit Dominique’s Disclosure page for more information.

The Worldwide Dessert Contest

January 17, 2012 – 11:59 pm

The Worldwide Dessert Contest by Dan Elish is one of the most interesting food related book which I had read. It centers around the chef John Applefeller who annually comes in last in for the coveted Silver Spoon in the Worldwide Dessert Contest held every July.

John has been at this contest for the past 10 years and have never won even though his baking skills are superior to the reigning the self-proclaimed King of Dessert, Sylvester S. Sweet as his apple dessert magically changes to something different at the last minute. His apple desserts kept turning into other things like apple french toast became knee pads used by the Olympics teams, his apple souffle became a hot air balloon, and his apple pancake became a great trampoline.

Applefellers dedication in making the best desserts and e support from his trusty aid Stanley made him determined to find out how to not make his desserts change at the last minute. They went on an adventure to the the island of Iambia to seek the help of Captain B. Rollie Ragoon, the dessert-making genius to find out the reason behind his bakes changing at the last minute. With the captain’s help they finally managed to defeat Sweet and win the Silver Spoon.

My Thoughts

I liked how Dan had interwoven suspense and mystery together with silly characters and personification of food. I was really absorbed into reading the book that I didn’t want to put it down when I first started reading it. The author brings one into a magical world whereby using simple baking ingredients can lead to astonishing results like roller skating and flying apple pies.

There is the typical bad guy character with Sylvester S. Sweet who is actually a fake and steals ideas and bakes from Captain Ragoon and passes it on as his own. He goes all out to ruin Applefeller but gets his just desserts in the end.

I like the message of ” by working hard and being disciplined one will be able to obtain the goal that one aiming for” as shown by Applefeller. This is a book which I would certainly recommend for young readers to help them think creatively.

If you are interested in reading this book you can get a copy of it from Amazon

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book for review. All opinions are 100% my own. This post has a Compensation Level of 1. Please visit Dominique’s Disclosure page for more information.

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The Many Adventures of Pengey Penguin

December 24, 2011 – 12:09 am

The Many Adventures of Pengey Penguin by John Burn is an interesting novel about a penguin who was orphaned shortly after birth. He had to grow up fast and learn the art of survival after both his mother and father didn’t return after going out fishing. With the knowledge that he got from his father as an infant he managed to survive and got to know a human named Wendy.

Through his interaction with Wendy they got to know that Pengey actually knew how to talk in English to them. However his encounter with Wendy was short-lived as she had to go off to Rio de Janerio. Pengey managed to stow away in the landing gear of the plane and reunites with Wendy.

Unknown to Pengey being on the plane with Wendy was only the start of his adventures across the globe to be reunited with Wendy in New York. With the help of Rufus and Lionel, who he got to know at the animal centre at Rio de Janerio, they ran away from the wicked animal trainer and scientist who wanted to exploit Pengey for his ability to talk to humans.

I loved reading the book and am sure that my 7 yr old too would enjoy it. John Burns description of how the animals traveled from Rio de Janerio all the way to New York on their own. The team of a parrot, penguin and puffin work together and help one another through the perils that they had to endure during their adventures.

Pengey exhibits the qualities of bravery, creativity, loyalty, kindness and rose up to meet the various challenges that came his way. He shows exemplary leadership qualities which young kids could learn and emulate. These are the qualities which I hope that my kids will be able to develop in time to come.

Get the book today from Amazon

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions are 100% my own. This post has a compensation level of 1