It's a lovely story set in World War II, as Hitler conquers France and eyes Great Britain, finally, sadly, begins The Battle of Britain. But the story really begins when Emma Taylor's father saves her from the fire in their beloved bookshop. Sadly, he does not survive and Emma is left without family, an orphan in need. The bulk of the story finds Emma later, now widowed as well, with a young daughter, Olivia, and desperate to find work. There are legal restrictions prohibiting widows with children from most employment opportunities, she’s left with only one option: persuading the manageress at Boots’ Booklover’s Library to take a chance on her.
The rest of the story, filled with wartime worries, sending Olivia to the country which does work, doesn't work, and on. The tension continues as readers also hear about Emma's co-workers, and her neighbors in the apartment where she and Olivia live. There is frightening loss, frightening hours in bomb shelters, but also there is loving kindness in their midst. I began to care for all the characters, hoping they would make it, wondering why some are unkind, knowing that Madelin Martin will deepen the story as we readers learn about these lives. It's so complicated. I enjoyed the book, often asking myself, "What would I do?"
Knowing some of the history of Lending Libraries and reading about Martin's research in her Author's Note was fascinating, too. And, I loved reading about books discussed, both personally and at the lending library, titles readers will recognize here in the 21st Century, titles still read and loved!
In various places in our world, we see or read of another calling for people to do one thing to help. It may be for one person, for a neighbor, or a neighborhood. It might even be something considered small, offering a smile to someone or picking up something that has fallen in a grocery. Collectively, the acts make a difference! In this book, a young girl is inspired to make change. The text says, "Imagine the world you want to live in. If it’s not the world you see, will you create it?
Ruth Spiro's story explores the idea of the Jewish philosophy Tikkun olam or "repair the world". With Victoria Tentler-Krylov's amazing and breathtaking illustrations, readers watch the girl walking to school, then seeing her small spark growing as she realizes she wants to make a change in her world. Connecting to others, they begin.
Every time I share another book by Allen Say, I advise to never, never miss a book by him! This time an old man starts out on a walk, looking for a paper airplane, but whenever he sees another person to ask if they've seen one, he realizes something is changing, himself! He becomes younger as his walk continues. It feels like a special story of memory, but Allen Say gives us more in his poignant paintings, page after page, one at a time, the man tells us what he's seeing, from his past! It's an amazing book!
 |
| Thanks to Walker Books/Candlewick Press for my copy! |
A little rhyme at the beginning as Big Nutbrown Hare and Little Nutbrown Hair go out into their world together, to see what they could see, and they did see a few things, including a big surprise at the end. Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram again bring a book for little ones to add to their collection for young readers. It's another sweet read for those who've loved "Guess How Much I Love you, and others by this author and illustrator.
 |
| Thanks to Candlewick Press for my copy! |
I would love to read this to a group, to see if they would soon understand what was happening! Robert Macfarlane and Johnny Flynn use brief words of poetry to start the story, taking a man and a boy into a forest for a walk. They explore, notice birds singing, come across a group of musicians, one with an accordion, are caught in a rainstorm, and more! Emily Sutton's illustrations fill the pages, colors abound in this gorgeous place. All of a sudden, it'll be delightful for readers to notice, the boy is changing, growing up! That's all you need to know, except find this book and enjoy every page!
Henning Mankell's book are compelling, keep one reading, if you can stand the horrifying details of heinous murders, and the idea that there is no way to connect to the murderer. Kurt Wallender's life goes awry this time with a diagnosis of pre-diabetes, leaving readers to worry if he might collapse. Then who would lead? I'm sorry that I haven't discovered Mankell's books until now!
Now Reading: The Boy Lost in the Maze, Joseph Coelho
