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A Lady Has the Floor – Book Review

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Author: Kate Hannigan
Illustrator: Alison Jay
Hardcover: 32 pages
Age Range: 7 – 10 years
Publisher: Highlights (7 Mar. 2018)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1629794538
ISBN-13: 978-1629794532

The Blurb

Activist Belva Lockwood never stopped asking herself the question: are women not worth the same as men? She had big dreams and didn’t let anyone stand in her way – not her father, her law school or even the U.S. Supreme Court. She fought for equality for women in the classroom, in the courtroom and in politics. In her quest for fairness and parity, Lockwood ran for President of the United States, becoming the first woman on the ballot. In this riveting non-fiction picture-book biography, award-winning author Kate Hannigan and celebrated artist Alison Jay illuminate the life of Lockwood, a woman who was never afraid to take the floor and speak her mind.

First Impressions

This is a hardback book of 32 pages. My 10 year old daughter was instantly drawn to it. We agreed that the illustrations are really what makes this book jump out at you, they really are amazing and so original.

Our Thoughts

Boo has been learning in school all about the suffragettes here in Britain. And how the likes of strong minded women such Emmaline Pankhurst fought to give women a voice, and rights normally reserved for men alone.

This book is an American story of a suffragette Belva Lockwood. She was strong willed from the start and always prepared to do things that women did not normally do. She even ran for president. It’s an inspiring story of a woman who never gave up or gave in.

You can buy ‘A Lady Has the Floor’ on Amazon for £16.54

 

 

Disclosure: we were sent a copy of this book  for the purpose of this review, all thoughts and opinions are my own. This post contains an affiliate link.

Laura's Lovely Blog

Up in the Leaves – Book Review

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cover art, Up in the Leaves

Author: Shira Boss

Illustrator: Jamey Christoph

Hardcover: 40 pages
Age Range: 5 – 8 years
Publisher: Sterling (7 April 2018)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1454920718
ISBN-13: 978-1454920717
Product Dimensions: 28.4 x 1.3 x 21.8 cm

Distrubuted by GMC Publications

 

The Blurb

As a shy boy growing up in New York City. Bob Redman loved nothing more than dashing to Central Park after school and climbing up into the trees. High in the leaves, he felt calm; he had a secret place where he could slip away from the city’s rushing crowds.

He began building his treehouses using scavenged materials, careful never to harm the trees themselves The first treehouse was just a platform, and when it was mysteriously taken down. Bob simply started a second one. For eight years, each time one of his houses was removed, he’d build another, more elaborate than the last. This is the fascinating true story of Bob’s Central Park treehouses – his cleverly designed hideaways in the middle off the bustling city.

First Impressions

This is a sturdy hardback book with a dust cover. The lovely illustrations cover every page. The illustrator, Jamey Christoph draws his inspiration from vintage advertising and travel posters. Each page has  just a few lines of text which is complimented by the art.

 

The Story

We all loved the story of the quirky little boy who preferred to view life from a tree branch. It was so much better than the bustling busy streets of New York, or the small crowded classrooms at school.

As he spent more time in the trees he began building treehouses, starting simply and becoming more elaborate. Each one was eventually dismantled, but it never discouraged him from building more.

The story draws you in, making you feel how much simpler life is in a tree, amongst the squirrels and birds and watching the world go by.

As the little boy grows up his Mother becomes concerned with his tree addiction and tells him he needs to get a job. It’s time for the treehouse making boy to become a man and join the grown up world of work.

The story has a lovely little twist at the end which I won’t reveal.

True Story

The book is based on a true story and the author is now married to the treehouse builder of Central park.  They met when she needed someone to prune her tree.

You can buy Up in the Leaves on Amazon for £8.51, current RRP £12.99

Disclosure: This post contains an Amazon affiliate link, should you choose to use it and purchase it will cost you no extra but may earn me a little cash. If you prefer not to use it you can find the book to purchase here.

Jumbo Book of Hidden Pictures

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We love a good puzzle book, we also love colouring books. The Jumbo Book of Hidden Pictures is the best of both worlds.

Paperback: 256 pages
Age Range: 6 – 9 years
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1629798266
ISBN-13: 978-1629798264
Product Dimensions: 21.4 x 1.5 x 27.6 cm

The Blurb

Often imitated, never equalled, Highlights™ Hidden Pictures® puzzles have delighted children―and adults―for over 70 years. This jumbo book is packed with more than 175 favourite Hidden Pictures® puzzles drawn in the classic Highlights™ black-and-white style along. Each puzzle is carefully designed to engage and entertain children while honing their concentration skills and attention to detail. With more than 1,5000 things to find, this is an ideal gift for all ages.

pages from the colouring book.

Our Verdict

This is a great colouring book, the pages are thick and will withstand felt tip pens as well as pencils. Although, pencils are always our favourite type of colouring instrument. There are so many different pages to colour, most of them over two pages. There are easy pictures to colour and more difficult ones so a great range for the younger and older children (and adults.)

As well as the colouring there are so many things to find within the pictures which add the puzzle element. You can either find the items before you start colouring, or do as we like to do and find them while you are colouring.

We loved how the book is full of surprises like pigs riding unicycles and kangaroos visiting the moon. There are lots of other funny scenes too.  There are very cleverly hidden objects like teacups, bananas, slices of pie, pencils and so much more.

A great book of entertainment for those ‘bored’ moments. And fabulous for taking on long car journeys.

You can buy this book on Amazon for £9.37 (regular price £11.99)

pages from the colouring book

Linking up with Talk of the Town for book lovers, over on Jera’s Jamboree and Bookboodle.

 

My First Book of Quantum Physics – Book Review

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Quantum Physics for Kids (and Adults)

Everything around us is composed of very small subatomic particles. The laws of physics does not apply to these tiny particles so a new set of theories was applied, quantum physics.

Despite quantum physics being part of our daily lives it still remains a mystery for most people.

This is not an academic book but it’s a fantastic introduction to subject of quantum physics for children aged 8 and above (and their parents.)

Hardcover: 48 pages
Publisher: Button (7 April 2018)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1787080102
ISBN-13: 978-1787080102
Product Dimensions: 25.5 x 1.1 x 25.8 cm

The Blurb

Everything in the universe- including light, water, air planets, buildings, animals and people – is made of minute particles. Quantum physics is the science off these tiny particles. The discoveries made in quantum physics have been the driving force behind technological advances ranging from mobile phones to lasers and medical imaging. Without it, most to he technology we take for granted simply wouldn’t exist.

Quantum physics also pushes us to the boundaries of what we know about science, reality and the structure of the universe. In the quantum world particles do strange things, and act totally unlike the objects we experience in day-to-day life. How can atoms exist in two places at once? And just how can a cat be dead and alive at the same time? Find out more with this entertaining illustrated guide to the fascinating world of quantum physics.

First Thoughts

The book is hardback and the pages are thick paper, so this book will last and keep looking good. Each page is packed with diagrams to go along with the text. It makes the explanations of such a difficult  subject very easy to digest.

The book is attractive and inviting, and hopefully it will encourage children to explore this amazing world of quantum physics.

My Verdict

I admit that I do feel intrigued by the world of quantum physics but many feel it’s a complicated subject. This book makes it interesting for the younger generation to grasp and also explains it in an easier manner for adults to get to grips with the ideas behind the theories. Even things that are a complete puzzle to scientists, like anti-matter, have a place in this book and are explained in the simplest terms.

The theory of Schrodinger’s Cat is probably one of the most famous. It’s all about collapsing reality, until you look at the cat in the box there is a 50/50 chance that it is alive or dead. So we can say it’s alive and dead at the same time. But once you look you force nature to decide whether the cat is dead or alive and reality collapses.

Okay, maybe Schrodinger’s Cat is a bit of a mind blower, but at least the explanation is simplified.

The quantum timeline, colourful and illustrated, is great for working out the history of discoveries. Going back as far as 1864 when Maxwell presented his equations on electromagnetism, to 1915 when Einstein presented his theory of relativity.

Overall, I would say this is a very interesting book for all ages for a simplified peek at a very complex subject.

You can buy this book on Amazon, normally priced at £12.99 it’s currently on offer for only £11.34


Alienwork IK Milenese Black Watch – Review

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Ever since I met my husband he’s been addicted to new watches and I’ve lost count of the number watches he’s had since we’ve been together. He could easily wear a new one every day for a month.

However many watches he has, he still gets excited over a new one and this Alienwork watch has become his latest favourite.

black watch on a mans wrist

Amazon Description

Here’s what it says on Amazon;

  • Strong & Durable – Built From High Quality Japanese Stainless Steel Quartz.
  • Light-Weight – Glass Like Weighted Completed With A Comfortable Elegant Modern Black Strap
  • The Perfect Accessory – A Fashion Statement Timepiece, Sleek & Stylish.
  • Slim Design – The ultra-thin watch is suitable for every occasion , Whether you are attending a formal event, playing a game of tennis or enjoying a sunny day at the country club – The Watch makes for a beautiful companion.
  • Sophisticated Face – Designed To Be Quietly Unique & Sophisticated. This Classic Unisex Wristwatch Is Designed With The Modern Gentleman & Lady In Mind.

First Impressions

black watch with label and grey pouch

The watch comes with it’s own protective fabric wallet. It looks great and would make a lovely gift. The band is black stainless steel and the watch face and hands are all black. This makes it sophisticated to look at if a little difficult to see the time if you don’t have enough light. The strap length can be easily adjusted and it is fastened with a hook buckle. It’s nice and simple to open and close but stays put when on the wrist.

Verdict

The watch is very elegant and I like that it’s lightweight but sturdy. It claims to be for men or women and is easy adjustable. It would indeed look good on a woman’s wrist but I think it suits my husband better. I’d probably go for the silver version rather than black, but that’s just my personal preference. Both me and my husband prefer analogue watches so this one pleases us, we also like that it has each minute marked too.

We concluded that this was a touch of sophistication for an every day watch and it is currently at a great price on Amazon for just £20.14, reduced from £32.22. I have a 50% off code for my readers L7K45I3S

 

It would make a great gift for someone special.

 

Family Fever