Photo by Angie Quantrell
Joyful Moment
Monthly Archives: April 2023
Happy 7th Birthday, Autumn!
Seven years ago today, a mom and a dad, two grandmas, and various medical helpers watched baby Autumn make her appearance. Babies are special and sweet, and oh what a delight to watch them grow and develop their own personalities!
Happy 7th birthday, Autumn!
Personality, fashion style, dreams, hopes, and plans. It’s a good day to be 7.
Joyful Moment
What a joy! Spring tulips. Clapping my hands . . .
Book Review: This Is Not A Unicorn! By Barry Timms and Ged Adamson
This Is Not A Unicorn!
Written by Barry Timms
Illustrated by Ged Adamson
Nosy Crow, 2023
Let me say, what a creative, imaginative picture book! Florescent colors, fun characters, delightful word play, and general amazing-ness. Thank you, Nosy Crow, for sending me a copy of This Is Not A Unicorn! (along with the super red tote)!
This Is Not A Unicorn! was the perfect gift for my 7-year-old granddaughter. She loves books and unicorns. In fact, after I gave her the book, we sat outside and read it together. And then we utilized the featured QR code (see below) and listened to the read aloud! So much fun! Books make perfect gifts.
I love the brilliant colors used in This Is Not A Unicorn!. At first, I was a bit shocked at how vibrant and glow-in-the-dark the illustrations and cover looked to be, but after reading, the colors fit perfectly with the story and the characters.
Word play is something I truly enjoy, and this is spot on for readers of this age. There is plenty of wonderful word play in this picture book.
Imagination! This ranks right up there with word play, characters, and colorful illustrations. Two thumbs up for This Is Not A Unicorn!.
I enjoyed reading This Is Not A Unicorn!. Perfect for readers who love unicorns with creative skills.
Book Review: The Planet We Call Home, written by Aimee Isaac, illustrated by Jaime Kim
The Planet We Call Home
Written by Aimee Isaac
Illustrated by Jaime Kim
Philomel, 2023
Wow! Thanks to Aimee Isaac and Susanna Hill, I was gifted a copy of The Planet We Call Home. Just in time for the birthday of my youngest grand who will turn 7 very soon. She will love opening her very own autographed copy! Thank you, Aimee and Susanna!
The Planet We Call Home is beautiful! Written in a cumulative style, each phrase is added to the next, so by the end of the story, lines have been repeated and the story internalized. I love this format! The lyrical text is hope-filled and based on nature and conversation of our precious planet Earth. Lovely illustrations complement and extend the story. Back matter provides resources for further reading and ways to help our planet. Well done, Aimee and Jaime!
With Earth Day coming up soon, The Planet We Call Home is just right! It’s also the birthday party day, so I know one 7-year-old who will be reading it on Earth Day.
Joyful Moment
Photo by Angie Quantrell
Haiku Moment: survey my catdom
thinking kitty thoughts
lo! who goes there? it’s all mine;
be gone, trespasser
survey my catdom
fleece regalia is just right,
the queen on her throne
survey my catdom by Angie Quantrell
cat model Monet
Joyful Sunday: Happy Easter!
Happy Easter!
Book Review: Abuelita and I Make Flan by Adriana Hernández Bergstrom
Abuelita and I Make Flan
Written and illustrated by Adriana Hernández Bergstrom
Charlesbridge, 2022
What a delicious book! I have fond memories of my mom making flan, so I knew this book would be special! Thank you, Kathy Temean and Adriana for sending me a copy. Truly beautiful and tasty!
Anita is super excited to help her abuelita make flan for her abuela’s birthday. Anita is her abuelita’s special helper, and she can’t wait to learn how to make this delicious dessert. Except an accident happens, and Anita is afraid to tell abuelita about how she dropped a favorite glass plate that was often used to hold flan.
Traditions. Flan. Family. Mistakes. Birthdays. Helping.
Abuelita and I Make Flan is a beautiful picture book. Complete with a recipe, Spanish words, and glossary, this picture book is a keeper. Young readers will be inspired to be helpers, hopefully want to learn new things, and be more willing to admit mistakes. Learning to apologize for accidents is a good thing to learn.
This book goes with my other “all about food” picture books! I can’t wait to try the flan recipe. Thank you, Adriana, for crafting this delightful book!
Amazon Blurb
Anita loves to bake with her abuela, especially when they are using her grandmother’s special recipes for Cuban desserts like flan!
Anita is making flan for Abuelo’s birthday, but when she accidentally breaks Abuelita’s treasured flan serving plate from Cuba, she struggles with what to do. Anita knows it’s right to tell the truth, but what if Abuelita gets upset? Worried that she has already ruined the day, Anita tries to be the best helper. After cooking the flan, they need a serving dish! Anita comes up with a wonderful solution.
Complete with a glossary of Spanish terms and a traditional recipe for flan, Abuelita and I Make Flan is a delicious celebration of food, culture, and family.
Haiku Moment: hope sprouts
look! bursts of purple
shout joyfully, spring arrives!
hope sprouts from its rest
hope sprouts by Angie Quantrell
photos by Angie Quantrell
model flashback of my grand, Autumn
Love, Laughter, and Life 