AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: The Christmas List by Richard Paul Evans

TITLE: The Christmas List
AUTHOR: Richard Paul Evans

NARRATOR: John Dossett
PUBLISHER: Simon & Schuster Audio
DATE OF PUBLICATION: October 6, 2009
FORMAT: Unabridged audiobook, 4 hours and 58 minutes
GENRE: Holiday/Christmas
ISBN: 978-0743597289

SYNOPSIS FROM AMAZON: 

The New York Times bestselling author of The Christmas Box returns with a holiday novel of hope, love, and redemption.

MY REVIEW:

This is a modern-day retelling of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

James Kier is a successful businessman, but he is as ruthless as you can get. He thinks nothing of double-crossing those who trust him and has no appreciation for his employees. He left his devoted wife when she needed him most, leaving her to battle cancer alone. He is a pretty despicable, sorry excuse for a man.

One day, James is stunned to read his obituary in the newspaper. What is more shocking is reading all of the comments left online in response to the obituary. To read what people really think of him makes him examine his life to determine what kind of legacy he wants to leave behind. Amidst all of the negativity, only one commenter stands up for him...and it is the person who has the biggest reason not to.

James sets out to make things right to those whom he has betrayed, but most are unwilling to accept his apology. Is James only trying to change what people think of him, or is he looking for redemption for the right reason?

Once in a while, I like to pick up a tear-jerker. Christmas is a perfect time of year to read something that is inspiring and introspective. Evans does not disappoint! Although this is my first Evans novel, it will not be my last! I see that Evans has written a number of Christmas tales, and I plan to read more next Christmas! In the meantime, I will try out some of his other novels.

Dossett’s narration was the perfect complement to Evans’ beautiful prose! Many times, I was in tears while listening.

MY RATING: 5 stars!! Loved it!!

This book qualifies as: 

#109 for my 2011 100+ Reading Challenge
#41 for my 2011 Audio Book Challenge
#41 for my 2011 "Whisper Stories in My Ear" Challenge 
#1 for The Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge  

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BOOK REVIEW: The Usborne Book of Knowledge by Tony Bremner and Anne Civardi

TITLE: The Usborne Book of Knowledge
AUTHOR: Tony Bremner and Anne Civardi

PUBLISHER: Usborne
DATE OF PUBLICATION: August 28, 1993
FORMAT: Hardcover, 240 pages
GENRE: Science, Non-fiction
ISBN: 978-0746003602

SYNOPSIS FROM AMAZON: 

Highly original books answer young children's questions about the world around them.

MY REVIEW:

I read this book aloud to my children.

This book combines five previously published single titles, which include: How Animals Live, How Birds Live, How Things Began, How Machines Work, and How Your Body Works. My kids love non-fiction books, and this book covered a lot of information! Bearing in mind that the book was published 18 years ago, some of the information is outdated.

We are pleased, in general, with most Usborne books. They are brightly coloured with detailed illustrations.

MY RATING: 3 stars! We liked it!!

This book qualifies as: 

#78 for my 2011 100+ Reading Challenge

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BOOK REVIEW: Dinosaurs Unleashed: The True Story about Dinosaurs and Humans by Kyle Butt and Eric Lyons

TITLE: Dinosaurs Unleashed: The True Story about Dinosaurs and Humans
AUTHOR: Kyle Butt and Eric Lyons
ILLUSTRATOR: Lewis Lavoie

PUBLISHER: Apologetics Press, Inc.
DATE OF PUBLICATION: December 31, 2004
FORMAT: Hardcover, 84 pages
GENRE: Science, Non-fiction
ISBN: 978-0932859617

SYNOPSIS FROM GOODREADS: 

This full color hardback will engage even the most discriminating young reader. Although the book is intended for children, people of all ages will be thrilled bly the gorgeous pictures.

MY REVIEW:

I read this book aloud to my children.

I am thankful for books like this that explain the history of dinosaurs from a creation, rather than an evolution, perspective. Butt quotes passages from the Bible that confirm the existence of dinosaurs during biblical times and explains how dinosaurs could have been taken on the Ark.

Lavoie's illustrations are fabulous!

MY RATING: 5 stars!! Loved it!! 

This book qualifies as: 

#77 for my 2011 100+ Reading Challenge

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BOOK REVIEW: Catching Their Talk in a Box: The Life-Story of Joy Ridderhof by Betty M. Hockett

TITLE: Catching Their Talk in a Box: The Life-Story of Joy Ridderhof
SERIES: Life-Story From Missions, Book #5
AUTHOR: Betty M. Hockett 

PUBLISHER: Barclay Press
DATE OF PUBLICATION: January 28, 1987 (first published 1987)
FORMAT: Paperback, 76 pages
GENRE: Biography, Non-fiction, History
ISBN: 978-0943701134

SYNOPSIS FROM GOODREADS: 

Catching Their Talk in a Box follows Joy Ridderhof into Honduras, Mexico, Alaska, the Philippines, and Africa. She and her helpers face lack of money, wartime restrictions, equipment needs, mechanical breakdowns, travel hardships, and uncertainties. Through it all, answers to prayer multiply. The organization she creates, Gospel Recordings, continues to record the Good News for those with no written language. Betty M. Hockett captures the spirit and dedication of Joy Ridderhof, a one-of-a-kind woman. She tells Joy's story especially for children, but promises, "People of all ages will find inspiration in this faith-filled life." 

Catching Their Talk in a Box is the fifth in the "Life-Story from Missions" series of ten books.

MY REVIEW:

I read this book aloud to my children.

Joy Ridderhof was an American missionary who recorded the bible into different languages on phonograph. She founded Gospel Recordings in 1941 and travelled to places that no other missionary would go in order to capture the spoken language of remote tribes. As of 2008, the company has produced recordings in over 5,700 languages!

This is a great Christian biography, and my children and I enjoyed it! Joy is an inspiration to us all.

MY RATING: 3 stars! We liked it!! 

This book qualifies as: 

#76 for my 2011 100+ Reading Challenge

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BOOK REVIEW: The Last Little Cat by Meindert DeJong

TITLE: The Last Little Cat
AUTHOR: Meindert DeJong 
ILLUSTRATOR: Jim McMullan

PUBLISHER: Whole Spirit Press
DATE OF PUBLICATION: January 28, 1997 (first published 1961)
FORMAT: Paperback, 71 pages
GENRE: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 978-1892857002

SYNOPSIS FROM GOODREADS: 
 

The winner of the 1954 Newbery Award for The Wheel on the School, Meindert DeJong wrote this story originally published nearly four decades ago. 

 

The Last Little Cat is now back in print to delight both children and adults. The last little cat was born in a kennel, surrounded by dogs and dog cages and dog noises. The little cat was always half cold and half hungry - until the day it fell into the cage of the old, blind dog. Then, for a while, the last little cat was warm, and the last little cat was well fed. But how could such a small cat know that barn doors are closed at night and that there are people in the world who do not want to help a helpless kitten? This story of how the last little cat found a home, and not only a home, but the perfect home, again confirms DeJong's place among the finest writers of this or any day.

MY REVIEW:

I read this book aloud to my children.

My children and I have soft spots in our hearts for animal stories, so we fell in love with this book! In particular, I love stories that feature unlikely friendships, such as the one between the cat and the dog in this book.

This is the second book by DeJong that we have read, with the first one being The Wheel on the School which was the winner of the 1954 Newbery Award. We enjoy this author!

The illustrations by McMullan are adorable!

 

MY RATING: 5 stars!! We loved it!!

This book qualifies as: 
#75 for my 2011 100+ Reading Challenge

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BOOK REVIEW: Pedro's Journal by Pam Conrad

TITLE: Pedro's Journal
AUTHOR: Pam Conrad 
ILLUSTRATOR: Peter Koeppen

PUBLISHER: Scholastic
DATE OF PUBLICATION: September 1, 1992 (first published 1991)
FORMAT: Paperback, 96 pages
GENRE: Historical Fiction, Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 978-0590462068

SYNOPSIS FROM GOODREADS: 

Young Pedro, a boy who accompanied Christopher Columbus on his voyages, recounts in his journal the sights he sees and the adventures and dangers he encounters on the trip. 

MY REVIEW: 

I read this book aloud to my children.

The story is about a young boy named Pedro de Salcedo, who sails aboard the Santa Maria with Christopher Columbus from August 3, 1942 to February 14, 1493. I don’t know how historically accurate the book is, but we learned some things about Columbus that we didn’t know before.

We found the story interesting, and we enjoyed it!

MY RATING: 3 stars! We liked it!!

This book qualifies as: 
#108 for my 2011 100+ Reading Challenge

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BOOK REVIEW: The Thanksgiving Story by Alice Dalgliesh

 

TITLE: The Thanksgiving Story
AUTHOR: Alice Dalgliesh

ILLUSTRATOR: Helen Sewell

PUBLISHER: Sonlight Curriculum
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 2001 (first published January 28, 1950)
FORMAT: Paperback, 32 pages
GENRE: History, Non-fiction, Picture Books
ISBN: 978-1887840453

SYNOPSIS FROM GOODREADS: 

The Thanksgiving Story "is the only really distinguished book we have on that holiday. Miss Dalgliesh has told the Pilgrim story simply from the point of view of the Hopkins family whose little Oceanus was born on the Mayflower; and Miss Sewell has made wonderful full-color pictures. A beautiful book."--The Horn Book.

 
MY REVIEW: 

I read this book with my children. It won the Caldecott Honor for 1955.

I think this is my favourite version of the first American Thanksgiving that is in short chapter format. The language was suitable for even my four-year old to understand, and there is just enough information presented without being overwhelming.

The illustrations by Sewell enhance the story.

MY RATING: 4 stars! We really enjoyed it!!

This book qualifies as:

#107 for my 2011 100+ Reading Challenge

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BOOK REVIEW: Squanto, Friend of the Pilgrims by Clyde Robert Bulla

TITLE: Squanto, Friend of the Pilgrims
SERIES: Scholastic Biography
AUTHOR: Clyde Robert Bulla

PUBLISHER: Scholastic
DATE OF PUBLICATION: November 1, 1990 (first published 1954)
FORMAT: Paperback, 112 pages
GENRE: Historical Fiction, Juvenile Fiction, Biography
ISBN: 978-0590440554 

SYNOPSIS FROM GOODREADS: 

Tells of the adventurous life of the Wampanoag Indian, Squanto.

 
MY REVIEW: 

I read this book with my children. 

I love to read books about the history of the Mayflower Pilgrims and Native Americans. This is yet another Bulla book that we enjoyed.

Squanto is an interesting person, and he undeservedly went through a lot of heartache. Even after everything that was done to him, he still trusted and helped the “white men.” We plan to read more about him. 

MY RATING: 3 stars! We liked it!!

This book qualifies as:

#106 for my 2011 100+ Reading Challenge

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BOOK REVIEW: Pocahontas and the Strangers by Clyde Robert Bulla

TITLE: Pocahontas and the Strangers
SERIES: Scholastic Biography
AUTHOR: Clyde Robert Bulla

PUBLISHER: Scholastic
DATE OF PUBLICATION: June 1, 1988 (first published 1971)
FORMAT: Paperback, 176 pages
GENRE: Historical Fiction, Juvenile Fiction, Biography
ISBN: 978-0590434812 

SYNOPSIS FROM GOODREADS: 

A fictionalized account of the life of Pocahontas woven about the few facts known from historical records.

 
MY REVIEW:

I read this book with my children.

I have always loved the story of Pocahontas, and it is surprising how much conflicting information there is out there about her! I do not know how much of this biography is historically accurate, but we enjoyed it nonetheless.

I do find it quite surprising at the change in Pocahontas after she marries and becomes known as Rebecca, whose lifestyle is a far cry from her former life as Pocahontas!

We haven’t met a Bulla book yet that we haven’t enjoyed! He is a great story-teller.

MY RATING: 3 stars! We liked it!!

This book qualifies as:
#105 for my 2011 100+ Reading Challenge

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BOOK REVIEW: Secret of the Andes by Ann Nolan Clark

 

TITLE: Secret of the Andes
AUTHOR: Ann Nolan Clark

PUBLISHER: Puffin
DATE OF PUBLICATION: October 28, 1976 (first published 1952)
FORMAT: Paperback, 128 pages
GENRE: Historical Fiction, Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 978-0140309263

SYNOPSIS FROM GOODREADS: 

An Indian boy who tends llamas in a hidden valley in Peru learns the traditions and secrets of his Inca ancestors.

MY REVIEW: 

I read this book aloud to my children. It won the 1953 Newbery Medal.

This story is about an Incan boy named Cusi, who lives in a hidden valley in the Andes Mountains of Peru. It is a lonely life for him, with only an older man named Chuto and the pack of llamas that they care for as companions. A wandering minstrel comes to the valley one day, and he notices the golden “earplugs” (a spool-shaped ornament that made of gold that is inserted into the earlobe to stretch it) in Cusi’s ears and comments that the legends are true. Cusi has no idea what he is talking about, and he does not realize that his golden earplugs are a symbol of royal blood. Because he lives in seclusion on the mountain, he does not come into contact with other boys and does not realize that he is different.

Cusi eventually learns more about his culture and heritage. I generally enjoy books of this nature, but this book was a little slow for me.

MY RATING: 2 stars! Meh, it was just "ok."

This book qualifies as: 
#104 for my 2011 100+ Reading Challenge

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