April was a good reading month for me. Between the “Shower Me with Flowers” Readathon going on for the entire month, as well as World Book Day and it being Poetry Month, there were a lot of books read. Let’s dive right in!
Children’s Books
Disney’s “Sleeping Beauty” and “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” are two classics that Little One and I enjoyed. We both like the movie versions and these book versions stay true to those stories pretty well. “Peter Pan’s Day in the Snow” is a rhyming story that went great with Poetry Month. Have you seen these vintage Disney Rhyming Reader books? They have stood the test of time!
Sleeping Beauty- ***
Snow White- ***
Peter Pan’s Day in the Snow- ****
Last month we planted seeds indoors to begin our vegetable garden. What better way to pair that than to read “Gracie’s Garden”? This is such a fun, sweet story of sibling learning patience and the value of reward from what grows from your own honest work. A little fun in the dirt never hurt!
We read “The Berenstain Bears Go Green” as part of Earth Day. A good reminder of the three R’s- Recycle (check your local area for the proper way to do so), Reuse, Reduce.
Gracie’s Garden- ****
The Berenstain Bears Go Green- ***
Reading “Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear?” was a trip into my childhood for me. I received this book when I was nine at a RIF Fair. My copy of this book is well-loved, a little floppy at this point, but still brings joy to its readers. Have you ever read Jesse Bear? I highly recommend. This was Little One’s first experience with Jesse Bear and the reaction was- loved it!
“The First Strawberries” and “Bunny’s Book Club” were both read on World Book Day. The illustrations in the stories were so pretty. To learn a little bit about a Cherokee story was fun. Bunnies are a big hit with us so “Bunny’s Book Club” is a winner! Overall, they both were enjoyed.
Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear?- ****
The First Strawberries- ***
Bunny’s Book Club- ****
Middle Grade
We finished another chapter book for school. Little one is really enjoying the American Girl books. This time we read about Molly, a young girl growing up during World War Two. Her dad is off to war, her mom works for the Red Cross, her brother, Ricky, plays tricks on Molly and her friends, all while the housekeeper is trying to get Molly to eat turnips! We had a lot of fun learning about life during the 1940’s as well as laughing at some of the tricks that happened.
Meet Molly: An American Girl- ***
Graphic Novel
I was excited to find out a graphic novel had been made of the first book. The storyline stays true to the novel, leaving nothing important out. The illustrations are done in black. I had a lot of fun revisiting this first book. My only con is that I wish they had continued graphic novels for the rest of the series (hint hint).
Redwall: The Graphic Novel- ***
For my full review, https://kymberlibriggs.wordpress.com/2024/04/24/redwall-the-graphic-novel-adapted-from-brian-jacques/
Fiction
The story of Angel will always hit my heart. The emotions are raw and strong and real. I highly recommend reading this with tissues on hand.
Click here for full review and trigger warnings, https://kymberlibriggs.wordpress.com/2024/04/13/redeeming-love-by-francine-rivers/
This is a generational story filled with mothers and daughters, as well as a commonplace book, an old house, peacocks, and the chance to heal from the past. And I have to say, the cover is so pretty!
Click here for full review, https://kymberlibriggs.wordpress.com/2024/04/17/the-lost-book-of-eleanor-dare-by-kimberly-brock/
This Disney story is based on the Cate Blanchett and Lily James movie. The illustrations in this book are really pretty, colorful. I liked that it is not just Ella’s POV but also Kit’s the prince. It was a comfort read that I really enjoyed.
For more of my thoughts on this book go here, https://kymberlibriggs.wordpress.com/2024/04/20/have-courage-be-kind-the-tale-of-cinderella-by-brittany-candau/
Have Courage, Be Kind: The Tale of Cinderella- ***
A marriage on the rocks, a new house to renovate, a hidden room, a journal from the 1860’s. All ingredients for one of my favorite books of the year, and my favorite Tamera Alexander novel to date. This was a hidden gem on my TBR bookshelf and am so glad I finally picked it up.
To read my full review- https://kymberlibriggs.wordpress.com/2024/04/22/a-million-little-choices-by-tamera-alexander/
A Million Little Choices- ****.75
Fourteen books read in April! That is my biggest reading month so far. How did your April go? Did you find any new favorites? I would love to hear what you discovered last month.
Happy Reading,
Kymberli