Tag Archives: fairy tales

Three Tasks for a Dragon and My Head Has a Bellyache

Posted on December 13, 2023 by Katy K.

Just in case you’re still looking for a gift to give to a kid in your life, here are two beautiful books, each suited to a different kind of kid, or perhaps different moods. Both of these have been nominated for … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

3 Magical Journeys: The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams, The Ghosts of Rancho Espanto, and Hamra and the Jungle of Memories

Posted on June 17, 2023 by Katy K.

There are magical journeys galore in these new middle grade fantasies, including along the historical Silk Road, a possibly haunted present-day ranch, and the Indonesian jungle during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Continue reading →

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The Mirrorwood by Deva Fagan

Posted on January 24, 2023 by Katy K.

Two enemies chase each other into the enchanted Mirrorwood – and discover that breaking the curse will be more complicated than either of them realized. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Print, Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

3 Scary Stories: Temple Alley Summer, Ghost Girl, and Beasts and Beauty: Dangerous Tales

Posted on December 1, 2021 by Katy K.

Here’s some more of my Cybils reading – ranked roughly in order from least to most frightening. Temple Alley Summer by Sachiko Kashiwaba. Translated by Avery Fischer Udagawa. Illustrated by Miho Satake Yonder, 2021 ISBN 978-1632063038 Read from library copy.  Fifth-grade … Continue reading →

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4 Kids’ Fantasies from Outside the US

Posted on May 13, 2019 by Katy K.

Here are four middle grade fantasy books from the English-speaking world outside of the US – South Africa, Australia, Ireland, and the UK.  (Shorter reviews as part of my trying to catch up with my reading.) The Turnaway Girls by … Continue reading →

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Nightbooks by J.A. White

Posted on February 11, 2019 by Katy K.

Here’s a brief take on another one of the books I read for the Cybils.   Nightbooks by J.A. White. Harper Collins Childrens, 2018. Alex is tired of being made fun of for being different. He’s on his way to … Continue reading →

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My Top Nonfiction Read in 2018

Posted on January 15, 2019 by Katy K.

I don’t often get around to writing full-on reviews of the nonfiction I read, especially if it’s for adults.  Here’s a selection of my favorites from last year, handily separated into knitting and non-knitting books.   Faerie Knitting by Alice … Continue reading →

Posted in Adult, Audiobook, Books, nonfiction, Print | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik.

Posted on October 22, 2018 by Katy K.

This was one of my most anticipated titles for the year, which I realized rather belatedly I listened to over the summer and hadn’t yet reviewed.  Though I started reading Naomi Novik back with His Majesty’s Dragon, I really loved … Continue reading →

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Girls Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa Bashardoust

Posted on July 20, 2018 by Katy K.

Look!  I read one of the books on my missed-from-2017 list.  This is a lovely Snow White retelling for a teen audience with an LGBT spin. Girls Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa Bashardoust. Narrated by Jennifer Ikeda. MacMillan … Continue reading →

Posted in Audiobook, Books, Fantasy, Reviews, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Brave Red, Smart Frog

Posted on February 19, 2018 by Katy K.

This week, I’m going to focus on reviewing Cybils books that I wasn’t able to write up during the rush of Cybils season. Brave Red, Smart Frog by Emily Jenkins. Illustrated by Rohan Daniel Eason. Candlewick Press, 2017. This volume … Continue reading →

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