Following the Green Rabbit: a fantastical adventure
by Chris Hall
“Following the Green Rabbit” is a fun read for upper middle-grade readers and those adults who enjoy an adventure into the unknown. Twelve-year-old Bryony and her sister, eight-year-old Bethany, explore beyond the area they are allowed. Bethany follows a large green rabbit and ends up at the house of a kind couple who appear to be from another time. She is given a gift of a wooden bird and led back to the place where she entered this world. Under the care of the housekeeper, the sisters await the arrival of their new tutor while Bethany keeps searching for the rabbit. When the rabbit appears again, he leads the girls to the same place, where things have changed for the worse. The girls and their new tutor are thrown into the issues the villagers are dealing with. I love how history is weaved into the story, talking about the treatment of women and witchcraft, along with day-to-day life in the 1700s. Seeing cruelty and fear through children’s eyes also offers their hope and belief in things working out. A great time-travel historical fiction story that held me captive. I’d love to see another green rabbit story and can highly recommend this for children and those young at heart.
Mythical Creatures Writing Prompts: 31 Creative Activities for Kids (Deluxe Colour Edition) (Aspiring Author Series)
By WJ Scott
I bought “Mythical Creatures Writing Prompts” for my oldest granddaughter, who has written a few stories independently. I have enjoyed past books in this series and used them to encourage my grandchildren to create stories. Now, I will give my granddaughter this as a gift so she can work on and enhance her budding love of writing. I loved the colorful pictures, and the room allowed for the children to write a story. All the prompts offered a good place to get started on a fantasy story, like “You befriend a lost mermaid who asks you to help find her missing sisters.” This is a book that can inspire creativity and allow a place for it to be explored.
The Body in the Attic (A Jazzi Zanders Mystery #1)
by Judi Lynn
“A Body in the Attic” not only has a murder to solve, but friendship, family, and house flipping. Jazzi flips houses with her cousin, Jerod, and a contractor, Ansel. While cleaning the attic, Jazzi finds a body in a chest that turns out to be her aunt, who supposedly left town years ago. While they continue fixing the house, she tries to figure out what happened to her aunt. I enjoyed the mystery and trying to figure out who did it. I got half of that part right but was surprised with a twist at the end. Jazzi’s cooking and weekly family meals were charming and offered some humorous moments. What surprised me was how interested I became in house flipping and the improvements throughout the story. I started thinking of ways to enhance my home. George, the pug, and her friendship and interest in Ansel, who was in a bad relationship, were pleasant additions. A fun whodunit that I enjoyed. I look forward to reading more in this series!
I only post my 4 & 5-star reviews. If I don’t like a book, I won’t finish it. It doesn’t feel right leaving a review in that case, but I have been known to email the author:) Life is too short not to enjoy every book you read!
Always embrace your inner child and read a good book! D. L. Finn
Thanks for reviewing and recommending these books, Denise! I think i will start reading Following the Green Rabbit, and put the others on stock. 🙂 Have a nice week! Best wishes, Michael
Thanks, Michael 🙂 That was a fun one, happy reading!
I hope you enjoy it, Michael!
Great reviews, Denise. I always love to see books for younger readers getting much-needed reviews. Thanks for sharing your thoughts 💕🙂
Thanks, Harmony 🙂 I try to read as many children books as I can and review them.
They sound like fun books, Denise. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.:-)
Thanks, Priscilla, they all were fun!
Thanks for sharing your reviews, Denise. Like Harmony, it’s good to see books for younger readers being recognized.
Thanks, Joan 🙂 It’s a genre near to my heart so I will always promote it.
I was taken by the idea of writing prompts for kids. This is how our favorite craft passes to a new generation.
It’s a great idea and I’ve got to enjoy seeing it being used 🙂
I love seeing the ideas they come up with!
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on these. I just loved Wendy’s book of prompts and also bought it for my granddaughter who loves to write.
They are so creative and do inspire stories. I love seeing the love of reading and with this, writing being passed down to the next generation.
That’s so cool, Jan, thanks so much.
I enjoyed The Body in the Attic (actually, I love that whole series), and the other two books look wonderful for kids and those who are young at heart. A nice collection of reviews, Denise!
I will have to continue with the series soon and see what happens next. It’s a lot if fun reading children books, I have a feeling I always will. Thanks, Mae 🙂
Thanks for sharing these great reviews, Denise.
Thanks, John 🙂
Loved Chris Hall’s book. And the Jazzi Zander’s series–what a clever idea for a series. I love that she includes lots of tips for preparing a home to be flipped.
I believe you introduced me to Follow the Green Rabbit 🙂 I do love all the house preperation tips too. It inspires me to do more to our own house .
Yay!
Thanks for recommending, Jacqui!🐇
Great reviews, Denise! Thanks for sharing them. 🙂
Thanks, Yvette 🙂 I’m always happy to share the good books read! Xo
Three very different reads, Denise. Thanks for sharing your recommendations. A book that makes me want to redecorate is dangerous. Lol. Congrats to Chris, WJ, and Judi on the excellent reviews.
Thanks, Diana 🙂 Yes, all those projects all bubble up and it always involves painting…lol
The Body in The Attic was my first Judi Lynn mystery and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Congrats to all the authors on the wonderful reviews.
Mine too, Jacquie 🙂 It was a fun one. xo
Excellent reviews as always Denise!
Thank you, Eden 🙂
More great reviews! Thanks so much for sharing, Denise!
Thank you, Mar 🙂
Your granddaughter writes too? It’s a family affair:)
scoxox
It is becoming that! Yay!
Thanks so much for the review, Denise! I’m glad you liked my book. It was my first Jazzi and Ansel, and I just keep loving them more and more with each one.
I really enjoyed it and was happy to share that, Judi. I look forward to reading more!
“The Body In The Attic,” looks like a fun read. Thanks for sharing, Denise.
It it, Mark! Plus, it made me want to start all kinds of house projects…lol
Hi Denise, these are all super reviews. I have also recently read Following the Green Rabbit and I also enjoyed it very much. Wendy’s books are delightful and Judi’s books sound lovely.
Thanks, Robbie 🙂 Green Rabbit was sure a fun read, and Wendy’s prompts are always entertaining for kids. Judi’s story was a good cozi.
Thanks, so much for your wonderful support, Denise. I’m inspired by knowing I’m reaching potential new writers.
It’s a fantastic gift for young writers. I love seeing what they come up with, Wendy!
Thanks so much for your lovely review of Following the Green Rabbit, Denise. And sharing it in such great company too!
I’m happy to share the good books I read, Chris 🙂