The Space Between by Katie Williams

The Space Between Trees
Author: Katie Williams
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Published: June 23, 2010
Pages: 280
Price (Hardcover) : $17.99
ISBN: (Hardcover) : 978-0-8118-7175-4
Reading Level: Young Adult

Synopsis:

Not your everyday coming-of-age novel…

This story was supposed to be about Evie—how she hasn't made a friend in years, how she tends to stretch the truth (especially about her so-called relationship with college drop-out Jonah Luks), and how she finally comes into her own once she learns to just be herself—but it isn't. Because when her classmate Elizabeth "Zabet" McCabe's murdered body is found in the woods, everything changes…and Evie's life is never the same again.

My Thoughts:

First of all just let me admit that I loved this book when I saw the cover! Yes, it was Cover Love! I had HIGH Hopes for this book! Also, there's nothing better than a thriller that keeps me up all hours of the night.  So, I put this book on a pedestal before I even opened it.  Sometimes I do that and it's a bad thing, because I've built it up so much in my mind and then I read it and I say "That was good, but..." Not in this case!

"THE SPACE BETWEEN TREES" was a beautifully written story about a girl who has no friends and is just forced to grow up so faced. I was amazed at how daring Evie could be at times and how fragile at others.  It's true that Evie didn't fit in, and I'll explain that a little bit below, but how many teenagers do.  This book will be a helpful to so many teens that feel like they're left out or they don't have a boyfriend but want one.  How about everyone else has done that.  I remember Evie saying something like "I've done nothing" when being questioned over and over as to what she's done, and how dangerous she is. 

No matter where Evie goes, she just doesn't seem to fit in.  At school she sits with a bunch of girls she's nicknamed "The Whisperers" just because they didn't protest and she doesn't have any real friends.  So, she makes up stories and lies to keep them entertained and at least talking to her.  Sadly enough Evie does the same at home.  Evie's parents have been divorced since she was a little girl and she only has two real memories of her father.  What really bothers Evie is that her mother was this super-popular teenage girl with like a million friends and sees no reason that Evie shouldn't be doing the same things she did. She's always asking her about friends, so Evie lies to her mother as well and makes up stories about "The Whisperers" just to make her mother happy.   The only friend Evie ever had was a girl named Elizabeth MaCabe but that was long before now, that was in grammar school and it was only because Elizabeth's mother used to watch Evie for a little while.  Once that stopped and they got older, Zabet got with the wrong crowd, and began to hang out with a new best friend Hadley Smith.  She was known as the tough girl in school.  Zabet's Hello's went to mere eye contact down to nothing at all. 

There is something Evie looks forward to, and that's every Sunday when she's delivering her papers.  She gets to see Jonah.  Jonah's a college boy that she has a serious crush on, of course this is a one way street. He sees her as his sometimes friend and they talk briefly.  His job is to collect all the dead animals that are in the woods close to the homes in the upscale neighborhood where Evie also delivers her papers. One day it all changes when she sees Jonah come out of the woods and go into an old woman's house. Suddenly, the police are everywhere and Evie is too scared to move from the spot she's crouched in.  Many things race through her head, she wonders what could've happened and suddenly inches away she's passed by a body bag.  Evie watches as they load the body onto the truck and even as she hears Jonah call her name for the first time, all she can do at that point is run. Later she finds out from her mother that Zabet has been murdered.

I could go on and on about how she gets together with Mr. MaCabe, Zabet's father or how about how she finally finds a best friend and you won't believe who it is. All these things happen because of her lies that keep getting bigger and bigger.  But, Evie is a lovable character and she can tell the truth and most of all, she knows who she is.  Hadly is obsessed with finding Zabet's killer and so, together they make a list and do some private investigating of their own.  Who killed Zabet? It's a long list of suspects and yes, it is tied up at the end.

Katie Williams did an AMAZING job with "THE SPACE BETWEEN TREES"! The depth of Evie's character alone and the storyline had me up two nights in a row until the wee hours of the morning.  But it's not just Evie's character that will get you, it's just about all of them.  Even the background characters had enough depth for me to connect with them and to HAVE to know what was going to happen next.  I hope that there is more coming for Katie Williams, she's a brilliant storyteller!  "THE SPACE BETWEEN TREES" is not to be missed!

About The Author:

Katie Williams is a graduate of the MFA program at the University of Texas at Austin and has published numerous short stories for adults. She lives in San Francisco, where she currently teaches writing at the Academy of Art. This is her first young adult novel.

Read the First Chapter Here!


If you'd like a chance to WIN an AUTOGRAPHED copy of "THE SPACE BETWEEN TREES" then wait right here, as part of the Official Blog Tour, today is my stop and Katie Williams has prepared a Guest Post just for Park-Avenue Princess! At the end, I'll tell you how ONE of my VERY Lucky Royal Readers Will Win a copy to treasure for their very own!

KISSES and TOODLES!!

Finn Throws A Fit! by David Elliot

Finn Throws A Fit
Author: David Elliott
Illustrator: David Basil Ering
Publisher: Candlewick
Published: August, 2009
Pages: 40
Price (Hardcover) : $16.99/20.00
ISBN: (Hardcover) : 978-0-7636-2356-2
Age Range: 2 yrs - 4 yrs
Grade Range: Preschool

Synopsis:

Finn likes peaches. Usually. But not today. Today Finn doesn’t like anything. Uh-oh. Is Finn going to thow a fit? Author David Elliott directs the event with wit, warmth, and appropriate wariness, while illustrator Timothy Basil Ering's energy and whmsy match this tantrum turn for turn. At once empathetic and uproariously funny, this picture book speaks directly to anyone (young or old) who has ever had -- or tried to contain -- a real earth-quaking, ground-shaking, full-on fit.

Who among us hasn't encountered that force of nature called "a fit"? A best-selling author and illustrator depict a toddler’s tantrum in all its horror and hilarity.

My Thoughts:

I knew I wanted to review "Finn Throws A Fit" the moment I saw the cover! Yes, it was love at first sight for me and well, let's just say that I haven't stopped reading it since! Who hasn't been going about their business and then all of a sudden out of nowhere it seems like this precious child has gone from zero to sixty in a matter of seconds and over what? Everyone in the room and even if it's just you is looking around like ... "Excuse me? Where is my lovable, sweet child and..... [insert long pause]  What did you do with him?"

That's adorable Finn! Oh, he usually likes peaches but, his mother gave him the mistake of thinking he might like some today. Finn doesn't like peaches today.  Finn doesn't like ANYTHING today and EVERYONE is going...to...pay! You see Finn doesn't just throw any 'ol toddler fit, he throws THE FIT to END ALL FITS!  He throws a full on tantrum and soon there is thunder in the nursery, lightening in the kitchen, and even a blizzard in the bathroom! Imagine what goes on in the rest of the house!

I have to say that Finn is one of the most adorably drawn characters I've seen in a long time! The illustrations are beautifully done throughout the book and the story is sure to make both parents and children alike laugh outloud.  I have bought two of these books already as gifts.  What can I say, Finn had my heart at page one.  His little blue blankie and those yellow boots, peaches or not, I'll take him home any day! If you're looking for a fun book to read aloud with your favorite little one, look no further, you've found it in "Finn Throws A Fit!"  

About The Author:

Some things you may not have known about David Elliot (as taken from his bio page).

1.  I love corny jokes. (Did you hear about the little girl who ate bullets? Her hair grew out in bangs.)


2.  I can yodel.

3.  I would like to live in Paris.

4.  I give my dog a big juicy kiss every morning.

5.  Three of my favorite kids' books are Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, Kidnapped by Robert Lewis Stevenson and Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbit.

6.  Three of my favorite books for adults are My Antonia by Willa Cather, Bleak House by Charles Dickens and The Diary of Helena Morely translated from the Portuguese by Elizabeth Bishop.

7.  When I was twelve I worked on a dairy farm, but for only one day because the farmer said I made the cows nervous.

8.  I love pancakes.

9.  I am almost always on a diet (see No. 8).

10. Frogs give me the creeps.

KISSES and TOODLES!!

AlphaOops! H is for Halloween

AlphaOops! H is for Halloween
Author: Althea Kontis
Illustrator:  Bob Kolar
Publisher: Candlewick
Published: July 13, 2010
Pages: 40
Price (Hardcover) : $15.00/$18.00
ISBN: (Hardcover) : 978-0-7636-3966-2
Age Range: 4 yrs - 8 yrs
Grade Range: Preschool - Grade 3

Synopsis:

Ack! It’s time for the show, and A isn’t ready. But then again, Halloween can only start with one letter, no matter how the A-B-Cs normally go! The misbehaving alphabet is back, and there’s no telling who will take the stage next. Z for zombie? P for pirate? Will X think of something good in time? Neon-bright, comically detailed illustrations show a cacophony of costumed letters, each with a mind and personality all its own. Along the bottom, tiny pumpkins arrange the players in proper order, making this alphabet story letter-perfect for Halloween.


H gets top billing -- but a stubborn B has something scary to say -- as the inside-out alphabet gives a howl-arious Halloween performance.

My Thoughts:

AlphaOops! H is for Halloween is an adorable book of a mixed-up alphabet filled with letters that each have a personality and a mind of their own! The alphabet is going to put on a Halloween play so get your ticket and take your seats! When A gets called out first he knows his place.  Besides, he's not ready getting dressed and, you can't start a Halloween play without "H"going first! So, each of these adorably drawn letters take their places dressed in costumes to match their letter.  Everyone that is except for B!  Every time B goes to take his turn, it seems that someone has taken his costume!  For example, when the letter P proudly yells out "PIRATE", poor B sadly says "He took my costume".  But, no one knew that he wanted to be a BUCKANEER! B keeps trying and each letter is taking his or her turn.  It starts to look pretty grim and maybe even that B won't have a costume for the play after all.  But how can they not include B? Even X found a costume and E had an Encore! Oh what's poor B to do? Find out what the letter B comes out with and how each and every letter completes the Halloween play their own way!  This is a book you won't want to miss for the upcoming season! 

What a fantastic book to share with your little ones for the upcoming fall season! The bright colors will keep the little ones interested and see how many costumes you can guess for each letter with your child that's a little older! Each and every page has so much going and the letters of  "AlphaOops! H is for Halloween" will have your children in stitches! This is a Five Tiara Book all the way!

My Rating -

About the Author:Alethea Kontis is the author of ALPHAOOPS: THE DAY Z WENT FIRST, her first children’s book. She lives in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
 
Bob Kolar is the illustrator of the first AlphaOops book and the author-illustrator of BIG KICKS. He lives in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.

Speckle The Spider by Emma Dodson

Speckle The Spider
Author:  Emma Dodson
Publisher: Candlewick
Published: July 13, 2010
Pages: 32
Price (Hardcover) :  $14.99/$18.00
ISBN: (Hardcover) : 978-0-7636-4778-0
Age Range: 3 yrs - 7 yrs
Grade Range: Preschool - Grade 1

Synopsis:

Speckle is sure he’s a special kind of spider -- so special and talented that he should be better appreciated than he is at home in the Bahamas. So off he sets on an adventure in search of fame and recognition, and after some run-ins with giants of various species, finally finds himself on public display. The ambitious Speckle is certainly getting lots of attention, but it’s not quite what he had in mind! With fun, energetic illustrations and plenty of interactive features -- including "fan mail," memorabilia, and a mini book of spider facts -- this engaging tale of "be careful what you wish for" is certain to charm even the arachnophobes among us.


Join Speckle the spider as he tap-dances his way to fame -- with maps, flaps, and other novelty surprises throughout.

My Rating!!

My Thoughts:

Even as an arachnophobe, Speckle stole my heart from page one! This book is filled with big, bight beautiful drawings to keep even the youngest readers that are just starting out interested.  Not only that, your little ones will be turning the pages to find out how Speckle did on his report card, read his travel papers and even read some special mail from his fans! Each one comes out of an envelope or other little holder within the book for your child to find. 

Speckle is adorable, lovable and hard to resist.  As a matter of fact, speckle is SURE he's SPECIAL and he's definitely knows how to dance!  What Speckle wants more than anything is to be in the limelight and to PROVE it to everyone he has what it takes to be a star! So, Speckle leaves his cozy home in the Bahamas behind and heads for "somewhere" else on a boat.  But to this little spider's surprise, being special isn't all it's cracked up to be.  Soon he's given a home at the zoo where everyone can see him dance all day long!  But he's not alone in his home, here he lives with Suzy, who can't dance well but "can turn a pretty good cartwheel".  All Speckle knows is he has to end this dream turned nightmare and he must take beautiful Suzy with him. After all, they're both rare spiders and he can't just leave her behind.

Speckle longs to be back in the Bahamas and soon both he and Suzy are on the lamb...  Will they make it back? Is the grass always greener? Is this why they say you should never look for happiness further than your own back yard or to Be careful what you wish for?  To answer these questions and more, you may purchase a copy of  "Speckle The Spider" today, which just so happens to be it's release day, go out and pick up a copy! You and your little ones will not be disappointed! I can't recommend SPECKLE THE SPIDER enough! You'll love it from it's cute fuzzy cover to all the flaps and envelopes inside all the way until the great big surprise at the end!  This is a fun book to read aloud together and to help little hands take out the surprises and read what they say.  Let them know that EVERYONE is special and deserves to be loved.  Best of all, they don't have to go far to get it.  Tell your little ones just how special they are to you (and they won't even have to hide in a box of bananas) and hit the mainland for love!

About the Author:

Emma loves to be busy. She has been working as a freelance writer/illustrator for 10 years. She has written and illustrated childrens' picture books, produced images for magazines, greetings cards and giftwrap. For 14 years she has also worked for film and TV, producing props and art work. Emma also teaches on illustration BA at University of Westminster.

KISSES and TOODLES!!

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour
By: Morgan Matson
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Date: May 4, 2010
Pages: 352
Ages: 12 and Up

Synopsis -

Amy Curry thinks her life sucks. Her mom decides to move from California to Connecticut to start anew—just in time for Amy's senior year. Her dad recently died in a car accident. So Amy embarks on a road trip to escape from it all, driving cross-country from the home she's always known toward her new life. Joining Amy on the road trip is Roger, the son of Amy's mother's old friend. Amy hasn’t seen him in years, and she is less than thrilled to be driving across the country with a guy she barely knows. So she's surprised to find that she is developing a crush on him. At the same time, she’s coming to terms with her father’s death and how to put her own life back together after the accident. Told in traditional narrative as well as scraps from the road—diner napkins, motel receipts, postcards—this is the story of one girl's journey to find herself.

My Thoughts -


When a tragic car accident takes Amy's father and her mom decide's to start a new life on the East Coast instead of the West just in time for senior year Amy doesn't think life can get much worse. Then she finds out she'll be spending four days driving across country in a car with Roger, a friend of Amy's mother's son. Amy isn't happy about doing this to say the least. Until the car pulls up and she actually starts to think -- What if he's cute -- and he is! It wasn't long before Amy's mother's carefully planned trip complete itinerary and hotel reservations were soon all thrown away.  There were no rules, new boundaries were crossed, because that's what you do when you're teenagers. alone, and suddenly find yourself with a little crush situation that you don't know what to do with, but you're having the time of you're life!

Roger has the away of making Amy do things that she probably wouldn't do on her own. He takes her out of her shell so to speak and she shows off her unique side. They have the best time together and there is a little bit of everything mixed in this ride. My best advice? Buckle up and enjoy the ride because believe me, it doesn't last long enough! I wished that their trip lasted much longer than four days!

This story is sweet, endearing and one that I will never forget! I cried with Amy, and I laughed as well. I couldn't help but feel for her so many times as she felt the blame for the loss of her father. Every teenage girl dreams of a guy like Roger, and Amy was lucky enough to find him. You'll find romance, heartbreak and maybe a whole bunch of small pieces that take you back to your teens as well.

The best part of a road trip is always souvenirs and I think that's especially true for someone like Amy that's never really traveled without her parents or even beyond her state. This book is full of receipts, real pictures, drawings, play lists, notes about each state, things they've done and little scrapbook pages which made me feel like the journey was actually happening and I was a part of it. 

Debut novels are amazing because finding a new author to love is a great treasure! You better believe that I will be looking for more books by Morgan Matson! This book is not just a light, easy read. It's deep with meaning and it's filled with feeling that touched my heart. I really sat back and let the wind blow through my hair as I savored this book from cover to cover. My only complaint, the ride wasn't long enough.

Five Tiaras ALL THE WAY! 

Read the First Chapter HERE!

About the Author -


Morgan Matson received her MFA in Writing for Children from the New School. A road-trip veteran, she has driven cross-country three times...so far. She currently lives in Venice, California. Follow Morgan on Twitter at @morgan_m.
Learn more about Amy & Roger's Epic Detour!

This is one you don't want to miss!  Go out and pick this one up today!




KISSES & TOODLES!!

"St. Patrick and The Three Brave Mice" by Joyce Stengel

St. Patrick and The Three Brave Mice
By:  Joyce A. Stengel
Illustrated By:  Herb Leonhard
Publisher: Pelican Publishing
Date January 21, 2009
Hardcover
Pages: 32
Level: Ages 4 - 8
ISBN: 10 1589806638

 Rating - Five Tiaras!
 
 
About the Book -
 
St. Patrick settles in for a much-needed nap after driving the evil snakes from Ireland; however, one clever snake escaped the ring of his miraculous bell. Just in time to witness the sneaky snake stealing the bell from St. Patrick's side, Tulla mouse knows something must be done. She calls upon the help of her brothers, Ryan and Brian, because she realizes she cannot accomplish such an important task on her own.
 
The three mice work quickly to devise a plan to return St. Patrick's bell, but they know it will not be easy. Despite the fact these mice are no match for the snake in size and wit, the desire to right a wrong encourages the mice to work together. The siblings are successful in returning the bell to St. Patrick and all rejoice when Ireland is finally free of all snakes.

This endearing story provides a big lesson from characters of a very small size. Playful language accompanied by Celtic-inspired illustrations makes this hopeful tale of three brave mice a great lesson of teamwork and the ability of good to triumph evil.

From the Inside Flap -

One sleepless night, with the moon high, the little mouse Tulla scurries from her nest. As she quietly enjoys the evening, the peace is interrupted by Snake slithering from the forest. He is the only snake left in Ireland, the lone creature who has been clever enough to escape St. Patrick and his miraculous bell--and he has a taste for mouse meals. Her whiskers quivering with fright, Tulla watches Snake as he stealthily steals the bell from a sleeping St. Patrick. Despite her fear, Tulla devises a plan just as crafty as Snake's. With the help of two brave mice, she will restore the bell and help St. Patrick rid the Emerald Isle of its last snake.

My Thoughts -

When I first saw St. Patrick and The Three Brave Mice, I thought how wonderful it would be to review this book with St. Patrick's Day coming up! That was in January and it's already here!  This book is the perfect way to introduce the story of the real St. Patrick to your children and maybe help answer some questions on why many people of Irish decent (or not) celebrate this holiday.  As with many children's books, there is a lesson to be learned as well, and Joyce does a fantastic job weaving a tale that will keep the attention of even your littlest reader.  Because, as you will soon see, it doesn't matter how big you are, but what you can do when you  put your mind to it and follow your heart.

One night while Tulla Mouse just can't sleep, she leaves the nest where her two brothers Ryan and Bryan lay sound asleep.  Tulla is looking at the beautiful moon rising high while cuddled up in a single leaf listening to the sounds of night when out of the darkness she hears a very loud snore coming from a man fast asleep under the tree.  Not only that, she sees a glowing bell resting by this man's side and immediately wonders if it could be the "Real St. Patrick" with his miraculous bell.  You see, St. Patrick rang his bell and rid Ireland of all the snakes.  Well...all except one VERY clever snake that escaped the sound.

With Tulla Watching, that night the snake decides to stuff the bell with grass and steal it! No more ringing would be very good for this sneaky snake.  Tulla as small as she is shows that size doesn't matter when she runs to the nest to wake Ryan and Bryan to concoct a plan and get that bell back to St. Patrick!  Like most brothers, not too happy to be woken up, blame it on a "nightmare" or Tulla's "imagination".  But, when she insists and they see for themselves, the three little mice spring into action on a mission to get the bell.

Even though Tulla is so very afraid, Ryan and Bryan remind her that she is the lightest, the tiniest and the quietest  and that she is the perfect one to lead the pack. Shaking with fear, she knows what she must do to help save Ireland.  With all the commotion, it doesn't take St. Patrick long before he's on his feet.  Once he begins to ring his bell, in no time he and the three very brave little mice see to it that the last sneaky snake slithers toward the sea,  never to be seen again. 

If you love a well-told story with gorgeous illustrations then I suggest you pick up "St. Patrick and The Three Brave Mice".  The Illustrations of the mice are too cute for words and the emerald greens and ocean blue tones that are used will certainly get he attention of even the little ones that like to "read" mainly for the pictures.  In the back of the book on the last page Joyce gives you some history on Ireland and St. Patrick in her "Author's Note".  So, to make my long review short, I absolutely loved this book and have highly recommended it to everyone since I've finished it.  A wonderful way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with the children.

I've recently had the pleasure of corresponding with Joyce and I'd like you all to keep an eye out for either an interview or guest post with this very talented author. Happy St. Patrick's Day!



Kisses and Toodles