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Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving from us here at Everead! Now we can stop feeling embarrassed that we're listening to Christmas music. . . . :D There is so much to be thankful for in this good ol' world -- like good books for instance.

Everead is now taking questions and making recommendations! That's right, no matter who you are shopping for we can recommend a good book that might be the next favorite. Why are we doing it? Because we love talking about good books!



So, who are you shopping for?

An example:
What should I get for my six-year-old niece who likes pizza and is very polite? Help!
Answer: Mercy Watson books by Kate DiCamillo!
Why, yes, this example does come from real life. I'm not too worried that she'll be spoiled by this post.  Hopefully she'll like the books -- they're her birthday present tomorrow!


  • How old (ish) is your intended recipient?
  • Male or female?
  • What are some of their interests?
  • What are some books they have enjoyed in the past?
  • Do they prefer fiction or non-fiction?
  • Do they have a lot of time on their hands, or just want to pick up a book now and then?
  • Will they like something everyone's been picking up, or have they read everything already?


Put as many or as few details as you please in a comment and we'll get right back to you (after careful thought of course!).

Froggy Boots Go with Everything!

This cute little board book was sent to me in the mail a couple of months ago. I think a lot of parents can relate to the child who wears one article of clothing until they can't possibly squeeze their body into it anymore, until it totally falls apart, or until it "mysteriously" disappears in the laundry ... For my older brother, it was a flannel grey-and-black-checkered jacket. He's wearing it in at least one of his school pictures. Wouldn't take his jacket off for the camera guy. For me, it was a pink dress-up dress. I have pictures of myself kneading bread, trick-or-treating, babysitting, dancing, you name it, in that pink dress. My littlest brother practically slept in his cowboy boots.

So the premise of Froggy Boots Go with Everything is charming in its familiarity. A little boy jumps in puddles, takes a bath, and plays on the monkey bars in his rubber froggy boots. Added to the fun of the book is the little guide at the end that has you look for the real frog hiding in each illustration as well as other cute hidden objects. My boys, so far, haven't become overly attached to any one article of clothing, but I would not be surprised if one day, this book becomes both fun and applicable to them as well.

Wonderstruck

Wonderstruck by Brain Selznick

This book is as thick as a brick. And yet, one can read it in a matter of hours.

Brian Selznick, best known for his book The Invention of Hugo Cabret, has done it again.  This time, he mixes two stories, set decades apart. Ben is a boy growing up on Gunflint Lake, Minnesota and dealing with a tragic loss. Rose lives just outside New York City and fights the restrictions that are imposed upon her due to her deafness. Rose's story is told in pictures, Ben's story is written.

Sitting alone in a quiet house and reading Wonderstruck, I almost forgot I could hear. The parallel stories pulled me along from the very beginning; Selznick wastes no time introducing us to the conflict. Elements of mystery combine with themes of parentlessness and finding home in striking simplicity. And I was so happy about the ending.

Speaking of the end of the book, I loved Selznick's acknowledgments. WHEN you read this book, don't skip the pages after "the end."

***
This book is a Cybils nominee in the Graphic Novels category. The above review represents my own opinion, and not the assessment of the Cybils round one panel.

Guest Review: Dolphin Tale: A Tale of True Friendship

Today I have a lovely review for you from 8-year-old Joy. She was the winner of our Winter's Tale contest in 2009, and apparently the story stuck with her! She found another book about Winter (the rescued dolphin given a prosthetic tail). Take it away, Joy!


Dolphin Tale: A Tale of True Friendship by Emma Ryan


Guess what! I have the new book based off the movie Dolphin Tale. It is called Dolphin Tale: A Tale of True Friendship and its got extra details. It says who saved Winter and how she got out of the net. A boy saved her with his pocket knife. I really liked reading it. I put my nose right in it because I was so excited! This book will be part of my collection of stuff that I got from your website. I can't wait to get Dolphin Tale: The Junior Novel. (now you push shift and the right pinky, so it will do dot, dot. then you do this one up here, and it makes like a sideways smiley face).  :)
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