Month: August 2024

by Daniel Kraus

Sequel to They Threw Us Away. Spoilers warning! The adventurous (against their will) teddies think they’ve found their desire: a home with a child who loves them. But all is not well. They have to be kept hidden from the mother. There’s conflict between the parents. The child doesn’t seem to love any one of them in particular, and they wonder if this is why the promised Forever Sleep still eludes them. They attempt to find ways to comfort her, be closer to her, but it doesn’t work. And when the mother finally discovers them, she reacts with such fear and disgust it seems there is something more going on. More than it just being about germs (because they were picked up off the roadside). The teddies find themselves in danger again and searching for more answers. They argue a lot. Buddy wants to find the Furrington factory. It seems hopeless. But they set out again, dodging scary things in the city. They encounter another group of teddy bears, all living in a basement in some strange encampment- and following strange, self-imposed rules. It almost felt like a cult. Very unsettling. Especially the self-harm aspect, and the rhetoric and the lack of interest those teddies had in anything our core group had to say. Buddy finds himself loosing his grip with the others- they can’t escape, they have to fit in, are some of them going to forget their purpose? The more Buddy figures out, the worse their situation appears to be.

Wow, this one didn’t hold back from the horror aspect. Some of it made me cringe and want to shut the book, and I’m not the target kid audience! There’s violence, dismemberment, self-denial and betrayals and a nasty encounter with a garbage disposal. There are more revelations about their history that make things seem bleak. A big part of the story is how this cozy little individual enterprise of one woman sewing special teddy bears and sharing them with others, got bought out by a huge corporation who turned it into an assembly line and used cheaper products. Far more about that in the volume to come, I’m guessing. Lots of questions still remain unanswered, and new ones have come up. Saddest of all is seeing Buddy struggle against the conformity pressure in the basement teddy society, teasing out how it all fits together, watching some of his friends succumb. Forcing a few answers out of the cult leader (who suddenly caves and gives in to him at the end, which I didn’t quite get). He looses one of his friends but gains another. And at the very end, they finally get into the factory, only to be stunned at what they find . . . leading of course, straight into the next book because you have to know what happens next!

Borrowed from the public library.

Rating: 3/5
220 pages, 2022

of blogging gone by. Seventeen years today!
One of my favorite african violets bloomed for the occasion.

Does your room (or one corner of it) look like this? (And there’s a full bookshelf behind that, too! Then you’re in good company with me. Happy reading!

made by Springbok ~ artist Ron Hinote ~ 500 pieces

Every now and then you get a thrift store puzzle dud. With lots of missing pieces. I knew it was chancy (the box open on the shelf, no ziploc inside containing the pieces) but I am very fond of vintage Springboks, with the sturdy thick pieces, minimal surface glare, never any finger pain, and fun random crazy piece shapes. This one did not disappoint with any of those features. So I still enjoyed the assembly, even though I knew by my third sitting it was obviously not complete.

A very different type of image from my usual puzzle fare. This is a collection of miniature figurines, and the back informs me that the artist was meticulous in getting the details right. They’re all from different eras and nations, in war uniform. Some might be specific to a certain individual, too (one is holding an accordion, another a small dog) I’m not sure. They’re posed on a pyramid of books and what I can glimpse of the titles suggests those are all volumes of military history. Someone passionate about this subject would probably recognize those titles and authors, too. Even though I’m not a military or history buff (far from it) I still appreciated all the details and felt it a shame that so many pieces were missing. Sixteen of them.

Final size 20 x 20″.

a thrift store find

Finally, with both my book posts and puzzle reviews. It shouldn’t be surprising that it took me so long, since right after the head injury I couldn’t be on screens at all for a while, and then when I did get back to being able to use the computer, I had double to catch up on, since all my reading meanwhile had been short, easy books. Even now I’m still reading relatively easy books. But I can’t quite believe it took me half a year. And now -if I get the energy to do so- I have a summary of the 2023 stats to compile that I have not put any thought into yet, and the past eight months’ worth of reading to add to my blog index. Not sure if or when I will do those.

On another note- the other week I did a nice easy puzzle of a little fox. It had large pieces, and holding one in my hand I laughed and thought: these are so big, and the mini landscape pieces were so small, I bet one of those would fit on the knob of one of these! So I pulled the other puzzle out and compared. Just for fun!

I was almost right. There’s my finger for scale. I think they’re the largest and smallest of piece sizes in my entire collection.

made by Goliath ~ photographer unknown ~ 500 pieces

This puzzle is from the National Geographic ‘Super 3D’ series. It was quite challenging. I was determined to get it done, but don’t know if I’ll ever do another one. It literally gave me headaches, just a few minutes into each puzzling session. So they were short (except for the last one, I just kept going). And I could only do one sitting a day, because of the headaches. Probably because it’s a lenticular puzzle, made to have stereoscopic 3D effects. Though all the images look flat that I photographed (since the camera only has one eye). But wow, it was kind of maddening to look at. The image constantly shifts as you scan your eye over the pieces, and they’re not all orientated the same way scattered on the table, so they flicker even more. Sometimes walking past the puzzle table, the 3D effect was so strong that out of the corner of my eye I thought some pieces had got jumbled and were sitting on top of each other, so I’d stop to straighten them out, but then realize I didn’t need to.

This was actually an odd bonus at times, because I knew a piece was in the wrong place if the amount of image shift didn’t match to where I was holding it. There were no false fits, but at the same time the pieces while they fit snug when placed correctly, didn’t all quite lay flat so the puzzle surface ended up with a kind of ripple effect. I’m not sure if this is because it came to me used, so through rough handling some of the pieces don’t quite align anymore? Also a few of them seemed to have been damaged, like the surface got pushed too hard, or something wet or hot laid on it, because they had flat smears with no lenticular effect. And one missing at the end, right in the middle. Dang.

As for the other features- this is a very straight ribbon cut, squarish tidily aligned pieces. They are nice and thick, with a highly reflective surface that feels plasticky, and a smooth white matte underside (not your usual puzzle cardboard). It did hurt my fingers constantly, so I wore gloves for this one.

Finished size 24 x 18″.

from online swap, Puzzle Exchange Group

by Cynthia Kadohata

The daughter of Japanese immigrants, twelve-year-old Sumiko lives on a flower farm. She feels a bit ostracized at school, being the only Japanese student and shunned at a birthday party. But she loves the flowers on the farm, works hard to help her family, and dreams of owning her own flower shop someday. Her life turns upside down when war starts. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, all Japanese are under suspicion and they feel the effects almost immediately. She quits going to school. Her family looses their farm, has to sell all their belongings for next to nothing, and get moved to an internment camp. First they stay at a converted racetrack, literally living in the horse stalls. Then they’re sent on a bus to Arizona. Living at the end of a road in the middle of nowhere, the hot dry dusty desert. It’s questionable what is worse, the heat or the boredom. Sumiko watches as some people around her fall into lethargy and depression while the kids run wild, lying and stealing at will. Her family seems to be dissolving- two family members were sent to a different internment camp up north, where they constantly talk about the cold in their letters. Even though she’s still with her brother, aunt and uncles, some days she hardly talks to any of them. They all feel a loss of purpose.

Gradually the people finds ways to occupy themselves, forming clubs, knitting circles, cooking for others, even planting gardens. This is where Sumiko pours her energies. (It was a nice surprise to once again read a book where the protagonist enjoyed gardening). She improves the soil, works hard to tend and protect her plants, grown from seeds she brought from home. Fields around them are planting with food crops, irrigation ditches are dug. Sumiko listens to the talk around her about the war, what the government has done to them, how they have lost their rights. There’s outrage and criticism when they hear that now the government wants their help in the war effort- they’re asked to leave the camp to work (for a pittance). Sumiko herself doesn’t want to leave. She’s found her place in the camp, strange and isolated as it is. She’s even made a few friends, including a Native American boy who sometimes meets her in a bean field. (The camp is on reservation land, and she learns that the tribe resents them being there, raising more conflict). Some of the young men are even enlisted as soldiers. It’s a whirlwind of change again near the end of the story. Her family is leaving- will she go with them? or stay with Frank. You do see some growth in her maturity, but overall I felt this was such a quietly-told story, I didn’t get a strong feel for Sumiko’s character. I found myself struggling to keep interest on the page sometimes. I’m not sure if it’s the writing style, the fact that this is still J fiction and maybe my brain is ready to move on, or that I have an intriguing sequel to another series waiting on my bedside table distracting my attention.

Borrowed from the public library.

Rating: 3/5
260 pages, 2006

Toot and Puddle

by Holly Hobbie

The pigs’ younger cousin Opal comes to visit them at Woodcock Pocket. She’s delighted to enjoy walks in the woods, playing on the swing, smelling flowers in the garden, eating watermelon and strawberries, etc. Puddle notices that Opal has a loose tooth. She’s proud of the attention this gets her, but doesn’t want any assistance in removing her tooth (Toot is ready with string tied to a doorknob!) She’s determined to just let it fall out on its own. They keep commenting on the state of her loose tooth- until one day it finally falls out- while she’s swimming in the pond! Opal is devastated- how will she leave her tooth for the tooth fairy now? Luckily Toot is good at diving and finds her tooth on the bottom of the pond. Opal goes to bed that night satisfied and expectant. But Puddle sits up late worrying- what if the tooth fairy doesn’t come? Does she even know where Woodcock Pocket is? Puddle decides he must be prepared to step in and impersonate the tooth fairy if she doesn’t arrive. He makes himself a costume (quite cleverly- it was both hilarious and endearing) and sits up to watch for the tooth fairy’s appearance. He and Toot fall asleep before morning though. What now? You’d have to read it. Quite cute!

Borrowed from the public library.

Rating: 3/5
36 pages, 2003

Toot and Puddle

by Laura F. Marsh (adaption)

I had several more Toot and Puddle books on hold from the library, didn’t realize this was one of the made-from-tv-show versions until I picked it up. I tried it anyways. It was- not great. Cute and a good message, but just not interesting to me. After reading quite a few of these, it just didn’t seem original. A bit formulaic- for the tv show, but I can totally see how that appeals to children. Toot and Puddle are discussing something (in this case, music) right before Toot leaves to travel the world. Literally- he gets into the taxi to go the airport while they’re talking about hearing music around them. Puddle has been enjoying the sounds of birds and insects, and blows on grass to whistle. Toot isn’t sure he could ever find music in nature like that. While on his trip -visiting a jungle in Africa- he does start to think things sound musical around him- animals slapping on the surface of water, monkeys chattering, etc. He meets some wild pigs who show him how to collect honey, and play on their drums. Toot is intrigued by the drumming and wants a drum of his own. He trades the honey he collected for a drum in the market, to take home with him. Meanwhile, he’s written Puddle a postcard about his drum. Puddle hears water dripping on a rain barrel and thinks it sounds like a drum. He fashions his own drum, so when Toot gets home they play their instruments together. Which is proclaimed an adventure.

Rating: 2/5
28 pages, 2008

by Holly Hobbie

The story of a little kitten, who somehow looses his mother and siblings, finds himself alone on the streets of a city. It’s cold and scary and he’s hungry. When stuck up in a tree, an old lady calls for help- the kitten is rescued and put in a shelter. Where he is now warm and fed, but bored (and maybe stressed? there sure were a lot of cats in that one cage on the picture!) Then he is swept away to a new home- where there are lots of eager hands to pet him, and new things to get used to. A barking (but friendly) dog. The brightness of the garden. The comings and goings of various people. Gradually the kitten settles down, realizes that everything here is safe, that this is a place he now belongs to. And the kitten is very content, and his days are now perfect.

Another very sweet story. This one really touched me, because we recently adopted two young cats from the local shelter. They were both picked up as strays- one had been at another shelter for over three months, the other one transferred from Florida, that’s all I know. They both had issues at first- Eliza (the striped one) can be very assertive and fiesty, whereas Mabel (the calico) is super skittish, easily startled. But I’m glad we gave them a chance- they’ve both settled in well. Eliza amazes me with her intelligence and her sweetness (seldom expressed, but it sure means a lot when she snuggles with me). And Mabel is so playful and funny, always swiping small items to become her toys, and rolling around on the floor. And I’m so glad they like each other now! They were very standoffish to each other at first. Sometimes I wonder about the stresses and fears they must have gone through in their rough times (we see some evidence of it). I’m glad they are safe and happy with us now.

Borrowed from the public library.

Rating: 3/5
34 pages, 2017

Gem

by Holly Hobbie

A (mostly) wordless picture book that shows things from a toad’s perspective, as it emerges from underground in the spring, and searches for a water source. He makes his way through many hazards- tall tangled grass, vehicles on the road, predators- until finally coming into the quietness of a garden. Where a young girl gently picks him up to look closely- he looks alarmed at first, but is carefully set free again. Water is provided, and he is goggle-eyed over all the insects to eat. He seems to enjoy the peacefulness there, and sings to a mate. The picture of him surrounded by subsequent toadlets is so cute! And the images with the little toad beneath numerous flowers are just lovely. At the end are some notes about toads and why they are good to have around. Beautiful.

Borrowed from the public library.

Rating: 3/5
36 pages, 2012

DISCLAIMER:

All books reviewed on this site are owned by me, or borrowed from the public library. Exceptions are a very occasional review copy sent to me by a publisher or author, as noted. Receiving a book does not influence my opinion or evaluation of it

SUBSCRIBE VIA EMAIL:

Subscribe to my blog:

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

VIEW MY PERSONAL COLLECTION:

TRADE BOOKS WITH ME ON:

ARCHIVES: 

2025
January 2025 (27)February 2025 (15)
2024
January 2024 (21)February 2024 (22)March 2024 (45)April 2024 (38)May 2024 (34)June 2024 (33)July 2024 (34)August 2024 (44)September 2024 (21)October 2024 (26)November 2024 (34)December 2024 (23)
2023
January 2023 (27)February 2023 (23)March 2023 (25)April 2023 (11)May 2023 (17)June 2023 (11)July 2023 (23)August 2023 (23)September 2023 (14)October 2023 (14)November 2023 (26)December 2023 (14)
2022
January 2022 (12)February 2022 (7)March 2022 (13)April 2022 (16)May 2022 (13)June 2022 (21)July 2022 (15)August 2022 (27)September 2022 (10)October 2022 (17)November 2022 (16)December 2022 (23)
2021
January 2021 (14)February 2021 (13)March 2021 (14)April 2021 (7)May 2021 (10)June 2021 (5)July 2021 (10)August 2021 (27)September 2021 (16)October 2021 (11)November 2021 (14)December 2021 (12)
2020
January 2020 (14)February 2020 (6)March 2020 (10)April 2020 (1)May 2020 (10)June 2020 (15)July 2020 (13)August 2020 (26)September 2020 (10)October 2020 (9)November 2020 (16)December 2020 (22)
2019
January 2019 (12)February 2019 (9)March 2019 (5)April 2019 (10)May 2019 (9)June 2019 (6)July 2019 (18)August 2019 (13)September 2019 (13)October 2019 (7)November 2019 (5)December 2019 (18)
2018
January 2018 (17)February 2018 (18)March 2018 (9)April 2018 (9)May 2018 (6)June 2018 (21)July 2018 (12)August 2018 (7)September 2018 (13)October 2018 (15)November 2018 (10)December 2018 (13)
2017
January 2017 (19)February 2017 (12)March 2017 (7)April 2017 (4)May 2017 (5)June 2017 (8)July 2017 (13)August 2017 (17)September 2017 (12)October 2017 (15)November 2017 (14)December 2017 (11)
2016
January 2016 (5)February 2016 (14)March 2016 (5)April 2016 (6)May 2016 (14)June 2016 (12)July 2016 (11)August 2016 (11)September 2016 (11)October 2016 (9)November 2016 (1)December 2016 (3)
2015
January 2015 (9)February 2015 (9)March 2015 (11)April 2015 (10)May 2015 (10)June 2015 (2)July 2015 (12)August 2015 (13)September 2015 (16)October 2015 (13)November 2015 (10)December 2015 (14)
2014
January 2014 (14)February 2014 (11)March 2014 (5)April 2014 (15)May 2014 (12)June 2014 (17)July 2014 (22)August 2014 (19)September 2014 (10)October 2014 (19)November 2014 (14)December 2014 (14)
2013
January 2013 (25)February 2013 (28)March 2013 (18)April 2013 (21)May 2013 (12)June 2013 (7)July 2013 (13)August 2013 (25)September 2013 (24)October 2013 (17)November 2013 (18)December 2013 (20)
2012
January 2012 (21)February 2012 (19)March 2012 (9)April 2012 (23)May 2012 (31)June 2012 (21)July 2012 (19)August 2012 (16)September 2012 (4)October 2012 (2)November 2012 (7)December 2012 (19)
2011
January 2011 (26)February 2011 (22)March 2011 (18)April 2011 (11)May 2011 (6)June 2011 (7)July 2011 (10)August 2011 (9)September 2011 (14)October 2011 (13)November 2011 (15)December 2011 (22)
2010
January 2010 (27)February 2010 (19)March 2010 (20)April 2010 (24)May 2010 (22)June 2010 (24)July 2010 (31)August 2010 (17)September 2010 (18)October 2010 (11)November 2010 (13)December 2010 (19)
2009
January 2009 (23)February 2009 (26)March 2009 (32)April 2009 (22)May 2009 (18)June 2009 (26)July 2009 (34)August 2009 (31)September 2009 (30)October 2009 (23)November 2009 (26)December 2009 (18)
2008
January 2008 (35)February 2008 (26)March 2008 (33)April 2008 (15)May 2008 (29)June 2008 (29)July 2008 (29)August 2008 (34)September 2008 (29)October 2008 (27)November 2008 (27)December 2008 (24)
2007
August 2007 (12)September 2007 (28)October 2007 (27)November 2007 (28)December 2007 (14)
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
1994
1993
1992
1991
1990
1989
1988
1987
1986
1985
1984
1983
1982
1981
1980
1979
1978
1977
1976
1975
1974
1973
1972
1971
1970
1969
1968
1967
1966
1965
1964
1963
1962
1961
1960
1959
1958
1957
1956
1955
1954
1953
1952
1951
1950