Bearnard’s Book by Deborah Underwood & Misa Saburi @MacKidsBooks

Genre: Children’s Fiction

Munchkin Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A very cute book with references to other famous fictional bears we already know.

My kids loved this one!

**Thanks to Macmillan’s Children’s Publishers for our copy**

When Bearnard gets an invitation to be in a book, it’s a dream come true! But as he reads up on what starring in a book might actually entail, he wonders if he’s not quite the right bear for the part. With the help of his friend Gertie, Bearnard discovers that to shine in his story, he just needs to be himself.

Deborah Underwood

is the author of many picture books, including Monster & Mouse Go Camping, Interstellar Cinderella, and the New York Times bestsellers The Quiet Book, The Loud Book!, and Here Comes the Easter Cat. She lives in Northern California with two bears (stuffed) and a cat (real).

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Valentine’s Day Roundup @MacKidsBooks #ValentinesDay #KidLit #ChildrensBooks

Robot In Love by T.L Macbeth

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Remember the first time you crushed hard on someone?

This was such a funny & cute book about a robot falling in love for the first time.

Loved To Bits by Teresa Heapy & Katie Cleminson

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I’m sure we all had a favourite stuffy as a kid. Mine was a pink bear named Bobby and a yellow popple (remember those from the 80’s?)

This was a sweet story about a boy and his favourite bear, and the adventures they go on.

If Animals Said I Love You by Ann Whitford Paul & David Walker

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Can you imagine what it would be like if monkey or giraffe could say I love you?

This colourful board book is great for little ones and explores what it would be like for some fun-loving animals to say “I love you” to their young ones.

**Special thanks to Macmillan Children’s Publishing for our copy of these wonderful books**

12 Lucky Animals by Vickie Lee & Joey Chou @mackidsbooks

Genre: Children’s, Baby

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Gong Hay Fat Choy! Xin Nian Kuai Le!! Wishing you happiness & Prosperity, and Happy New Year!

This is a great little introduction to all the Chinese Zodiac Animals. I loved the illustrations and how the author included how to pronounce each word/animal.

Since I’m Chinese, it was a fun way to teach my kids mandarin.

February BOTM #FebruaryTBR

**Thanks to Harper Collins Canada & HCC Frenzy for my copy**

THE PERFECT GIRLFRIEND BY KAREN HAMILTON

SIX OF CROWS BY LEIGH BARDUGO

What’s your book of the month picks?

Warcross by Marie Lu @PenguinTeenCA @PutnamBooks @Marie_Lu #Warcross

Genre: YA, Sci-Fi

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Every locked door has a key.

Every problem has a solution.

Sci-Fi is not a genre I typically read, but every now and then I like to read something out of my comfort zone. Aside from the pretty unicorn-coloured font, this book received a lot of hype on Instagram. Of course, I was curious and had to see it for myself.

WOW! This book was wild! It was full of action and beautiful scenery. At one point, I seriously wished it was a graphic novel cause I could only imagine how awesome the graphics would be.

I loved Emika and her style! I totally dug her rainbow coloured hair!!

I have to say, I had Zero figured out pretty early on, but it didn’t take from the excitement of the story. 🙂

I’m definitely going to be reading Wildcard! I can’t wait to see what happens next!!

For the millions who log in every day, Warcross isn’t just a game—it’s a way of life. The obsession started ten years ago and its fan base now spans the globe, some eager to escape from reality and others hoping to make a profit. Struggling to make ends meet, teenage hacker Emika Chen works as a bounty hunter, tracking down players who bet on the game illegally. But the bounty hunting world is a competitive one, and survival has not been easy. Needing to make some quick cash, Emika takes a risk and hacks into the opening game of the international Warcross Championships—only to accidentally glitch herself into the action and become an overnight sensation.

Convinced she’s going to be arrested, Emika is shocked when instead she gets a call from the game’s creator, the elusive young billionaire Hideo Tanaka, with an irresistible offer. He needs a spy on the inside of this year’s tournament in order to uncover a security problem . . . and he wants Emika for the job. With no time to lose, Emika’s whisked off to Tokyo and thrust into a world of fame and fortune that she’s only dreamed of. But soon her investigation uncovers a sinister plot, with major consequences for the entire Warcross empire.

ADD IT TO YOUR TBR: Goodreads

Have you read it? What did you think?

Bad Kitty: Kitten Trouble by Nick Bruel @MacKidsBooks @nickbruel #BadKitty

Genre: Graphic Novel, Middle Grade

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Remember the Looney Tunes with Wile E. Coyote and The Road Runner? This book totally reminded me of that, with Kitty always scheming & up to no good.

I love reading comics! The comic section in the Sunday’s paper was something I always looked forward to as a child.

Now that I have a 6 year old who has the same love for graphic novels as I do, this was perfect. Bad Kitty is geared to a younger/middle grade audience since it teaches empathy and sharing, but is still fun and comical for any parent or cat lover to read.

Even though my younger ones don’t have the attention span for chapter books, they still enjoyed looking at the pictures to see what was happening.

**Thank you Macmillian Children’s Publishing & Roaring Brook Press for my copy**

ADD IT TO YOUR TBR: Goodreads

Do you like comics/graphic novels??

Book vs Film: Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy #dumplin #bookstofilm

**Caution: spoiler alert**

Genre: YA, Chick Lit

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This was one of the rare times where I watched the movie before reading the book. I loved the movie! So of course, I went out and bought the book the next day!

Just like any book to film adaptation, changes were made to the fit the movie.

Rosie Dickson

Film: Will didn’t have a relationship with her mom growing up. Her aunt Lucy took that role.

Book: Will and her mom are complete opposites and have different views, but have a relationship throughout the whole story. In fact, Rosie helps Will where she can.

Mitch

He was a pretty important character in the book and helps Will through some of her struggles! I’m not sure why they cut his character from the movie.

Hannah Perez

Again, another character they took out in the movie but had a big role in the book.

Bo Larson

Book: Bo struggles with his feelings for Will throughout the novel and has a hard time articulating how he feels for her at first. He wasn’t as likeable in the book in my opinion.

Film: It was clear without saying, how Bo felt for Willowdean. You could see it in his eyes and gestures.

Ellen Dryver

Book: Not only was she tall and blond, but the loss of her virginity & friendship with Callie explain the true fallout between her and Will

Film: El has brown hair. The strain in her relationship with Will happens later on during the pageant and is very minor compared to the book.

The Hideaway

Book: The hideaway took a bit of a back seat in the book.

Film: This was my favourite part in the movie and had a much larger role. I think they did an amazing job at highlighting Dolly Parton Night.

Willowdean

Book: There were times where Will really annoyed & pissed me off. I get that she has insecurities, but she’s afraid to tell the people she supposedly cares about how she’s feeling and is self sabotaging.

Film: Will’s character has a bit of a stronger personality. She’s not as afraid to speak her mind. I liked her more in the movie!

Final Words..

The ending kinda leaves you hanging, but overall, I really enjoyed the book! We get an indepth look into Will’s relationship with her mother and her insecurities about her weight. There were some major differences from the movie! So if you haven’t read the book, don’t write it off just yet. I’d still recommend it 😊

Have you read the book? Seen the movie? What did you think??