There's a Dragon in your Book! Review

The writer and illustrator of There’s a Monster in Your Book have done it again with this cute children’s book. Tom Fletcher’s tale of a baby dragon and the havoc he wreaks on your book is fun and enjoyable for all ages. Each page is illustrated delightfully by Greg Abbott.

I was preparing for a children’s story time at the library where I work when this book came in and simply had to add it to next week’s line up of tales. The story is enchanting for both adult readers and youngsters. The kids will want to hear this tale over and over as they watch all that can happen if a baby dragon happened to hatch in your book. Be warned however you might just have your hands full with Fletcher’s book. You should also defiantly check out his first tale of a Monster in your book.

From Amazon.com

Fletcher’s words tell children to complete actions in an attempt to stop the mayhem the little dragon has begun on each page. Abbott’s colorful images bring each action to life with a turn of the page. 

The warnings offered in the text only come true as you turn the page to find yourself in a more hilarious situation because of each new accident caused.

I highly recommend this book for preschoolers on up to adults for a laugh and fun story. Children will enjoy having this read to them or reading it themselves to see what the dragon does next.

References

Amazon.com. (2018). There's a Dragon in Your Book Hardcover – September 4, 2018 [page image]. Retrieved from https://www.amazon.com/Theres-Dragon-Your-Book-Fletcher/dp/1524766380/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1537566397&sr=1-1&keywords=theres+a+dragon+in+your+book

Fletcher, T. (2018). There’s a dragon in your book. New York: Random House Books for Young Readers.

Goodreads.com. (2018). There’s a dragon in your book [Cover image]. Retrieved from https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38398166-there-s-a-dragon-in-your-book

New Job! and encouragement for those still looking.

As a recent MLIS graduate, ok maybe for some December of last year is not recent but I still feel that it is. I have been seriously looking for a permeant job since then, and even though I did not find my ideal job I do have one now that I enjoy.

In my new position, I coordinate youth services for a small rural branch library while also helping at the main branch during the week. It is a lot of driving, but I’m used to it because I live in a small mountain community and a commute is normal for anyone with a career not in teaching, logging, etc. I’ve been on the job for about a week now and am still figuring out what I’m doing exactly.

Needless to say, my reading has taken another hit, I don’t read like I should and when I do I just don’t read long, which seems ironic I work in a library after all. But sometimes one just needs to step back and focus on something new. I’ve learned that the job search is tiring but training in a new position, while exciting, is just as difficult. For anyone looking for a position they love (or simply need) don’t give up there are library positions out there. My best advice is to be patient and in time the right group will come along. I am blessed because the director or the system I subbed in wanted me to stay and worked hard to find me a good place, even if it is not ideal for me, that could lead to a better position.

The idea is to never give up on your dreams. I am a step closer but still not there and will never give up on perusing what I want. I also follow my faith and seek the Lord’s will for my life in all I do. For some praying for a job may seem strange because they do not adhere to the same faith as I do so find something to have hope in and pursue it. Having grounding in Christ has helped me through my time of less than ideal employment and a focus or goal can help you too.

Some books I’ve been reading (I was working on preschool storytimes this week):

·         Have you Seen My New Blue Socks? By Eve Bunting

·         The Day the Crayons Quit By Drew Daywalt

·         The Day the Crayons Came Home by Drew Daywalt

·         A Monstrous Regiment of Women By Laurie King (my fun book I’m just starting)

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed on this site are my own and do not necessarily represent the views of LS&S.

Review of Laurie King's The Beekeeper's Apprentice

As someone who doesn’t usually enjoy mystery books, I found this novel to be interesting and exciting. Sherlock Holmes is back again in this modern take on his adventures by Laurie R. King.

In The Beekeeper’s Apprentice readers are introduced to a spunky 15-year-old named Mary Russell who will keep Holmes on his toes as she follows in his footsteps. The writing is wonderful and detailed drawing readers into the early twentieth century and all of the excitement found there. Holmes is an old known character, even to those who (like myself) have not read any of the original works by Arthur Conan Doyle. Seeing this character navigate the new world he finds himself in, the world of being teacher/mentor, is interesting and provides a depth to the story by King. Along with Holmes other familiar characters populate the world of The Beekeeper’s Apprentice such as Dr. Watson, Mrs. Hudson, and even mention of Moriarty.

King artfully creates a novel full of different incidents in Mary’s life, told from her perspective, as she gets acquainted with Holmes at 15, through the war and into her first years at Oxford. Mary goes from a gangly girl, wearing boys trousers, into a young woman comfortable in dresses and gowns. King details the shift in Holmes’ mind of a confident teacher to uncertain how to perceive Mary when she shows up one day dressed as she ought to in a nice dress. Each interaction and shift in their relationship brings them further from mentor and student to equal partners on their adventures. King’s development of story and character is great and well-done drawing readers into a believable world where wit and cunning reign.

This book kept my attention and I was able to complete the tale of the Beekeeper and his Apprentice, instead of putting it aside as I typically do with mysteries. While the book does fit the mystery genre (because of Holmes and his work) it does not feel like a standard mystery with cases to be solved but provides character development and a story of friendship between Holmes and Russel.

References

King, L. (1994). The beekeeper’s apprentice: Or on the segregation of the queen: A Mary Russell novel. New York: Picador.

Goodreads.com. (2018). The beekeeper’s apprentice [Cover image]. Retrieved from https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1024275.The_Beekeeper_s_Apprentice