2.50 Stars I really wanted to like this book... I have been to 46 out of 50 states (see ya soon NJ and DE) Some of the state explanations were confu 2.50 Stars I really wanted to like this book... I have been to 46 out of 50 states (see ya soon NJ and DE) Some of the state explanations were confusing and I had to read them twice to understand them.
The information was mostly correct, yes Montana root comes from the Latin work montanum, however, it was named for the Spanish Word of Mountains, montaña that was the connection (though you could argue Spanish has a Latin base!) I guess it is still debated, but we here in the West it being so close to the former Mexican territory and so much Spanish influence, we go with the Spanish name. https://www.bia.gov/as-ia/opa/online-...
I live in Utah and the Utah information is surprisingly accurate except the name of my church in the pictures (it is correct in the text) We are The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints , not Church of the Latter-Day Saints, (https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist....) we worship Jesus, so don't leave him out. Mormon is a nickname given to us by our enemies making fun of us and our sacred text, the Book of Mormon, for years we have embraced the nickname, but now we prefer the whole name of our church stated.
I really didn't like the pictures. It is a style I get it but I thought it was unattractive and all over the place-like a scrapbook.
Also, I wondered why the State of Missouri had ice cream cones with ice cream as the border. The text makes no reference. I had to go look and Ice Cream Cone (not Ice Cream) is the official Missouri treat. There were several state pages with pictures in the border that weren't explained in the text.
sigh.. I really wanted to like this book but it just misses the mark on so many levels... Sorry!...more
I am all for truth in history. Talking about the dark side and unflattering part of the History of the United States is very important, but I felt likI am all for truth in history. Talking about the dark side and unflattering part of the History of the United States is very important, but I felt like this book super negative. All the bad things that have happened in the history of the US. Slavery, cruelty and unfairness to native Americans, racism, all wrong all should be talked about, but man, when I finished this book I was so depressed!
The United States of America and it people have one a lot of good positive things, cures for polio, electricity, first in flight lights... We are not perfect, FOR SURE, but all this book did was made me ashamed to be an American, and I have so many more reasons to be a proud American than not. Disappointed... I wish we could must acknowledge past wrongs and from here on out, be kind... I know.. to dream! I will give it 2.5 stars because I did like the pictures...more
The title of the book was very misleading with the title clear Moon snow soon I thought it was going to be about snow but no it's about Santa Claus whThe title of the book was very misleading with the title clear Moon snow soon I thought it was going to be about snow but no it's about Santa Claus which was totally misleading the Saving Grace of this book is the great illustrations everything else I could take it or leave it...more
2.5 Stars I don't even know where to go with this book.
I like the illustrations, and even before reading it I knew there was a controversy around i 2.5 Stars I don't even know where to go with this book.
I like the illustrations, and even before reading it I knew there was a controversy around it... so I was braced. It isn't bad and it isn't all that good.
I guess my biggest issue is the Native American portrayal. They have lumped all tribes from many many different distinct unique cultures and way of life into one thing, one nation and one people. UM Not so much!
Don't put a Navajo and a Shoshone in the same basket. Two different tribes traditions and customs.
IN the United States alone (not counting Mexico or Canada) has 574 federally recognized tribes. (While I am on a rant, why aren't Hawaiian given native status.... seriously.......???) Canada has 50 recognized tribes of First Nation People. 50 different tribes...
Like saying all white people are from England, when they could be from Scandinavia, Russia, Italy, Albania. Call an Italian, British and see how long your teeth stay in your mouth!
It also assumes the North American Continent as America has always been it name.
I went to a library conference ARSL. The whole conference was about inclusive, even with diversity of race, religion, sexual orientation, we are all human.
There were about 500 people there and they asked us instead of where we were from (Utah, Wyoming , New Hampshire etc) we were to say whose native land we live on.
I said Ute. I live on Ute land, I claim in now in ownership in my Anglo Saxon way, but it was stolen/ taken from the Utes. And we pushed them into a reservation... I can't pay for the sins of my fathers, but...I don't have to be happy with them.
Also, it doesn't wrap things how are we all connected! Because we live in the same place? OOO KAY!
All in all, I am going to say "Good try" maybe try again!
But is it more important on how everyone got here, or that we all are here now. Can't we just be humans....distinct and wonderful, but humans.
I am not sure when you get a blood transfusion if the blood is from a White person or it is from an Asian, African American etc. No, it is the blood type that matters... you need the right blood.. I am AB+ a rare blood type and I don't care what race my blood came from, they saved my life and that is all that matters to me!! I am the universal receiver of all types but not everyone can take my blood type. We are all humans! Case closed! Game over!
2.5 Stars I have a hard time with Santa Claus, I am Christian (Mormon to be exact) and I just can't! (St. Nicholas a real person, sure he was cool b 2.5 Stars I have a hard time with Santa Claus, I am Christian (Mormon to be exact) and I just can't! (St. Nicholas a real person, sure he was cool but a mythical creature from the North Pole... come on" BUT, I was hoping this book would be like "I believe in Santa Claus" Diane G. Adamson which parallels Jesus and Santa Claus. I actually own that book and it works for me! Though the pictures in the book are nice, I was not captivated or sold, it made me a little annoyed so, that is why I gave it lower rating....more
2.50 stars As an early reader this is great, but beyond that, there isn't much literary value! The cover is much cuter than the pictures inside! 2.50 stars As an early reader this is great, but beyond that, there isn't much literary value! The cover is much cuter than the pictures inside! ...more
I love Jane Eyre, I just wanted a PBS (BBC) show called "To Walk Invisible" about the Bronte sisters. It was very interesting. So I thought...hey let'I love Jane Eyre, I just wanted a PBS (BBC) show called "To Walk Invisible" about the Bronte sisters. It was very interesting. So I thought...hey let's try another Charlotte Bronte. (I tried Wuthering Heights a few years ago and I was also really bored!! However that was Emily and I figured sisters don't have to be as good )
Is it fair to compare one book of an author to another book by the same author. Well, I know If I like an author, I want to read and devour each word! I love Jane Eyre! I read it as a teenager and liked it and grown to really love it! This book was BORING! How can it be better than Jane Eyre! So why Jane Eyre is better than Villette. There is a plot. Intrigue. Crazy Wife in the attic Romance amazing characters...that you love!! Really Happy Ending.
Villette, why don't love it! It is a story that could be told in 100 pages not 489. It has no real "keep you reading, what is going to happen next" If it wasn't for the audio book, and I was doing other things at work, I would have never made it through!! I sometimes had to rewind because my mind drifted!
The French! Oh Dear Heaven..the French! I don't speak French and there is a lot of it! Yes, Villette is a fictional town, probably Belgium so sure, throw in the French but use context clues as to what they are saying!
I felt a lot of blah blah blah! Get to the point!
It's redeeming factors...It does have a 1840's feminist, girl power, woman making her own way in the world (which was Bronte worry)! I do like that! She is alone and independent and makes it in the world! The whole Monsieur Paul...as a love interest! BLAH. I was camp Graham aka Dr John aka Isadore...pick a name! But you can see why it wouldn't work out. Polly and Graham have been in love since she was 6 and he 16 so.....
So do I want to read this book again! NO! Am I interested in trying another Charlotte Bronte...maybe Jane Eyre again! ...more
2.5 stars Another 1990 Made for LDS Women, clean versions of Harlequin romance type books. This book is under my 2016 Reading challenge of "a book s 2.5 stars Another 1990 Made for LDS Women, clean versions of Harlequin romance type books. This book is under my 2016 Reading challenge of "a book started but didn't finish"... Well, I cracked it open again this year, made it through, and now I am done. It was okay! It had interesting points, but sad ones as well and some that weren't very realistic! I read it, it's over and I survived! ...more
2.5 stars If it were 1909, this book would be ground breaking, interesting, imaginative 4 stars ...in 2016 it just doesn't hold up as a classic for 2.5 stars If it were 1909, this book would be ground breaking, interesting, imaginative 4 stars ...in 2016 it just doesn't hold up as a classic for me.
It is interesting, nice pictures, but it gets an okay from me! I know it is my first Beatrix Potter, I know I must have had a miserable childhood to not have read this but I can't change history! Benjamin Bunny Marries his cousin Flopsy and all the kids are called Flopsy Bunny! I hate mice but this Mrs Tittlemouse was the hero of the story...I guess their annoying, clawing, nibbling self can be put to good use ......more
2.5 stars If it were 1902, this book would be ground breaking, interesting, imaginative 4 stars ...in 2016 it just doesn't hold up as a classic for 2.5 stars If it were 1902, this book would be ground breaking, interesting, imaginative 4 stars ...in 2016 it just doesn't hold up as a classic for me.
It is interesting, nice pictures, but it gets an okay from me! I know it is my first Beatrix Potter, I know I must have had a miserable childhood to not have read this but I can't change history! I was told I should see the movie about her life. I guess because I have some stuff bunny friends and I am partial to bunnies, but I was disturbed that Father Rabbit got turned into a pie, (creepy) and I hate mice and there are mice in this...bunnies are great, mice are not...don't put them together! I am probably just too cynical but there you go! ...more
>b> 2.5 Stars I had great hopes for this book! It started out nicely but it skipped over lots of great States and as it skipped over Utah, and went St>b> 2.5 Stars I had great hopes for this book! It started out nicely but it skipped over lots of great States and as it skipped over Utah, and went Straight to Nevada I was a little put out. It also overlooked Idaho and California and went straight to Oregon. To each his own. I loved the scenery pictures but the person (a boy..could have fooled me) and the dog look weird. Also that Elk for Colorado doesn't look like any Elk I have seen in the Rocky Mountains. It was the dreaded "okay" ...more
2.50 I read this book at the Fort Walton Library Florida branch! I feel like I have read this book --or the same premise recently! I was okay but I 2.50 I read this book at the Fort Walton Library Florida branch! I feel like I have read this book --or the same premise recently! I was okay but I wasn't thrilled by it!...more
2.50 stars This book has nice pictures and the story is good about being proud of who you are but...can I rave...not really! I am personally disturb 2.50 stars This book has nice pictures and the story is good about being proud of who you are but...can I rave...not really! I am personally disturbed by gold ring in Pig Mama's nose...but it helps with the story! I guess some real farm pigs have rings in their noses but it isn't jewelry. According to my research they put rings in pigs nose so they don't dig with the snouts. and damage gardens to grass or whatever..oh the things you learn on Wikipedia! ...more
2.5 stars Soooo, the author explains that he has updated the text to be more modern and made it so Santa wasn't smoking his pipe. FINE! But there we 2.5 stars Soooo, the author explains that he has updated the text to be more modern and made it so Santa wasn't smoking his pipe. FINE! But there were words in there that could/should have been changed and some that were ridiculous chances like "Visions of Sugar Plums" don't you get the images of goodies. But it is changed to "visions of yummy treats" but you keep in worlds like, Kerchief and sash and down of a thistle. Oh well to each his own! ...more
2.5 stars I want a tree house with a twisting staircase, and stairs...but this book is, well, silly..and NOT in a good way! Audrey is getting big an 2.5 stars I want a tree house with a twisting staircase, and stairs...but this book is, well, silly..and NOT in a good way! Audrey is getting big and needs a house of her own. SO, her dad builds her an amazing tree house in like 3 seconds and after all the hard work and all the cool things he makes for it...she decides she like her own house instead. Groan and eye roll! Nice pictures but other than that, I wished I had picked something beter to read that I would have really like...oh well! ...more
2.5 stars A nice little story about puffins. The illustrations are okay ,but I thought they were a little dull! What I also didn't like was that ins 2.5 stars A nice little story about puffins. The illustrations are okay ,but I thought they were a little dull! What I also didn't like was that instead of mom and dad puffin it Long Black Feather (I assume is the father) and Big Stripy Beak is mom? ...more
2.5 stars It must be dud book day because this one didn't do it for me either. I like that the frog wants to be different by wearing underpants...bu 2.5 stars It must be dud book day because this one didn't do it for me either. I like that the frog wants to be different by wearing underpants...but when he looses them and finds out other frogs are fighting over it. the Teddy Bear decided to make them for all the frogs..but then the Main frog doesn't feel special anymore...
You can't win!
SO, he find as way to still wear his underpants and be unique. I thought it was weird. Why must we talk about underpants at all...I know Dinosaurs dig them etc, but It just wasn't fun. The message is good about finding your uniqueness but it was a miss for me!...more
2.5 stars I had a kid the other day tell me "THAT is NOT a pumpkin...that is a JACK-O-LANTERN" So, a nice story with nice pictures but, there was no 2.5 stars I had a kid the other day tell me "THAT is NOT a pumpkin...that is a JACK-O-LANTERN" So, a nice story with nice pictures but, there was no mention of the pumpkin being transformed into a Pumpkin...okay.. now you know!...more
2.5 stars This book was headed for 3 star status until "Gentles the Dog" was used. I had to look up Gentles... (It refers me to gentle) I have heard 2.5 stars This book was headed for 3 star status until "Gentles the Dog" was used. I had to look up Gentles... (It refers me to gentle) I have heard of Gentle, I have hear of Gentiles but Gentles??? It just bothered me..bothered me enough to make noise about it in this review and have it spoil the rest of the book for me! I liked the pictures and the story...so like trying to get kids to bed! Not thrilled by it..but I didn't love the Napping House either...I am no fun... I KNOW!! ?!?...more
2.50 Stars Jan Brett and Dr Seuss have something in common for me...I don't love their work, not sure I even like most of it, but I can appreciate i 2.50 Stars Jan Brett and Dr Seuss have something in common for me...I don't love their work, not sure I even like most of it, but I can appreciate it! A fine Cinderella retelling but there is just to much detail in it. That is what some people like but that is what I don't like--it is overwhelming and doesn't really help paint the picture of the story. The Russian Element is interesting but all in all.... a dud for me!...more