Sunday, March 1, 2026
Spells and Spaceships! Ebook Giveaway hosted by MyBookCave!
The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary
The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary is a fun book about Ralph, a mouse who lives in the Mountain View Inn, an old, quaint hotel in the Sierra Nevadas who meets a boy named Keith. 
They discover they can talk to each other, and Keith allows Ralph to ride his toy motorcycle, which is somehow magical and can move when Ralph makes the sound of an engine with his mouth. When Ralph accidentally loses the motorcycle in a pile of laundry, will Keith forgive him? And will the pair ever be able to find the motorcycle again? But even more importantly, when Keith becomes sick, will Ralph be able to find and bring him an aspirin tablet to bring Keith's fever down? Read the book and find out!
The Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
The Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder is a sweet story about a little girl, Laura, who lives with her pa, ma, and sisters, Mary and baby Carrie in the Big Woods of Wisconsin. 
She experiences life with her sister, mother, father, and relatives during the 1800s, and yet is still relatable to small children today who see life through the wondering, curious eyes that children have always looked at the world with. She visits her grandparents, enjoys Christmas, delights in going to the town, and seeing the big lake. There isn't a driving plot to the story, but each chapter has its own unique plot, and the book overall, is enjoyable. Children and adults who like to reminisce would enjoy this story.
Around the World in 80 Days produced by Disney
The movie Around the World in 80 Days, directed by Frank Coraci and produced by Disney, based on the book of the same name by Jules Verne, is a delightful story about Phileas Fogg played by actor Steve Coogan and his valet, Passapartout, played by Jackie Chan. There are a few differences between the movie and the book upon which it is based, but the main question about whether these two men can get around the world in 80 days is still the driving force of the plot. 
While they are in Paris, they meet an aspiring artist Monique La Roche, played by actress Cécile de France, and with her escape a group of thugs who are after Passpartout (who in this movie is actually from China, and named Lau Xing who is trying to get something stolen from his village back home. The trio set off around the world, evading Fixx and others who have falsly accused Fogg of the robbery at the Bank of England (the robber was actually Passpartout/Lau Xing, only getting his village's property back) and finding their way back to Passpartout's village to return the jade Buddah that was stolen from them. Will they successfully return the jade Buddah? And will they make it back to England before the 80s days is up? Watch the movie and find out!
Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne
Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne is a fun, light hearted story about an English inventor, Phileas Fogg and his entertaining valet, Passepartout, and their adventure trying to get around the world in 80 or fewer days. 
Along they way they're pursued by a police investigator, Fixx, who thinks Fogg is the same man who robbed the Bank of England. (He wasn't.) They have all sorts of adventures, including rescuing a young woman named Aouda from a group of religious zealots in India who want to sacrfice her when her husband (to whom she was unwillingly married) dies. They also have adventures cross the United States, and the Atlantic Ocean. Will their group make it back in time? Read the book and find out!
Thursday, February 5, 2026
The Candy Shop War: Carnival Quest by Brandon Mull
The Candy Shop War: Carnival Quest by Brandon Mull is the exciting third book in The Candy Shop War series. The third White sibling, Camilla White is in Coleson California with her carnival, and Nate, Summer, Pigeon, and Trevor (not Lindy; it's too dangerous for her) are on a mission to see what's going on. 
Why people visiting the carnival in the last place it was in seemed to mysteriously disappear, and why the carnival seems to be expanding so quickly. Will the kids be able to stop whatever sinister business is going on, or will they end up as victims of the carnival as well? Read the book and find out!
The Candy Shop War: Arcade Catastrophe by Brandon Mull
The Candy Shop War: Arcade Catastrophe by Brandon Mull is the delightful 2nd book in The Candy Shop War series. This time, the heroes are facing off with Jonas White, the dastardly brother of their original nemesis, Mrs. Belinda White. 
But now, they have Lindy to worry about, Mrs. White having lost her memory, grown young (due to the water from the fountain of youth mixed with the clean slate) and seemingly turned good as well. The kids and Mr. Sebastian Stott as well as John Dart want to stop Mr. White from his evil plans that include taking over the world, and possibly turning Lindy evil again. Will the kids be able to stop him? Read this exciting book, and find out!
The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection by Alexander McCall Smith
The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection by Alexander McCall Smith is a delightful cozy mystery that takes place in Botswana. Mma Precious Ramotswe and her Associate, Mma Grace Makutsi are detectives that share an office with Mma Ramotswe's adorable husband, Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, of Tlokwen Road Speedy Motors, the best mechanic in Botswana, according to Mma Ramotswe. In this book, Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi are trying to keep their good friend Mma Potoquani from losing her job as the matron of the Orphan Farm. 
The board wants to fire her because she doesn't like the idea of building a large eating hall for the small children and wants them to eat with their house mothers in their various houses. But can the lady detectives do anything about this? Or about Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni's best apprentice being falsly accused of being involved in stolen car parts? And what about the builder of Mma Makutsi and her husband, Phuti Radiphuti's new house? Mma Makutsi doesn't have a good feeling about the builder, but what, if anything, is he doing wrong? Then, into all this, comes Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi's hero, Clovis Anderson, the author of The Principles of Private Detection, their favorite book! Will Ra Anderson have insight that the lady detectives will be able to use to help their friends? Read the book and find out!
Thursday, January 1, 2026
The Christmas Apron by Covenant Communications
The Christmas Apron, distributed by Covenant Communications is a sweet short Christmas movie about a young family during WWII struggling to make ends meet while helping out their neighbors as well when they can. Their dad is not able to serve because of an issue with his leg that requires him to use a cane. Their grandpa, however, is serving overseas and the kids miss him.
Christmas is coming, and the oldest girl would love a pair of point shoes for ballet. The second girl would love a piano, and the youngest, a boy, wants some paints. But with things being so tight, will the kids get their wishes? Grandma comes for a visit with her Christmas Apron and an inspiring story of why the apron is so important. In the past, the kids thought the apron was magical and could grant them any wish they wanted. But now that they're older, reality is setting in. They begin to realize that maybe, things being the way they are, they might not get their Christmas wishes. Still, will Grandma and her Christmas Apron be able to pull off a miracle? The movie is short and delightful, and fun for all ages.
Shaun the Sheep: We Wish Ewe A Merry Christmas by Lionsgate Pictures Entertainment
Shaun the Sheep is a fun stop action character in a cute world with his friends and the Farmer who looks after them. 
In Shaun the Sheep: We Wish Ewe a Merry Christmas, distributed by Lionsgate Pictures Entertainment, Shaun and his cohorts go on several adventures, beginning with a Christmas adventure where they work hard to give their beloved Farmer a lovely Christmas (including stuffing a whole tree through the doggy door). The other stories are fun and entertaining, and great for the whole family to watch at Christmastime or any time!
The Candy Shop War by Brandon Mull
The Candy Shop War by Brandon Mull is the exciting first book in a three book series. Friends Nate, Trevor, Summer, and Pigeon meet Mrs. Belinda White, the owner of a new candy shop in town. 
At first she seems quite nice, though the kids realize she has mysterious powers when she shares candy with them that gives them temporary magical abilities. But when the favors she asks in return for these magical candies become increasingly unethical, the kids realize that she may not be the good friend they thought she was at first. But is there any way from them to escape Mrs. White's clutches? Will anyone come to their aid? Read the book and find out!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
