Book Review: Ivy in Bloom: The Poetry of Spring... by Vanita Oelschlager

This is a lovely way to share classic poetry with children.
Ivy in Bloom:
The Poetry of Spring from Great Poets and Writers from the Past
by Vanita Oelschlager (Author),
Kristin Blackwood (Illustrator)

Age Range: 5 - 8 years
Grade Level: Kindergarten - 3
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Vanita Books (April 1, 2009)
ISBN-13: 978-0980016277
Genre: Children, Poetry
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Ivy In Bloom captures the weariness of a young girl tired of a long winter. ""I stare out the window,"" she says on the first spread of brown and gray, ""looking for birds or flowers / or even warm showers / but I don't see any such thing."" But then Spring comes when ""March is out of breath snow melting to flowery waters and watery flowers spring rose from its wintry rest."" And Ivy's ""heart dances with daffodils."" As these words also dance across each spread, Ivy's world erupts into a riot of color. Ivy In Bloom introduces the poetry of Dickinson, Longfellow, Browning, Wordsworth, Frost and others. Excerpts from their writings, as seen through Ivy's eyes, will open up poetry as a way for children to express their own feelings about the changing of seasons. This book includes longer excerpts and brief bios of each author.

Review:
This lovely story opens with Ivy inside a somber room, frustrated by the gray smudge of winter. She is looking forward to the colors of spring! She goes out on a cold, cloudy March day and sees the signs of winter still around her. She is even anxious for puddles and finally April comes and “Spring arose from its wintry rest.” Ivy's world comes alive with color.

Somehow I thought there would be poems shared with whimsy illustrations. Rather than full poems, and more appropriately for children, there are one or two lines or phrases enhanced with delightful illustrations. The lines are familiar and some I knew the poet. (Several of the poets are mentioned in the blurb.) Thankfully, at the back of the book the poems and poets are shared with the line from Ivy’s world highlighted. This makes the book a fun way to share classic poetry with younger children.

The fully illustrated pages are wonderful – not overly complex but full of energy and fitting to the text. Most of the poetry lines blend smoothly although one or two seemed a bit forced. Still, it is a delightful experience and learning tool. I look forward to sharing this with my granddaughters. I recommend this to others who would like to share the joy of poetry with children.

I think late winter and early spring is a good time to read this.
I received this from NetGalley. This qualifies for my NetGalley and Mount TBR Challenges as well as "I" for Alphabet Challenge.

Sunday Post April 9, 2017/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday April 10, 2017

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading now at The Book Date.
Thank you to Sheila for the years that she handled this meme.
Thank you to Kathryn for taking up the baton.

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I continue, as always, to plug along, completing work tasks each day.
We spent Wednesday night at a local camp ground because hubby is ready to get out of his lifevest and on to a trip. He visits the doctor this week.
Our weather has been fairly nice, except for the rain storm I had to dodge on the way to court.
I am praying for wisdom for world leaders as they address the traumas in the middle east.

Reading was good. I finished two ebooks and one audio. I posted two reviews plus all of my usual memes.

I visited about 26 blogs last week.
Blog shout out this week is for Bookishness and Tea where I found an article about reading slumps.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post April 2, 2017/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday April 3, 2017.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: We Like You so Much and Want to Know You Better by Dave Eggers; Sci Fi, Dystopian, Preview; my rating 4.0.

• ET Book Review: MBS March 2017 Reading Wrap-Up.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway April 7, 2017. Open Worldwide. Ending 4/13/2017.

• ABJ- Audio Book Review: The Hollow Hills by Mary Stewart; Fantasy, Classic Fiction; my rating 5.0.

• Sharing Beyond Books #298 Comment Giveaway April 8, 2017. Open Worldwide. Ending 4/15/2017.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement April 9, 2017.

Finished Reading:
1. Audible/MP3

Confluence
Written by: S. K. Dunstall
Narrated by: Brian Hutchison
I love this series and hope it continues!
Click on book title for full description.

2. Print (TBR Ladies Book Club)

A Talent for Trouble (Ladies of Distinction Book #3)
by Jen Turano
We read this for Ladies Book Club which met Saturday. It is light, fun reading. I'll post a review and giveaway this week.
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook (NG TBR)

Ivy in Bloom:
The Poetry of Spring from Great Poets and Writers from the Past
by Vanita Oelschlager (Author), 
Kristin Blackwood (Illustrator)
This is delightful for late March or early Spring!
I received this from NetGalley
Click on book title for full description.

Currently reading:

1. eBook/Kindle (NG TBR)

Codename Lazarus: The Spy Who Came Back From The Dead
by A.P. Martin
I'm not too far along since I jumped to the LBC book.
I am just getting to the spying, I think.
I received this through NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audio (ABB)

Streets of Payne
Written by: Jeff Brackett
Narrated by: Joy Nash
I received this audio title from the author/narrator through AudioBook Boom.
Publisher's Summary
Humanity is in the eye of the beholder. But for street-smart detective Amber Payne, it's the eyes that aren't human. Cybernetic implants replaced the organics she lost in the line of duty, and their appearance often causes Amber to doubt her self-worth. Rookie detective Kevin Glass is her partner. And though he may be new, Kevin's unparalleled skill as an elite cyber-surfer makes him an invaluable asset. When Alta Corp contracts the two of them to solve a case of high stakes data theft, they will need every bit of skill, experience, and determination to succeed. For the more they investigate, the more it becomes evident that this case is much more than it appears, and its resolution may forever alter the world in which they live.
©2013 Jeff Brackett (P)2013 Jeff Brackett

3. eBook/Kindle

Fake
by Twist Phelan
I'm looking forward to this thriller.
I received this through NetGalley.
Finn Teller Corporate Spy Mystery #1
Have you ever thought about buying a counterfeit product? Maybe a watch or a handbag for fun? After you read FAKE, the first book in Twist Phelan's series featuring Finn Teller, corporate spy, you'll think again.
From Thriller Award-winning author Twist Phelan comes "a new and capable heroine you'll want to see again" (Jan Burke, Edgar® Award-winning and New York Times-bestselling author). FAKE, the first book in Phelan's new series featuring corporate spy Finn Teller, shines a light on the netherworld of counterfeit goods.
An assignment with a Milan fashion house leads Finn to an undercover investigation of a train wreck in Croatia—scene of her most tragic professional mistake and home to terrorists still out for revenge. The hunter becomes the hunted and the stakes skyrocket as Finn must win a race against the clock to stop the spread of a deadly African pandemic and escape with her life. FAKE is a page-turning mystery that will keep you guessing up to the end.
"Full of character and good storytelling!" –Michael Connelly, Edgar® Award-winning and New York Times-bestselling author

April 9, 2017 - I am up to date with the One Year Bible; reading along with my husband and others from our church. I hope to take more time this year, staying on the day and listening to the companion commentary online.

I completed three new books and posted two reviews; this will mean I have four reviews for this week.
I have 12 NetGalley Titles remaining and 10+ author titles in my queue.

Through the Eyes of a Lost Boy by Ed Bonner, a new poetry collection, will be available tomorrow at: eTreasure's NetGalley page.

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday. Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Leslie of Under My Apple Tree, Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit and (yours truly). Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

I received one audio review book this week but expect a few more soon.
I resisted the Audible daily deals again this week but I did purchase one ebook for $2.99 each.
I picked up more free kindle titles again. (Note these are in my Amazon library, NOT on my Kindle until I download and transfer them.)

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

I received this audio title from the author through AudioBook Boom.

• Streets of Payne
• By: Jeff Brackett
• Narrator: Joy Nash
• Duration: 9 hrs and 36 mins

This looked like a good futuristic detective story.

Won

NONE

Purchased

I bought this ebook for $2.99 to read and consider for future Ladies Book Club choice.

Cold-Case Christianity: A Homicide Detective Investigates the Claims of the Gospels
By: J. Warner Wallace, Lee Strobel

Free

Here are some of the free books I found this week:
 
The Daily Word: Frame Your Day for Victory in 60 Seconds
Efia Leatham 




Keeper of the Well (The Ancient Book 1)
Steve Kaide


Wolf Land Book One: Bluebells
Fiona McShane


I added only 43 free Kindle titles to my library this week. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement April 9, 2017

This was a beautiful Palm Sunday Morning. Our Sunday School teacher returned from Haiti and gave us an update, with pictures and video, of the Band of Brothers’ visit there over the past week. God is doing an awesome work, touching the lives of many children and adults.

The worship team led in beautiful music and Pastor gave a great sermon before we shared in communion. The message was from the “triumphal entry’ passages of Luke 19:28-44. Pastor asked us to imagine ourselves as one of the followers of Jesus as he enter Jerusalem that day. Imagine the smells, sounds, touch and visual setting: the dust, the heat, the breezes, the smells of the animals and the burning sacrifices, the sounds of the lambs bleating, the sight of the palms waving, the clothes along the pathway, the people and the sound of their cheering as they marched in front and behind. Imagine one step beyond the senses, to the emotions. What were the people and the apostles feeling? What was Jesus feeling?

Two disciples were sent ahead to request the colt of a donkey saying, “The Lord needs this.” The owner gave the animal just as he would be expected to if he was told “The king needs this.”
The people with Him were mindful of His miracles, including giving sight to the blind and raising of Lazarus from the dead. They laid their garments before Him and shouted with song and praise. The religious leaders complained about the noisy crowd but Jesus replied saying, ‘even If the people were quiet, the stones would sing out.’

As He looked upon the city of Jerusalem, Jesus wept over the people and their future, because they did not recognize when God visited them. The crowd was shouting “Hosanna” on Sunday but crying “Crucify Him” by the end of the week.

The week, which we know as The Holy Week, was full of meaningful and historic events. Jesus was totally committed to those events and God’s will. The redemption had been foretold in many prophesies. Note Zechariah 3:2-9 which ends: “I will remove the sins of this land in a single day.”

Does your life mirror those cheering? Do you recognize the importance of this week to you and all men? Ask yourself, “How does His resurrection change my life? How does it reorder my life?”

The Point: When we understand God's full commitment to us it leads us to a life committed to Jesus.

Fully commit yourself. Will you be ready when He returns? During communion, examine your commitment. Choose to commit to obey the call to follow Christ and spread the Good News.

I set this song aside to share for Palm Sunday to remind us:

The King is Coming!

Verses for today:
Zechariah 3:1-4 NLT
3 Then the angel showed me Jeshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord. The Accuser, Satan, was there at the angel’s right hand, making accusations against Jeshua. 2 And the Lord said to Satan, “I, the Lord, reject your accusations, Satan. Yes, the Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebukes you. This man is like a burning stick that has been snatched from the fire.”
3 Jeshua’s clothing was filthy as he stood there before the angel. 4 So the angel said to the others standing there, “Take off his filthy clothes.” And turning to Jeshua he said, “See, I have taken away your sins, and now I am giving you these fine new clothes.”

Lord, thank you for being committed to bringing salvation to frail men like me. Please guide me each day to be committed to You and to be ready when You return.

Sharing Beyond Books #298 Comment Giveaway April 8, 2017

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.

About seven commenters view lots of 5 star ratings for a book with suspicion. Another seven do not pick a book by ratings or hype. Several will check reviews for the pros and cons. A couple rely more on the blurb or pick by favorite author. MaryP hopes that a book with lots of 5 stars is deserving. :-) Nikki doesn't trust a reviewer who gives all reviews 5 star. (Sometimes I feel awkward giving so many 4 star ratings but I think that is consistent with getting to (mostly) pick the books I want to review.

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #297 comments is: #14 Janhvi who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the Updated **Old (and soon to be updated) ARC/Review titles or (recently updated) Love titles - all linked near the end of the post.

**NOTE: I did set aside new books to add to the SBB choices and took pictures last week. -- Another international winner tonight. I still hope to get the pictures and then list up soon!
Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #298

(One Question.)

Fredamans asks: What is another way you unwind that is not book related??

What? There's some other way to unwind?
Let's see-- I do change into "comfy"clothes as soon as I get home... but I am listening to a book while I change. Sometimes I walk... but that is with an audiobook. Sometimes we watch TV but the news doesn't help me unwind and I am on the computer during anything else. I occasionally have a glass of wine or cocktail with dinner. (Then I go to the computer.) I listen to books until I go to sleep; maybe sleeping counts as unwinding?

This cat needs to unwind!
Image found at Morris The Cat on Twitter.

Thanks to those who are sending in Questions. DON'T BE SHY! Surely everyone has a Q or two you'd like to ask. Input suggestions in this Suggested Question Form. At the end of each month I draw from the suggestions I used during the month and that person will get a book choice or GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions. Thanks for sending in questions! The supply of questions is dwindling so share some if you think of any -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify.


Your turn to share: Fredamans asks: What is another way you unwind that is not book related??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Valentine and "Love" books or the February 2015 Newly Updated ARC/Review List. 2-4-17: I FINALLY have some new "Love" and Christmas titles! I hope to get the picture posted later this week.

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on the question above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made through Saturday April 15, 2017 at 5 PM central.

Audio Book Review: The Hollow Hills by Mary Stewart

I was a little surprised that I finished this 16 hour audiobook in one week, but it was gripping/engaging.

The Hollow Hills: The Arthurian Saga, Book 2
Written by: Mary Stewart
Narrated by: Derek Perkins

Length: 16 hrs and 10 mins
Series: The Arthurian Saga, Book 2
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:11-22-16
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Genre: Fantasy, Classic
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
The spellbinding, suspenseful story of how Merlin, the Enchanter, helped Arthur become the king of all Britain - a magnificent novel set in a time when no life is safe, no law stable.
Keeping watch over the young Arthur Pendragon, the prince and prophet Merlin Ambrosius is haunted by dreams of the magical sword Caliburn, which has been hidden for centuries. When Uther Pendragon is killed in battle, the time of destiny is at hand, and Arthur must claim the fabled sword to become the true High King of Britain.
The prophetic voice of Merlin communicates not only the bristling atmosphere of the story's ancient setting, but also its profound relevance to our own time. Once again, as she did in her best-selling The Crystal Cave, Mary Stewart provides a glowing recreation of pre-Camelot England.
©2016 Mary Stewart (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Review:
I read this story back in the ‘70s. I didn’t really remember the story but I remembered that I loved it and I loved the author, reading all her works available in those years. (I even have one that I have saved and I think I will pull it out to read soon.) When I saw this available for review I immediately sent a request. I am so glad that I did.

This is the story of Merlin, The Enchanter and the man. It is told as narrative from Merlin, beginning as he helps arrange the conception of Arthur. The tale follows Merlin, as the boy’s guardian, as he first protects and later mentors Arthur, covering the years from birth to coronation.

Stewart writes with beautiful imagery and powerful characterization. She begins with Merlin as a 22-year-old who has sacrificed certain aspects of ‘normal’ life to embrace (more accurate than control) his magical craft. There are certain aspects of magic that he has learned to use, particularly herbs and potions, disguise and some natural manipulations. The prophesy elements of his powers he cannot control. He is not even certain which god or gods gives him foresight. But he is certain when it is real and he follows the instructions as best he can interpret them.

The other characters are not developed as deeply as Merlin but those closest to him are portrayed with suitable depth to be able to imagine each person. Stewart lays the seedlings for the twisted character of Morgause, Arthur’s half-sister, and sets up some potential enemies. She also develops a few key friends who will be there to support Arthur as he learns who he is and steps confidently forward to receive the crown.

Stewart manages to weave in the history and legends of Ambrosius, Uther and Arthur. She paints the settings so they are visual to the reader, even the brief pictures of the Greek and Roman cities where Merlin travels as he stays away to avoid inadvertently leading anyone to the boy as he grows up.

The story itself is rich and enchanting. I found it, as the blurb says, “spellbinding”. With the addition of masterful, rich narration, I was transported to another time and place. I highly recommend this as a great listen and, for those who love all things Arthurian, this is a “do not miss” selection.

Audio Notes: If I was the sort of reviewer who effuses, I would just say “wow!” Derek Perkins was a perfect narrator for this work. The accent and narration pacing is wonderful. I encourage listening to the sample and you will get just a tempting taste of how lovely this experience is.

I received this audio book from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox. It qualifies for my 2017 Audio Challenge.