Book Review: My Goat Gertrude – by Starr Dobson

Book Review: My Goat Gertrude

Author: Starr Dobson
Illustrator: Dayle Dodwell
Genre: children’s (age 4-8)
Pages: 32 (with beautiful illustrations)
Publisher: Nimbus Publishing
Released: 2011
Price: $18.95 CDN
My Rating: Amusing, well-told, beautifully illustrated; for young children’s enjoyment.

If you are looking for just one more gift for a child this Christmas, or a special stand-alone gift, may I recommend this book by Starr Dobson? My Goat Gertrude is a fun read, written as told from the perspective of a little girl named Starr.

One day Starr’s daddy brings home a surprise, a white goat, much to the dismay of Starr’s mother but to the great delight of Starr and her sisters. This goat’s purpose is to be a help to the family, but she seems to cause more chaos than anything – not that the little girls of the family mind that. But one day Gertrude proves herself to be an ally to Starr, in an odd sort of way.

This story is entertaining and beautifully illustrated. The fact that Starr Dobson claims that it is a true story makes it even more interesting. Plus, “a portion from the sale of this book will be donated to Special Olympics Nova Scotia.”

Starr Dobson is the producer and co-host of the Maritimes’ news magazine program Live at 5. She has a husband, two children, one dog … but no goat.

(Shhh! I purchased My Goat Gertrude for my young grandson for Christmas, I’m sure he will enjoy it.)

You can find My Goat Gertrude listed on my BUY THE BOOK! page.

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings! 🙂

Book Review: Amanda in Arabia: The Perfume Flask – by Darlene Foster

Book: Amanda in Arabia: The Perfume Flask
Author: Darlene Foster
Publisher: ireadiwrite publishing
Genre: juvenile fiction, adventure
Date: November 2010
Pages: 108, paperback
Price: $8.95
My rating: A very good read and a great little book that educates while entertaining.

This little book is the first in an adventure series for children. It is an enjoyable way to learn about the UAE – the United Arab Emirates – without being there to do it.

Canadian author Darlene Foster has written an entertaining and educational book that gives the reader insight into life in the UAE. She has created a believable character, twelve-year-old Amanda Ross, whose desire to travel leads to the amazing opportunity to leave Canada for a month’s vacation with relatives living in the far away Arabian country. Not long after her arrival, Amanda purchases a perfume flask that mysteriously was saved just for her. She soon discovers why as she is thrust into an exciting adventure on a secret mission she will never forget.

This story was written for preteen readers, but is one anyone would enjoy. Darlene writes vivid pictures, masterfully delivering descriptive insights into the lifestyle of the people of the United Arab Emirates with its rugged desert regions, while drawing the reader into a memorable adventure.

This may be the book to start a child on a journey through the written word, especially since it is the beginning of a series. The second book is just out, but start with this one. And be sure to read it for yourself!

You can find Amanda in Arabia: The Perfume Flask listed on my BUY THE BOOK! page.

Thanks for reading, and .. Creative Musings! 🙂

Book Review: Black Dog Dream Dog by Michelle Superle

This is a book I received from Library Thing in exchange for a review.

Book: Black Dog Dream Dog

Author: Michelle Superle, illustrated by Millie Ballance

Genre: children’s fiction

Pages: 32 (Paperback)

Price: $12.95 CDN

Released: December 14, 2010

Publisher: Tradewind Books

My rating: Even though this book was written for children, it is a wonderful heart-warming story that put a lump in my throat a couple of times. Easy to read and its characters come across as very real.

Eleven-year-old Samantha wants a dog. Well, a bigger dog. She has a little West Highland terrier, but she wants a BIG dog. Do dreams really come true? In her backyard one afternoon there appears a very big, very friendly, black dog that Sam thinks is magic because he makes her feel peaceful inside. The problem is that Sam knows her mother does not like large dogs and will not let her keep it. What is she going to do? She can’t hide him forever.

In the meantime there is Stella, an elderly lady who wakes one morning in a nursing home. She is missing her much loved dog but cannot speak to tell anyone. Also, living in the nursing home means not taking pets along.

Samantha and her mother visit the nursing home with their small pet where they find the residents love dogs. Maybe this is where the big one will belong, Samantha thinks. Her best friend helps her scheme and plan about what to do with the loveable stray before her mother finds out, but things start going all wrong. Through it all there is a surprise waiting for Sam.

This is a ‘can’t-put-it-down-until-having-read-the-whole-thing’ book. A very wonderful, captivating read written for young readers but anyone could enjoy it. I did!

Have you read this book yet? Would you like to read it or not, and why?

You can find Black Dog Dream Dog on my BUY THE BOOK! page.

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings! 🙂