cuddling lotsa puppies

I read so many good books last month that it was tough to keep track of them all.  August's reading favorites will be a double post.

Starting with these:

Ms. Marvel: Super Famous by Willow Wilson and a handful of great illustrators (including my favorite, Adrian Alphona)

As all of Kamala Khan's true fans know, she is not a sellout. But in volume 5 there's a shady advertisement that looks like it could be otherwise. YIPES. In Super Famous Kamala's not just fighting bad guys. She's also fighting herself (the number of Kamala's is actually a bit closer to the hundreds range). And she's struggling with priorities and school and the terrible bomb Bruno drops on her. My favorite part is when she says, "Sorry. I don't exactly have quiet, pretty powers." I think every girl who reads this is going to write it in big letters on everything.

A Vacation for Pooch by Maryann Cocca-Leffler

-  adorable, easy-to-follow story that leaves you saying ‘awww’

- illustrations are plentiful, loud and very sweet (my favorite was the Pooch and Molly page)

- great way to illustrate that sometimes it can be a very happy thing when your original plans don’t work out

Bo at Ballard Creek by Kirkpatrick Hill and Illustrated by LeUyen Pham

Bo at Ballard Creek is for those of us who have always wondered what’s going on in one of those idyllic snow globes.  But even though the folks of Ballard Creek live a cozy life they also have to deal with Grizzlies, winter and illness.  

One review was dead on when it stated that it was a like a “rambunctious Little House on the Prairie.”  It’s definitely set in a harsh land – the Alaskan wilderness, and Bo is the apple of everyone’s eye, which as it turns out, is a whole lot of people.  She also has a loving family – two papas.  And every day is a fine blend of routine and adventure.

Reading this is the equivalent of cuddling a hundred puppies.  It’s utterly adorable, filled with loving and quirky characters, and there’s a sequel to boot.  It would also make an excellent book to read with children because of the short chapters, funny Eskimo names and cute illustrations.