Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

To laugh at

How to Make a Lion Laugh (How to Make Them Laugh) by Chris Cate

Ho-Ho-Ho-Larious Christmas Jokes (How to Make Them Laugh) by Chris Cate

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A while back I wrote a review for a couple of Chris Cate’s kids joke books. The following two are both due in September of 2025, one ready for the Christmas holidays and the other for the child in your life who likes jokes. How to Make a Lion Laugh (How to Make Them Laugh) and Ho-Ho-Ho-Larious Christmas Jokes (How to Make Them Laugh) are two new joke books I read via an online reader copy. They are not the “WOW these are the best […]

Ghosts and Halloween are nothing to fear, but what about another holiday cheer?

The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt by Riel Nason and Byron Eggenschwiler

The Little Ghost Quilt's Winter Surprise by Riel Nason and Byron Eggenschwiler

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In 2020 The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt was published. And according to its publisher description, it became an instant Halloween classic. In July 2025 a new gift edition will be published. I am not sure how this differs from the original as I read this as an online reader copy. But regardless of the extras it might have, it will still be the same sweet book about being yourself and the adventures you will have because of it.  The story is sweet and […]

Does Santa Celebrate Christmas?

Santa's First Christmas by Mac Barnett

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Santa’s First Christmas by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Sydney Smith is not a new idea (how does Santa celebrate/does Santa celebrate Christmas), but the way they present it is fun and clever. Maybe it was not WOW but I chuckled. After all, if the elves won’t let Santa eat the cookies for You-Know-Who who comes tonight, HOW will they get eaten?  You see, one Christmas Eve the elves decide (after many years of watching Santa work all year, work all that one night, sleep […]

Actually I don’t mind socks 

Socks: A Kid's Christmas Lament by J.D. McPherson

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Unless we are psychic, only a few of us know what our parents and Santa will give us for the holidays (or we know the gifts because, like my parents, they got things I asked for). But the one thing the narrator of this story does not want, regardless of the situation, is socks. But since this book is tilted, Socks: A Kid’s Christmas Lament, we know that is the one thing he does get. J.D. McPherson explores how the joy of Christmas might be […]

The Reason for the Season

Silent Night by Lara Hawthorne

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I do not know how old I was before I realized that the song Silent Night had more than the one or two verses I knew. Lara Hawthorne’s book incorporates all of the verses with delightfully, (I assume) historical accurate illustrations that are simple, but give the reader everything needed. Their picture book, Silent Night (due October 2024), will be the perfect gift for the holidays and even year around. This book is going to be one of my religious holiday recommendations for everyone. However, […]

I like picture books

The Duck With No Luck by Gemma Merino

Stray Dog for Christmas: How Suzy Was Adopted by Jack Jokinen

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How many times will I tell you I really like picture books? Oh at least once more, or I should say at least this review. Not only are they quick for the adult reader, but they allow you to spend time with your favorite little reader, or make a reader with the right book, or find your classroom having a quiet time. And these two books fit the ticket.  Personally, I’m not a huge fan of the story, The Duck With No Luck by Gemma […]



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