Cannonball Read 18

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time


When in a pinch use a banana

The Book of Candles: Eight Poems for Hanukkah by Laurel Snyder and Leanne Hatch

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After reading the book, Shrinking Violet by Laurel Snyder, I wondered what else they had written. I found The Book of Candles: Eight Poems for Hanukkah (illustrated by Leanne Hatch). It is currently available (it came out mid September 2025) but I was able to find an online reader copy. I might purchase a few copies for some adult friends and/or my local library as it had a fresh take that makes it “not another Hanukkah” story. Most Hanukkah books have an ideal setting for […]

When fear makes you small, friendship makes you tall

Shrinking Violet by Laurel Snyder and LeUyen Pham

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The book, Shrinking Violet by Laurel Snyder and illustrated by LeUyen Pham is a fun and sweet story dealing with the common themes of fear and bravery. We also have friendship and how that ties into overcoming the fear to be brave. While the themes are not new, the presentation gives things a fresh and clever take. The colors and details are rich, but not “too much” and allow focus on the story. The only real issue I had (since I read this due late […]

Slimy but oddly satisfying….

Hungry Jim by Laurel Snyder

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While reading Hungry Jim by Laurel Snyder, I was picking up on a vibe I could not really figure out. In the back of my head, I was thinking, “that’s um…. what is this style like?” It clicked after reading the authors afterwards. This book is a takeoff of Maurice Sendak’s work. And it does a good job of bringing that out but keeping Snyder’s voice. But since I am not a huge Sendak fan, I was not picking that up at first, but once […]

He ain’t heavy he’s my brother

Charlie & Mouse Even Better by Laurel Snyder

Charlie & Mouse by Laurel Snyder

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The Charlie & Mouse series by Laurel Snyder are one of those cute book series that you like but do not necessarily go “OMG BEST BOOKS EVER!” You enjoy the cute stories and the brotherly bond between Charlie and Mouse. The text is not your usual limited picture book text either. These books are more of a beginning to second grade read. This allows it to grow from a read-aloud to the child reading on their own. Also, this helps an older child who still […]



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