Cannonball Read 18

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time


I knew pets were trouble!

Game of Pets Book 1: The Boy Who Knew Too Much by Aaron Blabey

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While I can’t say Game of Pets Book 1: The Boy Who Knew Too Much LEFT our main character hanging off the wheel of the giant monster truck (which he actually was at one point) it does leave you hanging as the cliffhanger ending ends with a police chase and the fate of the world in the hands of a kid, a talking (arm and legless) axolotl, and a crazy pet shop/monster truck owner. Aaron Blabey, you are one weird person. An AXOLOTL? Pets as […]

May I introduce Tini Malina?

Fancy Dogs by Tini Malina and Tammi Reiche

Selma-The Story of a Stellar Spider by Tini Malina and Mariana Llanos

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The soon to be published (October 2026) picture book, Fancy Dogs by Tini Malina and Tammi Reiche is a cute story for the younger listener and a good just starting out solo reader. I am neither of these types of readers, but still felt this was a good book. Maybe not the best I’ve read, but one that I recommend to dog lovers of all ages. This book came to me via an online reader in an email from the publisher. I would email the […]

Poems and animals, poetry galore. Read the first and you’ll want more

If Pets Wrote Poems: A Parody Collection by Susan Johnston Taylor and Sandie Sonke

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Reading poetry used to be a fun pastime for me. However, recently, I have not been able to find a poet or collection that speaks to me. Things feel overly complicated, too lofty, too trying to be “deep and meaningful” with great subjects, but fall flat in the understanding of what the heck is being talked about. Sometimes I just need Red Fish, Blue Fish, or “Crowded Tub” by Shel Silverstein. Sometimes I like rhymes like that, but other times I just want a nice, […]

My pet tardigrade

Eon: My Pet Tardigrade by Cybèle Young and Nell Jocelyn

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Eon: My Pet Tardigrade by Cybèle Young and Nell Jocelyn  I like this book. A lot. When it comes out. Get a lot of copies to share and to read. But you probably want to know why I think this. Okay, so it is funny. Not in a HAHA way, but in a way that makes me smile and feel good. The funny thing is that it is about a tardigrade as the main animal. What is a tardigrade? And when you see it you’ll […]

What army base is off limits on Passover? (Fort Leavenworth) but seriously, this is a serious (but fun) story

The Passover Pet Surprise by Ana Maria Shua

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When I am not sure how to start a review I look up punisher descriptions and/or other peoples reviews. Part of the publisher’s description has this mentioning how it is about freedom for the Jewish people-and their pets, and that is a good way to start my review for The Passover Pet Surprise by Ana Maria Shua. The characters in the story are visiting family for the holiday. The children are either having their first one or are old hats. But when they decide that freedom […]

Halloween stories are not just for one day

Murray's Howl-o-ween: A Halloween Picture Book by E. G. Keller

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Unlike Murray in Murray’s Howl-o-ween: A Halloween Picture Book by E. G. Keller I love the country (though “after cow” isn’t my fave scent). Murray is a dog that likes the sounds and smells of home. He’s less than impressed with the odd smells, the weird  decorations and the company (a cat). But eventually, he will learn about the wonders of something called Halloween and the treats are much sweeter than the tricks of earlier. Due in July 2025, it will be out in time […]



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