Kids and Families

Recent Isthmus Reviews

Did you know the Youth Services librarians review children's books and media in the Isthmus? Look for their reviews in the Kids Culture Bin. The Isthmus has given us permission to reproduce these reviews on our page as well.

2008: January | February | March | April

2007: May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December

April 4, 2008

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly Guy by Tedd Arnold

Take one traditional song, one boy with a most unusual pet and one unsuspecting grandmother, and you get one funny story complete with a happy ending. Buzz and his bet fly, Fly Guy, go to visit Grandma. Grandma accidently swallows Fly Guy, and then she begins swallowing the traditional antidotes -- spider, bird, cat, ect. Tedd Arnold, who has written a number of books for beginning readers about Buzz and Fly Guy, knows just how to create the exaggerated characters, outlandish circulstances and over-the-top visual drama that appeal to readers 5 to 8 years old. It's Fly Guy who saves the day. Pick up this treat for your beginning reader.

-Reveiwed by Karen Lucas

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

In this young-adult novel, Junior, an aspiring artist, lives on an Indian reservation near Spokane, Wash. Mr. P., Junior's teacher, encourages him to transfer to the high school in Reardon, a neighboring town. Mr. P. believes that Junior has hope for a better life. Nonetheless, once Junior decides to transfer, he's seen as a traitor by everyone on the reservation. The story is at times hilarious, at times heart-breakingly sad. The differences between Junior and the rest of the kids at the new school, who are all white, are vast. However, Junior triumps in many situations, making this National Book Award Winner a worthwile read. Cartoons and drawings by Junior enhance the text.

-Reviewed by Lesley Kircher

March 7, 2008

When I Get Little by Dog on Fleas

There are many children's music albums to choose from, but only a handful are good enough that I listen to the whole album without cringing. There are even fewer I'm willing to listen to over and over again. When I Get Little is one of those rare albums. Four top-notch artists make up Dong on Fleas. This is their fourth album, and it contains a number of gems: "The Coo Coo," with a catchy piano tune, as well as "Give It Away," "Honeybaby," and "Peach Will Come." The harmonies are simply beautiful. Although this album was released in 2006, it was only recently added to the library's collection. Check it out today and see if you agree.

-Reviewed by Carissa Christner

Horseradish: Bitter Truths You Can't Avoid by Lemony Snicket

Fans of the "Series of Unfortunate Events" books know that horseradish is a very bitter root, which can sometimes be very useful (especially in the case of deadly fungus spores). Equally unpalatable and useful are the little snippets of wisdom espoused in this charmingly pessimistic quotation collection. While we would all love to tell our children that everything always works out in the end, the fact is, it doesn't. The world sometimes throws unpleasant things at us, and while it's not fun thinking about it, it's often better to be prepared. At times funny ("If you are allergic to a thing, it is best not to put this thing in your mouth, particularly if that thing is cats"), and at times series ("It is difficult when faced with a situation you cannot control, to admit that you can do nothing"), Snicket leaves his readers with a sense of being better prepared, but not hopeless.

-Reviewed by Jill Olig

Orange Pear Apple Bear by Emily Gravett

Emily Gravett provides a very simple story using only four words, orange, pear, apple and bear. The illustrations are charming, soft and compliment the tone of the book. A bear is pictured with an orange, a pear and an apple while the works for these fruits appear boldly on each page. In the end, the bear eats all the fruit and all that is left is bear.

The ample amount of white space makes the book accessible to even the youngest readers. A narrative can be constructed by older readers to compliment the sparse text and this creates an opportunity to experience the book in a different way. I would recommend this book to children ages 2 – 6 years and would not be surprised if they asked for it again and again.

-Reviewed by Kelly Verheyden

February 1, 2008

Alphabet House by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace

Treat your eyes to a gorgeous tour through the Alphabet House. Each page is this carefully crafted book represents a different letter of the alphabet. In the "M" room, mermaids and a map of Maine decorate the walls, while a mug and a cartoon of milk sit on the windowsill. More "M" objects abound -- it's up to you and your little one to find them.

The small amount of text and exquisite cut paper artwork make this a perfect alphabet book to use with toddlers for their first introduction to the ABCs. While they have loads of fun spotting all of the details within the pictures, they'll also be building valuable vocabulary and letter awareness skills. It's a good read for children ages 2-5.

-Reviewed by Krissy Wick

The First Music by Dylan Prichett

Prichett, a well-known African American storyteller, delights readers with his first picture book. In ancient Africa, there was no music. All the animals had their sounds, but never made them together and never in harmony. Then, elephant has an accident and stubs his foot against a hollow log. The resulting beat is infectious, and one by one, the animals get into the act, dancing and playing along. Only the frogs are silent. With such short arms they cannot play. But in the end, the frogs find their own way to contribute, proving that when it comes to making music, everyone has something to add.

The illustrations by Erin Bennett Banks are dense and earthy and evoke the jungle. Elements of African decorative carving are used to great effect.

This story begs to be read out loud. Prichett includes notes encouraging the reader to share the story in a way that encourages audience participation. With all the "boom boom" and other animal noises, who could resist?

-Reviewed by Ruth Sias

I'd Tell You I Loved You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You and Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy by Ally Carter

Being a Gallagher Girl is not easy. First, you're enrolled in a very competitive all-girls school where you're taught college-level course work. Second, you're expected to be able to carry on conversations in 19 languages - for example, you would speak Farsi at lunch and German at dinner. Third, you're a spy (in training).

In Ally Carter's hilarious first novel, I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You, adventures with these tasks - and dating - await main character Cammie Morgan. While Cammie is brilliant, it turns out she know very little about boys.

Carter's follow-up novel, Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy, continues where the first book leaves off. Cammie and her friends are back at school, joined by boys from the Blackthorne Institute - and this creates an amusing opportunity for the use of spy techniques. This series is recommended for grades 8 and up.

-Reviewed by Kelly Verheyden

January 4, 2008

ToddWorld Volume 1: Being an Individual

The wonderful, zany, rainbow-colored Toddworld, which started in picture-book format, now has new stories available on DVD. Based on Todd Parr's signature artwork, Being and Individual celebrates the many ways people are different. Each of the six episodes ("The Princess Pirate", "Dirt Day", "Bark Like a Cat", "Underwear Everywhere", "Whatever Sways Your Swing" and "Big Feet") is 10 minutes long. Such important messages as accepting others, trying new things and celebrating differences are shared in each story. Also look for ToddWorld Volume 2: Appreciating Differences. For children ages 3-5, although the concepts work for older children as well.

-Reviewed by Lesley Kircher

A Samurai Never Fears Death by Dorothy and Thomas Hobbler

Seikei's childhood dream of becoming a Samurai, which seemed impossible for the son of a tea merchant, has come true. Adopted by Judge Ooka at age 11, Seikei has studied for five years and is now a young Samurai. But Judge Ooka has been called to travel to Seikei's childhood home of Osaka, and Seikei must accompany him. While the Judge stays at the castle, involved in a case that has mystified the shogun, Seikei must stay with his former brother and sister at their teashop. Denzaburo, Seikei's brother, introduces him to Japanese puppet theatre, where he stumbles onto a murder, intrigue and a smuggling operation that seems to involve his birth family.

Set in Japan in the early 1700s, this historical mystery/coming-of-age story, rich with historical details, plenty of action and believable, well-rounded characters, creates a thoroughly staisfying tale for mystery fans ages 11 to 14. This title can be read on its own, but each book in the series develops Seikei's growth, so it's best to read the series in order.

-Reviewed by Karen Lucas  

Bow-Wow Bugs a Bug by Mark Newgarden

Bow-Wow Bugs a Bug's cover features a bug sitting on the top of bemused Bow-Wow's head. Then what? We follow Bow-Wow throughout his day as he deals with this bug and his buddies. Told entirely in drawings, Bow-Wow's story includes more dogs and more bugs, suspense, confrontation and finally bedtime.

Bow-Wow Bugs a Bug appeals to toddlers because it's simple and fast moving. Preschoolers pick up on the many expresssions of Bow-Wow and his buddies that tell the story as vividly as if it included words. Every time you open it, Bow-Wow Bugs a Bug is open to new interpretations. Perfect for nonreaders and English-as-a-second-language students.

-Reviewed by Alice Oakey

December 7, 2007

Sweet!: The Delicious Story of Candy by Anne Love and Jane Drake

The colorful jellybeans on the cover maybe eye-catching, but it's what's inside this book that's the real treat. We know today's kids (and grownups) love candy, but is the sweet tooth a modern phenomenon? Hardly! It seems humans have been chasing a sugar rush since the dawn of time. In Sweet!, the authors go from the fist human to brave a beehive to the complex process of making the world's finest chocolate, with lots of ooey-gooey goodness in-between.

A map at the beginning shows the perferred sweets of children around the world. This book is packed with educational information, but kids won't know it's good for them. It seems a spoonful of sugar also helps with history lesson go down.

-Reviewed by Jill Olig

Today I Will Fly! by Mo Willems

Every so often, a children's book is published that's both entertaining and accessible to the newest readers. This year, it's the Elephant and Piggy books by Mo Willems. One of the books is Today I Will Fly!, which plays off the saying, "When pigs fly."

Piggine decides one day that she will fly. Her friend, Elephant, has doubts. The cartoon-like illustrations, wichic will look familiar to fans of Willemns' Pigeon books, andd an element of hilarity and help emerging readers to understand the story line and educated guesses if they can't read a specific word.

The books in the rest of the series, My Friend Is Sad, There Is a Bird on Your Head and I am Invited to a Party are all equally amusing and fun for both reader and listener -- no matter your age or reading level.

-Reviewed by Carissa Christner

Keeping Corner by Kashmira Sheth

Twelve-year-old Leela's enthusiasm for life is infectious; her mom can no more resist Leela's love for bright new bangles than she can her pleas to wear the sari she thinks looks the most beautiful on her.

The story, set in Gujarat, India , in 1918, reflects the times. Many think that Leela shouldn't be so indluged. She has, afterall, been married for the past three years and will be going to live with her husband in the not too distant future. Won't it be that much more difficult for her to acclimate to her life if she's spent her childood being pampered?

Unfortunately, Leela never gets the chance to find out. After her husband dies suddenly, Leela must face the fate of the Brahmin widows she has always avoided and pitied. She loses all of the adornment she loves; her head is shaved, and she's left with a life devoid of anything beautiful or fun.

Filled with breath-taking imagery and lush descriptions, Keeping Corner sweeps its readers into the life of a girl whose future seems lost, but who finds healing and courage from different places. Madison-based author, Sheth draws from the life story of her aunt for this tale, and Keeping Corner also beautifully weaves in the true-life inspiration of Gandhi from this time peroid.

-Reviewed by Bridget Zinn

November 2, 2007

Star Baby by Margaret O'Hair

Love abounds in this rhyming story detailing a baby's busy day. A charming, round baby wakes with the sun. He and his mother enjoy the typical activities of babyhood: peek-a-boo, finding noses and toes, crawling, eating and napping. The bouncy rhymes use a great economy of language to tell the story, making it a fun read-aloud. The illustrations are warm and fluid, with lots of motion.

-Reviewed by Ruth Sias

This Jazz Man by Karen Ehrhardt

Man, this book is so lively, maybe it'll read itself to you. Or perhaps even sing to you. This Jazz Man is a rhyming and counting book that sounds great sung to the tune of "This Old Man". This time around, the song is about nine American jazz greats. Each page celebrates a different musician with mixed-media collage art and a verse devoted just to him. Musicians' names aren't included on their pages, but subtle hints are. At the end of the book, readers find out who the musicians are and can read a list of classic pieces for which they are known. This wonderful tribute to a true American art form will pease both children and adults.

-Reviewed by Alice Oakey

Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin

What would you do if you couldn't remember your past? How would you cope if you didn't recognize your best friend or even your boyfriend? How could you move on with your life when so many pieces of your past are missing? These are questions 17-year-old Naomi faces when a terrible fall down the school's front steps leaves her without any memory of the last four years of her life.

Zevin adds to her repertoire another thought-provoking novel that is sure to get teens talking. Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac is a fantastic mix of witty dialogue, probing emotional situations and everyday hight school scenarios. A great read for teens in grades 8-12 (and for adults who might wish they had amnesia about their high school experiences).

-Reviewed by Krissy Wick

Look at You! A Baby Body Book by Kathy Henderson
One Naked Baby: Counting to Ten and Back Again by Maggie Smith

You've heard of the importance of early literacy for babies and toddlers. You enjoy reading to your toddler, but finding books that have the right combination of pictures, text and length can be a struggle. Here are two titles that toddlers will enjoy and maybe even sit throught to the end.

In Henderson's Look at You!, soft pastel drawings of a multiracial cast of babies and toddlers illustrate all aspects of baby-ness from bathing to learning to walk to trying new foods. Bold text conveys babies' feelings and actions in simple rhymes.

Smith's One Naked Baby follows a baby's day counting from one to 10 and back again. Baby, who could be a boy or a girl, starts the day escaping from the bath. The day progresses through play, lunch and a trip outside on a rainy afternoon. With only a simple counting phrase for each picture, the crisp cartoon illustrations portray the action fo the story. There's a lot for adults and children to look at and talk about here.

-Reviewed by Ruth Sias

October 5, 2007

Banjo Granny by Sarah Martin Busse and Jacqueline Briggs Martin

Owen's Granny plays bluegrass music. When she finds out that baby Owen goes "wiggly, jiggly, all-around giggly" for it, she puts on her "thousand-mile shoes" and sets out to see him. Along the way she encounters a raging river, a steep mountain, and a vast desert.

Granny sings to the river and it calms so she can cross it on her banjo case; the mountain bends down to listen and Granny flies over it using a balloon, and the desert winds gently blow so Granny can float above it using her nightgown as a sail. This sweet story includes the music and lyrics for Owen's song.

Caldecott winner, Jacqueline Briggs Martin, who won the award for Snowflake Bently in 1999, collaborates on this story with her daughter, a Madison writer. The soft, luminous illustrations by Barry Root complement the text.

-Reviewed by Lesley Kircher

Stuff to Hold Your Stuff by Ellen Warwick and Bernice Lum

Purses with pizzazz, lunch bags, wallets, eyeglass cases -- this little instruction book has loads of colorful projects. Learn how to make purses out of neckties, vinyl, tarpaulin, or, my favorite, a pair of brightly colored cotton placemats. Make a beach bag out of a beach towel that you can unsnap and use to dry yourself after a dip in the pool. The basic skills and equipment you'll want to have are outlined, and traceable templates are included. Recommended for crafty 12- to 16-year olds, although kids as young as eight could tackle these projects with adult assistance.

-Reviewed by Karen Lucas

Fairy Tale Feasts: A Literary Cookbook for Young Readers and Eaters by Jane Yolen and Heidi Stemple

In this children's cookbook, Jane Yolen retells 19 stories based on old folktales. The final story, "Seven Hills of Sweet", is an original by the author. Yolen's daughter includes a complementary recipe for each and encourages the cook to experiment and adapt to personal tastes. The stories are divided into breakfasts, lunches, soups, dinners and desserts and include "The Magic Pot of Porridge" and perfect porridge, "The Magic Cave" and goat cheese sandwiches, "Brer Rabbit" and carrot soup, "Hodja Borrows a Pot" and Hodja's kebabs, and "Cinderella" and pumpkin tartlets.

-Reviewed by Lesley Kircher

September 7, 2007

Balls! by Michael J. Rosen

Soccer, basketball, football, tennis -- this book covers them all and more. With photographs and illustrations, Rosen takes readers on an insider's tour of each ball and sport. Find out what Charles Goodyear (the guy who made tires), architect Buckminister Fuller and Adidas all have in common. Or learn that the first golf balls may have been made of rock, Agim Agushi walked over nine miles while heading a soccer ball, and the first baskets used in basketball were peach baskets. For sports fans 8 to 15.

-Reviewed by Karen Lucas

 

Dragon's Keep by Janet Lee Carey

Princess Rosalind has a secret, one that she and her mother protect at all costs: She was born with a dragon talon on her ring finger. She has to wear gloves at all times and has endured numerous "treatments" in an attempt to cure her of this curse. Rosalind is also cursed with a prophecy that dates back 600 years, stating that she will be the one to end the war between dragons and humans. Her talon may be the key to fulfilling the prophecy, but will she be brave enough to reveal her secret?

Carey creates a unique fantasy with the breathtaking setting of Wilde Island, while also creating believable emotions and struggles for Rosalind. This novel is recommended for readers ages 12 and up who love dragons, princesses and engaging plot twists.

-Reviewed by Kelly Verheyden

August 3, 2007

Blue Bloods by Melissa De la Cruz

The students at the prestigious Duchesne School seem to lead charmed lives. They are the brightest, most beautiful and richest teenagers in all New York City. But what looks like a flawless life masks a secret that has haunted these New York elite and their families for generations - they come from a long line of vampires. But something is threatening to end their centuries of immortality and perfection; something is hunting the students at Duchesne. The question is, can a group of high school students, new to the vampire world itself, stop it before it's too late?

Thrills, romance and a splash of history make this an intriguing and suspenseful read. And a companion novel, Masquerade, is newly available. For teens in grades 8-12 who love vampire stories such as Stephanie Meyer's Twilight and are looking for a similar series, Blue Bloods is a perfect choice.

-Reviewed by Krissy Wick

Melissa Parkington's Beautiful, Beautiful Hair by Pat Brisson

Melissa's hair has taken on a life all its own! Melissa's neighbors, her family and even complete strangers tell Melissa how beautiful her hair is. When she was younger she enjoyed compliments about her hair but now that she is older, Melissa wishes people would notice things about her - not her hair. In the process, she and the reader will learn some things about how to make a difference.

Pat Brisson unfolds Melissa's story slowly, evenly and beautifully. Suzanne Bloom's bright and relaxed illustrations fit the text perfectly. A great story for everyone, but especially for young readers ages four to eight.

-Reviewed by Alice Oakey

365 Penguins by Jean-Luc Fromental

This fantastic new picture book tells the story of a family overrun by penguins. Every morning a deliveryman shows up with a special package, and out pops another penguin! Weeks and months go by and the family must figure out how to feed, organize and live with their funny little friends. But who is sending these critters and why? Joelle Jolivet's amazing black, white, orange and blue illustrations are the perfect match for Fromental's entertaining and environmentally informative story.

-Reviewed by T. Miller

July 6, 2007

Inside the Mind of Gideon Rayburn by Sarah Miller

An innovative novel for older young adults, Inside the Mind of Gideon Rayburn, is told from the perspective of a girl who can suddenly hear every thought going through the mind of prep school newbie Gideon Rayburn. She tells his story beginning on his first day at prestigious Midvale Academy - a school for incredibly smart (and rich) kids he got into only via a connection his father made on a construction job and where he already feels like there's no possible way he can fit in. The narrator lets you know that she is in fact one of the female characters in the story, but it's up to the reader to figure out which one.

Gideon fights his way through the complex social system of Midvale Academy, questioning whether rooming with the two most popular guys at school is a good thing or a bad thing and eyeing every girl he come into contact with, almost never saying quite the right thing. His cluelessness is equal parts infuriating and endearing - causing the narrator to find herself falling in love with him. With thoughts this hilarious and entertaining, how could she not? A fun summer read that will keep you guessing.

-Reviewed by Bridget Zinn

June 1, 2007

Incantation by Alice Hoffman

This novel tells the chilling tale of a young girl growing up in Spain during the Inquisition. 16-year-old Estrella feels like she fits in with her community and her best friend, Catalina. As the story progresses, Jews are being persecuted, and she slowly begins to realize that her family shares many traditions with those being punished. She learns that her family are Jews in hiding, and, even though they pretend to be Christians, they are not safe from the Inquisition. Estrella watches as her friendship and her family are torn apart. Will she be strong enough to carry on?

Alice Hoffman takes a complex subject and covers it in a brief, character-driven novel appropriate for older teens. The novel includes scenes of torture and punishment, but they are never gratuitous, and it treats these events within the context of the story and the time period.

I chose to download this title from Overdrive, an audiobooks service provided free to all South Central Library patrons, and listen to it on my computer. The reader has a slight Spanish accent and a quiet voice that propels the story forward, but keeps in mind the character’s age and innocence.

-Reviewed by Kelly Verheyden

Catch That Train! by Dan Zanes and Friends

This Grammy Award-winning CD for “Best Musical Album for Children” in 2007 will please parents, too. Zanes’ newest release is a musical journey through rock and folk to boogie and ballads, spirituals and Spanish tunes. Original works, beloved standards, and world music make Catch That Train worth a listen.

Zanes begins his musical mélange with the title track, a tune about a summertime train trip to the lake. When I heard this tune I thought it was good, not the soporific, sickeningly sweet stuff often written for kids. Imagine my delight when I found myself enjoying the next track, and the next track, and the one after that too.

Zanes invites celebrity friends along for the ride, including the Blind Boys of Alabama, who provide harmony for the spiritual “The Welcome Table.” Natalie Merchant sings with Zanes on a lovely rendition of “Loch Lomond.” I think there will be a whole lot of people out singing these songs on their porches this summer. Be ready to join in.

-Reviewed by Carolyn Forde

Un Lun Dun by China Miéville

Deeba and Zanna are schoolmates in London. Some odd things have been happening lately around Zanna. For starters, a strange woman and a strange man have approached her. A fox has been staring at her on the schoolground. And a cloud in the sky looks just like her. What is going on?

This is a great read that turns traditional plotlines upside down. The vivid word images are accompanied by lively spot illustrations (drawn by the author) that delight and amuse. With a slight environmental twist that doesn’t overwhelm the storyline, the book reaches beyond the usual boundaries of fantasy fiction. The story is easy and entertaining enough for older children to follow, but the subtext and character development will keep teens and adults hooked.

-Reviewed by Carissa Christner

May 3, 2007

I Lost My Tooth in Africa by Penda Diakite

Amina, a young American girl, is going to Mali to visit relatives and she just happens to have a loose tooth. She is hoping to lose her tooth while there, because in Africa, children receive chickens from the tooth fairy when your teeth fall out.

Amina wiggles and pushes on her tooth until it finally falls out. After placing her tooth under a calabash gourd, she is thrilled to receive two chickens. Before Amina goes home, her chickens lay eggs that hatch into chicks.

Several African customs are woven into the story: All the relatives live in one compound, they eat around one big bowl using their hands, and every morning the grandmother blesses the children.

Baba Wague Diakite, the author's father, has illustrated the book with lively, detailed scenes painted on ceramic tile. A glossary with words from several African languages is included, along with worlds to Grandma N'na's goodnight song, and a recipe for Africa onion sauce.

-Reviewed by Lesley Kircher

Bread and Roses, Too by Katherine Paterson

In 1912, Lawrence, Mass. became the center of the nation's attention when factory workers began "The Bread and Roses Strike." Not only were the workers marching for a livable wage to provide bread for their tables, they were also pleading for a little beauty in their lives. Newbery medal winner, Katherine Paterson, tells the story of two youngsters who become friends in an effort to survive - one, a girl who chooses education as a means to rise above the fighting, and the other, a boy who steals and tricks to get by.

This moving story is sure to capture the attention of any reader interested in history or tales of survival against all odds. With both boy and girl main character, Paterson also crafts two likeable children that kids today are bound to respect and love. Great for children in grades 4-8.

-Reviewed by Krissy Wick

My Cat, The Silliest Cat in the World by Giles Bachelet

This cat behaves like any other cat: sleeping in strange places, running after string, and cleaning itself. Yet there's one very big difference. This cat is actually an elephant! In this playful and imaginative book, readers encounter a normal day for this very odd cat and its owner. Cat owners will surely recognize their own felines in this beautifully illustrated and funny book. Bachelet's whimsical illustrations are sure to appeal to children and adults alike.

-Reviewed by T. Miller

Sunny Side of the Street by John Lithgow

John Lithgow not a name you'd connect to children's music? You might want to. Sunny Side of the Street is his third foray into children's recordings, following Singin' in the Bathtub (Sony Wonders, 1999) and Farkle and Friends (Kids Rhino, 2002). After a long and successful career as a stage and big-screen actor, Lithgow showcased his comic creativity on television in Third Rock from the Sun. It's only one small, silly step from Dick Solomon to children's song-and-dance man.

Sunny Side of the Street includes 13 tracks from the days of 1920s and '30s Tin Pan Alley. Most are likely to be familiar to adult listeners. Lithgow infuses the songs with a sense of joy and charm that's irresistible. There are four duets, and on several songs, children's choirs add back-up vocals and kid friendliness. This is a peppy, fun offering for children. Parents will enjoy it, too.

-Reviewed by Ruth Sias

 

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