As the World Goes By Jonny Lambert

 Publication June 3, 2025

As an admitted dog person, it should come as no surprise that I was drawn to this book by the cover. Buttons, the dog, is first seen amidst the buzz of a busy street. Then Buttons finds a mission. He sees a beautiful blue butterfly and wants to share the beauty of that moment. Yet, the story, while featuring Buttons, is really more about the human tendency to always be in a hurry, rushing from one moment to the other, rarely truly seeing the world about us. Let's face it. We humans rarely do stillness well. 

Buttons is determined to change that. Unfortunately, that isn't easy. As the book illustrates with simple yet meaningful illustrations, the world zooms past us. I liked the simple circular wheels and circular designs on the multitude of cafe style umbrellas shown. It added a real sense of movement and activity. The story takes place in a city, so there is definitely lots of that. I definitely appreciated Buttons' efforts to share, rather than hoard, the treasure he saw in that mere butterfly. A subtle nod to the importance of sharing. The illustrations definitely added to the story, capturing that hectic city life well. 

Bottom line, a sweet, meaningful story for all its simplicity. It's a cliche, but the overall message of slowing down to smell those roses rings out here. Moments of stillness, for whatever the reason, are rare nowadays, so a nice reminder to us not to get too caught up in the hectic world about us. Thanks #PublisherSpotlight - #TigerTales for this lovely early look at a charming book. I couldn't help hearing the song "It's a Wonderful World" as I read, to be honest. Stillness can open us up to so much.

The Angriest Monster on Mill Street, by Sarah Sparks , Sypha Vendez (Illustrator)

 

Available October 2, 2023

Well, now I know who to blame the next time Alaska has an earthquake. Just kidding, of course, but, oh, my, Albie does manage to set off a chain reaction of destruction when he blows up. In this case, he blows up literally in size, I might note, as his anger grows, he. grows. I must admit to not being quite as drawn to this book in the series but that's probably natural. We don't like being around angry people. That in itself is a lesson of sorts for children to be lead to understand. As for Albie....

It was interesting to see the five senses being used as a means of calming anger. From another review, I gather that is actually a coping method used for such emotional blow-ups. After showing how others are impacted by his anger, Albie is lead to recognize the damage he's doing not just to himself but others who are both bewildered and even frightened by his gigantic, uncontrolled anger. Of course, Albie doesn't mean to angry or hurt/scare others. This book will guide children who perhaps see a part of themselves in Albie on ways to calm and control the anger. I liked that the author simply shows Albie recognizing and responding to simple things like the smell of a flower, the feel of a breeze, and beauty of a rainbow. While rainbows aren't always available, there is beauty all around us, so this use of the five senses is something anyone can use. Tantrums aren't fun for anyone, whether the one having the tantrum or those impacted by the flood of anger.

The rhyme seemed a bit off, perhaps intended to convey the upheaval of a tantrum, but was still cute and easily conveyed the message of the book. The illustrations are fun, almost scary at times given the anger, and help show the harm the lack of emotional control can create. While certainly not providing the grand fix-all-to-end-all tantrums, I applaud the book for showing a way to make a start. As it notes, Albie isn't always bright and cheerful after his realization of the need for control, so it's also realistic...and hopeful. Thanks #NetGalley and #ViaNovaProductions for sharing this series with me. I look forward to meeting more of those amazing looking monsters of Mill Street.

Floor Sample, by Julia Cameron

 

Publication August 8, 2023

Absolutely fascinating, well written, and disturbing. I can't say I enjoyed reading this but I kept coming back. I couldn't stay away. I wanted to see what she did next. There were a lot of nexts, too, as she seemed to flit from place to place, person to person, and genre to genre...mastering most of the last. As for the rest, uh, not so much.

I won't detail Cameron's life here as it's not only well-documented but others will have surely done so. Cameron, now well into her 70s, wrote this book when she was 57. She had a childhood full of horses, books, and freedom, but often dominated by "God says..." guilt and guilt trips. She lived close to the edge and, sadly, went over the edge. It's those times that make this a disturbing read as you're taken inside her drugged out or sedated by alcohol mind. In a sense, she was held hostage by not just her mind but her talent, which she has used in various venues, ranging from books like this to movies and theater. Recalling the scene where she details running out of the house in a panic naked, with an aide having to chase her down and cover her with a sheet, will horrify and astonish readers, who'll immediately feel either sympathy or horror. Honestly, Maybe both. 

Yes, reading this left me exhausted and disturbed. I found myself breaking down my reading stints into smaller segments, some at obvious breaks, others because, quite frankly, what I was reading left me so unsettled. Yet, she was painting a vivid picture of her life, which included not just growing up in the free spirited hippy age but name-drops famous names who dropped in and out of her life in a fascinating way. Some, like the father of her daughter, former husband Martin Scorsese, who was making Taxi Driver when they married, left, but many mentors and even former addicts were devoted to helping her defeat her demons. She drew people to her, yes, but she also drove them away.

Bottom line, as noted, not an easy read but one well worth making...even if you have to divide reading sessions up. As a former horse crazy girl, now dog person, I had to admire her devotion to her beloved animals. Even when her demons forced her to move and more again and again, her animals were always a priority. That tells me lots about her inner core, her true being. The Julia Cameron that I (and so many others) thought we knew and admired from her The Right to Write, is in there amidst all the chaos. It took nerve to write this book, which I admire. I'm not sure I could be so open and brave. Thank you #NetGalley and #StMartin'sPress - #StMartin'sEssentials for allowing me this look into the real Julia Cameron. It's definitely a book that will stay with me for a long time.

Weather Any Storm, by Vanessa Zuisei Goddard , Paddy Donnelly (Illustrator)

 

Publication Nov. 7, 2023

With a lyrical, rhythmic text and lovely, rather dreamy looking illustrations, Weather Any Storm offers up a way for children to calm down when caught in an emotional burst. Actually, the technique is applicable for anyone although, even as an adult, the sudden appearance of the Billies initially confused me. Once I figured out that they represent wildly out of control emotions, however, it made sense. 

I won't detail the steps suggested but will simply say breathe seems to be the central force. Using the rhythm of the text and the suggestive image of waves rising and falling, the reader is guided through the process of escaping the Billies, ie out of control emotions and feelings, into a place of peace and calmness. The steps are repeated again in boxes at the end.

My only concern is that the book seems to assume both the adult reader and child (target age 4-8) have some background or familiarity with this concept. This may not be true and I'm not sure the typical, questioning child will fully grasp the concept simply by having it read to them. That said, once I figured where the author was going with the text/illustrations, I enjoyed the book and found myself nodding along in agreement, particularly when the author adds the comment that if you lose focus, simply stop and start the process over again. In other words, you are in control.

Thanks #NetGalley and #ShambhalaPublications - #BalaKids for a reminder of a potent way to calm jitters and nerves, even if it took me a moment to find my place in it. In this increasingly frantic, volatile world, we all need a way to center ourselves.

Ralphy’s Rules for Living the Good Life, by Talar Herculian Coursey, Meri Andreasyan (Illustrator)

 

Publication June 27, 2023

"Don't be a TyrantoCrankaTsuris."

Good advice for us all, child or adult. In fact, I couldn't help thinking as I read that this info should be required reading for many adults. As it is, it's obviously designed to be read aloud by adults, so, hmm, maybe perfect.

I liked the use of two animals almost any child would be familiar with, a squirrel and dog. Joey the cranky squirrel meets the perky, smiley Ralphy one day at the park and his life changes. I wonder how long it took him after the last page to figure out that Ralphy was just practicing his own good advice. The drawings are quite simple with no distracting backgrounds, so the focus remains on Joey and Ralphy, who appears to be a spaniel type. He's wearing a collar so one must assume he has humans (who never appear) somewhere who love him. The colors are basic and young children should enjoy the idea of critters doing very human things like playing soccer and riding a bike, not to mention getting hugs from those who love Joey. Remember, the target audience is children, so the simplicity works well.

Thanks #NetGalley and #PurpleButterflyPress - #IBRA for introducing me to Ralphy. My own Daisy dog gets quite cranky at the local squirrel, so maybe I need to read this to her.

Wine Witch on Fire: Rising from the Ashes of Divorce, Defamation, and Drinking Too Much, by Natalie MacLean

 

Available May 9 (Canada) and June 7 (US)

First, an admission. I know next to nothing about the wine industry, its marketing or community. I know the issues of women climbing the ladder in a largely male dominated area, however. That said, while I found the details of MacLean's climb as a wine writer and the obstacles she faced specific to that industry interesting, especially while dealing with the devastation of divorce, it was the human element that attracted me.

I'm not going to detail the story, others will have done a far better job of it than I could. Instead, I'm simply going to share some of my own reactions as I read. First, I was impressed by the brutal honestly of Natalie MacLean. She somehow came across as vulnerable and emotional while still showing strength and determination. Her husband's unexpected declaration that he wanted a divorce, during the Christmas holidays, no less, closely followed by attacks on her career by rivals, left her stunned. Yet, even as her world whirled out of control, her first thought was of her then young son. No matter what, she wanted to protect him. That made me like her and want to see her come out ahead. Mother first, business woman second, in other words. This is the story of how she got to that point and how she moved on, often stumbling, questioning herself, unsure, uneasy, yet determined to turn this disaster into victory. I wanted to see her overcome, so to speak.

It's an often emotional, intense read. She shares words of wisdom from friends and counselors. Given recent media attention to mental issues and depression where those seeking help are often scoffed at for being weak, she did what she needed to do. That said, she worried that people would think her a psychological exhibitionist by sharing her roller-coaster ride in a book, but pressed on. You'll like her counselor. It's an intensely personal story, one that will dazzle you one moment with peeks into the glamour of the wine industry, with hints on tasting and evaluating wine, but also tell you how she came to write about wine in the first place. Yes, it's all there. Laid out bare. 

Quite frankly, I've barely touched the surface of all I learned, experienced, and, yes, felt as I read. Her personal story isn't mine and while our worlds seem far, far apart, human nature and experiences are universal. Be prepared for quite the ride as you read. It won't be an easy read but you won't regret one moment of it.

Daisy's Tea Garden Mystery #9, Murder with Earl Grey Tea, by Karen Rose Smith

 Publication May23,2023

This book does something I've never noticed being done in other cozy mysteries I've read, it addresses the emotional and psychological impact of an amateur sleuth undertaking a murder investigation. In this case, add in the turmoil of not just finding a body but it being a friend who you very well could have been with at the time of the murder. Daisy Swanson isn't new to looking into murders but the combination of events left her feeling cold inside. All the tea in the world couldn't erase the horror from her mind, even as former detective boyfriend Jonas and her family and friends circle about her.

Quite frankly, given how slowly the story developed for me, I didn't expect to ultimately enjoy the book as much as I did. Heck, I started and stopped several times, starting and finishing other books in-between before I finally knuckled down and restarted and read the entire book. Once the murder had happened, however, things began to pick up pace and the depth of the book emerged. In other words, give this book a chance. It has thought provoking ingredients and the supporting cast was likable. True, sorting out the differences between the non-Amish, like Daisy, not to mention the difference between the stricter, more traditional Amish and those with fewer restrictions can be puzzling. That said, all are human whether we agree with their beliefs or not.

As for the murder, even aside from Daisy's involvement and close call, it's an intriguing one. Let's just say, I had two what I thought were strong suspects. Neither one was guilty. In other words, it kept me guessing until the end. In the process, Daisy is busy doing what a friend called fixing broken wings, even her own. Lots of changes going on in her life, comings and goings, and trying to find the time to finalize plans for her wedding to Jonas. She's finding little time for self-care but working on it will preparing herself for daughter Jazzi eventually heading off to college....all while trying to help find a murderer.

Bottom line, I enjoyed the book and will be looking forward to the next installment. Thanks #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks- #KensingtonCozies for inviting me to hang out at Daisy's Tea Garden in Amish territory. It's fascinating to learn more about not just the Amish but how even they differ in belief and acceptance/interaction with the outside world.