FAIRYSOCKMOTHER’S FAVORITES – APRIL 2026

Posted on April 9, 2026 by fairysockmother

Again, I have allowed my review books to pile up, partially because of a current infatuation with cozy mysteries on audio book. It’s so easy to just pop my phone in my pocket and listen as I go through my day! I’ll try to have another batch of reviews up next week.

Waiting for Iced Tea by Karen Gebbia

Soft pastels and wonderful facial expressions make this a perfect book for reading and talking about at Storytime. Children may need explanations for some activities like hanging clothes on the line to dry. The interaction between Nana and her granddaughter feels sweet and loving. There seems to be time for all the tasks Nana has selected for the day, even though Charlotte has nothing but iced tea on her mind. Charlotte is intuitive enough to suggest that her grandmother rest, while she sets the table on the porch. The relaxed day ends in an iced tea party on the porch with their patient Bassett Hound curled up beside them.

For librarians, plan a summer Storytime and serve real iced tea and homemade muffins. Invite the parents, too, so you don’t have to worry about allergies. Both illustrations and activities in this book suggest a more relaxed lifestyle. Ask kids what they can do to slow down over the summer and enjoy the sights, smells, and events. Plant a seed with parents to be aware of the fast pace at which most children live, and suggest that they make time for quiet moments, too.

Judgy Bunny and the Terrible Beach by Scott Rothman and Linzie Hunter

While most children enjoy the beach, Judgy Bunny has something derogatory to say about everything. It’s too hot, he hates the water, anyone can build a sandcastle, he doesn’t like ice cream, even when others ask him to join their game, he is still a grump. His attitude juxtapositioned against the bright primary colors of the illustrations seems jarring. He is not fun to be with. Were it not for one other bunny who is determined to change Judgy Bunny’s mind, he would have enjoyed nothing at all on his day at the beach. The last few pages, mark his change of heart and end on a positive note.

Use this book as a springboard for discussions about likes and dislikes. How are we the same? How are we different? An Interactive game of sitting down for “not liking” and staying standing for “liking” can be lots of fun!

Young World by Soman Chainani

It begins as a YouTube commentary on the two aging politicians running for President of the United States. It ends with seventeen-year-old Benton Young being elected to the highest office in the country, with a popular vote of 53,000,000 and an electoral vote of 215! A Supreme Court ruling legalizes his right to serve despite his age. Suddenly, a teenage boy with no experience controls the fate of a nation!

A Global Youth Revolution sweeps the world as other countries elect teens as Presidents and Prime Ministers. The peace symbol becomes a “Y” symbol for youth. Eric Sundstrom, of Sweden invites Benton to a G-8 in Stockholm where Eric is murdered and Benton is framed. Only the dedication of his Secret Service man, Charlie, gives Benton hope of clearing his name. Last of all, is the battle over who lays claim to Dragontail, an arctic island which bears a remarkable resemblance to a volcanic island in a video game.

The whole premise of this book fascinated me. What would happen if age and wisdom were replaced by youth and innovation? Benton’s complete lack of knowledge about world affairs demands a crash course to get him up to speed. Watching him evolve into, not only a world leader but a kind of Superman President is fascinating. At over 400 pages, the book is long, but its pages are peppered with Protest Posters, newspaper articles, maps, and photographs. This provides fantastic discussion points for a Book Group, but be aware the language is often crude and sexually oriented.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Fond Farewell to January

Posted on February 1, 2026 by fairysockmother

January was a month to try men’s (and women’s) souls. After a period of milder winters, this last one has certainly been one for the records. We have 20” of snow and below zero temperatures! Because of my husband’s forethought to put in a recirculating pump to keep the water in the crawl spaces from freezing, I haven’t had any frozen pipes. Until today. After two consecutive nights when the temperature went down to 18 below even the circulating pump couldn’t handle the cold! My son-in-law valiantly tried a hair dryer on the offending pipes with no luck. At least I have heat!

I live in a 150 year old house. It was built in 1876, 100 years after the Declaration of Independence was signed. As I listen to my furnace struggling to cope with these frigid temperatures, I wonder what it was like to live here when the house was warmed only by fireplaces and a wood stove in the kitchen. There are three chimneys, each with a double flue. Two provided both a downstairs fireplace and one for a bedroom upstairs. The last one serviced the wood stove and the third bedroom. I’m fairly sure they had to carry water, too. There is an old well whose cap has been cemented in as part of the patio.

It takes three loads of firewood to keep a fire going for the evening, three more if I want to enjoy it in the afternoon, as well. I can carry four logs, five if they aren’t too heavy or too big. I try to keep a pile of dry wood inside, to start the fire. The wood pile now is deep in snow. But it is so cold the logs aren’t really wet, just covered in fluffy white stuff. They sizzle and hiss as the fire grows hotter. The cats congregate, for once sharing the hearth rug instead of quibbling over it. There is something so satisfying about a wood fire. The crackle of flames and the smell of wood smoke, makes me feel a part of the history of this house, connected to all those who have lived here before me.

We moved in, when Elizabeth was six weeks old. I remember rocking her on Christmas Eve that first year. I felt a part of something bigger, sure that other mothers rocked babies in the night in that very bedroom. I was actually one of those babies, as were my brother and sister. Eventually owning the house I grew up in, gave me a wonderful opportunity to raise my children with all the beautiful traditions my parents established. Living in the country has more advantages than drawbacks. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

So, about the water? Tomorrow I will call a plumber and just hope that maybe the lines will thaw overnight. Stranger things have happened!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

FairySockmother’s Favorites

Posted on February 1, 2026 by fairysockmother

Two fantasies and an historical novel, all of which were stellar!

A Curious Kind of Magic Five Stars

by Mara Rutherford

This book was provided by Macmillan, the publisher, through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Willow Stokes tries desperately to scrape a living from her father’s cluttered Magical Objects shop. She is deeply grieving her father’s death and angry at the world, including Finlay, who works for the printer and bakes her pies and brings her food when she is out of money. She is fiercely independent and determined to make a living on her own – no matter what – even though the rent is months overdue and no one buys anything from the shop anymore. She finally begins to open up when Brianna Hargrove arrives in town, needing help and a place to stay. Finlay, Willow, and Brianna form an unlikely alliance to search for a grimoire to break the curse that Brianna is carrying. The search grows much darker when a threat against her friends, forces Willow to steal to save their lives.

The whimsical aspect of this novel instills a sense of innocence around the three main characters. In the beginning, Willow ‘s grief affects her every decision. Her anger begins to subside as both Finlay and Brianna work to alleviate her loneliness. Most of the magical aspects of the book seem charming in the face of so much current literature. This book is a refreshingly unique offering in YA fantasy! It would be an ideal springboard for tweens who want to test out fantasy without plunging in headfirst!

The Magical Library of Waterfall Way Five Stars

by Julie Abe

This book was provided by the publisher, Bloomsbury Children’s Books, through NetGalley. All opinions are my own,

Lyra Hunt is an Unremarkable, in a world of Remarkable children, all born to do remarkable things! In fact, she is the only Unremarkable in the entire kingdom, a complete unheard-of aberration. Lyra’s parents died when she was younger and now her days are spent going from Guild to Guild with the Guild Matcher hoping that someone will take her on. If she can’t find a Guild home before she turns twelve, then she will be consigned to the Mists, a truly terrifying place to go.

Stuck on a rutted, muddy road Lyra sees a sign for The Scholars Guild. Hoping to find help, she follows a sable, burrowing through the brush ahead of her. She follows it into the center of a small village. Although the villagers are unfriendly at first, Lyra’s heart gives a leap when Gemini, the Guild Master, offers to take Lyra on. Her Guild Matcher is ecstatic, too! Lyra’s only requirement is that she take on a quest for the Guild, but there have been no quests available for a long time. Lyra has only a few months until her twelfth birthday and so she waits impatiently for a quest to appear. When it does, it seems impossible, but Lyra is determined to succeed.

This delightful Middle-Grade Fantasy has overtones of Disney’s talking teapots and walking furniture. Everything in the village seems to be enchanted, from the oven that grumbles to the sable, who can turn from a beast into a book! This would be a charming novel for a Book Club! Every library needs at least one copy!

The Queen’s Granddaughter Five stars – sorry no cover image is available

by Diana Zahler

The book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

When Blanca hears that her grandmother, Eleanor of Aquitaine, plans to visit, she assumes that she plans to take her older sister away. The Queen has come searching for the perfect girl to marry Prince Louis of France. Bianca doesn’t want her sister to go, and manufactures reasons why she would not make a good queen of France. Unfortunately, her plan backfires and it is twelve-year-old Blanca who Eleanor choses to be Louie’s consort. The long trip to France terrifies Blanca and she asks to be permitted to bring a companion along. She chooses Suna, a Muslim girl, who is her best friend.

From her Father’s Moorish Palace in Castile through the snow-covered Pyrenees, Blanca’s retinue faces kidnapping, thieves, and political intrigue. She has only Suna to comfort her and her cranky grandmother who manages to turn every opportunity into a lesson that Blanca should learn. Through dangers, blizzards, and sickness, Blanca begins to see another side to her grandmother and realizes why Eleanor has become so admired and venerated. Blanca leaves her father’s arms as a child but arrives in France ready to take on the responsibilities laid out for her.

This is an excellent historical novel and would make a great selection for libraries. It offers so many interesting topics for discussion such as how women’s rights have changed, Blanca’s father’s openness to other religions, feasts and foods, and the cumbersome means of travel during the time period of the novel. Blanca is outspoken and boyish, an endearing character who starts the book with a bang. Readers will keep on rooting for her!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

FAIRYSOCKMOTHER’S FAVORITES

Posted on April 30, 2025 by fairysockmother

Look for these two new great books. The adult book releases in May and the one for middle-grade readers is available now. Both are wonderful! These books were provided by the publishers, but the opinions are my own.

5 STARS

Reeling from her mother’s death, Mari Starwood finds a scrap of paper with a reclusive artist’s address. Anxious to find out more about her family, she books a painting lesson with Elizabeth Devereaux at her home on Martha’s Vineyard. Ms. Devereaux turns out to be nothing like Mari imagined. The old farm where she lives tops a hill overlooking the ocean, seeping peace and tranquility. When Elizabeth asks Mari to forego her evening flight home and stay another day, she begins to unfurl the story of the Smith girls who owned and worked the farm in the 1940’s.

Details are initially doled out slowly, then more rapidly, as an amazing story snowballs toward its conclusion. Filled with excitement, humor, and romance, this novel will appeal with a wide range of strong women characters and yes, it will make the perfect Book Club selection!

4 STARS

Sixth graders, Pineda, Ernesto, and Patsy are attending school in Soledad, Texas when soldiers parachute into town. Rounded up by the paratroopers, everyone is instructed in the rules they must obey while the Aggressors hold the town captive. With school canceled, Pineda and his friends wander home. While doing his chores, Pineda finds a strange humanoid in his barn. Could she be who the soldiers are really looking for?

This is a book about belonging, compassion, and diversity. Pineda has also been ignored and avoided because his mother is Mexican. He understands what it is like to be different like Luisa, the alien he finds in his barn. Using an alphabet book, he bridges the language gap between races: C is for Caring, F is for friend. Pineda rallies his friends and their families to save Luisa, and they prove that messing with Texans means you lose – badly.

I reviewed the audiobook, and the numerous narrators make it a joy to listen to. If you have a reluctant reader, I highly recommend it. The voices bring the characters to life

The historical background that sparked the author’s book is described here:

How One Texas Town Fell To Communist Rule In The 1950s | Texas Standard

On April 3,1952 the U.S. military staged a “communist take-over” in Lampasas, Texas. Named the Aggressor Nation, the group took over the schools, courthouse, and places of worship. Residents were under Martial Law until “freed” by the U.S. Army two weeks later. The action left the residents resentful of the Army and the government.

Posted in Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

FAIRYSOCKMOTHER’S FAVORITES

Posted on April 24, 2025 by fairysockmother

I have two winners today and will have two more soon. There are such wonderful new books coming out! Both books were provided by the publisher but the opinions are my own.

Maine Characters by Hannah Orenstein
4 Stars

After her father’s death, Vivian returns to the small town in Maine where she spent one month each summer with him at his lake house. Surprised to find a car in the driveway, she is stunned to meet Lucy, her half-sister. Though Lucy suspected her father might be hiding something from her, the enormity of a second family crushes her. She’s come to scatter her father’s ashes and instead discovers that she knew little of the man who was so often gone on long business trips. Lucy has arrived to spend July at the lake house. It has always been her month with her father. The sisters couldn’t be more different. Vivian is a sommelier at a prestigious New York restaurant. Lucy teaches high school English. Amid tears and recriminations, they spend the first night together at the lake house wondering how to go forward.

Untangling relationships and memories, the lake house becomes an incubator forming new bonds and a clarity to see the future. The long, languid summer burned by sparks and drowned in tears, witnesses a poignant story of the frailty and imperfection of the humans we love. The cast of secondary characters adds authenticity and depth.

Lena the Chicken (But Really a Dinosaur!) by Linda Bailey 5 Stars

    Lena, a brave and bold hen who believes she is a dinosaur, protects the other chickens and their eggs. Her human family (who have been the recipients of numerous pecks) doesn’t understand her. Only their daughter, Madeline, admires and loves her.  A weasel attacks while the family is away. Gnawing a hole in the side of the coop, he squeezes his whiskery snout through to further terrorize the chickens. Lena ignores her quivering sisters and springs into action. She explodes with a primeval screech that brings down the side of the coop on the weasel’s nose! Extricating himself, the weasel breaks off his beautiful whiskers and slinks off to hide in his den, embarrassed to show himself.

    Madeline researches chickens for her Science Fair project and discovers that chickens really are the direct descendants of dinosaurs. Of course, Lena attends the Fair, too, making Madeline’s booth a hit with everyone!

    This colorful book includes multiple speech bubbles with comments from Madeline’s family, the weasel, and the chickens. The intrepid Lena is brave, beautiful, and lovable! Pair it with a fat hen puppet for extra Storytime fun. A page tracing chickens’ lineage is included at the back along with books for further reading.

    Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

    FAIRYSOCKMOTHER’S FAVORITES

    Posted on March 14, 2025 by fairysockmother

    4 Stars

    Take Zelda, (a writer with a bad case of writers’ block), Zelda’s two sisters (who are witches), Morgan, Zelda’s nosy next-door neighbor, (a journalist obsessed by the paranormal), and last of all, Moonville, Ohio, Zelda’s Magical hometown, and you have a cocktail of epic proportions!

    Morgan’s persistent spying on Zelda drives her crazy. She is waiting for her True Love and Morgan is a constant impediment. She finally gives in to his demands that they go ghost hunting together, only to discover paranormal activity of a very different kind than they expected. Clues lead them ever deeper into Moonville’s traditions with surprising results.

    Humorous, spooky, and with some steamy romantic chemistry, Hogel conjures an enjoyable romp through Moonville. Characters are well defined: Morgan simply oozes charm, and Zelda is ever skeptical of her town’s magical reputation. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

    The publisher provided a copy of the book for review but the opinions are my own.

    Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

    FAIRYSOCKMOTHER’S FAVORITES

    Posted on February 5, 2025 by fairysockmother

    THE BEASTS WE BURY by D L Taylor

    Mancella lives in a world ruled by magic. The Primes of each kingdom flaunt their magical powers to incite war or promote peace. Mancella is the heir apparent to her brutal father, who puts his power before the safety or wishes of his family. Schooled by his vicious ways of persuasion, she has been instructed to kill every animal her father brings to her. Her magic absorbs the spirit of each beast, but she can summon them back at will.

    Silver, a homeless pickpocket and thief, is recruited by a stranger to steal something from the castle. He is given three specific tasks to accomplish and is promised a house and work papers to secure a job. It is everything he has ever dreamed of!Silver realizes he must acquire Mancella’s cooperation to accomplish the tasks he is required to do. They find common ground where neither expected it, as his job becomes more difficult and deadly than he could have imagined. Just as, Marcella becomes more desperate than ever to escape her father’s cruel authority and manipulation.

    Silver’s desire to acquire a decent life is palpable. Marcella’s abhorrence of the deeds she must accomplish for her father is heartrending. Both main characters are believable and draw the reader’s sympathies. Overall, a quick exciting read!

    This book was provided by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

    BUNNY MADE TEA by Amanda Baehr Fuller

    Bunny gathers flowers one rainy afternoon and takes them home to brew fragrant tea. Possum arrives without invitation and makes it very evident that he would like tea, too. Opossum drinks all the tea in Bunny’s pot. Still craving tea, Bunny gathers berries and makes a second pot of tea, but  Opossum returns with four babies. All of them want tea! Bunny and the babies forage for berries and flowers. Bunny makes a full pot of tea, which the babies gulp down. Bunny goes to bed without any tea.

    As you might guess, generosity is often returned in unexpected ways. This sweet book rewards the gift giving even when it is not what Bunny would like to do. It examines the ways that friendship is forged, even reluctantly. With pastel pictures and adorable animals, this is a book to be treasured one on one or with a group!

    This book was provided by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

    Posted in kindness, Uncategorized, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

    FAIRYSOCKMOTHER’S FAVORITES

    Posted on January 17, 2025 by fairysockmother

    I have just one book to share with you at the moment. Medical issues kept me from reviewing most of this fall, so I am behind. This book was wonderful. I truly loved it!

    The Heart of Winter: A Novel

    Begun in the present, dated chapters provide flashbacks that telescope this incredibly long marriage into a novel. Anyone over sixty will admit to sharing the same worries about illness, being a caregiver, and eventually losing a spouse. The realistic memoir does not paint a falsely, rosy picture of marriage. It does show how years of compromise and adjustment living together, bring about a relationship that is sweet and true and tender. A couple can safely navigate both joy and tragedy with love.

    This affirming look at the bond of marriage from first date to ninetieth birthday, will conjure similar memories of past decades for many. When Abe and Ruth first meet, it is love at first sight for Abe. Unfortunately, Ruth instantly dislikes Abe. The story of how such opposing forces eventually lead to seventy bumpy years of marriage is sweet, sad, and often funny.

    I received a digital copy from the publisher, but the views expressed are my own.

    Posted in fathers, husbands, kindness, marriage | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

    CHRISTMAS MAGIC

    Posted on January 10, 2025 by fairysockmother

    Christmas for me, has always held an innate magic. It is a belief I have retained from my childhood, and it has never dimmed.

    I remember being surprised when I ran into someone whose feelings about Christmas were different, and, not at all positive. Afterall, Dec. 25th is just another day in the calendar. A lot of awful things have happened on Christmas Day. My father died on Dec.1, the year I turned 11; we spent that Christmas at my aunt’s house in New Jersey. Even that Christmas retained its magic, but I think I was just young enough that the full enormity of that life changing event hadn’t hit me yet.

    Maybe, I was just able to separate tragic events from Christmas Day itself. I know my older brother has been able to, also. I give my parents credit for instilling in us, the magical quality of the holiday. Every aspect of it was straight out of a storybook. A treasured nativity set was placed in our living room fireplace. It was always my older sister’s job to arrange it. It had tiny individual doves for the roof of the stable and a miniature cat chasing a tiny mouse. I always envied that job, hoping that someday I would be old enough to do it!

    My father and my brother, Rob, cut pine branches and wove them between the spindles of our stairway. Both the dining room and living room mantels were decorated with pine and spruce, as well as pinecones. The house smelled wonderful! We cut the tree in our own woods and put it up on Christmas Eve, so that it would last until Epiphany. I cannot describe the heart thumping excitement of waiting on that pine covered staircase in my footy pajamas on Christmas morning until my father had lighted the tree and beckoned us on!

    Amid all the other chores of the season that fell on my mother, she hosted Christmas dinner for at least 13 people every year. The tablecloth was white linen and fell to the floor on all sides. It was a wonderful place to hide and jump out at my siblings. But, once the red tapers were lighted, I was banned from my wonderful white walled tent! The afternoon was filled with doting aunts and uncles who helped erect new train accessories underneath the tree or dress new dolls in their extra outfits. Christmas, Halloween, and Easter were the only days we were allowed to eat all the candy we wanted without asking first. Believe me I took full advantage of that!

    I tried to bring my own version of family Christmas to my first home. I crafted dozens of angels and stars and hung them from the rafters in our living room. My dear Uncle Bob, who was a Presbyterian minister, clasped a hand to his chest when he saw them and murmured, “Oh my! The heavenly host!”
    We had a wood stove instead of fireplace, but I assured my oldest daughter that Santa was capable of shrinking to fit down a stove pipe!

    Which brings me to the subject of Santa Claus So many people have told me that the magic went out of Christmas when they stopped believing in him. Again, I credit my mother here for her explanation of Santa when I was old enough to question such things. She told me that Santa Claus represented the “spirit of giving.” She went on to say that “anonymous giving” was a wonderful thing and it was something anyone could do. I remember her saying, “Anyone can be Santa Claus for someone else.” So, to this day, I believe in Santa Claus with every fiber of my being!

    So, I am sad when the lights and the greenery (fake or real) come down. I leave mine up until the end of January! We need a reason for anticipation. The entire reason for Christmas should fill us with blatant joy! One tiny baby, born in a manger, changed the world! If that isn’t the most miraculous kind of magic, I don’t know what is!

    Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

    FAIRYSOCKMOTHER’S FAVORITES

    Posted on November 4, 2024 by fairysockmother

    Here are some new reviews with a little something for everyone!

    5 STARS

    A fantastic smorgasbord by a consummate literary chef! Thirteen wonderful tales, each with exciting characters, and plots to keep dreaming about long after you’ve finished reading. After Hours derives from the Scholomance Trilogy. This spooky story introduces a school that rivals Hogwarts in its mystery and magic.

    Buried Deep delves into Greek mythology with a bittersweet rendition based on the Minotaur and the labyrinth. Spinning Silver seems familiar but surprises the reader instead!

    Isabeau, the twelve-year-old countess of Castle Coeurlieu, confronts a mysterious tower where few return once darkness falls.

    Literally last, but certainly not least, The Long Way Round, gives us Tess, an indomitable sailor, who fearlessly plots a course across “The Empty” where no ship has ever survived. I, personally, would love to see this short story expanded into a novel. Tess was both vulnerable and determined. The cast of secondary characters were also well-developed, and the world building was amazing.

    Each story is constructed meticulously. Relatable characters seductively draw readers into the realms of each fantasy, fairytale or Sci-Fi rendering. Novik leaves many tales open-ended. Each could easily become a novel, and fans can always hope to see those worlds in the future! A novelist who can spin a tale in 50 pages instead of 500, is one of the best!

    I received a galley of this book from Penguin Random House, LLC. This in no way influenced my review.

    4 STARS

    When a world-famous rock band performs a special Christmas concert, the town of Sea Isle floods with tourists. The concert helps usher in a season of Christmas events, traditional to the small community. Dr. Emilia McCoy is looking forward to a peaceful vacation before her job begins as Doctor and Coroner for the residents. Her visions of decorating and baking, disappear when the lead singer is found murdered! Adding detective to her job title, she begins to sift through the evidence to unmask the killer.

     The town’s Christmas Festivals, celebrating holiday customs from around the world, make you want to visit, as do, the village’s warm and welcoming people. Christmas snow is plentiful, making Sea Isle the perfect place to spend the holiday. A romantic element is deftly woven into the plot. A fun cozy mystery if you ignore some tiny holes in the plot. My own personal peeve: writers and editors who do not know the correct usage of “I” and “me.”

    I received a free audio book from the publisher, but it did not influence my review.

    5 STARS

    Porcupine loved his favorite sweater. It was very special to him because his grandma knitted it. Now, it’s missing! Porcupine comes up with all kinds of ridiculous schemes to replace it. Finally, he realizes that telling the truth may just be the best solution to the problem!

    The illustrations are bright and sufficiently large enough for a Story Time circle or more than adequate for a parent and child reading together. Porcupine is adorable, as are his forest friends. Grandma is atypical: loving and forgiving. A lovely addition to any library or home collection with a subtle moral lesson.

    This free book from the publisher was a joy for this children’s librarian to review!!

    Posted in Writing | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment