Seeking Persephone-miniseries**

 My friend told me about this 4-episode miniseries. My husband, oldest son, & I watched it on Roku (the commericals for the 1st three episodes were so annoying!! We aren't used to commericals!). This mini series is probably one of my favorites of all time! 

Persephone, the eldest child of the Lancaster family, has been holding the family together since she was twelve-years-old and her mother died. The brothers join the military to support the floundering family finances. When the Duke of Kielder writes a letter asking to marry her and also stating that he will support the family, her father consents. At her wedding, Persephone discovers her husband is a recluse and a bitter man. Will he ever come to love her?

I love the characters-so admirable & well-developed, the story line was engaging & well-paced, the romance was sweet & showed nothing inappropriate.  

Based on the book by Sarah Eden (she has written a series about all the Lancaster siblings-- Persephone is the 1st book.) The story incorporates elements from Beauty & the Beast and the Greek myth about Hades & Persephone.

**Highly, highly recommend. I cannot wait to read the book! I requested it via ILL.

Consideration: Sarah Eden, the author of this series, is Mormon. No religion is preached or woven into this film. The only connection it has to the Mormon community is that it is a clean romance. 

The Case of Old MacDonald and His Farm by Mark Teague*

 Old MacDonald summons Officer Busby to his farm. Odd and ridiculous events are popping up all over his farm-cabbages with painted faces, pizza being delivered to his goats... Can Officer Busby figure out who is behind the mischief on this April Fool's Day? 

Fun!

*Highly recommend for its lightheartedness. We need books just for fun!

-Borrowed from the library.

Dog vs.Strawberry by Nelly Buchet illustrated by Andrea Zuill*

 A dog is given a strawberry. This imaginative dog decides he and this strawberry are going to race. Throughout the story the dog narrates his progress vs the strawberry's progress. A surprise and funny ending.

Kids will love hearing this story. A fun read-aloud (especially if the narrator assumes the voice of a broadcaster)

Sort of a fractured Tortoise & the Hare tale

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Little Good Wolf by Janet Stevens & Susan Stevens Crummel

 His parents are embarassed by Little Good Wolf's kind, respectful behavior. What can they do to thwart his continual good choices? They send him to Big Bad School. Will he be transformed into a big, bad wolf, or will he transform his mentors? The ending will cause discussion and inferences!

Being familiar with the tale of the three little pigs before reading this book would enhance the experience.

I like Tops & Bottoms better, but this one will entertain and delight readers too.

-Borrowed from the library.

Flora and the Jazzers by Astrid Sheckels*

 Flora, the scullery maid at a grand hotel, dreams of attending a concert. While she scrubs dishes and floors, she hums and allows the music in her heart to swell. Then her favorite band, The Jazzers, arrive to perform at the hotel. Just maybe she can huddle in the corner and listen? The hotel manager soon dismisses that idea with a rebuke. Then she becomes a solution to a huge problem. Her life transforms beyond her comprehension!

I love the illustrations. The dressed up animals are adorable. It's a picture book I would return to to enjoy numerous times because of the illustrations. I especially love the cut-away of the hotel. The end of the story is a bit underdeveloped and predictable. I would buy this book  just for the illustrations (if I was a mom of young girls).

A 1920s Cinderella story

*Highly recommend for the illustrations.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Rushworth Family Plot by Claudia Gray

 A Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney Mystery #4

Jonathan Darcy and Juliet Tilney have solved three murder cases over the past few years. Their friendship has grown into a romatic interest. Jonathan's parents, however do not approve of the relationship, and Mr. Tilney does not believe Jonathan truly cares for his daughter. It seems like the parents will be preventing future interactions.

Then Jonathan and Juliet are sent to London for the Season. Not knowing the other one is in London, they are thrilled to spy each other at a ball. When a murder occurs, their reputation causes the police and Bertram family to allow them to investigate together. The Bertram family's sister, Maria, is saturated with scandal (elopement, divorce, having a child with a man who is not her husband). With her former husband murdered, she is the number one suspect. However, Juliet finds Maria dead in her apartment. Are there two murders? 

Catherine Bingley longs for one of her daughters to reside in Pemberley, the Darcy estate. But Juliet seems to have captured Jonathan's heart. How far will Mrs. Bingley stoop to ensure a position as mistress of Pemberley  will be guaranteed for her daughter?

Ms.Gray has created likable characters in Jonathan and Juliet. I love reading about their interactions and their developing relationship. It's sweet. Ms. Gray also researches the time period well and incorporates authenticity throughout the novel.

Warning: Besides the scandals mentioned above, a painting depicting the myth of Pasiphae lusting after a bull is the catalyst for another scandal. No details are described.  Fanny Bertram writes to her brother. Her description of his life choices make the reader infer he may be homosexual.

-Borrowed from the library.

My Dear Hemlock by Tilly Dillehay*

 My friend introduced me to this book and author this past winter. In the style of C.S. Lewis's The Screwtape Letters, Mrs. Dillehay creates letters from a female demon to her trainee. Readers witness the temptations and pitfalls a female experiences throughout her adulthood until her death. This book addresses temptations and sins females specifically endure. 

*Highly recommend. The reader would benefit greatly by discussing this book with other women.

-I own this book.

I just asked the library to purchase Mrs. Dillehay's book, Broken Bread.  

Alice in a Winter Wonderland by Jan Brett

 Ms. Brett retells the Alice in Wonderland story by placing it in Alaska.

Alice follows a white rabbit down a moulin in a glacier and experiences events that are " almost right and not exactly wrong". I found the story odd and confusing, BUT the original story IS odd! The Alaskan wildlife and imaginative creatures Ms. Brett depicts are exquisite.

-Borrowed from the library.

Little Christmas Carol based on the classic text by Charles Dickens envisioned & illustrated by Joe Sutphin*

 RAR Christmas School is centered on this version of The Christmas Carol  this year. By changing the characters into woodland creatures, Mr. Sutphin creates a welcoming invitation to younger readers to enjoy this classic. The rich vocabulary remains. 

The end pages are classy, elegant, and apropos.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Goldilocks & the Three Dinosaurs by Mo Willems**

 How could I have missed this book?!! My friend, who was at the library when I was there, recommended this book. It is hilarious!

Three dinosaurs carefully prepare their house so they can enjoy a chocolate-filled-little-girl-bonbon. Humor and sarcasm abound!

**Highly, highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Perils of Lady Catherine de Bourgh by Claudia Gray*

 I love this series. 

Jonathan Darcy and Juliet Tilney are summoned to Catherine de Bourgh's estate, Rosings Park, to determine who is trying to kill her. Her demanding, overpowerful personality could cause those closest to her to resent her and to wish to eliminate her. Secrets abound with those connected to Catherine de Bourgh and Rosings Park. As Jonathan and Juliet shift through the deceptions, will they keep ahead of the would-be-murderer? 

For matters of the heart, Jonathan and Juliet discover their fathers are not in favor of their relationship beyond friendship. Their tenacity will be tested. 

Ms. Gray is a superb writer. She maintains Jane Austen's tone and style while  creating intriguing new plots. I was thankful this novel did not involve any infidelity. I would hand this novel to a teen (but with caution with books #1-2).

Number Four in this series will be published on June 17, 2025!

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Simon and the Better Bone by Corey R. Tabor*

 Based off of Aseop's "The Dog and His Reflection"

Simon discovers a bone and is quite pleased with it. As he walks by the pond, he spies another dog with a bone. This bone appears better.  The rest of the story shares how Simon interacts with the other dog. It concludes sweetly. My favorite illustration is the last one-because of what the reader will infer. I also love how the reader must orient/hold the book to read it.

*Highly recommend. I hope Mr. Tabor continues to write & illustrated clever picture books!

-Borrowed from the library.

Three Little Kittens by Barbara McClintock*

 An adorable retelling of the original poem "The Three Little Kittens". The original poem is incorporated with Ms. McClintock's humorous additions. Although the illustrations stray from her typical style, they are still endearing.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Great Gatsby by K.Woodman-Maynard based on the novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald

 Ms. Woodman-Maynard incorporates illustrations that magnify The Great Gatsby's symbolism and adds interpretation. I read it before reading the actual novel. I will be reading another graphic novel depicting The Great Gatsby soon.

Warning: a scene where Gatsby and Daisy are intimate-nothing pictorial inappropriate is shown, lots of drinking/partying, affairs, two murders, a suicide, swearing

Sherlock Holmes A Game of Shadows-DVD

 Rated PG-13 -intense sequences of violence & action and some drug material

Sherlock & Watson work together to demolish Moriarty, an evil genuis, before he decimates the world. The entire movie is intense with surprises and humor. 

*Highly recommend for junior high (use descretion for junior high) or older.

Consideration: In addition to the intense action/violence, Mycroft, Sherlock's older brother, walks around naked at his home in front of Mary, Watson's new wife. The viewer does not see anything inappropriate-just his bare chest & back-enough to know he is naked!

-Borrowed from the library.

What Katy Did -DVD

 Rated: G

Starring: Megan Follows, Alison Pill, & Dean Stockwell

The movie was different from the book but it did keep the main plot intact-cousin Helen, who is an invalid comes to visit,  & Katy falls off a swing and injures her back. I enjoyed the movie and was able to appreciate the different version. 

Spoiler alert: Cousin Helen dies. In the book Aunt Izzy dies.  The movie was a bit rushed through the plot, which made Katy's recovery seem a bit unrealistic. I liked the book better but liked watching the movie.

*Highly recommend.

Points to discuss/considerations: Katy's father is a widow (they talk about his wife's /Katy's mom's  life & death throughout the movie), serious injuries & the bitterness/angry that can accompany it, one man is a drunk, Katy's father drinks alcohol after Katy's accident

-Borrowed from the library.

Sherlock Holmes DVD

 2009 Starring Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, & Mark Strong

Rated: PG 13 -intense scenes of violence & action, some startling images, & a scene of suggestive material

Since my youngest is into Sherlock Holmes, we have been watching TV shows & movies that recreate this famous classic. This movie is intense, clever, and full of action. Finally Lord Blackwood has been captured and hanged. As the doctor on duty at the hanging, Watson confidently declares him dead. When people begin spying roaming London, terror erupts. Watson and Sherlock pursue the clues to prevent more deaths and evils.

*Highly recommend but see why it is rated PG-13. The suggestive scene is easily predicted. We were able to fast forward through it.

-Borrowed from the library.

Sherlock Season Three DVD*

 I think these three episodes have been my favorite in the series. They were extra clever and suspenseful. Unfortunately, I read reviews that say season four is disappointing. Since my husband and I watched this series years ago, I cannot remember if I agree with this assessment. 

*Highly recommend for "fourteen" years old and older but see warnings.

Warning/considerations: Mary, Watson's wife, is pregnant before they marry. In "His Last Vow" Sherlock's girlfriend stays over night. She emerges from his bedroom in a very short nightshirt. She then goes into the bathroom where he is bathing (the camera does not go into the bathroom so nothing is shown). Also in this episode Sherlock is undercover in a drug house. Watson goes to "rescue" Mary's friend's son from it and discovers Sherlock there. It does depict how drug abuse strips one of humanity and of a thriving life.

-Borrowed from the library.

Sherlock Season 2

 3 episodes- Scandal in Belgravia, The Hounds of Baskerville, & The Reichenbach Fall

We continue to enjoy the intense suspense, quick wit, and incredible intellect within the shows. We skipped Scandal in Belgravia since it centered on sex.  Highly recommend the other two episodes.

Not recommended for under age 14- because of the intensity, murders, some evil characters

-Borrowed from the library

Sherlock Season One DVD*

Modern Sherlock Holmes! 

My husband and I watched this series many years ago. We are rewatching them with our teenage sons. We are thoroughly enjoying the cleverness, intelligence, and quick wit being displayed. So far only innuendos that our sons' don't really understand have been included. Some swearing but it is minimal.

This season includes three cases-"A Study in Pink" (where Watson and Sherlock meet & start working/living together), "The Blind Banker", & "The Great Game". They are not based on the original books.

*Highly recommend but not for younger than fourteen years old-swearing, innuendos, gay references (just a character inferring someone is gay), murder/blood/violence

-Borrowed from the library.