A Series Of (Un)Fortunate Reviews

It's time for Part 2 of the second annual Staff Picks series, and this week it's my turn to share my picks from the past year.  All of my selected picks for books and one of my selected movies have been reviewed previously on the blog, so you can click those links to find full reviews of those titles!  Oh, and why don't you leave me a comment about your 'best of' picks from the last year. Books Stick and Stone by Beth Ferry ; at the time of the review post for this book I'd already read this one a couple or three times.  I've since read it again and bought a copy for my cousin's newborn baby because that's how much I love this book.  I don't care that it's a picture book for young children.  I. Love. This. Book. Longbourne by Jo Baker ; this list wouldn't be complete without British period drama and Pride and Prejudice , okay, so deal with it.  I loved this new perspective on the events of Pride and Prejudice told from the poin...

In an earlier post I mentioned that we acquired some new easy reader books that I really liked and would probably be reviewing on the blog.   Stick and Stone is one these books.  I'm not sure how I found it; I may have seen it on Amazon.  But it's one of my favorite books from this year.  I don't care that it's an easy reader.  I love this book.  I think both adults and children will enjoy it, and it also contains a great lesson for children.   Stick and Stone is written by Beth Ferry and illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld. You guys.  I.  Love.  This.  Book.  I've read it three times now (and I'll probably read it again too), and I love it every time.  The story is told in spare, rhyming prose, and the illustrations are lovely, interesting, and creative.  It's both uplifting and a little sad--stick and stone are both alone!  They don't have friends!  Then some pine cone comes along and starts bullying ston...