Margo's Musings: What Will Happen to the Project?

When we saw The Barnabus Project on display at our local library this past weekend I have to admit, I couldn’t wait to read it. I was curious about what it would be about and totally understood why my little sister, Margo, ran to it and snatched it off the table.

Barnabus lives in a lab because he is a Perfect Pet. He lives near his friends and the men in the green suits come and feed him his favorite foods- cheese and peanuts. One day the guys in green suits come in to check on Barnabus and the others in his area and  they are all rejected. They don't meet the standard for a Perfect Pet and this means they need to go back to the starting point and become a perfect mouse or elephant, not a mouse/elephant. But Barnabus is worried that becoming perfect may mean he doesn’t love his favorite foods or the things that make him him. His friends are worried too and they realize the only thing they can do is escape. But can they do it before the men In green come back? Where will they go? How will they survive? They aren’t sure, but they know they have to do it!

The illustrations in this story are absolutely beautiful. So many details are hidden within the pages and there are new things to discover with every reading. The creatures are fascinating to look at, and I had fun pouring over the pages. The colors really set the mood of the story and turning each page was a true delight. 

I love the messages In this book because teamwork is crucial and it’s important to be who you are. I enjoyed the book for the complexities in the story, and Margo loved the simplicity. The story offers similar takeaways to people of all ages, but it also offers something different depending on the reader's age. That helps make this a truly special book for the whole family. 

I think kids and adults of any age can enjoy this book together (or alone). The Fan Brothers worked together to create this masterpiece and it has been a treat to read and reread. I highly recommend this book and am sure it will become a favorite after the first reading. 

Has anyone else read The Barnabus Project? Or have you read another book by The Fan Brothers? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading!

~F

Views From the Pond- March/April

Over the last year and a half I have moved to a new house (it was quite a process). One of my favorite things about my new space is the small pond in the front yard. Although it wasn't on my list of things I "needed" when I was house hunting, it turns out it was something I needed in my life. 

Depending on the season, there is a house or two visible in the distance, as the pond is close to my street (which is very quiet most of the time). If I sit on my front porch I can see and hear the pond and the babbling brook that feeds into it. There is also space close to the pond to sit and relax. Over the last year I have watched the daily changes and have marveled in the animals that come to visit. In the evening, the sounds of crickets and frogs mingling with owls and other night creatures creates a symphony that changes daily. 

I decided to share my views with all of you- so this is the first of a new regular monthly feature on Fairday's Blog. 

These pictures are all from this past March and April. I love the Mallard ducks that visit most days! I talk to them and call them Lord and Lady Quackerly.  Some mornings it is hard to leave for work because there is so much to observe at home. You will notice algae in some pictures, and that is a new addition. There wasn't even a trace of algae in the pond until after the pond came back from a drought we had last summer/fall (it lasted for about 3 months and the pond became a puddle). 

This post contains a lot of pictures because I am sharing two months of Views From the Pond instead of one. It is amazing to see how much the pond changes each day, and the view is so therapeutic. The first picture is from the morning of  March 1st and the last is from the last weekend in April. I have SO been enjoying watching my Magnolia tree bloom. 

I hope you enjoy the views as much as I do! Nature changing and coming alive is pure magic to witness.  ~Stephanie

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday # MMGM Book Review: Unicorn Island: Beyond the Portal by Donna Galanti

 

In the final book in this series, Sam is tying to distract herself now that she knows her mother disappeared through a portal on Unicorn Island ten years ago. Could her mother still be alive? It’s consuming all her thoughts, so she decides to learn everything she can about her new role as a unicorn protector. With the help of her friend, Tuck, she explores a book and uncovers a hidden code, explaining more about the portal. Sam and Tuck know going through the portal would be extremely dangerous, and they also know neither of their parents would allow it. But, they can’t resist the urge to find out more. How else will they know if Sam‘s mother is still alive. They decide to go through the portal, with Barloc (a unicorn) as their guide. They all know it is dangerous to bring a unicorn through the portal, because the portal was created years ago to save the unicorns who were being hunted in another world. What if they are still being hunted today? Is Sam‘s mother still alive, and if she is will they even be able to find her? Once they go through the portal will they be able to get back? 

It’s always a good feeling when the final book in a series or trilogy wraps everything up. Unicorn Island: Beyond the Portal does just that! I was so happy that all my questions were answered by the end of the story. I liked seeing the way Sam grew as a character from when we first met her. I’m glad she has such a good friend in Tuck. They help each other come to conclusions and decisions, each bringing something different to their friendship. This book will be a huge hit with anyone who likes unicorns, adventures, or other worlds. I would recommend this book to kids in second grade and up. I think it’s awesome that the series can be found online on Epic Books for kids and it’s available in hardcover. My copy is beautiful, and I love the illustrations. They are bright and colorful! Having them periodically throughout the book was an additional treat to look forward to while I was reading. The three books in this series have been a fun adventure! Although this series may be over, I’m looking forward to the next book by Donna Galanti.

Has anyone else read Unicorn Island: Beyond the Portal? Or have you read another book by Donna Galanti? We’d love to hear your thoughts.

Happy Reading!

L

Our review of Unicorn Island Book 2

For other MMGM posts, please visit Greg Pattridge's blog.

Fishy Perspectives and Mood Candles: Jess's Musings

I have a fish, his name is Mr. Fish, and he lives in a tank in the middle of my house. Mr. Fish is eleven years old, and he can communicate with me. For instance, if something is off in his tank, he swims as hard as he can and smashes into the glass. It scares the wits out of me, and I check to make sure he's okay. Message received. 

Sometimes it's super nice to shift into low gear and take in the scene. I think of Mr. Fish, and what his daily life must be like. How strange it would be to experience things from his point of view. 🐟

Contemplating perspectives is interesting, and when you relax into the moment and let your mind wander it's easy to get swept up in imagination. Magic lives in details; you must slow down for the experience. 

So feel into your mood and flow with the good vibrations resonating right now. Take a pause to reflect and dream. 

I'll light a mood candle to raise spirits.🕯✨

Mood Candle Art: Raising Spirits 

Mood Candle Art is created with glass jars, acrylic paint, tea lights

Cuteness!

Colors Dancing in MIND