We had a fun week here in Media Reviews. If you weren’t able to catch all the blogs, never fear – we’ve got a summary for you so you can stay up to date. If you’ve been searching for a fun and informative children’s television show for your kids, look no further than “Fetch! with Ruff Ruffman.” Set in a game show-style format, the contestants learn about science, math, physics and innumerable other valuable subjects while having fun. “Max and Ruby” is a cute children’s show based on the picture books of author Rosemary Wells, and is bound to be … Continue reading →

From new technology to picture books to craft books – make sure you didn’t miss any of our great media reviews. For suspense try Hazardous Duty by Betsy Brannon Green, the story of a young widow who has to ask an old boyfriend for help in finding her daughter. Historical fiction readers should try a finalist for the Whitney award, Upon the Mountains by Gale Sears. This final book in the series is the story of a family torn apart at the end of World War I. Science Fiction readers will enjoy Pretties by Scott Westerfield. It’s the story of … Continue reading →

Did you have a busy week and miss some of the great blogs here in Media Reviews? That’s okay—this summary will get you caught up to speed. We started with the week with a review of “Beyond the Horizon,” the debut novel of LDS author Judy C. Olsen. She writes of six generations of men ranging from the era of Joseph Smith down to our present day, and the lessons each of them learned. “Mr. Gumpy’s Outing” is about a proper English gentleman who agrees to take a young boy, girl, and a whole menagerie with him on his boat. … Continue reading →

Picture books, mystery, romance, young adult, craft, and cookbooks are just some of the things we covered this week in Media Reviews. The most prestigious annual awards for children’s literature are the Caldecott and Newbery. Lauri gives us brief glimpses of the books that won the 2008 Caldecott and Newbery awards. Tristi reviewed Star Shining Brightly by LDS author Marcia Mickelson, a story about a superstar facing hard choices in the world of Hollywood. Tristi also continued her series on author G.G. Vandagriff with Tangled Roots. And LDS author Traci Hunter Abramson’s suspense story The Deep End sounds like a … Continue reading →

We had a lot of fun in Media Reviews this week. If you missed out, here’s a summary so you can see what happened. Tristi reviewed the modern classic “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” by Betty Smith. The story of a poor family just before the outbreak of World War I, our main character is a girl named Francie. She has a rich imagination and loves to read, but her reading doesn’t disguise the fact that she’s hungry nearly all the time and must gather junk in order to help put food on her table. This book will make you … Continue reading →

We have such a great selection for all types of interests this week in Media Review. Last week, Tristi interviewed author Anita Hackley-Lambert. They discussed writing as therapy and the inspiration and research behind her latest book. Plus here’s a review of that non-fiction book on the civil rights pioneer F.H.M. Murray – First Biography of a Forgotten Pioneer for Civil Justice. Tristi also interviewed screenwriter and novelist Carole Schutter about the challenges of writing both books and screenplays. Is Regency romance more to your liking? Try My Dearest Friend by Hazel Statham. Looking for a fun picture book? Try … Continue reading →

Did you miss out on joining us during the last busy day of the year? Catching up from the holiday chaos? Let’s take a look at what you might have missed. Tristi took a look at “Amazon’s Bestselling Books for December,” and then talked a bit about “Book Clubs” and why you might want to join one in your area. Then we read a review on “The Frog Princess,” about a princess who kisses a frog and turns into a frog herself. Then we talked a little more about book clubs and what might take place at “Your Book Club … Continue reading →

The cold temperatures make for good reading and viewing weather. Check out our recommendations from this week in Media Review. We finished out the Christmas season with Paddington Bear and the Christmas Surprise. Tristi interviewed G.G. Vandagriff, author of Cankered Roots, Of Deadly Descent, and Tangled Roots. Vandagriff’s books all feature a genealogist as the main character. Animal lovers will not want to miss the free video podcast Wild Chronicles from National Geographic. Tristi also reviewed Makeover, a new LDS young adult novel by Shannon Guymon, and Reasonable Doubt by LDS author, Marcia Mickelson. If you have a Wii, or … Continue reading →

Are you ready for Christmas? We have a lot of books and music ideas for you in the Media section. The Night of Las Posadas is a picture book about a reenactment of the bible Christmas story. The story is set in Santa Fe and features it’s own Christmas miracle. The Angel of Mill Street is a Christmas story about a young girl’s favorite uncle and an unusual angel. The Christmas Bird is another sweet story to share with young children this season. And don’t miss Lyle the Crocodile saving a neighbor’s Christmas in Lyle at Christmas. We don’t hear … Continue reading →