This was a fantastic picture book! I sat and enjoyed the pictures by myself watching the story unfold. Then Lil’B joined me as I flipped through it again. What I loved most about this book is how as the boy looks through the pictures from the camera he stops at the end one and looked deeper. I won’t give away the wonderful ending though! Spectacular illustrations that made me want to cut-up the book and sprinkle my walls with them. I enjoyed the small details that were included and how they were woven together to make the illustrations seem to speak. I plan to read through this again several times before relinquishing it back to the library.

I’ve also finished with my fast read. Unfortunately the newest from Mary Janice Davidson left me wanting. I did enjoy the story and found Fred the mermaid an enjoyable character. But the overbearing prince of the underwater folk was annoying. It also ended poorly for me. I like the first books in a series to entice me to read the next, but when this book ended I felt a bit let down. Not Davidson’s best work. The pace seemed almost frantic even for a fast read book. And several plot twists fell flat. It just didn’t flow well that the psychotic ex-husband of a minor character is suddenly on scene and then killed within the next ten pages. So a thumbs down for this book but a thumbs up for the character Fred. Fred was single-minded, a tad cynical and smart-mouthed. A great character base for fast-reads (in my humble opinion). I also enjoyed the idea that Fred can’t swim without her fin. The imagery was quite amusing. I’m hoping when she returns in the next book that I will find a more satisfying and enjoyable story.