Aesop's Fables

Aesop's Fables
illustrated by Arthur Rackham

The Moral Of The Story Is...!

This is a book that has been sitting on my book shelf for some time now, and back in 2013 I began going through these stories as part of the Moral Of The Story challenge that I never actually got around to finishing.

Contained within these stories are a number of classic characters that have a familiarity about them, such as 'The Man', 'The Old Woman', 'The Fisher' and 'The Woodman'. However there are also a great many more characters in these stories that are animals of one sort or another, such as foxes, wolves, horses and mice. It is through these simplistic and uncomplicated character and animal archetypes that these stories are able to be understood for what they are without the complications that more complex human interactions can bring, giving the moral to each story a more powerful impact.

Aesop's Fables is a collection of 285 fables that are, if not actually written by Aesop himself, than are Aesop like enough to be attributed to him. As there are some who may argue the authorship of these fables the point is not who wrote these fables but the moral of these fables themselves. Although old in their origin, and at times dated in their context, the morals these stories offer are timeless as each has the potential to offer wisdom as well as whimsy to those who take the time to read them. These are stories not only to entertain both the young and old, but also to give one something to think about.

 

Aesop's Fables

Aesop's Fables

 

On sale: 08 September 1992
Price (AU): can be found Free online
ISBN: 9780517171981
Recommended age: all ages
In a word: Fables
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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The Dreaming Tree

The Dreaming Tree by Jo Oliver

A Place to Sit, Watch and Dream!

From the high branches of an ancient oak tree there is much to see, and amongst green leafy branches the landscape of this unique country stretches out ready to be explored. Between the dawning of the sun and the rising of the moon, the sun comes out to shine on the dry red-sand deserts, the green forests and the clear blue seas, that are home to so many wondrous animals and the numerous children who call this playground, their country, home.

The Dreaming Tree is a visual snapshot of growing up in Australia, beautifully brought to life through free verse poetry with the occasional rhyme. The accompanying imagery is soft and airy, expressing a landscape that is alive and textured, making you want to reach out and touch it, despite the smooth, soft pages. The large formate and descriptive language present a beautiful book not only for the young but for lovers of poetry of all ages.

Jo Oliver @ New Frontier Publishing
Jo Oliver @ Scholastic

On sale: 01 February 2016
Price (AU): $24.99
ISBN: 9781925059489
Recommended age: 6+
In a word: Australia
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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Mists of Avalon Oracle

Mists of Avalon Oracle by Rose Inserra
cards illustrated by Nadia Turner

Finding a way through the Mists!

Through these cards it is hoped that a deeper and more meaningful connection to the ancient Goddess and the Otherworld realm will be formed. Here it it said that this Otherworld place is Avalon, combining the realm of the Divine, the enchanted Faerie realm and the Isle of Avalon itself. But whether you agree that all three realms are one and the same or three separate realms, all have strong links to Glastonbury, "our modern-day Avalon".

Mists of Avalon Oracle is a walk-through of the many sacred sites, myths and legends associated with Glastonbury and its surrounding areas. The guidebook separates the cards into three sections, the Landscapes of Avalon, the Mysteries of Avalon and the Guides of Avalon. The Landscapes portray a feel of wonder and enchantment. The Mysteries have beautifully rich artwork that conveys a depth of feeling and magical influence. But it is within the artwork of the Guides of Avalon that we are able to observe the unique characteristics of each individual, revealing their wisdom to those ready to listen.

(CLICK HERE FOR A MORE IN-DEPTH REVIEW OF THIS DECK)

Nadia Turner Webpage
Nadia Turner - Wayward Harper
Rose Inserra Webpage
Rose Inserra @ Rockpool Publishing

(includes 36 Cards + 128p Booklet)
On sale: 01 December 2019
Price (AU): $29.99
ISBN: 9781925682052
Recommended age: 16+
In a word: Avalon
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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Forest Fae Messages

Forest Fae Messages by Nadia Turner

"Curious Messages Of Enchantment"

Within this mini deck you are introduced to new and distinctive Fae creatures who are ready to offer you their words of inspiration, encouragement and insight. These are creatures who live on the threshold between our world and theirs, inviting us to cross the boundaries and glimpse into the magical world of the forest to learn from its wisdom.

Forest Fae Messages is a deck filled with positive and affirming messages accompanied by unique Fae creatures that are a wondrous blend of both the natural world and the fantastical, beautifully brought to life by Australian artist Nadia Turner. It really is such a lovely deck to own and explore, or would make a wonderful gift for both adults and children.

(CLICK HERE FOR A MORE IN-DEPTH REVIEW OF THIS DECK)

Nadia Turner Webpage
Nadia Turner - Wayward Harper
Nadia Turner @ Rockpool Publishing

(includes 40 Cards)
On sale: 07 April 2021
Price (AU): $14.99
ISBN: 9781925946192
Recommended age: all ages
In a word: Fae
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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I'm Back!

After several years away I have decided to start reviewing books again. Some of you who have been here previously will notice a few changes, mostly in the looks/colours of this blog, as I want to freshen it up a bit and also simplify it. It just felt a bit too busy with all its pages and links. You may also notice that some pages that were once available are now gone. The pages for the 'Reading Group Guides', the 'Fun Extras', and 'Giveaways' have been removed, mostly because these pages linked to other websites that no longer offer the content I had linked to. Almost all the reading guides and the extra downloads, like bookmarks and colouring pages, had been taken down from the webpages I linked to or the actual websites for these no longer existed.

There will also be a bit of a change in book genres I review, not that my taste has changed a great deal over the past few years, but like many people at the moment, I can not afford to be purchasing a bunch of new books to review. So I will be 'shopping my shelves' so to speak as I review many of my older books that I just never found the time to get to before. Hopefully there will be the odd newer title in amongst the older more classic books I own. But I guess we shall see. 

Along with the book reviews, I will occasionally be reviewing Tarot and Oracle decks. Over the past couple of years my interest in Tarot and Oracle has grown, so reviews for these will be included here but also on my Practicing Magic blog where I can explore these decks in more detail.

Reviews won't be as often as they were previously, once a week is a bit much for me now with everything else going on, but I hope to post reviews a couple of times a month. Though I'm sure there will be some months where it is more and some months where it is less. I think previously I was reviewing books so often that it was no longer a fun and enjoyable experience but it instead became a bit of a chore. I was constantly worrying about the books I needed to read or should be reading and felt overwhelmed by the pressure I was placing on myself to get every book read and reviewed. Now, after such a long break, I am ready to start reviewing again for the pleasure of reading and sharing my reviews without placing pressure on myself to read every book.

So, it is nice to be back and I hope you enjoy my reviews.

The Year Of The Rat

The Year Of The Rat by Clare Furniss

How To Go On When The World Stops!
    

Pearl is sixteen with a mother she idolizes, a father she loves and a baby sister she is excited to meet. Then in a moment everything goes wrong. Her mother dies, her father pulls away from her in favour of the daughter that is biologically his and her long awaited baby sister is nothing more than a wrinkled ugly rat, not to mention the cause of her mother's death. Somehow no one else sees the rat as she does; no one else seems to care her mother is gone.

The Year Of The Rat is the longest, worst year of Pearl's life. One by one everything in Pearl's life goes wrong and everyone in her life abandons her in-favour of her baby sister, the rat. Her mother was her best friend, her world, and when she died Pearl's life changed in an instant, her world was thrown upside down and nothing would ever be the same again. A touchingly tragic story of grief, secrets, family and the unexpectedness of life.

Clare Furniss Webpage

Clare Furniss @ Simon & Schuster

On sale: 01 May 2014
Price (AU): $19.99
ISBN: 9781471121715
Recommended age: 12+
In a word: Rat
Re-read it: probably
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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Shadowfell - Book 3

SHADOWFELL:
The Caller by Juliet Marillier

A Land On The Brink, A Girl With A Purpose,

Winning The War Is All That Matters!
  

Alban is a land is turmoil, a land crying out to be healed and there are those who stand ready to hear that call. Humans and Good Folk alike have been preparing for the war that is too come, for the battle that will determine Alban's fate and their own. Word has spread and the people, and Good Folk, are ready for a change. But when the time comes not everyone will fight for a free Alban, as there are some people still willing to fight for the tyrant King, and there are still others, Good Folk among them, who will be forced.

Owen Swift-Sword is one of the King's most trusted men. As an Enforcer Troop Leader and most skilled Enthraller he holds a very influential position at court, privy to all the most intimate dealing in the kingdom. Flint is a man loyal to the rebel cause of Alban and plays a most important role to the resistance based at Shadowfell. But these two lives will collide at the final battle, for no one man can be torn in two for so long without breaking and although he is willing to die for the rebellion, he would gladly give his life to see Neryn safe.

Neryn faces a great challenge; she must use her gift during the battle to save Alban, calling the Good Folk to the rebels' side to fight for freedom. But the greater challenge still is staying alive long enough to see this done. However word of another Caller, one that is powerful enough to draw the Good Folk from her presence is worrying enough, but worse still is the news that this rival Caller is in the service of the King, willingly. With time running short and her training not yet complete, Neryn will be put to test, but even if it were still possible to save the land she loves, she may still lose the man she loves.
  

The Caller unites the elusive and magical Good Folk with the rebels of Shadowfell, all willing to fight and die for Alban's freedom in a final battle that will once and for all decide their fates. Many friends and allies have died along the way and many more will fall before the end, but with so much preparation, heartache and faith placed in the plan, the culminating bloody battle will be one of both hope and heartbreak. A beautifully bitter-sweet ending to an engaging and sincere series. A memorable story filled with rich and enduring characters that will live on in our hearts and minds.
 

Kingdom Of Alban - map

Juliet Marillier Webpage

Juliet Marillier @ Pan Macmillan

On sale: 01 June 2014
Price (AU): $19.99
ISBN: 9781742612454
Recommended age: 14+
In a word: Alban
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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Brian Froud's Faerielands Book 2

BRIAN FROUD'S FAERIELANDS:
Something Rich And Strange by Patricia A. McKillip
illustrated by Brian Froud

A Heart Linked To The Sea!

Megan has always been attracted to the sea, spending her days drawing its many faces from its roaring white caped waves to its calming living tidal pools. But now something is different, something had crawled out of the sea and into her life. More and more the sea is encroaching on her life, overtaking all she loves, and if she is not careful she will lose all she loves to the sea.

Jonah's passion is for the past, it lies in the rocks and fossils of the sea that crowd his thoughts and litter his home. But now the sea has offered up a new passion to Jonah, one that he cannot escape from, hard as he might try. For the song of the sea has captured his heart blinding him to all things but her song, and with this song in his heart he is in danger of losing himself to the sea he loves.

Something Rich And Strange has emerged from the sea, bewitching, enthralling, demanding to be heard. But the sea sings not just for love but for salvation for the seas are dying, pollution clogging its heart and killing its soul. A story of love and enchantment, this second book in the Fairyland series is passionately written by an expert storyteller bringing to life the dreamy images of a much loved illustrator.

Patricia A. McKillip Webpage

Brian Froud - World Of Froud

On sale: 01 October 1994
ISBN: 9780553096743
Recommended age: 16+
In a word: Siren
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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Romeo And Juliet

Romeo And Juliet by Charles and Mary Lamb

illustrated by Brian Froud
      

"That She Must Love Her Enemy"
    

Once in Verona there lived two families who held a great quarrel between them, these were the families Capulet and Montague. Nothing could persuade these families from their hate for each other, a hate they passed on to their children. But as it happened, however, Romeo of the family Montague one night gazed upon the image of Juliet, a Capulet, and the two were at once in love. But with their family's hate against them, this was a love that was fated to end in heartbreak.

Romeo And Juliet, the famous romantic tragedy by William Shakespearean has been here transformed into a story that embodies the essence of this play in both word and spirit. These feuding families are again the cause of so much loss and sorrow, as their children pay the price for the parents' animosity. A story that blends soft romantic imagery with poetic words of an immortal, bringing new life a timeless tale of love and woe.

(illustrator) Brian Froud - World Of Froud

On sale: 1971
SBN: 851661521
Recommended age: 12+
In a word:
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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Tarot

Tarot by Mystic Meg
cards illustrated by Caroline Smith
    

"Prediction Made Easy By The World's Best-Known Fortune Teller"

In the history of just about every culture around the world there have been those who have looked to signs and interpreted their meanings to show them the way. From shooting stars, chicken bones, ogham staves and tarot cards, there has always been those who can see what destiny lies ahead. In times past people would visit oracles, seers, shamans and wise women to consult and advise on matters great and small. Modern times have now allowed that we see for ourselves, read our own destinies and follow our own paths and tarot cards such as these have made that possible.

Tarot is the first tarot/oracle card set I ever owned and is still one I come back to. In this set the traditional names of some of these tarot cards have been updated and changed, for example the names for each suit of the Minor Arcana, Pentacles, Swords, Cups and Staves have been replaced instead with the elements of Earth, Air Water and Fire. There are also a number of other name changes including the Fool card which is here called Beginning and the Death which is now called Changing. All these changes help to bring a deeper clarity to each card, revealing its true meaning and purpose.

(includes 78 Cards + 128p Booklet)
On sale: 24 October 1997
ISBN: 9781858683317
Recommended age: 14+
In a word: Tarot
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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