Review: One Kick

Summary: From the author of the critically acclaimed NewYorkTimes bestselling Archie Sheridan/Gretchen Lowell thrillers: The first in a nail-biting new series featuring Kick Lannigan, a young woman whose complicated past has given her a very special skill set.

Famously kidnapped at age six, Kick captured America’s hearts when she was rescued five years later. Now, twenty-one, she finds herself unexpectedly entangled in a missing child case that will put her talents to the test.

Trained as a marksman, lock picker, escape artist and bomb maker by her abductor, Kick could not return to the life of the average young girl after her release. So, in lieu of therapy, she mastered martial arts, boxing, and knife throwing; learned how to escape from the trunk of a car, jimmy a pair of handcuffs, and walk without making a sound—all before she was thirteen.

Kick has trained herself to be safe. But then two children go missing in three weeks, and an enigmatic and wealthy former weapons dealer approaches her with a proposition. John Bishop uses his fortune and contacts to track down missing children. Not only is he convinced Kick can help recover the two children—he won’t take no for an answer.

With lives hanging in the balance, Kick is set to be the crusader she has always imagined herself. Little does she know that the answers she and Bishop seek are hidden in one of the few places she doesn’t want to navigate—the dark corners of her own mind.

A heart-stopping, entertaining thrill ride, OneKick announces the arrival of a blistering new series by a stunning talent in the thriller realm. -- Simon and Schuster

Chelsea Cain has written some fantastic thrillers in the past, but sadly, I haven't read one of her novels for some time. I hate when I get behind in series, and while I've a little more flexible with having to read every book... in order, I admit that I stopped reading Ms. Cain's books because I missed too many. However, her latest novel ONE KICK is the first in a new series, and I thought now is the perfect time to start reading her again!

ONE KICK tells the story of Kick Lannigan, a young woman who had a very troubled childhood. She was kidnapped at six years old by a child pornography ring and help captive for the next five years. She was eventually rescued by the FBI, but her life was never the same.

Her abductor taught her many skills like shooting, bomb making, and lock picking; and after her escape, she continue to hone self defense skills like martial arts, boxing, knife throwing, anymore. Kick was determined to never be a victim again! When two children go missing in a short period of time, Kick is approached by a former weapons dealer named John Bishop. Bishop is a wealthy man with a mysterious past who uses his money and contacts to track down missing kids, and he wants Kick's help in finding them. Kick is reluctant at first, but she begins to trust Bishop, and together they work to find the abductors.

Kick's search takes her back to a very difficult time in her life. She is forced to visit places she was once held captive and meet again with her abductor. In addition, her life is at risk as she gets to close to uncovering the truth behind this powerful childhood pornography ring.

ONE KICK is a terrific "kick-off" to a new series (I know! I couldn't resist the pun!) I absolutely loved this book! Not only was it a suspenseful mystery, but it was also action-packed. I also really enjoyed that the characters were so interesting, especially Kick and Bishop; and I loved the dynamics between the two. And the ending.... well, let's just say it left me scratching my head... in a good way. This book was really well-written and I honestly can't think of anything about it that I didn't enjoy.

I think it's very important for the main character in a crime series to be intriguing and Kick definitely fit the bill. She was tough as nails and certainly trained for a life in crime-fighting; however, she was also extremely complex because of her childhood. She was basically used by a child pornography ring, and her images are still the top-viewed ones on the Internet. She can never really escape from the past. In addition, Kick has a difficult relationship with her mother who trashed in on her fame, as well as a very complicated relationship with her abductor who is dying from kidney failure.

I also really appreciated the character of Bishop. He was handsome and smart, but he also had a very mysterious past. I loved how this character was never quite what he seemed, and like Kick, I wasn't sure what to make of him. I have a feeling that Bishop will be back in future installments of this series, and I have to admit his character is definitely one of the reasons that I'm anxiously awaiting the next book.

The mystery aspect of ONE KICK was outstanding. I loved the many twists and turns, and the scenes were action-packed and suspenseful. I probably shouldn't admit this, but I often times don't love action scenes and get bored with them. However, in the case of ONE KICK, I thought the writing was  stellar and I appreciated her descriptions. I've alluded to the fact that the ending was a good one, and I'm still reeling from it!

All in all, ONE KICK is a must-read for fans of thrillers and suspense books. Ms. Cain definitely has mad writing skills! Highly recommended!

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this novel.

Mystery Mondays is a regular feature where I review all types of mystery books -- traditional mysteries, suspense/thrillers, and even cozies! Please feel free to share your thoughts on any recent mystery books that you've read. Mystery Mondays is a regular feature where I review all types of mystery books -- traditional mysteries, suspense/thrillers, and even cozies! Please feel free to share your thoughts on any recent mystery books that you've read.

Kid Konnection: Snowman's Story & Giveaway

Every Saturday, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books. This week, I'm going to share with you a delightful picture book that's perfect for the upcoming holiday season!

Summary: One wintry day, a hat lands on the head of a newly made snowman and brings him to life. Hiding inside the hat is a rabbit, who listens to the snowman read a story to some animal friends. When the snowman falls asleep, the rabbit hops away with the book. But the snowman isn't about to let his story—or the mischievous rabbit—get away. The chase is on! Filled with charm and fun, this wordless picture book from a beloved illustrator lets kids tell their own version of the story, even as they delight in the action-filled pages. -- Two Lions

SNOWMAN'S STORY by Will Hillenbrand is a beautiful picture book that's guaranteed to capture the hearts of young and old readers alike! SNOWMAN'S STORY is a picture book in the truest sense of the word -- there are literally pictures only, no words. And those pictures are gorgeous!

SNOWMAN'S STORY tells (or should I say shows?) the story of a snowman who comes to life after a hat lands on his head. The snowman reads a bedtime story to his animal friends and then falls asleep. A rabbit who was hiding in his hat sneaks out, grabs the book, and hops away. The snowman awakens and sets out after the rabbit. He chases the rabbit through the winter wonderland and eventually discovers a surprise!

SNOWMAN'S STORY is just adorable and I couldn't help but fall for the snowman and his forest friends. The pictures are not only beautiful, but they also convey the entire story. There is no doubt that kids will want to describe the pages and tell their own version of the book. I have a feeling that children will love the chase scenes but also appreciate the sweet ending!

There is a free downloadable game -- Help Snowman Find His Story -- which is a great complement to the book. Just check out this book trailer. You will quickly see how wonderful these illustrations are.

Follow all the stops on the SNOWMAN’S STORY blog tour!

Mon, Nov 3	As They Grow Up	http://www.astheygrowup.com/
Tues, Nov 4	Cracking the Cover	http://www.crackingthecover.com/
Wed, Nov 5	Geo Librarian	http://geolibrarian.blogspot.com/
Thurs, Nov 6	5 Minutes for Books	http://www.5minutesformom.com/category/feature-columns/5-minutes-for-books/
Fri, Nov 7	Momma Drama	http://blogginmommadrama.blogspot.com/
Sat, Nov 8	Booking Mama	http://www.bookingmama.net/
Mon, Nov 10	Just a Little Creativity	http://www.justalittlecreativity.com/
Tues, Nov 11	Kid Lit Frenzy	http://www.kidlitfrenzy.com/
Wed, Nov 12	Children's Book Review	http://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/
Thurs, Nov 13	Displaced Yinzer	http://www.displacedyinzer.com/
Fri, Nov 14	Once Upon a Story	http://mariaburel.com/
	Unleashing Readers	http://www.unleashingreaders.com/

Thanks to Blue Slip Media for providing a review copy of this book.

Giveaway alert: I have a copy of SNOWMAN'S STORY to share with one lucky reader. To enter, just fill out the form below before November 21st at 11:59 p.m. EST. I will randomly select and notify the winner the following the following day. This contest is open to those of you with U.S. addresses only. Good luck!



If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!

Review: You (Audio)

Summary: How far would you go for the perfect love?A young man’s dark obsession with an enigmatic, gorgeous writer leads to murderous consequences in this erotic psychological thriller. 

You walk into the bookstore and you keep your hand on the door to make sure it doesn’t slam. You smile, embarrassed to be a nice girl, and your nails are bare and your V-neck sweater is beige and it’s impossible to know if you’re wearing a bra but I don’t think that you are. You’re so clean that you’re dirty and you murmur your first word to me—hello. 

When aspiring writer and recent Brown graduate Guinevere Beck strides into the bookstore where Joe works, he’s instantly smitten. Beck is everything Joe has ever wanted: she’s gorgeous, tough, razor-smart, and sexy beyond his wildest dreams. Joe needs to have her, and he’ll stop at nothing to do so. 

As he begins to insinuate himself into her life—her friendships, her email, her phone— she can’t resist her feelings for a guy who seems custom-made for her. So when her boyfriend, Benji, mysteriously disappears, Beck and Joe fall into a tumultuous affair. But there’s more to Beck than her oh-so-perfect façade, and their mutual obsession quickly spirals into a whirlwind of deadly consequences… 

Dark, masterful, and timely, debut novelist Caroline Kepnes’s You is a perversely romantic thriller that’s more dangerously clever than any you’ve heard before. A chilling account of unrelenting passion, this tale of love, sex, and death will stay with you long after the story ends... -- Simon and Schuster Audio

I started to see a little buzz for YOU by Caroline Kepnes a few months ago, and quite honestly, I wasn't sure it was a book that I'd enjoy. I like suspense novels and thrillers, but this book sounded more like a horror story to me. YOU basically tells the story of a stalker who will do anything to get the woman of his dreams. I don't know what this says about me, but I couldn't stop listening to this book.

YOU was probably the most disturbing book I've ever read, and yet, I totally enjoyed it -- if that's the right word. Joe is a bookstore manager who falls head over heels with aspiring writer Guinevere Beck after she visits the store one day. He is determined (and I really need a stronger word here) to "get" Beck, so he starts finding ways to insinuate himself into Beck's life like stealing her phone, hacking into her Twitter and email accounts, and more. It's not exactly an easy path because Beck has friends and a boyfriend who are in the way; however, Joe does what it takes to eliminate all of those problems... if you get my drift!

Despite many setbacks, Joe and Beck eventually start a relationship (of sorts), and you might think that Joe became more comfortable with the idea of Beck; however, that wasn't the case. If anything, he became even more obsessed with her. When Joe finds out that Beck isn't exactly the woman he thought she was, things take an even more drastic turn.

As I look back on this description, it doesn't really say much or even convey the intensity of YOU. I probably should have done a better job, but I didn't want to give away too much about this book. Suffice it to say, it's not for the faint of heart or those who are easily offended. And I had, without a doubt, one of the most uncomfortable reading experiences ever! This book is like nothing I've ever read, and yet, I was as obsessed with this book as Joe was with Beck!

I'm not exactly sure why YOU worked so well for me, but there were a few things that really stood out to me. I rarely say this, but I think my reading experience benefitted from listening to this book. Since the entire book was in Joe's first person voice, it just seemed like I was living inside his head. Hearing his insane thoughts was so real to me, and I'm not entirely sure I would have had the same effect from reading the book.

YOU was read by Santino Fontana and he did an outstanding job. His voice was haunting, but he also had perfect timing with Joe's sarcastic tone. I can't imagine a better narrator for this book. Here's an interesting tidbit that I found when researching Mr. Fontana. He was actually Hans in the Disney movie Frozen. It's a little hard for me to comprehend Joe singing "Love is an Open Door!," but it's true!

I have to give huge credit to Ms. Kepnes for writing YOU. In many ways, I have to wonder about her sanity to write such a twisted novel (just kidding!). It's apparent that she some major skills in bringing characters to life, but she also has enough of an edge to get inside the mind of a psycho!

I don't think YOU is the right book for everyone, but if you aren't easily offended and like to be scared then I highly recommend this book!

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this audio book.

Guest Review: Wayfaring Stranger

Summary: In his most ambitious work yet, New York Times bestseller James Lee Burke tells a classic American story through one man's unforgettable life—connecting a fateful encounter with Bonnie and Clyde to heroic acts at the Battle of the Bulge and finally to the high-stakes gambles and cutthroat players who ushered in the dawn of the American oil industry.

In 1934, sixteen-year-old Weldon Avery Holland happens upon infamous criminals Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow after one of their notorious armed robberies. A confrontation with the outlaws ends with Weldon firing a gun and being unsure whether it hit its mark.

Ten years later, Second Lieutenant Weldon Holland barely survives the Battle of the Bulge, in the process saving the lives of his sergeant, Hershel Pine, and a young Spanish prisoner of war, Rosita Lowenstein—a woman who holds the same romantic power over him as the strawberry blonde Bonnie Parker, and is equally mysterious. The three return to Texas where Weldon and Hershel get in on the ground floor of the nascent oil business.

In just a few years’ time Weldon will spar with the jackals of the industry, rub shoulders with dangerous men, and win and lose fortunes twice over. But it is the prospect of losing his one true love that will spur his most reckless, courageous act yet—one that takes its inspiration from that encounter long ago with the outlaws of his youth.

A tender love story and pulse-pounding thriller that crosses continents and decades of American history, Wayfaring Stranger“is a sprawling historical epic full of courage and loyalty and optimism and good-heartedness that reads like an ode to the American Dream” (Benjamin Percy, Poets & Writers). -- Simon & Schuster

When my dad was reading WAYFARING STRANGER by James Lee Burke, I wasn't entirely sure he liked it. However, I noticed that he kept telling me about this book. I think once he got past his initial skepticism about the novel (maybe it was the love story angle?), he ended up appreciating it. Here are this thoughts:

Author James Lee Burke begins WAYFARING STRANGER in the 1930s when 16 year old Weldon Holland and his grandfather, a legendary lawman, encounter Bonnie and Clyde hiding on their property. Even though he was smitten with Bonnie Parker, Weldon finds a reason to fire a shot into the back window of their stolen car as they drive off. This encounter has a lasting impression on Weldon’s life.

The novel quickly moves to 1944 where Weldon, serving as an infantry lieutenant survives the Battle of the Bulge with Sergeant Hershel Pine and rescues Rosita Lowenstein from near death in an abandoned Nazi concentration camp. They fall in love and get married.

After the war, Weldon and Rosita join Hershel and his wife, Linda Gail, in a business welding pipe in the booming Texas oil industry. Up to this point, the novel is a little sappy for my taste but because of Burke’s wonderful writing style I was drawn in to continue. I wasn’t disappointed. The characters are now beset with problems that include dangerous business rivals, the lure of Hollywood and anti-communist pursuers. Characters such as Roy Wiseheart, the son of an evil oil baron, his wife, Clara, a wealthy snob and anti-Semitic, unsavory insurance man, Lloyd Fincher and brutal police detective Hubert Timmons, make life miserable for Weldon and Rosita. They are exposed to blackmail, beatings, arrest and betrayal. Weldon’s Texas spirit, the love for his wife and an unusual tie to Bonnie and Clyde work together against the evils that have entered their lives.

WAYFARING STRANGER can be loosely classified as a thriller but it is much more. It’s a love story. It’s a story of good versus evil and of loyalty and integrity versus wrongdoing. It’s also a journey through several historic events including the Bonnie and Clyde era, the Holocaust, World War II, 1950s Hollywood and the mid-20th century Texas oil boom. Somehow Burke was able to meld all these disconnected themes into a terrific cohesive novel. The authors character development and scene descriptions are the strengths of the novel along with a wonderful writing style that brings alive both the characters and the historic scenes. His use of Weldon as the narrator of the story also has a nice effect.

Although not the type of book I would typically read, I thoroughly enjoyed WAYFARING STRANGER.

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this novel and to Booking Pap Pap for his review.

Giveaway: Genesis Code

Summary: Blue Magic, the latest designer drug linked to a rash of overdoses, might explain the needle mark on the arm of a young woman found dead in her Kansas City apartment. But when Star reporter Rich Azadian digs deeper, the clues point to a far more explosive story: MaryLee Stock was a special protégée of evangelical megapastor and power broker Cobalt Becker, who is poised to deliver his followers and the presidency to a firebrand right-wing senator in the next election. When Azadian sets out to prove that MaryLee’s death was no accident and she may have been carrying Becker’s genetically enhanced baby, the stakes become life itself. 

In 2023 America—bankrupt, violently divided by the culture wars, and beholden to archrival China—the rules of the game are complicated. With the danger mounting, the dead bodies of young women piling up, Chinese agents circling, and the US Department of National Competitiveness moving in to quash his investigation, Azadian’s only option is to go rogue, assemble a team of brilliant misfits like himself, and begin the fight of his life to find out who is killing these women and why, and if any others like them may still be alive. -- Arcade/Skyhorse Publishing

GENESIS CODE: A THRILLER OF THE NEAR FUTURE by Jamie Metzl sounds like a very unique (and scary!) thriller. Fast forward to 2023 when America is indebted to China (which is not entirely out of the realm of possibility) and they learn that China has a secret genetic enhancement program. The Americans believe they have to stay competitive with the Chinese; however, the US has restrictions on the rules. As a result, someone in power devises a secret plan to impregnate women with genetically enhanced embryos... without their knowledge.

While you might be thinking that this book sounds a little far-fetched, there is evidence out there that China might actually have a program similar to the one described in GENESIS CODE. Last year, Wired ran an article on a young entrepreneur in China moving ahead on this type research. This definitely opens the door the some of the questions raised in this novel.

I have a copy of GENESIS CODE to share with one lucky reader. To enter, just fill out the form below before November 17th at 11:59 p.m. EST. I will randomly select and notify the winner the following day. This contest is open to those of you with U.S. addresses only. Good luck!


******

Originally from Kansas City, MO, Jamie Metzl is a Partner in a global investment firm and a Senior Fellow of the Asia Society. He previously served as Executive Vice President of the Asia Society, Deputy Staff Director of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senior Coordinator for International Public Information at the U.S. State Department, Director for Multilateral Affairs on the National Security Council, and with the United Nations in Cambodia. He appears regularly on national and international media discussing Asian economic and political issues and his syndicated columns and other writing on Asian affairs, genetics, virtual reality, and other topics is featured in publications around the world. He is the author of a history of the Cambodian genocide and the novel The Depths of the Sea (both published by St. Martin's Press). Jamie is a founder and Co-Chairman of Partnership for a Secure America, a board member of the International Center for Transitional Justice and the Jewish refugee agency HIAS, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and a former White House Fellow and Aspen Institute Crown Fellow. An avid ultramarathoner and Ironman triathlete, he holds a Ph.D. in Asian history from Oxford, a JD from Harvard Law School, and is a magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Brown University. He lives in New York City.

Review: Color Blind

Summary: There is something unusual about Dr. Jenna Ramey’s brain, a rare perceptual quirk that punctuates her experiences with flashes of color. They are hard to explain: red can mean anger, or love, or strength. But she can use these spontaneous mental associations, understand and interpret them enough to help her read people and situations in ways others cannot. As an FBI forensic psychiatrist, she used it to profile and catch criminals. Years ago, she used it to save her own family from her charming, sociopathic mother.

Now, the FBI has detained a mass murderer and called for Jenna’s help. Upon interrogation she learns that, behind bars or not, he holds the power to harm more innocents—and is obsessed with gaining power over Jenna herself. He has a partner still on the loose. And Jenna’s unique mind, with its strange and subtle perceptions, may be all that can prevent a terrifying reality… -- Berkley

I'm always on the lookout for something new for my Mystery Mondays feature, so when I heard about the novel COLOR BLIND by Colby Marshall, I thought it would be perfect. This book has a unique aspect that I don't see in mysteries -- the main character, Dr. Jenna Ramey has a rare condition called synesthesia. Synesthesia is aneurological condition characterized by automatic, involuntary sensory perceptions triggered by seemingly unrelated stimuli.

You might be thinking that COLOR BLIND has a little bit of a supernatural element to it, but that's not the case. Synesthesia is a very real condition, and in the case of Jenna, she was able to see flashes of color that helped explain people's behaviors, motivations, and emotions. This gift has helped her to be a better forensic psychiatrist and an FBI profiler, and it even allowed her to save her father and brother from her sociopathic mother.

Jenna no longer works for the FBI, but because she has such special skills, the FBI has asked her to join them on a mass murder case involving multiple shooters. The most recent shooting incident occurred at a theme park which has more than a few similarities to Magic Kingdom. The shooter in custody has requested to see Jenna, and she quickly learns that he wants to play games with her. Despite being behind bars, he wants to have more power than Jenna and he proves this by controlling his "partner" on the outside.

Jenna is torn between trying to figure out this killer's next move and finding his partner who is still at large. Things become even more complicated for Jenna when the killer reveals that he has been in contact with her mother who is housed in a psychiatric hospital instead of prison. Jenna is torn between trying to prevent another mass shooting (or worse) while also trying to protect her family from her evil mother.

COLOR BLIND is an action-packed thriller that I found very entertaining. I enjoyed the complexities of the story and the many twists and turns towards the end of the novel. In addition, I found the characters to be interesting, especially Jenna; and I look forward to reading more novels starring Jenna in the future.

It probably goes without saying that I found Jenna and her synesthesia to be fascinating. It's almost impossible for me to grasp that a condition like this actually exists, and there were times when I wasn't sure I fully understood how Jenna saw these colors. I don't doubt that the descriptions of synesthesia were accurate, though, because the author actually lives with this condition. Isn't that amazing?

I appreciated how the author used Jenna's special abilities to help her get a grip on criminals... and her mother; and I think she's an interesting addition to crime-fighting characters. I enjoyed Jenna's intelligence and her ability to balance her intuitions with her sensibilities. Furthermore, I liked that the author incorporated Jenna's personal life into the story. I found her history with her ex to be interesting, and her issues with her mother were downright fascinating!

As far as mysteries go, this one kept me guessing. I was proud of myself for figuring out some of the aspects of the story, but the author kept things complicated enough that I never knew for sure. And even though I was able to guess a small part of this story, I still didn't truly understand the where's or why's! As the pieces came together towards the action-packed ending, I ended up being surprised by quite a few events. Overall, I was impressed with Ms. Marshall's storytelling abilities and the pacing of the novel.

In summary, I enjoyed COLOR BLIND and especially the character of Jenna; and I am looking forward to more Dr. Jenna Ramey novels in the future.

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this novel.

Mystery Mondays is a regular feature where I review all types of mystery books -- traditional mysteries, suspense/thrillers, and even cozies! Please feel free to share your thoughts on any recent mystery books that you've read. Mystery Mondays is a regular feature where I review all types of mystery books -- traditional mysteries, suspense/thrillers, and even cozies! Please feel free to share your thoughts on any recent mystery books that you've read.

Kid Konnection: One Big Pair of Underwear Blog Tour

Every Saturday, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books. This week, I'm going to share with you guest post from the author of ONE BIG PAIR OF UNDERWEAR.

Summary: Count and share with…underwear! Come along on a zany adventure with hilarious pictures from the New York Times bestselling illustrator of Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site.

What’s one thing that two bears, three yaks, four goats, and six cats have in common?

They hate to share.

But look out—here comes a pack of twenty pigs ready to prove that sharing makes everything twice as fun!

This seriously silly picture book with artwork by the New York Times bestselling illustrator of Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site irresistibly combines the concepts of counting and sharing. -Beach Lane Books

I am so excited to welcome author Laura Gehl to my blog today. She has written a picture book called ONE BIG PAIR OF UNDERWEAR that looks perfect for little ones! The book has gorgeous illustrations by Tom Lichtenheld, bestselling illustrator of GOODNIGHT, GOODNIGHT, CONSTRUCTION SITE; and it doesn't have "too many words." You'll see what I mean after you read Ms. Gehl's guest post!

Thank you so much to Julie for hosting me on this stop of my ONE BIG PAIR OF UNDERWEAR blog tour!  

Have you ever hidden a book from your child?  Well, I haven’t.  I would never do such a terrible thing!  Just kidding.  I do it all the time.  Sometimes, I hide books because the books themselves are...let’s just say…sub-par.  Such as books written around a TV character.  My 4-year-old daughter finds Dora books at the library, and she knows how to check them out herself with the scanner.  So we bring home the Dora books (or Thomas the Train books), we read each book once, and then I hide them.  Or sometimes I hide a really good book because we have read it one hundred times in the last week and I am craving some variety.  But the most common reason I need to hide a book is because it has TOO MANY WORDS.  I am happy to read these books during the day.  But at bedtime, the fewer words, the better!  It is true that this rule leaves out many wonderful books, including most Dr. Seuss and my beloved A BIRTHDAY FOR FRANCES.  But I am exhausted and frazzled by the end of the day, and a short book is a welcome book. 
  
Since I know other parents are similarly worn out by bedtime, I thought I would talk about some of the favorite books at our house with very few words.  Keep in mind, this list does not include any books with NO words.  I find that books with no words actually take a very long time to read, because I end up talking about each picture with my daughter. 

Of course, board books almost always have few words.  Some of the best in my opinion are GOODNIGHT GORILLA by Peggy Rathmann, MOUSE PAINT and MOUSE COUNT by Ellen Stoll Walsh, DEAR ZOO by Rod Campbell and HUG by Jez Alborough.

But when you want an actual picture book without many words, here are a few to try:

1. CHU'S DAY by Neil Gaiman.  A little panda bear causes havoc with his enormous sneezes.  Prepare for a lot of fake sneezing from your children.  
2. DINOSAUR KISSES by David Ezra Stein.  A baby dinosaur wants to learn how to kiss.  As with Chu, disaster results.  This book contains chomping, stomping, and whomping….My 4-year-old and 6-year-old both collapse in giggles at the final “Whomp.”
3. THE PERFECT NEST by Catherine Friend.  One of our favorite books to give new parents, The Perfect Nest features a hapless cat whose delicious omelet hatches before he has a chance to eat it.
4. KNUFFLE BUNNY by Mo Willems.  Trixie’s dad loses her precious Knuffle Bunny at the Laundromat.  This book has been turned into a musical and an animated short movie…a theme park may be next on the agenda.    
5. RHYMING DUST BUNNIES by Jan Thomas.  For some reason, Bob can’t manage to fit in with the other dust bunnies, who joyfully rhyme all day long.  But maybe the other dust bunnies should be paying a bit more attention to Bob….

Note: I could have picked any book by Mo Willems or Jan Thomas to include on my list.  All of their books are short, funny, and fabulous.

May your bedtime reading be enjoyable…and brief.  And while we’re talking about briefs, ONE BIG PAIR OF UNDERWEAR by Laura Gehl doesn’t have too many words and makes a fun, fast bedtime read.  Or so I’ve been told.      
*****

Laura Gehl is the author of ONE BIG PAIR OF UNDERWEAR, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld, which was released in September 2014, as well as several other picture books to be released in 2015 and 2016.  Laura lives with her husband and their four book-loving kids in Chevy Chase, MD.  You can read more about Laura and her books at www.lauragehl.com and www.facebook.com/AuthorLauraGehl.

If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!