Mandy's Escape: Review for "Queen Vernita Meets Sir Heathybean The Astronomer" by Dawn Menge and Heath Rhoades

Favourite "Jamieisms" From Outlander

I mean to make you sigh as though your heart would break, and scream with the wanting, and at last cry out in my arms, and I shall know that I've served ye well.
And when my body shall cease, my soul will still be yours. Claire, I swear by my hope of heaven, I will not be parted from you.
I wept bitterly, surrendering momentarily to my fear and heartbroken confusion, but slowly I began to quiet a bit, as Jaimie stroked my neck and back, offering me the comfort of his broad, warm chest. My sobs lessened and I began to calm myself, leaning tiredly into the curve of his shoulder. No wonder he was so good with horses, I thought blearily, feeling his fingers rubbing gently behind my ears, listening to the soothing, incomprehensible speech. If I were a horse, I'd let him ride me anywhere.
"You are my courage, as I am your conscience," he whispered. "You are my heart - and I your compassion. We are neither of us whole, alone."
"Seems I canna possess your soul without losing my own."
"D' ye think I don't know?" he asked softly. "It's me that has the easy part now. For if ye feel for me as I do for you - then I'm asking you to tear your heart out and live without it."
"I do not know if the wound is mortal, but Claire - I do feel my heart's blood leave me when I look at you."

Monday, October 11, 2010

Review for "Queen Vernita Meets Sir Heathybean The Astronomer" by Dawn Menge and Heath Rhoades

Genre: Juvenile Fiction

Publisher: Outskirts Press

Published: July 27, 2010

ISBN: 978-1432731205

Queen Vernita has invited Sir HeathyBean the Astronomer and Cora the Teacher to her castle to continue their educational adventures. The two have arrived to teach visitors about the planets, the sun, moon and asteroids in our solar system. Each month of the year is spent with one visitor, with the focus on a specific planet.

Queen Vernita Meets Sir HeathyBean the Astronomer is a wonderful work of fiction where readers are actually learning facts while enjoying a story. The pattern and repetition within the layout of each page allows children to read with ease and more confidence. Knowing what to expect when reading allows young readers to read with more fluency and better comprehension. The illustrations are large and vividly colourful, capturing the readers' eye. Children who love astronomy and teachers looking for an easy read to aid in researching the planets will need to add this book to their collection.