KJK Reads

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Memoir, Non-Fiction, Abuse, Trauma Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I appreciated the presence of sensitive content warning at the beginning of the book to help warn potential readers what they may be getting themselves into and forewarns those who could be triggered by reading it. The foreword from a therapist about dealing with ritual abuse and molestation was great, even more so from someone who knows Tammy and her journey through healing. I appreciated the into the light sections to help break up a difficult story with quotes and thought that the quotes Tammy feels are significant pulled was a great idea as it shows us the parts of her story she wants to emphasise. I liked endnotes, especially for the bible verses/pieces as I didn't recognise them from the text and the helplines are great after such a heavy book that may impact on its readers in ways they may not have predicted.  Providing th...

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Fiction, Fairy Tale, Disney, Young Adult, Retellings Thoughts: This is another interesting villain's tale. I personally didn’t know too much about Greek mythology but this has me intrigued, I also think it was a good idea of Valentino’s to lean into the Hercules film for a villain this time as Greek mythology is currently popular and may help bring new readers to her series. I also like  how it threaded different tales together and wrapped up some loose ends from earlier books.  Favourite Quote: "He suddenly realised how mortals could fall in love with their favourite characters in the books they read, how they felt they knew them, and how they came alive in their imaginations."

Rating:  4 Stars Themes: Non-Fiction, Children's Non-Fiction, Parenting and Families Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is such a good little book for kids exploring their feelings and learning how to manage them.  I liked the cute names for the brain's messengers and child friendly explanations for them and the  happy hormones. The activities such as letter to Lim and the emotional regulation exercises like the body scan and family joy jar are great for helping kids feel in control and manage their own emotions. Favourite Quote: "Feelings can seem magical, can’t they?"

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Poetry Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is an interesting collection of mainly short poems. They delve into emotions and the complexities of human relationships well, especially Empty Pages, The Stranger, and Destined Bond. I also thought the initial dedication was touching. Favourite Quote: "In the end, we are, but only, a prisoner of our own misery."

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Non-Fiction, Kids Non-Fiction Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is such a great book for teaching bodily autonomy to kids. It would have been great to have this as a kid, being a girl in one of the generations raised to put others needs first. It was great to see how to handle disappointment and rejection and different forms of no or nonconsent. The section explaining the difference between private information, surprises and secrets and when secrets should be told to a trusted adult to help protect against grooming, and also explaining in a child friendly way what exactly grooming is for them to be more aware themselves. I personally loved the bit about disabled people and consent regarding their medical aids since as a disabled person myself this is something I’ve seen adults struggle with. The illustrations are also great and diverse which can help different kids feel identified with and pay mo...

Rating: 5 Stars Themes: Non-Fiction, Education, Psychology, Trauma  Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I picked it up as someone who spent time studying trauma as part of my degree to further deepen my knowledge base (to hopefully use it  going into postgrad) and this book was great.  It incorporates many of the bits I already learned and more with ways to apply it to education and references provided and collated well at the end.

Rating: 5 Stars Themes: Non-Fiction, Memoir, War Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is a really great book. Larissa writes in such a brutally honest way that makes  us face the reality that she is facing living in an active war zone that many here in the West have become to be war weary of and have lost compassion and empathy that is deserved (I’ve actually seen people complaining that money is being send over to Ukraine). The illustrations are sparse and simplistic in a way that shows beauty but bare back enough that it's not overly detailed to distract from the importance of the books messages. I hope more people read this and gain a better understanding to speak from a more educated and humanitarian point of view. Favourite Quote: "But Ukrainians have been damaged for generations. You will not find a family without personal stories of violent arrest, deportation, unnatural death, or forced resettlement. Peopl...