Book Review: Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth

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Mad Mabel  by Sally Hepworth  is a domestic thriller about the youngest person convicted of murder in Australia, Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick. Now 81 years old, Elsie is living on Kenny Lane and has been for the past sixty years. When a mother named Roxanne moves into Mabel's neighborhood with her seven year old daughter, an unlikely friendship forms between Elsie and the seven year old child named Persephone. As Elsie's secrets come to light, her world comes crashing down.  Having read quite a few novels by Sally Hepworth, I requested an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Mad Mabel  without reading the synopsis of the story. I was thrilled when NetGalley and St. Martin's Press approved my request. The expected publication date of the book is April 21, 2026. Not knowing anything about the storyline before I started reading Mad Mabel  made the story much more interesting to me as I had no preconceived ideas. The tale was told from Mabel's perspective in alternating timeli...
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Book Review: Adam and His Tuba by Ziga X Gombac

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NetGalley ARC of Adam and His Tuba by Ziga X Gombac
Adam and His Tuba by Ziga X Gombac and illustrated by Maja Kastelic is a beautifully illustrated story that follows a young boy named Adam who travels from place to place with his lively circus family. While his relatives eagerly perform their acts and embrace life in the spotlight, Adam struggles to find his own place and doesn’t share their enthusiasm for performing. This children's picture book that has been translated by Olivia Hellewell with an expected publication date of February 28, 2023.

I would like to thank NetGalley and NorthSouth Books for providing me with an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review. The title immediately stood out to me, and the cover art was eye-catching and full of personality. As someone who is always searching for thoughtful and visually appealing children’s books to gift to friends and family with young children, I was excited for the opportunity to read this translated picture book. It seemed like it had the potential to be both adorable and meaningful, and I’m happy to say it lived up to those expectations.

One of the most outstanding features of this book is its incredible illustrations. The artwork is rich in detail, expressive, and full of emotion, perfectly capturing both the whimsical circus setting and Adam’s inner feelings. I found myself lingering on many of the pages just to take in the visuals, as they add so much depth to the storytelling. The illustrations truly elevate the reading experience and make this picture book especially engaging for younger audiences who may be drawn in by the visual storytelling.

I appreciated how the book gently reassures children that it’s okay to be different, even from their own family members. Adam’s journey of self-discovery sends a powerful and encouraging message about embracing who you are instead of trying to fit into someone else’s expectations. Even as an adult reader, this message resonated deeply with me, as it reminded me of moments in my own childhood when I felt different from those around me. Books like this can help children feel seen, understood, and more confident in themselves.

The only minor drawback I noticed was that a couple of the transitions between scenes felt slightly abrupt. While this didn’t take away from the overall charm or message of the story, smoother transitions would have made the narrative flow even better. 

Overall, I give Adam and His Tuba by Ziga X Gombac four out of five stars. This beautifully illustrated picture book would make a fantastic addition to any child’s home library, classroom, or gift collection. It is especially well suited for children ages three through six.

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