The creeps

I had no idea that Fran Krause’s Deep Dark Fears would have a follow up when I read it earlier this month, so I was beyond excited to find out about this newest collection. Here he brings readers more of the creepy, funny, and idiosyncratic fears they love illustrated in comic form–such as the fear that your pets will tell other animals all your embarrassing secrets, or that someone uses your house while you’re not home–as well as two longer comic short-stories about ghosts.

I definitely recommend reading The Creeps at nighttime, similar to how you would watch a scary movie in the dark, to get the most out of it. However, since I’m a scaredy cat I didn’t really let the fears mentioned in this collection sink in because I like my sleep and my sanity. But as expected even that didn’t really work in my favor because I ended up having trouble falling asleep thanks to those creepy “someone’s standing at the window” illustrations. (I sleep near a window.)

So when I woke up in the middle of the night and was too scared to even open my eyes… not going to lie, it made me a bit resentful towards the collection. But on the other hand, it’s a job well done from the author. And I’m grateful for those handful of comical moments included to lighten the mood a bit.

rad

This little journal is in the same style as the Rad Women books (Rad Women Worldwide, Rad Women A-Z) and is a great way to help young ladies connect their lives to the lives of these awesome role models. Colorful, illustrated pages draw you in and the questions scattered throughout help guide the journal writing to focus on personal growth. There is plenty of space to just right what you feel, but the questions are what really tie this to the Rad Women books. These questions help a young person realize that they can live extraordinary lives too, filled with accomplishments and fulfill their dreams. I think it is probably best aimed at middle-schoolers, old enough to really give some of these questions real thought and young enough to let these personal reflections shape their futures. I will be showing the journal to my high school students next week and see what their take on it is.

Tokyo

This is another classy coloring book for my collection. It is so nice that I had to break out my new set of Papermate Flairs with the new summer colors.It is filled with fashion, both new and Japanese traditional, plus Japanese landscapes and buildings. I colored three pages the day I received it. And when I was done coloring, there is an elastic strap that will keep my book closed. This means I can take it with me and not have to worry that the pages will get bent, twisted or torn. There are very few words in this coloring book. In fact, the only words are under Japanese ideograms, as translations of the symbols. All in all, a very satisfying coloring book.

Diary

The thin paper covered journal is a week planner than allows users to write not only their to-do list but there dreams and launchpad for ideas. The planner can be used whenever as the dates can be filled in by the user. Each month is denoted with a beautiful decorated quote. The beautiful decorated planner is illustrated by Brooklyn based self taught illustrator, Meera Lee Patel. A charming gift for any planner in your life or beautiful enough to keep for yourself.