Room For All

Today (February 10th) is National Umbrella Day.  It doesn't having to be raining to enjoy National Umbrella Day.  But whatever you do to celebrate, do not open one indoors.  Do I actually believe in the superstition, or that it will make the spirits or the sun god Ra angry?  I'm not going to admit that I do.  But why take the risk.

The Big Umbrella by Amy June Bates

Find out how many people can fit under one happy red umbrella.

I like the illustrations.  I like the collection of different people and other beings that come to find shelter.  I thought it was nice how the background is faded by rain so the people stand out.  It doesn't have many words, a short sentence for every page or two.  It is simple and cute.  My only misgiving about it is that it is not really a story.  It is a concept.  It is the idea that everyone should be included and allowed to join.  It is an idea that should be expressed and talked about and this could start a conversation.  But I, for one, wish there was more story to it. 

You Look Good in Stripes

Today (January 31st 2026) is International Zebra Day! How do you celebrate International Zebra Day?  You can dress like a zebra, go visit one at the zoo, donate to a wildlife preservation charity, or you can keep it simple, like me, and read a book with zebras in it.

Julius Zebra: Rumble with the Romans! By Gary Northfield

Julius Zebra hates the waterhole.  So he is not that upset about being taken to the Roman circus.  Until he realizes that it is not all juggling monkeys and he is going to be a gladiator fighting for his freedom.

Julius Zebra and his friends are a lot of fun.  I like the mix of paragraphs of text and pictures that help tell the story.  There is a lot of action and it moves at a good pace to keep readers young and old interested.  It is silly and goofy but that is the charm of it.  You also get some facts about the Roman circus and gladiators mixed into the story.  The characters are all distinct and it is an interesting mix of personalities.  I think readers will want to read more about Julius and his friends.

Julius Zebra: Battle with the Brittons! by Gary Northfield

Julius is now beloved people's champion.  When he hears he is being sent to Britannia he thinks it sounds like a nice vacation.  But when he gets there he finds he is again fighting for his freedom.

This book picks up right where the last one left off.  You could read this one on it's own but I think the context from the first one will make this one more fun.  This is very much like the first one, silly and goofy with ridiculous misunderstandings that lead to action and laughs.  All your favorite (and least favorite) characters are back in a new wacky adventure.  Again, there are some facts thrown in and an explanation of how Roman numeral work.  It continues the story without losing any of the energy or fun from the first one.  It makes you wan to read the rest of Julius' adventures.  

New Year's in Budapest

 

Death on the Danube by Jennifer S. Alderson

Lana lost her job, got divorced, and is having trouble paying her rent.  Then she has a chance to lead a tour group in Budapest.  It should have been he answer to her problems but then her fellow tour guide winds up dead and her problems just seem to multiply.

I had some issues with this book in the beginning.  (It might just be me but it bothered me that someone was blowing butterfly kisses.)  There is a lot of explaining to get though.  There isn't even a dead body until you are half way though the book.  But this is the first book in the series and Alderson was setting up all her characters and the setting.  So I expect less of that in following books.  I liked the setting and how you heard about Budapest along with the mystery.  And as we went along I got more into the story.  It did what a mystery should do, make me wonder who did it.  It had a few bumps for me but there was enough interest here that I will read the next one in the series.  But there is no rush.