Showing posts with label Maxine Sylvester. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Maxine Sylvester. Show all posts

Saturday, 12 March 2022

Book Review: Ronaldo - Scandal at The Reindeer Flying Academy by Maxine Sylvester

 Book Review

 




Basic Details:

Book Title: Ronaldo: Scandal at The Reindeer Flying Academy

Subtitle: (Ronaldo's Flying Adventures #5)

Author: Maxine Sylvester

Genre: Children's

Part of a series? Yes

Order in series: 5

Best read after earlier books in series? Can be read as stand-alone

Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59778410-ronaldo

Overall score:

I scored this book 5/5

Short Summary of the book:

In this fifth book in the series, Ronaldo is infatuated with a new recruit at the academy. Dizzy has moved into the area with her father. But is everything as it seems? And can little white lies be harmful? Ronaldo gets embroiled in a mystery.

What I liked about the book:

This book was action-packed, full of twists and turns. The illustrations were again superb and the writing was excellent too. The mix with humour and life lessons makes this an excellent series for younger readers and those young of heart.

What I didn’t like about the book:

There was nothing I disliked about the book.

My favourite bits in the book:

I loved the entire book.

My least favourite bits in the book:

I enjoyed the entire book.

Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?

The author has written 4 other books in this series, illustrated by the author herself. I’m certain there is room for plenty more in the series.

What books could this be compared to and why?

This is a great children’s book that teaches morals, life lessons with humour and fabulous illustrations.

Recommendation:

In summary, I would recommend this book for the following readers:

 

Children

Yes

Young Adult

Yes (if they are brave enough to do so)

Adult

Yes (for those young at heart or reading to children)

 

If you like children’s books with a moral lesson and a heavy dose of humour, this book may be the book for you.

 

I look forward to reading more by this author.

Book Description by Author:

When his Wing Commander is fired, Ronaldo discovers foul play. Can he find proof and prevent a sinister reindeer from taking over the top spot?

 

Ronaldo is keen to impress the new cadet in class with his super-fast runway speed, but a tumble leaves him humiliated. When an officer questions him about the incident, he lies.

 

The lie has disastrous consequences for the officer and when she is relieved of her duties, Ronaldo feels responsible.

 

Heartbroken and wanting to put things right, Ronaldo uncovers a dastardly plan to overthrow the officer. But he needs evidence and time is running out.

 

Who will believe a young flying cadet who tells lies?

About the Author:

I was born in Hounslow, Middlesex in the south of England. As a child, I loved drawing and took private art classes with a wonderful teacher called, Pearl Lee. She had an abundance of Disney magazines, and I would paint the characters on wood, card, canvas or anything else I was allowed to use, including walls.

When I was nine, my mum took me on holiday to Majorca. I clearly remember being fascinated by how other people lived outside of England. Travelling became my new obsession.

After Sixth Form College, I intended to go to art school, but...

Read the full bio

https://www.ronaldotheflyingreindeer.....

Saturday, 15 February 2020

Book Review: Ronaldo: The Vixen Pederson Workshop by Maxine Sylvester

Book Review


Basic Details:

Book Title: Ronaldo: The Vixen Pederson Workshop
Subtitle: (Ronaldo the Flying Reindeer #4)
Author: Maxine Sylvester
Genre: Children's
Part of a series? Yes
Order in series: 4
Best read after earlier books in series? No, can be read as stand-alone but why would you?
Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48671622-ronaldo

Overall score:

I scored this book 5/5

Short Summary of the book:

Ronaldo is packing his bags in this book. It’s off to the North Pole for him and his friends for a workshop run by the famous Vixen Pederson we met in book 3. In this book, Ronaldo shows the very human trait of possible jealousy, which he quickly discounts and turns into the friendship and caring he has displayed in the previous books. His interventions lead to a complete turn-around in the life of the nervous Cupid. Following this, she turns from a clumsy young reindeer into a capable leader.

What I liked about the book:

This book is full of love, care, friendship and humour like the other books in this series. The images are once again amazing, the story is hilarious and had me laughing out loud at times. Still, there is the serious undertone of how love, care, and friendship can make all the difference in life.

What I didn’t like about the book:

What’s not to like? I loved this book.

My favourite bits in the book:

I loved it, especially when Ronaldo discovered the possible reasons behind Cupid’s clumsiness and enlisted the help of one of the elves to solve this problem for her.

My least favourite bits in the book:

There were no least favourite bits in the books. Unless you count the last full stop in the book, that is. I hope there will soon be further books in this series.

Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?

There are three more books in this lovely series. I have read ‘Ronaldo: The Phantom Carrot Snatcher’ and ‘Ronaldo: Rudi’s Birthday Extravaganza’ too and loved those books as much as this one. An ideal series for the pre-teens and anyone confident enough to read these books when they’re older. Don’t simply discount them because you’re an adult. I absolutely love these books.

What books could this be compared to and why?

This book is as good as the others in the series. Which books to compare it with? Well, for those who read Dutch children’s books, you could compare it to Dik Trom perhaps. However, the images are much better in this book and these books are shorter reads too.

Recommendation:

In summary, I would recommend this book for the following readers:

Children
Yes
Young Adult
Maybe
Adult
Yes, even if not aimed at this group

If you like stories with cheeky but loving characters this book may be the book for you.

I look forward to reading more books by this author.

Book Description by Author:

Destination North Pole! Santa’s top reindeer, Vixen Pederson, is hosting a teamwork workshop—and Ronaldo has his flying goggles packed and ready to go!

In training for a sleigh race, the cadets must work together to win the ultimate prize—Jingle Bells! But Ronaldo’s dream turns into a nightmare when Cupid joins his side. She’s the worst flying cadet, ever! And his squabbling teammates are plotting to put her out of the race.

But Cupid isn’t who she appears to be. And when Ronaldo discovers she is the granddaughter of a world-famous flying champion, he suspects she is guarding a secret. And the only way to lead his team to victory—is to find out what it is.

About the Author:

I was born in Hounslow, Middlesex in the south of England. As a child, I loved drawing and took private art classes with a wonderful teacher called, Pearl Lee. She had an abundance of Disney magazines, and I would paint the characters on wood, card, canvas or anything else I was allowed to use, including walls.​
When I was nine, my mum took me on holiday to Majorca. I clearly remember being fascinated by how other people lived outside of England. Travelling became my new obsession.
After Sixth Form College, I intended to go to art school, but...
Read the full bio

https://www.ronaldotheflyingreindeer....

Saturday, 18 January 2020

Book Review: Ronaldo: Rudi's Birthday Extravaganza


Book Review


Basic Details:

Book Title: Ronaldo: Rudi's Birthday Extravaganza
Subtitle: (Ronaldo the Flying Reindeer #3)
Author: Maxine Sylvester
Genre: Children's
Part of a series? Yes
Order in series: 3
Best read after earlier books in series? No, can be read as stand-alone but why would you?
Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36260394-ronaldo

Overall score:

I scored this book 5/5

Short Summary of the book:

In this book, the caring young reindeer Ronaldo wants to give his best friend Rudi the best birthday present he can afford. For months Ronaldo has saved his money to buy his friend flying goggles. His caring nature does not stop there as he helps an elderly lady with her shopping and making deliveries for her. There are many hilarious occurrences within the book and the importance of being loving and kind is imbued throughout this book and other books in the series. A great book for kids to teach them the value of being kind.

What I liked about the book:

This book is full of love, care, friendship and humour. The images are excellent making me wish I could draw anywhere near the author/illustrator.

What I didn’t like about the book:

What’s not to like? I loved this book.

My favourite bits in the book:

Instead of trying to use his carefully saved money to buy something for himself, Ronaldo wants to give his friend the best birthday present he can afford. When he comes into more money he could imagine, he tries to get his friend an even better present. And when this does not work, he still doesn’t give up.

My least favourite bits in the book:

The bits where the bullies try to get the better of Ronaldo. But then, no one likes a bully, right? At least they didn’t succeed.

Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?

There are three more books in this lovely series. I have read ‘Ronaldo: The Phantom Carrot Snatcher’ too and loved that book as much as this one. An ideal series for the pre-teens and anyone confident enough to read these books when they’re older.

What books could this be compared to and why?

Recommendation:

In summary, I would recommend this book for the following readers:

Children
Yes
Young Adult
Maybe
Adult
Yes, even if not aimed at this group

If you like stories with cheeky but loving characters this book may be the book for you.

I look forward to reading more books by this author.

Book Description by Author:

It is summertime in Beresford. Ronaldo and Rudi are beside themselves with excitement: Monty the Moose, the most incredible Magician in the whole world is performing at Rudi’s birthday party!
But before the festivities begin, there’s the important matter of The Reindeer Flyover, an ancient tradition of The Reindeer Flying Academy that marks the end of school term. But Rudi might not be able to fly. He’s injured his hoof and refuses to see Doctor Kloppen. Rudi is terrified of needles and, rumour has it, the Doctor’s needle is the size of a rocket!
Meanwhile, Ronaldo meets celebrity baker, Mrs Sorensson, and offers to deliver her cakes to ‘Carrot’s ‘N’ Cakes’ bakery before flying school. The weather is hot so Ronaldo rushes through the forest so he can deliver the cakes before the icing melts. But trouble is lurking in the woods. Dasher and his menacing brothers, Comet and Prancer, are hiding in the bushes. Waiting for Ronaldo!

About the Author:

I was born in Hounslow, Middlesex in the south of England. As a child, I loved drawing and took private art classes with a wonderful teacher called, Pearl Lee. She had an abundance of Disney magazines, and I would paint the characters on wood, card, canvas or anything else I was allowed to use, including walls.​
When I was nine, my mum took me on holiday to Majorca. I clearly remember being fascinated by how other people lived outside of England. Travelling became my new obsession.
After Sixth Form College, I intended to go to art school, but...
Read the full bio
https://www.ronaldotheflyingreindeer....

Saturday, 21 December 2019

Book Review: Ronaldo: The Phantom Carrot Snatcher by Maxine Sylvester - A book worth of recommendation.


Book Review


Basic Details:

Book Title: Ronaldo: The Phantom Carrot Snatcher
Subtitle:
Author: Maxine Sylvester
Genre: Children’s book
Part of a series? Yes
Order in series: 2
Best read after earlier books in series? No (but I would recommend the series)
Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33245990-ronaldo

Overall score:

I scored this book 5/5

Short Summary of the book:

This is an adorable story about a reindeer, his friend and some bullies. Ronaldo stands up to the bullies, makes friends with a baby wolf and proves what others think is not important but being a friend is. I absolutely loved this story and would love to read more from this author.

What I liked about the book:

I loved the story, the pictures and the cheekiness of the characters. I’m so glad I grabbed this book when it was on offer free and immediately recommended it to a friend with an eight-year-old daughter. I’m sure she’ll love it too.

What I didn’t like about the book:

What’s not to like? I loved it.

My favourite bits in the book:

The adorable wolf cub stood up to bullies for her friend Ronaldo and when the entire population went on the look-out for a dangerous wolf she dressed in Ronaldo’s pyjamas to look like and adorable Dalmation puppy.

My least favourite bits in the book:

There was no least favourite bit to find in the book. It was adorable, laugh-out hilarious, with strong morals and I was sorry the book finished.

Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?

Yes, this is the second book in the series and the author has written and illustrated several more of her own books. The author recently released another book in the series.

What books could this be compared to and why?

Recommendation:

In summary, I would recommend this book for the following readers:

Children
Yes
Young Adult
If confident enough to read a children’s book: Yes
Adult
If confident enough to read a children’s book: Yes

If you like cheeky characters with a sense of pride and goodness in the world this book may be the book for you.

I look forward to reading more books by this author. Certainly a book and an author to recommend to all with children and all who are confident enough to enjoy books like this whatever their age.

Book Description by Author:

Ronaldo and Rudi discover friends come in all shapes and sizes as they embark on a superhero mission to help a lost wolf cub called Ernie find her pack.
Rudi comes up with a plan to find the pack and deliver a message during a speed test at flying school. But Ronaldo isn’t totally onboard with the idea. He desperately wants to break the speed record and the plan means jeopardising his chance of becoming champion.

Will Ronaldo go for glory… or will he discover the true meaning of friendship and sacrifice the race for Ernie?

Bumbling Wing Commander Blitsen, head of The Reindeer Flying Academy, and mischievous brothers, Dasher, Comet and Prancer also feature in this fun tale of bravery and friendship.

About the Author:

I was born in Hounslow, Middlesex in the south of England. As a child, I loved drawing and took private art classes with a wonderful teacher called, Pearl Lee. She had an abundance of Disney magazines, and I would paint the characters on wood, card, canvas or anything else I was allowed to use, including walls.​
When I was nine, my mum took me on holiday to Majorca. I clearly remember being fascinated by how other people lived outside of England. Travelling became my new obsession.
After Sixth Form College, I intended to go to art school, but...
Read the full bio
https://www.ronaldotheflyingreindeer....