books

‘Leo: A Ghost Story’ by Mac Barnett

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


Leo: A Ghost Story is a fun and whimsical book for ages preschool to kindergarten.  It’s the story of a little ghost who only wants to be wanted.

Leo does not realize ghosts can scare people. When new residents move into the house he has been occupying, they think it is haunted. To save them any more distress, little Leo leaves his house and roams around the city.

Things were different than he remembered. And it was bigger and noisier.

No one can see this little guy. After all, he is a ghost. People walk right through him. Nevertheless, Leo longs for someone to talk with and play with.

Then he encounters a little girl named Jane. Jane is able to see and converse with Leo, to his delight. But Jane thinks he is only one of her imaginary friends.

Leo moves into Jane’s house and one night catches a thief trying to rob it. When Jane asks him how can an imaginary friend catch a thief, he admits that he is not imaginary. He is a ghost.

Jane is undaunted by this fact and Leo and Jane become fast friends.

The story is adorable for little kids to read to themselves or for parents to read to their children. It makes a great bedtime story. 

Filled with fun as well as a cute little ghost, the book provides plenty of entertainment. Mac Barnett’s prose is easy to understand, even for the smallest kids. And every page is filled with illustrations by Christian Robinson who captures the whimsy of the story in his pictures on every page all in shades of blues with a hint of green. Blue represents quiet and calm, making this the perfect book to take to bed.

Leo: A Ghost Story might become a favorite go-to book for kids. Whether they are looking at the drawings or reading or listening to the story, Leo will be a fun story with a delightful little ghost and his new best friend Jane. The hard cover is available now and the paperback can be pre-ordered and will be released on July 7, 2026.

  • Publisher  :  Chronicle Books
  • ISBN-10  :  1797239236
  • ISBN-13  :  978-1797239231

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites and is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

‘How to Stop Time’ by Matt Haig – Book Review

Posted on by Francine Brokaw



It’s delightful when I come across a novel I simply cannot put down. There are some great novels, of course, but this one is mesmerizing. “How to Stop Time” is a sci-fi story about people who age very slowly. Very, very slowly.

Tom Hazard was born in France in 1581. He was a normal young boy until he hit puberty. Then it was like he stopped aging. The story is told by Tom and weaves his past with his present. Yes, he is still alive, and if you can imagine, this man has seen a lot in the 400+ years he has been alive.

His situation, condition, or whatever you want to call it, has taken a toll on those he loved. Witchcraft and sorcery were heralded as the reason he never aged, and in the old days this behavior was not appreciated. It was vilified.

After meeting and falling in love with a girl in England, Tom was apprehensive about their lives together. But love conquers all, at least until it became evident that his wife Rose and daughter Marion were getting older but he wasn’t. For their safety he left his family, only to discover years later that Marion inherited the same condition and also left her mother.

Tom learns that there is a society connecting those who live with this condition. The name they have is “albatross” and those affected refer to themselves as “albas.” Although they don’t live forever, they do live for many centuries.

Tom is recruited by the head of the Albatross Society to gather others around the world or, when necessary, dispose of them. In return he is given a new identity every eight years and moved to a new location where he lives a new life. As readers are taken on this incredible journey, Tom’s memories bounce around through time and readers understand how he has survived over the centuries.

Imagine having known Captain Cook, William Shakespeare and F. Scott Fitzgerald all in the same lifetime. Imagine all the advances in the world that have taken place over the centuries. Tom doesn’t have to imagine. He lived through it all. However throughout time he has also been searching for his beloved daughter Marion.

The society has rules. The first rule is “never fall in love.” This is something Tom learned first hand when his life with his cherished wife became a danger to her. Over the centuries he has carried the love for Rose with him, while searching for Marion.

Throughout the book there are wonderful statements of philosophy. “He who fears he shall suffer, already suffers what he fears.” Think about that! Indeed, the philosopher Montaigne comes up often throughout the pages.

As Tom witnesses first hand, “Humans don’t learn from history.”

The book is a marvelous page-turner. It takes readers on a fascinating journey through time with a man who has struggled over the years with life. Matt Haig has penned an interesting and mesmerizing novel that will take readers on a journey they never had before.

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Viking (February 6, 2018)
• ISBN-10: 0525522875
• ISBN-13: 978-0525522874

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about books, music, products, travel, and entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

Follow her on Twitter

‘I’m Going to Outer Space’ by Timothy Young – Book Review

Posted on by Francine Brokaw



Author Timothy Young has penned another great children’s book. I’m Going to Outer Space is the perfect bedtime story to read to your kids.

Little Luis is getting ready for bed. Before getting into his bed he looks out his window to wait for a spaceship to take him to outer space. He loves everything about outer space and looks forward to meeting all kinds of aliens and tasting all kinds of new food – even slimy green stuff.

But with the call from his mother or father, the little fellow must get into bed. Oh well, perhaps the space ship will come for him tomorrow.

When you were little didn’t you look out your window at the stars and planets and wonder what was out there? The popularity of sci-fi space shows proves our fascination with exploring outer space. Luis is no different than most young kids, or adults for that matter. The little guy has an imagination as large as space itself.

I’m Going to Outer Space is a great bedtime book to read to your child or read along with your child. It’s also a good book to have him or her read to you. The illustrations are delightful and go right along with Luis’ imagination.

If you’re looking for a new bedtime story, definitely check this out. Luis is a sweet little guy ready to explore new worlds. Perhaps he will get to do so in his dreams.

Age Range: 5 – 8 years
Grade Level: Preschool – 1
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. (September 28, 2017)
ISBN-10: 0764353853
ISBN-13: 978-0764353857
Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 0.6 x 11.2 inches

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about products, travel, and entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

Follow her on Twitter