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HollyPapa.com Website. I am a small, independent illustrator and artist. Enjoy looking at my art. 

Connecting the Dots

My thoughts on art, books & life.

Disclosure: Affiliate links may be in blog posts. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no expense to you. 

A True Princess by Diane Zahler

I have just returned spell-bound from Diane Zahler’s new novel A True Princess. Such beautiful stories are often described as enchanting, but I am seeking for a word more rich and lovely. Mesmerized. I have been mesmerized by the Elf King and have shivered in fear as Odin and his deadly hunters thundered through Bitra forest. Zahler has proven herself a master weaver of retold fairytales.

We Made Out Like Bandits!

It's been a busy new year, and before January is officially over, I wanted to mention how much we loved the books we got for Christmas! My family and I love books. We love to give them and get them. Well, except for my husband, who mostly loves to give them to me....

Cowboy & Octopus by Jon Scieszka & Lane Smith

This book is funny the same way that Napolean Dynamite is funny. All the jokes are dead-pan come-again type. The kind that kids love. We read this book over and over and over. A fun companion to those cowboy boots your little one is asking for and a little leg up on telling jokes, although the authors don’t seem to ever have gone much past the 4-5 year old joke stage.

The Red Umbrella by Christina Diaz Gonzalez

I recently enjoyed this poignant coming of age story about Lucia who grows up during the 1961 Communist Revolution in Cuba. Lucia's innocent naivete is shredded bit by bit when soldiers come to her small town. Lucia and Frankie believe  their parents are being...

The Twelve Days of Christmas Books

For Christmas this year, we thought we would revisit our post from last year's virtual advent tour. It's kind of like getting your decorations out year after year, dusting them off and using them again. These books are treasures that bring joy and happiness to us each...

The Twelve Days of Christmas Books

For Christmas this year, we thought we would revisit our post from last year's virtual advent tour. It's kind of like getting your decorations out year after year, dusting them off and using them again. These books are treasures that bring joy and happiness to us each...

Announcing the new winner of Otto Grows Down!

After much delay. . . specifically, ear infection, strep throat, teething,  followed by more strep throat... I am pleased to announce the new winner of Otto Grows Down! Becky, commenter #12 is our new winner. I will be in touch with you shortly Becky, to get your...

Announcing the new winner of Otto Grows Down!

After much delay. . . specifically, ear infection, strep throat, teething,  followed by more strep throat... I am pleased to announce the new winner of Otto Grows Down! Becky, commenter #12 is our new winner. I will be in touch with you shortly Becky, to get your...

Gossamer by Lois Lowry

I wasn't sure what to expect in this story about where dreams come from. I liked what I found. A quick, easy read but with two stories intertwined. One about the dream makers who gather bits and pieces of memories from the objects in our home and then bestow them upon...