Breathed, Berkley. Pete and Pickles. New York; Philomel, 2008.
Pete the pig is perfectly satisfied with his life. It's predictable and uncomplicated. Until the night a runaway circus elephant named Pickles chooses his house as a refuge. Pete's life is never the same. Pickles has plans for adventures with Pete as co-adventurer. Pete hates this new unpredictable, complicated life. Its' time for Pickles to leave. But enduring a near death experience brings Pete and Pickles closer together. They're friends!
What I thought: Absolutely delightful! Pete and Pickles are an animal Odd Couple. I love Pickles joie de vivre and Pete's reticence. I was delighted by the process through which an idea (the author's daughter's sketch and her explanation that the pig was sad but didn't know) became a book. I hope there will be more Pete and Pickles books.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Chicken and Cat Clean Up by Sara Varon
Varon, Sara. Chicken and Cat Clean Up. New York: Scholastic, 2009.
In this wordless picture book., readers will delight in the antics of Chicken and Cat. They are an animal Odd Couple.
What I thought: Varon's pictures are so detailed, I didn't miss the words at all. This book would be perfect for a preschool story time as the children could tell the story based on the pictures.
In this wordless picture book., readers will delight in the antics of Chicken and Cat. They are an animal Odd Couple.
What I thought: Varon's pictures are so detailed, I didn't miss the words at all. This book would be perfect for a preschool story time as the children could tell the story based on the pictures.
Monday, October 26, 2009
House of Tailors by Patricia Reilly Giff
Giff, Patricia Reilly. House of Tailors. New York: Wendy Lamb, 2004.
Dina Kirk's impetuous nature (She just had to have that French hat patten!) causes trouble with the local soldiers. She goes to America in her sister's place. America has always been her dream. There she can escape the endless monotony of her mother's sewing business.
Her dreams of America are dashed when uncle shows her his sewing machine. He expects Dina to earn her keep by sewing. Dina's new dream is to return to Germany. She works hard so she will have enough money for the return passage. Life, however, keeps interfering with her goal.
What I Thought: I enjoyed this book. I thought it well written. I empathized with Dina (the mark of a good character. I wouldn't mind seeing another book about her. Giff realistically captured what life was like for immigrants in the tenements. It was almost painful to read.
Dina Kirk's impetuous nature (She just had to have that French hat patten!) causes trouble with the local soldiers. She goes to America in her sister's place. America has always been her dream. There she can escape the endless monotony of her mother's sewing business.
Her dreams of America are dashed when uncle shows her his sewing machine. He expects Dina to earn her keep by sewing. Dina's new dream is to return to Germany. She works hard so she will have enough money for the return passage. Life, however, keeps interfering with her goal.
What I Thought: I enjoyed this book. I thought it well written. I empathized with Dina (the mark of a good character. I wouldn't mind seeing another book about her. Giff realistically captured what life was like for immigrants in the tenements. It was almost painful to read.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Writing Magic by Gail Carson Levine
Subtitle: Creating Stories that Fly
~Practical Advice from a Published Author~
In 161 pages and 30 short chapters, Levine offers frank advice on every topic and dilemma a writer can and will encounter. She addresses starting a story, dialogue, endings, writer's block, revision, and much more. Each chapter ends with a writing prompt. Read this book with pen (or keyboard) in hand.
What I thought: Absolutely fantastic! Levine has such an engaging style hat I read this book quickly and with true enjoyment. Her admission of struggle (9 years before her 1st book was published) endeared her to me (a poet/writer when I have the time) and will doubtless endear her to many other writers. Her prompts are unique and her advice worth taking. I particularly liked the character questionnaire she shared and the chapter on rewriting fairy tales. This book is a must read for any aspiring writer, young or old.
(Collins, 2006)
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Animal Antics A to Z by Anita Lobel
Lobel, Anita. Animal Antics A to Z. New York: Greenwillow, 2005.
Lobel uses alliterating adjectives to describe animals from alligators to zebras.
What I thought: I love alphabet books and this one is no different. The illustrations are charming and the adjectives fitting.
Story Time Idea: Baby Sit & Sign ABCs emphasis
Lobel uses alliterating adjectives to describe animals from alligators to zebras.
What I thought: I love alphabet books and this one is no different. The illustrations are charming and the adjectives fitting.
Story Time Idea: Baby Sit & Sign ABCs emphasis
Monday, October 19, 2009
Before Green Gables by Budge Wilson
Wilson, Budge. Before Green Gables. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 2008.
When we first meet Anne in Anne of Green Gables (AOGG), she is precocious, talkative, starved for affection, imaginative, and thrilled to be on Prince Edward Island.
Beyond a few brief mentions in AOGG and subsequent books, we know little of Anne's life before she came to Green Gables. What we do know causes us to support Anne's imagined life ("Call me Cordelia.") in favor of her actual life. Did you ever pause to wonder about the years she spent with Mrs. Thomas and Mrs. Hammond? I haven't once in the twelve years I've been enjoying the Anne series.
Luckily for Anne fans, Budge Wilson did. In her Before Green Gables, she gives us Anne's story from right before her conception up until she leaves the train at Bright River to wait on Matthew. Budge's story explains perfectly why Anne is the way she is when we first meet her at the train station. Her history reveals every one of her foibles.
What I thought: I couldn't put this book down. The story Budge has constructed makes so much sense. It fits in perfectly with the rest of the series. After reading it, I had to buy my own copy. Like the other Anne books, I'll be reading it again and again.
When we first meet Anne in Anne of Green Gables (AOGG), she is precocious, talkative, starved for affection, imaginative, and thrilled to be on Prince Edward Island.
Beyond a few brief mentions in AOGG and subsequent books, we know little of Anne's life before she came to Green Gables. What we do know causes us to support Anne's imagined life ("Call me Cordelia.") in favor of her actual life. Did you ever pause to wonder about the years she spent with Mrs. Thomas and Mrs. Hammond? I haven't once in the twelve years I've been enjoying the Anne series.
Luckily for Anne fans, Budge Wilson did. In her Before Green Gables, she gives us Anne's story from right before her conception up until she leaves the train at Bright River to wait on Matthew. Budge's story explains perfectly why Anne is the way she is when we first meet her at the train station. Her history reveals every one of her foibles.
What I thought: I couldn't put this book down. The story Budge has constructed makes so much sense. It fits in perfectly with the rest of the series. After reading it, I had to buy my own copy. Like the other Anne books, I'll be reading it again and again.
Friday, October 16, 2009
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Shaffer, Mary Ann and Annie Barrows. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Thorndike, Maine: Center Point, 2008.
In the aftermath of World War II, author Juliet Ashton receives an intriguing letter from Dawsey Adams who lives on the island of Guernsey off the British coast. They meet (on paper) by pure chance. Dawsey had in his possession a book that once belonged to Juliet.
They begin to exchange letters and Juliet learns about the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. She thinks the society would make a good book. Her letters to Dawsey continue, and she begins to correspond with other members of the society. Juliet's interest in Guernsey and its inhabitants grows until she decides she has to visit the island. Juliet has found more than the idea for her next book. She has found friends, a home, and love.
What I thought: I've been meaning to read this book for quite some time. I wasn't disappointed. The book deals with a period (aftermath of WWII) about which I've read little. The characters are all unique with individual personalities. The intimacy achieved through this collection of letters is astounding. I never knew letters could be so revealing. I've been a fan of epistolary novels ever since I read Daddy-Long-Legs by Jean Webster (8th grade) and Fair and Tender Ladies by Lee Smith (college junior). This book is another gem in the category.
In the aftermath of World War II, author Juliet Ashton receives an intriguing letter from Dawsey Adams who lives on the island of Guernsey off the British coast. They meet (on paper) by pure chance. Dawsey had in his possession a book that once belonged to Juliet.
They begin to exchange letters and Juliet learns about the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. She thinks the society would make a good book. Her letters to Dawsey continue, and she begins to correspond with other members of the society. Juliet's interest in Guernsey and its inhabitants grows until she decides she has to visit the island. Juliet has found more than the idea for her next book. She has found friends, a home, and love.
What I thought: I've been meaning to read this book for quite some time. I wasn't disappointed. The book deals with a period (aftermath of WWII) about which I've read little. The characters are all unique with individual personalities. The intimacy achieved through this collection of letters is astounding. I never knew letters could be so revealing. I've been a fan of epistolary novels ever since I read Daddy-Long-Legs by Jean Webster (8th grade) and Fair and Tender Ladies by Lee Smith (college junior). This book is another gem in the category.
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