Picture Book Saturday

The Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen, illustrated by Dan Hanna (New York: FSG, 2008)

Mr. Fish can't help how he looks. He's a pout-pout fish. He was made to look sad. He explains this to all his friends who complain about his dreariness. It isn't until he's kissed that Mr. Fish realizes maybe pouting is a choice. He chooses instead to be a kiss-kiss fish.

What I thought: What a cute book! The ilustrations were lovely and colorful. I like the lesson it teaches: attitude is more about choice than biology.

That Book Woman by Heather Henson, illustrated by David Small (New York: Atheneum, 2008)

Cal prides himself on being different than his sister Lark who reads all the time. The dedication of the Pack Horse Librarian makes him wonder what's so great about those books she lugs up the mountain in every weather. Cal's wondering turns into work when he learns how to read.

What I thought: What a great story! I like that the book's setting is Appalachia. I'd never heard of the Pack Horse Librarians. I definitely plan to learn more about them.

Carlo and the Really Nice Librarian by Jessica Spanyol (Cambridge, MA: Candlewick, 2004)

Carlo likes the library, but finds the librarian more than a little scary. Her willingness to help him find books and her knowledge of books soon wins him over.
What I thought: What a nice way to address the fears kids sometimes have of libraries and libraries. I think this will be going in my personal collection.

Two Girls of Gettysburg by Lisa Klein

Klein, Lisa. Two Girls of Gettysburg. New York: Bloomsbury, 2008.

Lizzie and Rosanna are two cousins on the brink of womanhood when the war between the North and the South starts. They both live in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, but Rosanna is from Richmond, Virginia.

When her father and brother join the army, Lizzie finds herself with plenty to do. The family's butcher shop is loosing money. Instead of attending the ladies' seminary to become a teacher, Lizzie finds herself working in the butcher shop.

After the death of a boy she thought she loved, Rosanna returns to Richmond. The suitor she left behind is still unattached. They marry and he goes off to fight for the Confederacy. When her husband is wounded, Rosanna comes to nurse him. She ends up staying with the army as a nurse.

Lizzie and Rosanna's stories soon converge. The end of their story is not, however, the end of the war. We see them through only until the Battle of Gettysburg.

What I thought: I liked that the story is told both from Lizzie's and Rosanna's points of view. It gives added dimension to the story. The historical detail was fascinating. I kept guessing until the end about what would happen. There's nothing I dislike more than a predicable book. Though the book is almost 4oo pages long, it reads quickly.

Looks by Madeleine George

George, Madeleine. Looks. New York: Viking, 2008.

People ignore Meghan. This should be impossible to do since Meghan is a big girl. I do mean BIG. Invisibility has its perks. Meghan knows more about the students and teachers at her high school than they know about themselves. The habit of ignoring Meghan leads her fellow students to talk about the most private topics in her hearing.

Meghan doesn't have friends. She had them once, but they betrayed her. When Aimee comes to school, Meghan knows this girl could be her friend though Aimee is as thin as Meghan is big. Aimee gets sucked into the guile that is Cara (one of the school's popular girls). Meghan knows how Cara operates. They were once best friends. Meghan tries to warn Aimee about Cara, but Aimee dismisses her as crazy.

When Cara betrays Aimee, Meghan is the only person that can help.

What I thought: This book was not what I expected. The narration threw me for one thing. I expected first person (as the majority of YA novels are these days) and instead got third person. Overall, it was a fascinating read that touches on some serious topics (eating disorders, the meanness of girls).

Scarlett by Cathy Cassidy

Cassidy, Cathy. Scarlett. New York: Viking, 2006.

Scarlett has attended 5 schools in 2 years. It all started when her dad left. Her life was ruined, so Scarlett took revenge the only way she could: she rebelled. She has ketchup red hair, a tongue piercing, and wears lots of eye make-up. Her mad at the world attitude lands her in the one place she never wanted to be--Ireland with her dad and his new family. She doesn't fit in her either. She's so angry. At her mum. At her dad. And at herself.

The concept of homeschooling gives Scarlett another chance. She doesn't have to worry about fitting in. She can just be her scared, lonely, angry self. Scarlett meets a boy, Kian, whose friendship helps her work through her issues.

At the end of the summer, Scarlett has a decision to make. Where should she be? With her mum or with her dad?

What I thought: This book was an absorbing read. Scarlett seemed much older than her 12 years, but that's probably due to a lot of factors (the divorce, her rebellion, she's British). If you want to know what it's like to be from a broken home, read this book. Divorce doesn't simply result in broken homes, it also leaves broken children. When we first meet Scarlett, she is broken. Her anger and rebellion are simply a ploy to keep people from seeing how hurt and insecure she is. When I finished the book, Scarlett was a character I wanted to read more about. Alas, the author hasn't written any more books about her.

The Case of the Peculiar Pink Fan by Nancy Springer

Springer, Nancy. The Case of the Peculiar Pink Fan. New York: Philomel, 2008.

Enola Holmes is still enjoying her life in London though she is often forced to dodge her brothers, Sherlock and Mycroft, who are determined to find her. Enola encounters a person she never thought to see again, Lady Cecily. Lady Cecily is in a most awkward situation. She appears to be the prisoner of her two chaperones. She conveys to Enola that she needs help. The only clue Enola has is the pink paper fan Lady Cecily was carrying and discreetly dropped near Enola. The fan leads Enola to the fashion of hosting a pink tea. To gather information, she impersonates a society page reporter. Enola is soon embroiled in family secrets and arranged marriages. She is once again appalled at the lack of freedom ladies have in civilized society.

What I thought: I was not disappointed with the latest installment of the Enola Holmes mystery series. I eagerly await the release of the 5th book, The Case of the Cryptic Crinoline, on May 14th.

Picture Book Saturday

The Umbrella Queen by Shirim Yim Bridges, illustrated by Taeeun Yoo (New York: Greenwillow, 2008)

In Noot's village everyone either makes or paints umbrellas. People come from faraway to buy the beautiful umbrellas. Noot is sure she can paint an umbrella. She copies one of her mother's designs. Her family can hardly tell the difference between Noot's umbrella and her mother's. Now Noot is an umbrella painter. The problem is her paintbrush doesn't want to paint flowers and butterflies. These are the only designs that can go on the umbrellas the village sells. She creates whimsical elephants. They play, do handstands, chase butterflies, and are generally silly. Noot's family won't let her paint elephants on any more umbrellas. She makes miniature umbrellas and paints elephants on those. One day the king comes. It's time for him to choose the umbrella queen. His fancy is quite taken with Noot's miniature umbrellas painted all over with elephants. Even though her designs aren't traditional, he chooses Noot as the umbrella queen.

What I thought: What a delightful story. I think it will appeal to creative people who know how fickle the muses can be. Noot couldn't help but paint elephants. That's what she needed to paint. The illustration were as lovely as the story.


Knitty Kitty by David Elliot, illustrated by Christopher Denise (Cambridge, MA: Candlewick, 2008)
Kitty knits hats, mittens, and scarves to keep her kittens warm and cozy. . They promptly give her creations to the snowman they made. At night, they realize the only thing they need to be cozy is their mother.

What I thought: This is a cute book. The kittens behave just like kids--giving their knitwear to a snowman. This will appeal to lovers of the story of three little kittens who loose their mittens.

The Case of the Bizarre Bouquets by Nancy Springer

Springer, Nancy. The Case of the Bizarre Bouquets. New York: Philomel, 2008.

In this 3rd installment of Enola's adventures, her brother Sherlock's friend Dr. John Watson has went missing. Enola is soon on the case. But first she must concoct a disguise that will make sure her brothers never recognize her. She's been a widow, a secretary, a doctor's wife, and even a nun. Enola attempts her most daring disguise ever--she's going to be beautiful. This is no small feat considering she looks just like Sherlock. Enola's quest for an infallible disguise and her knowledge of flower language help her find Dr. Watson.

What I thought: The more I read about Enola, the more I like and admire her. Her plan to be beautiful is ingenious. It is a disguise that will be useful now and later. Enola's skill at being just who she needs to be is fantastic. I do wonder, however, if she will lose her true self in all these disguises.