Some great rhyming skills by Julia in this story. This seems like a folktale.
A woman complains about her small house. She consults a wise old man how Some great rhyming skills by Julia in this story. This seems like a folktale.
A woman complains about her small house. She consults a wise old man how to make the house bigger. It's at this point before anything happens, I know exactly what is going to happen. It was very obvious. I'm sure kids wouldn't expect it.
The wise man tells the women to bring in her hen inside the house. Of course this cause chaos and tribulations. She complains and is told to bring in the goat and the pig and the cow one by one making the house over cramped and full of chaos. The woman is about to go mad with how crazy her life is. The wise man tells her to put the animals out. The house is quiet and feels huge.
A paradigm shift. Nothing changed, yet it still feels bigger. That's cool.
Can we call this man wise, or a sadist. The woman listens to the man and the man does make her house feel bigger, but she must suffer to get there. How interesting.
The artwork was sort of bland. The cow on the table was funny, but overall, sort of bland...more
Here is a twist on the 3 Little Pigs story. This is about 3 little wolves and the Big Bad Pig. They build houses that are destroyed. The set=up is theHere is a twist on the 3 Little Pigs story. This is about 3 little wolves and the Big Bad Pig. They build houses that are destroyed. The set=up is the same.
They start by building a house of bricks; the pig uses a sledgehammer. They build a house of concrete and the pig uses a jackhammer. They build a house of steel and the pig uses dynamite. These wolves really need a good police and lawyer.
The twist is the last house. The pig is still trying to huff and puff the house down first. The last house is built out of flowers.
I love the counterintuitive nature of the story. We think stronger and stronger is better and safer, when sometimes, being soft is the better and more protective approach. It's a lovely twist.
My nephew is just getting so big. He's 9, almost 10. I'm really missing the young kid who wasn't addicted to the Nintendo Switch and he loved robots aMy nephew is just getting so big. He's 9, almost 10. I'm really missing the young kid who wasn't addicted to the Nintendo Switch and he loved robots and all kinds of weird things. I still love him dearly, but I miss reading to him. So, I got this book thinking about him.
Nephew loved the pop-up books and he would open each page over and over trying to figure out how it worked.
This book has no story, it's just colored cute bugs that pop-up. It's a work of art....more
Arthur and his family learn that puppies are a lot of work. They are very cute. All the hijinks of a puppy ensue in these pages. It's very cute and I Arthur and his family learn that puppies are a lot of work. They are very cute. All the hijinks of a puppy ensue in these pages. It's very cute and I think children would love this book.
It's interesting to see the change the artwork goes through for Arthur and his nose. It's much shorter and cuter here, but I think it gets even more round. ...more
The nephew brought this book home from school as homework and we read it together. He doesn’t like to do it, but he’s a good reader now. I’m impressedThe nephew brought this book home from school as homework and we read it together. He doesn’t like to do it, but he’s a good reader now. I’m impressed.
This is set in New Zealand among the Maori people and talking about their myth. It’s about the Haka dance they do and sticking your tongue out. Lizard and Mudfish are part of this myth. It is also about the history behind the chin tattoo the people there wear.
I was a bit confused by the book, really. The artwork was beautiful and it told the myth well, but it kept going on about beautiful and ugly and by sticking out your tongue and being ugly was beautiful or something like that. The thing was, the girls couldn’t stick their tongues out and giggle and be silly. That was ugly. If you could hold the ugly face, then that was beautiful. It was strange. There were a lot of words from their culture. I did learn quite a bit reading this.
The nephew thought this was a good book, but as soon as it was done he wanted to read his Mario Bros. comic. I don’t think he was all that interested, it was a school project to him. He gave this 3 stars. ...more
These pictures are in color - very unusual. Just little sayings for a new year. A man falls down the stairs and the caption reads, “the one who wants These pictures are in color - very unusual. Just little sayings for a new year. A man falls down the stairs and the caption reads, “the one who wants to put on airs should not attempt them on the stairs.� Humorous.
Revenge can be so sweet. This (not really) is a kids revenge tale. I love the twist at the end.
The story is about an uptight dentist named Monsieur BiRevenge can be so sweet. This (not really) is a kids revenge tale. I love the twist at the end.
The story is about an uptight dentist named Monsieur Bibot. He is rude and a snobby and set in his ways. He isn’t very kind to his dog. Our story starts with him seeing a woman who, gasp, didn’t have an appointment, but she had terrible pain in her mouth. He pulled the tooth and the woman paid in 2 magic figs. He was so mad that he wouldn’t give her pain pills after. A, you just know he’s going to get what’s coming to him, kind of story
Of course, he doesn’t believe the old woman about the figs being magic. He eats the first and doesn’t make a wish, but in his dreams his mind wants something and the next day it happens and he believes the old woman. He spends days getting his wish just right and �.
The nephew loved the end and he laughed. The man got what he needed to. The nephew thought this was a great book. It’s short and classic Chris Allsburg. He laughed at the end. He gave this 4 stars. He wants to read this again.
SPOILERS:
I have to speak on the end. It’s so good. You need to go read it, but the dog eats the fig and Bibot wakes up as the dog and the dog is now in Bibot’s body and the man’s trying to take out Bibot the dog. They switched places. It’s the best ending ever. It’s so wonderful. READ THIS BOOK....more
A king loves his enormous diamond. He has it on a pedestal, in Persia long ago, so that the light will hit it and fill his royal throne room with rainA king loves his enormous diamond. He has it on a pedestal, in Persia long ago, so that the light will hit it and fill his royal throne room with rainbows. He’s very trusting. He has no guards and he lets any and all in his kingdom come and see the lights. As you can imagine, one day a thief rides a horse into the room and steals the diamond and off he runs until he has an accident and drops the diamond and it shatters, which really, it shatters? Diamonds are hard.
This King/emperor loves his light and when the kingdom finds the pieces the king goes out and lives in the desert to look at the diamond’s light. He loves his light.
It might come as a surprise, but this is all about carpets. It’s a good story, you should read it and find out how they connect.
The artwork is lovely, very inspired.
The nephew thought this was a little weird. He said this guy sure did like his rainbows. He thought the story was ok for not having monsters in it. He gave it 2 stars and he told me to get him some better books to read. ...more
I loved this beautiful book with it’s Northern setting. A family is bringing home a Christmas tree they cut down in the woods and they are bringing hoI loved this beautiful book with it’s Northern setting. A family is bringing home a Christmas tree they cut down in the woods and they are bringing home more than they bargained for - Trolls. Christmas items begin to disappear all around the house and Treva figures out who is taking their things. A hedgehog comes into play in this story and I wonder if he is related to Hedgie. Treva teaches the trolls all about Christmas and what it means and she herself has her understanding expanded by helping them.
It’s a beautiful book with Jan’s amazing borders of artwork. Sometime they are on the side, the bottom or the top. The artwork has some detailed Nordic or Lapland looking architecture and symbols. The details Jan gives are stunning. She is one of my favorite authors of children’s books.
It’s Christmas and the niece likes to read the Christmas books with us sometimes. So, we all read this, together again. She loved this book and thought the trolls were so very cute. She gave this 4 stars. The nephew thought the trolls were so much better than the Dreamworks trolls and very funny. He liked Mig and Tig. He gave this book 5 stars. He wanted to get a Hedgehog too. He also enjoyed the reindeer that the children owned in the book. They have been trying to get a chicken for the yard and their parents won’t even let them have a chicken and these kids, in the story, get a reindeer. The niblings are going to lodge a complaint....more
Owen loves his blanket and he’s getting big, so his parents are trying to take it or have him give it up. He’s about to start school and he can’t takeOwen loves his blanket and he’s getting big, so his parents are trying to take it or have him give it up. He’s about to start school and he can’t take it with him. There are many cute scenes of him and his blanket. They come up with a great ending to the story of how Owen does give up the blanket. It’s a smart idea. That blanket is very gross after all it goes through.
This is a beginning story. It’s cute, but the art didn’t stand out for me.
The nephew loved the picture of Owen and his blanket on the toilet. He laughed and laughed at that one. I think the nephew got this story and he gave this 4 stars. He liked it. This was below my niece and she only gave this 2 stars. She is tired of the young books....more
A colorful beginning book about a pond. Each page has 3 to 4 words on it. We are shown the life of a pond cycle. The artwork is very colorful and brigA colorful beginning book about a pond. Each page has 3 to 4 words on it. We are shown the life of a pond cycle. The artwork is very colorful and bright. It’s a good mood book.
The niece rolled her eyes at this. It’s too young for her and she is tired of these young books. The words rhyme, but the nephew couldn’t read all the words. He needed help. The niece gave this 1 star and the nephew was sort of bored to and he gave this 2 stars.
I graduated high school the year this was published. That is such a strange thought. ...more
This is a beginning little story about an introvert and an extravert. Each page has one or two words for each character going back and forth. The extrThis is a beginning little story about an introvert and an extravert. Each page has one or two words for each character going back and forth. The extravert is asking to be friends by getting his attention with ‘Yo� and the introvert doesn’t get what’s going on. He is unsure of what’s happening. Eventually, they get there and they do become friends.
It’s a simple and sweet book. It has great energy and the characters do come across the page. The colors are bold and it is fun.
The nephew thought this was a fun book. He gave this 5 stars. He could also read this book and this thrilled him to be the reader. The niece didn’t care for the story, but she was glad her brother could read the story. It was exciting. She gave this 2 stars. It’s still too young for her....more
The artwork is very stark. It is dark using a lamp or a small source of light to play with the shadows. An immigrant family lost their mother and theiThe artwork is very stark. It is dark using a lamp or a small source of light to play with the shadows. An immigrant family lost their mother and their father is sick. Peppe looks all over for a job and finally finds one lighting the lamps. His father thinks it’s a horrible job and he is ashamed of Peppe. It’s the illness talking. One night Peppe is so ashamed of his job now, that he doesn’t light the lamps. His sister is not home. His father begs him to light the lamps so the young girl can find her way home. So Peppe lights the lamps. It’s a tough story. Immigrant stories are tough.
One aspect of the story that touched me was that when Peppe first gets his job, he sends up a prayer for each lamp he lights. It’s a beautiful practice. That’s making the mundane sacred is what that is. The artwork is oppressive in some ways, but it does have its beauty. It's not really beautiful, except it's darkness, but it's powerful in it's truth.
The niece thought this was a sad tale and it made her feel sad even though there was a nice ending. She gave this 3 stars. She asked if people had to live like that and yes, many people did and still do. The nephew thought this was long. It was too serious for him and he said it could have been funnier. I told him it wasn’t supposed to be funny and he shrugged. He gave this 2 stars. ...more
What a lovely book about the wanderings of a family. This is told by Allen about his grandfather who visited the USA long ago and feel in love with boWhat a lovely book about the wanderings of a family. This is told by Allen about his grandfather who visited the USA long ago and feel in love with both this country and his country. He would go back and forth as he loved California so much. He felt homesick for whichever place he just left. His grandson moved from Japan to San Fran when he was 16 and he also feels the same longing and has to visit back and forth.
It really is a beautiful little story about a family that spans decades and countries. It is somewhat of an immigration story.
The children thought this was a little interesting, but they weren’t into it too much. They travel a lot from state to state at times seeing family and to them traveling is no big deal. The nephew gave this 2 stars and the niece gave this 3 stars....more
Well, Another book about Santa Claus, but William gives Santa an enemy in the Dark elf Queen. The pictures are pure William Joyce and the imagination Well, Another book about Santa Claus, but William gives Santa an enemy in the Dark elf Queen. The pictures are pure William Joyce and the imagination is on joyous display here. The North Poll seems more like a bright Seaside tourist attraction than a place of pure heart, but the kids love the illustrations.
I love the reason for this whole adventure. A little girl asks to be friends with her brother and nephew. He sets up an adventure just for her. It's a lovely thought.
Both kids really got into this book. They asked if there really was a poll like in the book? They had all kinds of questions about Santa. They were hopping up and down with excitement thinking about Santa. They both gave this 5 stars....more
I read Manybooks review (it's a review worth reading - it's very good!) about this book before I did my review. She really made me think - a lot. I adI read Manybooks review (it's a review worth reading - it's very good!) about this book before I did my review. She really made me think - a lot. I admit to not knowing who Gerald really was or much about the Raven history in stories. I was going to give it 4 stars and after reading Manybooks, I don't think I can for now. I had to take a star. I do feel it's a good story and the artwork is beautiful and stylized.
Is this cultural appropriation? Gerald is an amazing artist, could he not find someone from a Native tribe to tell this story with him as it's their story. Then again, do myths really belong to the culture they were written in, or are they the property of the world?? I'm not really Greek and I love the Greek myths. We can all learn from the myths, right. I love myths from all over the world. I'm really getting into Chinese myths right now. Still, if the minority race doesn't have an opportunity to tell their story, is that fair either. I don't know, well, I know it's not fair to the Native people's and they need to tell their stories and at the same time anyone is able to retell a story. I think I can see this story as this is Gerald's version of the myth of the Pacific Northwest peoples. I would also like to read the myth from someone who grew up with these stories as kids. The myths have many tellings and this is one more. My brain is so tangled. arrgh.
Myths were used to explain phenomenon in life. Science is now capable of explaining how all this works and it is important to know that. For me, the myths still have a power in them. The idea behind them is interesting to me. It's not that I think the myths happened, it's the truth they tell with the knowledge they had still has power in our psyche and imagination. I still feel myths are important for our spirits. Science has it's own beauty and I'm glad we know so much more than we did, but I like the piece that a myth fills in my spirit. I can relate to that piece still. People are ultimately storytellers and we learn from stories. I like the idea, "Politicians use lies to hide the truth, while storytellers use lies to tell the truth." Was that Mark Twain? not sure. That has stuck with me.
The kids knew none of this and they thought the book was great. They gave it 4 stars too. We all thought the artwork was amazing. I did enjoy the book for the story it told....more
Another Cranberryport yeah. I love this series. This is the least of the ones I read so far, but it was still a good book. Grandma puts on an antique Another Cranberryport yeah. I love this series. This is the least of the ones I read so far, but it was still a good book. Grandma puts on an antique sale for the whole town to make some back-to-school money. She find 2 of the scariest looking staffordshire dogs I've ever seen. They are supposed to be worth something, but they belong in a horror museum if you ask me. Anyway.
Poor Mr. Whiskers doesn't have anything of worth to buy. He's still saying suffering codfish, so that makes me happy. Mr. Grape tries to swindle Grandmother by sending her off to a fake phone call so Mr. Whiskers will take over and he can fool him. He removes the 200$ price tag from the dogs and tries to buy them for 20$. Mr. Whiskers saves the day by getting in a bidding war.
It's quite cute how it all plays out really. Mr. Whiskers is a walking mess. The art seems to suffer a little in this one. I think I love that New England charm. The nephew likes Mr. Whiskers. He thinks he's funny. He gave the book 4 stars. I couldn't get the niece to read it. She said the artwork is too baby for her. Her loss. There will be more Cranberryport books for me. ...more
Sweet story about growing pains and missing those we love. Chester doesn't want to go to school, he will miss his mother. It's a great idea that the mSweet story about growing pains and missing those we love. Chester doesn't want to go to school, he will miss his mother. It's a great idea that the mother comes up with. She kisses his hand and tells him the kiss will stick all day. Wonderful idea. You carry the energy of that love with you all day and it's a reminder that we can all do that.
I remember school felt long as a child. It felt like it would never end. I think this would have been comforting if I had known about it. The kids here love their parents dearly and they are also extraverts. If they get to socialize, they don't look back. The nephew still liked this book and he had his mother kiss his hand because he liked it. He gave the book 5 stars. The niece said she read this when she was a kid, which she probably did....more
This is a fun book. I love getting the pictures to come in clear. You can tell this was the first one they did as it's so simple. They get more compliThis is a fun book. I love getting the pictures to come in clear. You can tell this was the first one they did as it's so simple. They get more complicated as they go. This is the first one that set the nation on fire in '93. I remember how big the fad was. No story here.
My niece was so excited that she could actually see one, just one. The nephew didn't see any. They have a hard time sitting still long enough to see them....more
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