Thursday, January 21, 2010
Review-"Stuart Little"
"Stuart Little" by E. B. White, Pictures by Garth Williams
Harper and Row, Publishers 1945
This is a library book, borrowed for the purpose of reading/reviewing.
I know you are probably wondering what more can be said on this classic story for children?
I had never read this story before, nor had I seen the movie made in 1999.
My answer to the above question is that I have now read this book through the eyes of a fresh perspective.
"Stuart Little" is the teeny tiny second son of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick C. Little. Stuart is two inches tall, and well not only does he look like a mouse, he is a mouse. Nevertheless Mr. and Mrs. Little love Stuart and they make every possible comfortable convenience for him. The Little family lives in New York City. They have an older son named George. They have a cat named Snowbell. Everyday is an adventure for Stuart, his size and
ability are a help at times, and they are a hindrance at times. Stuart becomes friends with Margalo a little bird. The bond between the two is immediate.
I loved, loved, loved this story!
I can understand why children would love it. As an adult I immediately picked up on the fact that because of Stuart's small status, and difference in the rest of his family, it reminded me of children that have disabilities.
A parent that loves their child will make every effort to make their child as comfortable and loved as possible, just as Mr. and Mrs. Little did for Stuart.
This was a great teaching lesson for children, that love is love, and it is not dependent on a persons ability or disability. That love looks beyond the persons looks, or disabilities.
Stuart has all the great character traits in an individual: bravery, kindness, friendliness, compassion, perseverance, and determination.
The author wrote the story with a kind hand; he told the story as if he were reading aloud to a child, with sincerity, kindness, and a gentle voice.
I am not fond of mice, have you noticed how many children's book have mice and rats as characters?
Stuart on the other hand is a John Wayne among Children's characters.
Blissful Reading!
Annette
Harper and Row, Publishers 1945
This is a library book, borrowed for the purpose of reading/reviewing.
I know you are probably wondering what more can be said on this classic story for children?
I had never read this story before, nor had I seen the movie made in 1999.
My answer to the above question is that I have now read this book through the eyes of a fresh perspective.
"Stuart Little" is the teeny tiny second son of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick C. Little. Stuart is two inches tall, and well not only does he look like a mouse, he is a mouse. Nevertheless Mr. and Mrs. Little love Stuart and they make every possible comfortable convenience for him. The Little family lives in New York City. They have an older son named George. They have a cat named Snowbell. Everyday is an adventure for Stuart, his size and
ability are a help at times, and they are a hindrance at times. Stuart becomes friends with Margalo a little bird. The bond between the two is immediate.
I loved, loved, loved this story!
I can understand why children would love it. As an adult I immediately picked up on the fact that because of Stuart's small status, and difference in the rest of his family, it reminded me of children that have disabilities.
A parent that loves their child will make every effort to make their child as comfortable and loved as possible, just as Mr. and Mrs. Little did for Stuart.
This was a great teaching lesson for children, that love is love, and it is not dependent on a persons ability or disability. That love looks beyond the persons looks, or disabilities.
Stuart has all the great character traits in an individual: bravery, kindness, friendliness, compassion, perseverance, and determination.
The author wrote the story with a kind hand; he told the story as if he were reading aloud to a child, with sincerity, kindness, and a gentle voice.
I am not fond of mice, have you noticed how many children's book have mice and rats as characters?
Stuart on the other hand is a John Wayne among Children's characters.
Blissful Reading!
Annette
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
"The Elements of a Writer"
Lerner Publications Company Minneapolis, Copyright 1995
128 pages, Grades 7-10
Book borrowed from the library for purpose of reading/reviewing.
E. B. White is Elwynn Brooks White born July 11, 1899 in Mt. Vernon, New York. He was the youngest of six children. By age eight he was keeping a journal. He started submitting stories to magazines at the age of 11. Throughout high school and college he worked on the school newspapers. Later he traveled and worked for publishing companies. E. B. White later married and had a family. E. B. White is best known in the literary world as the author of "Charlotte's Web" and "Stuart Little." Both of these book have been an enduring treasure for children and adults.
I liked this book. It is written with the main audience of grades seven through ten. I found it to be interesting, giving the basics of biography information on Mr. White, I felt there is nothing that was sensationalized. It is interesting, gave facts that I did not know. I feel that it gave me a foundation for the book that I will be reading soon "Stuart Little."
Blissful Reading!
Annette
Monday, January 11, 2010
"Farm Flu"
Published by Albert Whitman and Company 2001 library addition
For ages 4-8
This book was borrowed from the library for the purpose of reading/reviewing.
This is a rhyming story of a boy and his barnyard of animals with the flu!
Wonderful fun adventure on the farm that this boy has, this boy that so wants to do what his mother would do.
The story is ticklishly comical, sweet, endearing, funny mayhem, and kind-hearted.
I loved the pictures, they are colorful and detailed. The scenes display the love the boy has for his animals on the farm.
Celeste my granddaughter had me read this book to her a second time after I had just finished it. She laughed and laughed!
Blissful Reading!
Annette
"That Book Woman"
"That Book Woman" by Heather Henson with pictures by David Small
This is a Texas Blue Bonnet Award Nominee
Published 2008 by Atheneum Books for Young Readers
For ages 4-8
This book was borrowed from the library for the purpose of reading/reviewing.
Fabulous fun to read this book in my best southern country drawl.
My granddaughter had great fun listening to me read to her, she even said "Nana you talk funny!"
The story is of family that lives in a rural place. A sister Lark loves books, but her brother Cal does not. A lady on horseback no matter the weather or terrain, brings books for the family.
Cal is at a loss of understanding why this woman keeps coming and he has a terrible attitude.
As the book progresses the story unfolds the mission of the wise traveling librarian!
This is a great book, I enjoyed reading it and my granddaughter loved it!
Blissful Reading!
Annette
Friday, January 8, 2010
Review-"Island of the Blue Dolphins"
"Island of the Blue Dolphins" by Scott O'Dell
Yearling-Random House Children's Books, originally published by Houghton Mifflin Company
Juvenile Fiction
Published 1960, 184 pages
Winner of John Newbery Medal in 1961
Book bought by me for the purpose of reading and review...and passing on to my grandchildren.
I read "Island of the Blue Dolphins" when I was 10 years old. Reading the book changed my life. It started a passion for reading in me that has never diminished.
When I recently read the opening line, "I remember the day the Aleut ship came to our island." Like a bolt of lightening I was awakened as if I'd been asleep, and I remembered the passion I'd had for this book, this small 184 page paperback book.
I've noticed that as an adult when I re-read books I'd read as a child, I notice or pick up on things I had not before. I'm sure this is normal, it makes for re-reading of these books similar to reading them for the first time.
"Island of the Blue Dolphins" is based on a true tale of "The Lost or Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island."
The story is of a woman that lived alone on the island for 18 years after she jumped the ship that carried the rest of her people to California. There are various reasons given as to why she jumped the ship and swam back to island.
Information about this story is at the following links.
http://www.sbnature.org/research/anthro/chumash/lowom.htm
http://www.nativevillage.org/Messages%20from%20the%20People/Lone%20Woman%20of%20San%20Nicolas%20Island.htm
"Island of the Blue Dolphins" is one of eight island that are apart of the Channel Islands in the Pacific Ocean just off the Southern California coast. The size of the island is eight miles by 3 miles. In the book it is explained that it is shaped like a dolphin. The real name of the island is San Nicolas island.
The story "Island of the Blue Dolphins" is the story of Karana. Karana is a young woman that lives on this island with her people, a small group of Indians. They call the island Ghalas-at. Karana's father is the chief, she has a young brother Ramo, and a sister Ulape. Early in the story Karana and her people are told they are to be re-located by ship to somewhere else. Karana believes that her brother is aboard the ship with all of their people. She sees him still on the island and she jumps off of the ship and into the ocean swimming back to the island. Most of the book is of Karana's survival on the island and waiting for the ship to come back.
The character Karana is a heroine in that she is an intelligent, resourceful, wise, contemplative, quick learner, compassionate, resilient, and faithful young woman. She is bold and adventurous, she is patient and loving. Her character is of all of those traits that appeal to humanity. I was swept away by her story, hoping for her survival.
The book is not a wordy book-verbs are used-but needless words are omitted leaving room for the mind of the reader to fill in.
The book is written without certain details that would upset children.
The story of Karana kept me turning the page wanting to know what her next adventure would be, how would she survive, when would she be rescued?
Blissful Reading!
Annette
Yearling-Random House Children's Books, originally published by Houghton Mifflin Company
Juvenile Fiction
Published 1960, 184 pages
Winner of John Newbery Medal in 1961
Book bought by me for the purpose of reading and review...and passing on to my grandchildren.
I read "Island of the Blue Dolphins" when I was 10 years old. Reading the book changed my life. It started a passion for reading in me that has never diminished.
When I recently read the opening line, "I remember the day the Aleut ship came to our island." Like a bolt of lightening I was awakened as if I'd been asleep, and I remembered the passion I'd had for this book, this small 184 page paperback book.
I've noticed that as an adult when I re-read books I'd read as a child, I notice or pick up on things I had not before. I'm sure this is normal, it makes for re-reading of these books similar to reading them for the first time.
"Island of the Blue Dolphins" is based on a true tale of "The Lost or Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island."
The story is of a woman that lived alone on the island for 18 years after she jumped the ship that carried the rest of her people to California. There are various reasons given as to why she jumped the ship and swam back to island.
Information about this story is at the following links.
http://www.sbnature.org/research/anthro/chumash/lowom.htm
http://www.nativevillage.org/Messages%20from%20the%20People/Lone%20Woman%20of%20San%20Nicolas%20Island.htm
"Island of the Blue Dolphins" is one of eight island that are apart of the Channel Islands in the Pacific Ocean just off the Southern California coast. The size of the island is eight miles by 3 miles. In the book it is explained that it is shaped like a dolphin. The real name of the island is San Nicolas island.
The story "Island of the Blue Dolphins" is the story of Karana. Karana is a young woman that lives on this island with her people, a small group of Indians. They call the island Ghalas-at. Karana's father is the chief, she has a young brother Ramo, and a sister Ulape. Early in the story Karana and her people are told they are to be re-located by ship to somewhere else. Karana believes that her brother is aboard the ship with all of their people. She sees him still on the island and she jumps off of the ship and into the ocean swimming back to the island. Most of the book is of Karana's survival on the island and waiting for the ship to come back.
The character Karana is a heroine in that she is an intelligent, resourceful, wise, contemplative, quick learner, compassionate, resilient, and faithful young woman. She is bold and adventurous, she is patient and loving. Her character is of all of those traits that appeal to humanity. I was swept away by her story, hoping for her survival.
The book is not a wordy book-verbs are used-but needless words are omitted leaving room for the mind of the reader to fill in.
The book is written without certain details that would upset children.
The story of Karana kept me turning the page wanting to know what her next adventure would be, how would she survive, when would she be rescued?
Blissful Reading!
Annette
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