I'm starting this year with listing the titles of picture books that I use for Storytime each Tuesday.
For the record, I do a "Family-Style Storytime" aimed at babies-in-arms to age 4, and usually have between 10 and 20 attendees (including parents/guardians).
Oh! by Kevin Henkes, illustrated by Laura Dronzek
Greenwillow, 1999
ISBN: 9780688170530
Various animals and children exclaim in delight at a fresh snowfall, cavort all morning and afternoon, and then head back home at night to rest for the next day of fun. Sweet pastel short page-vignettes for each different animal all smush together at the end in a satisfying manner.
Snowballs by Lois Ehlert
HMH for Young Readers, 1995
ISBN: 9780152000745
Bright "found object" collages combine to create layered snow-creatures, from family members to cats and dogs. High interest-value for identifying the snow-creature components (acorns, carrots, buttons...). The endpapers feature actual snowmen created by the Ehlert family.
Utterly Otterly Night, by Mary Casanova, illustrated by Ard Hoyt
Simon & Schuster for Young Readers, 2011
ISBN: 9781416975625
Little otter is growing up fast (from his first appearance in Utterly Otterly Day) and during a winter night frolic, he proves his maturity by taunting and evading a pack of wolves while his family slips into their den to safety. Snappy non-consecutive rhymes and onomatopoeic words make this a good one to practice a few times before reading to the kids.
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Monday, January 6, 2014
House of Shadows, Rachel Neumeier
House of Shadows
Rachel Neumeier
ISBN: 9780316072779
Re-Read January 6, 2014
Fantasy: Magecraft, bardic magic, geisha, mysterious cats, portentous curses, Princes, Kings, and dragons.
Karah is the beautiful sister, and Nemienne the one who doesn't quite fit in, and that's good, because after the death of their father, both sisters will move out into the larger world to support their remaining five sisters.
Nemienne, with her smoky, shadowed eyes, ends up apprenticed to the master Mage Akennes, while Karah finds her beauty a perfect fit for the cultured world of the Keiso, the geisha-like women of leisure who aim to become wealthy kept women of the nobility. Despite the divergence of their paths, these two sisters keep spiraling in towards each other, and they are key to unraveling a mystery, and perhaps preventing a murder.
I originally read this sometime in summer 2012, and I enjoyed it immensely. I loved the political twists, the cultural details, the details of the various types of magic (especially the bardic work) and the quirks and details of the individual characters. The "bardic sorcery" was so interesting and well-described that I'm pretty sure I emailed Patrick Rothfuss with a semi-coherent yet enthusiastic recommendation immediately afterwards.
Unreservedly recommended, and just as good on a second read-through.
One teeny-tiny niggle: some of the names are unfortunately close: Nemienne is the sister, Narienneh is the matriarch of the Keiso (geisha) house. Lily is a nasty deisa (geisha-trainee) and Leilis is a sort of chatelaine of the establishment. A little frustrating. On the other hand, if you must name your male character Tod, I have no objections to spelling it Taudde in order to make it more alien, and therefore palatable. I still reserve the right to roll my eyes just a smidge.
Rachel Neumeier
ISBN: 9780316072779
Re-Read January 6, 2014
Fantasy: Magecraft, bardic magic, geisha, mysterious cats, portentous curses, Princes, Kings, and dragons.
Karah is the beautiful sister, and Nemienne the one who doesn't quite fit in, and that's good, because after the death of their father, both sisters will move out into the larger world to support their remaining five sisters.
Nemienne, with her smoky, shadowed eyes, ends up apprenticed to the master Mage Akennes, while Karah finds her beauty a perfect fit for the cultured world of the Keiso, the geisha-like women of leisure who aim to become wealthy kept women of the nobility. Despite the divergence of their paths, these two sisters keep spiraling in towards each other, and they are key to unraveling a mystery, and perhaps preventing a murder.
I originally read this sometime in summer 2012, and I enjoyed it immensely. I loved the political twists, the cultural details, the details of the various types of magic (especially the bardic work) and the quirks and details of the individual characters. The "bardic sorcery" was so interesting and well-described that I'm pretty sure I emailed Patrick Rothfuss with a semi-coherent yet enthusiastic recommendation immediately afterwards.
Unreservedly recommended, and just as good on a second read-through.
One teeny-tiny niggle: some of the names are unfortunately close: Nemienne is the sister, Narienneh is the matriarch of the Keiso (geisha) house. Lily is a nasty deisa (geisha-trainee) and Leilis is a sort of chatelaine of the establishment. A little frustrating. On the other hand, if you must name your male character Tod, I have no objections to spelling it Taudde in order to make it more alien, and therefore palatable. I still reserve the right to roll my eyes just a smidge.
Picture Book: Grumpy Goat, Brett Helquist
Grumpy Goat
Brett Helquist
ISBN: 9780061139536
Read: January 6, 2014
Picture Book: Grumpy Goat is not just anti-social, he's actively nasty to the other animals. Then one day he spots something beautiful, something that reminds him of light and life and happiness. His newfound sweet nature draws in the other wary animals, who then prove to be true friends when Goat's transient object of adoration is lost to him. A shining example of seeing beauty in the smallest thing, of standing by friends when they are feeling sad, and a tribute to dandelions everywhere.
Brett Helquist
ISBN: 9780061139536
Read: January 6, 2014
Picture Book: Grumpy Goat is not just anti-social, he's actively nasty to the other animals. Then one day he spots something beautiful, something that reminds him of light and life and happiness. His newfound sweet nature draws in the other wary animals, who then prove to be true friends when Goat's transient object of adoration is lost to him. A shining example of seeing beauty in the smallest thing, of standing by friends when they are feeling sad, and a tribute to dandelions everywhere.
Friday, January 3, 2014
The Limit, Kristen Landon
The Limit
Kristen Landon
ISBN: 9781442402713
Read January 3, 2014
Middle-grade dystopia: 13-year old Matt is the scapegoat for his family's lack of money savvy - he's off to the workhouse to earn enough money to get them back under the federally-mandated family debt limit. Fortunately, Matt is a genius, and assigned to work in the Top Level, a world short school days, even shorter work days, indoor pools, gyms, and unlimited spending accounts. Unfortunately for Matt, something extra despicable seems to be happening in his workhouse, and his family's money woes are suddenly the least of his problems, while his cushy life up Top may be adding to them.
Not an amazing read, but not shabby either. It suffered a bit from the juvenile/middle-grade/YA trap that makes adults into imbeciles in order to ease plotting concerns, but not overly so (and to be honest, I know lots of people who are either in denial or incapable regarding their finances).
The kids in focus are super-genius, but they still act like kids - goofing off, playing around, working out boundaries between teasing and bullying, but all of that stays in the background in service of straightforward furthering of the plot. That's somewhat to the detriment of the story, actually, especially in the neglect of the female characters, and of the villainess and her motivations and background.
Matt's motivations seem organic and realistic, as do his rebellions. I'm only left wondering why on earth the villainess didn't seem to have had any experience with any other hormonal and rebellious teens before this, as she seemed totally unable to comprehend the concept of continuing defiance.
The book sorts itself out quickly, the denouement skips effortlessly over some really interesting questions (why and how did a workhouse concept actually come to pass) and moves blithely onward to a slightly-less-dystopic endpoint. The whole plotline really felt like a stripped-down and much less world-built version of Ready Player One.
Kristen Landon
ISBN: 9781442402713
Read January 3, 2014
Middle-grade dystopia: 13-year old Matt is the scapegoat for his family's lack of money savvy - he's off to the workhouse to earn enough money to get them back under the federally-mandated family debt limit. Fortunately, Matt is a genius, and assigned to work in the Top Level, a world short school days, even shorter work days, indoor pools, gyms, and unlimited spending accounts. Unfortunately for Matt, something extra despicable seems to be happening in his workhouse, and his family's money woes are suddenly the least of his problems, while his cushy life up Top may be adding to them.
Not an amazing read, but not shabby either. It suffered a bit from the juvenile/middle-grade/YA trap that makes adults into imbeciles in order to ease plotting concerns, but not overly so (and to be honest, I know lots of people who are either in denial or incapable regarding their finances).
The kids in focus are super-genius, but they still act like kids - goofing off, playing around, working out boundaries between teasing and bullying, but all of that stays in the background in service of straightforward furthering of the plot. That's somewhat to the detriment of the story, actually, especially in the neglect of the female characters, and of the villainess and her motivations and background.
Matt's motivations seem organic and realistic, as do his rebellions. I'm only left wondering why on earth the villainess didn't seem to have had any experience with any other hormonal and rebellious teens before this, as she seemed totally unable to comprehend the concept of continuing defiance.
The book sorts itself out quickly, the denouement skips effortlessly over some really interesting questions (why and how did a workhouse concept actually come to pass) and moves blithely onward to a slightly-less-dystopic endpoint. The whole plotline really felt like a stripped-down and much less world-built version of Ready Player One.
Three Tales of My Father's Dragon, Ruth Stiles Gannet
Three Tales of My Father's Dragon (50th anniversary hardcover edition)
Ruth Stiles Gannet, illustrated by Ruth Chrisman Gannet
ISBN: 0679887116
Re-Read: December 30, 2013 - January 3, 2014.
Juv: illustrated trio of stories about Elmer Elevator and his adventures with Boris the blue-and-yellow striped baby dragon. The first was written and illustrated as a family project, and published in 1948 to instant acclaim.
I remember these so fondly from childhood. The tangerines, the sticks of chewing gum, the very carefully crafted lists of everything from knapsack provisions to hidden treasure contents. And of course the elderly stray cat, the baby dragon, and Elmer himself, totally willing to rise to any occasion as long as he's had a bit of time to think through a plan.
The first story is the classic, the one most people will remember, where Elmer ventures to Wild Island and braves everything from boars to rhinos to crocodiles with wit, chewing gum, toothpaste, and lollipops, on his mission to rescue a mistreated baby dragon who is chained to a river crossing.
The second story chronicles Elmer and the Baby Dragon's journey to bring Elmer back home in time for his father's birthday, with their stopover at the Island of Escaped Canaries, where King Can the XI, and all the other canaries, are dying (albeit very slowly) of curiousity because the King won't tell his deep family secret about a long-hidden treasure.
Third story has Boris (the baby dragon now has a name) returning home to the Blueland Mountains after schlepping Elmer back home. Unfortunately, Boris arrives just in time to see his whole family (all 15 of them: 6 sisters, 7 brothers, and parents) besieged inside their cave home, trapped by a group of explorers determined to capture them and sell them off to zoos. Back to Elmer for assistance, and the two children sneakily and cleverly defeat the bad guys, leaving no one the wiser.
Delightful memories, delightful stories, and the illustrations are just quirky and sweet enough to fit perfectly.
Ruth Stiles Gannet, illustrated by Ruth Chrisman Gannet
ISBN: 0679887116
Re-Read: December 30, 2013 - January 3, 2014.
Juv: illustrated trio of stories about Elmer Elevator and his adventures with Boris the blue-and-yellow striped baby dragon. The first was written and illustrated as a family project, and published in 1948 to instant acclaim.
I remember these so fondly from childhood. The tangerines, the sticks of chewing gum, the very carefully crafted lists of everything from knapsack provisions to hidden treasure contents. And of course the elderly stray cat, the baby dragon, and Elmer himself, totally willing to rise to any occasion as long as he's had a bit of time to think through a plan.
The first story is the classic, the one most people will remember, where Elmer ventures to Wild Island and braves everything from boars to rhinos to crocodiles with wit, chewing gum, toothpaste, and lollipops, on his mission to rescue a mistreated baby dragon who is chained to a river crossing.
The second story chronicles Elmer and the Baby Dragon's journey to bring Elmer back home in time for his father's birthday, with their stopover at the Island of Escaped Canaries, where King Can the XI, and all the other canaries, are dying (albeit very slowly) of curiousity because the King won't tell his deep family secret about a long-hidden treasure.
Third story has Boris (the baby dragon now has a name) returning home to the Blueland Mountains after schlepping Elmer back home. Unfortunately, Boris arrives just in time to see his whole family (all 15 of them: 6 sisters, 7 brothers, and parents) besieged inside their cave home, trapped by a group of explorers determined to capture them and sell them off to zoos. Back to Elmer for assistance, and the two children sneakily and cleverly defeat the bad guys, leaving no one the wiser.
Delightful memories, delightful stories, and the illustrations are just quirky and sweet enough to fit perfectly.
Sally Slick & The Steel Syndicate, Carrie Harris
Sally Slick & the Steel Syndicate: A Tale of the Young Centurions
Carrie Harris
ISBN: 9781613170632
Read January 2, 2014
YA: FATE role-playing system tie-in novel, first of a planned series (sequel: Sally Slick and the Miniature Menace).
Sally is the only girl in a family of 7 boys, and she's an inventor to boot. She's proud of her inventions, especially her racing tractor. She's less proud that the town bully and his gang continue to beat up her best (only) friend Jet while she stays out of their way. When her eldest brother returns from Chicago and tries to secretly bury a broken mechanical man in the family graveyard, Sally gets mixed up in more danger and excitement than she'd ever imagined. The mechanical man is the focus of a turf-war between Chicago gangsters. The Steel Don and a strange inventor, her brother's employer Doktor Proktor, both want the power this invention will grant them. As Sally tries to keep her family, especially her brother James, safe, she realizes that her own skills are in demand as well, and that her opponents will stop at nothing to secure her talent.
This was created as a "stretch goal" for a Kickstarter campaign for the FATE system, and it shows a little. The book is softbound, with those glare-white pages and really narrow margins that scream "self-published" but the content is thankfully not subject to the usual low self-publishing standards. I didn't notice any typographical or grammar mistakes, no great jumps in narrative, or strange railroading or mystical decisionmaking. The plot was funny and quick, the characters quirky and individualized (except for the 7 brothers, of whom I know of the sick baby, the twins (one of whom is a prankster, and the other a tactical genius) and the eldest brother. 4 out of 7 isn't bad, right?
The only real complaint I have with this one is that more times than not, the dialogue is stilted and somewhat off. People don't really talk to each other the way that the author has them do here, and it's a little bit of a detriment to the story, especially when the characters themselves are pretty nifty, and well-drawn.
Cute, fun, clean, and in the same excellent early-century inventor breed as Tom Swift, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, and The Rocketeer, but specifically geared towards younger readers. Not quite Jules Verne, but amusing and inventive. I only hope that Calamity the tractor will play a slightly larger role in the next book.
Carrie Harris
ISBN: 9781613170632
Read January 2, 2014
YA: FATE role-playing system tie-in novel, first of a planned series (sequel: Sally Slick and the Miniature Menace).
Sally is the only girl in a family of 7 boys, and she's an inventor to boot. She's proud of her inventions, especially her racing tractor. She's less proud that the town bully and his gang continue to beat up her best (only) friend Jet while she stays out of their way. When her eldest brother returns from Chicago and tries to secretly bury a broken mechanical man in the family graveyard, Sally gets mixed up in more danger and excitement than she'd ever imagined. The mechanical man is the focus of a turf-war between Chicago gangsters. The Steel Don and a strange inventor, her brother's employer Doktor Proktor, both want the power this invention will grant them. As Sally tries to keep her family, especially her brother James, safe, she realizes that her own skills are in demand as well, and that her opponents will stop at nothing to secure her talent.
This was created as a "stretch goal" for a Kickstarter campaign for the FATE system, and it shows a little. The book is softbound, with those glare-white pages and really narrow margins that scream "self-published" but the content is thankfully not subject to the usual low self-publishing standards. I didn't notice any typographical or grammar mistakes, no great jumps in narrative, or strange railroading or mystical decisionmaking. The plot was funny and quick, the characters quirky and individualized (except for the 7 brothers, of whom I know of the sick baby, the twins (one of whom is a prankster, and the other a tactical genius) and the eldest brother. 4 out of 7 isn't bad, right?
The only real complaint I have with this one is that more times than not, the dialogue is stilted and somewhat off. People don't really talk to each other the way that the author has them do here, and it's a little bit of a detriment to the story, especially when the characters themselves are pretty nifty, and well-drawn.
Cute, fun, clean, and in the same excellent early-century inventor breed as Tom Swift, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, and The Rocketeer, but specifically geared towards younger readers. Not quite Jules Verne, but amusing and inventive. I only hope that Calamity the tractor will play a slightly larger role in the next book.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Miss Manners Minds Your Business, Judith Martin & Nicholas Ivor Martin
First book of the New Year belongs to Miss Manners!
Miss Manners Minds Your Business
Judith Martin & Nicholas Ivor Martin
ISBN: 9780393081367
Read January 2, 2014
I've long thought that Miss Manners is getting more pert and saucy as she goes along, and this book was a major confirmation of my theory. Here, she deals with the trials and tribulations of the modern workforce, with cubicles, outdated sexist/classist "old boys" codes, and social networking snafus with wit and no small attitude of "Really? You brought this on yourself, you know, Gentle Reader. It's your own damn fault, but I'll do my best to help you out. Just this once."
She pulls no punches in skewering the nasty sides of work (really not a fan of office parties and Secret Santas) and of highlighting misplaced social attitudes (gossip circles and personal TMI revelations are both sternly rebuked) of the workers. She affirms the rights of workers to abstain from office friendships (which she considers an oxymoron) and to defend themselves from harmful or co-dependent requests from supervisors or coworkers that would have any therapist shaking their heads if originating from a loved one.
Most of all, this pointed and perfect advice is given in her trademarked (at least I hope it is) witty repartee and true knack for a devastating, yet totally innocent comment.
To avoid spoiling any of her excellent advice regarding workplaces, I'll excerpt a smidge from her introduction to the frailties of workplace friendships:
A perfect way to start off the New Year.
Miss Manners Minds Your Business
Judith Martin & Nicholas Ivor Martin
ISBN: 9780393081367
Read January 2, 2014
I've long thought that Miss Manners is getting more pert and saucy as she goes along, and this book was a major confirmation of my theory. Here, she deals with the trials and tribulations of the modern workforce, with cubicles, outdated sexist/classist "old boys" codes, and social networking snafus with wit and no small attitude of "Really? You brought this on yourself, you know, Gentle Reader. It's your own damn fault, but I'll do my best to help you out. Just this once."
She pulls no punches in skewering the nasty sides of work (really not a fan of office parties and Secret Santas) and of highlighting misplaced social attitudes (gossip circles and personal TMI revelations are both sternly rebuked) of the workers. She affirms the rights of workers to abstain from office friendships (which she considers an oxymoron) and to defend themselves from harmful or co-dependent requests from supervisors or coworkers that would have any therapist shaking their heads if originating from a loved one.
Most of all, this pointed and perfect advice is given in her trademarked (at least I hope it is) witty repartee and true knack for a devastating, yet totally innocent comment.
To avoid spoiling any of her excellent advice regarding workplaces, I'll excerpt a smidge from her introduction to the frailties of workplace friendships:
"Not all friends are friends. Unless the boyfriend and the girlfriend provide more than friendliness, they are known as "just friends" or even "former friends." But particular friends and special friends may have to be seated separately at dinner if they are to be able to follow the thread of the conversation without being distracted by what is going on under the table. This is not true of anyone characterized as "an elderly friend," a phrase sometimes used as code to mean that he lost the thread of the conversation long ago. And if you ever find yourself addressed as "my young friend," run for cover."
A perfect way to start off the New Year.
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