The Story of Diva and Flea
Mo Willems (Pigeon, Elephant and Piggie), illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi (Spiderwick, Changeling)
ISBN: 9781484722848
Quirky illustrations and an almost Lemony-Snicketish narrative voice make this friendship story sing.
This is the most adorable book I've read all year and it's absolutely perfect. Diva is a VERY small dog who lives with the caretaker of a set of Paris flats, and she's petrified of feet, but otherwise very brave and very clever. She is pampered and spoilt and happy. Flea is a lanky angular black cat, famous as a neighborhood flaneur (professional wanderer). When Flea happens upon Diva's set of flats, a beautiful friendship develops as both these spectacular personalities learn new and exciting things from their very different friend.
Did I mention that this book is PERFECT? It is. It is beautiful and perfect and special and it is why the universe was created, and why books were invented. Just for this story. Go find it and see if I'm wrong. I dare you.
Showing posts with label easy read. Show all posts
Showing posts with label easy read. Show all posts
Saturday, January 23, 2016
Friday, January 15, 2016
2015 Review Round-Up: Early Reader: Bunjitsu Bunny's Best Move, John Himmelman
Bunjitsu Bunny's Best Move (Tales of Bunjitsu Bunny)
John Himmelman
ISBN: 9780805099713
Isabel the bunjitsu is back, and better than ever with a new collection of black-and-white-and red illustrated stories.
Read October 2015
I am seriously in love with these books. In this round, we learn about the gift of failure, to avoid letting your opponent set the terms of your conflict, and lots of small child-sized life lessons (although honestly most adults could learn a thing or two from Isabel, her friends, and her teachers about how to live your best life). The stories are short, and the "lessons" are a bit more preachy than in the first book, but they're still not treacly or saccarine or false-faced. Isabel remains a flawed character, as do her friends and teachers, which is nice to see in this sort of story. Most of the concepts are centered around jujitsu ideals and concepts, but equally, most of them are applicable to the wider world and to personal development as well. An excellent read for the earliest of bunjitsu!
John Himmelman
ISBN: 9780805099713
Isabel the bunjitsu is back, and better than ever with a new collection of black-and-white-and red illustrated stories.
Read October 2015
I am seriously in love with these books. In this round, we learn about the gift of failure, to avoid letting your opponent set the terms of your conflict, and lots of small child-sized life lessons (although honestly most adults could learn a thing or two from Isabel, her friends, and her teachers about how to live your best life). The stories are short, and the "lessons" are a bit more preachy than in the first book, but they're still not treacly or saccarine or false-faced. Isabel remains a flawed character, as do her friends and teachers, which is nice to see in this sort of story. Most of the concepts are centered around jujitsu ideals and concepts, but equally, most of them are applicable to the wider world and to personal development as well. An excellent read for the earliest of bunjitsu!
Thursday, June 11, 2015
New Arrivals: Early Reader: The Princess in Black, Shannon & Dean Hale, and LeUyen Pham
The Princess in Black
Shannon Hale & Dean Hale, with illustrations by LeUyen Pham
ISBN: 9780763665104
Fairy-tale drawings don't quite do the spunky story justice.
I have to say, when it comes to perfect pairings, I would have thought this little book by Shannon and Dean Hale and illustrated by LeUyen Pham would have been just about everything my heart could have desired. This time, my knowledge of the previous works by these artists made this current book fall just a smidge flat for me. Compared to the witty and poignant work on Rapunzel's Revenge, and the beautiful cameo drawings of Bedtime for Mommy, I just didn't think this short chapter book quite measured up.
It's a cute romp; we meet Princess Magnolia (what a lovely Southern name that is) in her fairy-tale castle, entertaining the nosy noble Duchess Wigtower (and again with the names!). The duchess cannot know Magnolia's deepest darkest secret; she is also the Princess in Black, rescuer of the realm, defender of the innocent (usually livestock) and protector of the people! When an ogre in the deep dark caves manages to forget why ogres aren't allowed into the world above, the Princess in Black gets an alarm. Now she's really worried; what if the Duchess snoops while the Princess is away?
It's cute, don't get me wrong. It's also a lovely little girl-power story, perfect for a self-rescuing princess or budding Black Widow fan who isn't quite old enough for more lively (or bloody) derring-do. Still, I guess I just expected more from this particular trio.
Shannon Hale & Dean Hale, with illustrations by LeUyen Pham
ISBN: 9780763665104
Fairy-tale drawings don't quite do the spunky story justice.
I have to say, when it comes to perfect pairings, I would have thought this little book by Shannon and Dean Hale and illustrated by LeUyen Pham would have been just about everything my heart could have desired. This time, my knowledge of the previous works by these artists made this current book fall just a smidge flat for me. Compared to the witty and poignant work on Rapunzel's Revenge, and the beautiful cameo drawings of Bedtime for Mommy, I just didn't think this short chapter book quite measured up.
It's a cute romp; we meet Princess Magnolia (what a lovely Southern name that is) in her fairy-tale castle, entertaining the nosy noble Duchess Wigtower (and again with the names!). The duchess cannot know Magnolia's deepest darkest secret; she is also the Princess in Black, rescuer of the realm, defender of the innocent (usually livestock) and protector of the people! When an ogre in the deep dark caves manages to forget why ogres aren't allowed into the world above, the Princess in Black gets an alarm. Now she's really worried; what if the Duchess snoops while the Princess is away?
It's cute, don't get me wrong. It's also a lovely little girl-power story, perfect for a self-rescuing princess or budding Black Widow fan who isn't quite old enough for more lively (or bloody) derring-do. Still, I guess I just expected more from this particular trio.
Monday, April 13, 2015
New Arrival: Juvenile Fiction: Tales of Bunjitsu Bunny, by John Himmelman
Tales of Bunjitsu Bunny
John Himmelman
ISBN: 9780805099706
Black and white and red drawings show off fierce (but zen) bunnies learning the way of bunjitsu.
Brilliant. I saw this because it came through the library, but I bought myself a copy, and I'm getting one for my friend, a black belt in Ki-Aikido who has a young daughter. It's a brilliant way to explain the purpose and mindset behind the less-offensive of the martial arts.
Isabel is a great bunjitsu-kai, and she can kick harder, punch straighter, and tumble better than "anybunny" - but she also knows that the power of bunjitsu isn't in strength or fighting, but in using wisdom and knowledge and compassion to create a situation where a fight becomes simply unnecessary.
Himmelman is really good (like Jon J. Muth good) at teaching moral lessons without being preachy or "moralizing" at the reader. Isabel is a great illustration, and a great character. Her posture and her expressions, although done in thick outlines and blocky chunks of red, clearly show her emotions, from frustration to frazzled patience. She isn't perfect, but she tries to do her best. She practices and works at her bunjitsu, and plays happily with her fellow students. She's not a teacher or an "example" but a fun little bunny who has interesting martial-arts-based, real life based, small child level adventures.
I can't wait for the next installment: Bunjitsu Bunny's Best Move, coming out this fall!
John Himmelman
ISBN: 9780805099706
Black and white and red drawings show off fierce (but zen) bunnies learning the way of bunjitsu.
Brilliant. I saw this because it came through the library, but I bought myself a copy, and I'm getting one for my friend, a black belt in Ki-Aikido who has a young daughter. It's a brilliant way to explain the purpose and mindset behind the less-offensive of the martial arts.
Isabel is a great bunjitsu-kai, and she can kick harder, punch straighter, and tumble better than "anybunny" - but she also knows that the power of bunjitsu isn't in strength or fighting, but in using wisdom and knowledge and compassion to create a situation where a fight becomes simply unnecessary.
Himmelman is really good (like Jon J. Muth good) at teaching moral lessons without being preachy or "moralizing" at the reader. Isabel is a great illustration, and a great character. Her posture and her expressions, although done in thick outlines and blocky chunks of red, clearly show her emotions, from frustration to frazzled patience. She isn't perfect, but she tries to do her best. She practices and works at her bunjitsu, and plays happily with her fellow students. She's not a teacher or an "example" but a fun little bunny who has interesting martial-arts-based, real life based, small child level adventures.
I can't wait for the next installment: Bunjitsu Bunny's Best Move, coming out this fall!
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Early Reader: The Would-Be Witch, Ruth Chew
The Would-Be Witch
Ruth Chew
ISBN: 0803880847
Early Reader:
Robin and her little brother Andy are intrigued by Zelda, the quirky owner of the bits-n-bobs antique store that just opened nearby. Robin is especially taken by the beautiful but troublemaking white cat named Pearl. Andy is more distracted by a sub-plot at home involving two beautiful salt and pepper shakers shaped like birds, brought to life by a pot of "magic" cleaning salve.
Ruth Chew is one of those authors who I wish I would have found when I was a child. The story here is cute and fairly bland, but witches were totally verboten when I was young. Strangely enough, in this particular story, it isn't the old quirky lady who has arcane powers, but the two children (via the cleaning salve), and I gather that is similar for most of Chew's stories.
Notable scenes:
Robin and Andy shrinking down due to the molted silver feathers of Salt and Pepper.
Kids flying on a dustpan.
Zelda getting broom-flying instructions from Robin.
Zelda in tears because she wants to be a witch, but keeps failing the entrance exam.
The cauldron of ?? that has to be hot to work.
The snippy creepy black cat coven in the basement of the abandoned apartment building.
Ruth Chew
ISBN: 0803880847
Early Reader:
Robin and her little brother Andy are intrigued by Zelda, the quirky owner of the bits-n-bobs antique store that just opened nearby. Robin is especially taken by the beautiful but troublemaking white cat named Pearl. Andy is more distracted by a sub-plot at home involving two beautiful salt and pepper shakers shaped like birds, brought to life by a pot of "magic" cleaning salve.
Ruth Chew is one of those authors who I wish I would have found when I was a child. The story here is cute and fairly bland, but witches were totally verboten when I was young. Strangely enough, in this particular story, it isn't the old quirky lady who has arcane powers, but the two children (via the cleaning salve), and I gather that is similar for most of Chew's stories.
Notable scenes:
Robin and Andy shrinking down due to the molted silver feathers of Salt and Pepper.
Kids flying on a dustpan.
Zelda getting broom-flying instructions from Robin.
Zelda in tears because she wants to be a witch, but keeps failing the entrance exam.
The cauldron of ?? that has to be hot to work.
The snippy creepy black cat coven in the basement of the abandoned apartment building.
Saturday, September 13, 2014
Early Reader: The Silver Balloon, Susan Bonners
The Silver Balloon
Susan Bonners
ISBN: 0374369135
Read Sept 11, 2014.
JuvFiction: A city boy sends a helium balloon "message in a bottle" and strikes up a correspondence and mystery gift exchange with the elderly farmer who finds it, learning confidence (and research skills) in the process.
This was really cute, and really short. I especially liked the author's end-note about not letting balloons go in real life, due to the potential harm to wild animals and to avoid litter in the natural environment.
Greg gets (and sends) various 'mystery items' through the post from his friend, and uses relatives and friends of the family and research trips to the library to figure out what they all are. I especially loved that the librarian featured so strongly and positively in this story, and that she and her relative in the natural museum are the key to solving the final mystery, and bringing Greg and his pen-pal together.
Super cute, and great for kids interested in nature and natural history especially.
Susan Bonners
ISBN: 0374369135
Read Sept 11, 2014.
JuvFiction: A city boy sends a helium balloon "message in a bottle" and strikes up a correspondence and mystery gift exchange with the elderly farmer who finds it, learning confidence (and research skills) in the process.
This was really cute, and really short. I especially liked the author's end-note about not letting balloons go in real life, due to the potential harm to wild animals and to avoid litter in the natural environment.
Greg gets (and sends) various 'mystery items' through the post from his friend, and uses relatives and friends of the family and research trips to the library to figure out what they all are. I especially loved that the librarian featured so strongly and positively in this story, and that she and her relative in the natural museum are the key to solving the final mystery, and bringing Greg and his pen-pal together.
Super cute, and great for kids interested in nature and natural history especially.
Monday, February 24, 2014
Two Times the Fun, Beverly Cleary
Two Times the Fun
Beverly Cleary
ISBN: 0060579226
Read Feb 24, 2014
Clearing out all of my little Juvie stuff so I can get back into the swing of YA and genre reads again.
This is a cute set of books. I plan to add it to my personal bookshelf for reading to little ones of my own (if I ever get there).
Beverly Cleary had previously written these stories as individual easy-reader stand-alone works, under the following titles:
The Real Hole from 1960
Two Dog Biscuits from 1961
The Growing-Up Feet from 1987
Janet's Thingamajigs from 1987
Janet and Jimmy are twins, and they are four years old. In these four independent stories, the twins each have a chance to show off their growing independence (and their abilities to drive Mom up the wall with their growing independence, but that's secondary). The great thing about these stories is that they are totally real every-day events - no magic, no weirdness, no drama, no earthshaking conflicts or crisis - just two little kids growing up together and living together.
The Real Hole: Jimmy digs a hole - he likes "real" things - real shovels, real holes - and he's devastated when his hole is too big to safely keep in the yard. Dad solves things with a tree.
Two Dog Biscuits: Jimmy and Janet are visiting next door and get dog-biscuits from the neighbor dog. Mom takes them on a walk to find a dog to give the biscuits to, but none of them meet the twins stringent standards. A neighbor cat is gifted with their bounty, and surprises Mom by actually eating the things.
The Growing-Up Feet: Mom thinks that the twins need new shoes (personally think Mom thinks she needs out of the house) but the shoe salesman disagrees. The twins had been very much looking forward to the now non-forthcoming new shoes. Upset averted by the purchase of stretchy red galoshes that fit over current shoes, and will stretch to fit new shoes also. Bonus puddle party in the driveway while Dad washes the car.
Janet's Thingamajigs: Janet starts collecting little "treasures" and Jimmy handles this poorly. Janet begins storing her treasures in sealed paper bags in her rail-sided bed. Janet is now sleeping in a nest of rustly paper bags "like a mouse" so Mom goes ahead and buys them new "grown-up" beds (with no railings) so that the paper bags can't stay. Twins are thrilled to be grown-up, and the treasures aren't missed.
This book recommended by The Read-Aloud Handbook
Beverly Cleary
ISBN: 0060579226
Read Feb 24, 2014
Clearing out all of my little Juvie stuff so I can get back into the swing of YA and genre reads again.
This is a cute set of books. I plan to add it to my personal bookshelf for reading to little ones of my own (if I ever get there).
Beverly Cleary had previously written these stories as individual easy-reader stand-alone works, under the following titles:
The Real Hole from 1960
Two Dog Biscuits from 1961
The Growing-Up Feet from 1987
Janet's Thingamajigs from 1987
Janet and Jimmy are twins, and they are four years old. In these four independent stories, the twins each have a chance to show off their growing independence (and their abilities to drive Mom up the wall with their growing independence, but that's secondary). The great thing about these stories is that they are totally real every-day events - no magic, no weirdness, no drama, no earthshaking conflicts or crisis - just two little kids growing up together and living together.
The Real Hole: Jimmy digs a hole - he likes "real" things - real shovels, real holes - and he's devastated when his hole is too big to safely keep in the yard. Dad solves things with a tree.
Two Dog Biscuits: Jimmy and Janet are visiting next door and get dog-biscuits from the neighbor dog. Mom takes them on a walk to find a dog to give the biscuits to, but none of them meet the twins stringent standards. A neighbor cat is gifted with their bounty, and surprises Mom by actually eating the things.
The Growing-Up Feet: Mom thinks that the twins need new shoes (personally think Mom thinks she needs out of the house) but the shoe salesman disagrees. The twins had been very much looking forward to the now non-forthcoming new shoes. Upset averted by the purchase of stretchy red galoshes that fit over current shoes, and will stretch to fit new shoes also. Bonus puddle party in the driveway while Dad washes the car.
Janet's Thingamajigs: Janet starts collecting little "treasures" and Jimmy handles this poorly. Janet begins storing her treasures in sealed paper bags in her rail-sided bed. Janet is now sleeping in a nest of rustly paper bags "like a mouse" so Mom goes ahead and buys them new "grown-up" beds (with no railings) so that the paper bags can't stay. Twins are thrilled to be grown-up, and the treasures aren't missed.
This book recommended by The Read-Aloud Handbook
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