calvin and hobbes

Calvin and Hobbes

by Bill Watterson

Synopsis from Goodreads:  In November 1985, the magic of Calvin and Hobbes first appeared on the funny pages, introducing the world to a wondrous pair of friends. To celebrate the tenth anniversary of this distinguished partnership between a six-year-old boy and his (sometimes) stuffed tiger, Watterson has prepared a special book, which shares his thoughts on cartooning and is illustrated throughout with black-and-white and color cartoons.

What I think:  Without question Calvin and Hobbes is the greatest comic ever written.  I think what makes this collection so good is that it goes beyond just being funny.  The friendship between a little boy and his stuffed tiger is touching and genuine.  This is one of my very favorite Calvin and Hobbes images.  It represents why I love the book so much.

ps. Guess what inspired me to name my cat Calvin?

Image #1 via Goodreads.  Image #2 via chud.com

the wonderful story of henry sugar and six more

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More

by Roald Dahl

Synopsis from Goodreads:  Seven stories of fantasy and fun by the fantastic Roald Dahl. 

The Boy Who Talked With Animals - in which a stranded sea turtle and a small boy have more in common than meets the eye. 
The Hitchhiker - proves that in a pinch a professional pickpocket can be the perfect pal. 
The Mildenhall Treasure - a true tale of fortune found and an opportunity lost. 
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar - in which a modern-day Robin Hood brings joy to the hearts of orphans - and fear to the souls of casino owners around the world.

What I think:  Roald Dahl is one of my very favorite writers, so it comes as no surprise that I love this book.  It's a great read for adults and children.  The short story called "The Boy Who Talked to Animals" has a very strong child's point of view and, "The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar" is perfectly written.

animal poems by valerie worth

Animal Poems 

by Valerie Worth

Pictures by Steve Jenkins

Synopsis from Goodreads: “Ms. Worth brilliantly employs all aspects of the poet’s craft.” – The New York Times Book Review
 
Each of the exquisite twenty-three poems in this posthumous collection by Valerie Worth carefully distinguishes one animal from all other creatures and captures it in all of its wonderful singularity – from wasp to snake to wren. The way Worth perfectly illuminates the uniqueness of each animal in her precise and elegant free verse will delight both fans of her celebrated Small Poems and readers encountering her poetry for the first time.
 
Breathtakingly rich cut-paper illustrations by Steve Jenkins provide a perfect counterpoint to Worth’s spare style, and together poetry and picture bring every animal vividly to life. Animal Poems is a 2008 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.


What I think:  A beautiful collection of poetry.  Worth has the ability to make her words sound and feel like real animals.  I also adore her book "all the small poems and fourteen more", one of my all-time favorite books!

revolting rhymes

Revolting Rhymes

By Roald Dahl

Illustrated by Quentin Blake

Synopsis from Goodreads: Do you think Cinderella married the prince and lived happily ever after, and that the three little pigs outsmarted the wolf? Think again! Premier storyteller Roald Dahl twists the fate of six favorite fairy tales, in this picture book edition with vibrant new cover art by Quentin Blake. Fairy tales have never been more revolting! 


What I think: Roald Dahl is one of my very favorite writers and this collection of fairy tales had me laughing out loud.  My particular favorite is Dahl's version of Cinderella.  Instead of marrying the prince, she ends up with "a simple jam-maker by trade/ who sold good home-made marmalade/their house was filled with smiles and laughter/ and they were happy ever after."

nicholas and the gang

Nicholas and the Gang

by Goscinny and Sempe

Synopsis from Goodreads: NICHOLAS AND THE GANG is the fourth book in the series about Nicholas, the cheeky French schoolboy and his friends. In this collection of adventures, Nicholas is invited to the birthday party of the girl next door, plays a very messy game of chess, and learns that walking on your hands is much harder than turning somersaults. NICHOLAS AND THE GANG is a much-loved classic in children's fiction, now available to English-speaking children worldwide in a delightful translation by Anthea Bell. It features 16 stories written by one of the most successful children's authors of all time, with illustrations by one of today's most respected and best-loved illustrators. Aimed at readers age 7 and older, this book will be enjoyed by adults and children alike and is perfect for sharing.

What I think: On a whim, I purchased this book at the Tate Museum in London.  What a treasure!  Each chapter reads as short story, packed with wit and humor.  The voice is very true to kids.  And, I just adore the illustrations.

Image via Goodreads.

ramona quimby, age 8

Synopsis from Goodreads: From the first day of third grade, when Ramona Quimby meets her eventual nemesis Yard Ape, life moves on at its usual wild pace--usual for the boisterous Ramona, that is. Soon she is accidentally squashing a raw egg into her hair at the school cafeteria, being forced to play Uncle Rat with her annoying young neighbor, and, worst of all, throwing up in her classroom. The responsibilities of an 8-year-old are sometimes daunting, especially in a family that is trying to squeak by while the father goes back to school. But Ramona is full of too much vim and vigor to ever be down for long.

In her second Newbery Honor Book about Ramona (the first was Ramona and Her Father), Beverly Cleary presents another slice of the Quimby family life. Author of more than two dozen children's books, Cleary has a true knack for understanding the tangle of thoughts and emotions in a child's mind and heart. Empathic, witty, and astute, she has earned many other awards, including the Newbery Medal for Dear Mr. Henshaw. Alan Tiegreen's clever line drawings have charmed countless readers of Cleary's books over the years, and his style is now inextricably tied to hers.

What I think: I adored all of the Ramona books when I was a kid, but "Ramona Quimby, Age 8" stands out most in my memory.  Probably because of the very funny egg scene when Ramona cracks what she thinks is a hard boil egg on her head.  I remember laughing out loud the first time I read that part.  Ramona is a rebellious, strong-willed, all-around fantastic character.  It's impossible not to love her.  

(If you haven't listened to the Ramona books on tape, they're terrific.  Stockard Channing reads aloud and gets the voice just right.)

Image via Goodreads

the hundred dresses

Our Book of the Month is

"The Hundred Dresses"

By Louis Slobodkin

Synopsis from Goodreads: Wanda wore the same faded blue dress to school every day. It was always clean but sometimes it looked as though it had been washed and never ironed. Peggy started the game of the dresses when suddenly one day Wanda said, ' I have a hundred dresses at home--all lined up in my closet.' After that it was fun to stop Wanda on the way to school and ask, 'How many dresses did you say you have?' ' A hundred, ' she would answer.

What I think:  "The Hundred Dresses" is a lovely little story about kindness and generosity.  The ending took me by complete surprise and Wanda is a character who stayed with me long after I finished the book.  (Wanda is also terrific example of our Word of the Week, inventive.  Click here to see definition.)

clarice bean spells trouble

Our Book of the Month is...

Clarice Bean Spells Trouble

by Lauren Child

Synopsis from Goodreads:  Clarice Bean seems to be in nonstop trouble these days, almost as much as Karl Wrenbury, who is the naughtiest boy at school. If only she could be more like her favorite book character, Ruby Redfort, girl detective, who is very good at getting out of trouble. The problem is, Mrs. Wilberton is planning a spelling bee, and just thinking about it gives Clarice a stomachache. The good news is that there is also going to be a class performance of THE SOUND OF MUSIC, and Clarice is exceptionordinarily keen on landing a starring role, so she can get discovered by someone who spots child talents and escape spelling-bee humiliation. But when Karl Wrenbury has a family problem and gets into really big trouble, Clarice does something utterly unexpected, altruistically proving Ruby Redfort's maxim "Never let a good pal down."

The superbly talented Lauren Child returns with another fast-paced, full-length adventure full of wacky wit, visual appeal, and a surprisingly heartwarming twist sure to reel in the most reluctant reader — and the most inventive speller.

What I think:  All three Clarice Bean books are terrific.  However, Clarice Bean Spells Trouble is my favorite because I love words and spelling bees make me happy.  When I shared this book with second graders, they were delighted with the story.  Clarice Bean Spells Trouble makes a great read aloud because Clarice has a very strong (and funny) point of view.  Plus, I love Lauren Child's illustrations and the way she plays with the way the words look on the page.  Very creative!

harriet the spy

Harriet the Spy
by Louise Fitzhugh

Synopsis from Goodreads:  Harriet M. Welsch is determined to grow up and be a famous author. In the meantime, she practices by following a regular spy route each day and writing down everything she sees in her secret notebook--including her most private and honest thoughts about her friends and classmates. Then one morning, Harriet leaves her spy notebook lying around and her classmates find it. They're not at all happy about the nasty things Harriet has said about them. Now the other sixth-graders are stealing her tomato sandwiches, forming a spy-catcher club, and writing notes of their own--all about Harriet!


What I think:  Harriet is my favorite kind of character: clever, funny, and incredibly self-aware.  This is a winning story about a girl who is born to be a writer.


(Image via Goodreads.)

little owl's night

Little Owl's Night
by Divya Srinivasan

Check out this amazing book trailer:
http://www.vimeo.com/divya/littleowl

My friend Divya wrote Little Owl's Night, which will be released by Viking this October.   I can't wait to get myself a copy!

(Photo via Goodreads.)

the year the swallows came early

The Year the Swallows Came Early

by Kathryn Fitzmaurice

Synopsis from Goodreads:  Eleanor "Groovy" Robinson loves cooking and plans to go to culinary school just as soon as she's old enough. But even Groovy's thoughtfully—planned menus won't fix the things that start to go wrong the year she turns eleven—suddenly, her father is in jail, her best friend's long-absent mother reappears, and the swallows that make their annual migration to her hometown arrive surprisingly early. As Groovy begins to expect the unexpected, she learns about the importance of forgiveness, understands the complex stories of the people around her, and realizes that even an earthquake can't get in the way of a family that needs to come together.

Kathryn Fitzmaurice's lovely debut novel is distinctively Californian in its flavor. Her rich characters and strong sense of place feel both familiar and fresh at first meeting—and worth revisiting, again and again.

What I think:  Kathryn Fitzmaurice has a very poetic voice.  Some of my favorite sentences from this book: "The morning heat curled around us", "The hum of her ceiling fan filled the room, sending drifts of lavender smell in every direction and lifting the bottom of the curtains slightly, as if they were breathing" and  "I knew it just as sure as those humpback whales know the way to Mexico when they swim there each winter to find a family".  This book is a great read and I was particularly fascinated with the father character.  Fitzmaurice has said that her protagonist "didn't come to a place of forgiveness by the end, but in the final draft, she finally did."  I love this about writing, the discovery.

harry potter and the prisoner of azkaban

Synopsis from Goodreads:  J. K. Rowling continues to bewitch readers everywhere with the third book in her magical Potter series, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Harry's ongoing exploits, along with those of his contemporaries, teachers, and relatives, are as imaginative, entertaining, and mysterious as ever. For during Harry's third year at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, he must face his greatest challenge yet: a confrontation with Sirius Black, an escaped convict and madman who is rumored to be in cahoots with Harry's archenemy, the Dark Wizard Lord Voldemort. This alone would be daunting enough, but Harry's task is made even more trying when he discovers that Sirius is suspected of being the one who killed Harry's parents.

What I think:  This is my favorite book in the Harry Potter series.  I love the way J.K. Rowling surprises the reader with Sirius Black.  He is a fascinating character and Rowling masterfully weaves him into her complicated plot.  With a wonderful ending, Harry Potter and The Prizoner of Azkaban is a must read.

(Image via Fantasticfiction.)

charlotte's web

Our BOOK OF THE MONTH

Charlotte's Web

by E.B. White

Synopsis from Goodreads: An affectionate, sometimes bashful pig named Wilbur befriends a spider named Charlotte, who lives in the rafters above his pen. A prancing, playful bloke, Wilbur is devastated when he learns of the destiny that befalls all those of porcine persuasion. Determined to save her friend, Charlotte spins a web that reads "Some Pig," convincing the farmer and surrounding community that Wilbur is no ordinary animal and should be saved. In this story of friendship, hardship, and the passing on into time, E.B. White reminds us to open our eyes to the wonder and miracle often found in the simplest of things.


What I think:  A beautiful story.  I particularly enjoy Charlotte's Web read aloud by E.B White. His voice is the perfect fit for Charlotte, Wilber, Fern and the entire cast of characters from the farm.  In a gentle and charming way, E.B. White teaches me about friendship, kindness and the cycle of life.


(Photo via Goodreads)

all i need to know i learned from my cat

All I Need To Know I Learned From My Cat
by Suzy Becker

Synopsis from Goodreads: It's the 1.6-million-copy bestseller that skips the jargon and psychobabble, and instead features straight-talking, down-to-earth, clear-cut advice-that of writer and cartoonist Suzy Becker's cat.  Altogether, there are over 90 simple life lessons, irresistibly illustrated in full-color. Proving what all cat fanciers suspect about their own pets, Suzy Becker's cat is a fount of wisdom. The book covers everything from grooming, health, and diet to being completely well-adjusted, and imparts perhaps the most valuable piece of advice a cat could give: "There is always time for a nap."


What I think:  Some of my favorite pieces of advice from this book are:
          "Notice the squirrels.  Chase the butterflies.  Investigate the shadows."
          "Don't be afraid to take chances."
          "Depend on others without losing your independence."
          "Enjoy your own company."
          "Be easy to come home to."

bridge to terabithia

Our BOOK OF THE MONTH

Bridge to Terabithia

By Katherine Paterson

Synopsis from Goodreads: Jess Aarons' greatest ambition is to be the fastest runner in his grade. He's been practicing all summer and can't wait to see his classmates' faces when he beats them all. But on the first day of school, a new girl boldly crosses over to the boys' side and outruns everyone. 

That's not a very promising beginning for a friendship, but Jess and Leslie Burke become inseparable. Together they create Terabithia, a magical kingdom in the woods where the two of them reign as king and queen, and their imaginations set the only limits.


What I think:  I read "Bridge to Terabithia" was when I was 11 years old.  It is the first book that I can remember crying over.  I felt as if I was living inside the magical kingdom of Terabithia.  Jess and Leslie became my friends, which is why the ending moved me to tears.    Even thinking about it now, my throat catches.  Katherine Patterson tells a timeless story about friendship, grief and acceptance.  It will always be one of my favorites.

a light in the attic

A Light in the Attic
Shel Silverstein

Synopsis from Goodreads:  Here in the attic of Shel Silverstein you will find Backward Bill, Sour Face Ann, the Meehoo with an Exactlywatt, and the Polar Bear in the Frigidaire. You will talk with Broiled Face, find out what happens when Somebody steals your knees, get caught by the Quick-Digesting Gink, hear a Mountain snore, and see Them Put a Brassiere on the Camel.

From the creator of the beloved poetry collections Where the Sidewalk Ends and Falling Up, here is another wondrous book of poems and drawings.

What I think: I loved reading this collection of poetry when I was a kid.  Not only did I have the book, I also had a tape of Shel Silverstein reciting his work.  I think he's a brilliant writer and performer.  My very favorite poem from the collection is called "Clarence".  This poem is about a little boy who sells his parents at a garage sale and buys a new set of parents from a TV commercial.  Shel Silverstein's voice is just right when he reads this poem aloud.  I also remember enjoying a poem called "Ladies First" about a bossy girl name Pamela Purse who gets eaten by a cannibal known as "Fry-'Em-Up Dan".

how the grinch stole christmas

How the Grinch Stole Christmas
By Dr. Suess

Synopsis from Goodreads: "The Grinch hated Christmas! The whole Christmas season! / Now, please don't ask why. No one quite knows the reason." Dr. Seuss's small-hearted Grinch ranks right up there with Scrooge when it comes to the crankiest, scowling holiday grumps of all time. For 53 years, the Grinch has lived in a cave on the side of a mountain, looming above the Whos in Whoville. The noisy holiday preparations and infernal singing of the happy little citizens below annoy him to no end. The Grinch decides this frivolous merriment must stop. His "wonderful, awful" idea is to don a Santa outfit, strap heavy antlers on his poor, quivering dog Max, construct a makeshift sleigh, head down to Whoville, and strip the chafingly cheerful Whos of their Yuletide glee once and for all.

Looking quite out of place and very disturbing in his makeshift Santa get-up, the Grinch slithers down chimneys with empty bags and stealing the Whos' presents, their food, even the logs from their humble Who-fires. He takes the ramshackle sleigh to Mt. Crumpit to dump it and waits to hear the sobs of the Whos when they wake up and discover the trappings of Christmas have disappeared. Imagine the Whos' dismay when they discover the evil-doings of Grinch in his anti-Santa guise. But what is that sound? It's not sobbing, but singing! Children simultaneously adore and fear this triumphant, twisted Seussian testimonial to the undaunted cheerfulness of the Whos, the transcendent nature of joy, and of course, the growth potential of a heart that's two sizes too small. This holiday classic is perfect for reading aloud to your favorite little Whos. (Ages 4 to 8)

What I think: When I was a kid I loved the dog, Max.  I thought he was a really good helper.  Now as an adult I have moments when I relate more to the Grinch himself.  This story is a good  reminder that the best gift you can ever get is the gift of giving.  Merry Christmas, Grinch!

notes from a liar and her dog

Notes from a Liar and Her Dog

By Gennifer Choldenko

Synopsis from Goodreads:  For Antonia MacPherson, lying is a way of life. It's what works best when you are a weed in a family of roses. No matter what she does, her mother thinks she's wrong. Her older sister, Your Highness Elizabeth, (as Ant calls her) says Ant's best friend, Harrison, stinks, and her younger sister, Katherine the Great, takes notes on Ant's bad behavior to report back to their mother. The only family member to whom Ant admits to being related is Pistachio, her dog. A clever, resourceful and very funny liar, Ant sticks to her own moral code that gives Pistachio and Harrison precedence over all other living creatures. But when a concerned teacher sees the truth behind Ant's humor and lies, it seems Ant and her mother may be in for a showdown

What I think: Out of all of Ginnifer Choldenko's books, this is my favorite.  The story is laugh out loud funny AND it is really touching.  Without giving too much away, I got a bit teary in parts.  Ant is a character you simply have to root for.  Plus, I just love the title.