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Dear Book Lovers, Welcome! I am delighted that you have found The Through the Looking Glass blog. For over twenty years I reviewed children's literature titles for my online journal, which came out six times a year. Every book review written for that publication can be found on the Through the Looking Glass website (the link is below). I am now moving in a different direction, though the columns that I write are still book-centric. Instead of writing reviews, I'm offering you columns on topics that have been inspired by wonderful books that I have read. I tell you about the books in question, and describe how they have have impacted me. This may sound peculiar to some of you, but the books that I tend to choose are ones that resonate with me on some level. Therefore, when I read the last page and close the covers, I am not quite the same person that I was when first I started reading the book. The shift in my perspective might be miniscule, but it is still there. The books I am looking are both about adult and children's titles. Some of the children's titles will appeal to adults, while others will not. Some of the adult titles will appeal to younger readers, particularly those who are eager to expand their horizons.

Monday, February 28, 2011

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration - Book Fifty-Nine

For those of you who like graphic novels, I have a treat for you today. A few years ago Jennifer Holm and her brother Matt Holm started creating graphic novels about a mouse character called Babymouse. The main character, Babymouse, is a middle schooler who has a powerful imagination, and who has the  tendency to get herself into unfortunate situations.The books are incredibly funny, and the authors make their tales interesting by having Babymouse interact with an unseen narrator, who knows Babymouse and her ways all too well.
Babymouse: Cupcake Tycoon
Babymouse #13: Cupcake TycoonJennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm
Graphic Novel
For ages 7 to 10
Random House, 2010, 978-0-375-86573-2
   Today Babymouse is going to the library. While she is getting a book that is on a tall shelf, she loses her balance and grabs a pipe that just happens to be on hand just when she needs it. Unfortunately, the pipe is part of the fire sprinkler system. It breaks, and the library becomes a disaster area.
   In response to this “flood,” the school teachers decide to have a fundraiser to replace the water-damaged books. Babymouse has not had much luck with raising funds in the past, and she is not very thrilled about the fundraiser, until her teacher announces that to raise funds the kids will be selling cupcakes. What could be better! After all, Babymouse is a cupcake aficionado, and the top fundraiser will win a special prize.
   Despite her abysmal fundraising record, Babymouse sets about trying to sell cupcakes. True to form, she has a singular lack of success. How can she compete with Felicia, who has an advertising agency at her disposal?
   Babymouse fans are sure to be delighted with this adventure. As is typical with Babymouse, her dreams (conjured up by her vivid imagination) far outstrip her ability to get what she wants. This time though, Babymouse’s lack of success ends up being her trump card. Who can resist a mouse who continues to dream, even after having so many…er…setbacks.
   With its pink, black, and white graphic novel format, its loveable main character, and its cupcake filled pages, this is a book readers of all ages will enjoy.
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