Fiction Wednesday: A review of Down Girl and Sit: Smarter than squirrels

I have a dog who is keenly anti-squirrel. He hates squirrels of all kinds, and lives for the day when he will finally catch one. I am sure that if he could read, he would love today's book because it is about a pair of dogs who are convinced that they have the upper paw when it comes to squirrels. Though I admire them for their confidence in themselves, I can't help thinking that perhaps these two dogs aren't as squirrel savvy as they think they are.

Down Girl and Sit: Smarter than squirrels

Lucy Nolan

Illustrated by Mike Reed

Fiction

For ages 6 to 8

Marshall Cavendish, 2004, 978-0-7614-5184-6

Down Girl and Sit are a pair of dogs who are best friends and next door neighbors. Together, in their respective yards, they work hard to “keep the world safe.” After all, there are all kinds of things out there that are dangerous, things like birds and squirrels. Luckily, Down Girl and Sit know how to deal with such dangers. They have figured out that the best thing to go to save the world from thieving and munching birds and squirrels is to chase them up trees. See how clever they are?

   The other thing they know is that one should never ever go near the back fence because something very dangerous lives over there. In fact, it is something that is “too horrible to talk about.”

   Once day Down Girl and Sit find out that something truly terrible has moved into the neighborhood. It is big and ugly and it is called Here Kitty Kitty. Just like those dreadful birds and squirrels, Here Kitty Kitty is bad news. When they see Here Kitty Kitty sneaking around, Down Girl and Sit do what they always do, they chase the interloper into a tree. This is very satisfying of course, but then Here Kitty Kitty walks along the back fence, and he finds out why Down Girl and Sit refuse to go anywhere near that part of their yards.

    Told from Down Girl’s point of view, this wonderfully funny chapter book will give readers a very singular picture of what it might be like to be a dog. Children will laugh out loud when they find out that Down Girl sincerely thinks that she understands her person, and that she is the one who is in control of the situation.

   With four stories to enjoy and a wonderful main character, this is a perfect book for young readers who are eager to read books with real chapters in them. This is the first book in what promises to be much-loved new series.  

The Octonauts are now on the TV in the USA

During my 365 days of Picture books celebration in 2011 I reviewed two titles about the Octonauts that were written and illustrated by Meomi. I love the artwork in these books, and I was delighted to hear that children can now enjoy Octonaut stories on the Disney Junior channel. Here is a preview of this show:



You can find videos and other materials related to his show on the Octonauts website. 

Picture Book Monday - A review of Thing-Thing

I have always liked books that are about stuffed animals. Pooh Bear, Dougal, Polar, Bumbletum, and Willow are just a few of the wonderful stuffed animals that you can get to know in books. In today's picture book you will meet a stuffed animal that is a little different, and who has a big adventure on the very day that it leaves the toy shop. 

Thing-Thing

Cary Fagan

Illustrated by Nicolas Debon

Picture Book

For ages 5 to 7

Tundra, 2008, 978-0-88776-839-2

   It is Archibald Crimp’s birthday, and as a special treat, his parents have taken him to the city. Though his hotel room is full of wonderful gifts, Archibald is a not a happy boy. Instead, he is upset because his gifts are not unique enough, and he refuses to get out of bed until his parents give him “something I like.”

   Poor Archibald’s father goes to the toy store near the hotel and after much searching, he finds a very strange looking stuffed animal. It is not a cat, or a dog, or a bunny, or a bear. According to the tag, it is a Thing-Thing. Not knowing what else to do, Archibald’s father buys the Thing-Thing and he takes it back to the hotel.

   I am sorry to say that Archibald does not appreciate the gift he is given at all. In fact, he behaves very badly, throwing Thing-Thing out of the hotel window. Poor Thing-Thing has always hoped that it would be given to a child who would love it, who would play with and snuggle it. Instead, it gets thrown out of window; a sixth floor window.

   As it falls down, down, and down, Thing-Thing is seen by the people on the fifth, fourth, third, and second floors. In turn, Thing-Thing catches glimpses of the people on those floors, and for a tiny moment it is a part of their lives.

   In this unique and memorable picture book, we meet a stuffed animal that ends up, in a very short period of time, touching the lives of several people. Readers will be able to enjoy following Thing-Things progress, and they will rejoice when they see how the stuffed animal’s story ends. How gratifying it is to have this kind of warm happy ending in a world that often is grim and sad.

   

Poetry Friday - A review of the Mice of Nibbling Village

In the new issue of TTLG, the special feature is a collection of books that are about mice and rats. It therefore seems very appropriate that my first poetry book of the month is one in which all the main characters are mice. Enjoy!

The Mice of Nibbling Village

Margaret Greaves

Illustrated by Jane Pinkney

Poetry Picture Book

For ages 6 to 8

National Trust Books, 2011, 9781843651895

   There are some people who think that mice are all alike, that they have similar needs, desires, and temperaments. They clearly have not spent any time with the mice who live in and around Mouse Nibbling Village. The mice who live here are busy creatures, each one of which has his or her own particular gifts and interests.

   For example, young Morrikin has a passion for devices that have gears and screws, and one day he decides to take apart a clock so that he can see where “the tick might be.” Unfortunately, the clock never recovers from this experience, and now Morrikin is trying to build a clock of his own. One suspects that his time keeping device will never work like the one that he chose to take apart.

   Mandy Snippet is a very different sort of mouse because she knows what she is doing. Mandy Snippet is a baker of great skill, and when she makes a loaf of bread “Never a crumb of it goes to waste.”

   Just like in any village, Mouse Nibbling has its characters. There is Aunt Taffy who is so nervous that she “double-locks” the doors in her house, and Mattie is convinced that there is something spooky living in Twitchett Lane. Miss Poppitt tells everyone that she has a “hole inside,” which is how she explains away her habit of eating meals and snacks almost all day long. Could it be that this so-called hole is bigger than Miss Poppit?

   In this delightful mouse-centric collection of poems, young readers will meet a wide variety of mouse characters. Some are admirable, others are funny, while still others have amusing adventures. With lovely illustrations throughout, this is a collection that will have readers wishing that they could pay a visit to Mouse Nibbling themselves. Perhaps they could have tea with Mrs. Trillaby Lee, or see Miss Dimity Moppet dancing at the ball wearing her new muslin dress.

Fiction Wednesday: A review of Look Out, Jeremy Bean!

Welcome to Fiction Wednesday. Every Wednesday this year I will be reviewing a fiction title that suits readers from ages 6 to 12. I will be choosing beginner readers, chapter books, and mid-grade fiction titles.

To start the year off, I have chosen a chapter book that is funny and that demonstrates to great effect how simple everyday adventures can be turned into a delightful story.

Look Out, Jeremy Bean!

Alice Schertle

Illustrated by David Slonim

Fiction

For ages 6 to 8

Chronicle Books, 2009, 978-0-8118-5609-6

   When Jeremy Bean’s friend Max brings his seed collection to school, he causes quite a stir, especially when the teacher, Mrs. Tucker, says that the other students can bring their collections to school if they want.

   As soon as he gets home, Jeremy sets about trying to put a collection together. Jeremy tries to collect shoes, but his mother objects, so he goes outside and he picks up a rock, a stick, and a bug, and he puts them in his pocket. No he has the beginnings of three collections!

    Then Jeremy goes to see what his friend Winnie is up to, and he finds out that she is collecting rocks, so Jeremy gives her the pretty rock he found. Luke is collecting sticks, so Jeremy gives him the stick that he has in his pocket. By the time Jeremy gets home, the bug that he collected is gone. Jeremy is going to be “the only kid in the whole class with no collection,” and he feels very glum about this state of affairs. Thankfully, something his grandfather says inspires Jeremy to come up with a unique collection, one that will truly last for years to come.

   Young readers who are comfortable with reading chapter books will love this title. There are three stories that are broken up into chapters, and each one shows to great effect how one little boy tackles everyday problems that he encounters. With humor and a keen appreciation for how a child thinks and feels, Alice Schertle’s stories provide young readers with a memorable reading experience.  

Picture Book Monday - A review of My Name is Elizabeth

Welcome to the first Picture Book Monday of 2012. I will be posting a review of a picture book here every Monday all year long, and I can't wait to see what kinds of treasures I find to share with you.

It is not easy having a name that so many people don't know how to pronounce, and I am often ridiculously pleased when a stranger gets my name right the first time around. Sometimes people mispronounce my name again and again until I give up correcting them because it is easier to just let it go.

Having name problems of my own, I really appreciate how the main character in this book feels. I also like the fact that she stands up for herself, which is not an easy thing to do.

My Name is Elizabeth

Annika Dunklee

Illustrated by Matthew Forsythe

Picture Book

For ages 5 to 7

Kids Can Press, 2011, 978-1-55453-560-6

   Elizabeth is a little girl who likes her name. She likes the fact that her name has nine letters, and that “there is a queen named after me!” What Elizabeth does not like is when people call her something other than her proper name.

   Elizabeth is such a splendid name, and yet people persist in calling her “Lizzy,” or “Liz” or “Beth” or (shiver) “Betsy.” What is wrong with them?

   Elizabeth decides that enough is enough, and she puts her foot down. To one and all she announces that she is called “Elizabeth Alfreda Roxanne Carmelita Bluebell Jones,” though she is willing to compromise. “You may call me Elizabeth” she says. Will everyone honor Elizabeth’s wish, and will they call her by her proper name?

   Some people are very attached to their names and they don’t appreciate it when people give them nicknames without asking. Children will love the way the little girl in this story stands up for herself, and how she also shows that she is willing to make a concession for special people.

   With a loveable main character, and a clever ending, this is a wonderful picture book to share with a child who is proud of his or her name.

Happy New Year!

The new issue of Through the Looking Glass is now online

Happy New Year! The January and February 2012 issue of Through the Looking Glass Children’s Book Reviews is now online. I have put together a wonderful collection of reviews for you for this issue, and I hope you enjoy reading the reviews as much as I have enjoyed writing them.

For this issue I have decided to review books that feature mice and rats. I know many adults have an aversion to these animals, but young readers all over the world love stories where the main characters are mice or rats. For generations Beatrix Potter has charmed us with her story of Hunca Munca and Tom Thumb, the two bad mice who raid a little girl's doll house. Then there are the mice who live in Brambley Hedge, Angelina Ballerina, and Maisy. I am also very fond of the Mouse and Mole books by Wong Herbert Yee, and the adventures of Babymouse. As for rats, well Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh is one of favorite books, and where would the stories of Redwall be if brave Martin the Warrior (a mouse) didn't have ferocious sea rats to vanquish.

Where I live, January and February are the coldest months of the year. Winter has a tight hold on the land, and crackling fires in the fireplace are welcome. This is the perfect time of year to read lots of books, and you might find that some of these seasonal wintery books hit the spot. If you live in a place where snow falls, then these Snowy Days books will be a perfect fit. If you don't get snow in your region, then you might enjoy being able to enjoy snow through the pages of a good book.

For this month's Editor's Choice title, I have selected The Sandwich Swap by Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah and Kelly DiPucchio. This meaningful picture book explores the idea that the first step to tolerance is having an open mind.

Don't forget to look at the new Bookish Calendar. Here you will find reviews about Paul Cezanne, Valentine's Day, Buffalo Bill, the discovery of gold in California in 1848, and much more. This calendar is a great tool to use at home and in the classroom to help children incorporate books more fully into their lives.

There are several bookish events taking place in February that I would like to tell you about. They are:

·        February is National Black History Month - Find reviews that suit this event here.

·        February is Library Lover's Month - Find reviews of books about libraries here.

I hope you find a way to celebrate some, if not all,  of these bookish events. If I have missed an important bookish event, please drop me a line to tell me about it.

Last year I posted a review of a picture book for 365 days. This year I will be posting new picture book reviews on Mondays, new fiction reviews for younger readers (under the age of 12) on Wednesdays, and poetry book reviews on Fridays. Of course, I will also post interviews, book announcements, and other bookish articles as well. 

I hope you enjoy this new issue, and I look forward to hearing from you.

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book three hundred and sixty-five

Well friends, this is the last day of the TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration. For 365 days I have posted a picture book review, and it has been a wonderful journey. I wanted to wrap up the celebration with something special. I looked and looked and looked until I found Varmints, a picture book whose story moved me, and whose art charmed me. The illustrator has created a little film of the tale that you might like to watch.

Varmints

Helen Ward

Illustrated by Marc Craste

Picture book

For ages 8 and up

Candlewick Press, 2008, 0763637963

   There once was a time when the world was full of beauty and light. The only sounds were “the bees, the whispering wind in the wiry grass…and the song of birds in the high blue sky.” A few beings enjoyed this world, listening to the gentle sounds and appreciating what they had.

   Then others came, and they build huge ugly buildings that blotted out the sky. This new world was so noisy that the sounds of birdsong and grass rustling were drowned out. More and more others came until everything was so noisy that “no one could hear themselves think!”

   Somewhere, high above the streets there was one of the few who carefully took care of “a little piece of wilderness.” He waited until he knew that the time had come, and then he took his precious pot of plants to a special place and left it there hoping that somehow his precious gift would bring about change, and that one day the noise would end and he would be able to hear the birds and the wind.

  This extraordinary picture book will remind readers of all ages that we cannot take our world for granted. We cannot assume that our natural heritage will last forever if we do not protect it from creatures like the others in this story. With a loveable main character who looks a bit like a rabbit, a storyboard that has the feel of a film or movie, and gorgeous atmospheric illustrations throughout, this is a book that everyone should read. And remember. 

The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration: Book three hundred and sixty-four

Many people spend years and years trying to find the right someone who will be their best friend and their partner. Sometimes the search is a painful one, and sometimes it seems as if that somebody to love will never turn up.

In today's picture book you will meet a little doll who is trying to find her somebody. The story has a message of hope that will appeal to readers of all ages.

The Somebody for me

Minako Chiba

Translated by Hana Christen

Picture book

For ages 5 to 7

NorthSouth, 2010, 978-0-7358-2323-5

   Miss Mika is a happy doll maker, and as she sews her dolls, she hopes that all of her creations will be happy too. When one of her dolls, Sumiko, asks Miss Mika what “happy” is, Miss Mika explains that happiness is a feeling that you get “when somebody loves you.”

   Sumiko and the other dolls are arranged in the shop window, and one by one they are sold until the only one left is Sumiko. New toys come into the shop and they go off with happy children. Poor Sumiko is ignored, and she cannot wondering, “Where is the somebody for me?”

   Then, after a long wait, a little girl comes into the shop who wants Sumiko, but her father says that Sumiko is “old and dirty,” and he leads his daughter away to find something “new and clean.” Sumiko begins to think that she will never have a somebody of her own.

   We all have moments when we feel very alone, and when we wish that we had a somebody to love who will love us back. In this sweet and touching picture book, Minako Chiba beautifully shows how important it is not to give up hope. Someone will  come along who will be that right somebody.