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.
Forty years ago today, human beings walked on the moon for the first time. As millions of people watched, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon and took those first incredible steps. In honor of this anniversary, many publishers have put out new books for children about this extraordinary event. I have been lucky enough to review some of these books over the last few weeks, and now you can see my reviews on the Through the Looking Glass Book Review website in the Man goes to the Moonfeature. There are some wonderful titles in this collection, and I hope you find a title or two that you would like add to your library.
Earlier this week I reviewed Heatwave, a picture book by Eileen Spinelli. As I enjoyed the book so much, I decided to interview the author.
Where did the idea for this book come from?
My sister Tina and I were talking one day about "when we were young"--and how we grew up without air conditioning. That led to other memories--like our Aunt Rosewho used to keep her perfume in the refirgerator. I decided it might be fun for kids to hear about those times when one had to be rather creative about keeping cool.
The story takes place over a number of days, with the temperature rising all the time. Why did you decide to pace the story in this way?
Every story needs an arc. This story didn't have a big plot as such...so the rising temperature seemed a good way to build "suspense".
In this story, the text is packed with images that are wonderfully vivid. Are these images ones that you have seen, heard, and felt?
Directly from my childhood. They were real.
Recently I experienced a short heat wave here in Oregon and it was interesting to see how people donned hats, paddled in the river, sought out shade, and walked slowly to deal with the heat. It just goes to show that we can still be affected by the weather. Do you think some of us are too cut off from the seasonal changes that unfold outside our homes?
I do. (Though I would be lying if I said I didn't appreciate air conditioning). I guess it's a matter of experiencing both. Spending time outside...splashing under a sprinkler...reading in the shade of a back yard tree...gardening...picnics in the park...heading for the beach...these and other activities like it are important ....lest we isolate/insulate ourselves too much. We need the sun, the light summer breezes, the camaraderie of being out and about with friends...the scent of garden mint...the sound of the waves...the sparkle of the river....the cool of grass under our bare feet...
How do you and your family enjoy the summer months?
We spend much of the summer at Chatuauqua Institution in New YorkState ...where there is a lake...and where most of the events and activities take place in the outdoor amphitheater and other open air venues. We eat meals on our balcony. We walk everywhere--no cars allowed! Children play ball and violins in the square. Adults eat ice cream cones. It's got an old fashioned feel to it in the best sense.
Have you considered writing a book about a winter storm?
I have a book coming out giving equal time to winter!
Thank you very much Eileen. You can find out more about Eileen and her books on herwebsite.
We have had some very hot days here in Ashland this summer. The Fourth of July was blistering, and during the day I frequently found myself seeking out shade, spraying myself with water, sticking my feet in the river, and drinking cold water. These singularly low tech cooling off methods reminded me of a book that I read and reviewed recently. The book, Heatwave, describes what takes place in a town during a very hot summer week. The story is set in a time when people did not have air conditioning units in the homes and offices. They have to find other ways to get survive the hot days and night.
Here is my review:
Heat Wave Eileen Spinelli
Illustrated by Betsy Lewin Picture Book Ages 3 to 7 Harcourt, 2007, 978-0-15-216779-0 Lumberville is in the grip of a heat wave. There are no air conditioners, so everyone in town swelters in the heat. On Monday, the move theatre closes and Abigail and Ralphie Blue set up a lemonade stand. Tuesday is even hotter, and some of the residents in the town resort to taking long cool baths and showers. By the time Thursday rolls around it is so hot that Mr.Blue shaves off his beard, and the Pettibone sisters put their perfume and makeup in their icebox. How much hotter can it get? In this delightful picture book, Eileen Spinelli perfectly captures what it was like to live in a time when there were no air conditioners, when people had to find all kinds of creative ways to stay cool. She shows her readers how the heat unifies the people in Lumberville; it brings them together as they all try to find some relief from the heat. Throughout the book, Betsy Lewin’s illustrations beautifully compliment the narrative. In particular, she brings the humorous touches in the story to life.
If you have creative ways to keep cool please tell us about them.
When many children think of summer, they think of vacations, eating ice cream, sleeping late, and summer camp. My daughter is going to a wide variety of day summer camps this summer, and so far she has had a great time. Last year I reviewed a delightful picture book that is about the adventures two boys have during a week long summer getaway.
A Couple of Boys have the Best Week Ever Marla Frazee Picture Book Ages 6 to 9 Harcourt, 2008, 978-0-15-206020-6 James and Eamon are going to have a week of nature camp together. They are going to stay at James’ grandparents’ house at the beach. James is pretty excited because he has never been away from home for a whole week before. Their first day at nature camp isn’t that exciting but the time that the boys spend together afterwards at the house is great. The food that Pam (James’ grandmother) makes is wonderful and Bill (James’ grandfather) is a good sport even if he does go on about Antarctica and penguins rather a lot. With each passing day the boys get closer. They don’t really get that much out of nature camp but they have a terrific time playing games, watching T.V. and not spending any time on the beach. In this delightful summer title Marla Frazee truly captures with great skill and humor the essence of little boy doings. Anyone who has ever spent any amount of time with little boys will recognize the behaviors and thinking processes of these two children. Parents will see how fruitless it is to try to steer little boys into a certain direction, and children will laugh to see how much fun James and Eamon have in spite of their nature camp activities. The wonderful illustrations in the book compliment the text perfectly, catching the nuances of little boy shenanigans and games. Don’t forget to look at the ‘photo gallery’ inside the front and back covers of the book.
The book was a Caldecott Honor book for 2009. You can find out more about the author and her books on her website.
Last week I had a very special visitor, my pen pal of thirty years came to stay with me here in Oregon. Ute and I began writing to each other in 1980 when we ten and eleven years old. She lived in Germany, and her parents wanted her to improve her English. A mutual friend introduced us, and soon letters were flying between the the two of us. A few years after our correspondence began, I went to visit Ute in Germany. The next summer she came to visit me on the island of Cyprus. We helped each other through our college years, and when Ute became a doctor I was incredibly proud.
When she arrived on my doorstep last Wednesday, I was thrilled to see my tall, blond friend again. This time she brought her boyfriend Oliver with her, and I soon grew to like him a great deal. She also brought a small fluffy friend in her suitcase for me. Some years ago I discovered the Felix books. In these delightful stories, a stuffed toy rabbit goes on wonderful adventures, and he writes letters to his little girl to tell her what he is up to. The books are enormously popular in Europe and I have reviewed all of them for Through the Looking Glass Book Review. I was delighted to recieve my own personal Felix, and he will join Dogmatix, Olivia, and the numerous stuffed dragons who live in my office.
I hope you get the opportunity to read at least one of the Felix books. You can read my reviews of these charming books here, and I know you can buy them in bookstores and online.
