The Anniversary of the beginning of World War I

On July 28th, 1914 the Archduke Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary and his wife were assassinated. Because of this event Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, and World War I began. To some of us World I War seems so distant and remote. Very few veterans from that conflict are still alive and the story of the war is not one that most people are familiar with. The war did have a huge impact on the world however. Not only was it the first of the 'modern' wars but it also was the reason why World War II began.

Through the Looking Glass has a collection of reviews about WWI books that you might like a to take a look at on the World War I feature page. The books reviewed suit a number of age ranges - from picture books to novels. One in particular, Hattie Big Sky, stands out. This Newbery Honor award winning title explores the ways in which one young woman is touched by the clouds of war. Though she lives in Montana in distant America, far from the battle grounds in France and Belgium, Hattie still learns how terrible war is and how conflict can, at times, bring out the worst, and the best, in people.

In Where Poppies Grow: A World War I Companion, by Linda Granfield, the author tells the story of World War I with great skill, capturing the initial innocence of the soldiers and the rude awakening that they got when they finally found themselves in battle.

Do take a look at this feature, and if you know of more World War I books for children that you have read and liked, tell me about them.

Calling all beatrix Potter fans

I am reading a wonderful book at the moment called "The Tale of Hawthorn House" written by Susan Albert. This is the fourth book in the Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter series, and I must confess that I had a hard time putting the book down last night. My review for this book will be online in the August issue of Through the Looking Glass Book Review but I will give you a teaser just to capture your interest:

Beatrix Potter is loving the days that she is spending on her farm, and all is relatively quiet in her little English village. Then she finds a basket on her doorstep containing a baby. No one knows where the baby came from, though many of the villagers believe that the infant either belongs to, or was stolen by, the gypsies. The animals in the district know more about the provenance of Baby Flora but alas no one bothers to ask them their opinion.

Meanwhile Jemima Puddleduck, the white duck who barely escaped with her life when a fox set a trap for her, is sitting on a hidden clutch of eggs. For some reason the eggs are refusing to hatch and poor Jemima does not know what to do.

With great skill Susan Albert combines fact, fiction, and fantasy in this novel to create a story that is thought-povoking, entertaining, and which also gives readers a picture of what Beatrix Potter's life was like. Being a huge admirer of Beatrix Potter and her work, I am always delighted to discover that Susan Albert has added another book to this unique series. Do take a look at the Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter website. Here you will find further information about the series, a newsletter for fans of the books, and much more.

Through the Looking Glass has reviewed other books by, and about, Beatrix Potter. You can find these reviews on the Beatrix Potter page.

Some interesting contests that you might like to investigate

Because of my reviewing work I recieve a lot of email newsletters and in some of these I have found information about some interesting contests and events that I think you might like to know about.

• For the Storytubes contest children have to read a book and then review it in a creative way, on video. Contact a library or your local school to find out if they are participating in the program and if they are not ask them to join up so that they can sponsor your child for the contest. For more information take a look at the Storytubes website
• If you have a teen in the house you might like to tell them about Teen Read Week which this year is from October 12th though October 18th. This years topic is Books with Bite. Talk to your local or school librarian to find out if they are participating. You can get more information about the event on the Teen Read Week website.

Do let me know if have heard about contests or events that might be of interest to my readers.

Summer vacations

Summer is, for most of us, a time of year when life slows down a little. Children are out of school and parents don't spend quite so much time going to and from after-school activities and events. Summer is also a time when many families go on vacation. Some people are lucky enough to go abroad while others take a break by going to the beach, hiking in the mountains, or visiting places of interest in their own country.

To celebrate summer and summer activities Through the Looking Glass Book Review has a number of features that might interest you. There is the Summer Days feature. Here there are reviews of summer related books of all kinds. Then there is the Days at the Beach feature where readers will find reviews of beachy books. There are picture books, board books, and more. If you are off to the beach this summer you might like to heighten the experience by reading a few of these titles.

In addition, for the July issue of Through the Looking Glass Book Review, I have reviewed some wonderful vacation books. Are we there yet: A journey around Australia is beautifully illustrated and it takes readers on a fabulous trip around Australia in the company of a family who are not afraid of adventures. In the Bush: Our holiday at Wombat Flat is also from Australia and it will delight readers who enjoy books that are full of detailed illustrations. The text is minimal and there are many amusing things to find in the artwork.

For older readers Travels with my family will leave you in stitches. In this title two little boys are taken on a variety of very unconventional vacations and they have some very unusual adventures and misadventures. The book is written in such a way that older readers will also enjoy it. It is therefore a perfect title to read out loud. One could read the book during a long car ride or while sitting around a campfire.

For children who are going to camp this summer A couple of boys have the best week ever is a must. This book will certainly bring a smile to the face of any reader. Children will want to read it again and again.

Happy Summer!

What's New on Through the Looking Glass Book Review

These days the skies above my town are full of smoke from the Northern California fires which are still burning to the south of us. The fires remind me that we are truly at the mercy of the weather when it chooses to turn nasty. In this case lightening strikes caused numerous fires to begin and now, many days after the storm, we still have not been able to put the fires out.


In the new issue of Though the Looking Glass Book Review we look at books that explore the world's weather and the effect that the weather has on our lives. There are books about tornadoes, hurricanes, storms, wind, rain and snow. The titles that have been reviewed are suitable for children of all ages, from children who are very young to those who are in their teenage years. You can find the weather feature on this page on the Through the Looking Glass Book Review website.


Also take a look out the Editor's Choice title for this month. Sand Dollar Summer by Kimberly K. Jones is a marvelous book that explores how a young girl, Lise, adjusts to huge changes in her life. She wants everything to stay just as it is but when her mother gets injured in a car crash Lise's life is turned upside down. She and her family go to spend the summer in a ramshackle house on the Maine coast and Lise hates everything about the place. She dislikes the cold water, the sand drives her crazy, and worst of all her mother is not herself at all. Lise feels very lonely and angry and she wants everything to be the way it was before her mother was injured.

This is a very moving and thought provoking book, and I cannot recommend it highy enough for readers who are twelve and up.

An Invitation to write a review.

If you are visiting this blog then you are, in all likelihood, a lover of children's literature. If you enjoy reading children's books and have something to say about the books you read, I would be delighted to hear from you. Through the Looking Glass Book Review and this blog invites you to become a guest reviewer. Take a look at the reviews that we have already written on the Through the Looking Glass Book Review website to see what we are looking for and then put pen to paper - or fingers to keyboard - and write a review on a children's book that you have read recently and that you like. If we like what you send then we will publish your review on the website and on this blog. Please include you name, address, email, and website information (if any) with your review so we can give you credit for your work. Later in the year we will be holding a competition for newbie reviewers. Keep checking this blog for more information.

The Bear From Darkest Peru is Fifty Years Old

There can't be many people who have not heard of that famous bear who is from "Darkest Peru." He adores marmalade and is a loyal and loving friend. He also has the most amazing penchant for getting into trouble - through no fault of his own. His adventures usually start with some everyday sort of event. For example in "More about Paddington" Paddington decides that he is going to help to redecorate his room. Unfortunately Paddington hasn't a clue how to hang wallpaper or paint. As a result he creates an awful mess and - just to make things more difficult for everyone - he papers over the only door leading out of his room. Only Paddington would do something like this.

Though I read my first Paddington book a long time ago, I still chuckle over the pickles he gets into. I am delighted that Michael Bond is still writing books about this most splendid bear and I always look forward to reading a new book. If you are fond of this wonderful character then you might like to visit Paddington's Website on the Internet. You will find my reviews for some of the Paddington books on the Through the Looking Glass Book Review Paddington page.

Happy birthday Paddington and many thanks for all the laughs you have given us.

Do tell us what your favorite Paddington story is, or if you have a special Paddington moment that you remember with fondness, tell us about that.

Tasha Tudor - In Memorium

Tasha Tudor, the much loved children's book writer and illustrator, died on Wednesday at her home in Vermont at the age of ninety-two. A prolific illustrator for many years, Tudor's art has charmed several generations of children and their families. Two of her books won Newbery Honor awards, and her title Corgiville Fair has become a firm favorite with many children all over the world. In this book Corgi dogs and other animals are the main characters, and they have a number of delightful adventures which are reminiscent of a bygone era. Tudor herself choose to live the simple life on her farm making her own bread, knitting, weaving, and caring for her beautiful garden. Tasha Tudor's lovely books and her indomitable spirit will be missed greatly. Do visit the Tasha Tudor and Family website to find out more about this extraordinary woman.

Three Contests - Get out your pens and cameras

There are two contests which both end on August 31st which young people - and the adults in their lives - might be interested in. One is the Samsung Hope For Education contest. Contestants need to write a 100 world essay about "“How has technology educated you on helping the environment and how or why has it changed your behavior to be more environmentally friendly?” For more information about this contest visit the contest website. Winners will receive computers hardware and software and cash for their schools.

The second contest is perfect for young people who fancy going into the movie business. Laurie Halse Anderson is inviting anyone under the age of twenty-one to create a book trailer for her books Speak and Twisted. You can find the relevant information on Laurie's blog. The winner will win a 8GB ipod Touch.

There is also third contest which I only just found out about. Holly Black - of Spiderwick fame - is hosting a contest which ends on June 29th. Contestants have to create a lolcat on one of three subjects. Visit Holly's Blog for more information. Winners receive a signed DVD of the new (ish) Spiderwick film.

If you have heard of a contest which my readers would like to know about please drop me a line and tell me about it.

Summertime - a glorious time to read

For many of us June is the first real month of summer. Schools are closed, pools are open, and vacations begin. We pull out our summer clothes and put away shoes in favor of flip-flops and sandals. This is also a time when many of us, especially children, do a lot of reading. Children go to the library and sign up for summer reading challenges. They go to the bookstore and spend a wonderful time figuring out what to read next. Just to get you in the summer mood Through the Looking Glass Book Review has a summer books feature. On this page you will find a list of book titles all of which explore summer days in some way or another.

You will find that Eloise is going on a vacation, and there is the story of two little boys who go on a summer trip which is "the best week ever." You will find a book which explores the sounds of summer - Summer Beat - and in Mayfly you will go on a summer vacation with a family that spends wonderful days staying in a cottage by a lake.

For readers who like something a little more fantastical there is Summer Story by Jill Barklem. In this book readers will get to see a summer wedding between two very charming little country mice. The illustrations in this book are wonderfully detailed and utterly delightful.

I hope you enjoy this feature and do let me know if you have a favorite summer book.