Author/Illustrator: Holly Hobbie
Year: 2005
Reading Level: 4-8
Series: Toot and Puddle
Plot Summary: Toot goes off to visit Borneo (of course) leaving Puddle with Cousin Opal for company. Toot sends a few postcards about his exotic adventures but winds up coming home soon with the Violet Virus and he turns a rather unhealthy shade of purple. It's up to Puddle and Opal to find a cure for this rare disease--and it happens to be right in their own backyard.
My Rating: A-. I'll admit that I expected more from this book after hearing so much about the series. The artwork is extremely lovely, but the story seemed a little lacking to me. Maybe I'm just picky though... Also there was a random inclusion of the Internet when Opal does research online. It seemed so very out of place in Woodcock Pocket.
Showing posts with label animals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label animals. Show all posts
Monday, December 8, 2008
Place Called Kindergarten
Author: Jessica Harper
Illustrator: G. Brian Karas
Year: 2006
Reading Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: Tommy lives on a farm and he visits the animals in the barn every morning, until one day he doesn't show up. The animals wonder where he could be all day until Tommy appears in the afternoon to tell them he's been to kindergarten. Tommy is full of new facts and stories and even sings a song for the animals.
My Rating: B+. This is a nice, gentle positive endorsement for the kindergarten experience. The illustrations are soft and soothing, and it all turns out quite rosily in the end. That said, I'm sure this same story could be told in a more interesting fashion...but I guess then it might not be so gentle and soothing?
Illustrator: G. Brian Karas
Year: 2006
Reading Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: Tommy lives on a farm and he visits the animals in the barn every morning, until one day he doesn't show up. The animals wonder where he could be all day until Tommy appears in the afternoon to tell them he's been to kindergarten. Tommy is full of new facts and stories and even sings a song for the animals.
My Rating: B+. This is a nice, gentle positive endorsement for the kindergarten experience. The illustrations are soft and soothing, and it all turns out quite rosily in the end. That said, I'm sure this same story could be told in a more interesting fashion...but I guess then it might not be so gentle and soothing?
Owen's Marshmallow Peep
Author/Illustrator: Kevin Henkes
Year: 2002
Reading Level: 3-6
Plot Summary: It's Easter and Owen has a lovely Easter basket full of goodies. One by one he gets out his favorite treats--jelly beans, a chocolate bunny--and eats them up. But when he gets to his yellow marshmallow chick, Owen just can't bring himself to eat it. Instead he plays with it all day and then puts it safely on his shelf at night.
My Rating: A-. I enjoyed this book. It was cute and had such cute little pictures. It's a good one for younger readers with lots of white space and simple, repetitive language. On the other hand...it's a book about Peeps! How random is that?
Year: 2002
Reading Level: 3-6
Plot Summary: It's Easter and Owen has a lovely Easter basket full of goodies. One by one he gets out his favorite treats--jelly beans, a chocolate bunny--and eats them up. But when he gets to his yellow marshmallow chick, Owen just can't bring himself to eat it. Instead he plays with it all day and then puts it safely on his shelf at night.
My Rating: A-. I enjoyed this book. It was cute and had such cute little pictures. It's a good one for younger readers with lots of white space and simple, repetitive language. On the other hand...it's a book about Peeps! How random is that?
Never Take a Shark to the Dentist (and Other Things Not to Do)
Author: Judi Barrett
Illustrator: John Nickle
Year: 2008
Reading Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: This book is a series of warnings of things not to do for certain animals. There is no real plot to string it a lot, it's just a series of silly things and that's the only point. One of my favorites was to never give a moth a sweater--I actually had to think for a few seconds about what the problem was.
My Rating:A-. Like I said, the "premise" for this book is completely silly, although I think it might be at least somewhat educational as far as why such and such would be a bad idea. The illustrations are great though, very fun and over the top.
Illustrator: John Nickle
Year: 2008
Reading Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: This book is a series of warnings of things not to do for certain animals. There is no real plot to string it a lot, it's just a series of silly things and that's the only point. One of my favorites was to never give a moth a sweater--I actually had to think for a few seconds about what the problem was.
My Rating:A-. Like I said, the "premise" for this book is completely silly, although I think it might be at least somewhat educational as far as why such and such would be a bad idea. The illustrations are great though, very fun and over the top.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Olivia Saves the Circus
Author/Illustrator: Ian Falconer
Year: 2001
Age Level: 4-8
Series: Olivia
Plot Summary: Olivia wakes up and puts on her boring school uniform (and jazzes it up with accessories of course) and heads off to school. In her class she tells about her trip to the circus. Of course, none of the performers are there and so Olivia must perform all the acts herself. Is it true? Olivia thinks it is.
My Rating: B. I expected more from this book, after hearing about Olivia for so long. As it was, I didn't really like the character (such a diva) and the story wasn't really interesting either.
Year: 2001
Age Level: 4-8
Series: Olivia
Plot Summary: Olivia wakes up and puts on her boring school uniform (and jazzes it up with accessories of course) and heads off to school. In her class she tells about her trip to the circus. Of course, none of the performers are there and so Olivia must perform all the acts herself. Is it true? Olivia thinks it is.
My Rating: B. I expected more from this book, after hearing about Olivia for so long. As it was, I didn't really like the character (such a diva) and the story wasn't really interesting either.
My Friend is Sad
Author/Illustrator: Mo Willems
Year: 2007
Age Level: 2-7
Series: Elephant and Piggie
Plot Summary: One day Piggie discovers that Elephant is very sad. He sits and sighs, and Piggie wonders how she can cheer him up. She tries dressing up as many things--a robot, a clown and a cowboy--but nothing is working. Finally Piggie confesses that she can't cheer him up, and realizes what would really cheer up Elephant is a friend.
My Rating: A. The expressions in this book are so delightful and the story is so cute. I can't think of any kid who would not love this book.
Year: 2007
Age Level: 2-7
Series: Elephant and Piggie
Plot Summary: One day Piggie discovers that Elephant is very sad. He sits and sighs, and Piggie wonders how she can cheer him up. She tries dressing up as many things--a robot, a clown and a cowboy--but nothing is working. Finally Piggie confesses that she can't cheer him up, and realizes what would really cheer up Elephant is a friend.
My Rating: A. The expressions in this book are so delightful and the story is so cute. I can't think of any kid who would not love this book.
Today I Will Fly!
Author/Illustrator: Mo Willems
Year: 2007
Age Level: 4-8
Series: Elephant and Piggie
Plot Summary: Piggie announces her determination to fly, but Elephant (Gerald) is more than a little skeptical. Piggie tries a few different methods, and at one points succeeds...she thinks. Finally Piggie figures out what she needs to fly--help. And in the end fly she does.
My Rating: A-. So cute! The illustrations are so simple and crisp and charming. The vocabulary is really simple and would be great for younger readers.
Year: 2007
Age Level: 4-8
Series: Elephant and Piggie
Plot Summary: Piggie announces her determination to fly, but Elephant (Gerald) is more than a little skeptical. Piggie tries a few different methods, and at one points succeeds...she thinks. Finally Piggie figures out what she needs to fly--help. And in the end fly she does.
My Rating: A-. So cute! The illustrations are so simple and crisp and charming. The vocabulary is really simple and would be great for younger readers.
The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales
Author: Jon Scieszka
Illustrator: Lane Smith
Year: 1992
Age Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: A collection of twisted fairly tales (or "fairly stupid tales") ranging from "The Ugly Duckling" to "The Gingerbread Man." Lane Smith's unique illustrations are well matched to the, shall we say, unusual stories. Besides the unusual stories, pages are out of order, text spills all over and characters go outside of their own stories.
My Rating: A-. Very funny, and the illustrations are crazy. My favorite story was about the ugly duckling and it was hilarrrrious. I think this book would be more fun for boys, but who knows. Maybe I'm stereotyping.
Illustrator: Lane Smith
Year: 1992
Age Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: A collection of twisted fairly tales (or "fairly stupid tales") ranging from "The Ugly Duckling" to "The Gingerbread Man." Lane Smith's unique illustrations are well matched to the, shall we say, unusual stories. Besides the unusual stories, pages are out of order, text spills all over and characters go outside of their own stories.
My Rating: A-. Very funny, and the illustrations are crazy. My favorite story was about the ugly duckling and it was hilarrrrious. I think this book would be more fun for boys, but who knows. Maybe I'm stereotyping.
Millions of Cats
Author/Illustrator: Wanda Gag
Year: 1928
Age Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: And old man and his wife are lonely but they get the idea that having a cat would be nice. So the old man sets out to find a cat, but he winds up finding millions of cat. He has a little trouble picking just one and so in the end all of the cats follow him home, leaving a wasteland behind them. The old man and his wife can't keep all the cats, so what are they going to do?
Red flags: Cat deaths.
My Rating: A. This is a great, really well done book. The pictures and text are nicely designed and integrated. The language is lively and appropriately repetitive.
Year: 1928
Age Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: And old man and his wife are lonely but they get the idea that having a cat would be nice. So the old man sets out to find a cat, but he winds up finding millions of cat. He has a little trouble picking just one and so in the end all of the cats follow him home, leaving a wasteland behind them. The old man and his wife can't keep all the cats, so what are they going to do?
Red flags: Cat deaths.
My Rating: A. This is a great, really well done book. The pictures and text are nicely designed and integrated. The language is lively and appropriately repetitive.
Cornelius P. Mud, Are You Ready for Bed?
Author/Illustrator: Barney Saltzberg
Year: 2005
Age Level: 2-7
Plot Summary: It's time for Cornelius's bedtime and his Mom asks him a series of questions. Has he put his toys away? Yes...in the fridge. Did he feed his fish? Yes...a handful of cookies. Eventually Cornelius is tucked into bed and all he wants then is a hug.
Red flags: kid antics--the kind you wouldn't want to give your kids ideas about doing. Unless you want cookies in your fish tank that is.
My Rating: B+. This was a fun book. Lively, and just right for younger kids. But again...is this something you want to give kids ideas about?
Year: 2005
Age Level: 2-7
Plot Summary: It's time for Cornelius's bedtime and his Mom asks him a series of questions. Has he put his toys away? Yes...in the fridge. Did he feed his fish? Yes...a handful of cookies. Eventually Cornelius is tucked into bed and all he wants then is a hug.
Red flags: kid antics--the kind you wouldn't want to give your kids ideas about doing. Unless you want cookies in your fish tank that is.
My Rating: B+. This was a fun book. Lively, and just right for younger kids. But again...is this something you want to give kids ideas about?
The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies
Author/Illustrator: Beatrix Potter
Year: 1909
Age Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: Benjamin Bunny and his little bunny family are out trying to find food. Peter Rabbit doesn't have any spare cabbages so they head to the infamous Mr. MacGregor's compost heap to find vegetables. Unfortunately the bunnies eat so much lettuce they fall right to sleep, and when Mr. MacGregor finds them, he has the idea to have bunny for dinner...
Red flags: Mr. MacGregor talks about chopping off bunny heads.
My Rating:A-. How can you not love Beatrix Potter? They're so cute and the stories are charming and funny.
Year: 1909
Age Level: 4-8
Plot Summary: Benjamin Bunny and his little bunny family are out trying to find food. Peter Rabbit doesn't have any spare cabbages so they head to the infamous Mr. MacGregor's compost heap to find vegetables. Unfortunately the bunnies eat so much lettuce they fall right to sleep, and when Mr. MacGregor finds them, he has the idea to have bunny for dinner...
Red flags: Mr. MacGregor talks about chopping off bunny heads.
My Rating:A-. How can you not love Beatrix Potter? They're so cute and the stories are charming and funny.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Encyclopedia Prehistorica: Dinosaurs
Authors/Illustrators: Robert Sabuda and Matthew Reinhart
Year: 2005
Age Level: 4-12
Plot Summary: What could have been a kind of dry book on dinosaurs is turned into a visual spectacular with the addition of more than 30 pop ups. The book also includes facts on different dinosaur species and a brief overview of the history of paleontology. Younger readers will enjoy the book for the impressive images (especially the t-rex head) while older readers will also enjoy the dinosaurs facts.
My Rating: A-. Who would not have fun with this book? Honestly, I could have cared less about what the words were--I was really just reading it for the dinosaur pop ups. My one complaint is how (kind of necessarily) the text is a little shoehorned in, squeezing in between all the pop ups. Also, some of the pop ups are *so* intricate it's almost hard to visualize the dinosaur, with all the different paper joints and such. Still...definitely worth a read. Or a look.
Year: 2005
Age Level: 4-12
Plot Summary: What could have been a kind of dry book on dinosaurs is turned into a visual spectacular with the addition of more than 30 pop ups. The book also includes facts on different dinosaur species and a brief overview of the history of paleontology. Younger readers will enjoy the book for the impressive images (especially the t-rex head) while older readers will also enjoy the dinosaurs facts.
My Rating: A-. Who would not have fun with this book? Honestly, I could have cared less about what the words were--I was really just reading it for the dinosaur pop ups. My one complaint is how (kind of necessarily) the text is a little shoehorned in, squeezing in between all the pop ups. Also, some of the pop ups are *so* intricate it's almost hard to visualize the dinosaur, with all the different paper joints and such. Still...definitely worth a read. Or a look.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Shiloh
Author: Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Year: 1991
Genre: Novel
Reading Level: Intermediate
Series: First in the Shiloh Trilogy
Plot Summary: While wandering the woods around his rural West Virginia home, eleven-year-old Marty Preston runs into a small beagle that follows him home. Marty is very taken with the dog, and is concerned at the way it shows signs of mistreatment. Not long after the dog has been taken back by its owner, the beagle shows up at Marty's house again. Naming him Shiloh, Marty is determined to keep him safe, whether Shiloh's owner likes it or not.
Red Flags: Some dog violence, hunting
Award/s: Newbery winner, 1992
Movie Version: Shiloh
My Rating: B. I'll admit, I expected a bit more from this book, being a Newbery winner and all. It was good, it was a good story and it pulls the heartstrings a little, but it didn't blow me away. I think I was unintentionally comparing it to Because of Winn-Dixie the whole time, and that book is the superior Newbery-winning dog tale.
Year: 1991
Genre: Novel
Reading Level: Intermediate
Series: First in the Shiloh Trilogy
Plot Summary: While wandering the woods around his rural West Virginia home, eleven-year-old Marty Preston runs into a small beagle that follows him home. Marty is very taken with the dog, and is concerned at the way it shows signs of mistreatment. Not long after the dog has been taken back by its owner, the beagle shows up at Marty's house again. Naming him Shiloh, Marty is determined to keep him safe, whether Shiloh's owner likes it or not.
Red Flags: Some dog violence, hunting
Award/s: Newbery winner, 1992
Movie Version: Shiloh
My Rating: B. I'll admit, I expected a bit more from this book, being a Newbery winner and all. It was good, it was a good story and it pulls the heartstrings a little, but it didn't blow me away. I think I was unintentionally comparing it to Because of Winn-Dixie the whole time, and that book is the superior Newbery-winning dog tale.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Seven Blind Mice
Author/Illustrator: Ed Young
Year: 2002
Plot Summary: This retelling of an Indian story deals with seven blind mice and an elephant. Each mouse goes out to touch the elephant and decide what, in fact, it is. Each feels a different part and comes to a different conclusion of what they're feeling. When the truth is finally discovered in the end, the mice conclude that "Knowing in part may make a fine tale, but wisdom comes from seeing the whole."
Award/s: Caldecott honor book
My Rating: B+. This was a fun book to read. The illustrations are very bright with a black background that makes it all very dramatic. Also, the mice have very long tail and I appreciate that.
Year: 2002
Plot Summary: This retelling of an Indian story deals with seven blind mice and an elephant. Each mouse goes out to touch the elephant and decide what, in fact, it is. Each feels a different part and comes to a different conclusion of what they're feeling. When the truth is finally discovered in the end, the mice conclude that "Knowing in part may make a fine tale, but wisdom comes from seeing the whole."
Award/s: Caldecott honor book
My Rating: B+. This was a fun book to read. The illustrations are very bright with a black background that makes it all very dramatic. Also, the mice have very long tail and I appreciate that.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
Author: Robert C. O'Brien
Year: 1971
Reading Level: Intermediate
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Plot Summary: It's early spring and for newly-widowed Mrs. Frisby and her small (mice) children, it means they have to move out of the farmer's garden before he plows it. Unfortunately her youngest son, Timothy, falls seriously ill and she cannot move him before the plowing. Mrs. Frisby finds help in unexpected places, but nowhere more unexpected than from a mysterious group of rats living under a rose bush. Where did the rats come from? What connection do they have to Mrs. Frisby? The answer is, well, awesome.
Red Flags: This is one of those books that will make you feel guilty for interefering with the animal world at all. Also, the ending is kind of sad.
Movie Version: The Secret of NIMH
My Rating: A. I was not expecting to like this as much as I did. I remember liking the movie a lot (which is not entirely faithful), but that was all I had to go on. And while the book is different, it was really good. Justin! How can you not love Justin? It reminded me of Watership Down, more towards the end, what with the drama and the escaping and the tragic ending.
Year: 1971
Reading Level: Intermediate
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Plot Summary: It's early spring and for newly-widowed Mrs. Frisby and her small (mice) children, it means they have to move out of the farmer's garden before he plows it. Unfortunately her youngest son, Timothy, falls seriously ill and she cannot move him before the plowing. Mrs. Frisby finds help in unexpected places, but nowhere more unexpected than from a mysterious group of rats living under a rose bush. Where did the rats come from? What connection do they have to Mrs. Frisby? The answer is, well, awesome.
Red Flags: This is one of those books that will make you feel guilty for interefering with the animal world at all. Also, the ending is kind of sad.
Movie Version: The Secret of NIMH
My Rating: A. I was not expecting to like this as much as I did. I remember liking the movie a lot (which is not entirely faithful), but that was all I had to go on. And while the book is different, it was really good. Justin! How can you not love Justin? It reminded me of Watership Down, more towards the end, what with the drama and the escaping and the tragic ending.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Bats at the Library
Author/Illustrator: Brian Lies
Year: 2008
Reading Level: Picture book (4-8)
Plot Summary: A group of bats are tired of flying around every night and want to do something different. Luckily for them, a librarian has left a window open in the library and the bats get to have their "Bat Night at the library!" The bats enjoy all the delights of a library, from copy machines to drinking fountains and, of course, books.
My rating: A+ This book is so fun! The bats are so cute! There's a library! One of my favorite things is the montage of book references that are included in the illustrations, to show what the bats are reading. There are references to Make Way for Ducklings, Treasure Island, Alice in Wonderland and many others--all with a batty spin. The illustrations are my favorite part.
Year: 2008
Reading Level: Picture book (4-8)
Plot Summary: A group of bats are tired of flying around every night and want to do something different. Luckily for them, a librarian has left a window open in the library and the bats get to have their "Bat Night at the library!" The bats enjoy all the delights of a library, from copy machines to drinking fountains and, of course, books.
My rating: A+ This book is so fun! The bats are so cute! There's a library! One of my favorite things is the montage of book references that are included in the illustrations, to show what the bats are reading. There are references to Make Way for Ducklings, Treasure Island, Alice in Wonderland and many others--all with a batty spin. The illustrations are my favorite part.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
The Fantastic Flying Adventure
Author: Gerald Durrell
Year: 1987
Reading Level: Intermediate
Genre: Adventure
Plot Summary: The three Dollybutt (really) siblings--Emma, Conrad and Ivan--are understandably surprised when their Great-Uncle Lancelot shows up on their lawn in his enormous hot air balloon house, the Belladonna. He quickly enlists the children's help in finding his lost brother Perceval and they set off to find him in the Belladonna. They travel around the world in the balloon following Perceval's trail, frequently stopping to question the local animals on his whereabouts.
Red Flags: Heavy handed environmental message
My Rating: C. Illustrations=nice. Story=bland. I'm not sure which annoyed me more--how obviously the animal factoids were shoehorned in or how obnoxiously heavy handed the environmental message was. It's great that Gerald Durrell is a leading naturalist and whatnot but a storyteller he is not.
Year: 1987
Reading Level: Intermediate
Genre: Adventure
Plot Summary: The three Dollybutt (really) siblings--Emma, Conrad and Ivan--are understandably surprised when their Great-Uncle Lancelot shows up on their lawn in his enormous hot air balloon house, the Belladonna. He quickly enlists the children's help in finding his lost brother Perceval and they set off to find him in the Belladonna. They travel around the world in the balloon following Perceval's trail, frequently stopping to question the local animals on his whereabouts.
Red Flags: Heavy handed environmental message
My Rating: C. Illustrations=nice. Story=bland. I'm not sure which annoyed me more--how obviously the animal factoids were shoehorned in or how obnoxiously heavy handed the environmental message was. It's great that Gerald Durrell is a leading naturalist and whatnot but a storyteller he is not.
The Wolves of Willoughby Chase
Author: Joan Aiken
Year: 1987
Reading Level: Intermediate
Genre: Alternate history, novel
Plot Summary: Young Bonnie Green's parents are leaving for a ocean trip to improve her mother's help. They've hired a governess, Miss Slighcarp, and sent for Bonnie's cousin Sylvia to watch over the house and keep her company in their absence. Sylvia is everything Bonnie expected and wanted in a companion, but as soon as her parents leave, Miss Slighcarp asserts her authority in the most unpleasant ways. She soon sends Bonnie and Sylvia off to a wretched orphan school, but Bonnie's determined to escape and take back her home.
Red Flags: Scary adults
My Rating: A-. It took a while to get into this book, and by the end I was still puzzled by the wolves. But after the intitial kind of "Huh?" of the first 40 pages or so, it was quite entertaining and strange in an appealing way. Also, it's all Victorian and stuff and that's cool. Final note: Simon reminded me a lot of Dickon from The Secret Garden (this is a good thing).
Year: 1987
Reading Level: Intermediate
Genre: Alternate history, novel
Plot Summary: Young Bonnie Green's parents are leaving for a ocean trip to improve her mother's help. They've hired a governess, Miss Slighcarp, and sent for Bonnie's cousin Sylvia to watch over the house and keep her company in their absence. Sylvia is everything Bonnie expected and wanted in a companion, but as soon as her parents leave, Miss Slighcarp asserts her authority in the most unpleasant ways. She soon sends Bonnie and Sylvia off to a wretched orphan school, but Bonnie's determined to escape and take back her home.
Red Flags: Scary adults
My Rating: A-. It took a while to get into this book, and by the end I was still puzzled by the wolves. But after the intitial kind of "Huh?" of the first 40 pages or so, it was quite entertaining and strange in an appealing way. Also, it's all Victorian and stuff and that's cool. Final note: Simon reminded me a lot of Dickon from The Secret Garden (this is a good thing).
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread
Author: Kate DiCamillo
Year: 2003
Reading Level: Intermediate
Genre: Fantasy
Plot Summary: Despereaux, a small-bodied but large-eared mouse, is not like the other mice that live in the castle. He loves books and music and is in love with Princess Pea, which shocks his relations to their core. It's also this love that takes him on a series of adventures, down to the castle's dungeon, where the vicious rats live. Despite his small size, Despereaux risks everything to save his (human) lady love.
Red Flags: None! Unless you count a mild inter-species romance.
Movie Version: The Tale of Despereaux
Award/s: Newbery Medal, 2004
My Rating: A. This was a very fun, endearing kind of book. Despereaux is cute, cuddly and sincere, and the supporting characters are all entertaining (especially his French mother). I like Kate DiCamillo's writing style, although I didn't so much care for her constantly saying "Reader..." But overall, it was a great book.
Year: 2003
Reading Level: Intermediate
Genre: Fantasy
Plot Summary: Despereaux, a small-bodied but large-eared mouse, is not like the other mice that live in the castle. He loves books and music and is in love with Princess Pea, which shocks his relations to their core. It's also this love that takes him on a series of adventures, down to the castle's dungeon, where the vicious rats live. Despite his small size, Despereaux risks everything to save his (human) lady love.
Red Flags: None! Unless you count a mild inter-species romance.
Movie Version: The Tale of Despereaux
Award/s: Newbery Medal, 2004
My Rating: A. This was a very fun, endearing kind of book. Despereaux is cute, cuddly and sincere, and the supporting characters are all entertaining (especially his French mother). I like Kate DiCamillo's writing style, although I didn't so much care for her constantly saying "Reader..." But overall, it was a great book.
Runaway Ralph
Author: Beverly Cleary
Year: 1970
Reading Level: Intermediate
Genre: Real world fantasy
Series: Mouse and the Motorcycle
Plot Summary: Fed up with living with his pesky younger cousins and nagging relatives, Ralph leaves the rustic inn that is his home and strikes out for freedom on the open road. After a long journey on his trusty motorcycle, Ralph finds himself at the Happy Acres summer camp. His freedom is short lived, however, as he soon finds himself shut in a wire cage with only a cynical hamster for company. In a bid for his freedom, Ralph launches a desperate escape plan, but the camp's cat isn't so keen on letting him go.
Red Flags: None
My Rating: B+. I loved and still love The Mouse and the Motorcycle, and while this one isn't as good, I still love the idea of a mouse being able to ride a motorcycle just by making the sound. About 3/4 of the way through I started to wonder if I've read this one before, or if I'm thinking of Ralph S. Mouse. Or did I read them both? I have no idea.
Year: 1970
Reading Level: Intermediate
Genre: Real world fantasy
Series: Mouse and the Motorcycle
Plot Summary: Fed up with living with his pesky younger cousins and nagging relatives, Ralph leaves the rustic inn that is his home and strikes out for freedom on the open road. After a long journey on his trusty motorcycle, Ralph finds himself at the Happy Acres summer camp. His freedom is short lived, however, as he soon finds himself shut in a wire cage with only a cynical hamster for company. In a bid for his freedom, Ralph launches a desperate escape plan, but the camp's cat isn't so keen on letting him go.
Red Flags: None
My Rating: B+. I loved and still love The Mouse and the Motorcycle, and while this one isn't as good, I still love the idea of a mouse being able to ride a motorcycle just by making the sound. About 3/4 of the way through I started to wonder if I've read this one before, or if I'm thinking of Ralph S. Mouse. Or did I read them both? I have no idea.
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