Fave Children's Book Corner

Books For Kids Blog

2007-02-21T14:01:00.000-08:00

I have not posted here in FOREVER! Sorry about that.

I recently found the above blog (click title for link/to go there), and I find it to be a really good review of various children's books, as he blogs about them.

Sorry It's Been So Long . . .

2006-08-21T16:52:00.000-07:00

Sorry bout that!

Any of you ever read The Indian In The Cupboard series? I LOVED that series as a kid, but only knew about the first book for a long time, and then the second.

I enjoyed it very much, although in the movie, I had to laugh when he put a Darth Vader action figure in there . . . oh my goodness, was that FUNNY!!

I recently saw, somewhere, another book by someone else, where a magical ??? makes figures come to life, but I can't remember it.

The Coolest Cross-Sections Ever! by Richard Platt, Stephen Biesty, Stephen Biesty

2006-02-22T07:29:00.000-08:00

We checked this book out for Emily, and boy is she glad we thought she'd like it.

She LOVES this book, and pores over it at great length. The detail in the illustrations is incredible, and fascinating!

It might possibly be slightly disturbing to see all the "body people" as Emily calls them, peeling back the skin and tongue surface and such in the cut-away cross-section illustrations of various areas and systems of the body . . . but vaguely unsettling though it may be (to ME), Emily loves it!

She has always wanted to find out more about how the body works! It does show the digestive system, and the intestines and what they do. Most books shy away from that latter, but really, if you want your child to be perfectly comfortable with going potty, and the fact that their body produces certain waste products, then I feel it is helpful for them to see this sort of thing.

It isn't gross, or anything, although I do find it a bit funny that Emily will examine this section in great detail when she is in the bathroom . . . . . hee!

Her favorite section of the book is the Human Body section, but the other subjects are fascinating, too!

This book is great for kids younger than the recommended ages, as well as recommended ages to adult!

The Wartville Wizard by Don Madden

2006-01-05T16:11:00.000-08:00

We checked this book out at the library for Emily at the same time we checked out Mouldylocks.

The artwork was fun and told the story well, and there are alot more words than the usual picture book. Paragraphs and paragraphs per page, quite often.

Synopsis - A tidy old man spent his time cleaning up the litter that the thoughtless slobs of Wartville left behind. One day, tired of his lot, he gives up, and Mother Nature gives him ``power over trash.'' He then commands that litter ``go back and stick to the person who threw you.'' The townspeople are dismayed, and the Wizard agrees to release them from their trash if they promise not to litter again.

All three of us enjoyed this story. It was the grumpy old man on the front cover with a huge bag on his back, that attracted me to the book, after seeing the unusual title on the shelf.

I think most anyone would enjoy it, and it teaches environmental responsibility, in at least one aspect. Without, I think, coming across too preachy, for the most part.

MouldyLocks by Bernard Lodge

2005-12-08T11:06:00.000-08:00

We checked out some books from the library for Emily (she usually chooses her own, but she was at school when we went).

This one looked intriguing, so I checked it out.

The art, is wonderful! This man carves the woodcuts and then prints with them. He did an amazing job, and I love the fun feeling to the style, and the color choices. Especially the green of her "mouldylocks".

The story does not have any similarity to Goldilocks, though, which one might have thought it would from the similar title. Nowadays, alot of authors write spoofs of classic fairytales.

I enjoyed the story, as well. I thought it was pretty good. And you can see why Crabby Ann is named thusly.

It was published in 1998 in Great Britain.

The author has also illustrated Grandma Went to Market, written by Stella Blackstone, and Noah Makes a Boat, written by Pippa Goodhart. He both wrote and illustrated Tanglebird.

The synopsis of the story is this: On her birthday, Mouldylocks the witch is whisked off to a surprise birthday party on a surprise magic broomstick. But when the party games go horribly wrong, Mouldylocks needs all her witching skills to put things right. Surely she's had enough surprises for one day . . . .

Fun story!

Fave Thanksgiving Books?

2005-11-23T00:51:00.000-08:00

As a child, I enjoyed Cranberry Thanksgiving and Cranberry Christmas.

Today, a humorous one of my daughter's I enjoy is Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving. Even if it does imply that eating turkeys is bad, it's all in fun, and very funny. I especially love the illustrations.

What are yours?

Favorite Illustrators

2005-11-16T21:22:00.000-08:00

Jan Brett does some INCREDIBLE illustration work.

I really like the one who does Diary of a Worm, as well. They really capture the humor.

And then, especially for the younger children, but gorgeous for anyone to see, is Eric Carle. I watched once on Mr. Rogers, how he creates those pieces. Pretty Cool! I wonder if he's done a dolphin . . . .

I love others of course, this is just a few. What about you?

Anyone can comment, now.

2005-11-11T18:39:00.000-08:00

Just changed that setting, sorry! Update: I had to fix it again! It had accidentally been set to members only . . . . ugh!

Fixed now.

Friday Firsts & Lasts

2005-11-11T06:57:00.000-08:00

I may try this concept out on my main blog, but I thought I'd start it on this blog first.

What's the first children's book you ever remember seeing an adaptation of in film, slides at school, or other non-print media?

What's the last book you read to your child, children, or one for each child, if different (books per child, if they each wanted a different say bedtime story)?

What is the first children's book that comes to mind when you see this word :

tooth?

What is the last children's book you read for yourself? Remember, this includes books written for up to the junior high school ages.

What is the first book (besides ABC's, 123's, colors, or shapes) that you bought for your first child? And if more than one child, what was the first you bought for each? Or the first you wanted them to have, if you already had it in your collection from purchasing for earlier children.

What is the last children's book you want to read to your kid, or each kid (can be different per kid) tonight because you are so tired of reading it over and over?

What is the first book your child or children would (each) request for a bedtime story, most likely?

Well, I think that's a pretty good list for this Friday. I know it's Thursday, but since I have slow traffic here as yet, I'll go ahead and post it with tomorrow's date already! And I'll post my answers tomorrow . . .

If you are a grandmother, you can remember back to your own children, or think of some of your grandchildren, or both. Or nieces and nephews work as well, for those without children. Or back to your own childhood . . .

Welcome to Fave Children's Book Corner

2005-11-07T22:46:00.000-08:00

I decided to set up this blog, aside from my main one, because I love children's books. And so does my daughter. And she and I are always on the lookout for more new good ones. Series or solo, it's all good!

I like some of them for myself, especially those I remember fondly from my youth. Some I bought for myself, like the Narnia series, and the Indian in the Cupboard books. Those are a bit above my daughter at the moment.

And, what with the new Curious George movie coming up, I thought that might spur some discussion about our favorite childhood books. And some of our kids' favorite books, and which ones we've made sure to introduce to them that we enjoyed as children, and whether or not they liked these echoes from our pasts.

I'd like to start out, by starting a discussion of a favorite remembered book from your childhood and/or youth (anything up through Junior High qualifies, at least if it seems as though it was written for the youth or younger markets).

I'll be posting my choice of a book I fondly remember, within the next day or so.

I'll also set up "theme" days, such as "What's the last book you read to your child, or each of your children, and do they like it, and do you like it, and why?" And other theme days of that nature.

I really love children's "literature", so I hope we'll have plenty to discuss. As well as sometimes discussions of some books we may have some qualms about, as long as people don't flame others for liking it (say, I may have some qualms about Olivia, in her first book, painting on her wall and not getting punished for it, or not seeming to. It's not so much that she painted, it's that there didn't seem to be any consequences . . . but it's a lively book, and I respect people's like or dislike of it). This should result in some interesting discussions too. Plus, other theme days and special events and the like.

Sometimes religious books may be mentioned; please do, without proselyting for your religion, or putting down someone else's. No Wiccan, pagan, or occult, though. Nothing like that. I will not bash Little Witch type or the like books or Harry Potter; I think fantasy has a healthy place in our society, and do not see anything wrong with those. You may briefly explain the point of view the book is coming from, as necessary, since there are so many different ways of looking at this aspect of life, but briefly and without trying to recruit members. Anyone who has any further questions about these books or the religions that publish them or they are about, may email the person who posted about the book. Fair enough? There may be some discussion that ensues about these books, and I just ask that people keep it civil and respectful, even when disagreeing. I do not want any flaming of those who ARE religious, either, or of those who aren't. We all have different views! And different experiences.

Okay, with all those caveats said (I may think of more later, but who knows), feel free to post in comments under this post, about a book you fondly remember from your childhood, and why.

Another request I have, is please link to a copy of the book on Amazon or whatever site may have it, if possible. So we can all go see it!

I hope other children's book lovers find their way here, both those who love them themselves, and/or also love them for their kids' sake(s).

Also post any suggestions YOU might have for this blog, and theme days or structure or subjects for discussion. We'll have author days, too, and such, and discussion of the book flyers that Scholastic/Troll/Carnival sends home from school with the kiddos . . . and such.

Remember, the first topic is a fondly remembered book from your childhood. Have at it, and I'll join in tomorrow. Thank you!