Ever Tales

I've read books about invisible people. I've read books about people who see invisible people and people who wished they were invisible (haven't we all at one time or another). I've even read invisible books about invisible people (just kidding). But I've never read about a "functionally invisible" person. Enter The Schwa Was Here by my new favorite teen author, Neal Shusterman. How does one get "the Schwa Effect"? Take one "functionally invisible" kid and his friend, Antsy, who sees big money in being invisible and add some dogs, a cranky neighbor and you've got a Brooklyn-sized adventure perfect for kids/teens (ages 10+). Seriously well-written, witty, a riot to read, and great characters pack this story with good life lessons (no lecturing, I promise). Now, go find a copy before "the Schwa Effect" takes over and you completely forget . . .  . . . and before I forget, also check out Antsy Does Time by Shusterman.

My parent's Easter Bunny is very practical. She fills our baskets with floss, toothpaste, and refills of our current allergy medication while we hunt for eggs in the backyard (we "kids" are nearing our 30's). Yet under all this practicality is hidden an Easter magic woven from years of family tradition. My family's gathering tales remind me of my favorite Easter story, The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes (Du Bose Heyward, illustrated by Marjorie Flack). As mother to 21 little bunnies, one would think this Mother Bunny would have very little time to apply for the job of Easter Bunny. But with the help of those baby bunnies, she shows us that persistence, courage, kindness (and a little seasonal magic) can take us farther than we ever thought we could go. Written in 1939, the illustrations and morals are every bit as wonderful today and worth making a part of your family's traditions. Now, if we could all have 21 helpful baby bunnies . . . Some othe...