Ever Tales

Over 9 years of bookselling, dozens of children have become part of my storytime "history"--crayons clutched in cookie-crumbed fingers, little ones falling off benches when overly excited. Introducing them to Clifford (and quietly reminding the older children not to spill the beans about the person inside of Clifford). Frantically coming up with crafts that won't bore the mini-artists. And, finally, picking out the books. In many ways, I judge children's picture books by their ability to stand up to my many-cultured, high-energy storytimes. How were the pictures? Were the children interested? Many books have passed the test, but one of the best is Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae. Gerald the giraffe can't dance. His legs are long and wobbly. He is shy and intimidated by the talented-tangoing lions. But with the help of a violin-wielding cricket, Gerald learns some very important lessons--ones we all need to hear.The pictures are stunning and bright an...

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...

Have you met Arnie? A little on the short side, cheerful smile peeking out from under frosting and sprinkles? Yup, that'd be him--Arnie, star of Arnie, the Doughnut by Laurie Keller. The story begins with our quick-witted, talking doughnut-hero being born--er, baked. Arnie is thrilled with his life and excited to make friends with the man who picks him. That is, until Mr. Bing tries eat him. Far too spunky to accept a doughnut's fate, Arnie takes matters into his own frosted little hands. The following romp is perfect for anytime--a refreshing nighttime story, ideal to read with your breakfast of . . . broccoli. Laurie Keller is one of the most creative, hilarious and wacky children's authors/illustrators out there. Her illustrations are a delightful smash of cartoon-and-collage (she uses strips of maps to create roads). Pay close attention so you don't miss all the "extra" stuff (read every page--even the dedications!). Children (and adults) will find so...

I have six copies of The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle on my shelf. I used to collect them under the pretense of "giving them away"--and indeed, I have--everyone who knows me has a copy. However, my current six copies have become part of my being and are unlikely to be gifted. The Last Unicorn is the story of the world's last unicorn and her journey to discover why she is the last. You may remember the old movie (soundtrack by America, voiced by Mia Farrow and Angela Landsbury , among others), both haunting and silly. However, far from being just a children's book The Last Unicorn is a story for children and adults that pushes us to explore a fantasy world--and the world inside our own dreams and hearts. What is immortality worth? Can we capture it and hold it? Does true magic exist? Are we fooling ourselves out of magic and beauty every day in our attempts to define? From page one, we become aware that Beagle is a masterful word conjurer: "[the unicorn] ...