Ever Tales

Happy Valentine's Day! This post will be up too late for a 2012 Valentine's surprise, but it's never too late for a good book. The Kiss that Missed by David Melling is my Valentine storytime go-to title. The illustrations are fantastic and full of detail, the story is sweet (without being too heavy-handed on the moral), and there are lots of little surprises along the way--with a few giggles thrown in (drooling bears make for great join-in fun!). I've given more copies of this book than perhaps any other children's picture book (with the exception of Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney--a blog for another day). Both boys and girls will love this not-too-pink story of kings and queens and knights and one errant kiss. As a side note, I'm considering throwing the occasional big-kid (i.e. adult) novel into the review mix. I've read a few brilliantly-written books lately, and feel they deserve some time. I am constantly surprised and amazed that the world has not...

Candymakers (by Wendy Mass) was my 2011 answer to the customer question "She/he's 11, and I don't know her/him, but I want to buy a book." Two reasons I shouldn't have liked this book: 1. The plot revolves around a mystery--I generally dislike/avoid mysteries. I know, this makes me a bit of an oddball among booksellers. 2. I usually hate books where the plot gets retold from several different perspectives; they get dull, I get bored, I put book down. Four reasons I adored this book: 1. Generic enough for kids whose reading preferences you may not know 2. Wendy Mass. Has not disappointed me yet--she is brilliant and tells unique stories. 3. Chocolate. 4. In a world where many young adult authors set out to write a trilogy/series (which strikes me as overly ambitious--they often end up stretching a story just to fill three books), Wendy Mass writes a compact, self-contained book of exactly the right length, that leaves the reader happy. 5. Ok, I lied, f...

I'll read anything, fiction, non-fiction, teenybopper tales, biographies (I just read the new Oprah bio if that tells you anything), sci-fi, IKEA manuals . . . However, I often find the post-apocalyptic teen genre to be dreary repetitions of environmental destruction, etc., etc., etc. It's been years since I've read one that caught my attention. The Hunger Games and its sequel Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins not only caught my attention, I pretty much put everything but breathing on hold to finish them. Randomly picked to fight to the death for the glory of (and brutal reminder of past insubordination to) her district, Katniss has two choices: kill or die. She really can't win. Unless she learns how to really play the game. Brutally violent, but not without gentle moments, this novel is not for elementary school children. But for teens and adults, it promises a riveting story of manipulation, bravery, and love. The third book, Mockingjay , is out at the end of Au...

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...