Ever Tales

So, yes, I read a lot. A LOT, a lot. Determined to end 2014 on a good literary note (and to make my 100-books-per-year goal), I've been bringing library books home by the dozen. Happily, Once Upon an Alphabet by Oliver Jeffers was among the most recent stack. I've blogged before about my admiration and adoration for Oliver Jeffers; the ability to write and illustrate is rare, and he does it exceptionally well. This new book is an ABC book of sorts, with a short story for each letter--some that connect, and some that stand alone. While most ABC books are for the littles, these stories are more of the dark, dry, sarcastic humor-vignettes that older kids (and adults) will find quirky and entertaining. Think Shel Silverstein (but less rhyme) and Edward Gorey (with less gore and more cute). I'm also immersed in Kathryn Lasky's Ashes (for teens). I'm fascinated by this book for a few reasons. There are many stories about WWII, the atrocities of the Holocaust, and most...

I'd put money on it that (in a random poll), Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird would sweep the Book Most Often Named 'My Favorite' Book category. Not for nothing is it a book (and author) surrounded by speculation and myth, mocked (pardon the pun) and parodied, required and studied . . . and probably even avoided--by students who'd rather just watch the movie. It's most recent tribute comes from Paul Acampora's book I Kill the Mockingbird . Three students who adore Lee's novel decide to go renegade and start a reading revolution--by "disappearing" copies of the book in libraries and bookstores across their state. While they don't actually steal the books, things get out of hand as their revolution goes viral--books do get stolen, and the real reason behind their revolution gets muddied and confused. Acampora is great with dialogue, the book moves quickly and feels very honest and realistic. It's in the teen section, but I didn't s...

Tonight my toddler niece told me a bedtime story: "Once time, ittle uck (duck), a end!" While it could have used a tad more plot, I loved it. Another book I loved: Tyrannosaurus Wrecks by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen. Bardhan-Quallen's rhyming story takes place in a dinosaur preschool, where a very energetic (and quite accident-prone) Tyrannosaur destroys, crashes, spills, and wrecks all the other dinotot's creative endeavors. The cute dinosaurs (you'll love Zachariah OHora's illustrations) give us all a little lesson on helping, kindness, and forgiveness. It's also quite a lesson on dinosaurs (I had a good time figuring out the pronunciations--which, of course, the kids always seem to just know ). I also like the fact that it is an early introduction to the preschool world--crafts, activities, sharing. And the rhyme; any author that can carry off a unique, clever rhyming story (with a plot!) has my enormous respect. Happy "wrecking"!

I'm writing this blog because I kindasorta got a little misty-eyed in front of my boss when he made me read this book (I think he understood). The Rules of Summer by Shaun Tan: while technically a picture book, this is one the dreaming adults will love. Each amazing painting can be read as an allegory (or a million allegories): each bizarre object/scene standing as metaphors. Kids will enjoy the quirky images, but adults will see the gasp-worthy layers and deeper meanings. On the surface, a story of friendship, siblinghood, forgiveness. The rest is up to you. If Shaun Tan sold prints of these paintings, I'd be hanging several in my house. I'd probably be kindasorta misty-eyed a lot.

Two stories for those of us losing our minds to this dreadfully long winter! Weasels by Elys Dolan. Weasels: bent on taking over the world, inventing uber-destructive technology, regretting their decision to drink decaf. Adorable (yet dastardly) weasels romp through this book, making quirky asides and bad decisions--I would find this book hilarious even if my brain weren't addled by cabin fever. PLUS this book affords the opportunity to learn big words. My toddler niece will be the kid on the playground using terms like "megalomania". Since my boss told me yesterday, "NOTHING impresses you," (I admit to being an extreme book snob), I feel the need to write enthusiastically about Under the Egg by Laura Marx Fitzgerald. If you smooshed together a Doctorow book, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (Konigsburg), and an art-history book written by Lauren Hillenbrand (please, Ms. Hillenbrand!), this would be the result. The destitute Tenpenny fami...

I have always loved fairytales: from the classic “Once upon a time”, to the many ways we recreate these stories in theatre, movies, books. Alas, I have never loved the tale of Rumpelstiltskin—never found meaning or motive behind the characters. Reading Rumpled, by Lacey Louwagie, has changed this. Louwagie has a way of making me take a deeper look at things I’ve brushed off (or purposely ignored—like Rumpelstiltskin). Louwagie’s story starts with the classic maiden-in-the-tower and misshapen magic-worker, but then her story has its own wings. This Rumpelstiltskin is a court jester who has promised to deliver a child to his mentor in exchange for learning the ultimate magic trick: altering his appearance. Louwagie’s fairytale for adults fills in what the traditional tale has always neglected: motive, heart, moral ambiguity, unrequited love, betrayal. Extremely skilled with discourse (a talent I’ve always admired), Louwagie gives this flat (and eerie) old tale several twists that, ...

Your late-late-late Valentine's gift shopping list: Smitten by David Gordon. This tale of wool and woe, of danger and dust, of loyalty and knitting had me at the title. When one lost left mitten meets one fallen-from-the-laundry-basket sock, they set out to find their respective partners. The big city tests them but dogs and dustbins, speeding trains and a bad run-in with a hot dryer can't keep them from their mission. Will they find their match? Or will they be . . . smitten? Adorable illustrations, well-written dialog, and a fast pace make this the perfect picture book for your favorite little partner (or big partner--nothing says "love" like clothing with faces). Happy Valentine's Day!