Fortunately, the Milk

We're back with a brand new book review! Today, we're going to tell you all about Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman (illustrated by Skottie Young). 

The Basics:

Published: September 17, 2013

Length: 128 pages

Reading Level: Age 8-12 (grades 3-7)

Synopsis:

""I bought the milk," said my father. "I walked out of the corner shop, and heard a noise like this: thummthumm. I looked up and saw a huge silver disc hovering in the air above Marshall Road."

"Hullo," I said to myself. "That's not something you see every day. And then something odd happened."

Find out just how odd things get in this hilarious story of time travel and breakfast cereal."

Our Ratings (out of 5 stars):

Guinevere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Lindsay: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Guinevere's Thoughts:

"It was really silly and funny! I liked Professor Steg and the Floaty-Ball-Person-Carrier!"

My Thoughts:

It's no great secret that I'm a big fan of Neil Gaiman and his work, so I was incredibly excited to read this with Guinevere. We both enjoyed it so much that we finished it in a day. Gaiman is an expert storyteller and this book certainly did not disappoint. It has everything you could want in an adventure story: time travel, aliens, pirates, dinosaurs, "wumpires", space police, a volcano god named Splod and, of course, milk. Fortunately, the Milk is like Hitchhiker's Guide for the younger set.  It's fast-paced and full of funny one-liners and outlandish situations, and the illustrations are a perfect addition to the story. It was such a good time, I'd like to read it again on my own.

Read it or Leave it?:

Read it now! If you're looking for wacky, far-fetched humor that will make you laugh along with your child, Fortunately, the Milk fits the bill! Pick it up from your local library or add it to your Neil Gaiman collection!

Happy reading, everyone! 

The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread

It took us awhile to finish this one, but here is our review of The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo (illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering).

The Basics:

Published: August 25, 2003

Length: 272 pages

Reading Level: Age 7-10 (grades 2-5)

Synopsis:

Welcome to the story of Despereaux Tilling, a mouse who is in love with music, stories, and a princess named Pea. It is also the story of a rat called Roscuro, who lives in the darkness and covets a world filled with light. And it is the story of Miggery Sow, a slow-witted serving girl who harbors a simple, impossible wish. These three characters are about to embark on a journey that will lead them down into a horrible dungeon, up into a glittering castle, and, ultimately, into each other's lives. What happens then? As Kate DiCamillo would say: Reader, it is your destiny to find out. 

Our Ratings (out of 5 stars):

Guinevere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Lindsay: ⭐⭐⭐

Guinevere's Thoughts: 

"I loved it! My favorite parts were when Despereaux met the threadmaster and found out his name, and when Despereaux saved the princess."

My Thoughts:

While I did like this book, the story did not grab me the way I had hoped it might. Perhaps my expectations were set a bit too high, but for whatever reason, I was not enraptured by the tale of this very small mouse. For one thing, I expected at least the majority of a book titled The Tale of Despereaux to actually be about Despereaux. This is not so. The book is divided into smaller books, each focusing on a different character, and while I understand that those characters are integral to the story, I did not really care to read entire books about them. I found myself wondering, while reading the books about Roscuro and Miggery Sow, when we'd be getting back to Despereaux's story (Guinevere actually voiced this question a couple of times). The story is not without merit, though I did find it a bit too long and mature for a 4 year old. There are many positive themes and messages including standing up for what's right, being true to yourself, love, courage, empathy, forgiveness, and redemption. There is a strong focus on the juxtaposition of light vs. darkness, good vs. evil, and the reality that sometimes things aren't always nice, fair, and just. I found the description of the treatment of Miggery Sow to be quite cruel and perhaps not age appropriate ( she is sold away as a child and treated terribly, having her ears boxed to the point of having cauliflower ear and being mostly deaf, and being callously informed that nobody cares what she wants) and I also grew quite tired of reading Miggery's favorite expression: "Gor!". The vicious nature of the rats and their focus on torment and suffering was a bit over the top, as well (we get it; the rats are the bad guys) and Despereaux's parents were absolutely vile characters who were willing to allow their son to be imprisoned for the sake of propriety and tradition. Before you start thinking that I hated this book, I did appreciate the overall message and I did find Despereaux himself to be very endearing; I only wish that he had been the main focus of the entire story.

Read it or Leave it?:

If you are considering reading this to your preschooler or kindergartener, leave it. Wait a few years until they are a bit more mature. If your child is a bit older, go ahead and pick it up from your library and read it. You or your child may love it, as my opinion regarding this book does not seem to be a popular one.

Happy reading, everyone! ❤️

Charlotte's Web

Today we're reviewing Charlotte's Web by E.B. White (illustrated by Garth Williams).

The Basics:

Published: First published in 1953

Length: 184 pages

Reading Level: Age 8-12 (grades 3-7)

Synopsis:

"Some Pig. Humble. Radiant. These are the words in Charlotte's Web, high up in Zuckerman's barn. Charlotte's spiderweb tells of her feelings for a little pig named Wilbur, who simply wants a friend. They also express the love of a girl named Fern, who saved Wilbur's life when he was born the runt of his litter.

E. B. White's Newbery Honor Book is a tender novel of friendship, love, life, and death that will continue to be enjoyed by generations to come. "

Our Ratings (out of 5 stars):

Guinevere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Lindsay: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Guinevere's Thoughts:

"I liked it when Charlotte's babies were born and I liked it when she wrote all those words in her web to save Wilbur's life."

My Thoughts:

This was our second book by E.B. White and I was relieved to find it to be a much more enjoyable read than Stuart Little, despite the author's tendency to ramble excessively at times. The illustrations are wonderful, the prose is lovely and the themes are complex, ranging from the concepts of unconditional friendship and loyalty to greed and mortality. Though much of the story focuses on the simple pleasures and ideals of childhood, this is also a tale of the sometimes harsh realities of farm life (and life in general). It is not unrealistic, as Wilbur's life is balanced on a knife-edge and it is only Charlotte's valiance and intelligence and the gullibility of humans that ensures his safety. Also true to life is Fern's ardent obsession with Wilbur which wanes as fern grows older and her interests shift to less childish things which, though honestly portrayed, annoyed me and made me like Fern less as the story progressed. Charlotte did, at times come off a bit condescending and as a know-it-all, but she was no less kind and charming for all that. Wilbur is sweet and endearing, but at times whiny. Templeton is easily relatable to real life, as well, as he does not experience any life changing epiphanies which prompt him to become less of a gluttonous grump. He's perfectly content to remain so for the whole of the story. The characters are multi-faceted which brings them to life and draws the reader into the story. Overall, it's easy easy to see why Charlotte's Web is considered a work of classic children's literature.

Read it or Leave it?:

Absolutely, read Charlotte's Web with your child! Enjoy the experience of  finding it together on your local library's shelf and bringing it home, or just go ahead and add this children's classic to your collection!

Let me know your thoughts about this book in the comments. Happy reading!

Ramona the Pest

Here's our next Ramona book review,as promised: Ramona the Pest (Ramona Quimby #2) by Beverly Cleary.

The Basics:

Published: First published in 1968

Length: 192 pages

Reading Level:  Age 8-12 (grades 3-7)

Synopsis:

"Ramona Quimby is excited to start kindergarten. No longer does she have to watch her older sister, Beezus, ride the bus to school with all the big kids. She's finally old enough to do it too!

Then she gets into trouble for pulling her classmate's boingy curls during recess. Even worse, her crush rejects her in front of everyone. Beezus says Ramona needs to quit being a pest, but how can she stop if she never was trying to be one in the first place?"

Our Ratings (out of 5 stars):

Guinevere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

My Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Guinevere's Thoughts:

"I really loved it! I liked it when Ramona met her teacher and when they played Gray Duck."

My Thoughts:

I enjoyed this book a great deal, though not quite as much as the first book.  Ramona, now a kindergarten student, is still charming and true to life in this installment. From her struggles to behave at school, and her wall-kicking tantrum because her family is being "mean" by laughing at her interpretation of the lyrics to "the dawnzer song" that is sung at school (known by most people as the national anthem), to her exuberance about her Halloween costume, and the excitement of losing her first tooth, Ramona could be any typical 5 year old around today.  

This book did not receive 5 stars from me because I felt that the notion of chasing someone every day in order to catch and forcibly kiss them when it's clear they do not wish to be caught or kissed, as Ramona does to Davy, is one that is less likely to resonate today as more parents are trying to reinforce the concepts of consent and bodily autonomy, though this does provide a good discussion opportunity. 

Overall, this was a fun reading experience for Guinevere and I and I'm sure we'll be reading more Ramona books together in the future.

Read it or Leave it?:

Read it! If you enjoyed Beezus and Ramona or any of the other Ramona books, be sure to read Ramona the Pest. Head over to your local library or buy it for your child's collection!

Let me know what you liked or didn't like about this book in the comments!

Beezus and Ramona

Today we'll be reviewing Beezus and Ramona (Ramona Quimby #1) by Beverly Cleary.

The Basics:

Published: First published in 1955

Length: 160 pages

Reading Level: Age 8-12 years (grades 3-7)

Synopsis:

"Nine-year-old Beezus Quimby has her hands full with her little sister, Ramona. Sure, other people have little sisters that bother them sometimes, but is there anyone in the world like Ramona? Whether she's taking one bite out of every apple in a box or secretly inviting 15 other 4-year-olds to the house for a party, Ramona is always making trouble--and getting all the attention. Every big sister can relate to the trials and tribulations Beezus must endure. Old enough to be expected to take responsibility for her little sister, yet young enough to be mortified by every embarrassing plight the precocious preschooler gets them into, Beezus is constantly struggling with her mixed-up feelings about the exasperating Ramona."

Our Ratings (out of 5 stars):

Guinevere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Lindsay: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Guinevere's Thoughts:

" I LOVED it! I liked Beezus' birthday cake and I liked when Ramona invited all the little kids over for a party."

My Thoughts:

Ramona Quimby was one of my favorite childhood characters and I am relieved to know that I still enjoy her precocious antics, though I appreciated certain aspects of the story from the perspective of an adult and a parent this time around, such as relating to Mrs. Quimby's weariness when her to-do list never seems to end thanks, in part, to Ramona's shenanigans. As I am attempting to type this, I've been interrupted no less than 10 times (and counting) by my own little troublemakers, so I fully understand the theme of exasperation with small children which runs throughout the story. Guinevere saw a reflection of herself in the way Ramona attempted to write her name, which was really just a series of scribbled 'i's and 't's. She looked at the illustration and said "That's how I write!".

Though this book was first published in 1955 and has some antiquated aspects, like Beezus' hobbies which include sewing and embroidering potholders, a 4 year old being left in the care of a 9 year old, and the outdated notion that girls shouldn't like books about construction equipment (a sentence which I omitted), the story manages to remain relevant to children and adults today by the sheer relatability of the characters and the predicaments in which they find themselves. Children behave like children whether it's 1955 or 2017 and that is a great comfort when you stop to consider that parents have been trying to find ways of dealing with curious, troublemaking children for generations.

Since Guinevere and I both enjoyed this book so much, we are moving on to the next installment in the series at her request. So, look for our review of Ramona, the Pest soon!

Read it or Leave it?:

I don't think I really even need to tell you that I definitely think you should read this book with your child.As usual, I recommend heading over to your local library and bringing home Beverly Cleary's Beezus and Ramona to share with your child. Or just take my word for it and go ahead and add it to your child's library so they can enjoy it for years to come.

What did you think of Ramona and her antics? Let me know in the comments!

Happy Reading! ❤

Stuart Little

Today's review is of Stuart Little written by E.B. White and illustrated by Garth Williams.

The Basics:

Published: First published in 1945

Length: 131 pages

Reading Level: Age 8-12 years (grades 3-7)

Synopsis:

"Stuart Little is no ordinary mouse. Born to a family of humans, he lives in New York City with his parents, his older brother George, and Snowbell the cat. Though he's shy and thoughtful, he's also a true lover of adventure.

Stuart's greatest adventure comes when his best friend, a beautiful little bird named Margalo, disappears from her nest. Determined to track her down, Stuart ventures away from home for the very first time in his life. He finds adventure aplenty. But will he find his friend?"

Our Ratings (out of 5 stars):

Guinevere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Lindsay: ⭐⭐⭐

Guinevere's Thoughts:

"My favorite part was Stuart imagining all the things he would do with his canoe."

My Thoughts:

While I enjoy the premise of a story told from the vantage point of a small mouse, I don't feel that this book was the best choice to read with a 4 year old. From turning on lights and faucets, to shopping for doll-sized clothing and luggage, reading about the ways in which Stuart managed to live in a house and world full of normal-sized humans was charming, but it was heavy on 1940s lingo and boating terminology which made it feel a bit unrelatable for a modern child. The ending seems rushed, almost as though the author had just tired of writing the story and wanted to be done with it since the conclusion is left open-ended and ambiguous. If you are hoping to learn the answer to the question posed in the synopsis, you are entirely out of luck. Stuart's actions and demeanor are at times off-putting and I have other minor quibbles with the story that I won't delve into now, so as not to give away plot lines for those still interested in reading this book.

Read it or Leave it?:

Leave it. Unless you are reading to or buying for an older child, I would pass on this one. If you feel that my unpopular opinion must be way off base and you want to see for yourself, go pick up a copy at your local library or buy it to read at your leisure.

Do you have thoughts or opinions to share about this book? Let me know in the comments!

Mercy Watson to the Rescue

Our next book is Mercy Watson to the Rescue by Kate DiCamillo (illustrated by Chris Van Dusen)

The Basics:

Published: August 23, 2005

Length: 80 pages

Reading Level: Age 6-9 (grades 1-4)

Synopsis:

"To Mr. and Mrs. Watson, Mercy is not just a pig — she's a porcine wonder. And to the portly and good-natured Mercy, the Watsons are an excellent source of buttered toast, not to mention that buttery-toasty feeling she gets when she snuggles into bed with them. This is not, however, so good for the Watsons' bed. BOOM! CRACK! As the bed and its occupants slowly sink through the floor, Mercy escapes in a flash — "to alert the fire department," her owners assure themselves. But could Mercy possibly have another emergency in mind — like a sudden craving for their neighbors' sugar cookies? "

Our Ratings (out of 5 stars):

Guinevere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Lindsay: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Guinevere's Thoughts: 

"It was funny how Mercy got BIG stacks of toast with lots of butter because she loves toast so much. It was really tall!"

My Thoughts:

This was a fun, silly book with plenty of colorful illustrations. The chapters are quite short, and at just 80 pages it's a very quick read. I enjoyed this book and found it amusing that Mr. and Mrs. Watson placed so much faith in their darling pet pig in their time of peril, but all Mercy wanted was to eat some delicious cookies! I can relate as cookies are an important part of my diet too. 

Read it or Leave it?:

Read it! For a quick, lighthearted read you can't go wrong with Mercy Watson to the Rescue. As always, I encourage you to support your local library and go check out this book! If you'd rather keep it forever, the paperback and Kindle editions are a real steal right now!

Did you enjoy this book? Let me know in the comments!

Toys Go Out

Today's post is Toys Go Out written by Emily Jenkins and illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky.

The Basics:

Published: September 12, 2006

Length: 117 pages

Reading Level: Age 6-9 (grades 1-4)

Synopsis:

"Lumphy is a stuffed buffalo. StingRay is a stuffed stingray. And Plastic...well, Plastic isn't sure what she is.

The three of them belong to the Little Girl who sleeps on the high bed. A very nice person to belong to.

But beyond the Little Girl's room, things can be confusing. Lumphy and his friends get covered in peanut butter, look things up in the dictionary, explore the basement, and argue about the meaning of life. Together, they face dogs, school, television commercials, the vastness of the sea, and the terrifying bigness of the washing machine. And together, they must find the Little Girl a birthday present."

Our Ratings (out of 5 stars):

Guinevere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Lindsay: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Guinevere's Thoughts:

"I liked how the toys come to life and talk, and I like when StingRay sings her song. Plastic is my favorite character!"

My Thoughts:

I really enjoyed reading this book (possibly more than Guinevere did!). If it had been around when I was a child, it probably would have been an instant favorite. The illustrations are sparse; perhaps one per chapter, but I think the fun and engaging storyline more than makes up for it. I mean, who doesn't love stories about toys coming to life and having exciting adventures ( Toy Story, anyone?). From the existential crisis of Plastic's attempt to discover who and what she really is to the terror and subsequent joy of Lumphy's introduction to the washing machine in the uncharted territory of the basement, this book is absolutely entertaining from start to finish and a joy to read. We will definitely be adding Toys Go Out to our permanent collection.

Read it or Leave it?:

Read it! Hop in your car and go check it out from your local library right now and have an awesome time reading with your child about the adventures of Lumphy, Plastic, and StingRay! Or just go ahead and buy it so you never have to give it back!

What did you think of this book? Let me know in the comments!

Emmaline and the Bunny

Our next pick is Emmaline and the Bunny by Katherine Hannigan.

The Basics:

Published: February 24, 2009
Length: 112 pages
Reading Level: Age 8-12 (grades 2-7)

Synopsis:

"Emmaline lives in a very tidy town, but Emmaline is not tidy. Emmaline likes to hop, hop, hop and holler, “Hoopalala!” And, more than anything, Emmaline wants a bunny.

Orson Oliphant is mayor of the town. He is very tidy. Orson Oliphant does not like hopping and hollering. And, more than anything, Orson Oliphant does not like animals. He has banished them all, including bunnies.

But there is still one special, secret place in town where animals can hop and fly and be free—a place where there is a bunny.

Is there a way for Emmaline to have a bunny of her own?

Written and illustrated in full color by Katherine Hannigan—the best-selling author of Ida B—Emmaline and the Bunny is a celebration of ingenuity . . . and untidiness."

Our Ratings (out of 5 stars):

Guinevere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Lindsay: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Guinevere's Thoughts: 

"I LOVED it! My favorite part is all the pictures and the cute bunny! It's so cute!"

My Thoughts:

This is a sweet book with a great message; life is messy and wild and that's what makes it so wonderful! Emmaline is a spirited yet kind protagonist and her love for the little wild bunny and all things untidy is endearing. Short chapters and soft, beautiful watercolor illustrations make this an excellent choice for young chapter book readers(we were able to finish it in three sittings), but older children will appreciate the deeper themes of respect for nature and conservation. The language used is whimsical and frequently nonsensical, so if reading aloud such silly made up words as "dinglederrydee", "hoopalala", and "whackadoodlewhipperpoo" and tongue-twisting phrases such as "stamp-stomping" and "thwap-thumping" makes you cringe, this may not be the story for you. I found the language and sentence structure inventive and charming, but it may not be your cup of tea.

Read it or leave it?:

Read it! If you enjoy sweet stories with quirky language and independent, young female heroines, head over to your local library and check out Emmaline and the Bunny or add it to your personal library!

Read this book and liked it(or not)? Let me know in the comments!

Lilly and Fin: A Mermaid's Tale

First up is Lilly and Fin: A Mermaid's Tale by Cornelia Funke, bestselling author of Inkheart.

 The Basics: 

Published: May 16, 2017

Length: 96 pages

Reading Level: Age 7-10 (grades 2-5)

Synopsis:

"Lilly and Fin are merpups—mermaid kids—who love to play and explore the caves outside the mermaid city. They aren’t really supposed to leave the city, but that’s what makes it so much fun! Surely all those stories about Two-Legs (you know, humans) and sea monsters are just made up to scare young merpups.

Little do they know, a real live human couple is on the hunt for a mermaid to add to their collection of rare sea creatures. If Two-Legs exist, what about sea monsters?

With fun full-color illustrations by the author herself, this adventure is sure to capture all two-legged chapter-book readers!" 

Our Ratings (out of 5 stars) :

Guinevere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Lindsay: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Guinevere's Thoughts: 

"I loved how brave Lilly was when she helped her friend! It was so good!"

My Thoughts: 

At 96 pages, this was a fairly quick read since we typically read 2-3 chapters at bedtime and sometimes a few in the afternoon, as well. A story about mermaids is an obvious winner for me (I love mermaids!). There were plenty of excellent illustrations throughout the book to keep a 4 year old interested and engaged in the story. I did not find the storyline to be too intense for Guinevere, though it is technically beyond her age level. The "merpup" friends are curious, adventurous,brave, and loyal to each other. They get into mischief by ignoring their instincts but it isn't malicious at all. Lilly and Fin learn that the world is bigger than they ever realized and that there are many dangerous things in that big world, but they also learn that sometimes help and friendship can be found in unexpected places.

Read it or Leave it?:

Read it! If you or your child have an interest in mythical creatures or are looking for lighthearted adventure, give Lilly and Fin: A Mermaid's Tale a try! We were fortunate to find it at our local library, but it is also very reasonably priced on Amazon! 

Have you read this book with your child? Let me know how you liked it in the comments!

Welcome to Our Blog!

Hello and welcome, fellow bookworms! This blog was inspired by my four year old daughter Guinevere and our shared love of books. We recently began reading chapter books together in addition to our usual picture books, and I thought this would be a fun way to share information and thoughts about the books we read. I will post as we finish books, so please follow by email to get notified when a new post is published, subscribe, or bookmark!

Happy reading,everyone! ❤