Tumtum and Nutmeg

Hello Readers!  I have quite a treat that's been well worth the wait.  My young reading friend, Jenna, has provided today's review. And after reading her review, we've put ourselves on the waiting list to check out this read from the library.  I can't wait!  Thank you, Jenna, for such a fun, adventurous book recommendation!

I loved reading Tumtum & Nutmeg.  I give it five stars.  It was about two  mice that had one adventure after another.  I believe that everyone who loves chapter books, cute critters, or just a good adventure should read Tumtum and Nutmeg.

Tumtum & Nutmeg: Adventures Beyond Nutmouse Hall Review (c. reprint 2011)
stories by Emily Bearn with pictures by Nick Price
500 pages
3 stories in 1

"Tumtum & Nutmeg"
In the Mildew's house (Arthur, Lucy, and a Dad) lived 2 mice called Tumtum and Nutmeg who lived in Nutmouse Hall.  Nutmeg decides to clean for them.  The Mildew kids' aunt comes and visits.  She is cruel.  Tumtum, Nutmeg, the General, Poppet, and the soldiers help get rid of her.

"The Great Escape"
The General gets captured by Arthur and Lucy.  They bring him to school and put him in a cage with gerbils. Can the General escape or be captive forever?

"The Pirates Treasure"
The General, Nutmeg, and Tumtum get captured by pirates!  Will this be the end or can they escape?

by Jenna

Sleep Like A Tiger

Need a lullaby story for your little one?  Look no further! Check out Caldecott Honor book Sleep Like A Tiger by Mary Logue and illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski (c. 2012).  In fact, this book is so sure to lull your little one (or you) into slumber that you either find yourself buying it or paying overdue fees at the library.

Night, night, and sweet dreams . . .


Here are some of my favorite pages:

Too Tall Houses

Struggling with selfishness?  Got the gimmes?

Sick of hearing, "Mooooooooom!  Johnny won't give it back!" or "Daaaaaaaaaaad!  Sally hit me!"

While I thought that Too Tall Houses by Gianna Marino (c. 2012) presented a lighthearted (and B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L-L-Y illustrated) approach to this time-worn dilemma, the book sparked an interesting conversation amongst unsuspecting little listeners.  And while I thought that it prompted a fortuitous response among my brood, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that my friend Sarah's brood responded the same way.  So give it a whirl.

It Couldn't Be Worse!

So are y'all starting to get on each other's nerves yet?  Your family, that is.  :)  Maybe in all this rain, you're driving each other up the wall?  It's that time of summer when some parents and/or siblings start looking forward to school starting.

Here's a book full of laughs that just might change your perspective. Check out It Couldn't Be Worse! by Vlasta van Kampen (c. 2003). And for a sneak peek, continue reading the first page:

The tiny house had just one room.
       A poor farmer, his wife, their six children, and the grandparents lived there.
      They quarreled and fought and got in each other's way.  . . .

Charming Opal

If you've been following ReadMeAStory from the beginning, you know that around here we love Holly Hobbie's Toot & Puddle characters!  If you want to check out a Toot & Puddle summertime adventure, check out Charming Opal (c. 2003).

Cousin Opal comes to visit Woodcock Pocket and enjoy all the pleasures of summertime in the country.  But in the meantime, she looses her tooth.  And I do mean that she looses it.  Find out if the cousins find it in time for the Tooth Fairy's evening visit.

The Mitten

Wow!  I can't believe that I'm just now encouraging you to read The Mitten.  This is another one in that building list of "must reads"!  Which edition should you check out?  Hmmmmm, well, I leave that for you to decide.  Around here we have two favorites:

The Mitten, A Ukrainian Folktale adapted and illustrated by Jan Brett (c. 1989), is arguably Brett's best work.  There's something for everyone is this edition.  The younger set will enjoy the simplicity and humor of the tale while the older set will pick up on the additional narratives "told" in Brett's right and left sidebar illustrations.

Note: The youngest's preK class enjoyed it all last week -- first through reading and then through a hands-on coloring / sequencing activity, which you can download and print too.  Have your children color, cut, then reinact the story by stuffing their own mitten full of forest animals from these pages on Jan Brett's website: http://janbrett.com/put_the_animals_in_the_mitten.htm 

You also can't go wrong with The Mitten An Old Ukrainian Folktale retold by Alvin Tresselt and illustrated by Yaroslava (c. 1964).  Yaroslava's simple yet vibrant illustrations feel "old world" and lend a sort of different sort of credibility to the tale.

Either way, readers, I'd love to hear your preference!  Which story do your kids like best?

The Twelve Days of Christmas

This is such a FUN book!  The kids and I are consistently mesmerized by Hilary Knight's illustrations, and his version of The Twelve Days of Christmas (c. 1981, 2001) proves no exception!  In fact, this copy has proven quite a friend to the bed-ridden, flu-stricken children this week.

Talk about green living, look at the use of space and  furnishings in this cottage!

Each time the kids pick it up, they find another hidden delight.  Knight's detailed illustrations do not cease to entertain while revealing yet another surprise.

Knight gives us a page by page tour of this darling house; if only it were a REAL dollhouse!

Needless to say, Hilary Knight weaves several tales in his ingenius, watercolor and colored penciled pictures.  Unearth them for yourself and be newly delighted by a familiar carol.

Squirrels

Autumn brings falling leaves and falling nuts.  And falling nuts bring those scampering squirrels.  Kids just love scampering squirrels, and here's a book chock full of them: Squirrels by Brian Wildsmith (c. 1974). 

The kids and I just love this book!  Sigh!  What I especially like about it is Wildsmith's illustrations - perfect to enjoy at this time of year.  Just check out those bushy tales for yourself.

Happy Fall with Frog and Toad

We love, love, love Frog and Toad!  Love them!  The kids, the Mister, the Nana, the friends, me, we all love Frog and Toad!

Even the-child-who-would-not-read has decided that (and I quote) "I love to read, so I decided to come to bed early to read Frog and Toad."  Pardon?  Was I in my own home?  Did I fall asleep? Did I just hear those bless-ed words from my child?!

So the-child-who-would-not-read because she preferred everyone else read to her is reading Frog and Toad books and l-o-v-i-n-g it!

If you'd like a refresher on Frog and Toad, either click here: http://readmeastorynow.blogspot.com/2011/03/give-away-3.html
or read below:

Once upon a time, there was a Frog . . . and there was a Toad . . . and they were friends.  Frog always saw the best in people and situations.   He was a laid-back, cheerful, "cup is half-full" fella.  Toad always seemed to find himself in a mishap.  And being a high-strung, "cup is half-empty" fella, he responded to his mishaps in a dejected sort of way.  Sometimes Toad gave in to the grumpies.  But no matter what, "Frog and Toad always helped each other out -- as good friends should." 

Arnold Lobel received a Caldecott Honor for Frog and Toad are Friends.  However, his artful drawings aren't the only thing that distinguish his Frog and Toad books, Lobel presents his readers with stories that are masterfully crafted in simplicity and charm.  Frog and Toad epitomize what loyal friendship looks like.  The humorous adventures of this endearing pair evokes chuckles from the youngest to the oldest listener.  Yep, Lobel's readers come back again and again and again and again. 

So, what's your age . . . 3, 7, 12, 32, 57, or 78?  No matter, you too will be charmed by these unforgettable characters and their unforgettable friendship.  There's a reason we see these titles in every bookstore, library, and book club, they're classics that keep their readers returning.  The kids enjoy this timeless series so much that they've proven you'll not stop with Frog and Toad are Friends (c. 1970), oh no, you'll have to continue with Frog and Toad Together (c. 1972, recipient of a Newbery Honor ~ for writing), Frog and Toad All Year(1976), and Days with Frog and Toad (1979).  In fact, the only criticism you'll find with Lobel's endearing characters, is that they don't continue past four books.  I only wish for more!

Count Down to Fall

If your child is an animal lover, here's a book with detailed animal illustrations.  Count Down to Fall (c. 2009) with author Fran Hawk and illustrator Sherry Neidigh teaches about various trees, leaves, seeds, and animals.  Note: I love the illustrations but find the text somewhat lacking. However, the end pages presents good natural science information.

Nature's Notes

Remember when I raved over The Secret Life of Backyard Bugs? Well, this is Judy Burris' and Wayne Richards' latest book: Nature's Notes: Bite-sized Learning and Projects for All Ages 
(c. 2012).  And I've had a tough time trying to review it for the past 2-3 weeks because the kids won't let it out of their sight!

The title Nature's Notes best explains this 6.25"x8.25" (perfectly kid-sized) spiral-bound book.  Each chapter is filled with nature trivia and coinciding projects, such as:

• how to best photo nature
• how to make hummingbird food
• how to distinguish poison ivy
• how take care of a caterpillar until it turns into a butterfly

Think of it as a kid's hand-held, printed version of Pinterest.  There's even lined pages and sketch pages provided in the back for kids to record their own observations.  I also like the folder-like, pocket-flap in the front to hold additional papers, leaves, pressed flowers, etc.

But I especially like how the like-minded authors of Nature's Notes

• encourage kids to find beauty throughout creation by observing and experiencing the natural world around them and 
• spur kids' innate curiosity through hands-on activities and age-appropriate direction.

So check Nature's Notes out for yourself.  Just make sure you have time to look over it before the kids get ahold of it!

Can my young readers spot the hidden animals (there are three)?

***These book images are all used curtesy of the authors' blog: http://www.beautifulwildlifegarden.com/ ***

The Mouse and the Motorcycle

Do you know what I remember most about The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary (c. 1965)?  What I remember most is my prim, fourth grade teacher reading a chapter to us each afternoon.  What do I mean by prim?  Think navy orthopedic shoes and a wad of kleenex tucked into a sleeve, belt, pocket, or whatever most convenient spot for retrieval.  I never saw her smile except when she read to us.  Here we were a bunch of fourth graders stinking to-high-heaven of recess.  But she had our undivided attention for that whole chapter.  And what was most surprising to me was how reading this story completely transformed her from the prim, stodgy school-marm into a warm person with emotion and feeling.  I was transfixed with that afternoon alteration.

So, I decided to check out The Mouse and the Motorcycle to read to my little brood.  It's shocking how I don't remember one thing about the story line!  However, it's an entertaining one!  In a tale stock full of mischief and adventure, discover the blossoming friendship between a mouse and a boy.

And tell me readers: was this a drive down memory-lane? or is it a new-to-me read for you?

The Owl and the Pussy-Cat

 Check Hilary Knight's The Owl and the Pussy-Cat (reissue c. 2001) out of your local library and be enchanted.  The illustrations are the most stunning interpretation of Edward Lear's classic poem that the Mister and I have ever come across.  Not only were we spellbound, the children were too!  Who says that adults can't be hypnotized by childrens' books?  Each page transports the reader into another world.  Perhaps one of Knight's greatest masterpieces because he fills each spread in The Owl and the Pussy-Cat with quirky, magical images to feast your imagination upon.

Honey Bear's Snowy Adventure

 Hmmmmmm, well, our edition is entitled Honey Bear's Snowy Adventure.

However, it looks like amazon.com and the library now release this story under the title Little Honey Bear and the Smiley Moon (c. 2006).  Both editions are written by Gillian Lobel and illustrated by Tim Warnes.

So, either way, Honey Bear is such a FUN book to read aloud!  I really enjoy "doing" the four different voices.  Maybe it's that snack at the end or maybe it's because it's another moon story or maybe it's just because it's a tale about fear being resolved with the appearance of Mommy: whatever the reason, it's a simple adventure the kids keep coming back to hear again and again.

Owl at Home

title page

You remember Arnold Lobel, right?!  He's the creator of our dear friends Frog and Toad.

Well, you must, must, must check out this cozy and funny winter read, an I CAN READ book entitled Owl at Home by Arnold Lobel (c. 1975).  Let me give you a glimpse of my favorite illustrations:

beginning the chapter entitled The Guest

beginning the chapter entitled Tear-Water Tea

Now, don't you just want to visit owl?  You can!  Owl at Home is especially perfect for your budding reader or for that young reader who wants an advancement.  The kids just love Owl!  Our house is filled with laughter whenever we read this together.  To tell the truth, Owl is a bit daft, but his daftness evokes the frolicking laughs that children enjoy.  I could go into a more thorough explanation of each of Lobel's five stories, but suffice it to say, Owl at Home is an experience you won't want to miss!

end cover

Make Way for Ducklings

I realized that while I've been featuring some forgotten Robert McCloskey titles, I have neglected to recommend his beloved book Make Way for Ducklings (c. 1969).  Oh this story with Caldecott winning illustrations remains a favorite for many!  And it's another on the MUST list (books you must read to your children to enrich their childhood).  And so our story begins: 

Mr. and Mrs. Mallard were looking for a place to live.  But every time Mr. Mallard saw what looked like a nice place, Mrs. Mallard said it was no good.  There were sure to be foxes in the woods or turtles in the water, and she was not going to raise a family where there might be foxes or turtles.  So they flew on and on.

Take a lovely, and historical, tour of Boston with the Mallard family in McCloskey's unforgettable children's classic Make Way for Ducklings.

And look!  Boston Public Gardens even has the bronze sculpture by Nancy Schön commemorating McCloskey's book: http://www.boston-discovery-guide.com/make-way-for-ducklings.html#axzz1d4yVoFBL   And check out the ducklings in their holiday finest: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dippy_duck/2173283522/  In fact, just Google "Make Way for Ducklings" and view all the images of the bronze brood throughout the seasons in Boston Public Gardens.

While I think that's recommendation enough, I must share a true story . . . that really . . . did . . . happen.  This past summer when we vacationed with the Mister's family, we ate at a Brixx Pizza located near a small pond.  While enjoying our pizza over laughter and conversation, all five cousins spotted a mother duck marching her ducklings past the glassed windows of the restaurant, 100 feet or so toward the pond.  We ALL delighted in the sight, adults and children alike.  Now I ask you, doesn't that spark your curiosity as to the inspiration behind McCloskey's story?  It does mine!

Beatrix Potter's Autumn

Beatrix Potter teaches her young audience a few important (and humorous) lessons with her Autumn tales.

First she issues a warning through the example of Squirrel Nutkin (c. 1903).

While the squirrel clan harvests nuts into their storehouses, 

 

Squirrel Nutkin teases and mocks Old Mr. Brown, the owl, with foolish riddles.  We soon find that Nutkin can disrespect his elder only so much before Mr. Brown bites off his tail.

Then we come to Timmy Tiptoes (c. 1911). 

Here Timmy Tiptoes' wife Goody Tiptoes (I'm especially fond of this squirrel illustration) prepares her home for the winter.

Timmy and Goody work hard and fast to store nuts for their hibernation.  Unfortunately, some other squirrels jump to conclusions, suspecting Timmy of stealing nuts.

And they punish Timmy by dropping him into a hollowed tree, unknowingly onto his own storehouse.  While Goody searches for Timmy, Timmy gorges himself on nuts, so much so that he cannot escape through the hole once Goody finds him.  Eventually circumstances right themselves, and Timmy and Goody reunite.

Last, but certainly not least, we have The Tale of Ginger and Pickles (c. 1909).

 This story may be enjoyed by the parents more than the children, for it holds a timely commentary on our present economic atmosphere.  For you see:
                Ginger and Pickles gave unlimited credit.  Now the meaning of "credit" is this -- 
                when a customer buys a bar of soap, instead of the customer pulling out a purse and 
                paying for it -- she says she will pay another time.  (19)

Yes, friends, this synopisis' irony will be lost on the little ones.  We know the outcome of the story because we're living it.  But to hear it so succinctly expressed by the prophetess Beatrix Potter deserves a second glance.  If we had but heeded her warning!  Perhaps reading this little volume to the ones under our care will help prevent similar outcomes in their future.