Rutabaga's Reads 2012: Part 7

This is Part 7 of Rutabaga’s Reads 2012. [More children’s picture books!] Thank you to all of you who have been visiting my blog regularly. Please pass this site along to anyone you know who likes to read AT ALL -- from quite often to every once in a blue moon.

Blue Sky (Mar. 1, 2012) by Audrey Wood.

Look up at the sky. What sort of sky is it today? Sunny? Stormy? In “Blue Sky,” a boy and his monkey take notice of the many types of skies there are from one with storm clouds to one with rainbows. The prose is very simple, as it identifies the type of sky only. There is no conversation. The pictures are simple, but complete. Despite the simplicity of the story and pictures, “Blue Sky” tells us to pay attention to the many moods of the sky and the weather around us. It’s a book for the very young or a good tie-in read for young children when encouraging them to notice the sky. 

The Chimpansneeze (2012) by Aaron Zenz.

Like its predecessor, “The Hiccupotamus,” this picture book features a play on words, as the title implies. It is written in rhyme. In a comical way, Zenz tells a cause-and-effect story with his chimpanzee and his chimpansneeze. What effect does the chimp’s sneeze have on the other animals in the story? This is a witty book with its rhyming text and colorful illustrations. It will get kids laughing. And not to be missed is the ‘Did You Know…’on the last page with humor the adults will surely get. The bits of strange word play may be confusing to anyone just learning English. But aside from that, it’s a fun story, and I hope you’ll like it, too!

The Ice Cream King (Mar. 1, 2011) by Steve Metzger. Julie Downing, illustrator.

Teddy Jones is excited when he spots a brand-new ice cream shop. His mother tells him he can get any ice cream concoction he chooses, and when he receives a Thrill Chill paper crown, his imagination takes him away to his ice cream castle where he is the Ice Cream King. He has halls of chocolate and walls of sprinkles. He can slide down Whipped Cream Lane, take his spaceship to the ice cream moon and eat off of ice cream meteors as he zooms past. What brings him back to reality?

            Metzger’s writing is dream/reality-specific. When Teddy is in his saccharine daydream, the text rhymes. In reality, it doesn’t. Downing’s text-complementing backdrops for Teddy are shown by the style of pictures. In reality, the pictures are pretty basic and not embellished, but when he’s the Ice Cream King, the pictures are more detailed and contain more color. It is a charming story with charming pictures. It is sweet, but not excessively so.

LMNO Peas (Apr. 6, 2010) by Keith Baker.

In Baker’s land, peas aren’t simply small, green rounds that you eat. Baker’s peas are alphabet peas that “play in the ABCs” according to occupations and the letter they begin with. For example, for F, “We’re farmers, flaggers, and best friends in a band.” The peas display their occupations on tall letters. The pages are vibrant and colorful, though not overwhelmingly so, and the rhyming text is charming and fun without missing a beat. His “pea-ple” are delightful to read about. This is a great story for those just learning about the alphabet and for those who know their alphabet, but are working on discerning what words start with. So get out those alphabet peas and have fun!

The Night Before Halloween (Aug. 28, 1999) by Natasha Wing.

   Cynthia Fisher, illustrator.

With Halloween just around the corner, this small tale from Wing’s Night Before series is a costume-adorned, friendly-monster-filled children’s picture book for the whole family. Everyone is getting ready for a fun fright night, human and ghoul alike. Kids need their faces repainted and mummies unravel and put on new wraps. In spite of the work involved to get ready, one thing’s for sure … All are ready to party! A fun story expectedly written in rhyme, it’s an entertaining read for any young one excited to dress up and collect a bag or bucketful of treats!

Olympig! (July 5, 2012) by Victoria Jamieson.

Boomer is a pig ready to take on the Summer Olympics. He’s trained hard and dreamt big. His mama even made him a costume! Too bad Mr. Hamstring, a reporter, has no encouraging words for him. When things don’t turn out as hoped for, what brings back Boomer’s spirit? What does he tell Mr. Hamstring at the end?

            “Olympig!” is a hilarious, highly entertaining picture book. Jamieson, as author and illustrator, includes amusing phrases, such as the wrestling move called “pig in an armpit blanket” and terrific illustrations. They are colorful and funny. Despite the humor, Boomer shows us that we should never give up, even when we’re down. It’s a great story for ages five to eight. But it’s funny for big kids – like me – too! The older kids will enjoy the subtle, but still humorous, commentaries that are interspersed in the illustrations outside the text, especially in the vignettes.

Stay Close to Mama (Mar. 13, 2012) by Toni Buzzeo. Mike Wohnoutka, illustrator.

Twiga (Swahili for “giraffe”) is a very young, very curious giraffe. When he catches the scent of a sausage tree – also called the kigelia tree, which contains sweet fruit – he wanders away from his mama even when she says, “No, little Twiga! Stay close! Stay safe!” What sorts of potential dangers does he come near as he follows his nose?

            Twiga’s curiosity is such like any child’s, though instead of a thousand questions, he uses his sense of smell and not words. The story mostly contains simple language. The illustrations are soft and rather muted, but still warmly colorful. Buzzeo shows us a protective mother and an inquisitive son in a non-dramatic story. It’s not a must-read, but it has its own simple charm.

Siberian Virtuosi

My blog is about books, but this post isn’t about books, so please pardon my digression. Tonight I attended a Siberian Virtuosi concert. They are a State Ensemble of Violinists from the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) -- a republic of Russia. Siberian Virtuosi consists of 11 violinists and one pianist, and the musicians range in age from 16 to 26. They are AMAZING, so if they are performing in a city near you, I highly recommend that you go. They played 18 concert pieces, most of which were classical pieces. The most impressive part? All violinists had all 18 pieces memorized! During/right after the concert, I had many an inspiring thought thanks to this concert.
  (1) Learn Russian. 
  (2) Learn to play the violin.
  (3) Memorize 18 pieces of difficult music (or one concerto).
I expect none of the above will ever actually happen … :-)
            I also expect that Mia, the main character in “If I Stay,” would love to listen to Siberian Virtuosi. She may be a cellist to their violins, but they are all string instruments. And like Mia, I expect the immensely gifted troupe of Siberian Virtuosi have a deep appreciation for classical music and music in general. [“If I Stay” can be found here.]

Rutabaga's Reads 2012: Part 6

This is Part 6 of Rutabaga’s Reads 2012. This compilation of book summaries/reviews represent my most recent reads of the year + a couple picture books.

Anna Dressed in Blood (Aug. 30, 2011) by Kendare Blake.

Killing the dead is all in a day’s work for seventeen-year-old ghost hunter Theseus Cassio “Cas” Lowood. People send him tips on murderous ghosts, and he travels around with his witch-mom and his athame (special knife) to dispatch those ghosts. His most recent mission is in Thunder Bay, Ontario, to the home of Anna Korlov. She’s a lethal ghost whose M-O is to rip apart anyone who enters her house. But she doesn’t kill Cas. Her life ended brutally in 1958. What is her story? How is Anna different from other ghosts Cas has encountered? Cas will need help and befriends a couple peers who are a big help: Thomas Sabin, a psychic, and Carmel Jones, the popular girl who’s braver than she appears.

            This YA novel is a paranormal/horror tale. It is not for anyone with a weak stomach or who is prone to nightmares. There is some strong language, perhaps typical of teen-speak these days, but it is worth noting for those who like to know. I quite enjoyed reading this book. I like the droll humor and the allusions to the Ghostbusters. Despite the gore, reading this book was attention-grabbing with its humor, suspense, horror and light romance. The sequel, “Girl of Nightmares” is in this compilation as well.

The Best of Me (Oct. 11, 2011) by Nicholas Sparks.

Dawson Cole and Amanda Collier were high school sweethearts whose lives took different paths after graduation. Now both in their early forties, they find themselves back where they grew up, in the small town of Oriental, North Carolina. Their love for each other is still evident despite all the years apart. They’ll have some time to catch up on their current events and their past relationship. But members of Dawson’s violence-prone, criminal family know he’s back in town, and they want to rewrite the past in the present. Has Dawson’s past come back to haunt him? And can long-ago love override what is present-day life?

            “The Best of Me” is classic Nicholas Sparks with a twist. It is characteristic of his regular body of work: romance that isn’t too lovey-dovey, even if occasional lines teeter on that line, and has a strong message of love overcoming all, even when the going is rough. But the twist is the thriller element with a couple of Dawson’s relatives. They’re so broken in their deranged state that their thoughts are cringe-worthy. The story is heartfelt and heart-wrenching and may even have you shedding a few tears before the end.

The Bridesmaid (Sept. 11, 2012) by Beverly Lewis.

In this standalone second novel in Lewis’ Home to Hickory Hollow series, Joanna Kurtz is a single Amish woman in her mid-twenties. In the eyes of others, she is practically considered an old maid amongst the Amish. Residing in the fictional area of Hickory Hollow in the real Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, she longs to find that special someone. She wants him to exist in reality, not only in the fiction stories she jots down as a closet writer. While visiting Virginia Beach for the funeral of a relative who spent his life in Hickory Hollow and Shipshewana, Indiana, Joanna meets Eben Troyer. From Shipshewana, Eben is taken with Joanna right away and vice versa. He is fully prepared to move to Hickory Hollow to be with Joanna, but circumstances may not be in their favor …

            Is Joanna destined to remain a bridesmaid, but never a bride?

            As always, Lewis’ novel shines with love, sadness, happiness, betrayal, and above all, a devoted connection to the Lord. Her books continue to show her readership the strength of characters in their trust, faith and devotion. And after Joanna is betrayed by someone so dear, Lewis shows us Joanna’s willingness to forgive and her perseverance to keep tenacious, hurtful thoughts away. Are we as willing to forgive others as Joanna is?

The Five Chinese Brothers (Oct. 7, 1938) by Claire Huchet Bishop.

   Kurt Wiese, illustrator.

I read this on a recommendation from my Aunt Patty awhile back, and I’m so glad she recommended it to me, for it is a clever read. For those of you who’ve read it, you know it is not a happy-go-lucky story, but it’s witty. This Chinese folktale is about five Chinese brothers who all look identical to one another and each has a special talent. When the First Chinese Brother is condemned to death for something beyond his control, the brothers subsequently stand in for each other and employ their special talents to avoid death. What is the judge’s verdict at the end? The story is illustrated with simple pictures and little color, but that does not detract from the text.

Girl of Nightmares (Aug. 7, 2012) by Kendare Blake.

In this sequel to “Anna Dressed in Blood” (the first entry in Part 6), Cas cannot get Anna Korlov out of his mind. He sometimes sees her when he’s asleep and other times when he’s awake. Each time he sees her, Anna is being tormented in twisted and sadistic ways. His friends tell him to let her go – she’s truly gone this time – but he cannot. After a mysterious picture arrives, he is adamant about going to England, and he takes Thomas with him. He sees his old family friend, Gideon Palmer, and eventually Carmel shows up. They meet new faces, though they’re not entirely trustworthy, including Jestine Rearden, a teenager with the Order of the Biodag Dubh. No matter the animosity or danger, Cas will do anything to save Anna, but there will be a price. There is always a price.

            What I mentioned about “Anna Dressed in Blood” applies here as well, including a positive reaction to the book despite its darkness. It is simultaneously as ominous and horrible as it is moving and tender. Blake pulls you into a world both terrible and exciting. She’ll take you on a rollercoaster ride of fear, love, panic, desperation and light romance. Hang on tight and be careful of the Obeahman’s teeth. He bites.

Insurgent (May 1, 2012) by Veronica Roth.

Taking right off from “Divergent” (see Part 3), Tris Prior is seeking refuge after surviving the massacre on Abnegation (the selfless) that Jeanine (Erudite, the intelligent) initiated using the simulation-serum-induced Dauntless (the brave). The serum didn’t affect Tris due to her Divergent abilities. Tris moves a lot in this novel. She goes momentarily loopy when given too much peace serum in Amity (the peaceful), undergoes an interrogation by truth serum in Candor (the honest) and spends time with the factionless. She even chooses to walk herself over to Erudite and the traitor Dauntless twice, but each time for completely different reasons. She can’t handle even holding a gun right now, and she is at times so consumed with guilt and grief that it might overpower her.

            This is very much Tris’ story. Her mentality weighs more due to the weight of grief and guilt she carries, which doesn’t say much except that her actions are sometimes less Dauntless-brave and more reckless-suicidal. This occasionally makes for an annoying, self-pitying character, but despite that, Tris is still able to think logically, selflessly and bravely when she truly needs to, touching on her Divergent points. There is a reveal that hints at their gated origin. Roth’s two books are must-reads for anyone who’s into dystopian settings.

Little Known Facts about Well-Known Places: WDW (Aug. 25, 2011) by Laurie Flannery.

The title makes it obvious that this book is of very specific interest. This is a fun little book full of tidbits about Walt Disney World (WDW), most of which you probably didn’t know the history of or the story behind. I am a HUGE fan of WDW (please do not confuse it with Disneyland -- it will grieve me). In fact, I feel very passionate toward the vacation spot. So for me, this book is a good choice and may be for you as well if you love WDW as much as I do or enjoy learning random facts about different places. And, if you are heading to WDW anytime soon and need something to read on the airplane, grab a copy of this book. Just think how smart you’ll feel being able to blurt out random facts about WDW!

The Mark of Athena (Oct. 2, 2012) by Rick Riordan.

Riordan scores big again with his third installment in the Heroes of Olympus (HoO) series. The seven demigods have embarked on a quest after a friendly visit to Camp Jupiter becomes unfriendly. Aboard the magnificent Argo II ship – built to float and fly – dangers await all the demigods, both those from [Greek] Camp Half-Blood and [Roman] Camp Jupiter (especially for Annabeth, a daughter of Athena). From headache-riddled gods to angry Roman demigods to kill-hungry monsters, it’s just another day for a demigod, particularly for those on a quest. Good thing they have their mixed-martial-arts-obsessed, battle-happy, satyr-chaperon, Coach Hedge, with them. And their joint arsenal of superpowers doesn’t hurt, either. But all will cross humbling/intense obstacles. Can they all work together to protect each other and save Rome?

            Enthralling plot. Convincing characters. Dangerous expeditions. Marked with comedy. It is what I have come to expect from a Riordan novel. It’s a no-brainer must-read for already-followers of this series (or his previous ones). But, for newcomers to Riordan, you won’t want to simply start at Book One of HoO, you’ll want to start with the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series. This book follows four demigod protagonists: two we’ve known since Percy Jackson and two we just met in HoO. Time to brush up on your Greek mythology with Roman counterparts!

The Night Before Father’s Day (May 10, 2012) by Natasha Wing.

   Amy Wummer, illustrator.

Whether you think this Father’s Day is long past or next year’s is too far in the future (or both), don’t ignore this most recent title from Wing’s “Night Before” series. While the dad is away on a [fairly lengthy] bike ride, his family gussies up his garage and makes his car shiny clean. As expected, it is written in rhyme and is a cute little story. Read it to your little ones or little ones you know and perhaps they’ll be inspired to make the next Father’s Day an extra nice one!

Rizzoli & Isles: Last to Die (Aug. 28, 2012) by Tess Gerritsen.

In the tenth installment, Boston PD Detective Jane Rizzoli and Boston Medical Examiner Dr. Maura Isles are back to keep three twice-orphaned teens safe. The parents of Teddy Clock, Claire Ward and Will Yablonski were once all murdered within a week of each other. Orphaned once. One-time survivors. Then two years later each of their foster families are murdered. Twice orphaned. Twice survivors. The three kids are sent to Evensong, a boarding school/sanctuary surrounded by acres of Maine wilderness with a locked gate and a state-of-the-art security system. Anticipating that there’s no place safer, imagine the surprise and fear when violence and death enter Evensong’s premises. Can these kids escape death a third time?

            Before “Last to Die,” I hadn’t read anything by Gerritsen, and I’ve never watched Rizzoli & Isles on TNT, but I expect I’ll read more from her. Her books are the type of thriller fiction that I prefer to read: bothersome moments, but not nightmare-inducing, and harmful scenarios without all the detailed, messy gore. There is some technical jargon, as is likely more expected from adult fiction than for a YA fantasy (though, fairly, those stories usually have their own set of “technical” lingo). I wasn’t sure I’d like this book, but I was immersed from the beginning, and it had a crafty ending. Smartly written. Additionally, the book was stand-alone, thus allowing me to not feel lost in back stories and tons of characters.

Rutabaga's Reads 2012: Part 5

This is Part 5 of Rutabaga’s Reads 2012. This compilation of book summaries/reviews focus on children’s picture books. Who are your favorite children’s picture book authors?

A Year Full of Holidays (May 13, 2010) by Susan Middleton Elya.

   Diana Cain Bluthenthal, illustrator.

Young Nell’s birthday falls at the end of August, not long before Labor Day. Like many youngsters, she enjoys her birthday so much she wonders when it will come again. Her mother tells her that using the holidays will help her keep track.

            This picture book is a merry little story with rhyming text and colorful illustrations. It would likely be a pleasing tale for many youngsters. As a teaching tool for holidays, it is limited, as it does not include holidays from around the world such as Kwanzaa, Hanukkah or Chinese New Year. However, don’t let this stop you from picking up this cute story.

Betty Bunny Loves Chocolate Cake (May 5, 2011) by Michael B. Kaplan.

   Stéphane Jorisch, illustrator.

After her very first bite, Betty Bunny declares, “When I grow up, I am going to marry chocolate cake!” But she can’t have any again until she eats a healthy dinner the next night. After ribbing from her furry siblings, she throws a tantrum. Her mother tells her she’ll save her a piece of cake for the next day, but she still has to eat a healthy meal first. But Betty Bunny is tricky. What does she do? Does she understand what it means to be patient?

            “Betty Bunny” is an excellent example about trying to teach patience. Kaplan’s bunny family design works well to depict the fiction of the book, while including the much-observed feistiness of a youngster with sibling interactions. This is a good story for three- to five-year-olds or for anyone who has trouble resisting chocolate!

Cupcake (Jan. 18, 2010) by Charise Mericle Harper.

Cupcake is sad because he feels ordinary next to his colorful brothers and sisters. He meets Candle, who feels plain next to his fancy brothers and sisters. Candle determines that Cupcake will feel special if they come up with a special topping for him. They try a variety of different styles. Do they find a keeper topper?

            “Cupcake” is a likable tale with simple illustrations. It is an uncomplicated story for young children. Cupcake is trying to find something to make him special, but in fact there is something special in each of us, even if it’s not visible. That is an excellent reminder for us all and an important lesson to instill in the youngsters we know.

Dream Big, Little Pig! (Mar. 15, 2011) by Kristi Yamaguchi. Tim Bowers, illustrator.

Poppy the Pig is a little pig with big dreams. One day she wants to join the ballet and the next she wants to be a singing sensation. She finds that she is not good at everything she tries, but her mom, grandparents and best friend are always supportive of her dreams. They are her cheerleaders. What is the result of Poppy’s dreaming big? Do her dreams ever end?

            The story is easy to grasp and the illustrations are nice and simple. “Dream Big, Little Pig!” sends us a message that no one should give up on their dreams or on trying new things. It also sends an important message that determination can be much stronger than natural talent.

Home for Christmas (Nov. 1, 2011) by Jan Brett.

Rollo is a young, Swedish troll with a tail. Their tails will eventually fall off, but “only if the troll is kind, helpful, and does his chores.” Rollo is not that kind of troll. When his family asks for help, he runs off toward the mountains, sick of their asking. He is gone for awhile. Does he make it home for Christmas? Has he changed his wild ways?

            As always, Brett’s stories are delightful to read and her illustrations are even more delightful to look at. I love how she incorporates her border illustrations into her stories. They add more vibrancy, beauty and fun. Her books are great additions to a personal library no matter what the age!

Immi’s Gift (Oct. 1, 2010) by Karin Littlewood.

An Inuit girl, Immi, lives in an igloo. She does a lot of ice fishing, thinking she’ll gather more fish “in case anyone comes around,” which they rarely do. But there’s a little wooden bird on the end of her pole, not a fish. She attaches it to her necklace beside a small white bear. She collects more trinkets and decorates her igloo with them. What does her igloo attract? When the igloo melts and it’s time to move on, what does Immi drop in the water?

            Cute, cute, cute. This is a lovely read with softly charming illustrations. It shows us how something simple can become something treasured and that in receiving, it is gracious to give in return. A wonderful story to read to kids!

The Runaway Wok (Jan. 6, 2011) by Ying Chang Compestine. Sebastià Serra, illustrator.

The title wok is Ming Zhang’s exchange for a few eggs. Ming’s family is poor, so his mom is not initially pleased when he brings the singing wok back instead of a bag of rice. After all, how can one celebrate Chinese New Year with food if they have a wok but no food to cook in it? They are surprised, then, when the wok bounds away to the rich, greedy, cheating Li family. What does the wok do at the very end? How does the Zhang family fare?

            Although this story features a Chinese family in Beijing readying for the Chinese New Year, the message knows no particular race. In a very entertaining way with bright, colorful illustrations, the story showcases that gluttony is undesirable. However, Compestine writes the story in a way that is fun and doesn’t scream, “Lesson!” I really enjoyed this tale.

Shout! Little Poems that Roar (Feb. 1, 2007) by Brod Bagert.

   Sachiko Yoshikawa, illustrator.

As the title implies, there are multiple poems in “Shout!.” There are poems of all types from school to dinosaurs to scarecrow eyes. There’s even a poem about ketchup. All of the poems are written to be entertaining, and they will be, for young kids. The poems are simple but the illustrations are lively and colorful and express high energy.

When a Dragon Moves In (May 1, 2011) by Jodi Moore. Howard McWilliam, illustrator.

A boy builds a sandcastle fit for a dragon and sure enough, one moves in. The dragon is the boy’s playmate, protector and partner-in-crime. Fingerprints are really dragon prints, and he didn’t eat his sister’s peanut butter sandwiches, the dragon did. While adults will recognize that this boy has a magnificent imagination which he weaves with his naughty antics, kids will find hilarity in his misbehavior.

            Moore’s story is reminiscent of the If You Give a Mouse a Cookie series with its imaginative take on cause-and-effect. Moore’s writing is light and fun and full of mischievous expression. McWilliam’s illustrations are vivid and colorful and match Moore’s text with ease. A story for the whole family!

            Think creatively: If you had a dragon, what would you name it?

Zoomer’s Summer Snowstorm (May 10, 2011) by Ned Young.

What would make a really hot summer day bearable? A summer snowstorm! For Zoomer, a puppy, his cool-down plan starts off as an innocent snow cone, but when he turns around, the snow-cone machine has vastly overflowed in the kitchen. What’s a pup to do now? Open the window and put on his hat and mittens! A geyser of icy cold winteriness erupts out of the kitchen window. Zoomer happily makes a snow menagerie of creatures (including a dog-headed sphinx), a snow locomotive on snow tracks, and the polar empire of Zoomarctica. His baseball-obsessed twin brothers, Cooper and Hooper, gripe about the frigidity until he adds a snowy amusement park. How do their parents react?

            This is a wonderfully entertaining story. Kids will delight in Zoomer’s winter wonderland and wish they had one of their own made of snow. The writing is as silly as the illustrations are spectacular. I think that Young’s illustrations make the story all the more fun. They’re so vivid with the contrast of warm summer colors and cold winter ones that they alone entice readers/listeners to join in the fun. Get out your parka!

Poll Results: What is your favorite type of book?

Thank you to those of you who participated in the poll. There were 10 voters. The results are below. Voters could vote for multiple categories.

Fantasy/Paranormal	8 (80%)
Adult Romance	1 (10%)
Paranormal Romance	5 (50%)
Mystery/Thriller	4 (40%)
Action/Adventure	3 (30%)
Christian fiction/non	2 (20%)
Picture book	3 (30%)
Cookbook	5 (50%)
Nonfiction	2 (20%)
The Classics	4 (40%)
Other	1 (10%)