Category: Inner Child

Item: The Tale of Despereaux
Rating: 5
Author: Jana

The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo | Book Thoughts

Posted March 3, 2014 by Jana in Book Review, Inner Child, Middle Grade, That Artsy Librarian / 5 Comments

The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
Published by Candlewick Press on September 9, 2008
Genres: Fantasy
Pages: 272
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
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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.

While it is a TON of work, I am so thankful that my children’s lit class is forcing me to read so many of the books I missed out on as a kid. The following is not really a review, but more of my thoughts on the book from an educational perspective.

I love how the author speaks to the reader directly, either to ask them to think about what is happening on a more psychological level, or just to explain a complicated word she has used in her story. I think this is a wonderful way to write to children, as it includes them and makes them a part of the reading experience.

There are so many beautiful messages and lessons that can be found if you really think about the symbolism of this story. I can think of so many discussions that could be built off of the quotes below:

Finding/being oneself:

Reader, you must know that an interesting fate (sometimes involving rats, sometimes not) awaits almost everyone, mouse or man, who does not conform.

Despereaux stood before the Mouse Council, and he realized that he was a different mouse than he had been the last time he faced them. He had been to the dungeon and back up out of it. He knew things that they would never know; what they thought of him, he realized, did not matter, not at all.”
– I particularly love this quote. It is so symbolic of our trials and tribulations changing us as we learn and grown from them.

Love:

Reader, you may ask this question; in fact, you must ask this question: Is it ridiculous for a very small, sickly, big-eared mouse to fall in love with a beautiful human princess named Pea? The answer is … yes. Of course, it’s ridiculous. Love is ridiculous. But love is also wonderful. And powerful.

Did you think that rats do not have hearts? Wrong. All living things have a heart. And the heart of any living thing can be broken.

There is a danger of loving: No matter how powerful you are, no matter how many kingdoms you rule, you cannot stop those you love from dying.

And hope is like love … a ridiculous, wonderful, powerful thing.

Reader, nothing is sweeter in this sad world than the sound of someone you love calling your name. Nothing.

Being discouraged:

Reader, do you believe that there is such a things as happily ever after? Or, like Despereaux, have you, too, begun to question the possibility of happy endings?

There is a lot of talk in the story about our actions having consequences, no matter how insignificant we think those actions are at the time.

Every action, reader, no matter how small, has a consequence.

Light and dark, and the symbolism of each: Light is thought of to be happiness and goodness. It’s music. It’s love. Dark is considered to be scary, evil, and sad.

Stories are lights. Light is precious in a world so dark.

“I think, said Roscuro, “that the meaning of life is light.”

That is, Pea was aware suddenly of how fragile her heart was, how much darkness was inside it, fighting, always, with the light. She did not like the rat. She would never like the rat, but she knew what she must do to save her own heart.

The world is dark and light is precious. Come closer, dear reader. You must trust me. I am telling you a story.

Basically, I loved The Tale of Despereaux. Despereaux is adorable, and when he fell in love with the princess I just melted. I feel like this book has a lot for everyone. Girls will love this royal story, filled with a castle and a princess and love. Boys will love the brave Despereaux and his journey to the dungeons to save the princess. Parents will love this because of all the hidden messages they can share with their children, as there are quite a few teaching moments. Some of these lessons are simply beautiful, and are a nice reminder for kids and adults alike.

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg | Book Thoughts

Posted February 5, 2014 by Jana in Book Review, Inner Child, Middle Grade, That Artsy Librarian / 14 Comments

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers on 1967
Genres: Contemporary Fiction, Mystery
Pages: 162
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
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When Claudia decided to run away, she planned very carefully. She would be gone just long enough to teach her parents a lesson in Claudia appreciation. And she would go in comfort-she would live at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. She saved her money, and she invited her brother Jamie to go, mostly because be was a miser and would have money.

Claudia was a good organizer and Jamie bad some ideas, too; so the two took up residence at the museum right on schedule. But once the fun of settling in was over, Claudia had two unexpected problems: She felt just the same, and she wanted to feel different; and she found a statue at the Museum so beautiful she could not go home until she bad discovered its maker, a question that baffled the experts, too.

I’m grateful to be in a class that forces me to read all the books I missed out on when I hated reading as a child! Since this book is so widely known and loved, I figured I would just list out some of my thoughts on it instead of actually review it. These thoughts come from my required reading notes for class, so they are a bit more professional than my usual fangirl reviews. I will state outright, though, that I really enjoyed this book!

– I feel like many children will be able to relate to Claudia, the main girl in the story. She is 12 years old, the oldest child, the only girl in her family, and she feels under-appreciated. She has big dreams to do something important and be noticed. I know how hard it is to be the oldest child, and I think children will be able to empathize with her.

– Claudia is also very analytical and practical. She has a plan. She chooses to bring her brother, James, because he is levelheaded and has the most money. I love that Claudia is a thinker, and works through all possible outcomes. She’s also very mature and mild-mannered for her age. She really is a wonderful example.

– I love that James is so tight with his money, even though he can take it a bit too far and drive Claudia crazy, as she is used to nice things. This idea of the value of money is a very common theme across the entire book.

– Education is emphasized as being very important. Even though Claudia and Jamie have run away and are kind of on vacation, Claudia wants them to learn everything there is to learn about the museum. They study different exhibits together and join school group field trips. Claudia is also concerned about keeping up with current events, and wants to buy a newspaper. James is curious, and asks the tour guide questions about the exhibits. The children also go to the library to research Michelangelo’s life and work, in order to solve the mystery behind the angel statue. I really like that art is the focus, as art education is not offered as much in schools as it used to be.

– The mystery aspect of the story will appeal to many children. Claudia and James decide to try and discover whether or not Michelangelo carved the mysterious angel statue. As they find more and more clues, readers will anticipate and speculate the ending. The book also encourages reader participation, prompting them to make their own guesses.

– There are some funny moments that I’m sure kids will enjoy, like when James tries to communicate telepathically with Claudia.

– I thought it was incredibly sweet that when Sunday rolled around, Claudia was concerned about their spirituality. They end up going to a chapel in the Middle Ages exhibit to say their prayers. I found this to be a wonderful example of children doing the right thing, and think parents would appreciate this little scene.

All in all, this was a very sweet book. I loved the setting, as the Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of my favorite places ever. I loved the relationship between the two children, and how they stick together and really bond. I loved their quirky little personalities, their values, curiosity, their maturity, and their consciences. I loved that they wanted so badly to make an important contribution to the art world. I really enjoyed the traditional language used, and you can tell this book was written during a different time. I will definitely be recommending this book to young readers, or readers who are young at heart. It was such a fun adventure!

This book was read for my Children’s Literature class as part of my Master’s in Library and Information Science program. It is also not a conventional book review, as the books is already so well-loved and well-known by so many people, that I would rather share my thoughts instead of review it.

Coco Goes to Rome by Vanessa Del Fabbro | Children’s Book Review

Posted January 30, 2014 by Jana in Children's Book Review, Inner Child / 2 Comments

Coco Goes to Rome written by Vanessa Del Fabbro and illustrated by Hedwige Jacobs
Series: Adventures of Coco #2
Published by Five Daughters Publishing on October 1, 2013
Pages: 30
Source: From the illustrator
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Coco, the stylish dachshund from New York, arrives in Rome, Italy, to an enthusiastic welcome from hundreds of fans who have mistaken her for the international singing sensation, Lady BowWow. Coco is swept up (literally–in a helicopter!) into an exciting life of luxury and adoration, but when a tiny lost kitten asks for help Coco has to make a choice. A story of how a little Miss Nobody can actually be the biggest star of all.

I was delighted to receive this book from the illustrator, Hedwige! We all know how much I love Rome, and I absolutely adore books that take place there, especially children’s books. I was certainly not disappointed in the travels of sweet little Coco, and had so much fun exploring Rome with her. I mean, come on. We get to dine on pasta with her everyday! She is a girl after my own heart. When she is mistaken for a superstar, she is swept away by a dashing Italian greyhound, Mario, for an amazing adventure.

Coco happens upon a crying kitten who is lost. Coco kind of knows how that feels, and wants to help. But at the same time, she is enjoying all the attention. What will she do? Drink in the fame, or help a friend in need?

Coco Goes to Rome is written in a fun, sing song rhyming style that I can easily see children memorizing quickly. I loved the whimsical illustrations of the familiar sights of Rome. If you look closely, you can find some little kitties hidden within them. We also get to learn the names of some of the most famous pieces of architecture. In the very back of the book is a glossary with further explanation on some elements in the book. I really love and appreciate the message of the story, which would be fun to discuss with a little one: if you’re sweet and nice to those around you, you’re more of a star than the most famous celebrity. It’s all about doing what’s right.

Overall, I really enjoyed Coco’s visit to Rome and am adding Coco’s first adventure, Coco on Safari, to my to-read list. I’d recommend this book to any child who enjoys learning about the world around them, and to any parent who has a little diva on their hands!

Candy and the Cankersaur by Jason Sandberg | Children’s Book Review

Posted November 22, 2013 by Jana in Children's Book Review, Inner Child / 2 Comments

When I was a little girl, I loved Danny and the Dinosaur by by Syd Hoff. When I discovered that Candy and the Cankersaur pays tribute to this very book, I was so excited to read it!

Candy and the Cankersaur written and illustrated by Jason Sandberg
Self-published on June 17, 2012
Pages: 32
Format: eBook
Source: From the author
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This is the sweet and funny tale of a young girl named Candy and a Cankersaurus Rex! Candy receives a dinosaur as a gift and is determined to train him to be a good pet.

This book is so much fun, and so cute! It totally and completely reminds me of Danny and the Dinosaur. The colors and the illustration style are just like those in Syd Hoff’s book, and I could not help but think of Danny when I read about Candy.

Candy lives in a mansion with her rich dad. All she wanted was to be able to spend more time with him, but since he was always so busy, he decided she needed a really cool pet to keep her company. All of a sudden, a plan lands in her yard carrying a Cankersaurus Rex from The Island that Time Forgot. Candy was scared at first, but decided her new dinosaur, Cank, would be fun to train. They had a lot of fun together, even though Cank kept biting things, until her jealous neighbor, Chucky, decided to kidnap Cank. If he can’t have a dinosaur, then nobody can. Chucky sells Cank to a circus. But then he felt bad because he took his little crush on Candy too far. Candy, Chucky, and her dad decide to save him.

Candy and the Cankersaur is a sweet book for boys and girls. The colorful pictures and silly story will keep them captivated to the very end. I also love the message the book portrays: friendship is better than having the best toys. That’s something all children can learn. I would recommend this to anyone who loves a fun, colorful story and a good teaching opportunity.

City Cat by Kate Banks | Children’s Book Review

Posted October 23, 2013 by Jana in Children's Book Review, Inner Child / 4 Comments

City Cat by Kate Banks, illustrated by Lauren Castillo
Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux on November 19, 2013
Pages: 48
Format: ARC
Source: From the publisher
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A family prepares for a European vacation, and a stray cat stows away among the luggage. As the family journeys from one city to the next, the clever cat finds its own way to follow–by boat, bus, train, truck, and bike. Children will delight in cat spotting as they visit and learn about landmarks, from the Colosseum to Notre Dame Cathedral to Buckingham Palace, on this colorful tour. Rhythmically told and masterfully illustrated, City Cat will keep readers dreaming of adventure–long after the family returns home, cat in tow.

City Cat is absolutely adorable. I loved following City Cat as he traveled across Europe to places in Italy, France, Spain, England, The Netherlands, and Germany. Each page colorfully illustrates where he is, and what he’s up to. You see City Cat scaling the Colosseum walls, drinking from Parisian fountains, shopping in markets, standing at attention during the changing of the guards, and and trotting across the Bridge of Sighs. Along the way, readers learn a little about each location. There’s a picture glossary in the back that sums up the facts from each place. There’s also a map that show readers how much of Europe City Cat traversed.

The illustrations are very cute and full of character, done it what looks like a mixture of pastel and crayon. The lines whimsically scratchy, like a child could have done them but much more advanced. The artist took some liberty with the colors and the architectural renderings, but that’s what makes it fun. City Cat has the sweetest little face, as you can see on the book’s cover. I particularly love the picture in Venice of The Bridge of Sighs. I’ve been to Venice and stood in this exact spot, and this image makes me want to go back right away!

City Cat is such a cute book, is written very well, and made me want to travel to all these places again! And I love cats, so this book was just perfect for me. I know children will enjoy finding this sweet little kitty in all the pictures as they learn about Europe!