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Book Review: Stuart Little

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Stuart Little by E.B. White

Stuart Little
by E.B. White, Garth Williams (Illustrator)
5 out of 5 stars
Stuart is a mouse born to a family of people. His parents and older brother are not quite sure what to make of him. They ask the doctor if their new baby mouse is quite healthy, but Stuart proves to them that he is more resilient than they realize. Through all his adventures, Stuart keeps his courage and tenacity.

I just love this whimsical story! There is always something hilarious happening, and I especially love the story line about Stuart sailing a ship in Central Park. Margalo, the little bird, is a lovely character, so sweet and helpless and delicate.

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Book Review: Five Children and It

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Five Children and It by E. Nesbit

Five Children and It
by E. Nesbit, Edith Nesbit
5 out of 5 stars
Five siblings find a Psammead, a sand fairy, who agrees to grant them one wish every day. They wish for money, beauty, wings, and all manner of foolish things, and every wish somehow goes terribly wrong as the consequences catch up with them.

I always love this book every time I reread it! It’s so whimsical and charming. I just love the setting and the time period in the early 1900s.

The siblings are silly and cross and affectionate. They tease each other and fight and take care of each other. In other words, they are just like regular siblings.

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Book Review: The Twits

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The Twits by Roald Dahl

The Twits
by Roald Dahl, Quentin Blake (illustrator)
3 out of 5 stars
Mr. and Mrs. Twit are horrible people. They play nasty tricks and kill birds and keep circus monkeys locked in a cage. But one day the monkeys and the birds team up to get their revenge on the evil Twits.

This has never been my favorite Roald Dahl book. The story is very short and simple, and I think I prefer his longer books with a more structured story. But this is a cute one, and it has that sparky Dahl flavor. I do like the funny illustrations!

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Classic Book Review: Rose in Bloom

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Rose in Bloom by Louisa May Alcott

Rose in Bloom (Eight Cousins, #2)
by Louisa May Alcott
5 out of 5 stars
Rose has returned from a year abroad to find that most of her boy cousins have quite grown up while she was away. Suddenly, they are all on the brink of adulthood and beginning to think of careers and romance. Rose must choose her path in life carefully while she begins to gradually bloom.

I love this marvelous sequel to Eight Cousins! It has a more mature purpose and some darker themes than the first book. There are themes about alcoholism, death, clan loyalty, elitism, philanthropy, and having strong moral principles. This is another Alcott book with moral lessons in every other chapter, but I love it! The morals are woven so nicely into the story, that I don’t mind being preached at in this wholesome way.

I love Phebe and Rose’s sweet friendship even more in this second book than in the first one! Those two girls are so close and affectionate, and they are fiercely loyal and ready to brave anything to protect their friend. It’s so refreshing to read about a strong female friendship!

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Book Review: Danny the Champion of the World

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Danny the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl

Danny the Champion of the World
by Roald Dahl, Quentin Blake (Illustrator)
5 out of 5 stars

Danny and his father have a close relationship. They live in a caravan behind their gas station and car mechanic garage. Danny learns to be the youngest mechanic in history. One night he discovers that his father is keeping a delightful secret, and he needs Danny’s help.

This is my favorite Dahl book! The connection between father and son is so precious! I love the way that Danny describes his father and their simple life together living in their little caravan. Danny is such a clever and intelligent little boy with a good heart.

There is something so charming about Dahl’s writing style. Every time I read one of his books, I am swept away into a world of enchantment and hilarity. There are so many funny scenes in this book! I always laugh so hard each time I reread it.

Book Review: Magic or Not?

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Magic or Not? by Edward Eager

Magic or Not? (Tales of Magic, #5)
by Edward Eager, N.M. Bodecker (Illustrator), Quentin Blake (Cover Illustrator)
4 out of 5 stars
I loved rereading this children’s classic! When twins Laura and James move to the country, they find an old wishing well, and begin to test the magic waters with their wishes. The wishes seem to come true, but in such regular, mundane ways that the children can’t be sure… was it magic or not? The eccentric Lydia comes blasting into their adventures, and their neighbor Kip joins in the fun.

The wishing well definitely appears to be influencing their adventures, but only when they wish something good for others, never when they wish for themselves. So the four friends attempt a quest of good deeds, with mixed results when the disgustingly spoiled rich kid, Gordy, begins to tag along and pester them. Can the children accept the strange directions that the wishing well sends them, or will they draw the line at including the nasty Gordy in their group?

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Classic Book Review: Eight Cousins

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Eight Cousins by Louisa May Alcott

Eight Cousins (or The Aunt-Hill)
by Louisa May Alcott
5 out of 5 stars
After her father’s death Rose is listless and ill, until her new guardian, Uncle Alec, encourages her to try healthful food, sunshine, and exercise. Gradually, Rose begins to improve both in health and spirits, and soon she is able to join her cousins in their frolics and adventures. She has seven cousins, all boys, who gather around her with energetic fun. But Rose also has a great many meddlesome aunts, who object to Uncle Alec’s parenting style, saying that he will make her into a shameful tomboy instead of an elegant young lady. Ultimately, Rose has to decide which path is the best for her own happiness.

This book just gets sweeter every time I read it! What a comfort it is to reread old favorites! I always cry at the sad parts and cheer for Rose when she triumphs.

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Book Review: Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH

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Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH (Rats of NIMH, #1)
by Robert C. O’Brien
5 out of 5 stars
Mrs. Frisby’s son is sick in bed, and cannot be moved. But the farmer is coming to plow up the field where they live as soon as the frost has left the ground. Mrs. Frisby goes to the rats to ask for help, and discovers the secret past of the rats of NIMH.

I just love this book more and more every time I read it. It’s so interesting to find out about the rats and how they live and their past history. The whole world-building of the society of all the animals who live around the farm and in the woods is fascinating. I love stories about mice because they are so little. Who doesn’t love a good under-dog story?

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Graphic Novel Review: Forbidden Brides of the Faceless Slaves in the Secret House of the Night of Dread Desire

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Forbidden Brides of the Faceless Slaves in the Secret House o... by Neil Gaiman

Forbidden Brides of the Faceless Slaves in the Secret House of the Night of Dread Desire
by Neil Gaiman (Author), Shane Oakley (Artist)
4 out of 5 stars

This graphic novel follows a writer who is struggling to write about “real life” in a tale of zombies, dreadful mysteries in damp dungeons, and evil pacts with the vile powers of darkness.

I loved the shadowy art style in this book! It’s so expressive and chaotic. It creates a definite mood for this eerie tale of nefarious deeds.

I am not a fan of horror stories, but this book is not really scary, and it made me laugh so much! It makes fun of typical horror tropes in such a clever way. The story jumps around a lot, but I think that is on purpose to create a disturbing atmosphere. I loved the plot twist at the end!