children’s books

Book Review: Aunt Jane’s Nieces at Millville

Posted by

0

Aunt Jane's Nieces at Millville by Edith Van Dyne
Aunt Jane’s Nieces at Millville (Aunt Jane’s Nieces, #3) 
by Edith Van Dyne (Pseudonym for L. Frank Baum)

5 out of 5 stars on GoodReads

I just love the Aunt Jane’s Nieces stories, and each one pleasantly surprises me. The simple story lines really keep my interest and the characters are funny and likeable.

In this book, Uncle John acquires a run-down farm in the country, and promptly proposes to spend the summer there with his three favorite nieces. The local village is all agog at the fancy “citified” furniture, decorations, and trappings that come in to furnish the old farmhouse with more “modern” conveniences.

The summering party arrives in the country and finds a mystery to unravel regarding the previous owners of the farm, an old sea-captain who died under questionable circumstances, and his wayward son who is currently missing.

Continue reading →

Book Review: The Children of the New Forest

Posted by

0

The Children Of The New Forest by Frederick Marryat
The Children Of The New Forest (Puffin Classics) 
by Frederick Marryat

4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads

During the English Civil War, the four Beverley children are orphaned when their wealthy father is killed fighting for the restoration of King Charles. Their grand home is burnt down and they are supposed dead, so they find shelter with a kindly old forester. They each learn to hunt, harvest, and care for their little cottage, living in seclusion deep in the forest. But the oldest boy, Edward, is restless and he dreams of going to war as his father did.  Continue reading →

Book Review: The Wonderling

Posted by

0

The Wonderling by Mira Bartok
The Wonderling 
by Mira Bartok

4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads


I was delighted with this book about a half-human, half-fox orphan in search of a destiny beyond the four walls of his grim orphanage. Known only as Number 13, the Wonderling is forced to work in the orphanage factory, until a new friend, a tiny bird creature named Trinket, convinces him to escape into the wide world and seek his destiny in the big city.

One of the best things about this book is the rich language and beautiful writing. It really evokes a magical mood into the story, and makes even little details seem important and meaningful. Even though some of the elements of the story are not exactly original (the grim orphanage, the tough streets of a Victorian city, the Dickensian tropes), it’s the writing style that gives it a fresh feeling and an authentic voice.

Continue reading →

Book Review: Swallowdale

Posted by

0

Swallowdale by Arthur Ransome
Swallowdale (Swallows and Amazons, #2) 
by Arthur Ransome

5 out of 5 stars on Goodreads


Just as wonderful reading it for the second or third time! In this book, the Swallows are shipwrecked on the far side of the lake and establish their camp at Swallowdale on the moors above the lake. The sailors settle in for some adventures on shore, but the Amazons are being held prisoner by their strict Great-Aunt and have to make many daring escapes in order to join in the fun.

I just love the charming writing style that makes every little scrap of adventure so interesting. The characters are all lovable and with just the right variety of personalities. I adore them every one!

Book Review: The Gold Dust Letters

Posted by

0

The Gold Dust Letters
The Gold Dust Letters by Janet Taylor Lisle

My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Angela writes a letter to her fairy godmother, and is surprised when a fairy answers her letters. Angela and her friends become obsessed with reaching out to the fairy, determined to meet her and prove that fairy magic is real.

But this isn’t really a story about three girls discovering a fairy; it’s actually a story about a girl whose parents might get a divorce, and how she feels estranged from her father, and turns to her friends for comfort and advice.

This book was just sort of okay. The writing is nothing special. The characters are one-dimensional. The plot is boring.

The only interesting thing in the entire book is the girl who talks Continue reading →

Book Review: Swallows and Amazons

Posted by

0

Swallows and Amazons
Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I adore this series! They are all so fun and wholesome! Rereading it over and over, this lovely book never loses its charm. From the first page, I’m immediately swept away into the adventures on the lake, following the Swallows as they set up their camp and declare war on the Amazons. I love every delightful character, and I love how with just a few well-chosen words, they each come to life and you feel what they feel as they navigate the wild waters of summer.
Forever a classic!

View all my reviews

Book Review: I Hate Reading

Posted by

0

I Hate Reading: How To Get Through 20 Minutes of Reading A Day Without Really Reading
I Hate Reading: How To Get Through 20 Minutes of Reading A Day Without Really Reading by Arthur Bacon

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Whahahahaha! This is hilarious! The perfect book for kids who hate reading and would rather play outside. This book offers tips on how to trick your parents into thinking you are reading, when really you are just moving your eyeballs from side to side on the page. Such a funny book with almost no illustrations, but still colorful and clever.

What a great way to take the pressure off when a kid doesn’t care for reading, and get them interested in reading again! This book is very sneaky about getting kids to read, because when you’re laughing you will WANT to read. Continue reading →

Picture Book Review: Chicken Does Not Want to be a Chicken

Posted by

0

Chicken Does Not Want to be a Chicken
Chicken Does Not Want to be a Chicken by Elsa Takaoka

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This cute little picture book is perfect for beginning readers, and it’s hilarious to see the little chicken trying so desperately to be a dog! The illustrations are colorful and funny, drawing the reader into the story. I love that the sentences are short and easy to read, which is perfect for building confidence in young readers.

I can really imagine reading this out loud to a child and doing all the voices, barking, clucking, meowing, and doing other sound effects along with the story. It would be so fun to read with any little kid!

View all my reviews

Book Review: Seven-Day Magic

Posted by

0

Seven-Day Magic
Seven-Day Magic by Edward Eager

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this last book of the series, a whole new set of characters take center stage for another magical adventure! These children love visiting the library every week and checking out piles of books, and when Susan finds a mysterious old book without a title, she opens it to discover that the book is all about her and her friends making wishes and going on adventures! The children take turns making their wishes on the book with mixed results. Wizards and dragons are not all they seem to be, and when they begin mixing the magic with other books and modern-day events, things get out of hand until the children can learn to follow the magical rules and find their own happy endings.

Yet another wonderful book in this series! The winsome and wild writing takes you to a new world of magic and fantasy, every page drawing the reader into the story. The characters are complex and delightful, making you truly care about each of them.

I love how there are many many references to classic books like Robinson Crusoe, the Wizard of Oz, and countless others. As always, Edward Eager highlights several children’s books by Edith Nesbit, which these characters have all read, of course!

Reading it for the second time was just as entertaining as the first!

View all my reviews

Book Review: The Well-Wishers

Posted by

0

The Well-Wishers
The Well-Wishers by Edward Eager

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The five children are back for more magic from their wishing well. But this time the magic is including all sorts of unsuitable people in their adventures, and the children aren’t sure if they can accept these new people encroaching on their magic business.

Can the school bully really be reformed by the magic, or does he deserve to be punished for his previous schoolyard crimes? Will the children try to help an extremely annoying opera diva, or will they avoid her like the plague? And what about the crazy witch-lady from the local insane asylum? Surely, the magic wouldn’t expect them to make friends with a dangerous witch! But somehow the magic pulls through, the children find the courage and resourcefulness to overcome every obstacle, and they spread some good magic around their neighborhood while still having fun! They learn that anyone can become a friend if only you show them acceptance and kindness. Continue reading →