children’s classics
Picture Book Review: That’s Good, That’s Bad
That’s Good, That’s Bad
by Joan M. Lexau, Aliki
by Joan M. Lexau, Aliki
5 out of 5 stars
A young boy is confronted with a ferocious tiger, but buys time by telling the tiger a story about how he escaped from an angry rhino. During the ups and downs of the boy’s story, the tiger is alternately glad or sad as the boy gets in and out of trouble.
The boy runs away from rhino, but rhino can run faster. That’s bad.
The boy climbs into a tree to escape. That’s good.
The boy throws a stone at the rhino. That’s good.
But the stone doesn’t hit rhino. That’s bad.
The illustrations are so cute!
Book Review: Mary Poppins and the House Next Door
Mary Poppins and the House Next Door (Mary Poppins, #6)
by P.L. Travers
by P.L. Travers
5 out of 5 stars
A new neighbor has moved into the house next door on Cherry Tree Lane, and the Banks family are horrified. Only Mary Poppins has the magical wisdom to deal with the drama that threatens to engulf the whole street.
I love the whimsical writing and the funny magic! Mary Poppins is perfect as always, and the Banks children are silly and adorable. The plot has some interesting turns, and I love how all the neighbors on Cherry Tree Lane have their own little additions to the story.
Mary Poppins is just the right mixture of sweet and strict. She plays games with the children, but also lays down the law in the nursery. I love how she reacts to each twist in the plot with grace and elegance.
2020 Classics To Be Read
Book Review: Goddess Power
Goddess Power: A Kids’ Book of Greek and Roman Mythology: 10 Empowering Tales of Legendary Women
by Yung In Chae PhD
by Yung In Chae PhD
4 out of 5 stars
These tales of Greek gods are rewritten and simplified for children, giving a broad overview of the legends that made Greek and Roman myths famous throughout the world. The stories of both Greeks and Romans are combined, instead of being told twice with different names.
The stories include the legends of Gaia, Rhea, Hera, Artemis, the Fates, Demeter, Athena, the Muses, Aphrodite, and Circe. Of course, the male gods and heroes are included as part of the stories too, but the main focus is on the ladies. Continue reading
Book Review: Doctor Dolittle and the Secret Lake
Doctor Dolittle And The Secret Lake
by Hugh Lofting
by Hugh Lofting
4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
Doctor Dolittle returns to the Secret Lake hidden in the depths of Africa to interview the oldest living animal, a massive turtle named Mudface. His journey is perilous, but he has his trusty animals by his side. With the help of Chee-chee, Polynesia, Dab-Dab, Cheapside, Gub-Gub, Jip, and his faithful assistant Tommy Stubbins, the Doctor travels through swamps and jungles to find the old turtle and hear the story of the Flood.
I loved the plot in this one! The first part of the book is taken up with the Doctor’s preparations for the journey to Africa, and then his travels to get inland from the African coast to the Secret Lake. Once they find Mudface, the rest of the book chronicles his adventurous story about Noah and surviving the Great Flood.
The writing is charming and hilarious! The animals are all so funny and full of life, and the ridiculous situations are interesting. I’m amazed at how imaginative all of the Dolittle stories are, and the books never seem to run out of wild material for an adventure.
Book Review: Doctor Dolittle’s Return
Doctor Dolittle’s Return
by Hugh Lofting
by Hugh Lofting
5 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
Doctor Dolittle finally returns to Puddleby after having spent a year on the Moon. Tommy Stubbins has been struggling to keep the Doctor’s household running in his absence, caring for the animals and the Doctor’s beautiful garden. The Doctor returns with pages and notebooks full of scientific notes and information which he wants to use to write his great book about his experiences on the Moon.
Every book in this series just gets better and better! I am always fascinated by the Doctor’s character. He is so energetic and intelligent and kind. Tommy is just adorable, and a very capable assistant for the Doctor. The story is hilarious, and I loved all the funny situations the animals get into. Each plot line is so imaginative and interesting!
Book Review: Doctor Dolittle in the Moon
Doctor Dolittle in the Moon (Doctor Dolittle, #8)
by Hugh Lofting
by Hugh Lofting
5 out of 5 stars on GoodREads
Doctor Dolittle rides a Lunar Moth to the Moon using Moon Flowers to provide oxygen for the trip. There he finds forest, lakes, rives, and jungles, along with insect and bird life. The animals have summoned him there to heal their illnesses, but nowhere can they find a sign of the animals. With Tommy Stubbins, Polynesia, and Chee-chee the monkey, the intrepid explorers trek across the dark side of the Moon, searching for answers and discovering strange and wondrous phenomena on the Moon.
I was absolutely fascinated by this story, and all the imaginative and strange wonders on the Moon. The Doctor is wonderful and kind as always, with a fiery energy and intelligence. The story is told from Tommy’s perspective and he is an excellent narrator. I was so entranced with the crazy plot and the wild action, as well as the details of how the Doctor and his explorers survived, finding food and water, and fashioning clothing for themselves from bark and leaves.
It ends on a cliffhanger, so now I have to immediately read the next book in the series!
Book Review: Doctor Dolittle and the Green Canary
Doctor Dolittle and the Green Canary (Doctor Dolittle, #11)
by Hugh Lofting
by Hugh Lofting
4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
Doctor Dolittle hears the full story of a green canary’s life, from the time she was born in a cage to her tragic separation from her owner, the window washer. After their success in the Canary Opera, Pippinella and Doctor Dolittle set out to find the missing window washer, and restore Pippinella to her favorite owner.
I enjoyed this book so much! The characters are hilarious, and I loved Pippinella’s varied life experiences and all the weird circumstances that made her change owners so frequently. She lives with a coal miner, a marchioness, a troop of soldiers, an innkeeper, and a tramp. She also lives in the wild for a short time before being captured, stolen from her rightful owner, and sold in a pet shop to John Dolittle. Continue reading
Book Review: The Great Brain Reforms
The Great Brain Reforms (Great Brain, #5)
by John D. Fitzgerald, Mercer Mayer
by John D. Fitzgerald, Mercer Mayer
4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
Tom, known as The Great Brain, is up to his old tricks again, fooling the neighborhood kids into sucker bets, tricking his brother into doing all the chores, blackmailing his adopted brother out of his allowance money, and generally making trouble for the town.
But when a few kids nearly lose their lives in one of his pranks, will the shame and fear of death be enough to get the Great Brain to reform his ways?
I enjoyed this funny story about the mischievous schemes of Tom and how he drags his brothers along for the ride. He definitely reminds me of Tom Sawyer, only he’s WORSE!
The wholesome atmosphere of the old town and the simple quiet people who live there, are stirred up by the wild and crazy scenarios that Tom cooks up. There is never a dull moment! Continue reading
