Book Information
Nifenegger, Audrey. The Night Bookmobile. New York, NY: Abrams ComicArts, 2010.
My Summary
The Night Bookmobile by Audrey Nifenegger (bestselling author of The Time Traveler's Wife) is a haunting and thought-provoking book. While on a "cool-down" walk after an argument with her boyfriend, Alexandra stumbles on a bookmobile whose operating hours are "dusk to dawn." She learns that the bookmobile carries every single item that she has ever read. Her visit brings an overpowering desire to read and to work within the strange bookmobile, despite all of the sacrifices that she must make.
My Review
The Night Bookmobile raises questions about the act of reading. Is reading a selfish pastime that absorbs a person, preventing him or her from interacting with the community? What are the social dangers of becoming isolated, and of living life vicariously through books? The abrupt ending leaves many questions unanswered, especially with regards to Alexandra's happiness. Reading The Night Bookmobile in a graphic novel format is an "enhanced" reading experience. The graphics complement the story, and provide subtle hints to the reader about Mr. Openshaw, the nature of The Library, and about Alexandra's future. The pop culture music references provide additional food for thought.
In its few short pages, The Night Bookmobile offers readers many opportunities for reflection. Highly recommended.
My Notes
The Night Bookmobile is the first in a series of books collectively entitled The Library. I look forward to the next book!
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Friday, December 10, 2010
Lost Boy: The Story of the Man Who Created Peter Pan
Book Information
Yolen, Jane and Adams, Steve. Lost Boy: the Story of the Man who Created Peter Pan. New York: Dutton Children's Books, 2010.
My Review
Jane Yolen, the award-winning author of Owl Moon and the How Do Dinosaurs series, has written yet another bewitching picture book. Readers who enjoy Peter Pan and Finding Neverland should open Lost Boy, a biography of James M. Barrie. Lost Boy illustrates how James M. Barrie was inspired to become an author, his early writings, and his source of ideas for Peter Pan. It also addresses difficult subject themes, including the death of his brother and the end of his marriage, quite sensitively.
The illustrations are elegant. They often appear to be old-fashioned and as "wooden" as the stage props that appear to have been used for the original staging of Peter Pan. Combined with the many Peter Pan-related quotations, the illustrations give an added dimension to the book.
This book is a wonderful way to introduce children to biographies!
Yolen, Jane and Adams, Steve. Lost Boy: the Story of the Man who Created Peter Pan. New York: Dutton Children's Books, 2010.
My Review
Jane Yolen, the award-winning author of Owl Moon and the How Do Dinosaurs series, has written yet another bewitching picture book. Readers who enjoy Peter Pan and Finding Neverland should open Lost Boy, a biography of James M. Barrie. Lost Boy illustrates how James M. Barrie was inspired to become an author, his early writings, and his source of ideas for Peter Pan. It also addresses difficult subject themes, including the death of his brother and the end of his marriage, quite sensitively.
The illustrations are elegant. They often appear to be old-fashioned and as "wooden" as the stage props that appear to have been used for the original staging of Peter Pan. Combined with the many Peter Pan-related quotations, the illustrations give an added dimension to the book.
This book is a wonderful way to introduce children to biographies!
Picture Books that Adults Will Enjoy
Book Information
Smith, Lane. It's a Book. New York: Roaring Brook, 2010.
Book Review
The latest bestseller from the award-winning artist, Lane Smith. Smith's explanation of a "book" involves a lot of smart humour that is targeted to a more mature reader. Clearly, the donkey is only too familiar with the concept of "e-books"! What would the donkey do with a Kobo? An enjoyable read for older children and adults.
Older readers might also enjoy picture book biographies, including Lost Boy by Jane Yolen, as well as the funny ways in which a boy "shows" his dad to do ordinary activities in Oh Daddy by Bob Shea.
Smith, Lane. It's a Book. New York: Roaring Brook, 2010.
Book Review
The latest bestseller from the award-winning artist, Lane Smith. Smith's explanation of a "book" involves a lot of smart humour that is targeted to a more mature reader. Clearly, the donkey is only too familiar with the concept of "e-books"! What would the donkey do with a Kobo? An enjoyable read for older children and adults.
Older readers might also enjoy picture book biographies, including Lost Boy by Jane Yolen, as well as the funny ways in which a boy "shows" his dad to do ordinary activities in Oh Daddy by Bob Shea.
Friday, November 26, 2010
The Autobiography of the Queen: a novel by Emma Tennant
Book Information
Tennant, Emma. The Autobiography of the Queen. London: Arcadia Books Ltd, 2007.
My Summary and Review
The Queen escapes palace life and finds a seemingly restful getaway in the Caribbean. Unfortunately, her passport, money and luggage soon disappear. What should an undercover royal do in such circumstances, especially when her "rescuer" is a dubious neighbourhood rum shop owner?
The book is a must for anyone who enjoys reading about the royal family. Though the villain is obvious and the situations are outlandish, it is fun to see how the Queen faces each escalating problem with an aloof dignity and grace. Also enjoyable are the many miscommunications between the Queen and the rum shop owner, who thinks that she is just a "crazy old lady."
Read This Book?
Try The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett.
If you were Queen for a day, what would you do? Travel the world? Make a large donation to the charity of your choice? Take a trip to... the library? The LIBRARY! For a Queen, after all, reading is a luxury as she always busy with public duties...
Tennant, Emma. The Autobiography of the Queen. London: Arcadia Books Ltd, 2007.
My Summary and Review
The Queen escapes palace life and finds a seemingly restful getaway in the Caribbean. Unfortunately, her passport, money and luggage soon disappear. What should an undercover royal do in such circumstances, especially when her "rescuer" is a dubious neighbourhood rum shop owner?
The book is a must for anyone who enjoys reading about the royal family. Though the villain is obvious and the situations are outlandish, it is fun to see how the Queen faces each escalating problem with an aloof dignity and grace. Also enjoyable are the many miscommunications between the Queen and the rum shop owner, who thinks that she is just a "crazy old lady."
Read This Book?
Try The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett.
If you were Queen for a day, what would you do? Travel the world? Make a large donation to the charity of your choice? Take a trip to... the library? The LIBRARY! For a Queen, after all, reading is a luxury as she always busy with public duties...
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Fast Food (Introducing Issues with Opposing Viewpoints series)
Book Information
Friedman, Lauri S., ed. Fast Food (Introducing Issues with Opposing Viewpoints). Missouri: Greenhaven Press, 2010.
My Review
Readers who enjoy a well-rounded discussion about current issues should open any book in the series Introducing Issues with Opposing Viewpoints. Fast Food covers almost every issue imaginable on the subject of fast food. Is fast food making Americans fat, or is obesity a question of lack of self-care? Should fast food be regulated, with restrictions on its marketing? Can fast food ever be considered healthy?
The essays included in Fast Food are drawn from a variety of sources, from the New York Times website to Alternet.org, an independent news website whose aim is to "inspire action and advocacy on the environment, human rights and civil liberties, social justice, media, health care issues, and more" (http://blogs.alternet.org/about/). Fast Food presents information in a way that is simple and clear, with thought-provoking questions at the end of each essay.
Friedman, Lauri S., ed. Fast Food (Introducing Issues with Opposing Viewpoints). Missouri: Greenhaven Press, 2010.
My Review
Readers who enjoy a well-rounded discussion about current issues should open any book in the series Introducing Issues with Opposing Viewpoints. Fast Food covers almost every issue imaginable on the subject of fast food. Is fast food making Americans fat, or is obesity a question of lack of self-care? Should fast food be regulated, with restrictions on its marketing? Can fast food ever be considered healthy?
The essays included in Fast Food are drawn from a variety of sources, from the New York Times website to Alternet.org, an independent news website whose aim is to "inspire action and advocacy on the environment, human rights and civil liberties, social justice, media, health care issues, and more" (http://blogs.alternet.org/about/). Fast Food presents information in a way that is simple and clear, with thought-provoking questions at the end of each essay.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Faces of Opportunity by Opportunity International Canada
Book Information
Opportunity International Canada. Faces of Opportunity. Canada: Opportunity International Canada, 2009.
My Review
In Faces of Opportunity, readers meet 20 successful entrepreneurs. These business owners funded their organizations using microloans from Opportunity International, a nonprofit organization that aids the working poor in 27 developing countries
The stories of the business owners in this small, thin book are very clear, concise, simple and powerful. Through their successes, some of these individuals have become leaders within their own communities. Facts on loans, international poverty and small businesses are sprinkled throughout the book. The beautiful pictures of the business owners deepen the links of understanding between the reader and the book. The stories are inspirational and encouraging.
My Notes
As part of a new work project, I have been updating a local tourism directory. Daily, I encounter news of small business closures. I am constantly reminded of the many needs and difficulties that challenge small businesses today. Reading this book was quite a morale boost for me. These successful entrepreneurs are more than faces of opportunity. They are faces of hope.
Opportunity International Canada. Faces of Opportunity. Canada: Opportunity International Canada, 2009.
My Review
In Faces of Opportunity, readers meet 20 successful entrepreneurs. These business owners funded their organizations using microloans from Opportunity International, a nonprofit organization that aids the working poor in 27 developing countries
The stories of the business owners in this small, thin book are very clear, concise, simple and powerful. Through their successes, some of these individuals have become leaders within their own communities. Facts on loans, international poverty and small businesses are sprinkled throughout the book. The beautiful pictures of the business owners deepen the links of understanding between the reader and the book. The stories are inspirational and encouraging.
My Notes
As part of a new work project, I have been updating a local tourism directory. Daily, I encounter news of small business closures. I am constantly reminded of the many needs and difficulties that challenge small businesses today. Reading this book was quite a morale boost for me. These successful entrepreneurs are more than faces of opportunity. They are faces of hope.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Little Bear and the Marco Polo
Book Information
Minarik, Else Holmelund. Little Bear and the Marco Polo. New York: Harper, 2010.
My Review
Little Bear is full of themes that children in primary grades will love, including adventures and sailing. Parents will like the book's informative/educational aspects. Note: even though this book identifies itself as a level one book for beginning readers, it is not an introductory reader. There is no rhyme or repetition of words. Sentences do not follow a clear pattern. Some of the vocabulary is quite challenging. Depending on the child's reading abilities, Little Bear would be an enjoyable read for a student in Grade Two (or nearing the end of Grade One).
Minarik, Else Holmelund. Little Bear and the Marco Polo. New York: Harper, 2010.
My Review
Little Bear is full of themes that children in primary grades will love, including adventures and sailing. Parents will like the book's informative/educational aspects. Note: even though this book identifies itself as a level one book for beginning readers, it is not an introductory reader. There is no rhyme or repetition of words. Sentences do not follow a clear pattern. Some of the vocabulary is quite challenging. Depending on the child's reading abilities, Little Bear would be an enjoyable read for a student in Grade Two (or nearing the end of Grade One).
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