An Evening for Journaling
Journaling at Half Price Books in Humble
Have you always wanted to keep a journal but couldn’t seem to get started? Your HPB in Humble will introduce you to the art of journaling. On Thursday, January 10 at 7 pm use your personal unique style to create your own pages, write your story and use your words as art. The first five attendees will receive free blank journals.
When We’re Not Reading… We’re Happy in the Heights!
A short car ride to a friend’s house and the kiddo and I find we have all of the Heights at our fingertips… or our toes, rather, as we don’t walk with our hands. My favorite part of the drive is passing those town homes pictured above – they remind me of Full House.
I love the Heights. There’s always something new to discover, and today we stumbled across Sparrow and the Nest, a little art boutique off Studewood.
Undaunted by a two year old waltzing in amongst their treasures, the people (Andrew and Stephanie) are really nice and took the kiddo to the back and let her play with markers while my best friend browsed the shop. I came away with a priceless masterpiece from my offspring, while the bestie picked out a gorgeous bookmark. We were on our way to get coffee at Antidote, so we didn’t stay long.
As their website says, Sparrow and the Nest is really best experienced in person, there’s so much to see that I just couldn’t capture on camera. Lots of tiny origami in frames and on pins, teensy handcrafted things you won’t find anywhere else, and all of it so beautiful. Cool pieces of furniture, paintings, quilts… the shop is as good as visiting an art museum, better actually because you can take the stuff home if you’ve got the cash.
I’m not the best photographer, but I took some pictures to share anyway.
While the Net was Sleeping…
Too many Sandra Bullock allusions for one heading? I think so, but I don’t feel like Starting from Scratch. Heehee, see what happens when I go without my internet for 3 whole days. The cheesy humor that only I find funny gets out of control. And this post isn’t even about Sandra Bullock.
It’s about the fact that my internet was down for 3 days and in that time the Kiddo and I went on a bit of a young adult binge. If you follow my blog, or my life, you know we read a lot of picture books. This last weekend, however, we just couldn’t help ourselves. After finishing Pippi Longstockings, the kiddo seemed more and more interested in sitting through me reading chapter books, and there were two in particular calling my name.
The Magician’s Elephant
With The Magician’s Elephant I was moved first by all the deep blue hues. Rich blues and grays give the impression of a romantic gloom I find fascinating. Of course, after it was off the shelf and in my hands, the elephant sealed the deal. I adore elephants and half our lives consists of elephant art and books with elephants on the covers.
The fonts, the illustrations, the beautiful fairy tale… what is not to like about this wonderful book? Everyone should have a copy of Kate DiCamillo’s tale of family and keeping promises. It makes for a great Thanksgiving and Christmas season read, and I highly recommend sharing it with your children by the fire.
Kate DiCamillo is famous for Because of Winn Dixie, The Tale of Despereaux, and countless others. She has made quite a name for herself in the book-world as a trustworthy storyteller, but this is the first I’ve actually read of her work, and what a testament it was! My two year old sat through the whole book in one morning.
Of course, author Kate DiCamillo can’t take credit for the art, that is the fine work of Yoko Tanaka. She has quite a bit of published work and still manages to stay in the non-book art scene at galleries and group shows and such, according to her online bio which is actually more of a resume. I’m excited about keeping track of her future ventures as well, because I’ve really fallen in love with what she did for The Magician’s Elephant.
Tony DiTerlizzi became a part of our lives when I first grabbed a copy of The Spider and the Fly picture book. Of course, I was familiar with the dark tale, but DiTerlizzi’s art really sucked me in. It was not until later that I discovered he was the same DiTerlizzi who wrote and illustrated The Spiderwick Chronicles. What a clever, talented man! Where I previously lamented over whether the kiddo was ready for such a gothic tale as Spider and the Fly, Kenny & the Dragon is a story of friendship and book-love for any age. Again, everyone needs a copy. We will probably re-read this in the Spring or Summer.
Side note: I totally want a bicycle like Kenny’s, it’s so cool.
How I Waste My Time
I am supposed to be reading The Old Curiosity Shop
Unrecounted
The Lit Report
The Lit Report is something I wouldn’t mind re-reading with the kiddo when she is older and we can discuss the thoughts and opinions of the girls, their actions, and the actions of their parents. It has valid and necessary topics to discuss: the cruel dogmatic ways of some people who call themselves ‘Christians’ and how they influence the public’s view on what being a Christian means, sexual activity as a teenager, and of course how literature can be a part of your daily life. It is important to see what someone who ‘walks the walk’ looks like in comparison to somewhat who has hardened their heart and spouts biblical references at people out of context. It is important to know where you stand as a sexual being and what your expectations and standards are, and finally, how your decisions affect those around you. The novel really makes you stop to think what the author’s own life experiences with so-called Christians have been.
As for The Old Curiosity Shop, I am a few chapters in and it waits patiently for me on my night stand. Maybe tonight will be the night… or, maybe I’ll find myself wasting more time.
Mr. Turtle and His Tree
An Original Children’s Story by A.K. Klemm
There once was a turtle at the bottom of a hill.
He lived under a tree, where the air stood so still.
One day he looked to the top of that mound,
dreaming of what treasure could possibly be found.
Mr. Turtle started a journey to the top of that hill,
where he saw greener pastures and heard birdies trill.
Their song was so beautiful, every little note.
Mr. Turtle joined in, singing cheerily by rote.
Mr. Turtle was right about the hill and its treasure.
He discovered
a wealth that no one could measure:
the songs of the birds and the music of sound
and he longed to show Tree of the beauty he’d found.
So he talked to the birds and asked them to bring
the breeze and the music by the strength of their wings.
Political Statements in Art
Title: Animal Farm
Author: George Orwell (real name: Eric Blair)
Length: 80 pages
“Political Statements in Art” sounds a little scary, intimidating. I grow weary of political statements. But I am a reader, and among the list of most amazing authors of all time, though, great activists can be found. Ayn Rand
Although I had a general understanding of the novella, and the statement it was going to make, I was surprised when the animals all had real names. Silly, I know, I just hadn’t expected that. Not that I expected them to be called pig, horse, or dog, it was just one of those things I hadn’t thought to think about prior to reading the book. Of course, I should have anticipated nothing less from Orwell, after all, the man was a genius. In good literary form, Napoleon represents a villain, Boxer is strong, Snowball is the opposite of Napoleon, Squealer is the epitome of propaganda, and Mr. Jones is a typical neighbor you might love to hate – the human. It is allegory at its finest.
Yet, I pretty much hated it. How did this happen? I adore Orwell! I do, I really do. I just could not get into the anthropomorphism. When I read animals personified to represent people, I find I don’t want them to be JUST like people. I want my fuzzy mole to be a fuzzy mole who talks (Wind in the Willows), I want my mice to still live under floor boards and not have day jobs, even if they cook and clean (TumTum and Nutmeg), and so on. Obviously, Orwell’s intent was for us to see ourselves as we are, “The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which,” along with the dangers of communism and totalitarianism.
But who wants to be reminded of that?
Just kidding. Truly, I see the merits of Animal Farm, and at another time I just may enjoy it. But today, right now, this moment… I did not. Still, I love Orwell. I (usually) love to read his work, and (always) aspire to be more like him. In Why I Write, he said:
“From a very early age, perhaps the age of five or six, I knew that when I grew up I should be a writer. Between the ages of about seventeen and twenty-four I tried to abandon this idea, but I did so with the consciousness that I was outraging my true nature and that sooner or later I should have to settle down and write books.”
Nothing speaks to me more. I have been journaling, writing stories, and using the written word as my own catharsis my whole life, since before I could do much more than copy letters. Perhaps I will never be the caliber of writer I’d like, but always and forever I shall write. So because I write, also shall I read.
Weekly Low Down on Kids Books 7/25/12
Title: But Who Will Bell the Cats?
Author: Cynthia Von Buhler
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
In 2009, I distinctly remember coming across an ad for this book (maybe from my days of stalking shelfari for hours on end). I sat clicking though the website (click book cover and it will take you there) thinking it was so cool and eerie. Finally, this year – this month actually – I had the pleasure of reading But Who Will Bell the Cats? to my kiddo. It is so wonderful.
Based on an Aesop’s Fable, But Who Will Bell the Cats? follows the adventures of a mouse and bat as they try to get bells around the necks of the royal princess’s eight cats. If they could hear the cats approaching, there would be more freedoms and amenities available to them around the palace, they would no longer be confined to the cellar in fear.
The story is a lovely twist on a classic dilemma with beautiful and riveting images not limited by your typical 2D art. Von Buhler has made real sets for paper dolls and photographed them, making the art fascinating, unique, and a little bit intense:
In addition to having written this story, I was also the painter, sculptor, interior decorator, mason, gardener, and plumber of the sets. The rooms were built by hand from wood. The stone walls were formed from plaster. The floors are handmade from inlaid wood, mother-of-pearl, and plaster. The characters were painted in oils on gessoed paper, then cut out and placed in the sets. I photographed the scenes with a Nikon D300.
– Cynthia Von Buhler
(Browse through each part of the castle/book and how it was made: http://butwhowillbellthecats.blogspot.com/2008/06/portraits.html)
We love it, and it is a great story to read right before nap time (due to the length on each page, you really need a settled kiddo to hold their attention if they are under two). For older kids, the website offers all sorts of activities and games to tie into the book, including printable paper dolls, like the ones used to make the book! Visit: http://butwhowillbellthecats.com/lookinside.html
Title: The Wishing Star
Author: M. Christina Butler
Illustrator: Frank Endersby
Publisher: Little Tiger Press
Today at the story time at Half Price Books in Humble, a little girl picked this title out for me to read. We all enjoyed it so much, her mother bought it before leaving the store.
Endersby’s art work is so lovely and eye-catching. Reminiscent of the Rainbow Fish
Together, they created magic.
Book Love Art – Honoring Styron’s Quote
“A good book should leave you….slightly exhausted at the end. You live several lives while reading it.” – William Styron
I love a fantastic book, I love a fantastic quote, but I also love the way people choose to honor their favorites with their art. If you know the original artists of any of the pieces I include, please comment and let me know who they are, its been a tough time finding their names in the land of cyberspace. Along the same vein, Styron is sometimes quoted as saying ” a good book” and “a great book.” Which is it?
Visit: http://thelensoflife.blogspot.com/2012/04/quotes-of-bookmarks.html
The Ravenous Beast
Title: The Ravenous Beast
Author: Niamh Sharkey
Publisher: Walker Books
Genre: Board Book
I originally bought The Ravenous Beast for the color scheme (its cover is purple, turquoise, and an orangy- yellow) and illustrations. And the fact that Ayla fell in love with it in the bookstore. That was a while back, and now our once new board book is chaffed, worn, and has a cracked spine. Sharkey’s book has become one of her favorites. It gets read at the table during lunch (my favorite time to read it), at night before bed from time to time, and every once in a while I read it at Half Price Books’ story time while the kids chow down on crackers.
If you make sure to do all the different voices and include the exclamation marks while reading, the book is always well received by children, despite the slightly disturbing end where The Ravenous Beast eats ALL the other characters. I suppose the disturbing factor is lost on kids anyway because they all think its the funniest thing ever. Truth be told, it is rather funny. The whale is my personal favorite, but Ayla prefers the cat and the crocodile.
Sharkey is a well-known and accomplished children’s illustrator, not only does she write and illustrate popular children’s books like The Ravenous Beast, she is the Children’s Laureate of Ireland and is now collaborating with Brown Bag Films and Disney to create a show based on her book I’m A Happy Hugglewug. Learn more about her and all her ventures on her blog: http://niamhsharkey.blogspot.com
Goodbye Mr. Sendak
Photograph by Astrid Christie
I would be remiss as a blogger, book lover, mother, former child, dreamer, and all around human being if I didn’t post something about Maurice Sendak upon his passing. Most famous for Where The Wild Things Are
Sendak made it to a whopping 83 and his life will be celebrated by a posthumous publication of his most current work called “My Brother’s Book” which he wrote in honor of his late brother. How fitting and beautiful that it will be his last new publication, and that he too will be gone for it.
Maurice Bernard Sendak was born June 10, 1928 and died May 8, 2012. For a proper ode to his entire life work, please read the New York Times article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/09/books/maurice-sendak-childrens-author-dies-at-83.html?pagewanted=all
Anakalian Whims 