Book 421

Starry Messenger, by Peter Sis, Frances Foster Books, 1996.

First of all, this book is gorgeous.  Amazingly and staggeringly and phenomenally gorgeous. 

The story itself is a great introduction to the history of astronomy for early grade school children.  There is not a happy ending, because Galileo's story did not have a happy ending, but I like honesty in children's literature. 

Overall, I thought this book was VERY well done.  I was not surprised to see Frances Foster's name associated with it.

Book 420

Dear Mili, by Wilhelm Grimm, illustrated by Maurice Sendak, 1957.

This is an absolutely gorgeous rendering of a little-known fairy tale.  The beautifully lush illustrations pay homage to William Morris and the Arts and Crafts movement, and yet are unmistakably Maurice Sendak. 

The story itself is wonderfully told.  Does it end happily?  Um, no.  It's Grimm.  ;)

Book 419

The Thin Man, by Dashiell Hammett, 1934.

The Thin Man is NOT Nick Charles (or William Powell).  The Thin Man in the book is the missing professor, who apparently was terribly thin.  The movies, however, were perfectly cast with William Powell and the incomparable Myrna Loy.

This was Hammett's last completed novel, and the first that he infuses with snappy, bantering humor.  Nora Charles was supposed to have been based on Lillian Hellman, who, while not my favorite writer, must have been quite witty.  This book is also an ode to alcohol -- whatever the question, alcohol is the answer.

It IS a pretty good mystery novel, but the mystery part does take a back seat.

Thomas' Third 123rd Story

1.          123.     Once upon a time, there was a moon.  A tree caught the moon.  The tree wrapped the moon.  The tree wrapped the moon up tight in its branches with no leaves.  The moon was caught, like a jacket in the branches.  The moon shook off its jacket, and disappeared to become a new moon.

The End.

Thomas' Third 122nd Story

1.          122.     Once upon a time, there were rabbit in the garden.  The rabbits were eating the food in the garden.  The rabbits ate the spinach, the lettuce and the strawberries.  Strawberries are good for rabbits’ blood pressure.

The End.

Thomas' Third 121st Story

1.          121.     Once upon a time, there was a Hey! Diddle Diddle moon.  The Hey! Diddle Diddle moon was holding rattles – two red rattles.  The moon was shaking the rattles and making strange faces.  It was very scary.  It was so scary that Thomas woke up.  And it was almost three o’clock.  Thomas had to stay awake so that the moon wouldn’t come back.

The End.

Thomas' Third 120th Story

1.          120.     Once upon a time, there was a dark morning.  And there was a star in the sky on the dark morning.  You don’t have to catch the dark morning star to make a wish.  You just blow it a kiss and wish.

The End.