Sunday, October 30, 2011

Fairy Tale Haiku -- 17

In time for Hallowe'en, a truly spooky fairy tale:


The Necklace of Princess Fioremonde

Beautiful princess,
Evil heart. Suitor princes
Form her witch necklace

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Book 87

Guess How Much I Love You, by Sam McBratney, illustrated by Anita Jeram, Walker Book 1994

I remember one of my co-workers raving about how much her two little girls loved this book -- those "little girls" are now in their twenties. I wonder if they still love this book.

This was another book that I put in my son's Easter basket this years. Since then, whenever anyone says "I love you" to him, he's been adding "so much". It is irresistibly cute. The last line of this book is also irresistible. Seriously, if anyone told me he loved me "right up to the moon -- and back", I'd be tempted to run away with him.

"Little Nutbrown Hare" and "Big Nutbrown Hare" trip me up with every reading, and, besides my son thinks that "hare" is what is on his head, so he gets confused. He does, however, know what a rabbit is. He thinks the adorably quirky illustrations are rabbits, so that works.


*For other reviews, please see my blog Books I Buy and Why

Monday, October 24, 2011

Fairy Tale Haiku -- 16

A little late and not strictly a fairy tale, but still one of my favorite stories:


Many Moons

Princess and Jester:
Wiser than the wise. They know
Secrets of the moons

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Book 86

BANANA! by Ed Vere, Puffin Book 2007

One of my friends, Louise, recommended this book in her review blog (Louise's Blog). It sounded interesting, and, since our local library did not have a copy, I ordered it.

The first thing I noticed about the book was how similar the author's name was to the name of the man who may have written Shakespeare's plays (Edward DeVere) -- and now a movie is coming out about him (DeVere, not Vere). That little bit of trivia has nothing to do with this book.

Two words are all that are employed in this book. One, of course, being "banana"; the second being the magic word. So this is a very simple book: My son can read it.

The illustration is knock-out; almost literally as the color is so intense that it nearly jumps off the page. My son loves the stunning background colors and the exaggerated expressions of the monkeys. He has no trouble following the spirit of this story.

All in all, I am so glad my friend found this little gem for me.


*For other reviews, please see my blog Books I Buy and Why

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Fairy Tale Haiku -- 15

Sleeping Beauty

Hundred years of sleep --
Sure, she’s beautiful. Dear Prince,
Don’t you think she’s old?

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Book 85

The House At Pooh Corner, written by A. A. Milne, with decoration by Ernest H. Shepard, 1928 E. P. Dutton

My little boy has turned his affection to the Pooh cast of characters. He still has to have both Hop-Hops to sleep at night, but quite often there is a Pooh Bear or Piglet or both in that same bed. Eeyore waits for Thomas in the back seat of our car. He is still looking for his tail. And right now Tigger is perched atop the tea trolley in the kitchen, just ready to bounce into action. So buying the second Pooh book for that little boy was a pretty sure bet. The tales contained within are every bit as charming as those in the first.

Once again the beautiful work of E. H. Shepard graces the pages of the book. Only this time, those lovely pen and ink illustrations have been tinted, so they virtually pop off the pages they grace.


*For other reviews, please see my blog Books I Buy and Why

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Fairy Tale Haiku -- 14

Lame Prince and Travelling Cloak

Stuff-and-Nonsense brings
World to lame, imprisoned prince --
Then the crown -- What lark!


This is another Victorian Fairy Tale. Can you guess what I've been reading? :)