Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie

Illustrated by Elisa Trimby (c1986)

C1929

Puffin Books

London

Image source: http://images.contentreserve.com/ImageType-100/0887-1/%7B354F9796-F718-41C5-A505-F8145722A6F1%7DImg100.jpg

Oh! The heart-ache of growing up! Of looking back at the things you can no longer partake in, or even understand. Similarly to the memories of an old love, the memories of childhood fade, replaced by only a dull yearning for something unexplainable.

J.M. Barrie writes in the sweet fond way of a truly talented author for children: one reluctant foot in adulthood, the rest of the body and soul in youth. His story, Peter Pan, tells of the now well-loved fairy tale (thanks to Disney and the British stage) of a charmingly self-centered boy who steadfastly refuses to grow up, but still yearns for the comforts of a mother. Readers beware; the story is filled with both antiquated language and ideas. These include sexism, racism, and--dare I say it--ageism to boot. These make the book more appropriate for the older independent reader, or to the read aloud medium (with plenty of explanations!) for a younger child. Ages 10 and up. *****

The boy who was raised by librarians by Carla Morris

Illustrated by Brad Sneed

Picture Book

2007

Peachtree Publishers

Atlanta

Image source: http://blaine.org/jules/raised%20by%20librarians.jpg

“They couldn’t help it. That’s how librarians are.” This is the oft-repeated observation of Melvin, a gifted, curious, and somewhat gawky boy who all but lives at the Livingston Library branch. Spending most of his time with three eccentric (but lovable) children’s reference librarians, it is through their company that his insatiable desire to learn is fueled and ultimately, his career choice decided. While the delight in all things library gets a little heavy even to me, the most enthusiastic of library students, the dynamic illustrations and the way the story forms a nice tidy circle makes the book an enjoyable enough read. Best for school aged children. ***

I love you like crazy cakes by Rose Lewis

Illustrated by Jane Dyer

Picture Book

2000

Little, Brown and Company

Boston

Image source: http://www.childbook.com/v/vspfiles/photos/E0268-2T.jpg
Rose Lewis and Jane Dyer, both residents of Massachusetts, join their story-telling skills together to make the most beautiful book about international adoption that I have ever seen. The story follows a mother to China, where she adopts a new baby daughter, and effectively captures the beauty and wonder a truly treasured child brings to life. A strong bond between new mother and new daughter develops over the pages of softly stunning watercolours and the simple pretty prose. Ages 3-8. *****

Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi

Illustrated by Gioia Fiammenghi

Translated by E. Harden

First published in Italy 1882

Published by Puffin books 1974

The original version of Pinocchio, which has been much changed in its countless retelling. Pinocchio, a puppet carved from an enchanted log of cherry wood, learns the lessons of growing up (but being a bit of a block head it does take him longer than most). Luckily for him, he has some very forgiving and magical guardians to help him along the way. True to all original fairy tales, this tale is chock-full of moral advice and grime punishments for not following it. The story, however, is told with so much humour, and whimisical adventuring that you are sorry when Pinocchio finally becomes a real boy. Ages 8 and up. *****

Philip Hall likes me. I reckon maybe. By Bette Greene

Illustrations by Charles Lilly

C1974

Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, Inc.

New York

Beth Lambert has a problem--she happens to be the best at everything that she puts her mind to. This means that she is even better than Philip Hall (the cutest boy that she knows). How will Philip Hall feel about her when her competitive and undeniably talented spirit drives her to win out against him again and again?

A well told and engaging story that follows Beth Lambert’s many adventures growing up as a poor but motivated young farmer’s daughter. Greene’s loose and fast prose, wit, and inclusion of the easy language and ambiance of rural Arkansas makes the reasoning behind this book being awarded a Newbery Honor clear. Ages 9 and up. ****

Outside Over There by Maurice Sendak

C1981

Harper & Row, Publishers

Printed in the USA

Picture book, full colour illustrations throughout

A heavy-handed cautionary tale of how children can be punished for not doing what they are instructed. Young Ida is given the task of watching her infant sibling by a grieving mother and an absent (though strangely omnipresent) father. Illustrations, while well executed, are extremely frightening and disturbing. They have the effect of toy dolls set up to act out human situations, complete with lolling eyes and awkward stasis. The story is no better, the word flow jagged and uncomfortable to read. Would only recommend to an older child who has a penchant for Grimm fairy tales or the absurd, and for that child this book would be a gem. ***

Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook by Barbara Park

Illustrated by Denise Brunkins

A stepping stone book

Random House

New York

C1997

67 pages

Black and white illustrations throughout

An excellent early chapter book for the young reader. Junie B. Jones is like a modern version of Blume’s Ramona: spunky, realistic, and incredibly likeable. In this tale, she
shows off her new furry mittens to her classmates, but it turns out she is not the only one who is taken by them. Cute and earnest illustrations combined with good humour and kid logic makes it a fun book for the beginning reader. But be warned, Junie B. Jones has not properly learned all of her grammar lessons yet! Ages 5-9. ****

The Illustrated Mum by Jacqueline Wilson

Illustrated by Nick Sharratt

C1999

Corgi Books (published by random house children’s books)

Denmark

Narrated in the first person, this captivating and sympathetic ten year old (with the unfortunate name Dolphin) tells of the trials that come with living with her single mother who suffers from manic-depressive disorder. The story follows Dolphin on her discovery that her colourful and eccentric family unit is on the brink of collapse. Her older and more vivacious sister meets her real father and gets swept away by his glamourous lifestyle, leaving Dolphin to cope with her mother Marigold just as she approaches one of her notoriously scary spells. Dolphin finds strength by forming a friendship with another outcast in school who shows her that she is not always second best, that her first impressions of people can be wrong, and that expectations of what a family should be do not always need to be met. The story is fast-paced and emotional, yet told with humour and self-awareness. Perfect for a mature 9 and up. *****

The Barn by AVI

Avon Books

C1994

New York

106 pages

Benjamin is deemed to be special and different from his poor farming family. He is sent away to school, on funds the family can barely afford. This schooling is curtailed when his father suffers a devastating stroke. Benjamin is determined to make his father better again, as well as prove himself as one of the family, and is convinced that building a barn is the solution to both problems. While the plot is strong of this coming of age novel is strong, there was something lacking in the telling of the story making it a little unbelievable. Best for ages 8 and up. ***

To Dance: A Ballerina’s Graphic Novel

Art by Mark Siegal

A Richard Jackson Book

Atheneum Books for Young Readers

New York

C2006

The creative team of husband and wife compliment each other’s talents remarkably in this outstanding book. Her simply worded prose is given life by his whimsical watercolours and play with shadows, lighting and colour. The story is propelled by its details; ribbons capturing the forward movement of a young girl’s life. These details poignantly pair pretty dance steps with the inevitable messiness of life such as divorce, death, and disappointment. This book demonstrates one way to capture peace and contentment— through passion. Beautifully told, beautifully drawn, and beautifully coloured, To Dance is book that you do not just read, but experience. For ages 8 and up. *****

Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater

Illustrated by Robert Lawson

Copyright 1938

Little Brown and Company

136 pages

Black and white illustrations throughout

Albeit old fashioned in its depiction of gender and familial roles, this delightful tale of a whimsical painter who yearns for artic adventure is a classic for good reason. Mr. Popper and his family find themselves with a dozen precocious penguins as their wards. However, the family struggle through the lean winter months on their own, let alone with the addition of pets with expensive eating habits. The family finds that the penguins are not just entertaining to them, and discover their endearing and jovial behavior could bring them quite an income, but the cost to the penguins might be too dear. Ideal for 8 and up. ****

The Giver by Lois Lowry

Doubleday Dell Publishing Group Inc.

New York

1993

180 pages

A perfect introduction to utopia/dystopia literature. Well written, with accessible, yet terse dialogue. At first the society presented seems reasonable and hopeful--a place without struggle and without chaos. Everyone is taken care of, and all needs are anticipated and meet. But as Jonas’ training as the new receiver progresses, he learns what his society has sacrificed. These sacrifices include the capability to make mistakes and then learn from them, the chance to experience beauty, as well as the ability to understand love. His new knowledge makes him make a choice to run away from everything in search of something perhaps less perfect, but more humane. Best for ages 10 and up. *****