“There was once a boy named Milo who didn’t know what to do with himself – not just sometimes, but always.” So begins The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster. As I was perusing various book recommendation lists for Simon’s book boxes, this one came up as a classic for boys his age. I had never… Continue reading “The Phantom Tollbooth” Review
“After wicked King Vortigern had first invited the Saxons to settle in Britain and help him to fight the Picts and Scots, the land was never long at peace.” So begins King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table by Roger Lancelyn Green. Green, who has written into narrative many famous myths and legends… Continue reading “King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table” Review
“Hey Tom! Where were you last night?” So begins How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell. This is a classic that I don’t think I read as a kid, though I do have a memory of a cartoon movie based on the book. This memory (oh, how time distorts our precious recollections!) left me… Continue reading “How to Eat Fried Worms” Review
“I woke up on the worst day of my entire life fully expecting it to be the best day of my entire life.” So begins Almost Super by Marion Jensen (and it’s a pretty great first line). Last year, for Ivy’s birthday, we decided to make a series of “book boxes” as her gift. Much… Continue reading “Almost Super” Review
I don’t like The Magic Treehouse series. There. I said it. I’m assuming that there are millions – literally, millions – of parents out there who feel differently. There must be. How else could Mary Pope Osborne have published approximately 2,469,698 titles? How else could they sell so well? How else could they occupy entire… Continue reading “The Imagination Station” – a Series Review
“It began with the day when it was almost the Fifth of November, and a doubt arose in some breast – Robert’s, I fancy – as to the quality of the fireworks laid in for the Guy Fawkes celebration.” So begins The Phoenix and the Carpet by Edith Nesbit. Never heard of her? Neither had… Continue reading “The Phoenix and the Carpet” Review
“My Dad always told me, “Never surprise somebody swinging a hammer; something is liable to get smashed.” So begins The Unicorn in the Barn by Jacqueline K. Ogburn. Not sure where I first came across this as a “recommended book,” but it seemed likely to appeal to Ivy and I suggested it as a gift… Continue reading “The Unicorn in the Barn” Review
King Richard the First, Richard Coeur de Lion, came to the throne in 1189 – and very soon left his throne empty when he set off on the Crusade to free Jerusalem from the Saracens. So begins The Adventures of Robin Hood by Roger Lancelyn Green. This is a book I recently taught in my fifth grade literature class. It… Continue reading “The Adventures of Robin Hood” Review
This is another sly opportunity to get my kids to a) practice their writing and b) help add to my blog all while talking about something they love: reading! This guest post is from my son, 7 year old Simon. He did great! “Why does it have to rain?” Josh asked as he and his… Continue reading “A to Z Mysteries: April Fools’ Fiasco” Guest Review
My first guest post! Appropriately, it’s written by my 9 year old daughter who has turned into quite the reader. Here’s her take on a book she recently finished (with a few notes by me at the end). “Dakota – Cody – Jones had just finished creating a puzzle for the Code Busters Club to… Continue reading “The Code Busters Club Case 1: The Secret of the Skeleton Key” Guest Review
