Diggin Up Them Holes

Holes
By Louis Sachar
Published by Yearling Books
ISBN: 9990833087
Rating: 10/10

I seem to be getting a lot of good ones lately, but here is another great example of realistic fiction: Holes. It tells the story of a boy who gets in trouble for something he didn't even do and has to go to a disciplinary camp and dig holes. There is the subject of curses when a promise is broken and crazy characters, but still is something that can happen.

It teaches children to stick to their word and always be honest. The good guys win in the end because they fix the broken promise from the past. Older children should definitely read this book and check out the Disney movie!

Anyone Can Be a Princess

A Little Princess
By Frances Hodgson Burnett
Illustrated by Graham Rust
Published by David R. Godine
Rating: 10/10

This story has always meant so much to me. I remember reading it as a child and watching the movie. Laughing, crying, and thinking that I myself too could be a little princess, too. It's about young girl who goes off to boarding school when her wealthy father has to go to war. She is unfairly judged by the headmistress because of her wealth and when new arrives that her father has "died" in battle she becomes a pauper and the maid to the boarding school. The story tells the journey of this kind and bright spirited girl who does not give up on her dreams and finding if her father really is alive.

Though this book is rather lengthy, I think it is a realistic fictional book that older children definitely should read. She is not technically a "princess" her actions and how kind she is- especially when she was poor and suffering. It shows good morals and the possibility that anything can happen.

A Disney Favorite

Sleeping Beauty
Adapted by Michael Teitelbaum
Illustrated by Ron Dias
Published by Golden Books
ISBN: 978-0-7364-2198-0
Rating: 10/10

Although there are many different adaptations, this version of Sleeping Beauty is the one I have always known. Aurora was born, Maleficent cast a curse on her, and she and her castle shall sleep for one hundred years until she is awoken by true love's kiss. She eventually gets rescued by Prince Phillip and lives happily ever after.

This is the Disney version so not much surprise with the illustrations or content. However that does not make it a bad read. It is quick, simple, and a perfect way to tell children the story of Sleeping Beauty.

Scupting Rapunzel

The Fairy-Tale Princess: Seven Classic Stories from the Enchanted Forest
Rapunzel
Retold by Wendy Jones
Illustrations by Su Blackwell
Published by Thames and Hudson
ISBN: 978-0-500-65006-6
Rating: 7/10

This retelling of the beloved fairy-tale Rapunzel was different than other versions I had seen/read. It starts off the same with the witch taking Rapunzel away from her parents and locking her in a tower where a Prince visits her daily. However, I was a little thrown off when after the witch discovered this, she chopped off Rapunzel's hair and left her to die in the woods. Thank goodness after the Prince was injured by the witch he founded Rapunzel he was cured and they lived happily ever after at his kingdom. I was disappointed that she never went back to her own though.


I would recommend this version not necessarily for its content, but for the unique illustrations by Su Blackwell. Instead of regular painting or cartoon like images, Blackwell used paper sculptures to tell go along with the story. It is such an interesting and original way to display this well-known fairy-tale that I think would children would really be fascinated by.

Thumbs Up for Thumbelina

Thumbelina 
Retold by Brian Alderson
Illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline
Published by Candlewick Press
ISBN:978-0-7636-2079-0
Rating: 9/10

I was not too familar with the classic fairytale Thumbelina, so I opened the book with a fresh slate. Thumbelia came from a flower and was taken care of by a woman who could not have children. Because of her beauty and size, she is kidnapped by various creatures- toads, maybugs, mice, and a mole. She cared for a sick sparrow and in the end got rescued by it to be united with crystal fairies just like herself.

The story was simple, charming, and had beautiful detailed illustrations. For someone looking for a good version of this tale, Nat definitely recommends this one.

Running Away Comes to Life

The Runaway Bunny
by Margaret Wise Brown
Illustrated by Clement Hurd
Published by HarperFestival
ISBN: 987-0-694-01671-6
Rating 10/10

I still remember my mother reading this book before bedtime. I still own the oversize-book to this day.  It is a hold-hold classic in my opinion. The cute little bunny wants to try his own sense of independence and he does so by running away. However his mother counters each of his arguments by saying she will follow where him wherever he goes. So, he decides to stay!

The illustrations switch from sketchily-drawn and black and white when with the text, but then magnificently come to life with bright radiant colors. Those pages tell the story so well I understand Brown did not include any words on those pages. Beautifully drawn, beautifully painted images, and beautiful story. A+

Fine By the End of the Day

One Fine Day
By Nonny Hogrogian
Published by Aladdin Paperbacks
ISBN: 0-606-01196-X
Rating: 6/10

One Fine Day was not as "fine" as I expected it to be. I was immediately enticed by the warm colors and adorable fox on the cover, but as I kept reading I felt myself starting to get just as discouraged the fox. The fox found himself very thirsty after an adventure through the woods, and drank some milk he saw as he came out. Turns out the milk belonged to an old who then-in my opinion- aggressively chopped off his tail. In order to get his tail back, he had to get replacement milk which took him on a long discouraging journey bargaining with others. By the end of the story with the help of a nice old man, the fox accomplished his mission. So lesson learned: do not steal boys and girls.

The illustrations were what originally attracted me to the book. They looks as those someone freshly painted then on the pages. One can see the brush strokes in every character and background scenery. The images are simply and not super realistic, but that is what I like about it. I think children would enjoy looking at the pictures themselves thinking- "Hey! I can paint something like that!"

I did judge this book by its cover and even though it wasn't what I initially expected, it had a good moral lesson and beautiful pictures.