Best Books of 2017

December 30, 2017 admin 0

  At best, writing about books is subjective. My favorite book of the year could very well be the one you liked least. And, certainly, vice-versa. So why do we do it? Because people love lists and collections and personal connections. And so here we are. And why not?   [masterslider alias=”ms-159-1-1″]

Drawing Conclusions

June 19, 2017 admin 0

It will be interesting to see what Sony Pictures does with The Day the Crayons Quit (Philomel Books), a children’s picture book that has spent 200 weeks on the New York Times Bestseller list. From Deadline Hollywood: The book follows a box of crayons whose inhabitants go on strike against their young owner after growing sick of how they’re being used, as their individual colors dictate very limited day-to-day existences for each crayon. There is […]

Children’s Books: You Can Read  by Helaine Becker

May 6, 2017 admin 0

There is little room for debate: the celebration and appreciation of literature must begin early to hold the most meaning and make the largest impact. You Can Read (Orca Books), written by Helaine Becker and illustrated by Mark Hoffmann, is an on-the-nose introduction to the joys of books and reading, a joyous and lighthearted romp illustrating the transformative power of the reading experience. That’s actually an awful lot of syllables to describe a book with […]

Doctor Dolittle Heads Back to Big Screen

March 21, 2017 admin 0

Generations of children have loved the story of a doctor who talks to animals, from the time that Hugh Lofting first started writing the Doctor Dolittle series from the trenches of the First World War in 1914-1918, when real news was too horrifying. The first book, The Story of Doctor Dolittle: Being the History of His Peculiar Life at Home and Astonishing Adventures in Foreign Parts Never Before Printed, was published in 1920. His follow […]

Paramount Dumps The Little Prince

March 24, 2016 admin 0

It was never called “The Little Lost Prince,” but that’s how things were looking last week when Paramount dropped its distribution deal for the animated version of Antoine Saint-Exupery’s The Little Prince, mere days before the animated film’s scheduled US theatrical release. Fortunately, a knight in shining armor was on the way to save the day in the shape of global home television content provider, Netflix. From Deadline Hollywood: The move at least assures U.S. [audiences] […]

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Fiction for Children: The Family With Two Front Doors  by Anna Ciddor

March 23, 2016 Sue Bursztynski 2

The place is Lublin in Poland, the time the 1920s. The large, joyous Rabinovitch family, based on the family of the author’s grandmother, have to spread out across two first floor apartments because there are nine children and Papa is a rabbi, who needs an office where he can advise members of the community who come to him for help: hence the two front doors. The entire novel is centred around preparations for the wedding […]

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Children’s Fiction: Theophilus Grey And the Demon Thief  by Catherine Jinks

November 18, 2015 Sue Bursztynski 0

In Catherine Jinks’ latest novel, Theophilus Grey and the Demon Thief (Allen and Unwin), 12-year-old Theophilus Grey, known as Philo, is the leader of a team of link boys. In 18th century London, theirs is a necessary job, escorting clients home late at night by torchlight. There is rivalry between them and the newer lamp lighters, but they still have plenty of work. Philo and his crew work for a former law clerk, Garnet Hooke, who […]

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Hunter’s Moon  by Sophie Masson

November 15, 2015 Sue Bursztynski 0

Bianca Dalmatin wants for nothing. As the heir to a department store empire and stepdaughter of the beautiful Lady Belladonna, the only thing Bianca longs for is a friend. It seems that her wish is granted at the Duke’s Presentation Ball when she meets the handsome, mysterious Lucian Montresor. But after the Mirror newspaper names Bianca as Lepmest’s new Fairest Lady, the true nature of her stepmother is revealed. Belladonna tells Bianca the shocking news […]

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Cornelia Funke Takes Ball, Goes Home

September 20, 2015 admin 0

When Cornelia Funke’s UK and US editors recently asked her to move the first chapter of The Golden Yarn, her newest work, deeper into the book, Funke put her foot down. She decided to part company with her long-time publisher Little Brown & Company and start her own publishing house. From Publishers Weekly: The opening chapter describes a dark faerie watching a princess give birth. “It’s about love,” says Funke, from her Beverly Hills home. […]

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Children’s Books: Fuzzy Mud  by Louis Sachar

September 1, 2015 Sue Bursztynski 0

Tamaya and Marshall, walk to and from school together. They aren’t supposed to walk through the woods, but the bully, Chad, is waiting for Marshall. On their walk, they encounter not only Chad, but something completely unexpected that could wipe out the world. And their community could be first. I’ve only read three novels by Louis Sachar, including this one. The first was the wonderful Holes, which I believe to be his masterpiece, the book […]