SUMMARY: Curious George just can’t stay out of trouble, and this time it happens at a chocolate factory. As the Man in the Yellow Hat is purchasing hiSUMMARY: Curious George just can’t stay out of trouble, and this time it happens at a chocolate factory. As the Man in the Yellow Hat is purchasing his favorite chocolates, George is curious about what is happening on the other side of the observation window. Finding a door, Curious George ends up on the production floor of the chocolate factory. He observes the candies coming out of a machine on a conveyor belt and wants to see inside. Climbing up on the machine he steps on a lever that speeds the machine up and causes chocolate to go everywhere. But George is quick and helps to correct his mess while enjoying eating some of the banana cream chocolates at the same time.
This title is a good pairing with CHOCOLATE FROM START TO FINISH (Made in the U.S.A) / by Samuel G. Woods, which shows a real chocolate factory in action.
Page 10 shows the unique designs that the manufacturer uses to identify which chocolates are which. Either a physical attribute or a unique design indicates to the person what is inside so they can find the ones they like without having to bite into them. Some boxes will have a chart printed on the outside of the box while others may have them on the inside of the lid. The designs may differ from company to company.
The pictures also show the complexity of the machines that are needed to make chocolates. Pair with the title CHOCOLATE (FROM FARM TO YOU) / by Carol Jones which has more details about each machine and what it does.
Also shows that eating lots of candy can produce a stomach ache -- which causes George not to want the free candy he was offered. Becoming sick from eating too much of something will cause us not to enjoy so much next time.
This title has been added to my book LEARNING WITH CHOCOLATE (Homeschooling Curriculum for the whole family) It is featured in the beginner reader sections under Business/Factories as well as Art section.
NOTE: My edition of this book did not include the bonus activities which was included in another edition of this title....more
I debated rather to include this title in LEARNING WITH CHOCOLATE: A Homeschool Curriculum for the Whole Family. It was a haunting tale that stayed wiI debated rather to include this title in LEARNING WITH CHOCOLATE: A Homeschool Curriculum for the Whole Family. It was a haunting tale that stayed with me and I would only recommend it to a more mature reader and then allow for discussion afterwards. The life on a cacao plantation is very brutal, dismal, and depressing but also a subject that needs more of a spotlight. This story takes place in our modern world and to know that a boy could be stolen from his homeland, made to work for free, and be deprived of decent food and shelter is something that is not often discussed. The story does find a better ending which gives a brief glimpse of what a fair-trade cacao plantation looks like. Although the main characters are two brothers, Amadou and Seydou, there is a strong female character, Khadija, that makes this title good for both male and female readers. The version I had did include a list of discussion questions.
I like how the three characters learn to trust each other and help each other out and become some sort of a family unit to survive their ordeal and to survive the after effects of their traumatic experience. That is what I think made the characters so memorable and likable and why I ended up buying a copy of this book.
NOTE: There is a debate as to whether Khadija was sexually assaulted by the guards.
I read this a few years ago and liked it but did not do a review at that time. So, I took the time to read it again and it was still good but I'm not I read this a few years ago and liked it but did not do a review at that time. So, I took the time to read it again and it was still good but I'm not sure if I enjoyed it as much as the first time through it - but still a good selection for middle school readers and those who like graphic novels.
Peppi is the new girl in school and in the first few minutes of arriving at the new school -- she trips and falls and drops all of her books and papers which results in her being targeted by the school bullies. A boy her same age stops to help her and in in the midst of so much embarrassment, Peppi shoves him and runs away. She is then consumed by guilt of what she has done and agonizes over the event for a very long time until she finally makes amends finding that she has made a new friend, Jaimie.
No two families are the same and we get a close look at three of them in this story. One of the families is very dysfunctional to the point the child refers to her parents as "parental units" and the father doesn't talk about the mother kindly and in the end the mother and daughter packs up and leaves the situation leaving our main character Peppi sad and confused.
Even the two main teachers (art and science) seem to be a little dysfunctional leaving one to wonder who is looking out for these kids and who is teaching them how to grow up and be functional adults...and why you are wondering -- the kids seem to find the solutions for themselves.
I still enjoyed the book and will be interested in reading the next titles in the series and see what happens....more
Happy Easter, Davy / by Brigitte Weninger ; illustrated by Eve Tharlet; translated by Rosemary Lanning -- New York : NorthSouth Books, Inc., c2001. (2Happy Easter, Davy / by Brigitte Weninger ; illustrated by Eve Tharlet; translated by Rosemary Lanning -- New York : NorthSouth Books, Inc., c2001. (28 pages)
SUMMARY: When Davy and his siblings learn that the Easter Bunny brings presents and colored eggs to children, they decide to find the bunny and ask him to bring them gifts too. When the Easter Bunny is nowhere to be found, Davy gets an idea that saves the day, but Davy gets the biggest surprise of all!
REVIEW: Story about a generous little rabbit that wants his siblings to experience the wonder of Easter eggs and secretly takes on the role of the Easter Bunny to his bunny family. Davy gets a surprise of his own when he also has a surprise toy and egg waiting for him -- but why? Does that mean Davy's Dad is the real Easter bunny?
FURTHER FUN:1) Discuss how Davy ended up with a gift as well; 2) Find egg shaped rocks and paint them to look like Easter eggs...more
Farmer Dale's Red Pickup Truck / written by Lisa Wheeler; illustrated by Ivan Bates -- Orland, FL : Harcourt, Inc., c2004. (34 pages)
SUMMARY: One by oFarmer Dale's Red Pickup Truck / written by Lisa Wheeler; illustrated by Ivan Bates -- Orland, FL : Harcourt, Inc., c2004. (34 pages)
SUMMARY: One by one, Farmer Dale picks up animals who want a ride to town in his rickety old pickup truck. (verso)
REVIEW: OK story about a farmer that helps others he encounters along the way. Each animal he picks up fills the rundown truck until it can't go anymore, however, working together they get the truck started again and make it to town just in time for the talent show to begin. But then the story ends ... I felt like the ending was missing. I liked the colorful and humorous illustrations. My favorite being the one that is shaped like the windshield of the truck and let's you see everyone squashed inside the cab of the truck....more
Chicken Story Time / written by Sandy Asher ; illustrated by Mark Fearing -- New York : Dial Books for Young Readers, c2016 (36 pages)
SUMMARY: StorytiChicken Story Time / written by Sandy Asher ; illustrated by Mark Fearing -- New York : Dial Books for Young Readers, c2016 (36 pages)
SUMMARY: Storytime in the library becomes increasingly chaotic as first one chicken then a whole flock joins in and the librarian must come up with a creative solution so that everyone can enjoy the story.
REVIEW: As a librarian, I read anything about books and libraries. I liked this title because who doesn't love storytime -- especially children and chickens (in this case). A curious chicken sneaks into the library for weekly storytime and arrives the next week with some friends in tow...and the next week a few more. When there are too many children and chickens the librarian has to come up with a creative solution to bring order to the chaos.
NOTE: Children's librarians will love this story as well as regular library storytime children....more
Poppleton Everyday (Poppleton Book Three) / written by Cynthia Rylant; illustrated by Mark Teague -- New York : The Blue Sky Press / Scholastic Inc., Poppleton Everyday (Poppleton Book Three) / written by Cynthia Rylant; illustrated by Mark Teague -- New York : The Blue Sky Press / Scholastic Inc., c1998. (48 pages)
SUMMARY: Poppleton the pig goes stargazing, tries out a new bed before he buys it, and goes sailing for the first time.
This title is considered a beginner reader chapter book divided into three separate stories/chapters. The first story is about two friends stargazing but Poppleton gets dizzy until his friend Hudson solves the problem allowing them to enjoy laying out under the stars. The second story tells when Poppleton wants a new bed and heads to the store where he tries out the new bed from reading, watching TV, to eating his nightly snack. The third story is when Poppleton joins his friend Fillmore on his first sailing trip and does not have a good time.
REVIEW: I have always enjoyed Poppleton stories and in this volume the second story is my favorite. How often I have wanted to try out new furniture before buying to see if it is really what I want.
NOTE: Rylant is the author of several series for beginning readers including HENRY AND MUDGE and MR. PUTTER AND TABBY....more
Five Little Monkeys Wash the Car / written and illustrated by Eileen Christelow-- New York : Clarion Books, c2000. (34 pages)
SUMMARY: Five little monkFive Little Monkeys Wash the Car / written and illustrated by Eileen Christelow-- New York : Clarion Books, c2000. (34 pages)
SUMMARY: Five little monkeys wash the family car before trying to sell it, but that is only the beginning of their adventures with the old heap. (verso)
REVIEW: Another rhyming title featuring the five little monkeys. This time the family car breaks down again and Mother monkey wants to sell it. The five little monkeys think that the car needs to be cleaned up so they can get the most for it. This leads to the car getting a new paint job --which I love (it would like to have one just like it for a storyteller car). However, the five little monkeys must problem solve how to get the car out of the mud while it is surrounded by hungry alligators.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: "When I started inventing this story, I had no idea how it would end. I began telling and drawing the beginning of the story at schools. After each drawing I would ask the kids, 'Now what should they do?' which became the question the monkeys repeatedly ask themselves in this book. The kids would predict all kinds of funny scenarios while I drew. After we got to the middle of the story, the kids would go back to their classrooms to write and draw their own endings. Eventually, I decided that I, too, needed to write and draw my own ending." (book jacket)...more
The Haymeadow / by Gary Paulsen (195 pages) Summary: Fourteen-year-old John Barron is asked, like his father and grandfather before him, to spend the sThe Haymeadow / by Gary Paulsen (195 pages) Summary: Fourteen-year-old John Barron is asked, like his father and grandfather before him, to spend the summer taking care of their sheep in the haymeadow. Six thousand sheep. John will be alone, except for two horses, four dogs, and all those sheep. John doesn't feel up to the task, but he hopes taht if he can accomplish it, he will finally please his father. But John finds that the adage "things just happen to sheep" is true when the river floods, coyotes attack, and one dog's feet get cut. Through it all he must rely on his own resourcefulness, ingenuity, and talents to survive this summer in the haymeadow. (back cover)
Gary Paulsen is a master storyteller -- I read everything that I can get a hold of...however, there are things in the books that I skip over and try to ignore. In this case there are few minor cuss words, mentions drinking and chewing tobacco and refers to Playboy magazine once. There is also a vivid passage about a man having been skinned for his transgressions (which is still rattling about in my brain). For all of this I reduced a five star book down to three.
I love the character of John and his struggle to find his place on the ranch that should have belonged to his family but doesn't. However, he will find out the truth about that and his grandfather which he so admires and it just might change his viewpoint about the sheep ranch and his plans of what to do with his life. In the meantime, John must find the courage to stay the entire summer days from any civilization high in the haymeadow of the mountains and attend 6,000 sheep by himself with little training and only two horses and four sheep dogs for help. The first part of the book is the introduction of characters, the Barron family and getting the sheep to the haymeadow. The action starts with John's first night and continues non-stop for a few days. The last chapters tell of a changed boy into a young man and his changing relationship to his father.
The illustrations by Ruth Wright Paulsen add much to the story....more
Arthur's Birthday /written and illustrated by Marc Brown -- New York : Little Brown and Company, c1989, revised 2011. (32 pages)
SUMMARY: Their friendsArthur's Birthday /written and illustrated by Marc Brown -- New York : Little Brown and Company, c1989, revised 2011. (32 pages)
SUMMARY: Their friends must decide which party to attend when Muffy schedules her birthday party for the same day as Arthur's.
REVIEW: A good problem solving story of how do you have two birthday parties at one time. It is interesting that the boys group together and the girls group together when sides are chosen; the boys saying who needs girls, however, the girls claim it won't be much fun without the boys. There is also a theme of "spin the bottle" going on behind the scenes which is probably why the girls want a party with the boys along (that one you will have to explain to your young readers). I also like the portrayal of Arthur's family life including extended family. And I like how unselfish Arthur is when he comes up with a solution to share his special day with all his friends that will also make Muffy happy as well.
NOTE: Arthur has long been a children's favorite book character. I have read some, but not all of them. I remember the original Arthur, the Aardvark, had a longer snout characteristic of aardvarks, but in later years it was shortened and rounded and now looks very similar to the other animals he interacts with (I miss the original version)....more
Mother Bruce / written and illustrated by Ryan T. Higgins -- Los Angeles: Disney / Hyperion, c2015. (44 PAGES) -- RANGE 3 -- PICTURE BOOKS
SUMMARY: BruMother Bruce / written and illustrated by Ryan T. Higgins -- Los Angeles: Disney / Hyperion, c2015. (44 PAGES) -- RANGE 3 -- PICTURE BOOKS
SUMMARY: Bruce is a grumpy bear who likes no one and nothing but cooked eggs, but when some eggs he was planning to boil hatch and the gosling believe he is their mother, he must try to make the best of the situation.
REVIEW: I found this on a shelf at the library for a book challenge - 2018 Monarch List -- The title caught my attention and then the illustrations kept my attention. I like grumpy Bruce who is just interested in eating his favorite food, eggs, in as many ways possible. He is surprised one day to find the eggs he was cooking have hatched into four baby geese that think he is their mother. Nothing he does seems to work to get rid of them so he keeps them and raises them. I especially like the illustrations in the middle as Bruce and the goslings are bonding.
NOTE: I'm going through foster parent training and this title is much like a foster care situation were adults and children come together to make new families.
NOTE: actual title is Mother (Goose, with an "X" through it) Bruce...more
Going Blue: A Teen Guide to Saving Our Oceans, Lakes, Rivers, and Wetlands / by Cathryn Berger Kaye, Philippe Cousteau, and Earth Echo International -Going Blue: A Teen Guide to Saving Our Oceans, Lakes, Rivers, and Wetlands / by Cathryn Berger Kaye, Philippe Cousteau, and Earth Echo International -- Minneapolis, MN : Free Spirit Publishing, c2010. (152 pages) RANGE 7 -- TEEN / YOUNG ADULT
SUMMARY: Going Blue educates young people about the earth’s water crisis and gives them tools and inspiration to transform their ideas into action. With lively photos and practical suggestions, the book helps teens plan and do a meaningful service project that benefits our planet’s water system. Along the way, readers learn about issues such as clean water access, coral reef damage, runoff pollution, trash islands, factory fishing, bottled water, and much more. This combination of academic learning and community service is at the heart of the fast-growing teaching strategy known as service learning.
Going Blue is divided into the five stages of service learning: investigation, preparation, action, reflection, and demonstration. Special sections include a history of ocean exploration with a profile of Jacques Cousteau; an interview with Philippe Cousteau; stories of young people around the world addressing water issues; book and Web resources; and an afterword for adults.
REVIEW: Although I didn't actually read the book, I did study its format and content. I was impressed at the presentation that it made -- stating a problem, showing how to look at the problem, how to use critical thinking, create an action plan, carry out the plan, and then share the information with others. I would have read in more depth but I don't have the time at the moment to focus in on this one issue. So I'm bookmarking it to return at a later date....more
Royal Ranger (Ranger's Apprentice #12) -- New York : Philomel Books / Imprint of Penguin Group, c2013. (455 pages) RANGE 7 -- TEEN / YOUNG ADULT
SUMMARRoyal Ranger (Ranger's Apprentice #12) -- New York : Philomel Books / Imprint of Penguin Group, c2013. (455 pages) RANGE 7 -- TEEN / YOUNG ADULT
SUMMARY: Will Treaty has come a long way from the small boy with dreams of knighthood. Life had other plans for him, and as an apprentice Ranger under Halt, he grew into a legend -- the finest Ranger the kingdom has ever known.
Yet Will is facing a tragic battle that has left him grim and alone. To add to his problems, the time has come to take on an apprentice of his own, and it's the last person he ever would have expected.
Fighting his personal demon, Will has to win the trust and respect of his difficult new companion -- a task that at times seems almost impossible.
John Flanagan returns for one final bow to the series that has conquered millions of readers worldwide with this pulse-pounding adventure that brings one era to a close, and ushers in the next... (bookjacket)
REVIEW: I have devoured this whole series in a very short time (read-along with my husband). Each book in the series is same but different, comforting to see some of the same characters reappearing...all good fighting evil....always creatively and with little resources...and somehow always still refreshing storyline that doesn't disappoint.
MY FAVORITE SCENE: When Maddie is cooking breakfast (pages 107-111)
NOTES: Most of the time you will find this series in the juvenile section of bookstores and libraries. I tend to categorize it as teen/young adult. The age of the characters, the length of the book, the extended vocabulary, and the war violence all make it more suitable for mature readers. I also suggest this series to anyone (including adults) who have enjoyed The Lord of the Rings series....more
Give Me Back My Book! / by Travis Foster and Ethan Long -- San Francisco : Chronicle Books, c2017. (52 pages) RANGE 3 -- PICTURE BOOKS
SUMMARY: Two friGive Me Back My Book! / by Travis Foster and Ethan Long -- San Francisco : Chronicle Books, c2017. (52 pages) RANGE 3 -- PICTURE BOOKS
SUMMARY: Two friends, Redd and Bloo, argue over the possession of one special book with a green cover, hard cover, a nice spine, and pages that turn from right to left -- but unite when Bookworm walks off with it. (verso)
Travis Foster and Ethan Long offer this hilarious story about the joy of reading, which brings people together in unexpected ways, and which proves that each book truly belongs...to the people who love it. (bookjacket)
REVIEW: I will read any book about books and reading -- and this one was a good find. I feel the very same way about certain books -- they are mine and I don't want to share them because I'm afraid they will either never come back or get damaged while they are gone. Redd and Bloo come up with a very clever plan to get the book back from Bookworm that works out for everyone. I like how the story defines the parts of a book.
FORMAT: the drawn images of Redd & Bloo & Bookworm are mixed in with real images of books and craft materials. All narrative is in conversations that appear in dialogue balloons (almost like a graphic novel).
FURTHER FUN: 1) Have kids create their own book and bind it like a real book with cardboard or thick stock paper; 2) Let kids share and read the other books created; 3) talk about dialogue balloons....more
This is a quick fun read about Josh and him suddenly deciding to wear a paper bag over his head for an entire day. If you look at the title page closeThis is a quick fun read about Josh and him suddenly deciding to wear a paper bag over his head for an entire day. If you look at the title page close enough, you kind of get a hint as to why the paper bag is needed
The cover is very cool with paper that is similar to that of a paper bag with two eye holes cut out so you can see the eyes shinning through.
I guess my biggest question is -- do the kids of today know what a paper bag is? I grew up with paper bags and using them to store things, carry things, and yes...even make crafty things out of. But will it ring true with today's generation??...more
Woodpecker Wants a Waffle / written and illustrated by Steve Breen -- New York : HarperCollins, c2016. ( pages)
SUMMARY: Benny the woodpecker is very dWoodpecker Wants a Waffle / written and illustrated by Steve Breen -- New York : HarperCollins, c2016. ( pages)
SUMMARY: Benny the woodpecker is very determined to get a taste of the waffles that he keeps smelling coming from the new diner down the road. His woodland friends keep making fun of him because woodpeckers don't eat waffles. But nothing will stop him from his mission and he comes up with a brilliant solution.
REVIEW: I love waffles -- you can find stories with pancakes but ones with waffles are rare. So I decided to read this one. Benny is one determined woodpecker that keeps trying different things to get a waffle. He has a brilliant idea that comes as a surprise to the reader...at least to this one.
I do like how Benny stays determined even after all his friends tell him over and over that woodpeckers don't eat waffles. Go! Benny....more
REVIEW: I remember reading this book when I was much younger. Of course now I know Ian Fleming more for his James Bond novels than this one children'sREVIEW: I remember reading this book when I was much younger. Of course now I know Ian Fleming more for his James Bond novels than this one children's book he wrote (published after his death).
This is a quick read with large font and with only 149 pages that should be a great attraction to reluctant readers.
The story begins with a dedication to Count Zborowski who built and raced the original Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. I thought this was a cleaver creation by Ian Fleming, but it turns out the story was true and was the inspiration behind this story being written. -- I also love the name Caractacus Pott, what a great name for a children's book. -- I didn't remember the details of the story, but I do remember being disappointed when I first read the book because it didn't match the storyline of the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang movie. -- So I was in the library looking for older children's stories that have been forgotten by the new generations of readers and came across this title and decided to give it another chance.
I enjoy Fleming's writing style, especially the But -- But -- But -- section when the storyline is about to take a sharp turn. I also like that it is a family that obviously loves each other and likes doing things as a family. --"Now, I don't know if you've got it into your heads yet, but the Pott family wasn't a very conventional family -- that is, they were all rather out of the ordinary." (p13)
I also like their appreciation in things others miss -- like when they spend all day trying to find the right car, the different car, the special car -- and they end up with a dilapidated old wreak that they return to her previous glory. --"So when it came to buying a car, they were all determined that it shouldn't be just ANY car, but something a bit different from everyone else's -- not one of those black beetle sedans that look much the same back and front so that, in the distance, you don't know if it's coming or going, but something rather special, something rather adventurous." (p14) and "This must once have been the most beautiful car in the world....We'd have a real jewel of a car, something to love and cherish and look after as if it were one of the family!" (pp19-20)
I also like that the story gives the car a character and a personality. I also grew up with the Herbie, the Love Bug movies and loved that little car. The movie made the mysterious behavior of the car part of the fairy tale stories the father told the kids. In the book, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang can do things on her own. I love one of the descriptions during their first outing when the family is getting frustrated because they are stuck in a very long line of motor cars headed for the beach -- "And, although they couldn't see them, Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang's big headlight eyes, which had been so gleaming with happiness and enthusiasm ever since the day before, began to get angrier and angrier and more and more impatient, so that the people who had gazed in admiration at her through the back windows of their cars became more and more nervous about this gleaming green monster behind them who was beginning to look as if she wanted to eat them up, with the silver jaws of her radiator, all the line upon line of black beetle cars that were getting in her way and keeping her family from their picnic by the sea." (p36)
I also like the closeness of the two twins Jeremy and Jemima. They work well together, keep calm when they are kidnapped, and ...well I don't want to spoil the rest of the plot...you will just have to read it for yourself....more
Ranger's Apprentice #11: The Lost Stories / by John Flanagan -- New York, NY : Philomel Books / Penquin Group, c2011. (422 pages) RANGE 7 -- TEEN / YORanger's Apprentice #11: The Lost Stories / by John Flanagan -- New York, NY : Philomel Books / Penquin Group, c2011. (422 pages) RANGE 7 -- TEEN / YOUNG ADULT
SUMMARY: An archaeologist and his apprentice find a hidden chest with ancient documents that could be the key to proving that the Rangers of the Kingdom of Araleun did exist.
BOOKJACKET: They were mysterious. some claim they were merely the stuff of legend -- the Rangers with their mottled green-and-gray cloaks and their reputation as defenders of the Kingdom. Reports of their brave battles vary, but we know of a least ten accounts, most of which feature a boy--turned man-- named Will and his mentor, Halt....Yet the crew left very little behind and their existence has never been able to be proved. Until now, that is...Behold the Lost Stories.
Review -- When I read the book cover I imagined that this volume would be more of a supplemental guide with historical documents that told of the Kingdom of Araleun, the royal family, the details of battles, timelines of history, details of assignments and missions of the ranger corps. But in that way I was disappointed. Instead, there are nine wonderfully written short stories that add to the canticle of the Ranger's Apprentice and give us more insight to the lives of its characters. So I'm confused why the author decided to give it a Forward and Afterward describing the efforts of Professor Giles MacFarlane and his apprentice Audrey (nice detail) at their dig site trying to prove that Castle Redmont truly existed (interesting concept, but it didn't fit and didn't add much to the overall storyline).
NOTE: This series has lots of violence in it that comes with war and law enforcement. Although the action is detailed it is not overly gory but may be more suitable to mature readers. There are also occasions depicted of heavy drinking and drunkenness.
Those who love The Lord of the Ring Trilogy may find another favorite in this series starting with the first volume: THE RUINS OF GORLAN.
This series is usually found in bookstores and libraries in the juvenile section. But because of the age of the characters, the content of the battles, and the length of the book itself, I would categorization it as more of a young adult/teen title (which adults would also find highly enjoyable).
PERSONAL NOTE: I started reading the first book aloud to my husband and he won't let me stop. We are on book #12 now and still have the two prequels as well as the new series -- The Brotherband Chronicles that deal more with the Skandians and wolfships....more
Anatole and the Cat / written by Eve Titus; illustrated by Paul Galdone -- New York : Dragonfly Books, c1957, c1985. (32 pages)
SUMMARY: Anatole is theAnatole and the Cat / written by Eve Titus; illustrated by Paul Galdone -- New York : Dragonfly Books, c1957, c1985. (32 pages)
SUMMARY: Anatole is the happiest, most contented mouse in all of Paris. He is Vice-President in charge of Cheese Tasting at Duvall's cheese factory. He works in secret at night--the people at Duvall have no idea their mysterious taster is really a mouse! So M'sieu Duvall thinks nothing of bringing his pet cat to the factory...Clever Anatole must act to protect his job, and his life! He must do what no mouse has done before--find a way to bell the cat. Bonne chance, Anatole!
Review: Sequel to the first title called, ANATOLE, another childhood favorite. The book addresses the old storyline of how does one bell a cat...and Anatole is the only mouse known to have done so.
FORMAT: The format is the same as the first with alternating black and white spread and then red, white, blue, and black illustrations.
FAVORITE PART: "So Anatole again became the most honored, respected mouse in all France.
And he was also the bravest, because -- for thousands of years the mice of the world had talked about belling the cat, but Anatole was the only one who did it!" (page 32)
NOTE: This title is #2 in the Anatole series....more
Anatole / by Eve Titus; illustrated by Paul Galdone -- New York : Alfred A. Knopf, c1956, 1984. (32 pages) [50th Anniversary Edition] RANGE 3 -- PICTUAnatole / by Eve Titus; illustrated by Paul Galdone -- New York : Alfred A. Knopf, c1956, 1984. (32 pages) [50th Anniversary Edition] RANGE 3 -- PICTURE BOOKS
SUMMARY: Considered a classic in Children's Literature, Anatole first appeared in 1956. The story is about a mouse of action, a mouse of honor, a French mouse magnifique who decides to earn his food for his family by supplying advice to the Duval Cheese Factory on the quality of their cheeses after hours when everyone else has left for the day. The owner of the failing cheese factory takes his advice and soon becomes "the cheese factory" in Paris.
REVIEW: I remember this story from my childhood. Anatole was one of those that I read every so often. The character was lovable while the illustrations charming (Paul Galdone being one of my favorite children's illustrators).
FORMAT: The illustrations are by Paul Galdone, one of my top five favorite children's illustrators. The pictures are still in their limited color schemes with a double-spread of black and white illustrations and then a double-spread of red, white, blue, and black.
FAVORITE PARTS: The first sentence is memorable -- "In all France there was no happier, more contented mouse than Anatole." -- I also like his family -- wife Doucette and six children Paul and Paulette, Claude and Claudette, and Georges and Georgette. But my absolute favorite is Anatole in the cheese tasting room -- because I like cheese just as much as Anatole does.
NOTE: There are other stories available from the duo Eve Titus and Paul Galdone including ANATOLE AND THE CAT (#2), ANATOLE AND THE ROBOT (#3), ANATOLE OVER ITALY (#5), ANATOLE AND THE POODLE (#6), ANATOLE AND THE PIANO (#7), ANATOLE AND THE THIRTY THIEVES (#8), ANATOLE AND THE TOYSHOP (#9), and ANATOLE AND THE PIPED PIPER (#10), so enjoy them all.
NOTE: Older readers may enjoy the Basil of Baker Street Series by the same author and illustrator. The character is based off of Sherlock Holmes.
FURTHER FUN: 1) The story includes a few simple French phrases that can be read, discussed, and practiced. 2) Use the story with a cheese tasting program and let the children make little signs to say if they liked the cheese or not. 3) Have a discussion about jobs and what they may be able to do now to help someone out....more
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