Snark and bullets fly! Pageant queens find girl power… They wave at danger!
Haiku Review: Lips Touch Three Times by Laini Taylor
July 11, 2011 – 4:03 am
What is in a kiss? Souls? Magic? Hell? The answer is: This mesmeric book.
Firegirl
August 25, 2010 – 1:53 pm
Recently, I was blown away by Tony Abbot’s Firegirl. It’d been on my reading list for a while now, ever since it won the Golden Kite. Now I understand why it received the award! This book is an incredible example of voice guiding you through the story. Strangely, the title character is not the first [...]
Tears or Glitter?
April 25, 2010 – 5:19 pm
This weekend I had the privilege of hearing Kate DiCamillo (Because of Winn-Dixie and The Tale of Despereaux) speak at the LA Times Festival of Books. She was one of those wonderful authors whose real-world presence is exactly the same as her writing presence. She speaks with the same quiet, humorous confidence that comes across [...]
Summer (conference) Reading
July 22, 2009 – 11:37 am
When I was a kid, my library, like many others, had a summer reading program. Every book I read racked up points towards stickers or McDonalds french fries or, my most coveted prize of all, the knotted pencil. How did they even do that?? It was the highlight of my summer and I always read [...]
A Month of L<3VE
February 1, 2008 – 8:16 pm
Instead of candy hearts and flowers, I’m celebrating Valentine’s Day with books! I hereby declare the month of February as one humongous Valentine’s card to my favorite authors and stories. Yes, even writers and illustrators need to feel the love. So lets give it to them! I’m going to be dedicating each day of February [...]
Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key
January 17, 2008 – 10:50 pm
Wow. Really wow. I just listened to the amazing audiobook of Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key, read by the author Jack Gantos. I found myself laughing and tearing up at the same time. Joey Pigza, a kid with extreme behavior issues, is so friendly, so dynamic, and so exuberant that I fell in love with [...]
A Company of Swans
January 15, 2008 – 7:47 pm
HaikuReview: A Company of Swans by Eva Ibbotson Defiant woman, Pirouettes through the jungle. Sweet, swirling story.
If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period
January 7, 2008 – 2:44 pm
HaikuReview: If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period by Gennifer Choldenko Now that I’m done will the Great Picture Book Read of ’07, I’ve been catching up with some middle grade and YA books. It turns out that If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period was a great place to start. Gennifer Choldenko won the [...]
Mr. Willoughby’s Christmas Tree
December 25, 2007 – 5:51 pm
Haiku Review: Mr. Willoughby’s Christmas Tree by Robert Barry Christmas time machine, This book is just the right size. I am 5 again. Merry Everything, Everyone!
“I’ve got a golden ticket…”
December 20, 2007 – 7:28 pm
So, I’m going to see The Golden Compass tomorrow. I’m pretty excited, and not just because Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy is amazing. Tony worked on the movie and his name’s in the credits. Hooray! If you go see the movie, keep an eye out for the wolves in Bolvangar. And stay long enough [...]
Books of the Week: Illustrators
December 17, 2007 – 10:15 am
I’m constantly delighted by the illustrations in the picture books I’ve been reading. Here are a few illustrators that have really captured my imagination. Dan Yaccarino (Every Friday, Trashy Town) Mark Teague (How do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight, The Secret Shortcut) David Shannon (No, David, Duck on a Bike) Steve Jenkins (Move, Actual Size) David Wiesner [...]
Books of the Week: Did I mention…
December 7, 2007 – 12:52 pm
My Little Sister Ate One Hare written by Bill Grossman and illustrated by Kevin Hawkes Maggie and the Monster written by Elizabeth Winthrop and illustrated by Tomie dePaola The OK Book written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld Chickens to the Rescue by John Himmelman Bark, George by Jules Feiffer Click,Clack,Moo: Cows [...]
Books of the Week: Great books, Tough topics
November 30, 2007 – 1:45 pm
There are some topics that it’s impossible to imagine a great picture book about. Until someone does it. Here are a few books that are great stories first, important topics second. As I mentioned in my ‘issue books‘ review, it’s so important to have stories that reflect children’s experiences. But it takes a great writer [...]
Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little
November 28, 2007 – 1:08 pm
HaikuReview: Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little by Peggy Gifford Moxy loves: To read. Hates: Being told what to do. Summer reading sucks?
Books of the Week: ‘Truck’ Books
November 25, 2007 – 1:49 pm
There’s probably a better name for this genre, but I call them Truck books. It includes any book that kids love because of the big machines, trains, or trucks that vroom and crunch through it. Though I started out a bit disdainful of this necessary, but often boring genre, I’m learning to respect a good [...]
Books of the Week: For the old’uns
November 18, 2007 – 12:41 pm
It’s Day 56 in my journey to 100 Days, 1000 Books. I’ve read 574 books so far and I’m loving it. Mostly. Here are some of the books that are making this adventure a joy. Part II of the best of reads brings my favorite picture books for the sophisticated, jet-setting, caviar munching, seen-it-all 4 [...]
Wiggle and Waggle
November 12, 2007 – 3:00 am
I was at Children’s Book World the other day, and let me take this opportunity to say that Children’s Book World is an awesome bookstore. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable and generous with their time and attention. It’s by far the best place to find a good read in Los Angeles. Anyway, I was at [...]
