Review - Stella Endicott and the Anything-Is-Possible Poem

Stella Endicott and the Anything-Is-Possible Poem (Tales from Deckawoo Drive #5)
by Kate DiCamillo
illustrated by Chris Van Dusen
Date: 2020
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Reading level: C
Book type: illustrated chapter book
Pages: 96
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

Metaphor alert! An ode to a certain pig kicks off one wild school day in Kate DiCamillo’s latest stop on Deckawoo Drive.

Stella Endicott loves her teacher, Miss Liliana, and she is thrilled when the class is assigned to write a poem. Stella crafts a beautiful poem about Mercy Watson, the pig who lives next door — a poem complete with a metaphor and full of curiosity and courage. But Horace Broom, Stella's irritating classmate, insists that Stella’s poem is full of lies and that pigs do not live in houses. And when Stella and Horace get into a shouting match in the classroom, Miss Liliana banishes them to the principal’s office. Will the two of them find a way to turn this opposite-of-a-poem day around? In the newest spirited outing in the Deckawoo Drive series by Kate DiCamillo, anything is possible — even a friendship with a boy deemed to be (metaphorically speaking) an overblown balloon.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I've really enjoyed most of the rest of the books in this series (and in the original Mercy Watson series). Kate DiCamillo's challenging-yet-accessible writing plays a large part in what makes these books a little bit different. While I enjoyed this one (being a fan of both series), I can't say that it was my favourite. I found the story a little on the weak side, and I wasn't a fan of the characters.

After Stella ends up in a shouting match with a classmate over whether or not pigs sit on couches, they're both sent to the principal's office. But when Horace chickens out and runs away, Stella goes after him, leading to both children getting locked in the supply closet where they face their fears and become friends.

There is plenty of challenging vocabulary in this book (which isn't unusual for a DiCamillo title), but here I found it a little off-putting in the way it was presented. I don't remember the hard words being explained by the characters in the other books (although, it's been a while since I read them, so maybe they were). I got a definite Fancy Nancy vibe here, especially when Horace kept spouting word definitions like an overzealous dictionary.

I'm not going to comment on the artwork, since I read an ARC and most of the pictures were roughly sketched placeholders. I can't foresee them being anything other than adorable, though, given Van Dusen's work on the other books in the series.

Overall, while this is a nice addition to the series, it's definitely not my favourite set in this world. I'd recommend it mostly to fans of Mercy Watson and her neighbours on Deckawoo Drive.

Thank you to NetGalley and Candlewick Press for providing a digital ARC.

Plot: 3/5
Characters: 3/5
Pace: 3/5
Writing & Editing: 3/5
Illustrations: n/a
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3 out of 5

Review - Good Rosie!

Good Rosie!
by Kate DiCamillo
illustrated by Harry Bliss
Date: 2018
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: hardcover
Source: library

Beloved storyteller Kate DiCamillo and cartoonist Harry Bliss introduce some delightfully doggy dogs in a warm, funny tale of a timid pup who needs a friend.

Rosie is a good dog and a faithful companion to her owner, George. She likes taking walks with George and looking at the clouds together, but the closest she comes to another dog is when she encounters her reflection in her empty dog bowl, and sometimes that makes Rosie feel lonely. One day George takes Rosie to the dog park, but the park is full of dogs that Rosie doesn't know, which makes her feel lonelier than ever. When big, loud Maurice and small, yippy Fifi bound over and want to play, Rosie's not sure how to respond. Is there a trick to making friends? And if so, can they all figure it out together?

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I think is one of the first times I've ever read a picture book that needed a trigger warning. I'm surprised (and appalled) that this is by Kate DiCamillo, one of my favourite children's book authors. While the overall premise isn't terrible (even if it does seem aimed at very young children), there's a horrifying incident in the book that killed my enjoyment of the rest of it. This should never have been published as it is.

What happened, you might ask? At the dog park, Rosie meets a big dog named Maurice. He shows her his bunny toy and how he likes to shake it. But then, the book shows Maurice picking up a tiny dog, Fifi, and doing the same thing to her! I was horrified. Even worse was that Fifi was shown as being no worse for wear, just a little slobbery. I have a Goodreads friend who recently lost her little dog in a similar situation; I would hate for someone who's experienced that kind of loss to inadvertently pick up this book.

People with small dogs will get what I'm talking about. If you've ever experienced the terror of walking your little dog and having a huge, growling dog rush at it, you'll understand the sheer panic that surges through you at such a moment, and all the jumbled accompanying thoughts: Is this dog friendly? Is it going to grab my dog? If I pick up my dog, will it go for me instead? Am I about to witness my best friend getting killed?

No. This book should never have been published the way it is. Maurice's actions are not cute, no matter how much of a big, stupid oaf he is. (Even more disturbing is that the humans at the dog park didn't seem to care much about this incident. In reality, Fifi's owner would've probably rushed in and carted the poor thing off to the vet... because it would've had some sort of injuries after being shaken like a rag doll.)

Good Rosie! is not the title I would've picked. Bad Maurice! would've been more appropriate. Or maybe just Bad Book!

Premise: 1/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 2/5
Originality: 2/5

Enjoyment: 0/5

Overall: 1.33 out of 5

Review - La La La

La La La
by Kate DiCamillo
illustrated by Jaime Kim
Date: 2017
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 72
Format: hardcover
Source: library

This nearly wordless graphic story follows a little girl in search of a friend.

"La la la... la." A little girl stands alone and sings, but hears no response. Gathering her courage and her curiosity, she skips farther out into the world, singing away to the trees and the pond and the reeds -- but no song comes back to her. Day passes into night, and the girl dares to venture into the darkness toward the light of the moon, becoming more insistent in her singing, climbing as high as she can, but still there is silence in return. Dejected, she falls asleep on the ground, only to be awakened by an amazing sound.... She has been heard. At last.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

What a strange little book! At 72 pages, it's long for a picture book. Although, it has almost no text at all, so it'll fly by as fast as you can turn the pages.

I guess I was expecting more, given that the story was by Kate DiCamillo. The idea of a kid singing out into the darkness and not receiving a response is a little creepy. Where are all the other people? Where are her parents? Sure, she may be looking for a friend, but the lack of any other people at all kind of has me worried for the kid. Is she all alone?

The illustrations are what saved the book for me. The little girl herself is cute, but it's the backgrounds that are really lovely. The way Kim manages to give the pictures a glowing, ethereal quality with a limited colour palette is quite skillful. This is one book that you're probably going to want to savour, even if you're not all that enthralled by the story itself. I enjoyed looking at the pictures, even if I didn't quite "get" what the author and illustrator were going for as far as the story.

I'd probably recommend this one to fans of wordless picture books. I'm not sure if kids would like it, or if they'd be bored. It almost seems like one of those books that's going to appeal more to adults who can understand the deep message that the author and illustrator were trying to convey.

Premise: 2/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.33 out of 5

Review - Eugenia Lincoln and the Unexpected Package

Eugenia Lincoln and the Unexpected Package (Tales from Deckawoo Drive #4)
by Kate DiCamillo
illustrated by Chris Van Dusen
Date: 2017
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Reading level: C
Book type: illustrated chapter book
Pages: 112
Format: e-book
Source: library

What will it take for a cynical older sister to realize she’s a born accordion player — with music in her heart? Eugenia Lincoln is a practical person with no time for gee-gaws, whoop-de-whoops, or frivolity. When an unexpected package containing an accordion arrives at her house, she is determined to have nothing to do with it. But her plans to sell the accordion, destroy the accordion, and give the accordion away all end in frustration. How can Eugenia stop being tormented by this troublesome package? Might she discover that a bit of unforeseen frivolity could be surprisingly... joyous?

(synopsis from Goodreads)

And so we come to the end of all the Deckawoo Drive books. I'm a little disappointed that I didn't like this one more. But there were a couple of things that marred my enjoyment of the story.

The first (and main) issue I had is with consent. Eugenia Lincoln receives a mysterious accordion from an unknown source. Then an accordion teacher shows up on her doorstep. She's adamant that she doesn't want anything to do with the accordion, but nobody will take "no" for an answer. This culminates in the according teacher putting his arms around her and putting his fingers over hers on the keys, which made me really uncomfortable. Her wishes (and personal space) should've been respected. (The fact that she eventually comes around and the accordion becomes a blessing rather than a curse is beside the point. If we allow people to do things without consent and excuse that behaviour by saying it's good for the victim, it could lead to all sorts of problems.)

My other quibble is minor, but it was still disappointing. This book, unlike all the others, doesn't end with the eating of hot buttered toast! What the...?!

Overall, this is an okay book, but definitely not my favourite of the series. That honour belongs to Where Are You Going, Baby Lincoln? While I do like the fact that this book helped develop Eugenia Lincoln's character a little more, I don't like that it had to be at the expense of her own autonomy. She's pretty much manipulated throughout the book, and while that could be viewed as her getting her just deserts (she really is an overbearing woman), it also kind of rubbed me the wrong way.

Plot: 3/5
Characters: 3/5
Pace: 3/5
Writing & Editing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.38 out of 5

Review - Mercy Watson: Princess in Disguise

Mercy Watson: Princess in Disguise (Mercy Watson #4)
by Kate DiCamillo
illustrated by Chris Van Dusen
Date: 2007
Publisher: Candlewick
Reading level: C
Book type: illustrated chapter book
Pages: 80
Format: e-book
Source: library

When the Watsons decide to zip their porcine wonder into a formfitting princess dress for Halloween —complete with tiara — they are certain that Mercy will be beautiful beyond compare. Mercy is equally certain she likes the sound of trick-or-treating and can picture piles of buttered toast already. As for the Lincoln sisters next door, how could they know that their cat would lead them all on a Halloween “parade” of hysterical proportions? Kate DiCamillo’s delightful pig is back in a tale full of treats, tricky turns, hijinks, and high humor.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Sadly, I think this is my least favourite of all the Mercy Watson books. It relies much more heavily on the pictures than on the story, which contains a lot of repetition, especially during the chase. The plot is basically that Mercy and the Watsons go trick-or-treating and Mercy chases Eugenia's cat, General Washington, up a tree.

The pictures are awfully cute, and I love how Stella herself is dressed up as a pig. It's also rather amusing when she runs off and her brother, Frank, shouts her name, à la A Streetcar Named Desire. Mostly, though, I'm kind of disappointed at how thin the story is. It's fun watching Mrs. Watson try to put a costume on a pig (Mercy only agrees because she thinks the resulting treat will be toast with a great deal of butter on it), and the return of the firemen Ned and Lorenzo is amusing. I guess I just wish there had been a little more story than the usual "cat stuck in a tree" trope.

As part of the series, this book works fine. But if someone were to read it on its own, they'd probably be underwhelmed.

Quotable moment:

"Well," said Stella, "I guess the parade is over."

"Nothing is over!" Eugenia Lincoln shouted.

She stared up into the branches of the tree.

"General Washington," said Eugenia, "come down here immediately."

"Moowwll," said General Washington.

"General Washington," said Eugenia, "I will not take 'no' for an answer."

Plot: 3/5
Characters: 4/5
Pace: 4/5
Writing & Editing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.63 out of 5

Review - Where Are You Going, Baby Lincoln?

Where Are You Going, Baby Lincoln? (Tales from Deckawoo Drive #3)
by Kate DiCamillo
illustrated by Chris Van Dusen
Date: 2016
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Reading level: C
Book type: illustrated chapter book
Pages: 112
Format: e-book
Source: library

What if timid Baby Lincoln broke free of her bossy sister and set off on an unexpected journey? Kate DiCamillo presents a touching new adventure set in Mercy Watson’s world.

Baby Lincoln’s older sister, Eugenia, is very fond of telling Baby what to do, and Baby usually responds by saying “Yes, Sister.” But one day Baby has had enough. She decides to depart on a Necessary Journey, even though she has never gone anywhere without Eugenia telling her what to take and where to go. And in fact Baby doesn’t know where she is headed — only that she was entirely happy in the previous night’s dream, sitting aboard a train with a view of shooting stars. Who might Baby meet as she strikes out on her own, and what could she discover about herself? Will her impulsive adventure take her away from Eugenia for good?

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I think this is my favourite book in the series yet! It has a cast of wonderful characters, a nice message, and an interesting story.

In both this series and the original Mercy Watson stories, Baby Lincoln always seems to be in the shadow of her older sister, Eugenia. We don't even know the poor woman's name, since Eugenia gave her the nickname "Baby" when she was little and it has stuck ever since. Eugenia is so forceful and bossy that Baby's become very good at just going along with whatever she says. So it's refreshing to see Baby step out of her big sister's shadow in this book and start to create a story of her own.

After having a dream about being on a train and seeing shooting stars, Baby gets fed up with Eugenia and her routines and decides to go on a Necessary Journey. She gets on a train with the help of Stella, the little neighbour girl, and begins her trip. Along the way, she meets a number of interesting people who each give her something that changes her life for the better. This culminates in her meeting a little boy named George and telling him a wonderful story about kings and pear trees and wolves.

Of course, being set in this universe, the story has to end with hot buttered toast (just like all the other books), but there's also a little epilogue that shows how much Baby's journey has changed her. The character development in this book is really good. (And, yes, we do get to find out Baby's real name!)

This is my favourite book of the Tales of Deckawoo Drive series so far, and maybe even my favourite set in the Mercy Watson universe (I'm still waiting to get my hands on Book #4 of the previous series, though, so I can't say for sure). The Tales of Deckawoo Drive books seem like they're for a slightly older audience than Mercy Watson; they have more pages, a lot more text, and tons of words that are going to have kids running to the dictionary. But I love how DiCamillo never shies away from challenging her readers, and I think these are great books to help foster a love of reading and splendiferous words.

Quotable moment:

The words of the story came to her without her thinking too much about what they should be. It was as if she were reading a book that already existed, telling a story that she already knew.

As she read, George leaned in closer and closer until, finally, he was leaning right up against her. He was warm. He smelled like peanut butter and construction paper.

Plot: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Pace: 5/5
Writing & Editing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 5/5

Overall: 4.63 out of 5

Review - Francine Poulet Meets the Ghost Raccoon

Francine Poulet Meets the Ghost Raccoon (Tales from Deckawoo Drive #2)
by Kate DiCamillo
illustrated by Chris Van Dusen
Date: 2015
Publisher: Candlewick
Reading level: C
Book type: illustrated chapter book
Pages: 112
Format: e-book
Source: library

Francine Poulet is the greatest animal control officer in Gizzford County. She hails from a long line of Animal Control Officers. She’s battled snakes, outwitted squirrels, and stared down a bear. "The genuine article," Francine’s dad always called her. She is never scared—until, that is, she’s faced with a screaming raccoon that may or may not be a ghost. Maybe Francine isn’t cut out to be an animal control officer after all! But the raccoon is still on the loose, and the folks on Deckawoo Drive need Francine back. Can she face her fears, round up the raccoon, and return to the ranks of Animal Control? Join a cast of familiar characters—Frank, Stella, Mrs. Watson, and Mercy the porcine wonder—for some riotous raccoon wrangling on Deckawoo Drive.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This, the second book in the Tales from Deckawoo Drive series, was a bit of a disappointment for me. While it had some amusing moments (and plenty of Kate DiCamillo's fabulous use of words), I just couldn't get all that invested in the story, which is mainly about overcoming fear.

Francine Poulet, the animal control officer, attends a call for a screaming raccoon. Things go badly, and her confidence is shaken. It takes Frank, a little boy who lives on Deckawoo Drive, to remind Francine of her skill and her accomplishments. Only then is she able to overcome her fears and start believing in herself again.

While the raccoon and its screaming was pretty funny, I just didn't connect with Francine. She's probably my least favourite character in both series, so I'm not that surprised that I wasn't a huge fan of this book.

Maybe the next couple of books, which look like they feature the Lincoln sisters, will be more to my liking. Francine Poulet Meets the Ghost Raccoon isn't a bad book; it just wasn't for me.

Plot: 3/5
Characters: 4/5
Pace: 3/5
Writing & Editing: 4/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.38 out of 5

Review - Mercy Watson: Something Wonky This Way Comes

Mercy Watson: Something Wonky This Way Comes (Mercy Watson #6)
by Kate DiCamillo
illustrated by Chris Van Dusen
Date: 2009
Publisher: Candlewick
Reading level: C
Book type: illustrated chapter book
Pages: 96
Format: e-book
Source: library

Some may find it wonky to take a pig to the drive-in. But not the Watsons, who think the movie’s title, When Pigs Fly, is inspirational. And not their beloved Mercy, who is inspired by the scent of real butter from the theater’s Bottomless Buckets of popcorn. As they pull up in their convertible, Mercy lifts up her snout and becomes a pig on a mission, leading a delirious chase that’s trailed by hapless rescuers reunited from Mercy’s earlier adventures.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I'm kind of sad that this is the last Mercy Watson book. I still need to read #4 (hurry up, library!) and there's the spin-off series to finish, but I'm going to miss reading about this porcine wonder and her wonky adventures.

In this tale, the Watsons decide to go to the drive-in to see a movie called When Pigs Fly. They take the Lincoln sisters, as well as Stella and Frank (who I'm assuming were introduced in Book 4). Officer Tomilello and Francine Poulet are also at the drive-in, along with Leroy Ninker, and eventually the firemen Lorenzo and Ned show up, too... so it's a big reunion of all the characters of the series. Mercy ends up using the drive-in as a buttered-popcorn buffet, and everyone ends up chasing her. Of course, Mercy loves a chase...

For some reason, I found the dialogue a little clunky in spots, especially with Francine Poulet's date, Alfred P. Tomkins. It almost seemed comma-splicey to me. Other than that, though, this book had the same sort of style as the others, with plenty of new words to keep kids stimulated (e.g., Leroy Ninker singing the praises of real butter on the popcorn: "Yippie-i-oh! There's nothing faux.").

I'm so glad I read this series. I'll read Mercy Watson: Princess in Disguise at some point in the future. I wouldn't miss it! I just wish these books--along with the Bink & Gollie series by the same author--had been around when I needed early-reader chapter books. I know I would've gobbled these all up... like hot toast with a great deal of butter on it!

Quotable moment:

Mercy discovered that there was hot buttered popcorn everywhere.

Every car had big buckets of popcorn!

Every car had open windows!

The popcorn was buttery.

The popcorn was crunchy.

The popcorn was delicious.

Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Pace: 4/5
Writing & Editing: 3/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.86 out of 5

Review - Mercy Watson Thinks Like a Pig

Mercy Watson Thinks Like a Pig (Mercy Watson #5)
by Kate DiCamillo
illustrated by Chris Van Dusen
Date: 2008
Publisher: Candlewick
Reading level: C
Book type: illustrated chapter book
Pages: 80
Format: e-book
Source: library

Can Mercy Watson outwit . . . Animal Control? The porcine wonder’s on the lam in her latest tongue-in-snout adventure! Eugenia and Baby Lincoln may live next door to a pig, but that doesn’t stop them from living a gracious life. And the amiable Mercy Watson is equally determined to follow the delightful scent (and delicious taste) of the pansies her thoughtful neighbors are planting to beautify their yard. "Where have all the flowers gone?" shouts Eugenia, who is finally ready to take extreme measures—and dial Animal Control! Has Mercy’s swine song come at last? Or will her well-pampered instincts keep her in buttered toast?

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I read this book out of order, since I'm on a wait list for Book 4 at the library. I figured it would be fine to skip one, since each book seems to stand well enough on its own. That was the case here, although I suspect that the neighbour kids, Stella and Frank, were introduced in the book I skipped. No matter. This was still a fun story about the lovable porcine wonder.

One day, while the Watsons are enjoying lemonade in their backyard, the Lincoln sisters are busy planting pansies. Mercy smells them and goes in search of the wonderful scent. Of course, she then eats all the flowers, which is the last straw for Eugenia Lincoln, who calls Animal Control. Francine Poulet sets out to capture a pig, though she's never had to deal with a pig before. So she decides to think like one. (I'm not sure how leaping over hedges and climbing trees is thinking like a pig, but that's part of what makes it so amusing.) She eventually finds Mercy at a disappointing tea party (all the food is imaginary!) and of course the story ends happily with everybody enjoying some hot buttered toast.

As usual, the illustrations are great, and the word choices are stimulating. At one point, the Watsons are running around worrying about "an Unmentionable Horror", thanks to Baby Lincoln's vague warning. (I love how they didn't even stop to clarify what she was talking about, but just ran off in a panic.)

These books are so much fun. While it would've been nice to read them all in order, it's not strictly necessary. Each story stands well on its own.

Quotable moment:

"BABY!" screamed Eugenia.

"Yes, Sister?" said Baby.

"Where have all the flowers gone?" shouted Eugenia.

"Oh, dear," said Baby. "They were here just a minute ago."

Mercy came around the corner.

There was a spring in her step.

There were pansy petals on her chin.

Plot: 3/5
Characters: 4/5
Pace: 4/5
Writing & Editing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.86 out of 5

Review - Mercy Watson Fights Crime

Mercy Watson Fights Crime (Mercy Watson #3)
by Kate DiCamillo
illustrated by Chris Van Dusen
Date: 2006
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Reading level: C
Book type: illustrated chapter book
Pages: 80
Format: e-book
Source: library

Leroy Ninker is a small man with a big dream: he wants to be a cowboy, but for now he’s just a thief. In fact, Leroy is robbing the Watsons’ kitchen right this minute! But little does he know that a certain pig who loves toast with a great deal of butter is stirring from sleep. Even less could he guess that a comedy of errors will soon lead this little man on the wild and raucous rodeo ride he’s always dreamed of! Nosy neighbors, astonished firemen, a puzzled policeman, and the ever-doting Watsons return for a hilarious adventure.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is another fun story about Mercy Watson the pig. It seemed more like the first book (which I liked) in that Mercy is very much a pig with few human attributes or motivations (I wasn't a huge fan of Mercy wanting to drive the car in the last book; that seemed a little too human). In this story, as in the first book, Mercy ends up saving the day simply by being herself.

One night, after she's been tucked into bed, she hears a noise in the kitchen. In her simple little mind, noise in the kitchen means someone's making food. So she goes downstairs to investigate and stumbles across Leroy Ninker, who's trying to steal the toaster. After Mercy realizes nobody's actually making toast, she gets bored and falls asleep, blocking the thief's exit. As he tries to surmount this obstacle, the rest of the book is set in motion and Mercy ends up inadvertently thwarting the robbery.

I'm not quite sure how I feel about Leroy in this book. I first read about him in Leroy Ninker Saddles Up, which comes later in the chronology of these books. At that point, he was already a reformed thief. I'm a little uncomfortable with him being a cute and lovable thief, because I think it runs the risk of glamourizing breaking the law. (However, it's kind of hard to take him that seriously as a burglar, since all he ended up doing was stealing a few kitchen items and then riding the pig around the backyard while imagining himself a real cowboy.)

I enjoyed this installment marginally more than the last one, since it goes back to Mercy doing her thing simply by being a pig. As usual, the writing and illustrations are great. I'm looking forward to getting my hands on the next book, Mercy Watson: Princess in Disguise.

Quotable moment:

"That pig is disturbing the peace," said Eugenia. "And so is the cowboy riding her. I am calling the police."

"Oh, Sister," said Baby, "are you sure it's not a dream?"

"It's a nightmare," said Eugenia. "That is what it is."

Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Pace: 4/5
Writing & Editing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 5/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.86 out of 5

Review - Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride

Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride (Mercy Watson #2)
by Kate DiCamillo
illustrated by Chris Van Dusen
Date: 2006
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Reading level: C
Book type: illustrated chapter book
Pages: 80
Format: e-book
Source: library

Mercy loves nothing more than a ride in the convertible, with the wind tickling her ears and the sun on her snout. But one day the Watsons’ elderly neighbor Baby Lincoln pops up in the backseat in hopes of some “folly and adventure” — and in the chaos that ensues, an exuberant Mercy ends up behind the wheel!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I would've read this one sooner, but I had to wait for it from the library. These books are obviously quite popular, as there's a wait list for all of them.

This is the second book in the Mercy Watson series, and the third book I've read that takes place in this world. As usual, Kate DiCamillo gives readers an entertaining story about the porcine wonder, Mercy Watson. In this installment, Mr. Watson takes Mercy out for their usual Saturday drive in his pink convertible. But the day turns out to be anything but usual. Baby Lincoln, one of the Watsons' elderly neighbours, has stowed away in the backseat, and Mr. Watson gets distracted just long enough for Mercy to jump onto his lap and take control of the car. What follows is a police chase, a near-death experience for the porcine wonder, and plenty of buttered toast. Of course.

I wasn't quite as enamoured with this book as I was with the first one. It's still strong, and I did like how safety is emphasized (when Baby Lincoln and Mr. Watson are trying to stop the car, they make a point of always making sure their seat belts are buckled). DiCamillo's great use of vocabulary words is on display here ("careened" and "caromed" are unusual words to see in a children's book), and the illustrations by Chris Van Dusen are as charming as ever. However, I just didn't feel as much magic as I did with the first book, or as I did with Leroy Ninker Saddles Up. It's still a strong book for beginning readers, but the story is a little bit short.

Quotable moment:

"Laws have been broken," said Officer Tomilello.
"Pig!" shouted Eugenia.
"Excuse me?" said Officer Tomilello.
"It's all that pig's fault," said Eugenia.

Plot: 3/5
Characters: 4/5
Pace: 4/5
Writing & Editing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 5/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.75 out of 5

Review - Leroy Ninker Saddles Up

Leroy Ninker Saddles Up (Tales from Deckawoo Drive #1)
by Kate DiCamillo
illustrated by Chris Van Dusen
Date: 2014
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Reading level: C
Book type: illustrated chapter book
Pages: 96
Format: e-book
Source: library

Yippie-i-oh! Saddle up for the first in a spin-off series starring favorite characters from Kate DiCamillo’s New York Times best-selling Mercy Watson books. Leroy Ninker has a hat, a lasso, and boots. What he doesn’t have is a horse—until he meets Maybelline, that is, and then it’s love at first sight. Maybelline loves spaghetti and sweet nothings, and she loves Leroy, too. But when Leroy forgets the third and final rule of caring for Maybelline, disaster ensues. Can Leroy wrestle fate to the ground, rescue the horse of his heart, and lasso loneliness for good? Join Leroy, Maybelline, and a cast of familiar characters—Stella, Frank, Mrs. Watson, and everyone’s favorite porcine wonder, Mercy—for some hilarious and heartfelt horsing around on Deckawoo Drive.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I expected a cute story when I started this, and I wasn't disappointed. Leroy Ninker Saddles Up tells the story of a man and his horse, with plenty of beautiful words (which is appropriate, since Maybelline the horse loves beautiful words so much). After Leroy brings Maybelline back to his apartment, he realizes she won't fit through the front door. Later that night, there's a storm, and as Leroy goes to fetch an umbrella, Maybelline gets scared and runs away. Then it's up to Leroy to find his horse. The search leads him to Deckawoo Drive, where Mercy and the Watsons make cameos.

I like the story for the most part, except for one small thing: the problem of Maybelline not fitting through Leroy's front door is never addressed. Yes, Mrs. Watson makes a comment about how there's always a way to make things fit, but that's about much resolution as that plot point gets, and it leaves me wondering how the same thing (Maybelline freaking out and running away after being left outside) won't happen again... repeatedly.

Other than that, though, the writing is strong and intelligent, just the way I've come to expect from DiCamillo. The illustrations are nice, too, although I'm a bit disappointed they aren't in full colour like the ones in the Mercy Watson books. Overall, this is a strong chapter book for young readers (and it's not so juvenile that older readers can't enjoy it, too).

Quotable moment:

"You are the most splendiferous horse in all of creation," he said.
Maybelline whinnied long and loud. She nodded in agreement.
She truly was an excellent horse.
Leroy didn't think he would ever be done admiring her.

Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Pace: 4/5
Writing & Editing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 4 out of 5

Review - Mercy Watson to the Rescue

Mercy Watson to the Rescue (Mercy Watson #1)
by Kate DiCamillo
illustrated by Chris Van Dusen
Date: 2005
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Reading level: C
Book type: illustrated chapter book
Pages: 80
Format: e-book
Source: library

To Mr. and Mrs. Watson, Mercy is not just a pig — she’s a porcine wonder. And to the good-natured Mercy, the Watsons are an excellent source of buttered toast, not to mention that buttery-toasty feeling she gets when she snuggles into bed with them. This is not, however, so good for the Watsons’ bed. BOOM! CRACK!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

After loving some of Kate DiCamillo's middle grade novels (as well as the wonderful Bink & Gollie series for kids), I thought I'd give this series a try. I'm not really big on anthropomorphized animals, especially if they talk. But I didn't have to worry about that here. Aside from a few human traits, Mercy is very much a pig. She does end up saving the day, but totally unintentionally; her mind is more on her stomach and playtime than it is on being a hero.

The pictures are really cute, almost with a quaint 1950s feel to them. There are plenty of them, too, breaking up the text into easy-to-read chunks. It shouldn't take an older reader too long to get through these books, but they'll be just the right length for beginning readers. I would've loved to have this series around when I was a kid.

If you can suspend disbelief around the basic premise (that of a couple who are raising a pig as their child) and just go with it, you'll probably find a lot to enjoy here. This would be a great book to read aloud, as well as a suitable book for kids who are just getting into reading chapter books themselves.

Quotable moment:

Eugenia ran toward Mercy.
Mercy's heart beat faster.
There was going to be a chase!
Mercy loved a chase.

Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Pace: 5/5
Writing & Editing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 5/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 4.25 out of 5

Review - Two for One

Two for One (Bink & Gollie #2)
by Kate DiCamillo & Alison McGhee
illustrated by Tony Fucile
Date: 2012
Publisher: Candlewick
Reading level: C
Book type: graphic novel
Pages: 96
Format: e-book
Source: library

The state fair is in town, and now Bink and Gollie — utter opposites and best friends extraordinaire — must use teamwork and their gray matter while navigating its many wonders. Will the energetic Bink win the world's largest donut in the Whack-a-Duck game? Will the artistic Gollie wow the crowd in the talent show? As the undaunted duo steps into the mysterious tent of fortune-teller Madame Prunely, one prediction is crystal clear: this unlikely pair will always be the closest of pals. Get ready for more laughs in this wry, warmhearted sequel to the New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book Bink and Gollie, written by the award-winning, best-selling Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee and featuring the exuberant visual humor of illustrator Tony Fucile.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I read the other two Bink & Gollie books earlier this year, since they were the only ones the library had. I requested Two for One last week, and now the library has the full series... so people can read the books in order. That said, there's really no need to read them in order, since the stories are all self-contained. There are little touches here and there (like that rainbow sock from the first book) that continue throughout the series, but knowing the origins of those things isn't necessary for enjoying the rest of the books.

In this installment, Bink and Gollie go to the fair. There didn't seem to be quite as much witty dialogue in this one as in the other two, although the pictures pick up the storytelling slack. The first story, where Bink tries to win a giant donut by playing Whack-a-Duck, is pretty funny. The poor Whack-a-Duck man! But the girls show their kindness in a heartwarming way, turning what could've been a tragedy into a sweet episode.

The last story involves Bink and Gollie visiting a fortune teller. It's a cute ending that wraps up everything that happened that day, and reaffirms the girls' friendship.

As always, the illustrations are great. The expressions on the girls' faces are priceless, and I love how their clothes reflect their personalities (without them always wearing the exact same thing, as characters in comics sometimes do).

While it wasn't my favourite of the series (that honour goes to the first book), I still really liked it. I wish this trilogy had been around when I was a kid. And I wish there were more books about Bink and Gollie's adventures as best friends!

Quotable moment:

"What's next?" said Bink. "The Ferris wheel? The Big Daddy Octopus? The Bump-a-ramabumper cars?"

"Destiny," said Gollie.

"Destiny?" said Bink. "Is it a ride?"

"In a manner of speaking," said Gollie.

Plot: 3/5
Characters: 5/5
Pace: 5/5
Writing & Editing: 5/5
Illustration: 4/5
Originality: 5/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall Rating: 4.38 out of 5 ladybugs

Review - Raymie Nightingale

Raymie Nightingale
by Kate DiCamillo
Date: 2016
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Reading level: MG
Book type: prose novel
Pages: 272
Format: e-book
Source: library

Raymie Clarke has come to realize that everything, absolutely everything, depends on her. And she has a plan. If Raymie can win the Little Miss Central Florida Tire competition, then her father, who left town two days ago with a dental hygienist, will see Raymie's picture in the paper and (maybe) come home. To win, not only does Raymie have to do good deeds and learn how to twirl a baton; she also has to contend with the wispy, frequently fainting Louisiana Elefante, who has a show-business background, and the fiery, stubborn Beverly Tapinski, who’s determined to sabotage the contest. But as the competition approaches, loneliness, loss, and unanswerable questions draw the three girls into an unlikely friendship — and challenge each of them to come to the rescue in unexpected ways.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I guess it had to happen sometime: I read a book by Kate DiCamillo that I didn't absolutely love.

Now, there's nothing wrong with this book, per se. It just didn't click with me. Part of that may be to do with the fact that what's in the book doesn't really match the synopsis. I thought this would be a story about three girls competing in a contest. It's actually not. That's how it starts out, and the contest provides the context in which the girls meet, but the actual plot revolves around rescuing Louisiana's cat from the Very Friendly Animal Center (which is exactly what you might be thinking it is).

The book is very character driven, which is a good thing. I was actually going to read Louisiana's Way Home first, because I didn't realize that this book actually introduces that character. I saw a reviewer say they wish they'd read Raymie Nightingale before they read the companion book, so I figured I'd do that. The characters of the three girls are all drawn very well; they're very distinct and come alive on the page with DiCamillo's trademark precociousness and charm. At times, though, I felt the girls weren't quite acting their age. Raymie sometimes lapsed into sounding too much like an adult, and Louisiana was the opposite (I occasionally had to remind myself that she was not in kindergarten).

Once the plot really got going, with a nighttime rescue mission that involved a shopping cart, a smelly dog, a swan, and a sinkhole, I was pretty engaged (even though I did have to suspend a bit of disbelief that these little girls were wandering around town in the middle of the night on their own; it was 1975, but still). Everything tied up neatly in the end. Perhaps a little too neatly. I just can't shake the feeling that I didn't... well, have any feelings to shake. (The last book I read by this author was The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, which was the best book I've read all year. It almost made me cry, which books so rarely do. Raymie Nightingale had a lot to live up to.)

As I said at the beginning, this isn't a bad book. Not at all. It might appeal more to middle graders, or to readers who enjoy really character-driven stories that might be light on plot. It was just sort of average for me... although I don't think that'll stop me from checking out Louisiana's story in the future.

Premise: 3/5
Plot: 3/5
Characters: 4/5
Pace: 3/5
Writing: 4/5
Editing: 4/5
Originality: 3/5
Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall Rating: 3.38 out of 5 ladybugs

Review - The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
by Kate DiCamillo
illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline
Date: 2000
Publisher: Candlewick Press (MA)
Reading level: MG
Book type: illustrated prose novel
Pages: 183
Format: e-book
Source: library

Once, in a house on Egypt Street, there lived a china rabbit named Edward Tulane. The rabbit was very pleased with himself, and for good reason: he was owned by a girl named Abilene, who adored him completely. And then, one day, he was lost...

Kate DiCamillo takes us on an extraordinary journey, from the depths of the ocean to the net of a fisherman, from the bedside of an ailing child to the bustling streets of Memphis. Along the way, we are shown a miracle -- that even a heart of the most breakable kind can learn to love, to lose, and to love again.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I'm not a crier when it comes to books... but this one nearly had me in tears by the end.

My mom read this one herself years ago, long before I'd discovered Kate DiCamillo's books. She enjoyed it, and I sort of filed that information away, along with a vague notion that I should one day give this book a try. Now that I've read it, I really wish I hadn't waited so long. It's probably one of the best reads I've had all year.

DiCamillo has this way of writing for kids that challenges them and respects them as intelligent readers. She's not afraid to use big words or deep concepts. That's the case here, as well, with the story of a proud, somewhat-vain china rabbit who finds himself lost. Throughout his journey, he meets friends and enemies, and all the while he grows as a... well, not a person, but as an intelligent being. He learns to love, only to lose hope when he's separated from the ones he loves over and over again. But, eventually, the love returns, completing the miraculous journey that's just as internal as it is about travelling in the world.

In some ways, this seems like a fairy tale. In other ways, I was reminded of stories like The Velveteen Rabbit, with the theme of a toy being loved so much that it eventually becomes real. Edward was always "real", though; his journey had more to do with being his best rabbit self.

The illustrations are the perfect complement to the gentle story. Some are monochromatic, and others are in full colour, but each one helps Edward's world come alive in the mind of the reader.

I don't know if I can recommend this one enough. It's a great middle-grade read, as it's not too long, but it's perfectly suitable for older readers (including adults) as well. Kate DiCamillo has yet to disappoint me.

Quotable moment:

Edward hung by his velvet ears and looked up at the night sky. He saw the stars. But for the first time in his life, he looked at them and felt no comfort. Instead, he felt mocked. You are down there alone, the stars seemed to say to him. And we are up here, in our constellations, together.

I have been loved, Edward told the stars.

So? said the stars. What difference does that make when you are all alone now?

Plot: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Pace: 5/5
Writing & Editing: 4/5
Originality: 5/5

Enjoyment: 5/5

Overall Rating: 4.86 out of 5 ladybugs

Review - Best Friends Forever

Best Friends Forever (Bink & Gollie #3)
by Kate DiCamillo & Alison McGhee
illustrated by Tony Fucile
Date: 2014
Publisher: Candlewick
Reading level: C
Book type: graphic novel
Pages: 88
Format: e-book
Source: library

Gollie is quite sure she has royal blood in her veins, but can Bink survive her friend’s queenly airs — especially if pancakes are not part of the deal? Bink wonders what it would be like to be as tall as her friend, but how far will she stretch her luck to find out? And when Bink and Gollie long to get their picture into a book of record holders, where will they find the kudos they seek? Slapstick and sweetness, drollery and delight abound in this follow-up to the Geisel Award–winning, New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book Bink and Gollie, written by the beloved and best-selling Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee and brought to hilarious life by Tony Fucile.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is the third book in the Bink & Gollie series, though I suspect you don't need to have read the second book to get something out of this one (nor would you necessarily need to read these in order). I enjoyed Best Friends Forever, just not quite as much as the first book.

In this installment, Gollie becomes a queen (much to the chagrin of Bink), Bink buys an Acme Stretch-o-Matic (probably from the same catalogue that Wile E. Coyote uses) to make herself taller, and the girls decide they want to get their picture in Flicker's Arcana by developing an extraordinary collection of... something.

I didn't find that the individual stories tied together quite as much as the ones in the first book did. (But I did like how one of Bink's rainbow socks is still in play!) As was the case with the first book, the girls (especially Gollie) use big words that can be puzzled out by kids based on context, and the illustrations are just as cute as ever. (I can totally see these books being used as the basis for an animated series or film.)

Despite not loving this as much as the first book, I still think this is a really strong series. I'll have to see if I can get my hands on the second book at some point!

Quotable moment:

"All righty, then," said Bink. "Let's eat!"

"I shall no longer be cooking pancakes for you, Bink," said Gollie.

"Why not?" said Bink.

"I regret to inform you," said Gollie, "that royalty does not cook for others."

"Oh," said Bink. "Okay. I regret to inform you that I am going home."

Plot: 3/5
Characters: 5/5
Pace: 5/5
Writing & Editing: 5/5
Illustration: 4/5
Originality: 5/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall Rating: 4.38 out of 5 ladybugs

Review - Bink & Gollie

Bink & Gollie (Bink & Gollie #1)
by Kate DiCamillo & Alison McGhee
illustrated by Tony Fucile
Date: 2010
Publisher: Candlewick
Reading level: C
Book type: graphic novel
Pages: 88
Format: e-book
Source: library

Meet Bink and Gollie, two precocious little girls--one tiny, one tall, and both utterly irrepressible. Setting out from their super-deluxe tree house and powered by plenty of peanut butter (for Bink) and pancakes (for Gollie), they share three comical adventures involving painfully bright socks, an impromptu trek to the Andes, and a most unlikely marvelous companion. No matter where their roller skates take them, at the end of the day they will always be the very best of friends. Full of quick-witted repartee, this brainchild of Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo and award-winning author Alison McGhee is a hilarious ode to exuberance and camaraderie, imagination and adventure, brought to life through the delightfully kinetic images of Tony Fucile.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I was searching my library's e-book selections for more books by Kate DiCamillo because I've found her to be a reliably good author when I want a children's book that's written well and isn't condescending. I'd never even heard of the Bink & Gollie books before, but the library had #1 and #3 (typical), so I picked up the first one to give it a try. As soon as I was done, I downloaded the third book as well.

This is a super-cute depiction of friendship. The pictures themselves are adorable (I love Gollie's house up in the tree and Bink's wild hair!), but combined with DiCamillo and McGhee's wonderful writing, I felt like I was watching an amazing animated film. I could almost hear Bink's cute little voice in my head (she has some of the best lines). DiCamillo never shies away from using big words, trusting that kids are smart enough to figure out what is meant through context. The result is a story that is enjoyable for a much wider age range than one might normally find in a children's book.

The stories are simple, but they all tie together by the end, and the girls' friendship is reinforced even more. I wish my library had all of the books in the series, because I'd love to read about more of Bink and Gollie's adventures.

Quotable moment:

"Hello, Gollie," said Bink. "Do I smell pancakes?"

"You do not," said Gollie.

"Will I smell pancakes?" said Bink.

"Perhaps a compromise is in order, Bink," said Gollie.

"What's a compromise?" said Bink.

"Use your gray matter, Bink," said Gollie. "You remove your outrageous socks, and I will make pancakes."

Plot: 4/5
Characters: 5/5
Pace: 5/5
Writing & Editing: 5/5
Illustration: 4/5
Originality: 5/5

Enjoyment: 5/5

Overall Rating: 4.75 out of 5 ladybugs

Review - Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures

Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures
by Kate DiCamillo
illustrated by K. G. Campbell
Date: 2013
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Reading level: MG
Book type: illustrated prose novel
Pages: 240
Format: e-book
Source: library

It begins, as the best superhero stories do, with a tragic accident that has unexpected consequences. The squirrel never saw the vacuum cleaner coming, but self-described cynic Flora Belle Buckman, who has read every issue of the comic book Terrible Things Can Happen to You!, is the just the right person to step in and save him. What neither can predict is that Ulysses (the squirrel) has been born anew, with powers of strength, flight, and misspelled poetry—and that Flora will be changed too, as she discovers the possibility of hope and the promise of a capacious heart.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is the third book by Kate DiCamillo I've read (or listened to), and it's the third one I've enjoyed.  Now I really want to go out and find all of her other books so I can gobble them up!

Please, dear author, I want some more...

This is such a whimsical story.  Of course you have to suspend disbelief a little bit, since it's a book about a squirrel that can fly and use a typewriter to write poetry.  But there is a strong superhero/comic-book flavour to the whole thing, which sort of automatically implies a certain level of fantasy.

All of the characters were well developed and distinct.  From next-door-neighbour Tootie and her squirrel-eating vacuum cleaner to the temporarily blind William Spiver, from the waxing-nostalgic Dr. Meescham to the strange-but-lovable George Buckman, from the chain-smoking Phyllis to the furry ball of fury that is Mr. Klaus, all of the supporting characters put on a good show.  But I really enjoyed the two title characters and their relationship.  It was just so cute.  Flora needs a friend and she finds one in Ulysses; and Ulysses, for his part, loves Flora and everything about her.

The book is pretty fun to read, and the illustrations are adorable.  Some of the illustrations take up a full page, and others are incorporated into comic-book panels.  Most of the book, however, is made up of short prose sections with amusing chapter titles.

What really impressed me, though, was how the story was written.  The author doesn't shy away from using big words or thoughtful concepts.  Even though this is a middle-grade book, it doesn't talk down to kids.  You can tell when an author respects her target audience; that was apparent in this case.

It's all a matter of taste...

I can't think of much to complain about.

Let's get technical...

I read this as an e-book, but I would love to see what it looks like in a physical format.  It was a little fiddly getting Adobe Digital Editions to display everything at a size large enough for reading... while not cropping any of the cute illustrations and comic-book panels.

The verdict...

I'd highly recommend this book to readers (of all ages) who like whimsical stories about friendship and fantasy.  It might also appeal to fans of graphic novels and/or comic books.

Quotable moment:

And then she saw that Mrs. Tickham and the vacuum cleaner were headed directly for a squirrel.

"Hey, now," said Flora.

She banged on the window.

"Watch out!" she shouted. "You're going to vacuum up that squirrel!"

She said the words, and then she had a strange moment of seeing them, hanging there over her head.

"YOU'RE GOING TO VACUUM UP THAT SQUIRREL!"

There is just no predicting what kind of sentences you might say, thought Flora. For instance, who would ever think you would shout, "You're going to vacuum up that squirrel!"?

It didn't make any difference, though, what words she said. Flora was too far away. The vacuum cleaner was too loud. And also, clearly, it was bent on destruction.

Premise: 4/5
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Pace: 5/5
Writing: 4/5
Editing: 5/5
Originality: 5/5
Enjoyment: 5/5

Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 ladybugs

Review - Because of Winn-Dixie [AUDIO]

Because of Winn-Dixie
by Kate DiCamillo
Date: 2000
Publisher: Listening Library
Reading level: MG
Book type: prose novel
Length: 2 hours 28 minutes
Format: audio book [unabridged]
Source: library

When 10-year-old India Opal Buloni moves to Naomi, Florida, with her father, she doesn't know what to expect -- least of all, that she'll adopt Winn-Dixie, a dog she names after the supermarket where they met.

Right away, Opal knows she can tell Winn-Dixie anything -- like the fact that lately she's been thinking a lot about her mother, who left when Opal was three. And that her father, the preacher, won't talk about her mother at all. And that she's lonely. But with such an unusually friendly dog at her side, Opal soon finds herself making more than a few unusual friends. And ultimately, Opal and the preacher realize -- with a little help from Winn-Dixie, of course -- that while they've both tasted a bit of melancholy in their lives, they still have a whole lot to be thankful for.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I really haven't had much experience with audio books.  For some reason, I'd viewed them sort of as cheating... like if I didn't actually read a book myself, then it didn't count.  Which is kind of silly, actually.  The last audio book I listened to was an abridged version of Karen Cushman's Catherine, Called Birdy way back in the 1990s (on cassette tape -- my age is showing).  I really enjoyed it, so I don't know why I was so hesitant to try audio books again.

Because of Winn-Dixie is a cute story about a girl and her dog.  It's one of those books that evokes the atmosphere of small-town America in a way that seems so real that it can create a sense of nostalgia (even for those who've never been to small-town America).  The cast of characters was colourful and entertaining, and everybody had their own story.  Winn-Dixie was a fun animal character, too, with his unusual but friendly manner of greeting people and his neurosis about thunderstorms.

There's really not much I have to say against the book, though I wasn't crazy about the choice of narrator for the audio book.  Opal was supposed to be a 10-year-old girl, so listening to what sounded like a 40-year-old smoker kind of threw me.  Other than that, the performance itself was good, with lovely inflection and different voices for the various characters.

Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Pace: 4/5
Performance: 4/5
Originality: 4/5
Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 4 out of 5