Review - Free as a Bird

Free as a Bird
by Gina McMurchy-Barber
Date: 2010
Publisher: Dundurn Group
Reading level: MG
Book type: prose novel
Pages: 176
Format: e-book
Source: library

Born with Down syndrome, Ruby Jean Sharp comes from a time when being a developmentally disabled person could mean growing up behind locked doors and barred windows and being called names like "retard" and "moron." When Ruby Jean's caregiver and loving grandmother dies, her mother takes her to Woodlands School in New Westminster, British Columbia, and rarely visits.

As Ruby Jean herself says: "Can't say why they called it a school -- a school's a place you go for learnin an then after you get to go home. I never learnt much bout ledders and numbers, an I sure never got to go home."

It's here in an institution that opened in 1878 and was originally called the Provincial Lunatic Asylum that Ruby Jean learns to survive isolation, boredom, and every kind of abuse. Just when she can hardly remember if she's ever been happy, she learns a lesson about patience and perseverance from an old crow.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This book is a great example of one with a misleading synopsis.  That last sentence about the talking crow almost turned me right off the book, because I didn't really want to read a book about such a serious subject that was going to incorporate talking animals (which, unless they're done really well, are a great way to turn a good story into a ridiculous one).  Luckily, there's no anthropomorphic fantasy in this book.  Instead, it's an interesting, emotional, character-driven historical fiction novel.

At first, I wasn't sure if I liked the way Ruby Jean talked.  Quite a few of the words she used were spelled phonetically, and it took a while for me to get used to that.  Once I did, however, I realized how necessary those spellings were to help bring Ruby Jean to life on the page.  And I ended up really, really liking her character.  I rooted for her, I felt heartbroken for her, and I wanted things to turn out well for her.  Despite being told all her life that she wasn't smart, she actually was; maybe not in the IQ sense, but she was quite observant and had a lot more sense and compassion than some of the other characters in the book.  The staff of Woodlands made some excellent villains... but it's disturbing that these characters' actions were based on ones that actually happened.  (The author's note at the back of the book is well worth reading, as well, for some historical context.)

For such a character-driven novel, quite a lot happens.  There is a well-crafted story that moves along at a nice pace, even within the institution.  I was never bored while I was reading this book.  The pace picks up even more in the second half, most of which takes place outside of the institution (see what I mean about the synopsis being misleading?).

This is one of those books that I found at the library and picked up because it was set locally (which is always kind of cool to see) and because it was short.  What I found was a wonderful little novel about a fairly recent time in history and the people that our society wanted to forget about.

Quotable moment:

When Grace left Morris said to Bernice, "I can't believe the little cretin behaved herself. Little Miss Do-Gooder's probably just too embarrassed to tell us how Ruby Jean acted up." Then he looked at me. "Did you bite her, Ruby Jean? C'mon, you can tell Morris."

Morris dint knowed I'd never want to bite Grace. Sure was gettin a feelin bout bitin him though.

Recommended to: fans of historical fiction and "tough" subject matter; readers who like strong characters

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

Enjoyment: 5/5

Overall Rating: 4.43 out of 5 ladybugs

Review - Big Red Lollipop

Big Red Lollipop
by Rukhsana Khan
illustrated by Sophie Blackall
Date: 2010
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: We Give Books

Rubina has been invited to her first birthday party, and her mother, Ami, insists that she bring her little sister along. Rubina is mortified, but she can't convince Ami that you just don't bring your younger sister to your friend's party. So both girls go, and not only does Sana demand to win every game, but after the party she steals Rubina's prized party favor, a red lollipop. What's a fed-up big sister to do? Rukhsana Khan's clever story and Sophie Blackall's irresistible illustrations make for a powerful combination in this fresh and surprising picture book.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This book actually made me really angry... so I guess it didn't really do what it was supposed to do.

I understand that the author is trying to show cultural differences here.  Ami just doesn't understand that you don't bring your bratty little sister to a birthday party when you're the one holding the invitation.  Unfortunately, there was little explanation as to why Ami thought that dragging a screaming brat to a friend's birthday party was acceptable.  Perhaps if there had been some discussion about party customs in Ami's culture, the book might have made more sense.  As it is, it's a story that's bound to frustrate and leave the reader wondering why Sana is allowed to act like a spoiled brat and get away with appalling behaviour, why Rubina is expected to put up with this and "share" (Ami's idea of "sharing" is to let Sana have whatever she wants, even if it belongs to someone else), and why, years later, Ami so quickly changes her mind about forcing Sana to take her little sister to a party after only a few words from Rubina.

The premise was good, and it's nice to see more multicultural children's books, but even the cute illustrations weren't enough make this one I'd wholeheartedly recommend.  I was pretty disappointed.

Quotable moment:

The worst thing is that all the girls at school know if they invite me to their birthday parties, I have to bring Sana.

I don't get any invitations for a really long time.

Recommended to: young children with parents who understand enough about cultural differences to explain why Rubina's mother acts the way she does

Premise: 2/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 1/5

Overall: 2.33 out of 5

Weekly Recap - November 2-8, 2014

Here's what I blogged about over the last seven days:

Monday - I reviewed I Had a Favorite Dress by Boni Ashburn and Julia Denos and gave it 4.33 ladybugs.

Tuesday - I participated in the Top Ten Tuesday meme.  This week's topic was books we'd like to re-read.  I'm not a re-reader... but I participated anyway.

Wednesday - I reviewed Lulu & Pip by Nina Gruener and Stephanie Rausser and gave it 3.5 ladybugs.

Thursday - I participated in Booking Through Thursday where we discussed the most helpful books we've read.

Friday - I reviewed Llama Llama Mad at Mama, Llama Llama Misses Mama, and Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney.  The ratings ranged between 3.43 and 4 ladybugs (so they were pretty good little picture books).

Saturday - I shared the new books I got this week in New to the TBR Pile.  I got quite a few new books this week, though most of them were free and were picture books.  I also got some good deals on two novels.

How was your week?

New to the TBR Pile (8)

Freebie from We Give Books:

Big Red Lollipop
by Rukhsana Khan
illustrated by Sophie Blackall

Rubina has been invited to her first birthday party, and her mother, Ami, insists that she bring her little sister along. Rubina is mortified, but she can't convince Ami that you just don't bring your younger sister to your friend's party. So both girls go, and not only does Sana demand to win every game, but after the party she steals Rubina's prized party favor, a red lollipop. What's a fed-up big sister to do? Rukhsana Khan's clever story and Sophie Blackall's irresistible illustrations make for a powerful combination in this fresh and surprising picture book.

Llama Llama Mad at Mama
by Anna Dewdney

Does any child like to go shopping? Not Llama Llama! But Mama can’t leave Llama at home, so off they go to Shop-O-Rama. Lots of aisles. Long lines. Mama is too busy to notice that Llama Llama is getting m-a-d! And before he knows it, he’s having a full-out tantrum! Mama quickly calms him down, but she also realizes that they need to make shopping more fun for both of them.

Llama Llama Misses Mama
by Anna Dewdney

It’s Llama Llama’s first day of preschool! And Llama Llama’s mama makes sure he’s ready. They meet the teachers. See the other children. Look at all the books and games. But then it’s time for Mama to leave. And suddenly Llama Llama isn’t so excited anymore. Will Mama Llama come back?

Of course she will. But before she does, the other children show Llama Llama how much fun school can be!

Llama Llama Red Pajama
by Anna Dewdney

In this infectious rhyming read-aloud, Baby Llama turns bedtime into an all-out llama drama! Tucked into bed by his mama, Baby Llama immediately starts worrying when she goes downstairs, and his soft whimpers turn to hollers when she doesn’t come right back. But just in time, Mama returns to set things right. Children will relate to Baby Llama’s need for comfort, as much as parents will appreciate Mama Llama’s reassuring message.

A Night in Santa's Great Big Bag
by Kristin Kladstrup
illustrated by Tim Jessell

It's Christmas Eve, and Louis's favorite stuffed animal, Lamb, couldn't be more excited. While Louis is asleep, Lamb tiptoes downstairs and climbs into Santa's great big bag of presents. Inside is a magical world, filled with new friends: other toys waiting to be delivered as gifts. But soon Lamb starts to miss Louis, and he worries he will never make his way back home. Fortunately, Santa is there to save the day, and Louis is just a short sleigh ride away. Tim Jessell's exuberant art and Kristin Kladstrup's lively writing create a Christmastime world that you won't want to leave.

Bought from Amazon.ca:

Bag of Bones
by Stephen King

Four years after the sudden death of his wife, forty-year-old bestselling novelist Mike Noonan is still grieving. Unable to write, and plagued by vivid nightmares set at the western Maine summerhouse he calls Sara Laughs, Mike reluctantly returns to the lakeside getaway. There, he finds his beloved Yankee town held in the grip of a powerful millionaire, Max Devore, whose vindictive purpose is to take his three-year-old granddaughter, Kyra, away from her widowed young mother, Mattie. As Mike is drawn into Mattie and Kyra's struggle, as he falls in love with both of them, he is also drawn into the mystery of Sara Laughs, now the site of ghostly visitations and escalating terrors. What are the forces that have been unleashed here—and what do they want of Mike Noonan?

Black Ice
by Becca Fitzpatrick

Sometimes danger is hard to see... until it’s too late.

Britt Pfeiffer has trained to backpack the Teton Range, but she isn't prepared when her ex-boyfriend, who still haunts her every thought, wants to join her. Before Britt can explore her feelings for Calvin, an unexpected blizzard forces her to seek shelter in a remote cabin, accepting the hospitality of its two very handsome occupants—but these men are fugitives, and they take her hostage.

In exchange for her life, Britt agrees to guide the men off the mountain. As they set off, Britt knows she must stay alive long enough for Calvin to find her. The task is made even more complicated when Britt finds chilling evidence of a series of murders that have taken place there... and in uncovering this, she may become the killer’s next target.

But nothing is as it seems in the mountains, and everyone is keeping secrets, including Mason, one of her kidnappers. His kindness is confusing Britt. Is he an enemy? Or an ally?

Black Ice is New York Times bestselling author Becca Fitzpatrick’s riveting romantic thriller set against the treacherous backdrop of the mountains of Wyoming. Falling in love should never be this dangerous...

What's new to your TBR pile this week?  Let me know in the comments!

Review - Llama Llama Red Pajama, Llama Llama Mad at Mama, Llama Llama Misses Mama

I found these books on We Give Books.  They had three of them available, so I read them all.  According to Goodreads, there are thirteen books about this adorable little llama and his mother.  See below for my thoughts on each of the books:

Llama Llama Red Pajama (Llama Llama)
by Anna Dewdney
Date: 2005
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: We Give Books

In this infectious rhyming read-aloud, Baby Llama turns bedtime into an all-out llama drama! Tucked into bed by his mama, Baby Llama immediately starts worrying when she goes downstairs, and his soft whimpers turn to hollers when she doesn’t come right back. But just in time, Mama returns to set things right. Children will relate to Baby Llama’s need for comfort, as much as parents will appreciate Mama Llama’s reassuring message.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This book was probably my favourite of the bunch.  It takes a common childhood fear (when mother doesn't come running, does it mean she's left?) and spins an amusing little tale around it.  Mama Llama's reassurances to her son are sweet and heartfelt, letting kids know that, just because their parents might be busy, it doesn't mean they aren't there for them.  The illustrations in this book are particularly adorable... even when Llama Llama is moaning and crying for his mother (who's simply on the phone in the kitchen).

Quotable moment:

Llama llama
red pajama
in the dark
without his mama.
Eyes wide open,
covers drawn...
What if Mama Llama's GONE?

Recommended to: young children and their parents

Premise: 4/5
Meter: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 4 out of 5

Llama Llama Mad at Mama (Llama Llama)
by Anna Dewdney
Date: 2007
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: We Give Books

Does any child like to go shopping? Not Llama Llama! But Mama can’t leave Llama at home, so off they go to Shop-O-Rama. Lots of aisles. Long lines. Mama is too busy to notice that Llama Llama is getting m-a-d! And before he knows it, he’s having a full-out tantrum! Mama quickly calms him down, but she also realizes that they need to make shopping more fun for both of them.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This was the first of the Llama Llama books I read, and I was pleasantly surprised.  The story takes a familiar situation (a child would rather stay home and play, but gets dragged to the store and becomes bored and frustrated) and imparts a valuable lesson... for both the child and the parent.  After Llama Llama throws a fit and makes a mess, he's held responsible for his actions and has to help Mama Llama make amends.  It was a good message, and the cute pictures did a good job of illustrating the emotions of the characters.

Quotable moment:

Loaf of bread
and Cream of Wheat.
Llama Llama wants his treat.
It's no fun at Shop-O-Rama.
Llama Llama
MAD at Mama!

Recommended to: young children and their parents

Premise: 3/5
Meter: 4/5
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.43 out of 5

Llama Llama Misses Mama (Llama Llama)
by Anna Dewdney
Date: 2009
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: We Give Books

It’s Llama Llama’s first day of preschool! And Llama Llama’s mama makes sure he’s ready. They meet the teachers. See the other children. Look at all the books and games. But then it’s time for Mama to leave. And suddenly Llama Llama isn’t so excited anymore. Will Mama Llama come back?

Of course she will. But before she does, the other children show Llama Llama how much fun school can be!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This Llama Llama book takes a common theme for its story: the first day of school/preschool.  At first, Llama Llama is sad and scared because he thinks his mother's left him.  But when the teacher reassures him that his mother will be back at the end of the day, he starts to have some fun and make some friends.  And, of course, Mama Llama comes back.  Like the other two books, this one has a reassuring message for kids.  The illustrations in this one were pretty cute, too, with all of the different animals.  Llama Llama's teacher is a zebra!

Quotable moment:

Don't be sad, new little llama!
It's OK to miss your mama.
But don't forget--
when day is through,
she will come right back to you.

Recommended to: young children and their parents

Premise: 4/5
Meter: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.86 out of 5



Overall, I really enjoyed these books, even though I'm way past the target audience and I don't have children of my own.  I wouldn't mind reading some of the other Llama Llama titles if they're as cute as these three!

Booking Through Thursday (38)

Booking Through Thursday asks:

What’s the most helpful book you’ve ever read?

I think that would probably be one of the books on writing I've read over the years... though I'm not sure I could pick just one.  And, also, you'd have to define what you meant by "helpful".  These books have been great for honing the craft of writing... but they haven't been so great for my reading life; now I tend to nitpick and I'm really hard on the books I read because I tend to spot the "errors".

Some of the books that I've found "helpful" are:

You Can Write a Novel by James V. Smith, Jr. - It's a great one for getting everything together so you can sit down and get something on the page.

The Writer's Journey by Christopher Vogler - It uses Joseph Campbell's work as its basis and builds on it with concrete examples from popular culture.  This is also an interesting book for readers, since it teaches about story structure.  (You'll never be able to read a book or watch a movie the same way after reading this one!)

Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg - Its little snippets of wisdom are great for inspiration!

On Writing by Stephen King - It's funny that I've yet to read one of his novels, but I've read his book about writing novels!  He's got some great advice in here, along with some biographical material that makes for interesting reading.  Every writer should have a copy of this one!

What's the most helpful book you've ever read?  Tell me in the comments!

Review - Lulu & Pip

Lulu & Pip
by Nina Gruener
photographs by Stephanie Rausser
Date: 2014
Publisher: Cameron + Company
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 48
Format: hardcover
Source: library

The lovely follow-up to Kiki & Coco in Paris, Lulu & Pip tells the story of a girl, Lulu, and her doll, Pip, as they leave the busy city life for a rustic camping adventure. Featuring once again the beautiful photographs of Stephanie Rausser, the charming doll by Jess Brown, and story by Nina Gruener.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I have to say, I haven't read a ton of children's picture books that use photographs rather than illustrations.  I do remember reading a few in my own childhood, but I don't remember them being as cute as Lulu & Pip.

The story is pretty simple: a little girl and her doll best friend (and, presumably, her mother... though we never see her!) leave the busy city and head off for a fun camping trip, leaving all their technology and gadgets behind.  They get to enjoy a campfire and marshmallows, swimming in the lake, and some exciting exploring.

The style of the photographs reminds me of a trendy catalog.  It's not the most realistic camping trip; the girl gets to stay in a cute little teepee with twinkle lights, and every piece of clothing she wears looks like it was bought in a vintage-inspired boutique!  Lulu does mention -- as she struggles toward the campsite in her flouncy skirt and turquoise booties, tugging her old-fashioned suitcase behind her -- that perhaps they overpacked (and overdressed!), so at least there's some acknowledgment of the slightly unrealistic scenes.

I did notice some continuity issues with the photographs.  At one point, when Lulu and Pip go exploring, Lulu's wearing shoes and her hair is tied back.  In the next picture, her feet are bare.  Her hair is loose.  Then her shoes are inexplicably back on her feet and the ponytail is in place.  I'm not sure if kids would notice, but I did; it's kind of a shame, because it was distracting enough to disrupt the flow of the story for me.

Pip, the doll, is a Jess Brown doll.  I had no idea what those were until I read the book.  It's probably best not to let your kids know that they can have their own Pip.  The dolls cost nearly two hundred dollars!  Now I'm cringing, thinking about how Pip went "swimming" in the lake...

All in all, it's a cute book with adorable photographs.  I'd probably recommend it to very young girls.

Quotable moment:

Recommended to: little girls; fans of vintage-inspired fashion

Premise: 3/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.5 out of 5