From the other reviews I gather that this book is a love/hate experience for many. I loved the premise that we choose how we respond to situations andFrom the other reviews I gather that this book is a love/hate experience for many. I loved the premise that we choose how we respond to situations and attitude does matter. Looking for a few books for a literature circle for grandchildren in order to introduce summer reading selections, this will be a good addition. The day I picked it up from the library, a granddaughter sitting in the car starting reading it and laughing. That was a positive indicator for me that this will be a good choice....more
The charm of this book was twofold for me. The story is simple and heartwarming and the art truly lovely but the biggest bonus was the reaction of my The charm of this book was twofold for me. The story is simple and heartwarming and the art truly lovely but the biggest bonus was the reaction of my seven year old granddaughter. She chose this book one night to read prior to bedtime at grandma's house. Since she is very drawn to animals, I wasn't surprised because this book is about Mandarin ducks. However, her emotions were drawn into the book immediately as the beautiful drake duck is captured by an evil ruler. She was genuinely concerned about the duck's welfare and she kept asking to see the pictures which she loved.
We wouldn't have read this book if it had ended sad because I would never have been able to get her to sleep. Sleep she did, but the interesting thing is that the next morning she immediately wanted to look at it again and then before going home asked ever so politely if she might be able to take the book home. Victory. ...more
This is a positively charming and delightful book for elementary and middle school children. Long a favorite of one of my granddaughters, I finally reThis is a positively charming and delightful book for elementary and middle school children. Long a favorite of one of my granddaughters, I finally reserved it from the library so we could discuss it. I can understand why she loves it. She has been studying Chinese in a dual-language program since kindergarten and she is now in fourth grade. This book spoke to her. With her background and introduction to the Chinese culture, I am thrilled that she has been exposed to the challenges of immigration, acceptance, developing new friendships, judging, letting go of and keeping traditions, family heritage, awareness, kindness and the importance of family and love. This little book surprised me. I acknowledge lovely writing, poetic at times, and understatement. This author was masterful at inference. How pleased I am that this granddaughter is acquiring a taste for good writing and meaningful reading. Kudos to the author....more
I love to read good children's literature and this book of a bygone era (1912) was informative and charming. I was hoping this might be the book I wouI love to read good children's literature and this book of a bygone era (1912) was informative and charming. I was hoping this might be the book I would choose to read with my grade-school grandchildren this summer, but I am not sure if it would meet the diverse needs. I loved the family solidarity and I particularly enjoyed the traditional religious observances. If I do choose this for the summer, I would look for a book on Jewish traditions with pictures to share with the children. I would like them to have a broader understanding of different cultures, places and even times.
Yesterday while tending two grandchildren ages almost four and six, I read them the first two chapters of this book. They were very engaged with the first chapter and couldn't understand how children could not own their own books. The little girl, six, loved the second chapter with bright buttons and dusting, but her brother left in the middle to find toys. What a nice teaching tool it provided for us to talk about the value of a penny and that a family could be happy even if they were not affluent.
Now it goes to a granddaughter age nine who will read it to her six year old sister. It is definitely worth sharing, and I will be very interested in their response. Will all of the religious observances and the different food be too much? Who knows?
Thanks to Brina for suggesting it and to Beth for helping me to find a copy. ...more
Delightful and heartwarming novel. I am a succor for a Christmas setting anyway, but this was touching. Charming characters, including a lovable dog eDelightful and heartwarming novel. I am a succor for a Christmas setting anyway, but this was touching. Charming characters, including a lovable dog enhanced the short tale. Children are compared to starlings which makes me laugh. I can't wait to share this with my nine year old granddaughter this weekend. Rich ideas to discuss in this small book including:
'What good does it do to be honest if you aren't kind and generous?' he asked. Then in a softer tone he said, 'You may think them thieves and wanderers, madame, but they are workers, too. ...
Homelessness, poverty, hard times, courage, generosity, judgment, assistance, all of these elements are part of this little book. I highly recommend it. ...more
This is a nostalgic children's Christmas story by renown author Betty MacDonald of theMrs. Piggle-Wigglefame. Vividly, the clever magic of Mrs. PiggleThis is a nostalgic children's Christmas story by renown author Betty MacDonald of theMrs. Piggle-Wigglefame. Vividly, the clever magic of Mrs. Pigglewiggle is one of my earliest childhood memories of a book that I just loved. I have no idea how old I was when I read this and I wish I had been introduced to this Christmas story at that time. Nancy and Plum are two young orphans in a story very similar to Annie of the musical fame. They, too, are orphans and kept in an orphanage with a wicked and horrid caregiver. They are resilient and not influenced negatively by their surroundings. After finishing this book, I immediately sent it to a nine year old granddaughter. I will be interested in learning how she likes it....more
This is a story that I think will relate well to young children. Who doesn't love a dirty, loving- hearted mongrel dog? Quick read with some memorableThis is a story that I think will relate well to young children. Who doesn't love a dirty, loving- hearted mongrel dog? Quick read with some memorable characters....more
Fun. I especially liked the last line, "...he and the moose reached a compromise. The moose would agree to all of Wilford's rules...whenever it suitedFun. I especially liked the last line, "...he and the moose reached a compromise. The moose would agree to all of Wilford's rules...whenever it suited him." Can't quite picture having a moose as a pet, but whatever....more
Having recently lost a loved one, this book was recommended to me. I found it uplifting, comforting and inspiring all at the same time. Filled with woHaving recently lost a loved one, this book was recommended to me. I found it uplifting, comforting and inspiring all at the same time. Filled with wonderful thoughts like: "I will be absolutely free of the things that I held onto that were holding onto me" makes me want to read and reread it. Wouldn't be marvelous if we could create a heaven on earth in our hearts and homes!
Memoir of a basically orphaned treesome of sisters They move from orphanage to numerous foster homes before they find a loving family with the stabiliMemoir of a basically orphaned treesome of sisters They move from orphanage to numerous foster homes before they find a loving family with the stability and love capacity to adopt three girls. Not exceptionally well written, but touching nevertheless with the honest retelling and resiliency of the girls. Ranked more for the story rather than the style. I commend anyone who will spend the time and effort to tell his/her life....more
Just reread this classic in hopes that it will be a perfect "match" for a young granddaughter. I can't help but rank it high because of my sentimentalJust reread this classic in hopes that it will be a perfect "match" for a young granddaughter. I can't help but rank it high because of my sentimental attachment. I didn't read this as a child, but it was one of the first chapter books that my children read. I appreciate the resourcefulness of the children and their determination to stick together. The characters in the novel were hard workers who found "fun" in accomplishing the necessary every-day tasks. Is it maudlin? Yes. Is it over simplified? Perhaps I would say only for adults. For a seven year old it is magic and adventure. I don't have an attachment to the other books in the series which the children read on their own. I do feel a reverence for the "boxcar" and my memories of one that was in a park at the bottom of my street growing up. It captures a bygone day, and I hope that contemporary children can appreciate the resiliency that is so strong in this charming little early reader....more
Loading...
