Monday, April 8, 2024

The Red House Mystery by A.A. Milne

 When I learned that A.A. Milne had written a mystery, I immediately borrowed it from the library. Mr. Milne wrote it for his father, who liked reading detective stories. I liked how he directly talked to the reader and how he incorporated humor and charm.

Antony Gillingham, an independently wealthy young man, has explored London and pursued a variety of odd jobs throughout his travels. Upon arriving to Woodham for a holiday, he learns that his friend Bill is staying at "The Red House", a mansion owned by Mark Ablett, a wealthy patron of the arts. Antony decides to pay Bill a surprise visit. A surprise, however, awaits for Antony-a corpse. With his deduction skills and with Bill's faithful assistance, Antony uncovers secrets and deception. 

Perfect for those who love classic, old-fashion detective stories.

 I sometimes thought Bill was a bit too eager and a push-over . . .Antony asked him to do the unpleasanst aspects of the detecting. On the other hand, I liked Antony and would have liked to have been friends with him. They joked that they were like Sherlock and Watson. Their joviality throughout the investigation, even when in danger, was unrealistic, but I overlooked it after awhile because it added lightness to the story. It was a fun read.

Consideration if sharing with teens: some swearing-dn, a**, infer a character may have committed suicide at the end (no details-very vague)

*Highly recommend for those who enjoy classic, old-fashion, British detective stories.

-Borrowed from the library.



Friday, April 5, 2024

Barn at Night by Michelle Houts illustrated by Jen Betton

 A father wakens his daughter to help him with farm chores before dawn. Although it depicts the dedication farmers have to care for their creatures and the hard work farming entails, a farm with this amount of animals could not sustain a family. This farm would be a hobby farm or what people call nowadays "homesteading". 

-Borrowed from the library.

Published by Feeding Minds Press "accurate and engaging books about agriculture".



The Golem's Latkes retold by Eric A. Kimmel illustrated by Aaron Jasinski

 Rabbi Judah creates a golem who will do any task when told. One problem-he will keep doing the task until someone says, "Golem, enough!". When Rabbi Judah visits Emperor Rudolf in Prague, he leaves his new housemaid, Basha,  in charge. Against his better judgment, he permits her to use the Golem. 

Pair with Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola & Sweep: The Story of a Girl & Her Monster by Jonathan Auxier (for older kids-grades 4 & older) to make T-T connections.

-Borrowed from the library.



A Few Beautiful Minutes-Experiencing a Solar Eclipse by Kate Allen Fox illustrated by Khoa Le

 Ms. Fox celebrates the phenomenon of the total solar eclipse. With figurative language, she walks the reader through a solar eclipse. After the main narrative, Ms. Fox offers facts about the solar eclipse and also a timeline of an eclipse. Instructions how to build a a sun viewer are also included.

Stunning illustrations.

Perfect timing for the total solar eclipse occurring soon in the U.S.! 

-Borrowed from the library.




Little People, Big Dreams series

 This biography series by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara includes more than eighty titles!! She includes interesting information about the individual in an engaging manner. Various artists from around the world illustrate the books in this series. 

I read Charles Dickens (Vol. 70) & Agatha Christie (Vol. 5)- (not many biographies written about this author for children!!).

-Borrowed from the library.






Tuesday, April 2, 2024

If I Was a Horse by Sophie Blackall

Through her imagination, a girl shares how she would behave if she was a horse. Ms. Blackall's illustrations/art are full of clever details. I studied the backgrounds and seemingly minor inclusions with great delight!

-Borrowed from the library.


 

Greek Mythology text set

 My eighth grader will soon be reading Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus for literature class. So he could understand the allusion in the title, he read the myth about Prometheus in two of these books. Although I only read the Prometheus retellings in these books, I wanted to record the titles so I can borrow them again when we study ancient history. 

-Borrowed from the library.

**Full of interesting facts & history -will appeal to reluctant readers.


A classic!