Beauty: A retelling of the story of Beauty & the Beast

Beauty: A retelling of the story of Beauty & the Beast
By: Robin McKinley
Copyright:1978
Pages:247
Reading Level: 9-12

The retelling of Beauty and the Beast, is surprisingly different. The Beast is still under an enchantment, and is still a Prince after all. But everything else is fairly different from the Disney Movie I watched oh so many times. This story gives quite a bit of background for Beauty. So it is quiet properly named. Starting with her childhood, where she describes how she just grew as her sister grew beautiful. She began to hate her name, and took on the role as the ugly sister. She focused much of her time, learning and reading. As the story continues her father loses, or so he thinks, all his ships in a storm. And is forced to retire to the country. The whole family goes, along with Ger who is now Hope's husband. They move to a small town Ger grew up in, and Ger becomes to towns blacksmith. One day they received news that another ship has returned, so the father returns to the city and deals with things there. On his return trip he get trapped in a snow storm and stumbles on to a castle. He picks a rose, the Beast becomes very angry, and makes him promise to either bring back one of his daughter or come back himself in a months time.
At this point he returns home, where Beauty feels like this is her adventure in life. With much opposition, she does end up returning to the castle where she is treated like a Princess. Slowly her and the Beast become very close friends, however despite this. Every night he would ask "Will you marry me, Beauty?" and every night she would reply "No." It takes Beauty a one week trip back home, to realize her love for the Beast. She returns back to the castle, with great trouble I might add. Professes her love to the Beast, and he changes into the handsome man she saw in the painting. And they, along with her family live happily ever after.

Recommended to: Girls who don't think they are beautiful, or don't feel like they much fit in. Or anyone looking for a great love story.
Problems: If a person is against magic or witchcraft, they probably wouldn't enjoy this book. However this book doesn't have any violence, or bad language. I think its a family friendly book.
My Reaction: I loved it, I have always loved the classic Disney movie, but I might like this even better. The detail where you get to know Beauty is excellent, and helps you relate later on when she is living in the Castle. Also I love how big of a part her horse plays in the story. He added a strong steady character, and I think makes Beauty stronger in return. As a girl who hasn't always felt the most beautiful either, it was fun to read and see how without mirrors she just blooms into her full potential.

The Eleventh Hour

The Eleventh Hour: A Curious Mystery
By: Graeme Base
Copyright: 1988
Pages: 32
Reading Level: 4-8

This was my first time reading this book, and boy, what a picture book. This book teaches on so many levels. The story is about an elephant who decides to have a party to celebrate his 11th Birthday. Horace, the elephant makes a wonderful feast for everyone but decided he only wants to eat it at a special time. So he carefully plans games until then. The book seems like a simple enough story till you get to the end, and find the feast is gone. And you have a mystery to solve. The very neat thing about this story is, it doesn't come right out and tell you who stole the feast only that you need to carefully examine the story again and find the clues.
Graeme Base now gives us a break, and includes some on the answers in the back, in a top secret section. Since the story doesn't give away the ending of who eat it, I wont either. In the end all is well anyways as Horace saved the cake in the kitchen, and everyone was able to have a piece. This is a book that could be read again, and again and still find new and interesting parts.
Recommended to: Children and parents, this would be a fun family activity. As many eyes are better than one. I would also say no earlier than kindergarten, as the pages are quiet busy and could be frustrating for a young child.
Problems: The biggest problem I see with this book, is it could discourage a reader if he or she isn't able to figure out the mystery. Also a whole book about stealing might not pass along the right message.
My Reaction: This wasn't my favorite picture book, though I did love the illustrations I just felt it was a little too cluttered. However that's just my personal opinion, also I'm not a fan of mysteries.

Moo Who?

Moo Who?
By: Margie Palatini
Illustrated by: Keith Graves
Copyright: 2004
Pages: 40
Reading Level: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book

Moo Who? is a story of a cow who is famous for her, not always on key singing. Then suddenly one day she was out in the pasture she was hit by a cow pie. Hilda loses her memory of who she is, and more importantly what sound she makes. For the rest of the book she wonders around the farm, imitating the other animals trying to find just the right sound. In the end Hilda does in fact find her MOO, and the rest of the farm finds earplugs.
This is a very cute story, and I loved it at once because it reminded me of Are You My Mother? And that is one of my all time favorite childhood books. This story has the same fun animal noises, in a slightly funnier format. The illustrations in this are absolutely hilarious, starting with the cow who has a very big Elvis like hairdo. It also keeps with the no clutter rule, there are funny details you want to be sure not to miss. But its easy to follow along.
Recommended to: Librarians looking for a laugh, or small children learning animal sounds.
Problems: I found this to be all around a friendly reader, but it might not be the book for someone who has a family member who has memory lose.
My Reaction: I first read this while standing in the library, and had to hold in a few giggles. I also really wanted to HONK with the goose, and Oink with the pig. I will love reading this to my children someday, I think its a great way to get a child involved and learning.

The Magic Hat

The Magic Hat
By: Mem Fox
Illustrated by: Tricia Tusa
Copyright: 2002
Pages: 32
Reading Level: Children 4-8
Genre: Picture Book

"Oh, the magic hat, the magic hat!
It moved like this, it moved like that!"

The Magic Hat magically appears in town one day, and floats from one head to another changing people into different animals. These animals always rhyme with the way the people are described, making it fun to try and guess what they will turn into. The towns people gather and celebrate the magic that the hat has brought them. Then a Giant wizard, with a tiny stop sign. comes to town and stops the magical hat, and changes all the people back. However he leaves them with a surprise, which is a giant chicken. And he himself puts on the hat, and turns into a regular boy.
Recommended to: Mothers reading to there children. This picture book has neat illustrations, and the way it is laid out makes it a great read-along. Allowing the children to guess what the towns people are going to change into next.
Problems: This is an everyone friendly book.
My Reaction: The magic dust that followed the hat in this book, kept me bouncing right along with it. I found myself trying to guess what the warty old man would become, before turning the page. Beautiful details in the illustrations.

Oh, the Places You'll Go!

Oh, the Places You'll Go!
By: Dr. Seuss
Copyright: 1990
Pages: 56
Reading Level: Children 4-8
Genre: Picture Book

"And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)"

Dr. Seuss is a friend to all. This book is a great story about life, the ups and downs, the dark and the light. The journey starts saying "Congratulations! Today is your day." The bright eyed boy starts on his way, he heads straight out of town into the world. And comes across many things that take him to high heights,and into slumps. He passes through people who are stuck waiting, without purpose. However he surpasses them and goes on in his journey.He wins and he loses. With the boy making choices all along the way, he keeps going no matter what stands in his way. He faces his fears right in the face, and even beats loneliness. In the end the boy even moves a mountains, and accomplishes lots in his journey. This story is encouragement to dream lots of dreams, and do lots of things. And never forget who you are, and all that you can do.
Recommended to: Kids starting school, or facing difficulty in life. This book gives a very simple boast to any child's confidence.
Problems: I really couldn't find anything controversial in this book. Unless you are offended by lots of color. This is a great book for anyone.
My Reaction: This was my first time reading this Dr. Seuss book, which is why I grabbed it right off the shelf. I have loved every Dr. Seuss book I have read. And this is a new favorite. The confidence I got from reading this book, even at my age was amazing. I think every child should get a chance to see all the places they could go!

One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish

One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish

By: Dr. Seuss

Copyright: 1960

Pages: 62

Reading Level: Children 4-8

Genre: Picture Book

"Why are they

sad and glad and bad?

I do not know.

Go ask your dad."

This book along with most of Dr. Seuss' takes you on an adventure starting at the very first page. The story tells of many things you can see. The kids go from watching things that like to run, go by. To a Nook with a Hook Cook Book on his head. And finally fall asleep with there pet Zeep. This book is a colorful classic. The rhymes and rhythm keep children focused. I have read this many times, and still reading it again felt like I was on a new adventure. I noticed a few new things this time.
Recommend it: This is a book for everyone, from mothers reading to their children, to new readers, to older children wanting a trip down memory lane.
Problems: The only issue I could think a parent might have with this book, is the many made up creatures and things. It may confuse a young learner trying to figure out the difference between a cow and a horse.
My reaction: I love this book. I'm sitting here reading it in the Library trying to hold in my laughter. Dr. Seuss' drawling are one of a kind. Definitely a necessity for any library.