Disney's The BFG - movie review

I was always going to love The BFG. Roald Dahl has forever been a fixture in my life, and what’s more, I snagged a free ticket – the greatest of many perks in library work! However, I was honestly surprised at how much I loved it, nay, respected it.

Firstly, whatever kind of new-fangled expensive CGI techniques they used, I am on board completely. I generally have a fairly low cringe tolerance for anything even facing in the direction of the uncanny valley, but I am very happy to say they the film was never even close to such territory. The BFG’s enormous mug is actually very realistic, alternating between crinkly and charming and touchingly solemn. At first I was furious to discover that my primary school teacher was NOT cast in this role, but I’ve since eased up. Peter, you would have been marvellous – but Mark Rylance does a wonderful job.

The landscapes are colourful, fantastic, stunning enough to rival your favourite avant-garde/surrealist directors. I cannot stress enough how much I appreciated the use of colour, and the palette is very of the moment in its techni-coloured shades of nebula/galaxy. In true Dahl fashion, there are plenty of silly gags (read: farts) to allow for chuckles across the age spectrum, and also some sage life lessons – i.e., bullies sadly exist (Jemaine Clement is brilliant as the main antagonist, the Fleshlumpeater), families are often neither neat or nuclear, and happiness invariably occurs alongside a dose of sadness. Of course in the end, kindness prevails – but if you’re into having your heartstrings tugged *gently* then it’s pretty much a winner in that respect.

If I had any complaints, I suppose it would be that there was nothing really scary about the film, which, to dedicated Dahl fans, may seem an aberration – especially as (in my opinion anyway) the trailer seemed to promise some chills. And you know, it’s about a little girl being kidnapped by a giant man and taken away to a land where other giants – GIANT giants considering that The BFG is really a runt of a giant – eat little children. But, if you’re willing to suspend your disbelief, giving up on the more sinister side of Dahl’s oeuvre and making way for his sentimental elements, then I believe you will enjoy it. What it lacks in wickedness, it more than makes up for in lovely visuals, charm, silliness and warmth.

The BFG opens in New Zealand cinemas on Thursday 7 July, 2016.

Our thanks to Disney for providing the movie passes to our reviewer.

Cats And Mice And Everything In Between

I just love this time of year because it gives me a chance to catch up on all the wonderful reading lists and to add to my every increasing to-be-read pile.  You the know the one. The one that is so long that it would probably take a whole year of dedicated reading to just get through it.  Still think of all the lovely books I could read...

Books like Firefly Hollow and Crenshaw, featuring both real... and imaginary animals.  And the fact that I am adding both of these to my to-be-read list as I type has nothing to do with my compulsive reading habit - okay it totally does..  I also want a cat name Crenshaw.  Because seriously who wouldn't.  An imaginary cat no-less. Now that is all kinds of awesome.  Just as all these books are. So check them out, share them with your kids, your friends kids and have a summery indulge of all things magical.

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

Don't you just love books with pictures.  Big, glorious, colourful pictures that tell a story in a way that words often can't.

And with summer upon us there is nothing better than stretching out upon a comfy blanket under a shady tree with a pile of picture books to wile away a hot, sunny afternoon, all while eating strawberries and drinking ice cold lemonade.  Because you have to do these things right.

Personally I want to read them all

A List of Lists: Reading Challenges

I am a huge fan of reading challenges. Oh, who am I kidding. I'm a huge fan of challenges in general - especially when I come across them in list form. If there's a list of things that need to be ticked off, then by golly I will try to do that.

Working in the library means that yes, I have access to and often read a lot of books. Why not make a list of them, or read particular ones? Why not try to expand my reading repertoire?

Thus began my main reading challenge - a family wide one (we're very bookish) with a whole bunch of relatives all seeking to mark off a list to see who can finish it first. ("It's not a competition though!")

And, because I like to make life hard for myself, I also set my own personal challenges - another 3 in fact -

Dana's Reading Challenge List

1. The family 'Reading Challenge' - 52 Books in Different Categories
2. Adult Fiction - 26 books, one for each letter of the alphabet
3. Young Adult Fiction - 26 books, one for each letter of the alphabet
4. Children's Fiction - again, 26 books, one for each letter of the alphabet

Why, Dana? Why do you do this to yourself? Especially the books in alphabetical order, and in YA and Children's? Well, I'll tell you why - in another list!

• Forcing myself to go by letters means I'll probably pick up books I wouldn't think of, just because the letter won't have anything I normally read;

• This situation - "This looks like such a lovely book... BUT it's children/YA fiction." should happen less. Why not judge a book by its cover and read it for that instead of whats on the inside (or who it's 'meant' for)?

• Being a young(er) library assistant means that when kids or teens need a recommendation, co-workers often send them to me for help.
  Having a limited knowledge of children/teen fiction means that I've steered too many kids towards 'popular' series - The Hunger Games, Geronimo Stilton, anything by Robert Muchamore for someone after 'action-y books'. While the books are popular for a reason, I'd like being able to cater to a kids preferences better. If they've read The Hunger Games, Divergent series, The Maze Runner - what can they read next? What else is there? You know, I don't know... But I'm hoping reading 52 books that aren't adult will help me find out.

• Also, I like lists. Did I mention I like making lists, and crossing things off of lists? 

So I figure, since I've made so much work for myself already, I might as well make a little more and share my reviews with you as well every so often (as I share them on my family 'Reading Challenge Page' on facebook anyway).

But not today. Today I'll just share the original Reading Challenge with you. Let me know if you have any challenges of your own going on! Or, if you have any recommendations (for example, I'm not a fan of classics, so if you have a favourite then let me know, because choosing it myself would just be 'whatever-classic-is-the-shortest') for either the categories OR the alphabet ones I'm doing. I've already started, and have crossed some off, but don't let that stop you from giving me your opinions!

Or anything else to do with lists, or goals you have in mind to complete by the end of the year. Because, as I said - I love lists (and I can't be the only one).

The Twelve Posts of Christmas: Just For Kids... And Maybe Adults Too

I almost wish I had kids just so I could buy all the lovely children's Christmas books that are around.  Because that way I would have an excuse to read them too.

Somehow I don't think my 6ft tall body building step son would appreciate a book called Bear Stays Up For Christmas.  Unless of course he's a secret children's book reader which I somehow doubt.

Luckily for me I work at a Library where I can freely get all the children's books I want.  All in the name of writing blog posts. 

The Angel Tree / Daphne Benedis-Grab.

Every Christmas in the small town of Pine River, a tree appears in the town square and people tie wishes to it, but nobody knows where the tree comes from--but this year four children are determined to solve the mystery of the Angel Tree.





The 12 screams of Christmas / R.L. Stine.

When "frenemies" Kate and Courtney need a quiet place to rehearse for their school's Christmas play, their teacher suggests an old house that might just be haunted.

The big fat Christmas book / Terry Deary

The Big Fat Christ Book is full of festive things that go bump in the night - the perfect read on a cold winter's night when you're waiting for Santa to bring a sleigh full of goodies.

Christmas will never be the same again.

   


The sheep that saved Christmas : a eweltide tale / written by Jason Page.

Cynthia LOVES Christmas. So much so that her flockmates send her off to the North Pole to help Father Christmas. But it turns out that there isn't much an enthusiastic sheep can do to help with Christmas - until one crucial moment.

Bear stays up for Christmas / Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman.

Bear's friends are determined that he's awake for Christmas and they get him up from his hibernation on Christmas Eve. Bear is excited to experience the holiday with his friends and tries very hard to stay awake, helping to find the right Christmas tree, making mint tea and singing carols. Finally, though, it's his friends who have fallen asleep - and Bear Stays Up! 

Rudey's windy Christmas / Helen Baugh & Ben Mantle.

Oh, dearie me! said Rudolph. Now I've done a windy pop! This is a bit embarrassing. I'll do my best to stop. Rudolph has eaten too many sprouts and the explosive effect is smelt all around the world as he and Santa delivers presents on Christmas Eve...The other reindeer have laughed so much, they're out of puff. How ever will they get the sleigh back home?

Really creepy kid's book covers.

Most children's book covers are really cute and make me wish I had some form of artistic ability but sometimes they get it a bit wrong and the pictures give you nightmares instead. It seems sometimes they can't quite get the eyes right....

What's that horror film when they sew your eyes shut? 

Satanic pony

It's looking into my soul! 

 and do not even get me started on the entire concept of Emily Eyefinger:

That crap is terrifying. 

You all deserve to die

Not YOU, my faithful reader(s). I'm talking about the people in the publishing world who really, really annoy me. The ones whom, if I were ever so slightly more psychopathological than I am, I would wish to die in creatively horrible ways. Like being sandwiched in a very large slush pile that's due for the shredder...

Here's my list. What really gets your goat?

#1 - Books starring Jane Austen, remakes of Jane Austen, retellings of Jane Austen

Jane Austen has been a vampire. She has been turned into an erotic kinkfest. Her life and works have been pawed over, warped, twisted, worn threadbare, turned into every flavour of pulp. Zombies and sea monsters have been added to them. They've been placed in a modern setting minus all the best descriptions and language of their creator. The wonderful characters who leapt off the page have been flattened into stupid, cardboard, lifeless versions of themselves in absolutely pointless "modernisations". (Oo, what if we did Persuasion, but in a school? And an office! And in space...)

Keira Knightley has overbitten her way through Elizabeth Bennet. Miniseries have been written in which someone else gets Mr Darcy. For Mansfield Park's sake, they have BROKEN up the MOST ROMANTIC COUPLE in ENGLISH LITERATURE! I am saddened to report that even "decent" authors are getting on the bandwagon. Now that P.D. James and Colleen McCullough have had their turn, they're putting out six new retellings of the novels by the likes of Joanna Trollope and Val McDermid.
Can't you see the woman's exhausted?

No more.


#2 - Twilight readalikes

If I have to give a list of books similar to this series, you'll be reading all day. Ingredients include: paranormal love triangle (involves anything from werewolves to vampires to sexy giant squid - I actually came across a gryphon the other day. Still don't get the humanoid dragon thing, and falling in love with something that's half bird, half lion is just agin' nature.)

Second ingredient: boy who seems to hate the girl, but really burns for her despite her possessing no apparent personality at all.

Third ingredient: a girl who's new to town, who doesn't have any real friends except the one totally hot guy who's keeping a secret...

Sounds familiar? Oh, it's only about 300 recent books...(The Gathering Dark is one.)

Please don't make me buy any more. I'm begging you.


#3 - Titles that are a play on the character's name

Things like Grace Under Fire or Honour Among Thieves or Saving Faith or Hope Rises or April Showers...Maybe not April Showers, it sounds like a certain kind of movie. (Actually I just checked, there is one. But it's not what you think.)

You know what I mean, anyway - books where the main character is actually called Grace, or Faith, or Hope, or Victory, or whatever. Vomitorious.




#4 - Celebrity children's books

Some celebrities can write, apparently. I'm told the Hank Zipzer books by the Fonz aren't too bad, and nor are Jamie-Lee Curtis's. On the other hand - there are Madonna and Jordan, aka Katie Price. At least Jordan doesn't actually write hers. Hilary Duff did write Elixir, starring a young woman struggling with fame, and I mean this nicely, Hilary, but please go back to reading other people's lines. Even Whoopi Goldberg, Steve Martin and Weird Al Yankovic are guilty of some crimes against literature. Funny people, but not good writers. Fifty Cent has written a book. And has anyone read Modelland by Tyra Banks?

Here's the blurb: "Awkward fifteen-year-old Tookie De La Creme is invited to join the most exclusive modeling school in the world, where she must survive the beastly Catwalk Corridor and the terrifying Thigh-High Boot Camp in order to uncover Modelland's sinister secrets."

I'm putting on my fierce face.

Look out - coming up next, Monica Seles' new series about - yep, a tennis academy. Foul.

#5 - Titles that riff on other titles (that riff on OTHER titles)

We've had Fifty Sheds of Grey, Fifty Bales of Hay, Fifty Shades of Play, Fifty Shades of Dorian Gray, Fifty Shades of Feminism, and my personal favourite, Fifty Shades of Chicken.  

Give it a bone, will you? This turkey is well and truly cooked.

Summer Reading For The Kid In Us All

I love books.

Okay no surprise there.

I love them in all shapes and sizes.  Big books and little books. Hardback and paperback.  Kids books and adult books and everything in-between.

Books are amazing. and I love that my mum introduced me to the world of books and reading and imagination at a young age.

Thanks Mum!

Nothing is more wonderful than reading.

And yes I know I'm probably bias since I love books so much and I'm a librarian - but trust me, books are one of life's greatest pleasures and something that everyone should get into.


During the lazy days of summer, when you've had enough of swimming in the sea or building sandcastles on the beach, curly up in a hammock or on a deck lounger under a shady tree with sunlight sprinkling through and the sound of crickets chirping in the background while reading a good book is pure bliss...

Kids books in particular are a particular joy.  There is so much variety and so many to choose from.

There are books about cats and books about bears.  Books about robots and books about dinosaurs.  There are books about being brave and books about being scared.
 


There are books of adventures to far off places, to the past, present and future and books about your very own backyard.

 It's an amazing world and one that every kid can enjoy, whether their 5 or 105 so in the spirit of Christmas and lazy days of summer here are just a handful of picks of kids books for you to enjoy.

"I’ve travelled the world twice over,

Met the famous; saints and sinners

Poets and artists, kings and queens,

Old stars and hopeful beginners.

I’ve been where no one’s

been before,

learned secrets from writers

and cooks,

All on one library ticket

To the wonderful work of books."---Janice James

 

The world's most exciting kid's book.

Inventions by Adam Hart Davis

'If you've ever wondered why the pencil came into existence, or how a steam engine works, or when we started using flushing toilets, this book has all the answers. Based on seven key areas of invention, it tells the stories behind steam power, lighting, toilets, clocks, communication, bikes and flight, and how they are relevant to our world today.'

You know how pop-up books and books with tabs you can pull are more exciting than 'normal' books? Well this has the most exciting pully-tabs of any book I've even seen! It's completely interactive while still being educational. For example: I learned that a Pendulum was more than just a drum and bass group.

It's hard to describe how awesome this book is without looking at it so I recommend you get it out ASAP!

Finding "A forest" on my desk

A delicious treat arrived on my desk, a debut picture book, A forest, by Australian author/illustrator Marc Martin.

Simple, clear text. Layered water colour & pen images. Poignant messages about forest regeneration & human encroachment on the natural world.

If you have read The Lorax by Dr Seuss, if your kids are studying pollution & the environment, if you want to discover a new & talented artist, then you have at least three reasons to pick up this book.

Read. Think. Share.

What does colour feel like?

I know, it seems a little odd to "feel" a colour, just bear with me.

Colour the stars by Dawn McMillan (author) and Keinyo White (illustrator) opens with :

Isaac and Luke sat together on the stream bank, the water washing over their feet, the bush standing guard behind them.

"Do you know about colours, Luke?" asked Isaac.

Think about that seemingly simple question : "Do you know about colours?".

How do you "know" colour? Do you "know" a colour by how something is visually represented? Do you "know" a colour by how it makes you feel when you see it? Do you "know" a colour by how something of a particular colour smells? Do you "know" what colour something is by the way it sounds?

[spoiler alert -- stop reading now if you don't want to know the story's twist]

What does colour mean to a blind person? In this story, Luke is blind. He says that he doesn't really know what people mean when they talk about colours, but that it is okay because he doesn't need colours.

The friendship between the two boys is key here, Isaac wants to share with Luke that colours aren't just visual, they are a feeling. Together they explore what colour feels like. For instance, if I said "sunshine", what colour do you think of?

Two highlights of this story for me are : the way in which Isaac explains the colour red, and then when Isaac explains about stars, "tiny pieces of yellow [...] against the black", Luke says quietly that he knows what black is. I got goosebumps.

Then Isaac shuts his eyes, and he realises that the world isn't just about colours, it is also about listening and sounds, and about the feelings that link in with those sounds. Luke responds that in his world, this is how it is, filled with sounds and feelings.

For me, this picture book is a great example of how an author's words meld perfectly with an illustrator's representation of the story. The author has written a story of two boys' friendship, and the illustrator has captured the sensations of this story perfectly.

Get hold of a copy of this book (it's available in English and Te Reo Māori), read it to a child you love, and then start a discussion about what colour "feels" like to them, it might surprise you with what you learn. 

The Best of British or is that English

"Oh, listen to Mary Poppins. He's got his crust all stiff and upper with that nancy-boy accent. You Englishmen are always so... Bloody hell! [Ticking off his fingers] Sodding, blimey, shagging, knickers, bollocks, oh God! I'm English!" Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

I've never thought of myself as particularly English. My family ties to New Zealand go as far back as the 1840s and there is even a photo of one of my ancestors in the Early Settlers Museum in Dunedin so I am, pretty much, as 'kiwi' as you can get.

My accent, though, apparently has other ideas; something I am made all too aware of every time I venture overseas.

I often get compliments - which is nice - but rarely does anyone pick up that I am a New Zealander or even (dare I say) an Australian. Even the English think I'm English. How that came about I have no idea.

Then again, perhaps I do...

Growing up, Basil Brush, The Goodies, and Follyfoot were the things that I watched along with reading avidly The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe and every other book in the Narnia series; it was after all the Harry Potter of its day. All of these things are probably to blame for me sounding just a little bit like one of the characters that were portrayed in them.

My Englishness extends to other areas also. I certainly have a English sense of humour and, apologies to Mum if you're reading this, but I swear like an Englishman too. Like Spike, bollocks, bloody and bugger are the usual expletives that are most likely to come out of my mouth. I love words like gosh and tosser and pillock too.

So with the London Olympics almost upon us it seems appropriate to celebrate all things English.

Tally Ho and all that.

Poldark

The love story of Ross and Demelza captivated a nation back in the 70s. Being more interested in Doctor Who at the time my memories of this show were a little vague but with it's release on DVD I was able to recently watch again and from the moment its distinctive and haunting opening music started I remembered why this show was so good.

There's love and betrayal and revenge and smuggling and war, all set against the beautiful Cornish scenery.

Pride and Prejudice

Okay so I like costume dramas and I'm a sucker for a romance story - I'm a girl, it's allowed.

For many, including me, this is the version of Pride and Prejudice. Colin Firth was the perfect Mr Darcy, so much so that writer Helen Fielding of Bridget Jones fame created her character Mark Darcy purely on Colin Firth's portrayal.

Who can forget that wet shirt scene - sigh...

Wallace and Gromit 3 cracking adventures

The adventures of Wallace and Gromit never fail to make me smile. I just love these series of films that the talented and very patient Nick Park made.

These are the kind of movies that appeal to the kid in us all.

Mothership by Led Zeppelin

Led Zep rocks.

There really is nothing more to say other than my favourite album is Led Zeppelin III but the library unfortunately doesn't have that so this greatest hits CD will have to do.


Hit Parade by Paul Weller

Who is Paul Weller you are probably wondering, which is a pity since this man is considered one of the greats of British music and the grandfather of modern music in the UK but who is, sadly, hardly known here in NZ.

I've been a fan since the 80s, first when he was the front man for The Jam then when he when onto form The Style Council before he finally went out on his own.

Picking a favourite of his is virtually impossible, as I like nearly everything he has done, so of course his Hit Parade album is a must listen containing as it does all of my favourites.

Blackadder

Everyone loves Blackadder, at least everyone I know does. We all have our favourite of the series, - for me it's a toss between series 2 and 3. Two has Queenie and a rather dashing looking Blackadder (Rowan Atkinson should really wear a beard like that much more often) and Three has the wonderful Hugh Laurie as George the Prince Regent.

This is a show you can watch again and again and laugh yourself until you hurt every time. No wonder it was recently voted as the best British TV show of all time in a recent UK survey.

The Good Life

This show features four great comedy actors who all went on to better things but are still remembered today for this delightful show about giving up the rat race and enjoying the good life.

It's a dream that many of have and was certainly way ahead of its time in promoting a greener lifestyle that many are now taking up.


The English Patient

I'll be honest, this movie isn't set in England. In fact it has virtually nothing to do with England other than its title and the fact that the lead actors are all English.

Yet despite that, this movie is about as English as you can get. It's romantic, has beautiful Egyptian scenery and Ralph Fiennes has a voice that just makes you melt - well it does me.


The complete tales & poems of Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne

Winnie the Pooh, along with the rest in the series, were about the first books ever given to me. I loved these stories and the poems and even now can remember the words to such wondeful poems as "James James Morrison Morrison" and "What is the matter with Mary Jane".

This is a book that all children should have read to them at least once in a lifetime - if not more so.

The Last of the Summer Wine

Another show that I loved as a kid and that I am now rewatching on DVD.

Compo was my favourite with his scruffy appearance, trousers held up with string and utter joy for life as well as his passion for Nora Batty, whose wrinkly stockings constantly fanned his flame.

This is the England many of us think of - with rolling fields and rambles over mountains and picnics by the river. It takes us back to the home of our ancestors.

How dangerous is your imagination?

Okay. I will admit this first up. The main reason I picked up Hollow Earth to read is because it is written by Captain Jack (Torchwood, Doctor Who). Well, it's actually Capt Jack in his real life persona as John Barrowman, in partnership with his sister Carole. They have collaborated on books before but this is their first foray into children's fiction, something that had it's genesis on a long and dreary car trip from London to Cardiff.

It's an intriguing book based on a simple "What if..." What if there were people who could imagine their drawings into real life or draw themselves into paintings. It's a special talent the twins have. We meet the twins Matt and Emily who, bored with waiting for their mother in a dusty gallery, entertain themselves by going for a swim in the Seine as pictured in a famous artwork hanging on the wall. Things aren't however as they seem and soon they are on the run to their grandfather's castle in Scotland, where they encounter some (but not all) of the truth about their past and their missing father.

The book contains mischief, adventure, monsters, betrayal and the promise of much more to come. It only scrapes the surface of the Hollow Earth - "a place where all the devils, demons and monsters ever imagined are trapped for eternity". Exciting children's fiction for boys and girls.

5 fictional friendships mine could be like...if I were a halfway decent friend

"Friendship isn't a big thing - it's a million little things."
- Anonymous

Friendships are funny things. Funny haha and funny weird. I admit upfront that I'm a horrid BFF who is lucky enough to be blessed with two friends who accept me as I am. Somebody slack. Really, really slack. This is how slack: I read their text, grin...and never respond, I read their emails, hoot with laughter...and never reply, I listen to their voicemail messages, wince at reminders to call them and let them know I'm still alive...and never return their calls, I view the pxts they send me of their children and go "Awww!"...and never send any of my nephews in return, I talk to them by phone occasionally and promise we should do catchup lunch/margarita night/icecream breakfast...and never do. The list goes on. I truly always mean to stay in touch more, I just never seem to. The downside is that I miss out on so much of their lives and wonder why I'm amazed that the oldest of their daughters is now at tertiary. When did this happen? The upside is that when we finally do manage to get together we spend hours making the most of it. In the last two weeks I've been fortunate enough to have spent two such girl' nights in with friends old and new, and those of you who know what I'm talking about will understand this next comment. BFF dinners/get togethers are made of this: chocolate, tears, wine, pointed comments, cheese, loud talk, chips with dip, dinosaur lollies, embarrassing questions, rum and coke, Sherlock and John *sigh* and, as ever, love and laughter. And so, in honour of just such people, here are five fictional friendships that I admire. (And sometimes wish I could embody).

Also!

Hot tub time machine [DVD] directed by Steve Pink

Do you have a favourite fictional friendship (book or film)?

Dare to Explore - Books about books part 2

Yesterday we had Ania's Dare to Explore Top 5 children's fiction titles about books. Which got me thinking about a couple of picture books I have read recently that we can add to the list.

Look, A Book! by Libby Gleeson and Freya Blackwood
Another great contribution to the world of books about books, and where they can take you if you let your imagination go. Look closely at the illustrations made up all sorts of unusual objects. The words are simple and although it tends towards a sophisticated or complex picture, it will only take a small amount of guidance for children to enjoy it.

That Book Woman by Heather Henson
I recently read an adult fiction based on the story of the Pack Horse Librarians who are part of American history during the Depression years. This book tells their story in picture book form from the point of view of a (perhaps) 10 – 12 year old boy. He can do lots of things, but he has no desire for “dumb old books”. However he is impressed with the perseverance and bravery of the woman who rides the pack horse in every kind of weather to deliver the books. He wants to give her something for her trouble and doesn’t realize that he has given her the best gift of all… by becoming a reader. Watercolour illustrations catch the tempo and feel of the book ideally, and in some places it is left to these illustrations to tell the story rather than words. A lovely book.

Dare to Explore Top 5 - Books about Books

Ania who is the children's and teens librarian at Birkenhead Library has provided us with her Top 5 list of inspiring children's fiction about books and stories that will make you take more and more books from the library and read, read and read more!

Inkheart / Cornelia Funke
Meggie’s father, who repairs and binds books for a living, can "read" fictional characters to life. One day one of those characters abducts tries to force him into service but Meggie fights for his dad and mum using words and stories.

The emerald atlas / John Stephens
The Emerald Atlas is the magic book that allows Kate, Michael, and Emma to travel through time to find their parents. But can they correct the future? Would you try to change the past if you could?

Bad dreams / Anne Fine ; illustrated by Susan Winter
Imogen touches the cover of a book, and she knows what will happen to the characters inside, even she can feel their emotions… Would you like to do it too?... Would’t it hurt others?

The inside story / Michael Buckley
In this story they all meet together: Alice, Mowgli, Jack the Giant Killer, Hansel and Gretel, the Headless Horseman to help get the story right like it should be.

Voices / Ursula K. Le Guin
Memer, young girl will discover the power of the written word in this fantasy novel. This is a very powerful story for advanced readers.

Celebrating 50 years in print

To celebrate 50 years in print, an anniversary edition of A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle has been published. If you've enjoyed tales by J.K. Rowling, Margaret Mahy, Tamora Pierce, Alan Garner or Susan Price, but you *still* haven't read Madeline L'Engle, then now is definitely the time to check it out.

The book begins with the classic line, "It was a dark and stormy night", and is the tale of a young girl, Meg Murry, whose scientist father disappears after working on a project called tesseract. After a night time visit from Mrs Whatsit (later joined by Mrs Who and Mrs Which), Meg, her brother Charles and a school friend Calvin O'Keefe, set off across time & space to find her father.

It has won all sorts of awards over the years, including the Newbury Medal, and is the first in a series of stories about the Murry and O'Keefe families.

There's a Facebook page, as well as a 50 Years, 50 Days, 50 Blogs tour which kicks off this week where bloggers are riffing about A wrinkle in time and its impact over the past 50 years.