Clementina's Cactus: 03/14/10

Clementina's Cactus is Ezra Jack Keats only wordless picture books. It's the tale of Clementina living with her father in what looks like New Mexico. She finds a cactus which she claims as her own but she's forced inside by an unexpected rain shower. The rain brings a small miracle to Clementina and her cactus.

Ezra Keats does beautiful illustrations. His children are always so full of personality. Here his watercolors bring to life the New Mexico desert. They are rich in color and light and absolutely charming to look at.

I brought home the book from the library for Harriet. She's about the same age as Clementina and has been enjoying growing flowers at her preschool. Harriet though is now "too big" for picture only books. She looked at it once politely and was done with it. In other words, I liked it a lot more than she did.

books | Jack Ezra Keats | childrens | 1999

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Mailbox Monday: March 15, 2010: 03/14/10

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week (checked out library books don't count, eBooks & audio books do). Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

This week I received one book for review and bought three at a local Indy.

Ruby of the Realms by Dan Kamin:

The blurb on GoodReads describes the book as:

On the northwest side of Chicago, Ruby has a perfect life. Her family feeds her everyday, they are home with her all the time, and they allow her to patrol the backyard. What more could a dog ask for? But when Ruby meets Ortis the blue bunny, all of this changes. In order to help Ortis return to his home in The Six Realms, Ruby must jump into the family's pool with the rabbit. Ruby never expected anything to happen. But when the water started swirling and pulled her under, there was nothing the little dog could do. Now Ruby is in Rocia, one of the Six Realms underneath the earth. This new land is fraught with dangers at every corner, from hideous Crites to the ball-like Ozzixites. But something else has been silently pulling strings from inside the Diamond Dust Desert. An evil, older than the world itself, has begun its plans. The fate of the Six Realms and Ruby's home in the world above is at stake. Now, Ruby must brave these strange new lands to save everything she holds dear."

I received it in my mailbox.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins:

The blurb on GoodReads describes the book as:

"In a future North America, where the rulers of Panem maintain control through an annual televised survival competition pitting young people from each of the twelve districts against one another, sixteen-year-old Katniss's skills are put to the test when she voluntarily takes her younger sister's place. "

I bought this book yesterday in Danville.

 

The Cats of Roxville Station by Jean Craighead George, Tom Pohrt (Illustrator):

The blurb on GoodReads describes the book as:

"Rachet was thrown into a river to drown. But she claws up the riverbank and finds a home with the feral cats living by the Roxville train station. Amid foxes, raccoons, owls, and hostile humans, the cats fight for territory, hunt, and are hunted. Mike, a foster child, lives near the station. He spots Rachet and sets his heart on befriending her. But Mike must learn to 'speak' the language of cats to gain wily Rachet’s trust. This gorgeous novel from two-time Newbery medallist Jean Craighead George offers insight into feline behavior as it explores the wonder of friendship and the natural world hiding among us. "

I bought this book yesterday in Danville.

Taltos by Steven Brust:

The blurb on GoodReads describes the book as:

"Journey to the Land of the Dead. All Expenses Paid!

"Not my idea of an ideal vacation, but this was work. After all, even an assassin has to earn a living. The trouble is, everyone knows that a living human cannot walk the Paths of the Dead, and return, alive, to the land of men.But being an Easterner is not exactly like being human, by Dragaeran standards anyway. Thus, the rule doesn't apply to me…I hope. "

My husband bought this book yesterday in Danville.

Mailbox Monday

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Creepy Crawly Crime: 03/13/10

Creepy Crawly Crime by Aaron Reynolds and illustrated by Neil Numberman is the first in what I think is a planned series of graphic novels staring Joey Fly and his eager but clumsy assistant. In this introductory case the detective has to find the missing diamond pencil case, stolen at a recent high society party.

The story is narrated in a Raymond Chandler style fashion and illustrated in bright monochromatic palettes: purple panels, blue panels abound. These single color approaches help to mimic the chiaroscuro lightning used in the old film noir mysteries the graphic novel is parodying.

Creepy Crawly Crime has the same level of complexity to its mystery as a typical Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew. The story is engaging even if the reader is unfamiliar with film noir tropes. For older readers, or ones who have watched a few old movies, will laugh at the parody and visual jokes peppered throughout the book.

I read Creepy Crawly Crime as a second round panel judge for the 2009 Cybils.

Other posts and reviews:

• Book Screening
• Bookworming in the 21st Century
• Carrie's Y.A. Bookshelf
• Finding Wonderland
• Reading Rumpus
• WPL's Graphic Novels, Comics and Manga Blog
  

books | Aaron Reynolds | Neil Numberman | graphic novel | 2009

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Weekly Geeks 2010-09: Do books do the talking or do you want more from your authors?: 03/13/10

Having recently been told that I'm odd because I'm not terribly interested in author interviews I've started to ponder whether there are two types of readers ...those who stick to the books versus those who like to know more about the author's background, thoughts, motivations and writing process.

So, what about you?

1. Do you seek out interviews with authors of books you've enjoyed? Why or why not?
   I don't typically seek out interviews with authors whose books I've enjoyed. When I was a film student (theory, not production) I learned that ultimately the artwork has to stand on its own. Even when one does know an author's intent (as through an interview) the text might work for the reader on a completely different or unexpected level. The reader's response to the text is just as valid regardless of how close that reaction is to the intended response.
   
   
2. Do you interview authors on your blog? If yes what did you gain from the interview process? If no is it because you don't want to or because you haven't felt able to ask an author yet?
   No. I don't typically run interviews. Part of that reason is I just don't have the time and I don't often feel like I have questions to ask that haven't already been asked in interviews. I would rather just link to the previously posted interview.
   
   The one big exception to that rule is for The Blue Food Revolution, a book I received for review from the author. The book is presented in an unusual fashion and the two novels that together act as one novel have surreal storylines. Although I loved the book I felt like I was anywhere close to understanding the imagery. Since I had the author's email address I asked him if I could interview him. He happily agreed and I will be getting his interview and my review posted soon.
   
   
3. Do you subscribe to the blogs of authors you like? Which ones? All the authors you like or only certain ones?
   I love author blogs. Every author should have one. Some of the author blogs I read: John Scalzi, Amanda Ashby, Nathan Hale, Shannon Hale, Meg Cabot, and Lois Lowry.
   
   
4. Do you track down author websites or look for biographical information about them elsewhere? Would you skip reading a book if you couldn't find out anything about its author?
   Sometimes I will look for biographical information on an author. The internet makes this process much easier than it used to be. I would never skip reading a book because I couldn't find biographical information. If it were presented as a memoir I would be skeptical if I couldn't verify the information presented in the book but I would still probably read it.
   
   
5. Have you hosted an author on a blog tour? Was it someone whose books you already read or did it introduce you to a new author?
   I have in the past but I find blog tours much too stressful. I haven't participated in a blog tour for more than 18 months.
   

weekly geeks

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