Assorted Notes on a Sunday Afternoon
I was supposed to go to L.A. today to do something really super-fun, but I came down with a nasty cold instead. Because I am spontaneous and exciting like that. I’ve spent the weekend sprawled against my pillows in tragic poses (when someone is looking) and devouring Cybils nominees (when no one’s watching).
Last night, around ten, I finished Brian Selzick’s breathtaking Wonderstruck, bawling through the last forty pages. Which is the highest praise I can give a book: “it moved me deeply.” Now, I don’t know how people are writing reviews of this book without spoiling all its surprises, so I’m not going to say anything specific about it at all. Yet. Read it, and then let’s have a nice long chat about it, okay?
Picture books Rilla enjoyed this week:
Blue Chicken by Deborah Freedman.
Chicken in drawing decides to help with the painting; hijinks ensue. Delicious art. This would be lots of fun to pair up with other picture books that break the fourth wall, such as David Wiesner’s The Three Pigs or Melanie Watt’s Chester.
Follow Me by Tricia Tusa.
Lyrical poem with perfectly lovely art (I’d like walls the colors of her skies). “This book was very…unusual,” declared Rilla approvingly. I think what she meant was that it’s non-narrative, not plot-driven. Girl on swing thinking soaring thoughts.
More book recommendations here.
Blue Chicken, books my five-year-old loves, Brian Selznick, Deborah Freedman, Follow Me, graphic novels, picture books, Tricia Tusa, Wonderstruck
sarah says:
I hope you feel better soon! I never mind too much being sick if it means I can lie in bed reading books 🙂 It’s just a shame about the stuffed up head and aching muscles part.
On December 4, 2011 at 6:18 pm
PrairieJenn says:
Wonderstruck is making it’s way through everyone’s hands here! Love it:) Ours is a library copy, but it’s one we’ll have to buy, for sure.
We’re also reading your second Martha book together at bedtime every night:) Though I must confess that I have a horrible Scottish accent…I do my best. The girls are really enjoying it, but now my youngest wants a hedgehog!!!
On December 5, 2011 at 6:40 am
Ellie says:
Oh Wonderstruck looks so good! But I’m number 128 on hold at the library, so it’ll be a while before I’d be ale to chat about it!
On December 5, 2011 at 3:38 pm
Melissa H says:
Off topic but do you know the book Scaredy Squirrel? My 6 year old brought it home from the school library and for some reason I thought of you–such a cute picture book. Maybe Rilla would like it.
On December 5, 2011 at 4:40 pm
Melissa Wiley says:
@PrairieJenn, I have longed for a hedgehog ever since researching that book! 🙂
@Ellie, 128 holds: augh! Well, it’s utterly worth the wait…
@Melissa, yes! Rilla does love that book! It was a Cybils nominee the year I served on the Fiction Picture Books panel, I think. Also by Melanie Watts, if I recall correctly?
On December 5, 2011 at 5:24 pm