Music Monday Double Feature

I read The Hunger Games last year.  Despite a psychologically disturbing main theme (these are kids, people.  Kids.), I enjoyed them.  Really well written.  I resisted seeing the movie when it came out, though.  (See reason above.  Reading it is one thing, but visuals?  No thanks.)  Finally last week I was in the mood to watch something with some adrenaline to it and I knew from the books that the main character's weapon of choice is a bow, so I thought "Meh, why not?"

And I was pleasantly surprised.  I'm a fan of many of the actors, and their renditions of the characters blended seamlessly with what I saw in my head when reading the books.  It kept very well within its PG-13 rating, with the scene which I was most concerned about being very well implied and not too visually graphic.  Nicely done, Gary Ross and Lionsgate!

Here are two of the songs from the soundtrack.  I'm not a Taylor Swift fan, but I like "Safe and Sound".  I also like the folksy feel of "Kingdom Come".  Enjoy.

My Geek is Showing

This showed up on my Facebook newsfeed from a friend today and I'm all giddy now. :)  Are you a Tolkien fan like I am?  Why or why not?

Raise your hand if you giggled out loud at the last scene! :D

Lucy Jane is still working away at a Lady Hobbit outfit to wear when the film comes out.  People who unabashedly show their love and appreciation for creative works by dressing up in costume- what do you think of them?  Cute?  Weird?  Or weird, but in a cute way (OR, cute, but in a weird way?)?  Would you do it?  ARE you going to do it, come December?  Discuss...

12/13/12 UPDATE:  I posted about this on Lucy's blog, but I don't remember if I mentioned it on TMP, so I'll put it here- I tried to get a hobbity costume together for the premiere of this film, but with everything that's been going on personally (see the Dec post titled "Breaking The Silence"), it just didn't happen.  But all will be well.  The Hobbit has now been made as a trilogy and I think it would be just as fitting and proper to attend the finale film in costume as it would have been to go to this one all done up.  It turns out better, actually, because now I have a bit more time to up the ante on my skills and really get some practice work at corsetry under my belt (HA!) before completing a full out hobbit costume.  So, yay for borrowed time! XD

I'll still be going to see this one Friday night.  Caaaaannnnnn'tttt wwwaaaaaaiiiiiiitt!! :) :) :)

Wood, Don: King Bidgood's In The Bathtub and Heckedy Peg

The illustration style of these two books draws me back to them again and again.

We LOVE "King Bidgood's In The Bathtub"!  The Cute Gremlins think it is hilarious!  The King is having fun in his giant, bubbly, massive bathtub and refuses to get out.  So all the court has to move whatever plans they had going that day- yep!  Into the tub!  I immediately thought of Lauren at American Duchess when I saw the fashions of the court as they waited in the hallway, trying to coax King Bidgood away from his bubble-bathy buffoonery.

I wonder what Lauren thought when she saw what the water had done to the Queen's gown after having lunch in the tub?

[Edit/Update: I tagged Lauren on Facebook that I'd written this post and posed a question.  This is her reply: "lol! Well I think the illustrator knew/knows fashion history! Very impressive, that's not so far off what Elizabethan women were wearing under their skirts :-D"]

********

Heckedy Peg is equally as charming with the illustrations, but a more serious tale:
A poor widow with seven children must go to the market and leave the children alone at home (think Europe mid 18th or 19th century/Grimms tales kind of setting).  While she is gone, the witch Heckedy Peg comes and tricks them, and they are transformed into food.  By remembering what her children had asked for from the market, the mother was able to correctly guess which child had been turned into what food and save them from the witch.

This is my favorite image from Heckedy Peg, because I've known the love and strong maternal instincts that turn the poor widow into a fearsome and formidable force to be reckoned with when she is protecting her children.

That stance and body language?  Just about every mom in the world, including me, has been there and done that and will on keep doing it, whenever and if ever the need arises.  But the illustration of her doing it gives me added courage.  This is a scary world to raise babies in, even without hungry witches named Heckedy Peg.

I'd like to find more books at the library that are illustrated by Don Wood.  If I happen upon any soon, I'll be sure to post an edit!

Buckbeak's Flight

I'm re-reading the Harry Potter series (again).  I'm midway through HP & the Goblet of Fire (book 4).  After I finish a book, I watch the film version.  The third film, HP & the Prisoner of Azkaban, continues to be my favorite of the first 6 (I don't think the final two films count in the favorites game, because book 7 is the finale, and the finale is nearly ALWAYS in a class by itself).

Anyway, here are two versions of "Buckbeak's Flight", composed by John Williams. The first is a piano arrangement performed by AMAZING pianist Mark Fowler. (Please visit him on YouTube and Facebook and show him some love!)  The second is from the OMPS, recorded at Abbey Road Studios, London, in 2004.
Enjoy!

Cannon, Janell: Verdi, Stellaluna and Others

Today I'm going to share a few book covers with you.  They are all by wonderful author/illustrator Janell Cannon.

Verdi is our current favorite.  

I'm not going to ruin it for you, but if you want to know, my favorite images are color illustrations #6 and #14 (the book doesn't have page numbers, so you have to count the full color images).

Stellaluna

Little Yao

Crickwing

Pinduli

Head on over to your local bookstore or library and take a look!  I think this week we will trade in Verdi for Little Yau. :)

Potter, Beatrix: Peter Rabbit and Friends

As I mentioned in yesterday's Music Monday post, Beatrix Potter has long been one of my favorite author/illustrators.  A large book of her lovely stories and pictures was added to my bookcase when I was but three and one half years of age:

It has stayed a favorite, and been through half a dozen moves, my college years, and now I am reading it to my own children.  Here are a few of my favorite illustrations...

From "The Tailor of Gloucester"

Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle was my absolute favorite

Mr. Jeremy Fisher

There are other of her illustrations that I love, but do not yet own.  Like this one of Jemima Puddle-Duck:

Do you have a favorite Beatrix Potter character or scene?

Umscheid, Kit: Pirate's Alphabet

Today's featured illustrator is Kit Umscheid.

SO very appropriate for this A-Z Challenge, Kit illustrated the book "Pirate's Alphabet" by Patti Wigington.  Kit lives in the midwest, and is a member of SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators).

Here is the U page of the Pirate's Alphabet.  I love the treasure hidden in the well!

Here's a YouTube clip Kit made for the book:

Head on over to your bookstore or local library and enjoy!

Chapman, Jane: Bear (and his friends)

When Cute Gremlin #2 was 4 or 5 years old, she got this book (and a stuffed bear to match) for Christmas from my awesome aunt:

(c) Simon & Schuster

We were all instantly enchanted by the illustrations of Bear and his friends by talented artist Jane Chapman.  Along with Karma Wilson, Chapman has illustrated 7 "Bear" books, with an 8th to be released this fall.  Here are all of the "Bear" books.  (I was going to pick a favorite and I just couldn't!)

(c) Simon & Schuster

Gorgeous art from "Bear Wants More"
(c) Simon & Schuster

(c) Simon & Schuster

(c) Simon & Schuster

(c) Simon & Schuster

(c) Simon & Schuster

Pages from "Bear's Loose Tooth"
(c) Simon & Schuster

(c) Simon & Schuster

Coming Fall 2012
(c) Simon & Schuster

Chapman has also illustrated these books:

Dora's Eggs by Julie Sykes

Dora's Chicks by Julie Sykes

Big Bear, Little Bear by David Bedford

I Love My Mama by Peter Kavanagh

One Tiny Turtle by Nicola Davies

One Duck Stuck by Phyllis Root

The Dark, Dark Night by M. Christina Butler

The Emperor's Egg by Martin Jenkins

The Very Noisy Night by Diana Hendry (Also a Ray Family favorite!!!)

Check out her beautiful illustrations in all of these and many, many more at your local bookstore or library!

Illustrator Tuesdays: A New Weekly Feature

I'm addicted to children's books.  Sure, I leave the library with a stack of novels from the grown-up sections, but it's the children's section that really draws me in and invites me to get lost in a good book (or 8).  As I happen to have 4 Cute Gremlins, this is encouraged by the librarians, my friends, and by society in general.  I have taken great delight at browsing the shelves with them and exclaiming things like:

"George and Martha!  I loved to read those when I was a kid!"

"Pinkerton!  He was always my favorite!"

"Here are the Bill Peet books!  Look, here's Prewitt Peacock!"

"What do you think Little Bear will do next?"

My second post ever, on this blog, was on Donald Hall's "Ox Cart Man".  (Worth the click!)

The illustrations in all of these wonderful books just don't get enough attention.  Seriously.
So I've taken up the hobby of featuring a children's book illustrator each Tuesday as part of my regular posting schedule.  I realize, sometimes I get behind due to work and kids and life and have to retro-post on occasion.  I'm hoping I won't have to do that too much and can schedule posts when I have writing time eked out of each week.

I hope you enjoy this new feature!  Give me some feedback- what are some of your favorite children's books/illustrators?

Shhh! :)

SO much goodness is happening over here, and I can't wait to have the time to get all caught up and share my happy news!  But I'm afraid that will have to wait just a little while longer!  I'll give you a hint: Needle and Thread. :)

I'm in a Broadway Musical kind of mood again, not to mention still loving that Honda ad (Superbowl Sunday's post), and so I simply couldn't resist this scrumptious number from the 2003 remake of "The Music Man" with Kristin Chenoweth and Matthew Broderick for today's Music Monday post.

ENJOY!

Dickens is still as popular as... well, the Dickens!

Today is the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens, arguably the greatest fiction author of the mid 19th century.  Some of us were forced to read Dickens in school whether we liked it or not (most of my peers), but some of us not only read it willingly, SOME of us had voluntarily read it years before that and were re-reading them like letters from an old friend. (ME!!!)  Some of us also found out today that the phrase "like the Dickens" is of Shakespearean origin and has nothing to do with Charles Dickens whatsoever.  (Me again!  Who knew?)

I read and loved A Christmas Carol at the age of 9, after loving the "Mickey's Christmas Carol" movie  year after year until I learned to read fluently (hey, the exposure has to come from somewhere!).  I moved on from there to Oliver Twist around 10 or 11, and by the time we were collectively studying A Tale of Two Cities in high school, I'd already finished Nicholas Nickleby, The Old Curiosity Shop, David Copperfield, and Great Expectations.  (Yes, I was teased mercilessly by my peers for being a bookworm and an introvert.  Such is the social structure and pecking order of the public school system.)

Dickens has a way with the details of the scene that I love.  His minute descriptions draw me into England the way he saw it.  Every house, every carriage, every article of clothing is depicted to me in words that leave my mind's eye in no doubt as to the existence of every item and every action involved with them and the movement of the plot.  His characters are introduced in such a way as though you are sure you are in the room along side them all.

I have been a life long Dickens reader, although I did not read Little Dorrit, The Pickwick Papers, The Life of Our Lord, and A Child's History of England until I was in my 20s, the latter two appearing in my personal library in handsome hard back covers as a Christmas gift from my dad's mom.  Little Dorrit is perhaps my favorite curl-up-by-a-winter-fire read, excepting maybe David Copperfield.  

I will confess readily that Pickwick Papers was a HARD read, in that it had perhaps more to do with the differing social classes and customs and phrases of the day than any of his later works.  I got through it, but it was an arduous process that took several weeks (ages, in relation to my natural reading speed) and I was forever marking my place and having to Google something I didn't understand (Sam Weller's cockney speech, among others).  And although Pickwick Papers is praised for its accurate descriptions of the old coaching inns of England during that time*, not only have two full centuries passed and rendered such establishments a bit archaic, Georgia and its history bear so little resemblance to the England of Dickens' time, I have no reference point from which to understand the events of the plot which happen in the coaching inns, except what I learn about online and by asking my British friends who love and study the history of their own country.

On the whole, however, Dickens is beloved and cherished in our house, and many volumes of his work take their place on my bookshelf along side Jane Austen, Mark Twain, and various and sundry other favorite literary greats.

Also in my list of favorite things are several film versions of Dickens titles, produced by BBC and available either in their shop to order, or on Youtube if one doesn't mind the interruption of moving from one episode segment to the next.  They employ the top of my list of favorite British screen stars: Maggie Smith, Bob Hoskins, Daniel Radcliffe, Matthew Macfadyen, Alun Armstrong, Andy Serkis, and James Fleet (to name only a few).  Stellar writing combined with stellar acting performances = excellent entertainment for this grown up bookworm. :)

*taken from the first paragraph in the summary of Pickwick papers on Wikipedia article here.

Related links of interest:
Little Dorrit miniseries by BBC on Youtube, first part here.
Little Dorrit for purchase at BBC website here. Or on Amazon here.

David Copperfield miniseries by BBC on Youtube, first part here.
David Copperfield for purchase at BBC website here.  Or on Amazon here.

(Interesting note, both of these star Alun Armstrong in vastly different roles!)

My favorite versions of A Christmas Carol:
George C. Scott classic, on Youtube, first part here.  Buy at Amazon here.
A Muppet Christmas Carol, on Youtube first part here.  Buy at Amazon here
Jim Carey's version is too new to be on Youtube, but watch the trailer here. Buy at Amazon here.

I'm sure there are more great movie links, but that will have to keep you happy for now! ;)

Abundant Blessings

My Grandmother had hip surgery yesterday, and aside from the pain that any major surgery brings, she came through it very well.  I am blessed to have in-laws keeping Gremlin #4 for a week while we adjust to Gran's schedule when she gets home.  That means I can drop everything at a moment's notice and help, but mostly it means I can stay on top of the housework for everyone (there are 8 people living in the house, remember) without Gremlin #4 being underfoot/needing attention/turning my brain to oatmeal with her Barbie movies being played over and over and over.  :)

Last night, Cute Gremlins #1 and #2 asked to go play at a friend's house.  With Gremlin #4 gone, that left just Gremlin #3 and me to ourselves.  So I took him to eat pizza at Stevi B's.  The best part of the meal was when he wanted to "clink" our (plastic) cups of Coke together and have "cheers".  That's just pure 6 year old silliness and I have missed enjoying that when my attention is divided amongst 3 more Cute Gremlins.

After supper, we stopped by the office supply store.  While I was admiring some pens, he tried to sneak up on me from around the corner to the next aisle.  Of course I could hear him- because he's a first grader, he's about as stealthy as a dinosaur crossing a gravel parking lot that's been covered in bubble wrap.  So I turned around and he says the most awesome thing:

"Awww.  I was trying to sneak on you.  Did you hear my footprints?"

Yes, sweet baby.  I heard your "footprints".  LOL  I am so blessed to have him.

I was also blessed today when we went to the new library (that would be trip #6 in the space of a week and a half, for those of you who are keeping track. ;)) and got these books.

I know I've blogged about my stationery addiction, but I think this is coming in a close second!

Anyway, while we were on our way to the library, I got a call back from a job I had put in for a month ago and I'm hired!!! PRAISE GOD!!!  I report tomorrow morning at 8 a.m. to fill out paperwork and get acclimated to everything.  I already know where everything is, since I'm there all the time anyway. :)  So I'm VERY EXCITED!  It's part time seasonal, so I will still make time when I am home to post for you, dear readers.  I may have to make good use of the "schedule" feature in the post options!

And with that good news, I'm headed to bed!  Big day tomorrow!
Love to all.

Winter Reading

My friend Chris over at Where the Pavement Ends recently posted about the books he's diving into as the weather gets colder.  His new bride is seeking to read through "the classics" this winter, and Chris asked for help in compiling a list* for her.  Here you go, my lovelies!

Here are 50 works of fiction (in no particular order)** that I think fall into the classics category that everyone should read.  You'll notice that many of them are young adult and some even older children's level, but I think it's the enduring (and endearing) story that counts and we should all stay young at heart! :)

1. Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
2. Emma - Jane Austen
3. Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen
4. Persuasion - Jane Austen
5. A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens
6. David Copperfield - Charles Dickens
7. Little Dorrit - Charles Dickens
8. Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll
9. Peter Pan - James M. Barrie
10. The Lord of the Rings (complete and unabridged) - J.R.R. Tolkien
11. The Hobbit - J.R.R. Tolkien
12. A Midsummer Night's Dream - Shakespeare
13. Romeo and Juliet - Shakespeare
14. Hamlet - Shakespeare
15. Les Miserables - Victor Hugo
16. Anne of Green Gables - Lucy Maud Montgomery
17. Little Women - Louisa May Alcott
18. The Watership Down - Richard Adams
19. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl
20. James and the Giant Peach - Roald Dahl
21. Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
22. The Chronicles of Narnia - C.S. Lewis (these could possibly count as 7 total, but I count them as one.  Up to you.)
23. The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame
24. The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas
25. The Man in the Iron Mask - Alexandre Dumas
26. Charlotte's Web - E.B. White
27. Trumpet of the Swan - E.B. White
28. Stuart Little - E.B. White
29. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
30. Moby Dick - Herman Melville
31. The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett
32. Frankenstein - Mary Shelley
33. Harry Potter Series - J.K. Rowling
34. North and South - Elizabeth Gaskells
35. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea - Jules Verne
36. Pygmalion - George Bernard Shaw
37. The Time Machine - H.G. Wells
38. White Fang - Jack London
39. The Pilgrim's Progress - John Bunyan
40. The Jungle Books (make sure to find an edition that includes Riki Tiki Tavi) - Rudyard Kipling
41. A Bear Called Paddington - Michael Bond
42. Black Beauty - Anna Sewell
43. The Borrowers Series - Mary Norton
44. The Cricket in Times Square - George Selden
45. The Swiss Family Robinson - Johann Wyss
46. Little House Series - Laura Ingalls Wilder
47. The Redwall Series - Brian Jacques
48. The Cat Who Series - Lillian Jackson Braun
49. Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
50. Uncle Tom's Cabin - Harriet Beecher Stowe

*If some of these titles are not on an official "Classics" list somewhere, then they ought to be.
** Yes, I have read all of these.  Some are more favorites than others, but I've read each one through.

I hope that helps, Chris and Cort! This list looks so inviting, I think I will also make a few trips up to the library and check out some of my favorites to enjoy while curled up with a cup of hot tea!

What are some of your favorite classic books, and why?

Good Reads

It's been a LONG day already.  I was up at 6 a.m. with the kids, got them to school, finished a project, started another one, went to bible study for 3 hours, had lunch with my Grandmama and visited her til 3 p.m. and have been catching up on random stuff at home for the last hour and a half.  Got to herd the cute gremlins to the car and go to the grocery store in a minute.

For today's Go Here Thursday/Book Review Thursday, I found this website where you can locate your local library and state library systems.  And then you can go there and get this series:

The Binding of the Blade series, by L.B. Graham is a fantasy fiction series very much in the same ballpark as Lord of the Rings.  There are dragons and other mythical creatures, talking Warrior Bears and epic good vs. evil battles.  I'm on book 4, Father of Dragons, and so far, each book has left me wanting to get the next one as quickly as possible to see how everything turns out.

If you do go read this series, come back and tell me what you liked the most about it!

Frank Visits The Library

This post is in honor of my dear, dear friend Christina Tomassini, who answered the call to serve her country and is currently deployed in Iraq.  I am so grateful for the time she spent with me and the kids while she was home on leave and I can't wait til she is in the States again safe and sound.  We love you, Christamina!  Stay safe and come home soon! God bless our troops!

It's Frank Friday!

Frank had an adventurous day when our Christamina came home from Iraq and spent some time with us running around town.  We did a lot in one day, but here are a few highlights.  First, here is his trip to the local library:

Browsing the travel books.  Planning your next adventure, Frank?

Hot Air Balloons!  That would be a fantastic adventure!

Frank finally decides to check out "Peter and the Wolf".

Emily, Frank and Charles sit in the garden outside the library to read their books.

After the library, we went to get some lunch at the McDonald's.  As it was her vacation, Christina got to eat anything she wanted! :)  She and I had chicken nuggets with honey mustard.  She tried to get Frank to be a little healthy and have apple juice instead of soda, though.  ;)

The kids took Frank to play in the Playplace for a while, then we headed back home.  Fantastic day!