Yes...it has been a LONG time since I had a topic for a top ten and a list on that topic with ten in it! This one took a lot of thought...These books are all in a series. I have read most if not all of the books in the series with them (OK, the only series I haven't read all of represented on the list is Captain Underpants...now you know). These are the ones I like more than the other books in the same series. Only one is a first book (one other is kinda of a first book; just not written first). Two are graphic novels. Two are hybrid graphic/text. And two are SADLY out of print at present. These are series books that prove that not all series (serieses?) are fluffy and sub-par fiction. Try them all--Mr. Tim guarantees they is good books! Series books · Captain Underpants and the Perilous Plot of Professor PP Poopypants by Dav Pilkey · Lamp from the Warlock’s Tomb by John Bellairs · Celery Stalks at Midnight by James Howe · Magician’s Nephew by C S Lewis · Bad Kitty: Drawn to Trouble by Nick Bruel · Darth Paper Strikes Back by Tom Angelberger · Ghost in the Third Row by Bruce Coville · And Then There Were Gnomes by Colleen AF Venable · Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J K Rowling · Binky the Space Cat by Ashley Spires |
0 Comments
Boy did I feel out of the loop when walking through the Exhibits Hall at PLA last week and catching a glimpse of a pink and sparkly book that said "10th Anniversary Edition." Not that I read a lot of pink and sparkly books, but it's been known to happen. On the inside cover there were 14 other titles featuring the chipper fairy Pearlie...How did I miss these totally? And then I guessed. Yep, it was published ten years ago in Australia! Ahh. So I snagged a copy of the 10th anniversary edition (and first American release). Turns out Pearlie has a TV series (which has also made it to America) made by the Aussies and the Canadians (probably pretty good since it's Nelvana, they do good stuff...usually) This first in Pearlie's series introduces her. She's a park fairy (who knew parks had fairies...other than Triangle Park -- ha ha bad Dayton joke...) She decides one day to make a list of all the things each park animal should do, so the animals won't be confused. She hangs the list on the front gate of the park and heads off to bed. In the night two troublesome rats find the list and plan mischief. The next day every animal is doing the wrong thing. The Mama Duck is trying to leap from tree to tree (without wings). The spiders are trying to croak on lily pads. The frogs are trying to spin webs with yarn...Pearlie investigates and finds a mixed up list...and when she discovers who made the mess, they get what's coming to them. Cute. Not deathless literature nor hysterical comedy (which one might expect from one of the Queens of Aussie Comedy) but cute. Mike Zarb's wide-eyed illustrations are a lot of bright fun & a perfect match. Pearlie is a nice spunky female character who gets a diverse supporting cast in future volumes. Worth a try. We're getting them for our pink-and-sparkly fans. Should be great fun for the easing into chapter fans...though there are no chapters...and some of the vocabulary might be outta their reach, so it might work best as a read-together for a first time through! Bud likes Gabby because she is the silly one...I can relate. Bubble is a total goofball (and a food hog especially now that she is on a diet). Bud and Gabby spend their days doing mostly cat things like grooming... and afternoons for napping...until Gabby gets sick. When the box comes out, Bud knows she is going to the Vet. He misses her while she is gone. (I could use a little vacation from Bubble..I'm just saying!) When she comes back she smells like the Vet, but she is all well. Bud decides he will share the big comfy chair with her. Well, that's nice of him...but I am not buying the whole share thing either--I will only share the Daddy bed if there are two Daddies in it. I get the first Daddy...Bubble will just have to sleep in her sling if there's only one Daddy on the bed... I really like the illustrations of Bud and Gabby even though they are not really realistic (Gabby is teaching Bud to knit...that is not what yarn is for!) I give this book three threat...it probably would have been four, but it is a lesson book...and it includes a trip to the Vet. Yuck!
He makes a mess with the sprinkles and has to clean up which makes him hot and the girl gives him a bathing suit. That is just odd. I can see giving him sprinkles when he asks, but why give him a swimsuit because he is hot? Won't that just make him hotter? Cat's don't need bathing suits to swim... So the bathing suit reminds him of the beach so he wants to go to the beach... And then this needy cat drags the poor girl all over...collecting things at the beach and on a merry-go-round and to a science museum...I can't think of any kitty who would act like this. If you give a cat a cupcake, he's just going to play with it like a Mousie, eat some and sick it back up...he's not going to make you take him to the beach.
I know it is a made up book, but it was pretty silly. I guess it would be ok for little humans, but I didn't think much of it. Of course, I didn't read it under the best of circumstances. Maybe it's better than I give it credit for. You give it a read and judge for yourself. Today's tip for Cat Children of Human People (CaCHuPs): This one is simple: if your human mentions the word "Veterinarian" run for your best hiding place and never come out...even for treats! {It's probably safe to come out after it gets dark...at least wait that long if you can} Continuing our Pre-Pub reviews, here is a recommendation for older readers...but make sure they read the whole series! This one won't be out until May, but it's worth the wait. I fell in love with this series on the first pages of the first book in 2011 (actually 2010, I had and advance of that one too). Zita is an earth girl who gets sucked through a warp into space and has to survive...which she does by making friends. I met the author at a conference & boy was he a nice humble guy. We gave the first volume to our niece Taylor in a stack of books one holiday & it was her favorite (mentioned in the thank you note by title!) "Legends of Zita Space Girl" was ok. I was afraid the series had played out. It just didn't have the spark of the first...Taylor still loved it and since she is the target audience that's what matters most. This volume which closes the trilogy (but maybe not Zita's story) is just great. It starts with Zita in prison (well on a prison planet; I don't know how legitimate her imprison-er is)...and once again she makes friends (or relies on old ones) for help...but she is a capable hero in her own right. She is off to save another planet...but this time it's Earth! First-Second just plain ROCKS as a publisher of graphic fiction and non-fiction for everyone from kids to adults. If you don't know them check out their catalog. There is something for everyone (even my Dad who has said he has never been a fan of comics loved their Feynman biography). Back to Zita...Bright, action- and humor-packed panels keep the pages turning swiftly until the end. Perfect for ANY child who wants to read a longer graphic novel no matter how picky their parents are about content. I'm just glad it arrived to be slipped into Miss Taylor's birthday prezzie (but shhhh! let it be a surprise!) The author-illustrator is really famous. I know Daddy Tim likes his books a lot. I liked this well enough despite the shoes...but in all the pictures (nearly) of him dancing Rupert looked surprised. His mouth was hanging open. Kind of odd...like the shoes (Ok, I will shut up about the shoes). I give this three treats. It would have probably been two and a half, but Daddy Tim likes the (human guy). The Mousies are still pretty quiet. I have been keeping an eye on them. I thought I would show you that cats dancing with humans isn't a brand new idea... But really (human) people...anyone can see that these are just pictures of cats caught in odd poses that look like their humans dressed in silly clothes...at least the cats weren't dressed in silly clothes.
When cats dance we are very secretive about it. Like Rupert (but we don't get caught and we don't wear shoes!) As a bonus, for you, I thought I would offer a rare and totally unretouched photo of cats dancing. This is super secret folks. Don't tell anyone you've seen it. Tippy, Agnes-Rose and Fluffer-Nutter would never speak to me again if they knew I'd shown humans this picture of them dancing: EVERYWHERE but on the bed that Chloe bought for her. Chloe is sad...until SHE sleeps on the bed...Kitty sees her, and the two of them snuggle up together on the cat bed. I like this book very much. It is obvious that Yasmine Surovec knows kitties very well. And I like the illustrations. Daddy Tim says the book is too new to have many pictures on the Internet for us to pick from...so you will just have to buy the book or get it at your library when it comes out. Your little cat-loving humans will like reading it with you! Daddy Tim found Yasmine Surovec's webpage www.catversushuman.com and she has a lot to say about kitties and humans...even more to say about where kitties sleep! All of these are fine places to sleep. Banjo and I are teaching Daddy Trent the skill of sleeping anywhere. He mostly sleeps in furniture now in front of the glowey box or with a book...but he's learning. Today's Tip for Cat Children of Human People (CaCHuPs) comes with an illustration thanks to Yasmine Surovec! Humans may need some help learning your schedule. Even if they are asleep, jumping on their human bed will eventually get your dish filled. Jumping on their heads should only be used as a last resort. This is the exact time that I need to be fed. (Yasmine must really have kitties like me!) This training may take a few days or even weeks...but your human will learn if you are persistent. To ward off yelling, be extra loving and cute when they do get up to feed you. This will stop them from making disagreeable noises...and act as positive reinforcement. They'll learn. Humans are very trainable! Banjo's Book Recommendation and Mousie Recon -- "Here Comes the Easter Cat" by Deborah Underwood3/12/2014
He says he will use a motorcycle to deliver chocolate bunnies (not hairballs) faster than the Easter Bunny. But then when Spunks yawns...the writer tells Spunks that he can't have a nap.
I like this book quite a lot. It reinforces with children the smartness of cats and the importance of naps. I like the pictures too by Claudia Rueda. She has a great sense of humor that comes through in the pictures of Spunks. Whether you wait for the Easter Bunny or Sheldon the Easter Cow or the Easter Cat, I think you and your little humans will like this book. I give this book three and a half treats! Now, since the mousies have been so quiet lately, I don't have a report...but I DO have an instructional photo for the Humans out there who think it is a good idea to dress kitties up in costumes and clothes...If there is one thing kitties the world over understand it is revenge. As a kitty, I can translate the expression on this kitty's face for you less evolved humans. It reads: "The pain I will shortly inflict upon you will soon be eclipsed by your horror at my skilled placement of hairballs in locations so surprising and disgusting that your tiny head will explode." Yes, cats can convey a lot with a single expression. Humans who desire a continued idyllic existence, don't dress cats in bunny ears...please take heed or you will be sorry.
Today's Tip for Cat Children of Human People (CaCHuPs): Humans have busy lives. They're so weird. They are always running here and there doing this and that. Even when they are home, they always have to be doing something. The best time of day for me is when I sit in the front window and watch the squirrels on the trees. Or when I sit in the side window and just watch the birds and mice in the garden bed. Try to get your human to slow down. Sit on them if you have to and turn on the cute. They will probably thank you for it later!
So one day he tries something different...he walks on all fours and immediately it feels right and better. He runs around town roaring and enjoying himself...but his neighbors don't like that at all (what a buncha fuddy duddies!) He decides to take the next step and takes off his clothes. (Way to go Mr Tiger...see he knows Kitties of any size shouldn't wear clothes!) He runs off into the jungle around town because no one in town approves of his nuditity. But he is lonely after a while in the jungles...I guess I can understand that...I would miss my Daddies and maybe even Banjo if I was all alone in the jungle...and I am pretty sure milk rings don't grow on trees. I would definitely miss milk ring. When Mr Tiger goes back to town...he convinces the other animals that a little freedom is a good thing! What fun, and I especially like the picture where he decides not to wear clothes. He looks so happy! I think all kitties should be able to run around outside whenever they want, but the Daddies don't agree. They can be such boob-heads.
In fact, I like all the pictures in this book...you almost don't need the words to tell the story. Those are the best books because I can look through them by myself and I don't need a Daddy to read to me. Try this one! You will like it and so will your small humans. Today's tip for Cat Children of Human People (CaCHuPs): Sometimes your human will get loud. There's no two ways about it. Most of the time it has nothing to do with you, so you don't always need to run away when they get that way (though you might want to just get out of the way until they get it out of their system). Sometimes they are mad at the glowey box or the little glowey box with all of the buttons...sometimes they are mad at other humans...sometimes they are even mad at their clothes--maybe clothes are a bad idea for everyone. So if you are going to keep a human, you will need to get used to occasional loudness...but the laps and thumbs are worth it! Mr Pusskins owns this really sweet little human named Emily, and she ADORES him. She tries to play games with him and groom him, and she reads to him. However, Mr Pusskins does not appreciate her. He wants more out of life. Here's where we differ: I love both my Daddies. I may not always play with them, but it is fun to watch them try...and I am always read for a "read" with Daddy Trent [Daddy Tim editorial note for the uninitiated: "read" often means "nap" in our house especially where Trent and Banjo are concerned]. And I like it when Daddy Tim reads books to me, although I don't always understand him. I adore both my Daddies--jury's still out on the little Sister... In the book, Mr Pusskins is so annoyed by Emily that he leaves! Through one of those magical cat doors I wish we had... He does all sorts of things he wasn't meant to do in places he wasn't meant to go. He eats out of garbage cans (Yuck!) and destroys flowers (I think he might visit our garden!), and he hangs out with the Pesky Cat Gang. Soon he feels alone...and then he sees a poster Emily put up of him as a missing cat! He realizes he wasn't very nice to her and he misses her. So he calls the number on the poster from a pay phone...good thing there was change in the phone--but how'd he do that without thumbs? Emily recognizes his meow and says she'll come get him. He waits and waits, but no one comes. He thinks she doesn't want him back when a car zooms by. But then it screeches to a halt... And they are together again! He loves her back and enjoys his time with Emily. I am looking forward to more Mr Pusskins stories. I like the pictures which are dark and scribbly...but still look like kitties. I give this four treats. Mr Pusskins and I can share the fifth one when he comes to visit.
The first says he's scared of snow. The second says she doesn't like the cold. The third says even their tails will be cold...but the fourth says she can't wait! That would be me. I like to watch the snow fall like yesterday. It was fun. Later in Fall when they are playing in the leaves, They all pretty much repeat what they said in summer. THEN it snows and the three scaredy cats run and hide. But the fourth kitty runs outside to play! When the others see what fun she is having, they go out and play with her. It looks like fun!
I like this book, but the kitties don't have names! Grrr! What is wrong with these writer-people? So I give them names: #1 Pawpaw #2 Pussbaw #3 Pulcifer and #4 Penelope. There! I have not gotten to sit out in the falling snow like Penelope. She even catches snow on her tongue! But I think I might not like it as much as she seems to. It is cold and wet. Little humans bundle up when they go out in the snow and all we have is our fur (no, don't bundle up your cats; we've had that discussion). SO it's a nice story about a kitty who knows her own mind...and her three friends who learn not to be afraid of snow (which is easy when you have a warm human house to go back to). I really like the simple watercolor illustrations. Penelope and her friends look like real kittens. I would like to play with them! I also think small humans would like the story...but it doesn't have much oomph. It's not something they would like to read again and again...get it once for the pretty pictures! Today's tip for Cat Children of Human People (CaCHuPs): Don't be afraid when your human yells at the glowey box (either the little one that they poke with their fingers or the big one they stare at each night. They aren't mad at you. They are just angry or very happy about what they see on the glowey box. Daddy Tim was "Playing" with the big glowey box (though he was just sitting in a chair and poking a little piece of plastic ALOT...he wasn't chasing anything or trying to stuff it in his mouth)...and he startled me by growling at whatever the glowey box was showing him...Then much later both Daddies were looking at it and saying "Yeah!" and clapping their hands...Humans are weird and noisy. Anyway, if a glowey box is on and your human yells--just keep doing what you are doing even if you think they might not like it...they are most likely NOT yelling at you. |
About MeTim is a writer, book reviewer and Librarian. He has a Master's of Library Science and was on the Newbery Committee twice. Technology scares and often annoys him, but he is always game for a silly costume! Archives
February 2015
Categories
All
Blogroll |