KidPages: Three Great Stories

I'll be the first to admit that while I love reading out loud to my boys, I'm not particularly fond of long books...long meaning more than two sentences per page. I'd rather read five short books than one long one. There are a few reasons for this.

1. I feel like I'm trapped if I read a long story. Of course I have to finish it, but what if Bradley decides to have a melt down in the middle of it? Then I have to read for another ten minutes with a fussy baby. Short books give me flexibility.
2. Lame writing, lame plots. Does anyone else feel like there is an overabundance of poorly written picture books containing more than their fair share of words and pages? Of course there are lame short books, too, but they are more easily endured.
3. A lot of the longer books have more mature themes that my boys don't understand yet (i.e., dealing with bullies or divorced parents, etc.).

So when I come across a longer picture book that not only holds the interests of Aaron and Max but my interest as well, I know I've scored big time.

I now present to you three just such books:

1. Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey
Robert McCloskey's stories are practically legend. I'm sure you grew up on them and probably your parents before you, and maybe even your grandparents before that. They're now being passed onto the fourth generation of kids and still holding strong. And why? Because they are great stories.

In Blueberries for Sal, Sal and her mom spend a day filling their buckets with blueberries. It scores points right off the bat with Aaron and Max because (1) they love blueberries and (2) they can't imagine anything more fun than picking them right off the bush. Heaven.

But then, things get even more exciting when a black bear and her cub wind up on the same hill, and somehow the cub and Sal switch places and start following the wrong moms. Aaron has lately been obsessed with bears (he is firmly set on a grizzly bear cake for his fourth birthday), but then there are also the elements of humor (Little Bear is following Sal's mom! How silly!) and suspense (what will happen when the moms find out they're being followed by the wrong children?).

This is actually one of Robert McCloskey's shorter works (if you're feeling especially long-winded, make sure to check out Burt Dow, Deep-Water Man...you'll feel like you went on a vacation in Maine), but even it takes a good ten minutes. But it's well worth every one of those minutes.

2. Skippyjon Jones by Judy Schachner
I honestly was not sure about this one when I first picked it up (many months ago). Mike read it to the boys before I did, and he loved it. Always a good sign. And after I read it, I had to agree; it was a keeper.

This story encourages kids to use their imaginations. It is about a siamese cat who pretends he's a chihuahua. He goes on a wild adventure (all within the safe confines of his bedroom closet) to the land of Mexico where he must help save the chimichangas from the evil bumblebee, Alfredo Buzzito. Isn't that what every good story should do? Take you to a new and exciting place, somewhere you've never been before?

Besides that, this story offers the opportunity to use some fun accents. I'm not as good as Mike, but even I think it's fun to say "serious beez-ness" and "Holy Guacamole!"

Skippyjon Jones has many more adventures in later books. So far, I haven't been as impressed, but I think I've only tried the outer space one.

I thought it might be a little too long for Max, my two-year-old. But  during a recent re-reading, just as we got to the climax, he shouted out, "What's going to happen?! WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN?!" And I knew we'd struck gold.

3. Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown
So I'm somewhat reluctant to recommend this one because I've only read it once. Yes, once. Why did I pick this one to write about when there are so many other great stories out there that have stood the test of dozens of re-readings? Well, because sometimes first impressions are authentic and real and long-lasting, and I have a feeling it will be so with this book. And also, because this is my blog, and I want to review it even if I've only read it once.

Flat Stanley is flat because a bulletin board fell on him in the middle of the night. Rather a dramatic beginning but with the result that for most of the story, Stanley is only half an inch thick. Being flat has its perks (like being able to slide under doors or be mailed to California for a vacation), but its greatest advantage is made manifest after several valuable paintings have been stolen from the museum. Suddenly, Stanley has a great idea...

From creativity and ingenuity to danger and intrigue, this book has all of the makings of a good story. During my first and only reading, the plot carried me along, and I wanted to find out how Stanley was going to catch the art thieves.

I've yet to make mention of the illustrations in any of these three books. Usually it is the pictures that pull me into children's stories (we refer to them as picture books after all), but in the cases of these three, it was the words that grabbed me first. That said, I do love Robert McCloskey's art; I would happily frame and hang it in my children's bedroom. It is simplistic yet detailed. As for Skippyjon Jones and Flat Stanley, I would say that the illustrations perfectly complement their stories, and really, you can't ask for more than that.

So if you're in the mood for a nice, long story but have no desire to read Curious George and the Hot Air Balloon or Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue (those are real titles, btw), then try out one of these great books.

LibraryPages: Reading = Money

When it comes to money, I'm stingy. I could give examples (I don't want to pay $200/month for my son to go to preschool. I continue to wear clothes that are more than five...er, eight...years old. I like driving around in a '94 Buick).

But when it comes to spending money on things of absolutely no value (preschool, clothes, and cars all hold some value), I get even stingier.

Library fines, for example. The only reason for me to have a library fine in the first place is because I was lazy...forgetful...irresponsible. It kills me to pay money for my own negligence.

So it is with much regret that I admit to accruing some fines for overdue items (for DVDs, no less, not even books...I'm paying to have my children watch the TV...fantastic...).

Luckily for me, our library lets you read down your fines. (Is this a service common to all libraries?) Since I read to my boys a lot, this works out to be easy-peasy for us (except that since we have to read at the library instead of in the comfort of our home, sometimes Bradley doesn't last for very long).

Anyway, last week, the boys and I read off $6 in fines. Just like that. And since we check out about 100 items per month, I figure that even if I have to pay $6 every six months, that's still a rip roarin' good deal.

Heaven is Here by Stephanie Nielson

I'm somewhat embarrassed to admit this, but the main reason I decided to read this book was because of Gretchen Rubin's endorsement.  (You know, Gretchen Rubin of The Happiness Project?) When I read her praise of the book, I believed it. Usually I pick books because the plot sounds interesting or the cover is beautiful or a friend has recommended it. But I think this is the first time an author recommendation, that they get paid to write, actually convinced me to read a book. I guess those book marketers know what they're doing.
That's not to say my interest wasn't piqued when I originally saw that Stephanie Nielson's memoir was out. Like most Mormon moms, I knew who Stephanie Nielson was and had even looked at her blog a couple of times. But I never got pulled in, and I was never a faithful reader. (But, um, if it says anything, since finishing the book, I haven't missed a post.)

For those few of you who haven't heard of Stephanie Nielson, let me bring you up to speed. In 2005, Stephanie started a blog (NieNie Dialogues). It was mainly a way to stay connected with family and friends while they were living across the country, but it soon gained widespread popularity. It was an uplifting blog to read because Stephanie loved her children and husband so much. That, in and of itself, is probably not enough of a story for a memoir, but in 2008, Stephanie and her husband, Christian, were in a terrible private plane crash. Christian was burned over 30% of his body, and Stephanie was burned over 80%. She was in a medically induced coma for three months. Once she woke up, she had to relearn how to do all things physical. She's undergone countless surgeries and deals with pain on a daily basis. All of that is memoir-worthy material, for sure.

In spite of my original hesitation, I loved Stephanie's story. The first third, which was life before the plane crash, was interesting but also made me want to roll my eyes in more than a few places. I know it was set up so the contrast between life before and after the crash would be even more stark, but it seemed so idyllic to the point of seeming shallow (although after looking through her blog archive, it seems that it was a fairly accurate portrayal).

But after the plane crash, the book gained insight and purpose for me. I admire and respect Stephanie for writing in such an honest and forthright way. Surely it must have been difficult to relive so many dark days where hope seemed a far off thing. Parts of the recovery might have seemed repetitive except that the repetition made the experiences and tediousness of recovery feel real and therefore easier to relate to.

The book ends with so much hope for the future. In April, Stephanie gave birth to a healthy baby girl, which I think is an amazing testament not only to the capablities of the human body but also the resiliancy of the human spirit. Even though there will continue to be challenges and trials as a result of this accident, life will go on, and as Stephanie said so many times, there will be many moments of happiness.

Stephanie is very open (both on her blog and in her memoir) about her faith in God. She is Mormon and does not attempt to separate her beliefs from her writing (which would have been near impossible, as far as I could tell). I appreciated how easily church and faith and the Savior were intertwined throughout the story, but I am curious how it read to those not of the LDS faith. I felt like she tried to explain things as needed but wonder if it seemed like too much or too little to people with little exposure to the Church. For example, going back to Gretchen Rubin, what were her thoughts on that aspect of the memoir? I know from The Happiness Project that she herself does not subscribe to any religion, so I wonder what her thoughts were on that?

In the epilogue, Stephanie says this about her experience: [The] cornerstones of faith, family, and community were the framework of my life before the accident, and I thank God that they were strong enough to support me afterward, too. When the worst happened, that foundation withstood tremendous pressure but didn't collapse. Quite the opposite: it carried me...

I love this image, and it gives me hope that in my own life, when my own storms and tribulations come, if I have held fast to those things which are truly important, then I will be able to make it to the other side, too.

I borrowed this book from my sister-in-law, Sonja.

The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster

My parents read to me a lot when I was little, but somehow they missed The Phantom Tollbooth. In fact, I had never even heard the title until, oh, maybe a year or so ago. And then it was like the floodgates opened, and I heard about it everywhere. I find it so funny that I could go for 27 years and never hear mention of it, and then, randomly, there's no end to it . Was I just not paying attention before?

I decided that since it is somewhat of a classic (it was published in 1961 and seems to have held its popularity, at least among adults), I wanted to read it for myself.

It is about a young boy named Milo who, bored out of his mind and with very little imagination, discovers a magic tollbooth kit in his room. He constructs the tollbooth, drives his car through it (yes, lucky for him, he had his own small car), and finds himself in the Kingdom of Wisdom. (It seems that, perhaps, his imagination was not so bad after all...) Upon learning of a longstanding feud between brothers, King Azaz the Unabridged and the Mathemagician, which resulted in the princesses Rhyme and Reason being banished, Milo decides to rescue them and hopefully save the kingdom.

I read children's novels for two reasons: First, for myself, because I honestly and sincerely enjoy them, and second, for my children; I want to know which ones to share with them as they get older. To be quite honest, I'm having a hard time reconciling this book from either point of view.

From an adult's perspective, I thought that many of the puns and turns of phrase were extremely clever and funny. In fact, after listening to the first few chapters, I told my husband he should listen to it, too, because I thought he would enjoy the wit. But the actual plot held very little appeal for me. I wasn't engaged in Milo's journey but kept listening because I enjoyed the words.

So then I started wondering if my children would enjoy it in a few years. While they probably would like Milo and Tock the watchdog and the Humbug, I don't know if those things would hold their interest enough to sustain them through the wordiness and wordplay that comprises so much of the book.

I feel like I'm being disloyal since this book seems to be so universally loved. If any of you loved it as a child, maybe you can cast some additional perspective on the subject. Also, I'm so curious if it is a book that children are falling in love with today or if it is mainly adults who are holding onto it as a classic.

I checked out the audio book from my local library.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

This is why I feel fairly confident in saying I have absolutely no aspirations of ever writing a novel: Because I would want it to be like this book; and it never would.

It's difficult to say why I even liked it so much. Anna Quindlen said, "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is not the sort of book that can be reduced to its plot line. The best anyone can say is that it is a story about what it means to be human." So you could say that it doesn't have a gripping plot...except that for me, human nature is gripping, and far more so than dragons or vampires or zombies.

Then there's the writing, which, in a word, is exquisite, but not in an extravagant, flamboyant way, but as something so simple and realistic that I literally thought I could taste Katie's made-over bread and feel the pencil groove in Francie's desk. It was tactile and tangible; it's the way I wish I could write.

Because there isn't a driving plot, the characters really are what move the story along:

Johnny: okay, yes, he was kind of a bum father, but what a kindhearted, gentle, devoted bum father he was! Maybe I'm just comparing him to Rex Walls from A Glass Castle, but I thought Johnny was (almost) everything Francie needed him to be. Sure, providing clothes and food would have been nice, but really, Francie had a strong enough work ethic that she could provide those things for herself. What she really needed was someone to love her, praise her, and need her, and Johnny did all of those things.

Katie: In my opinion, Katie was the most complicated character in the book. It would have been so easy to paint her as mean and cruel or, on the flip side, warm and nurturing, but neither would have been as believable as what Katie was: strong-willed but vulnerable, knowing she loved Neeley best but not wanting Francie to know it, having her own dreams but sacrificing them for her family, hard on the outside but with a soft spot here and there.

Neeley: It took me a good chunk of the book to decide if I was going to like Neeley or not. There wasn't anything to dislike about him in the first chapters, but she kept hinting at "his gang" or drinking and smoking, and I was just so afraid he was going to turn into a real punk of a brother. Thankfully he didn't, and I think my favorite scene with Neeley was when he was in a hurry, and Francie offered to iron his shirt. There was an identical scene (parts of the conversation were even word-for-word the same) with Johnny and Francie.

Sissy: In what other book can you find such a promiscuous character who is as lovable as Sissy? I mean, really.

Francie: And then, of course, Francie, who was the perfect heroine...so easy to love and hurt for. She was lonely and never had a best friend (which, in some ways, was so refreshing since sometimes best friends are annoyingly attentive and supportive with no real character of their own). I loved Francie as much as I've ever loved any of my favorite heroines.

There was only one part of the story that really irritated me, and that was Katie's conversation with Francie after Lee has been exposed as a total jerk. I didn't agree with Katie's assessment of "first love." Disagree with me if you will, but I'm grateful I didn't waste even a kiss on my 16-year-old crush.

Aside from that, I loved the book. If I could visit 1916 Brooklyn, I think I could find my way around although I think I'd be a bit terrified since I'm not made of the same kind of steel.

If you're somewhat intimidated by classics, then this is the perfect one to try. Since it's not as classically classical, it is very readable with many touching moments (my favorite being the flowers after graduation). In my eyes, this was a near-perfect novel.

Running and Reading

I run every weekday morning.

I never thought I would be able to say that without adding a million qualifiers (...except when it's raining or ...unless I go to bed after 11:00pm or ...as long as my baby doesn't wake up more than once or ... if I don't forget to set my alarm).

No, I really do think it's safe to say I run every weekday morning. (Okay, just one qualifier: unless I'm laying on the bathroom floor with the stomach flu. I'm not that hard core.)

It has become such a habit to run every morning that I might go so far as to say I'm addicted to it. Even when my running partner and dear friend, Kathy, is out of town, I still go running. And that's saying something. I never thought I could or would run without her.

A little history: Kathy and I started exercising in January 2011. We were both pregnant and wanted to stay in shape. We started with P90X in the living room on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. We exercised through both our pregnancies and resumed soon after our babies were born. It was then that we switched to a Monday-Friday, 6:00am schedule.

Anyway, when Kathy can't run with me, I still get up with the sun (or before the sun as the seasons may be), put on my running shoes, and run through the sweet-smelling streets. (Side note: this really is the best time of year to run outside; it's a privilege just to be outside when the mornings are so heavenly. I feel sorry for all you runners who wait until 9:00am. You are missing out.).

When I have to run by myself, I take my iPod. But instead of listening to music, I listen to books. It distracts me and makes the time pass so quickly.

I usually change up my route from day to day because I get bored easily. And I've noticed something interesting. Sometimes when I pass a certain house or a specific street corner that I've run past before, a scene from a book will flash across my brain. It's so crazy. It might not even be an important part of the story, but for some reason it got logged away in my brain and is permanently linked to a specific location.

For example, I listened to Once Upon a Marigold last summer. I didn't particularly like it, and I'm sure I would have forgotten all the details by now except that when I run down a certain street, I'm suddenly back in the part of the story where Marigold and what's-his-name are sending letters back and forth across the river.

I just find it fascinating the way the brain connects things, and how something that I thought was gone long ago can pop back into remembrance if it's triggered by the right image or smell or sound. It makes running even more of an adventure and is my own personal testament that running is not only good for my physical health, but my mental health as well.

My Own Space

Those who know me probably saw this coming. I've been leaving not-so-subtle hints for more than a few months.

Such as:

• Our family blog has been taken over by book lists, picture book reviews, and posts about how much I love the library.
• I can't seem to have a normal conversation without mentioning something from a recent read.
• I think the library is one of the best places to go on a date, or by myself, or with my kids.
• My library card is one of my prized possessions.
• If I could splurge and spend money on anything my heart desired, I would go to The King's English and buy the whole set of Mercy Watson in hardback.
• Hands down, I'd rather curl up on the couch and read a book than curl up and watch a movie.
• I don't know how to wash the dishes if I'm not listening to a book.
• My idea of fun is to grab a huge stack of picture books, snuggle my boys on either side of me, and settle in for some good reading.

So consider this the first official post of Sunlit Pages. I put up some of my old reviews just so it wouldn't feel like I was starting in dry. I'm excited to finally have my own space for all those thoughts, conversations, and ideas that have been clamoring my brain.