This interview with Susan Cooper got me thinking about books that have been adapted into films, and in general, how disappointing they are.
Neither A Series of Unfortunate Events, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe nor Stormbreaker were anywhere near as good as the books they were adapted from.
But that's not to say that there haven't been some excellent adaptations of great books - looking at our 'classics' shelf I can see The Wizard of Oz, Little Women, and The Neverending Story, terrific films all.
The Harry Potter films, too, have been fine. I particularly approve of Alfonso Cuarón's Prisoner of Azkaban, which was just beyond perfect in its details.
And I must admit, I'm very much looking forward to The Golden Compass, adapted from Phillip Pullman's first Dark Materials novel, Northern Lights (it's the American title). Although I have heard conflicting opinions on the film's treatment of religion, which is a central theme of the novels. Still, I'm keeping an open mind, as ever!
Monday, 26 November 2007
Saturday, 24 November 2007
Word of the Week 5
This week's word is bagatelle (bag-a-tell), which means a small, unimportant thing. Updating this blog is a mere bagatelle compared with getting all the Christmas stock out of the cupboard!
Tara's Underground Picks
In each of this week's picks, characters discover underground tunnels - they may be dank and unpleasant or warm and cosy, but they're all full of adventure!
Picture Book
The Tunnel – Anthony Browne
This is an unusual picture book about two siblings who don’t see eye to eye. But when her brother disappears into a tunnel, his sister must go in after him.
A very atmospheric, spooky book, which fortunately has a happy ending!
Early Readers
Fantastic Mr Fox – Roald Dahl
Poor Mr Fox, he has a wife and small foxes to support, but nasty farmers Boggis, Bunce and Bean want him dead. Luckily, Mr Fox has a plan to outsmart all three, and he’s got some friends to help him dig an amazing tunnel.
Another Dahl classic, this book is full of brilliant details: the farmers’ diets are particularly funny (boiled chicken and dumplings for chicken farmer Boggis, goose liver and doughnuts for goose-and-duck farmer Bunch and just cider for skinny apple-and-turkey farmer Bean!
Developing Readers
Five Go to Smuggler’s Top – Enid Blyton
When an ash tree falls on Kirrin Cottage, the Famous Five (Julian, Dick, Anne, George and Timmy the Dog) are sent to stay with Julian and Dick’s school friend Pierre ‘Sooty’ Lenoir and his rather strange step-father. They soon discover hidden tunnels running under the house, and become embroiled in an alarming plot!
One of the Five’s most atmospheric adventures.
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland – Lewis Caroll
When Alice falls down a rabbit hole, she discovers a strange world, where everything she knows has been turned on its head. From the mouse who speaks French to the Cheshire Cat, Wonderland never fails to surprise.
A delightfully strange tale!
Confident Readers
Tunnels – Roderick Gordon & Brian Williams
When Will’s father suddenly disappears down an unknown tunnel, he decides to investigate with his friend Chester. Soon they are deep underground, and they unearth a terrifying secret, one which may cost them their lives.
A thrilling and inventive novel.
The Hobbit – JRR Tolkien
Bilbo Baggins would much rather not leave his underground hobbit-hole, thank you. But when Gandalf and the dwarves arrive to take him on quest, he proves to be more adventurous than the average hobbit!
Both adults and children will enjoy this classic prequel to Lord of the Rings.
Picture Book
The Tunnel – Anthony Browne
This is an unusual picture book about two siblings who don’t see eye to eye. But when her brother disappears into a tunnel, his sister must go in after him.
A very atmospheric, spooky book, which fortunately has a happy ending!
Early Readers
Fantastic Mr Fox – Roald Dahl
Poor Mr Fox, he has a wife and small foxes to support, but nasty farmers Boggis, Bunce and Bean want him dead. Luckily, Mr Fox has a plan to outsmart all three, and he’s got some friends to help him dig an amazing tunnel.
Another Dahl classic, this book is full of brilliant details: the farmers’ diets are particularly funny (boiled chicken and dumplings for chicken farmer Boggis, goose liver and doughnuts for goose-and-duck farmer Bunch and just cider for skinny apple-and-turkey farmer Bean!
Developing Readers
Five Go to Smuggler’s Top – Enid Blyton
When an ash tree falls on Kirrin Cottage, the Famous Five (Julian, Dick, Anne, George and Timmy the Dog) are sent to stay with Julian and Dick’s school friend Pierre ‘Sooty’ Lenoir and his rather strange step-father. They soon discover hidden tunnels running under the house, and become embroiled in an alarming plot!
One of the Five’s most atmospheric adventures.
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland – Lewis Caroll
When Alice falls down a rabbit hole, she discovers a strange world, where everything she knows has been turned on its head. From the mouse who speaks French to the Cheshire Cat, Wonderland never fails to surprise.
A delightfully strange tale!
Confident Readers
Tunnels – Roderick Gordon & Brian Williams
When Will’s father suddenly disappears down an unknown tunnel, he decides to investigate with his friend Chester. Soon they are deep underground, and they unearth a terrifying secret, one which may cost them their lives.
A thrilling and inventive novel.
The Hobbit – JRR Tolkien
Bilbo Baggins would much rather not leave his underground hobbit-hole, thank you. But when Gandalf and the dwarves arrive to take him on quest, he proves to be more adventurous than the average hobbit!
Both adults and children will enjoy this classic prequel to Lord of the Rings.
Wednesday, 21 November 2007
Brave New Worlds
A couple of interesting links in The Guardian yesterday. Amazon's mobile library and The Tales of Beedle the Bard.
Kindle, which is a sort of e-book, and will allow readers to download books (and newspapers) wherever they are, does look very impressive. Lemony Snicket and Neil Gaiman both give positive responses to it, on the Amazon product page, but I can't help but feel this isn't really for The Kids. There is no heirloom value to a Kindle book. And I can't believe it's going to deal convincingly with picture books at all. Certainly I'm not quaking in my stylish, yet affordable boots just yet!
The Tales of Beedle the Bard may well be the last Harry Potter book. And there are only six copies. JK Rowling is auctioning one copy for charity this Christmas, and it is expected to reach £40 000! If you've read Deathly Hallows you'll know that the Tales include the story of the Hallows themselves, and are therefore an important part of Potterania. It's frustrating as a fan to know that only six people will get to read them!
I suppose these two things are polar opposites - the Kindle is an electronic device that will hold hundreds of texts, and Beedle the Bard is a beautiful rare hand-made book. I'm not sure either is the best way forward.
Kindle, which is a sort of e-book, and will allow readers to download books (and newspapers) wherever they are, does look very impressive. Lemony Snicket and Neil Gaiman both give positive responses to it, on the Amazon product page, but I can't help but feel this isn't really for The Kids. There is no heirloom value to a Kindle book. And I can't believe it's going to deal convincingly with picture books at all. Certainly I'm not quaking in my stylish, yet affordable boots just yet!
The Tales of Beedle the Bard may well be the last Harry Potter book. And there are only six copies. JK Rowling is auctioning one copy for charity this Christmas, and it is expected to reach £40 000! If you've read Deathly Hallows you'll know that the Tales include the story of the Hallows themselves, and are therefore an important part of Potterania. It's frustrating as a fan to know that only six people will get to read them!
I suppose these two things are polar opposites - the Kindle is an electronic device that will hold hundreds of texts, and Beedle the Bard is a beautiful rare hand-made book. I'm not sure either is the best way forward.
Saturday, 17 November 2007
Word of the Week 4
This week's word is borborygmus, which means tummy rumbling. Luckily the littlest bookshop boy was in today, so I was able to run across the road for a sandwich, otherwise I'd have had some serious borborygmus myself today!
Tara's Teeny Tiny Picks
Each of these books features someone who shrinks, or who was teeny to begin with.
Picture Book
Each Peach Pear Plum – Janet & Allan Ahlberg
I spy Tom Thumb! A tremendous book, featuring everyone’s favourite nursery rhyme characters, including Bo Peep, Mother Hubbard and the Three Bears. Each page features a rhyme that encourages readers to look closely at the pictures, to see if they can spy the characters!
Really lovely illustrations and a novel concept make this classic book a great all-round choice.
Early Readers
Ruby the Red Fairy & Amber the Orange Fairy – Daisy Meadows
These unashamedly girly novels each tell the story of a different fairy. Each tiny fairy must be freed to save Fairyland from the frozen clutches of Jack Frost.
This astonishingly popular series features magic and adventure, and is ideal bedtime reading from four years old, or for slightly older children to read to themselves.
Developing Readers
Mrs. Pepperpot Stories – Alf Prøysen
Mrs. Pepperpot can’t control when she shrinks, so she gets in all sorts of trouble, but somehow she always manages to end up on top! Whether it’s simple things like doing laundry or buying pasta, or more surprising adventures like being a fortune teller or uncovering hidden treasure, Mrs. Pepperpot succeeds at almost everything, even when it seems like she can’t!
These fantastic stories (41 in total!) are full of fun and the illustrations add to the sense of wonder.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – Roald Dahl
Mike Teevee being shrunk like a bar of chocolate is one of my all-time favourite moments in literature. There’s something so satisfying about such an awful child getting his comeuppance!
This novel has plenty more to recommend it beyond that though – from the depiction of Charlie’s house where his grandparents all share a bed, to the wonders of Willy Wonka’s factory itself, Dahl’s flights of fantasy are a joy to read, whatever your age.
Confident Readers
The Borrowers – Mary Norton
Pod, Homily and Arietty live underneath the clock in a large house. Everything they own has been borrowed from the “Human Beans”. Their persistent pilfering goes mostly unnoticed (except… has anyone seen my kirby grip?) until a human boy spots them!
This ingenious book will make you wonder if maybe you don’t have Borrowers living in your home!
The Indian in the Cupboard – Lynne Reid Banks
Omri is thoroughly unimpressed by the plastic Indian he’s given for his birthday, but when he puts it in his old cupboard and turns the key, it comes to life!
I can’t praise this book highly enough – it’s full of terrific moments (not least when Omri realises Little Bull is alive), and careful observations. A genuine classic.
Picture Book
Each Peach Pear Plum – Janet & Allan Ahlberg
I spy Tom Thumb! A tremendous book, featuring everyone’s favourite nursery rhyme characters, including Bo Peep, Mother Hubbard and the Three Bears. Each page features a rhyme that encourages readers to look closely at the pictures, to see if they can spy the characters!
Really lovely illustrations and a novel concept make this classic book a great all-round choice.
Early Readers
Ruby the Red Fairy & Amber the Orange Fairy – Daisy Meadows
These unashamedly girly novels each tell the story of a different fairy. Each tiny fairy must be freed to save Fairyland from the frozen clutches of Jack Frost.
This astonishingly popular series features magic and adventure, and is ideal bedtime reading from four years old, or for slightly older children to read to themselves.
Developing Readers
Mrs. Pepperpot Stories – Alf Prøysen
Mrs. Pepperpot can’t control when she shrinks, so she gets in all sorts of trouble, but somehow she always manages to end up on top! Whether it’s simple things like doing laundry or buying pasta, or more surprising adventures like being a fortune teller or uncovering hidden treasure, Mrs. Pepperpot succeeds at almost everything, even when it seems like she can’t!
These fantastic stories (41 in total!) are full of fun and the illustrations add to the sense of wonder.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – Roald Dahl
Mike Teevee being shrunk like a bar of chocolate is one of my all-time favourite moments in literature. There’s something so satisfying about such an awful child getting his comeuppance!
This novel has plenty more to recommend it beyond that though – from the depiction of Charlie’s house where his grandparents all share a bed, to the wonders of Willy Wonka’s factory itself, Dahl’s flights of fantasy are a joy to read, whatever your age.
Confident Readers
The Borrowers – Mary Norton
Pod, Homily and Arietty live underneath the clock in a large house. Everything they own has been borrowed from the “Human Beans”. Their persistent pilfering goes mostly unnoticed (except… has anyone seen my kirby grip?) until a human boy spots them!
This ingenious book will make you wonder if maybe you don’t have Borrowers living in your home!
The Indian in the Cupboard – Lynne Reid Banks
Omri is thoroughly unimpressed by the plastic Indian he’s given for his birthday, but when he puts it in his old cupboard and turns the key, it comes to life!
I can’t praise this book highly enough – it’s full of terrific moments (not least when Omri realises Little Bull is alive), and careful observations. A genuine classic.
Thursday, 15 November 2007
Half in love
Half of one of our book orders has gone missing. Our lovely DHL delivery man (who brought the other half) says he thinks it went to something called "Home Delivery", whatever that may be.
Frustratingly, it's the half that contains our first customer orders, including this lovely Puff the Magic Dragon hardback, and the Iron Man. How thoroughly disappointing.
Frustratingly, it's the half that contains our first customer orders, including this lovely Puff the Magic Dragon hardback, and the Iron Man. How thoroughly disappointing.
Wednesday, 14 November 2007
He had the full compliment of fingers
You can tell it's going to be a good day when the first person who comes in spends £30 on finger cymbals!
Monday, 12 November 2007
Books 2.0
I'm a big fan of Library Thing, which I use to catalogue my own books. So I got very excited when I read this post on their blog. I've got in touch with Tim, their top man, and I'm hoping we can integrate. I'm not sure how useful it'll be to most customers, but I don't see it doing any harm!
Saturday, 10 November 2007
Tara's Badly Behaved Picks
Our theme this week is bad behaviour, because everyone loves a rebel!
Picture Book
I Am Not Sleepy and I Will Not Go to Bed – Lauren Child
Lola insists that she does not need to go to bed – can her brother Charlie convince her?
This popular picture book is full of gorgeous illustrations – I’m particularly fond of Lola and the three tigers drinking their pink milk at the kitchen table!
Early Readers
Horrid Henry & Horrid Henry Gets Rich Quick– Francesca Simon
Horrid Henry makes even the naughtiest child seem like a saint. Henry brings mayhem and anarchy to any situation and these laugh-out-loud books are full of funny moments – like Henry’s Mum ending up covered in spaghetti!
Riotously funny and popular with even the most reluctant readers!
Developing Readers
The Naughtiest Girl in the School – Enid Blyton
Elizabeth Allen is spoilt and selfish. When she’s sent away to boarding school she makes up her mind to be the naughtiest pupil there's ever been! But Elizabeth soon finds out that being bad isn't as simple as it seems.
A classic story of a girl who learns to love a place she’s determined to hate!
Just William – Richmal Crompton
William and his gang of Outlaws, are probably some of the worst behaved characters in fiction! But William isn’t so much naughty as misguided! His tragedy is that all attempts at good behaviour end in disaster, usually with very funny consequences!
Tremendous fun, though maybe a little old-fashioned at times!
Confident Readers
The Story of Tracy Beaker – Jacqueline Wilson
Tracy Beaker is a very modern bad girl. She lives in a children’s home and dreams of a glamorous mum to take her home. Tracy’s short life has been very hard, but she’s a charming troublemaker, and manages to make the best of a bad situation.
Tracy’s amazing imagination, and Wilson’s dry sense of humour make this one of the best children’s novels of the last fifteen years.
The Secret Garden – Francis Hodgson Burnett
Mary Lennox is a memorably badly behaved girl. But she is an orphan who has been sent to live with a distant (and rather unpleasant) relative, so she’s not completely unjustified! As she discovers a hidden place in the garden, and meets new friends, she becomes a nicer and nicer person.
An irresistible novel, full of warm and lovely characters. Why aren’t there more Dickons in real life?
Picture Book
I Am Not Sleepy and I Will Not Go to Bed – Lauren Child
Lola insists that she does not need to go to bed – can her brother Charlie convince her?
This popular picture book is full of gorgeous illustrations – I’m particularly fond of Lola and the three tigers drinking their pink milk at the kitchen table!
Early Readers
Horrid Henry & Horrid Henry Gets Rich Quick– Francesca Simon
Horrid Henry makes even the naughtiest child seem like a saint. Henry brings mayhem and anarchy to any situation and these laugh-out-loud books are full of funny moments – like Henry’s Mum ending up covered in spaghetti!
Riotously funny and popular with even the most reluctant readers!
Developing Readers
The Naughtiest Girl in the School – Enid Blyton
Elizabeth Allen is spoilt and selfish. When she’s sent away to boarding school she makes up her mind to be the naughtiest pupil there's ever been! But Elizabeth soon finds out that being bad isn't as simple as it seems.
A classic story of a girl who learns to love a place she’s determined to hate!
Just William – Richmal Crompton
William and his gang of Outlaws, are probably some of the worst behaved characters in fiction! But William isn’t so much naughty as misguided! His tragedy is that all attempts at good behaviour end in disaster, usually with very funny consequences!
Tremendous fun, though maybe a little old-fashioned at times!
Confident Readers
The Story of Tracy Beaker – Jacqueline Wilson
Tracy Beaker is a very modern bad girl. She lives in a children’s home and dreams of a glamorous mum to take her home. Tracy’s short life has been very hard, but she’s a charming troublemaker, and manages to make the best of a bad situation.
Tracy’s amazing imagination, and Wilson’s dry sense of humour make this one of the best children’s novels of the last fifteen years.
The Secret Garden – Francis Hodgson Burnett
Mary Lennox is a memorably badly behaved girl. But she is an orphan who has been sent to live with a distant (and rather unpleasant) relative, so she’s not completely unjustified! As she discovers a hidden place in the garden, and meets new friends, she becomes a nicer and nicer person.
An irresistible novel, full of warm and lovely characters. Why aren’t there more Dickons in real life?
Word of the Week 3
Our new word of the week is petrichor (pet-rih-kor), which means the smell of summer rain. Not very seasonal, I know, but a fantastic word, nonetheless!
Saturday, 3 November 2007
Word of the Week 2
Our new word of the week is copacetic (cope-a-set-ic), which means fine, excellent. As in: "Everything was copecetic that day". This is defintely one of my all-time favourite words, although it's used much more in the United States.
Tara's Mousey and Ratty Picks
Our theme this week is a celebration of some really radical rodents (try saying that three times fast)!
Picture Book
Rastamouse and the Crucial Plan – Michael De Souza & Genevieve Webster
All the cheese in Mouseland has disappeared, leaving the baby mice at the orphanage starving. The thieving must be stopped. So the president calls in Rastamouse, Scratchy and Zoomer of the Easy Crew.
Told in rhyme with a Jamaican rhythm and bright fun colours, Rastamouse and the Crucial Plan is an unusual and fresh picture book with a great moral – everyone can change for the better!
Developing Readers
The Witches – Roald Dahl
A boy and his grandmamma have to rid the world of witches, but when they catch him spying on their conference, the boy gets turned into a mouse! How will he manage to defeat them now?
One of Dahl’s best books – The Witches is tense and exciting throughout.
Stuart Little – E.B. White
Stuart Little lives with his parents and his brother in New York City, but he’s no ordinary boy – he looks and acts very much like a mouse! His adventures include a sailboat race on Central Park pond, and going in search of his missing friend Margalo.
A sweet and humorous book, by the author of Charlotte’s Web.
Confident Readers
The Wind in the Willows – Kenneth Graham
One of the all-time greats. Mole, Ratty, Badger and Toad really need no introduction. But for anyone reading this book for the first time, when Mole decides to leave his spring cleaning and ends up by the river, he meets a host of new friends, and has some tremendous adventures!
Older Readers
Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH – Robert C. O’Brian
When Mrs Frisby, a field mouse, has to leave her home, she gets some unexpected help from the rats of NIMH, super-intelligent rodents. But Nicodemus and his comrades have a secret history, which involves Mrs Frisby’s late husband.
This is an engrossing and thrilling novel, which will stay in your mind long after you finish it.
Picture Book
Rastamouse and the Crucial Plan – Michael De Souza & Genevieve Webster
All the cheese in Mouseland has disappeared, leaving the baby mice at the orphanage starving. The thieving must be stopped. So the president calls in Rastamouse, Scratchy and Zoomer of the Easy Crew.
Told in rhyme with a Jamaican rhythm and bright fun colours, Rastamouse and the Crucial Plan is an unusual and fresh picture book with a great moral – everyone can change for the better!
Developing Readers
The Witches – Roald Dahl
A boy and his grandmamma have to rid the world of witches, but when they catch him spying on their conference, the boy gets turned into a mouse! How will he manage to defeat them now?
One of Dahl’s best books – The Witches is tense and exciting throughout.
Stuart Little – E.B. White
Stuart Little lives with his parents and his brother in New York City, but he’s no ordinary boy – he looks and acts very much like a mouse! His adventures include a sailboat race on Central Park pond, and going in search of his missing friend Margalo.
A sweet and humorous book, by the author of Charlotte’s Web.
Confident Readers
The Wind in the Willows – Kenneth Graham
One of the all-time greats. Mole, Ratty, Badger and Toad really need no introduction. But for anyone reading this book for the first time, when Mole decides to leave his spring cleaning and ends up by the river, he meets a host of new friends, and has some tremendous adventures!
Older Readers
Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH – Robert C. O’Brian
When Mrs Frisby, a field mouse, has to leave her home, she gets some unexpected help from the rats of NIMH, super-intelligent rodents. But Nicodemus and his comrades have a secret history, which involves Mrs Frisby’s late husband.
This is an engrossing and thrilling novel, which will stay in your mind long after you finish it.
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