Mini Review: James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl

Title: James and the Giant Peach
Author: Roald Dahl
Illustrator: Lane Smith
Format: Paperback, 144 pages
Pub. Date: April 1st 1996
Source: Goodwill


Book Description:

A little magic can take you a long way...

Roald Dahl was a champion of the underdog and all things little—in this case, an orphaned boy oppressed by two nasty, self-centered aunts. How James escapes his miserable life with the horrible aunts and becomes a hero is a Dahlicious fantasy of the highest order. You will never forget resourceful little James and his new family of magically overgrown insects—a ladybug, a spider, a grasshopper, a glowworm, a silkworm, and the chronic complainer, a centipede with a hundred gorgeous shoes. Their adventures aboard a luscious peach as large as a house take them across the Atlantic Ocean, through waters infested with peach-eating sharks and skies inhabited by malevolent Cloudmen, to a ticker-tape parade in New York City.

This happily ever after contemporary fairy tale is a twentieth-century classic that every child deserves to know. And Lane Smith's endearingly funny illustrations are a perfect match for the text.

Review:

★★★

I was feeling nostalgic, and what better way to cure that than to read books that you remember from your childhood. This book will always have a special place in my heart, but it is a wee bit more problematic than I remember it.

First, the illustrations. I love them. They're in that distinct style that I associate with Roald Dahl. It's dark, almost creepy. And yet somehow, endearing and charming. It's exactly how I remember it.

The story is just as silly and fantastical as I remembered, but it's a little bit darker than memory served. For example, the bugs have a casual conversation about killing James's aunts. There's also some questionable racism, which was probably okay in the 60s when it was published but reading it again in 2018 ho boy is that troubling.

All in all, I don't know that I'll read it again, but it still made me smile and it still holds its own from when I was young, albeit a bit more concerning.

Kids' Book Roundup [Part Two]

Long time no see, my faithful readers. As you may have guessed, Emily is still not done cleaning her room. Which means, I am still reading books. My last post was a weeeeee bit long, so I decided to break up my childish reading into more readable chunks. These books are in no real order (unless you count "the order that she threw them onto the bed" as an actual system of organization). For all of you with kiddos out there- I hope this list helps!


Title: Verdi
Editor: Janell Cannon
Format: Hardcover, 56 pages
Pub. Date: April 1st 1997
Source: Emily's room

★★★★★

Verdi the snake's mother keeps telling him to grow up and become big and green, just like her. But Verdi doesn't want to be green! His green snake relatives are slow, old, and boring. He'd much rather keep his yellow stripy skin! But with time (and a few lessons along the way) Verdi learns that growing older, and growing green, isn't as bad as he thought, and that underneath it all, he will always be his own person.... Well, reptile. This book has an interesting, well timed prose and stunning illustrations, not to mention a striking cover that would catch anyone's eye. Though of course acceptable for both genders, I'd recommend this to young boys.

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Title: What Do You Do With a Kangaroo?
Editor: Mercer Mayer
Format: Paperback, 48 pages
Source: Emily's room

★★★★

A short but redundant picture book, What Do You Do With a Kangaroo chronicles a little girl's battle against a parade of wild animals who try to boss her around and take all of her things. But this little madam stands her ground and kicks all those meanies to the curb! The plot is funny and nonsensical with great illustrations to match. I'd definitely read this to my nonexistent daughter!

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Title: The Very Lonely Firefly
Editor: Eric Carle
Format: Hardcover, 32 pages
Pub. Date: June 1st 1995
Source: Emily's room

★★★★★

The Very Lonely Firefly tells the story of a sad, lonely little insect who just wants to find others like him. So he travels through the night, running into all kinds of luminous things and creatures, hoping to find a group of fireflies that he can light up the sky with. A former reader of Carle myself, I have to say that I adore his artwork. It never gets old, and is simply gorgeous. The kids will also be in for a bit of a treat at the end, when the book actually lights up and blinks! This is a great story to show any kid or kid at heart.

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Title: Arthur's Thanksgiving
Editor: Marc Brown
Format:Paperback, 30 pages
Pub. Date: September 30th 1983
Source: Emily's room

★★★★★

Arthur has to be one of my favorite series for children. He teaches great lessons and the illustrations are always wonderfully detailed. Arthur's Thanksgiving is no exception. This is a cute, sometimes funny holiday read that I would recommend sharing around Thanksgiving time- since I find there's a lack of books for that holiday!

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Title: Clifford's First Halloween
Editor: Norman Bridwell
Source: Emily's room

★★★★★

In addition to Arthur, Clifford is another go-to classic series of books for kids. Clifford's First Halloween is one of my favorite Clifford books, namely because Halloween is my favorite time of year. The illustrations are funny and adorable, just like the rest of the plot. It tells the story of his first Halloween, back when he was still a tiny red puppy instead of a massive red dog!

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Title: Clifford's Halloween
Editor: Norman Bridwell
Format:Paperback, 32 pages
Pub. Date: October 1st 1986
Source: Emily's room

★★★★★

Like Emily Elizabeth and Clifford both, I just love Halloween! Clifford's Halloween tells the tale of how Emily decides on what Clifford should be for Halloween and Emily's special party. As normal, the story is cute, short and to the point, with a few funny bits thrown in. It's definitely a great "spooky" read for the kidlings at Halloween time.

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Title: Clifford's First Valentine's Day
Editor: Norman Bridwell
Format:Paperback, 32 pages
Pub. Date:January 1st 1997
Source: Emily's room

★★★★

In Clifford's First Valentine's Day, Emily Elizabeth recounts the shenanigans that her little puppy got into on their first V-Day together. From eating icky glue to chewing up paper to getting lost in the post office mail room, times with Clifford are always tons of fun adventures. The illustrations are fun and bright in normal Bridwell fashion. I remember fondly when I got my copy. My mom gave me a copy before school once on Valentine's Day as a present. It was my favorite card that year!

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Title: Clifford's Christmas
Editor: Norman Bridwell
Format:Paperback, 32 pages
Pub. Date:October 1st 1984
Source: Emily's room

★★★★★

In Clifford's Christmas, Emily Elizabeth shares a story of Clifford's caring nature. He gets a tree, helps with snowmen, and even lends a hand to Santa himself when the presents get ruined in a sticky situation. This is a warm, cozy, feel good read fit for any child around Christmastime.

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Title: Clifford's Thanksgiving Visit
Editor: Norman Bridwell
Format:Paperback, 32 pages
Pub. Date:October 1st 1993
Source: Emily's room

★★★★

Clifford's Thanksgiving Visit is the story of Thanksgiving (shocker). Clifford gets homesick and misses his family, so instead of staying with Emily Elizabeth, he wanders into the city to spend time with his mom. In ways that only Clifford can manage, he finds all sorts shenanigans to get into on the way there, and at the end of the way, the pair learn that what they're most thankful for is each other. This is a great book with a great lesson, teaching kids to be grateful for their families.

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Title: Clifford's First Christmas
Editor: Norman Bridwell
Format:Paperback, 32 pages
Pub. Date:October 1st 1994
Source: Emily's room

★★★★

In Clifford's First Christmas, Emily Elizabeth tells tales from a Christmas when Clifford was a cute little puppy. He helps to wrap presents and decorate the tree, and play with Emily's new presents. He even gets a special visit from Santa Claus! This is another light hearted read to share with the kids during the holiday season.

Kids' Book Roundup

Hello lovelies. Today I bring you a different kind of blog post: children's books! You see, my girlfriend (as I type) is "cleaning" her room. Also known as: is living in nostalgia and showing me things from her youth. So what am I doing while this is happening? Am I reading the beta books that I should be? Nope. I'm helping her sort books, and I'm reading some too. This post is going to be full of whatever picture/beginner books I happen to read.


Title: The Ledgerbook of Thomas Blue Eagle
Editor: Jewel Grutman, Thomasson Grant
Format: Hardcover, 72 pages
Pub. Date: August 6th 1996
Source: Emily's room

★★★★★

This book tells the story of Thomas Blue Eagle, and his life as a Native American on the plains. After a battle, he is asked to move to Pennsylvania to attend a school to learn the ways of the white man. Though fictional, this illustrated book gives a historically accurate insight into the life of a young native. The illustrations are beautiful, and look as though they were done by a child in a spiral notebook. Equal parts informative and emotional, this is a great read for kids.

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Title: Clifford's Kitten
Editor: Norman Bridwell
Format: Paperback, 32 pages
Pub. Date: January 1st 1992
Source: Emily's room

★★★

This is a cute book about who else- Clifford the big red dog! Emily Elizabeth finds a kitten and the normally red Clifford gets a bit green with envy, and finds himself in all sorts of shenanigans when he tries to fit in with the new feline. This is a cute read but there's not much to it- it's not a must have for kids.

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Title: Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You?
Editor: Dr. Seuss
Format: Hardcover, 27 pages
Pub. Date: August 12th 1970
Source: Emily's room

★

This book follows Mr. Brown as he makes noises.

It is annoying for kiddos
And adult readers too
I do not need a book
To tell me to moo.
This is a book I will not be getting for my children in the future, lest I get headaches.

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Title: No Copycats Allowed!
Editor: Bonnie Graves
Format: Paperback, 64 pages
Pub. Date: April 15th 1998
Source: Emily's room

★★★★

Gabrielle doesn't want to go into Room 6 with mean old teacher Mrs. Dean. She just moved out of the city and into the suburbs, and has heard rumors that the kids from Room 6 aren't so nice. Her fears are reaffirmed when they tell her that her name is weird, and too long. Eager for friends, she tries to blend in with the other girls in her class by changing her name's spelling and even wearing her hair different. Labelled a "copycat", Gabrielle has to learn that being brave and being yourself is the best way to make friends.

I actually really enjoyed this read. Aimed for second/third grade readers, this small chapter book has a positive message. It doesn't matter what your name is, where you come from, or even what hobbies you have. The most important thing is to never sacrifice your individuality to impress people.

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Title: The Velveteen Rabbit
Editor: Margery Williams
Format: Paperback, 40 pages
Pub. Date: April 1st 1987
Source: Emily's room

★★★★★

This is a book that every child should read or own. The Boy gets a new toy, the velveteen rabbit, and soon finds that he cannot even sleep without it. He loves the rabbit until its fur is shaggy and its seams are popping. The velveteen rabbit teaches a valuable lesson on being loved, realism, and what happens to things that are lost to us.

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Title: Millions of Cats
Editor: Wanda Gág
Format: Paperback, 32 pages
Pub. Date:October 5th 2006
Source: Emily's room

★★★

A very old man and a very old woman are terribly lonely. The old woman suggests that the man go and get a cat, to make their lives less sad. He wanders along and finds a group of MILLIONS of cats. He wants to pick just one beautiful kitty, but soon finds that they're all too beautiful, and must take them all. The old woman, the old man, and the reader will learn that what's pretty isn't always what's best, and don't just a kitty by his fur.

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Title: Find the Cat
Editor: Elaine Livermore
Format: Hardcover, 46 pages
Pub. Date:February 1st 1973
Source: Emily's room

★★★

This is a fun and whimsical search-and-find book, regarding a dog who is rather angry and searching for the cat, who hid his bone. Admittedly, one of the illustrations tricked even me for a moment! I love the pictures, but the text is really only "Find the cat."

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Title: Stranger in the Woods: A Photographic Fantasy
Editor: Carl R. Sams II, Jean Stoick
Format: Hardcover, 48 pages
Pub. Date:November 28th 1999
Source: Emily's room

★★★★

Stranger in the Woods is the story of woodland critters who find a mysterious creature made of snow in their forest. The text leaves a bit to be desired, voicing the opinions and worries of all of the animals. However, the photography within this book is simply beautiful. These wintery landscapes are stunning, and I admittedly looked more to them than I did at the text! This is a great Christmastime read for a child of any age.

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Title: The Rainbow Fish
Editor: Marcus Pfister
Format: Hardcover, 24 pages
Pub. Date:January 27th 1999
Source: Emily's room

★★★★★

This kids' book will always be a favorite of mine. The rainbow fish is the most beautiful fish in the sea, with scales that shimmer in every color. But he's also very vain, and when a little fish asks for a shimmering scale, the rainbow fish says no! Then he learns that people won't want to be with him if he's selfish. In the end, he learns that sharing is the ultimate source of happiness. With beautiful illustrations and an important message, every child should have this book.

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Title: Clifford Takes A Trip
Editor: Norman Bridwell
Format: Paperback, 32 pages
Pub. Date:January 1st 1992
Source: Emily's room

★★★★

In true Clifford style, the familiar big red dog just CAN'T be without his loving owner, Emily Elizabeth, while she goes on a family vacation. Lonely, nothing will stop him from finding her- and when he does (with some mischief on the way) he might just be in time to save the day! This is a cute read that shows just how important we humans are to our canine counterparts.

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