Archives for Children’s
Stargirl
November 18th, 2011 by Kaitlin | Children's, Fiction, Young Adults
I'm one of those weirdos that like to read books over and over and over again. Some of my favorites are literally falling apart because of so much wear (ahem.... Harry Potter). Other repeats are books that I've forgotten about over the years and rediscover. After so long, it's sometimes like reading a new story -- you remember bits and pieces, enough to pull at that deep part of your brain, but can still be surprised by the twists and turns. My mother is a fifth grade teacher, and going through her library, I've rediscovered countless stories. One of
Boy
November 14th, 2011 by Angela Yorke | Children's, Classics
Sometimes, I wish that I’d gone to a boarding school just like the ones about which Enid Blyton wrote. School was fun at Mallory Towers, and it seemed like there was a midnight feast every other week, where there would be rich cakes and sweet tarts, all washed down with the ubiquitous ginger ale. That, and horse-riding every other day.
In contrast, Boy by Roald Dahl is a darker picture of life in an English boarding school. To be sure, there are palpable differences between public and private schools, and all-boys’ and all-girls’ schools, but I think I behaved in
In contrast, Boy by Roald Dahl is a darker picture of life in an English boarding school. To be sure, there are palpable differences between public and private schools, and all-boys’ and all-girls’ schools, but I think I behaved in
The Magical Christmas Horse
October 17th, 2011 by Angela Yorke | Children's
It’s not too early to start shopping for presents, is it? I’ve been looking for something nice for my aunt, who always puts everyone else’s needs before her own. I thought of getting her an apron, but she already has 10; or baking paraphernalia, but she already owns enough to start her own baking supply store. I’m pretty sure she won’t expect to receive The Magical Christmas Horse by Mary Higgins Clark though.
I realize The Magical Christmas Horse is supposed to be for children aged 4–8 years (although there seems to be a lot of text for 4-year-olds to
I realize The Magical Christmas Horse is supposed to be for children aged 4–8 years (although there seems to be a lot of text for 4-year-olds to
Treasure Island
September 29th, 2011 by Sam P. | Children's, Classics
Ahhh, Treasure Island. The classic adventure story of Jim Hawkins, by Robert Louis Stevenson. Jim is just a young boy, but when Billy Bones comes to stay at the hotel he lives at, Jim's world turns upside down.
But all good things must come to an end, and so do bad things. So Billy Bones has to go, but not the way you expect -- he gets killed by some old shipmates. Jim starts thinking and realizes that Billy had a trunk where he kept his money, and he did owe Jim and his mother some dough, so they find
But all good things must come to an end, and so do bad things. So Billy Bones has to go, but not the way you expect -- he gets killed by some old shipmates. Jim starts thinking and realizes that Billy had a trunk where he kept his money, and he did owe Jim and his mother some dough, so they find
How to Fail at Writing a Children’s Book
September 19th, 2011 by Angela Yorke | Children's
Writing for children is incredibly easy; all you need is something other than the Dick and Jane rote and you’re all set, right? Not really, as it’s much easier to write a children’s book badly than it is to create something that will be treasured over decades.
First, you must completely forget what being a child was like; kids need to grow up fast in this big bad world, and it’s your duty to instruct them on how they should live. Any writer who aims to show children a window into a different, enchanting world is clearly going about it
First, you must completely forget what being a child was like; kids need to grow up fast in this big bad world, and it’s your duty to instruct them on how they should live. Any writer who aims to show children a window into a different, enchanting world is clearly going about it
