Henry vs. Char- the answer is clear.

I last saw Ever After once several years ago, so I got excited when I discovered we’d be watching it in class! The movie has been nice; though full of sickeningly sappy moments at times. While watching this movie, especially after reading Ella Enchanted, I can’t help but compare Prince Henry and Char. Let me just say, there is no comparing the two. Our first introduction to Henry is that he wants to marry for love, which makes him likeable enough. However, throughout the film his key traits reveal that he is thoughtless, a bad listener, selfish, in love with himself and just plain cocky. I’m being cruel. He has nice moments: he’s helpful in saving DaVinci’s painting and he takes Danielle to the library. I have trouble seeing why Danielle falls for him when he is so clueless. I suppose he just doesn’t compare with Char and I can’t help but compare other prince’s from the story with him. I also find Char’s faults more forgivable. Ever After is an enjoyable take on the Cinderella Story, but not my favorite. The irony is fun in how the personalities of the Prince and Cinderella are switched. She is smart and even saves him, and herself, while he is oblivious and often just allows things to happen. So this idea is a fun take on the story, but not satisfying. At least the Prince’s character develops over the course of the story. I still think I’ll stick with Char.

Book 2: The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick is an exceptional book. Set in Paris in 1931 and starring an orphaned boy who is full of mysterious secrets. The book begins with a short, one-page introduction and black and white sketches lead the reader into a train station to a boy named Hugo Cabret. We follow him through the train station page by page, and eventually reach a paragraph describing his thoughts. The rest of the book follows the premise set at the beginning. It is unlike any book I have read, the pictures are throughout the story, and describe the story better than if it had been only words. The mystery behind the story is amplified by the wordless yet beautiful drawings. I suggest this book to anyone who likes a good adventure!

Eric Carle has illustrated over 40 books, and written many of those. He has received awards from all over the world for his artwork and amazing stories. His technique of combining colorfully painted tissue paper is highly recognizable and unique. His website http://www.eric-carle.com/ provides a list of some of his awards, along with a list of the books he has written and an autobiography. Before becoming a famous children’s illustrator Carle spent years as graphics designer for the New York Times and then as an art director for an advertising agency. One day a respected author who had seen Carle’s work in an advertisement, requested he illustrate his children’s book. The collaborated together for the book Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? The rest, as they say, is history! My favorite part of his website is his videos showing how he creates a few art pieces! It’s a lot fun to see how he paints tissue paper and then creates his caterpillar! After watching him, I really want to try and mimic his technique!

Since the story of Ella Enchanted is told in first-person, the use of the fairy book and letters gives the reader a chance to witness more than we could without these tools. Levine could have created a story that used third-person, and let us know information through that; however it is hard to picture connecting to Ella’s character in the same way if we couldn’t experience her telling of the story. When reading the book and catching glimpses into other character’s lives through the book one can’t help but feel as if they’re spying, and its a lot of fun! As readers we feel we’re seeing the characters as they are. Reading the letters between Mum Olga and her daughters verified our belief of their superficial characters. When we are fortunate to glimpse the letters between Char and Ella, we see the foundations of their relationship and see their love for one another grow. I absolutely adore how Levine constructed this book and enjoy breaking it down to discover why I love this story so much.

Repetition, Repetition, Repeptition.

Repetition is a huge part of children’s book. Adults often find repetition in books tiresome and irritating. Somehow children have an appreciation in hearing words or phrases over and over again. They can also participate in the story when they know the repetitive phrase that is approaching. In many of the fairy tales we have read, phrases are repeated and I found them slightly annoying and usually skipped them as I read them to myself. Kids however, adore repetition in storybooks and love to be involved in repeating the phrase out loud together. Repetition stories also teach meanings to new words. For example in “Alexander and the Terrible, Rotten, No Good, Very Bad Day” kids learn other words/phrases for bad. While the meaning behind repetition is unclear for adults, children find value in repetition.

Let's find the Wardrobe that Leads to Kyrria

Several different and unique adaptations of Cinderella came out during my childhood. I loved the movie Ever After and the Disney Cinderella; but none can compare to Ella. I admire her bravery and love for Char. Her stubbornness and love of languages along with other qualities make her relatable and personal. I first read Ella Enchanted in fifth or sixth grade, and I was hooked! I have gone back and read this book countless times since then. It’s actually one of my comfort books. Sometimes when I’m feeling low, or just feel like it, I’ll read one of my comfort books. These include but are not limited to The Chronicles of Narnia, The Little Prince, Where the Sidewalk Ends, and of course Ella Enchanted. She is such a loveable character because she’s uniquely different from the original Grimm’s Cinderella or the Disney one. Ella doesn’t let life just happen to her. She may be cursed, but she won’t take anything sitting down! (That is, unless of course she’s ordered to...)
I also love the imagination that went into this book. The elves are one of my favorite parts, and remind me of Tolkien’s elves in Lord of the Rings series. Levine’s descriptions make the reader feel safe and protected in the elf country. When we learn that an elf meal consists of different types of soup, I can’t help but wonder and wish to be part of their feast.

Well, I’m going to go curl up and read one of my favorite books now!

A scrumdiddlyumptious author!

The matter with human beans is that they is absolutely refusing to believe in anything unless they is actually seeing it right in front of their own schnozzles.
~ The BFG
Roald Dahl’s books have the amazing ability to bring us into a new world. It’s a world in which the impossible is possible and likely to occur. In his world a child can become friends with talking insects, your family can be rescued by a candy-making genius, and the underdog defies the odds and succeeds. In elementary school I fell in love with Dahl’s writing and read every book I could find by him. He is without a doubt my favorite children’s author. At times adults have declared his books inappropriate for violence. In truth, however, his violent descriptions of the Trunchbull from Matilda, the Twits, or the giants from the BFG are so completely ridiculous that children find it absurdly hilarious. Dahl loved to play with imagination, and mix the possible with the impossible, which causes us to open our imaginations. In the BFG, he describes how dreams are mixed in jars to make more complex dreams, almost like cooking! Roald Dahl’s writing influenced my love for reading and I plan to share his unique stories with my students!

His website is a lot of fun too. Check it out! www.roalddahl.com