July and August 2011
Possibly, you have noticed that I have not posted my monthly book reviews since June. The summer has been a busy one, with not much time for reading or for writing about my reading! Finally, I have completed reviews for the books I read in July and August, and here they are, without further ado.
Mr. Wilson is a talented Christian writer whose work has been compared to that of such favorites as C.S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, G. K. Chesterton, and George MacDonald. (I see shades of Wendell Berry.) Finally, I decided to check out Wilson’s popular 100 Cupboards series. The first book of the series, 100 Cupboards, had such a promising start. When his parents are kidnapped while bicycling in South America, Henry goes to live with his uncle, aunt, and three girl-cousins in a small Kentucky town. Chipping away at the plaster behind his attic bed, Henry discovers mysterious little cabinets that lead to other worlds. At first the discovery he shares with his cousin Henrietta is fun, but then they attract the attention of evil beings. Soon, the entire family is drawn into a terrifying adventure, and Henry learns some surprising things about who he really is. Wilson’s clear and creative prose was a joy to read, I enjoyed his realistic but zany characters, and I was excited by the mystery of the cabinets. I kept reading parts aloud to any nearby siblings. So why only three stars? As the mystery deepens, the plot becomes dark, bloody, and thin. There are good reviews at Amazon HERE and HERE. No more from this series for me; I’m going to try Leepike Ridge instead.
English peer and amateur detective Lord Peter Whimsey has just returned from vacation (a rest from his last case). Shortly after arriving, he discovers that his brother Gerald has been charged with the murder of their sister’s fiance. Peter is certain his brother is innocent of murder, but why does Gerald refuse to produce the evidence that would save him? As Peter unravels witness reports, he finds too many discrepancies—and too many people in the greenhouse at three in the morning. SPOILERS! Gerald’s adulterous affair is central to the plot, and Peter’s attitude to this sinful situation is entirely sympathetic and cooperative. Gerald has a confused sense of honor that does not allow him to expose the woman to shame (by admitting their relationship and thereby saving his own life), but apparently this “honor” does not prevent him, a married man, from dallying with a married woman. The book ends with a (celebratory?) drunken scene; it crowned my disgust with Whimsey and his friends. There was a very confused and flippant moral sense throughout.
This little book is actually a journal in which mothers can record “garden adventures” enjoyed with their toddler—naming clouds, planting seeds, counting things, hosting a garden party, and identifying bugs and colors. This book is extremely over-priced considering its very basic content; most mothers could easily create a more comprehensive (and personally meaningful) journal. References to leprechauns and fairies. The moon is said to have “cast a spell on us” for hundreds of years.
A. A. Milne loved Babar. My little brothers love Babar. I do not love Babar. I read this “classic” aloud to my brothers, and was so annoyed by the lack of real story. King Babar and Queen Celeste, rulers of all elephants, have returned from their honeymoon, and announce plans to build a beautiful city for elephants called Celesteville. After that, little fragmented, random narratives wander all over. The best word I can say for Babar the King is for the simple and whimsical illustrations of elephants dressed and acting as humans.
This collection of short stories for elementary children will enliven the study of mathematics.—There are so many interesting stories behind the great mathematical discoveries and the people who made them! Each short chapter is a dramatization from the life of a famous mathematician—men and women from many nations and eras. As one who struggles with numbers, I appreciated this human perspective of mathematics, which led me to look up the mathematical concepts for more detail. This book will give reluctant students some inspiring role models in an often disliked and misunderstood discipline. There are fairly frequent references to luck. There was some simplistic sentence structure; here is an especially annoying example: “Galileo was joyful as he scurried down the tower stairs. But his joy diminished when he reached the courtyard.” Why did they split that sentence? I was also annoyed by the spelling “Archimedes’s,” which should have been “Archimedes’.” In the story of Hypatia we learn that her father introduced her to a variety of religions, believing no version of the truth is final but each has some good. Since this fact is cast in a more positive light, this may require some family discussion. In the story of John Napier, a fictional farmer working for him tells a curious traveller a story about Napier’s brilliance and attributes it to magic rather than giving the correct explanation. The story of Srinivasa Ramanujan contains pivotal references to false Indian gods and visions. Many of the accounts of women mathematicians have a gentle feminist strain, and may involve girls disobeying parents in order to study mathematics.
This is an amazing book that I highly recommend!—my favorite featured in this post. David Macaulay is a gifted author and illustrator whose clear prose and simple diagrams have long fascinated me in The Way Things Work. Ship was one of his earlier books, and his research and skill is very evident here.
The Ship of the book is a caravel. Surprisingly little is known about these “space shuttles of the fifteenth century,” the little ships that carried men to the greatest European discoveries of the century. Macaulay tells us two connected stories—of a present-day excavation team in the Bahamas, and of Spanish shipbuilders in the 1400’s. Within the framework of these human stories, we learn many fascinating facts about underwater excavation, historical preservation, and ship-building. These are further illuminated by Macaulay’s wonderful and accurate illustrations in pencil and watercolor. The fictional stories are interesting and very well written, with wonderful vocabulary and sentence structure. This book quickly found a place on my wish-list. There is one glaring spelling error—“piece of mind” for “peace of mind.” One character angrily exclaims, “I swear I don’t know!” A gold coin is used to bring the ship “good luck.”
Hundreds of years later, Cleopatra, queen of ancient Egypt, continues to captivate the popular imagination with her personal magnetism, lavish taste, perilous reign, and tragic death. This book will likely inspire discussions about historical subjectivity.—All we know about Cleopatra was written by her enemies! The illustrations are large, colorful, and interesting, but betray some weaknesses in perspective. Nevertheless, I so enjoyed this book that I checked out all the Stanley and Vennema books at our library. Continue reading for more reviews of their work. The life of Cleopatra was filled with political intrigues that included romantic affairs with ruling men. The book states these situations matter-of-factly (but not in too much detail), making no judgments. There is repeated mention of Greek, Roman, and Egyptian false gods. There is use of the word “lucky” in the introduction.
Here is a fascinating tidbit from history: In 1494, after an unusually heavy snow-fall, Piero de Medici had the young Michelangelo sculpt a snowman for him. In this fictional story, Sandro, the youngest page of the household, overhears his master send for “Ser Buonarroti’s son,” and wonders what special surprise is planned. The book is actually a sort of tour through the Medici palazzo as Sandro searches for his father to ask him about the surprise. I was more interested in Michelangelo, who is, after all, the title character and yet appears only on the last page. The watercolors showcase some wonderful architectural details, but the cartoonish people detract from the overall effect. This book earns two and a half- stars.
This colorful book spreads before us the magnificence of a medieval feast—both its massive preparation and its lavish enjoyment. When the lord of the manor receives news that the king is traveling and will be stopping at the manor to rest, he is not entirely pleased by the honor. He knows the work and great expense needed to prepare a feast fit for a king! Men, women, children, nobles, and commoners all have their part to do. There is cleaning, decorating, hunting, fishing, and baking to be done! And when the king arrives, then begins the serving of course after course of delicious and fantastic dishes.
The Tudor dynasty was a troubled and bloody contest. King Henry the XII married six times, often divorcing or executing his wives to make way for the next. When he died, he left three children of two religions. It was the Princess Elizabeth, who after an unhappy and dangerous childhood, finally arose as one of the best-loved queens of England. Her courage and shrewdness would serve her well through many intrigues and a war with one of the most powerful European nations. Elizabeth was in love with Robert Dudley, a married man. After describing the defeat of the Spanish Armada, the author writes that it “was said to be an act of God,” seeming to throw doubt on the statement.
We are introduced to Peter the Great at the age of ten—a very spoiled young prince who believes that whatever he wants he should have right away. Whether he was playing war or working to Westernize Russia, Peter the Great did it whole-heartedly, and he expected compliance. This picture biography illustrates well the complexities of this man's character; he was insatiably energetic, curious, hard-working, visionary, impatient, and utterly unyielding. Peter the Great worked hard to deserve his position and power, and was brutal in his determination to make a new Russia. This book should inspire interesting thoughts and discussions—particularly on what Russia gained and lost through its precipitous induction to the West. Stanley's illustrations are interesting and colorful, but some betray her weakness with perspective, especially with the ground or floors.
Reading this children's book, I learned a lot about the popular Victorian author. This picture biography is full of interesting stories and fun details that will help readers to better understand this great man and his great books. Follow the life of Dickens from his unhappy boyhood to his life and death as a man famous on both sides of the Atlantic for his vivid stories and characters. Dickens and his wife had a difficult marriage. Although the book describes the unhappiness of their marriage and eventual separation, it does not mention that Dickens left his wife for an actress. It does, however, mention that he fell in love (while married) with his wife's younger sister.
The famous legend of William Tell being forced to shoot an apple from his son’s head is only part of the larger story of Swiss Independence. This story for children is told from the perspective of Tell’s oldest son Walter, who is old enough to carry the secret of the revolution and witnesses the great lighting of the bonfires that declared freedom and unity. An interesting and well-written hi-story, this reminded me of another favorite: The Matchlock Gun by Walter D. Edmonds. The text is decorated with black-and-white illustrations and some full-page color illustrations. Some Catholic elements to the story may warrant discussion. The characters kneel to crosses, cross themselves, and direct prayers and blessings to the Virgin Mary. The Austrian oppressors are sometimes referred to as “stupid,” “lily-livered,” and “milksop.” Sensitive children might be disturbed by the amount of anger and violence. Two phrases that come to mind: “kill Gessler in cold blood” and “I would have cut his heart to ribbons with an arrow.”
Bard of Avon: The Story of William Shakespeare. Diane Stanley. Peter Venema. ✩✩
Surprisingly little is known about one who is perhaps the most famous man in the world. Of necessity, there is much conjecture in stitching together the known facts, and the authors quality their statements with words like probably, likely, we assume, must have been, does not appear, as if, suggests, and seem. The story is fairly interesting, but the faulty artwork is a great detraction. William Shakespeare had an unhappy marriage. Some will object to the mention of the grisly or mythical plots of some plays. For me, this was the greatest problem.—Puritans decried plays as “sinful, heathenish, lewd, and ungodly” (quote from the book), but since no connection is made to the inappropriate content of many plays, or to the moral issues arising from young boys acting as women, the Puritans come across as unreasonable and oppressive in forbidding this “new art,”
Other Books
These are the books that I revisited or did not read completely.
I realize that you really can’t have a good birth or breastfeeding book without some (hopefully tasteful) nudity, but the photographs and drawings here were just gratuitous (and plentiful!). For this reason I couldn’t appreciate the text, which looked thorough and informative (though tinged with New Age thinking). There were some great diagrams of the pelvis, which made clear its wonderful design and ability to accommodate natural birth.—but you can find these elsewhere.
In a way, this is a very sad book. Things have come to a pretty pass when we need a medical doctor and a licensed psychologist to convince us that horseplay is fun and even beneficial. (Do we need scientifically-supported reasons to roughhouse? Do we need to be assured that it is useful in developing essential skills?) If you are concerned about the dangers of pillow-fighting, wrestling, jumping on beds, or tossing children into the air, this might be the book to calm your fears and give you a sense of fun. Did you never learn how to play? There are plenty of detailed instructions and illustrations (with recommended ages, difficulty ratings, “essential skills,” and safety tips) to show you how it’s done. Most of the activities outlined here are pitiably basic (“Raucous Pillowfight,” anyone?), but there are a few fun and innovative tricks included. Macroevolutionary theory is assumed in order to link studies of animal play to human application.
This was (is) one of my favorite picture books, and I enjoy sharing it with my younger siblings. One blustery day, the West wind carries away Mr. and Mrs. Whirley, leaving their three children alone. Jack, Flora, and baby Rose take turns managing the household, and their different personalities and interests reflect the activities for the day. The illustrations are wonderful; everyone’s favorite is the scene of the children playing pirates on the dining table. Best of all, there is a cleaning scene! The story is happily concluded when Mr. and Mrs. Whirley return “none the worse for wear after their strange trip”—and very impressed by the sparkling house. I highly recommend this book, “a fanciful blend of license and responsibility.”
It is a quiet summer day in Brambly Hedge, but inside the mill all is disruption. Poppy, a sweet little mouse-wife and mother to triplets, is having a difficult time. The clattering of the mill, the choking clouds of flour, and the countless stairs keep Poppy’s babies awake and the poor mother exhausted. The mill is no place to raise a family, but what can be done? Her husband Dusty and the other mice of Brambly Hedge concoct a wonderful plan. Can they keep it a secret until the babies’ Naming Day? This is a sweet story about a community’s support of family. Jill Barklem’s interest in natural history and rural custom and craft is richly evident in the text and whimsical illustrations. The ‘naming,’ or christening, is given in the ‘name’ of natural objects.
Whitefoot: A Tale from the Center of the World. Wendell Berry. ✩✩✩✩✩
Reviewed in May 2011.
The mice of Brambly Hedge are busy with preparations for the midwinter celebration, and little Primrose and Wilfred are looking for a place to practice their recitation for the evening. They finally find quiet in the attic, but then they are distracted by the discovery of hidden, locked door—and a little key to go with it!
This is one of our favorite Brambly Hedge books. Who doesn’t enjoy the discovery of secret staircases that lead to fantastic rooms full of interesting things? The wonderfully detailed illustrations encourage readers to make their own discoveries! The story ends with the midwinter celebration, and the reader is left to imagine all the delightful adventures that Primrose and Wilfred would surely share afterwards.
Creepy Castle. John S. Goodall. ✩✩✩✩
Reviewed in April 2011.
Chesire, Massachusetts was known for its wonderful cheeses; and when the folks of Cheshire learn that President Thomas Jefferson is serving Norton cheese at the White House, they band together to amend that. They put their curds together to create a truly tremendous cheddar cheese four feet high and weighing 1,235 pounds! After allowing the cheese to ripen to perfection, Elder John Leland and the naysayer Phineas Dobbs must transport the cheese to White House as a New Year’s Day gift. Fleming takes a little-known historical fact and turns into into a delightfully wry tale. Schindler’s detailed pencil and watercolor illustrations are wonderful and amusing. It’s Cheshire cheese! The best you can serve at your table.
Wilfred wakes up early one spring morning, for it is his birthday! While he makes mischief with his new horn and pea-shooter, the other mice of Brambly Hedge busily prepare a wonderful birthday surprise. Wilfred knows there will be a picnic, but he’s not sure what is in the heavy hamper he is given to carry. The watercolor illustrations are a joy, as usual with Barklem.
It’s a hot and languid summer for the mice of Brambly Hedge. Poppy Eyebright and Dusty Miller meet while cooling off at the stream’s edge, and soon their engagement is announced. Brambly Hedge awakes from its summertime stupor as lavish preparations for a beautiful wedding begin. The story and illustrations are rich with the English rural customs of courtship and marriage. The marriage is sealed in the name of natural objects.
Poetry
This is a great little anthology of some of the best-known and best-loved poems. The popular selections include: “The Builders” (Longfellow), “O Captain! O Captain!” (Whitman), “The Song of the Chattahoochee” (Lanier), “The Deacon’s Masterpiece” (Holmes), “The Bells” (Poe), “Elegy in a Country Churchyard” (Gray), ”Sea Fever” (Masefield), and “If” (Kipling). This is an excellent introduction to poetry, especially for those who think they don’t like it.
Music
Rhapsodie norvégienne. (Norwegian Rhapsody.) Edouard Lalo. ✩✩✩✩✩
This has long been a favorite of mine, but until recently I didn’t know its name. You see, we bought a number of classical music recordings at a church sale, but later discovered that many of the CD’s were in the wrong cases. When I heard this piece playing on the radio, you can be sure I stayed glued to the speaker until the host announced the title and composer!
Edouard Lalo wrote this rhapsody as an argument that you needn’t be from a country to write beautiful and convincing music in its style. (You just have to be a great composer!) This dramatic piece is certainly full of magnificent Norwegian feeling. Listen to the entire piece at YouTube HERE. My favorite part begins at 3:26, and reaches its climax at 5:18. You might remember the section beginning at 6:56 from the sword-fight scene of our family movie Seized: The Sequel, which you can watch at my sister’s site HERE.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011