book reviews
Reviews of books that explore the complexities of family throughout history and across cultures.
"The Paper Bag Princess"
“Paper bag princess,” I could barely get the words out I was giggling so hard. On the screen, a boy with curly hair and dimples laughed along with me. “I’ve never heard of that,” he says. “It’s about a girl and a dragon and well, she’s in a paper bag,” I tell him. “That does not sound like a very good storybook in my opinion,” he says back to me. Still playful I retort, “Hey a better favorite than Ferdinand the Bull! That’s so basic.” He rolls his eyes, used to my antics at this point. I’m realizing I’m not doing the book any justice, so I quickly say, “Wait here.” I’m not sure where he would go. We’re in our nightly ritual, Facetiming after a global pandemic cut our relationship short. That particular night, I was having a hard time falling asleep, not that I was trying too hard considering we had been facetiming for nearly an hour. He and I are were talking about bedtime stories, which sparked the conversation of our favorite books growing up. Obviously not to be outdone by his love of the dear little gentle bull Ferdinand, I was convinced to share with him my favorite story of a fearless little princess.
Forever Stories
I come from a large family; my parents have five children. I am the middle child; I have always been the peacekeeper. I would prefer we all get along however, there were, and still are, not many times all of us can get along. One person would be angry with another for something as easy as sitting where the other wanted to sit at the dinner table or the couch.
E. W. LynnPublished 3 years ago in FamiliesElephant in the Room
I was a really lucky kid. Every evening, my dad would settle down on the couch between my younger sister and I-- both of us clutching a sippy-cup of warm milk-- and read us a bedtime story. We had an impressive collection, thanks to a bountifully stocked, local, used bookstore. We were also privileged to attend children's night at the public library every week, where a friendly librarian entranced an entire crowd of youngsters with a story followed by a craft project, and returned home with two borrowed books apiece. My parents didn't give us the world; by inspiring a love of reading from a young age, they gave us worlds.
Tiffany MercerPublished 3 years ago in FamiliesA MISTY ISLAND BEDTIME STORY
Once upon a time, there was a little girl who dreamed of oceans, islands, and ponies. To this landlocked animal lover, these subjects were magical. In her dreams an angry sea was churning, black clouds were hovering, and a wild stallion was screaming. On an ancient ship, the crew was too busy navigating the surging ocean to notice the screams of the stallion, or the rock shelf looming ahead. With a crackle of lightening, a thunderous clap of thunder, and an earth shattering shudder, the ship collided with the rocks. Spanish stallions bound for America were pitched into the raging ocean.
Lisa BrasherPublished 3 years ago in FamiliesWombat Stew
After years of moving and living in different locations, traveling here and there, I have somehow managed to hang onto some of my most beloved books from childhood, that my mum bought and so lovingly read to me, night after night.
Suzie SteinerPublished 3 years ago in FamiliesTo Narnia, With Love
Lucy, Aslan, and Turkish delight, my favorite bedtime story from childhood through today is “The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe.” First being enthralled by a cartoon film of it in school, I was given the entire seven-book Chronicles of Narnia series by a cousin and would read them over and over, never tiring of escaping to that fantastic world of heroism and delicious food, soaking up as much of it as I could before I grew up and couldn’t return like the Pevensies.
Owl in a Towel
Owl and Baby have left the nest! To get your copy of Owl in a Towel, visit the website. It comes in soft, hard, or my personal favourite, e-book! Why is e-book my favourite? Well, like so many of us, I practice the "container method" so that I can live minimally. Review continues below.
Call Me LesPublished 3 years ago in FamiliesA Prayer to the Moon
Despite the phases of the moon, I always know its there. This provided a great deal of comfort as a child when both my parents were working. It made me understand that despite not physically being present or visible 24/7, they were always there watching over me ... the moon and my parents. Throughout the week, I’d see them at odd hours as they quickly grabbed a bite to eat or were finally able to rest after a rigorous workday. The weekends were full of adventures. Full of quality time. Full of wishes hoping the weekend wouldn’t come to an end. The weekend was also when my mom would get the chance to read a bedtime story for me.
Kishan BaskaranPublished 3 years ago in FamiliesThe smell of fresh bread
Growing up with all kinds of sensory issues never really bothered me that much I ‘spose, sure, I’d get panicky in supermarkets and throw tantrums if I didn’t like the texture of something I was eating-but I dealt with it.
Helen McCormackPublished 3 years ago in FamiliesStory Time
EEK! ALL of my friends are having babies! I am over here for the first time in my life! - In my late twenties - itching to have a child.
Beautiful Chaos
When I was young, my mother did all of the things expected of a young stay-at-home mother of two young children - she cooked wholesome, healthy meals from scratch, engaged us with crafts, and, most importantly, she read to us every single night. Usually she would read to us from our Childcraft Folk Tales book. This book contained condensed versions of some of the most beloved nursery rhymes, folk tales, and fables. I was perhaps three years old, my younger sister just a little less than a year younger. We would both rush through our nightly baths, struggling into our pajamas as we raced to snuggle down in our beds, excitedly waiting to discover which stories we would explore that night.
Christian KuhlmanPublished 3 years ago in FamiliesMy Naughty Little Sister
Intro When I was around fourteen years old, I walked into my local bookshop, perusing the shelves, most likely looking for the next Harry Potter instalment, when I saw it. I audibly gasped. A beautiful hardback, duck egg blue cover with the looping calligraphy of "50th Anniversary Celebration" written in gold. There was the unmistakable, pencil-sketched illustration of a sour-faced tiny girl with red blotchy cheeks, a deep frown, and a pet lip—My Naughty Little Sister.
Sh*t Happens - Lost Girl TravelPublished 3 years ago in Families