Doctor Dolittle's Puddleby Adventures (Book #12) by Hugh Lofting

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Title: Doctor Dolittle's Puddleby Adventures

Author: Hugh Lofting
Series: Doctor Dolittle (Book #12)

Genre: Children's Literature

Length: 256 pages

Published: 1952 (original) 1966 (version I read)

Publisher: J. Cape (version I read)

Brief Synopsis: A series of six short stories featuring Doctor Dolittle and his animal friends and family.

My Review:

I give this book a 5 out of 5. 

A great finish to the series, this book holds several different short adventures of Doctor Dolittle and his animals. Definitely worth reading!

Doctor Dolittle's Puddleby Adventures is currently out of print. Check your local library for a copy!

Have you read Doctor Dolittle's Puddleby Adventures? If so, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts! 

Please note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. It is strictly my opinion.

Doctor Dolittle and the Green Canary (Book #11) by Hugh Lofting

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Title: Doctor Dolittle and the Green Canary

Author: Hugh Lofting
Series: Doctor Dolittle (Book #11)

Genre: Children's Literature

Length: 288 pages

Published: 1950 (original) 1989 (version I read)

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (version I read)

Brief Synopsis: (taken from Goodreads) Although much of the material had been printed originally in 1924 for the Herald Tribune Syndicate, Lofting planned to complete the story in book form but never finished before he died. Lofting's wife's sister, Olga Michael, completed the book and it was published posthumously in 1950. Everything except the first and last chapter are by Lofting. Much of the material in this book is repeated from the earlier novel Doctor Dolittle's Caravan and tells the story of the Doctor's friend Pippinella the Green Canary, in slightly greater depth.

My Review:

I give this book a 4 out of 5.

Like some of the other Doctor Dolittle books, this one spends most of the book going through the story of one of his animal friends. This time we get to see an elaborated version of Pippinella's story. About two thirds of the way in, it gets much more exciting as there is new material which describes exactly how Doctor Dolittle and Pippinella find her window-cleaner friend and what occurs when they do find him. I have high hopes that the final book in the series will be much more exciting!

Doctor Dolittle and the Green Canary is available through Amazon on the kindle. 

Have you read Doctor Dolittle and the Green Canary? If so, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts! 

Please note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. It is strictly my opinion.

Doctor Dolittle and the Secret Lake (Book #10) by Hugh Lofting

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Title: Doctor Dolittle and the Secret Lake

Author: Hugh Lofting
Series: Doctor Dolittle (Book #10)

Genre: Children's Literature

Length: 448 pages

Published: 1966 (original) 1992 (version I read)

Publisher: RED FOX

Brief Synopsis: Doctor Dolittle decides to give up his work on finding ways to prolong life and Tommy Stubbins manages to convince him to take a voyage. They decide to look over the notebooks Dolittle brought back with him from the Secret Lake and find that they're missing. Shortly after they learn that Mudface the turtle has disappeared! So it's off to Africa and the Secret Lake for Doctor Dolittle, Tommy Stubbins, and the animals to see if they can rescue Mudface.

My Review:

I give this book a 4 out of 5. 

This one, while enjoyable, was a bit tedious. The majority of the book consists of Mudface relating the entire story of the Flood, including some of the events that occurred before and after the Flood. It seemed like it took forever to get through the entire book (the print seemed smaller than the previous Dolittle books, too), but was still a good story. 

Doctor Dolittle and the Secret Lake is currently out of print. Check your local library for a copy!

Have you read Doctor Dolittle and the Secret Lake? If so, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts! 

Please note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. It is strictly my opinion.

Doctor Dolittle's Return (Book #9) by Hugh Lofting

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Title: Doctor Dolittle's Return

Author: Hugh Lofting
Series: Doctor Dolittle (Book #9)

Genre: Children's Literature

Length: 273 pages

Published: 1933

Publisher: J.B. Lippincott Co.

Brief Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads) Doctor Dolittle's Return is lighter and more comic than other Dolittle books. Tommy Stubbins waits for Doctor Dolittle's return from the Moon. When the Doctor returns he is anxious to write of what he has experienced. This proves more difficult than expected. The poignancy of the doctor's lunar experiences is juxtaposed with his hilarious attempts to be put into jail so he will be free of all responsibilities and will be able to write his book.

My Review:

I give this book a 5 out of 5.

As the description promises, Doctor Dolittle's Return is one of the more amusing books in the series. Doctor Dolittle finally returns from the moon, and once he's back to normal size, he proceeds to try to get into jail in order to have the quiet he needs to write his book. Finally, after getting kicked OUT of jail, Tommy comes up with a solution that helps the Doctor have the time he needs while still helping the animals that come to him. 

You can purchase Doctor Dolittle's Return from Amazon in hard copy and Kindle format.

Have you read Doctor Dolittle's Return? If so, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts! 

Please note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. It is strictly my opinion.Doc

Doctor Dolittle in the Moon (Book #8) by Hugh Lofting

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Title: Doctor Dolittle in the Moon

Author: Hugh Lofting
Series: Doctor Dolittle (Book #8)

Genre: Children's Literature

Length: 224 pages

Published: 1928 (original) 1988 (version I read)

Publisher: Yearling (version I read)

Brief Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads) In Doctor Dolittle in the Moon Doctor Dolittle has landed on the Moon. He meets Otho Bludge the Moon Man, a Stone Age artist who was the only human on the Moon when it broke away from the Earth. The animals of the Moon flock to Doctor Dolittle, and he discovers how to communicate with the intelligent plants there. But will the lunar flora and fauna ever let him leave? 

My Review:

I give this book a 5 out of 5.

This book was written in a time before man had set foot on the moon. It makes it even more incredible to read about the things that people imagined were on the moon. This was a really enjoyable addition to the series. Tommy gets kidnapped at the end and sent home to Earth without Doctor Dolittle. I'm anxious to read the next installment to find out when and how the Doctor returns to Earth!

You can purchase Doctor Dolittle in the Moon from Amazon in hard copy.

Have you read Doctor Dolittle in the Moon? If so, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts! 

Please note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. It is strictly my opinion.Doc

Doctor Dolittle's Garden (Book #7) by Hugh Lofting

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Title: Doctor Dolittle's Garden

Author: Hugh Lofting
Series: Doctor Dolittle (Book #7)

Genre: Children's Literature

Length: 269 pages

Published: 1927 (original) 1966 (version I read)

Publisher: Dell (version I read)

Brief Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads) Tommy Stubbins, Dolittle's assistant, reports on Professor Quetch, curator of the Dog Museum. Meanwhile, the doctor has learned insect languages and hears ancient tales of a giant race of insects. Fascinated, the doctor plans a voyage to find them - but before he does so, one arrives in his garden.

My Review:

I give this book a 5 out of 5.

A great addition to the series, Doctor Dolittle's Garden tells first about the Dog Museum, and finally leads into how the Doctor is spending his days with trying to learn the languages of the insects. As so happens in all of the Doctor Dolittle books, by a string of odd events, the group ends up learning that there are animals on the moon that need the Doctor's help. 

This is a great setup to the next book in the series, Doctor Dolittle in the Moon. I can't wait to get reading to find out what happens next!

You can purchase Doctor Dolittle's Garden from Amazon in Kindle format!

Have you read Doctor Dolittle's Garden? If so, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts! 

Please note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. It is strictly my opinion.

Doctor Dolittle's Caravan (Book #6) by Hugh Lofting

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Title: Doctor Dolittle's Caravan

Author: Hugh Lofting
Series: Doctor Dolittle (Book #6)

Genre: Children's Literature

Length: 342 pages

Published: 1926

Publisher: J.B. Lippincott Company

Brief Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads) John Dolittle takes his circus to London, where with the help of the canary Pippinella he stages a bird opera.

My Review:

I give this book a 5 out of 5. 

Earlier in the series, Doctor Dolittle traveled with a circus for some time, eventually taking over management of it. This is the rest of the circus adventure, telling what happens after he begins managing the circus. Definitely an amusing addition to the Doctor Dolittle series and worth looking for at your local library or your favorite used bookshop.

Doctor Dolittle's Caravan is currently out of print. Check your local library for a copy!

Have you read Doctor Dolittle's Caravan? If so, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts! 

Please note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. It is strictly my opinion.

Doctor Dolittle's Zoo (Book #5) by Hugh Lofting

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Title: Doctor Dolittle's Zoo

Author: Hugh Lofting
Series: Doctor Dolittle (Book #5)

Genre: Children's Literature

Length: 271 pages

Published: 1928 (original), 1936 (version I read)

Publisher: Frederick A. Stokes (version I read)

Brief Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads) "A Zoo," said Doctor John Dolittle, "should be an animal home, not an animal prison." So with the help of all his faithful animal family and Tommy Stubbins, he planned and carried out, in the great garden of the old house at Puddlegy, the most wonderful Zoo that has ever been dreamed of. It became truly a complet Animal Town, with special accommodations for all sorts of animals--a Squirrel Hotel, a Mouse and Rat Club, a Library, restaurants, markets and a well-organized police force, (regrettably necessary because some of the dogs would chase the squirrels.)

And in the Zoo things happen in a thrilling succession--animal dramas, comedies, tragedies and mysteries. No one can remain unmoved by the story of Leery the Outcast Rat's heroic sacrifice for friendship's sake, or the devotion of the mother mouse, Sarsaprilla, to her little ones in the face of danger. Indeed, as the Doctor himself observes to the Hotel Rat, "You know, you rats and mice really lead more thrilling and exciting lives than we humans do."

My Review:

I give this book a 5 out of 5. 

Another exciting installment in the life of Doctor Dolittle, naturalist extraordinaire. In this story, Doctor Dolittle has Tommy Stubbins create a new zoo to replace the zoo he has for cross-breed dogs, rats, mice, and other native creatures. The rats and mice create a society and eventually tell stories to Dolittle and Stubbins about exciting adventures in their lives. Stubbins dutifully records these. The final chapters center around a mystery that comes about when they save a very rich man's home from fire. Definitely an exciting addition to this classic children's series!

Currently Doctor Dolittle's Zoo is not in print. So go use your local library to check this one out!

Have you read Doctor Dolittle's Zoo? If so, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts! 

Please note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. It is strictly my opinion.

Doctor Dolittle's Circus (Book #4) by Hugh Lofting

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Title: Doctor Dolittle's Circus

Author: Hugh Lofting
Series: Doctor Dolittle (Book #4)

Genre: Children's Literature

Length: 379 pages

Published: 1924 (original), 1952 (version I read)

Publisher: J.B. Lippincott Company (version I read)

Brief Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads) Although at first he plans only to exhibit the Pushmi-pullyu, John Dolittle soon becomes manager of a very special circus.

My Review:

I give this book a 5 out of 5. 

This was a great addition to the Doctor Dolittle series, and I thoroughly enjoyed the humorous situations Doctor Dolittle found himself in as he started out showing off the pushmi-pullyu in the Blossom Circus. Eventually the Doctor ends up taking on management of the entire circus and is finally able to run things his own way. A must read for kids and adults alike!
You can purchase Doctor Dolittle's Circus through Amazon in Kindle format.

Have you read Doctor Dolittle's Circus? If so, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts! 

Please note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. It is strictly my opinion.

Doctor Dolittle's Post Office (Book #3) by Hugh Lofting

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Title: Doctor Dolittle's Post Office

Author: Hugh Lofting
Series: Doctor Dolittle (Book #3)

Genre: Children's Literature

Length: 271 pages

Published: 1923 (original), 1988 (version I read)

Publisher: Yearling (version I read)

Brief Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads) Doctor Dolittle establishes a swallow mail service for the animals when he discovers that they have their own way of writing.

My Review:

I give this book a 4 out of 5. 

I admit I found this one a little dull. Doctor Dolittle's adventures in Africa were not as exciting as in the previous two books. There was a lot of great information on post offices, but it sort of bored me. It was still a great tale so definitely worth reading at some point, especially if you're going through and tackling the series anyway. 

Currently Doctor Dolittle's Post Office is not in print. So go use your local library to check this one out!

Have you read Doctor Dolittle's Post Office? If so, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts! 

Please note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. It is strictly my opinion.

The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle (Book #2) by Hugh Lofting

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Title: The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle 

Author: Hugh Lofting
Series: Doctor Dolittle (Book #2)

Genre: Children's Literature

Length: 400 pages

Published: 1922 (original), 2005 (version I read)

Publisher: Harper Collins (version I read)

Brief Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads) Doctor Dolittle, the veterinarian who can actually talk to animals, sets sail on the high seas for new adventures with Polynesia the parrot, Jip the dog, Chee-Chee the monkey, and young Tommy Stubbins. Together they travel to Spider Monkey Island, brave a shipwreck, and meet the incredible Great Glass Sea Snail.

My Review:

I give this book a 5 out of 5. 

Narrated by Tommy Stubbins, Doctor Dolittle's apprentice, the reader is taken on a long voyage to find Long Arrow, a naturalist that Doctor Dolittle has always wanted to meet. Through mishap after mishap, they finally find Long Arrow and Doctor Dolittle finds himself king of Spider Monkey Island.

An excellent adventure, one the whole family will enjoy! 

You can purchase The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle through Amazon in hard copy or Kindle format. 

Have you read The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle? If so, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts! 

Please note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. It is strictly my opinion.

The Story of Doctor Dolittle (Book #1) by Hugh Lofting

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Title: The Story of Doctor Dolittle 

Author: Hugh Lofting
Series: Doctor Dolittle (Book #1)

Genre: Children's Literature

Length: 172 pages

Published: 1920 (original), 2005 (version I read)

Publisher: Harper Collins (version I read)

Brief Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads) Doctor John Dolittle loves animals. He loves them so much that his home and office overflow with animals of every description. When Polynesia the parrot teaches him the language of the animals, Doctor Dolittle becomes a world-famous doctor, traveling even as far away as Africa to help his friends.

My Review:

I give this book a 5 out of 5. 

This was a nice, short, fun way to get back to my childhood. I don't remember ever reading the Doctor Dolittle series as a child, but I know I always knew the general gist of the series. It was great to be able to read something so short (I literally read it in less than two hours) after reading much longer, much heavier books. Definitely recommend for any children in your life, as well as even for yourself. 

You can purchase The Story of Doctor Dolittle through Amazon in hard copy or Kindle format. 

Have you read The Story of Doctor Dolittle? If so, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts! 

Please note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. It is strictly my opinion.

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

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Title: Bridge to Terabithia

Author: Katherine Paterson 

Genre: Children's Fantasy

Length: 191 pages

Published: 1977 (original) 2008 (version I read)

Publisher: Harper Teen

Brief Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads) Jess Aarons' greatest ambition is to be the fastest runner in his grade. He's been practicing all summer and can't wait to see his classmates' faces when he beats them all. But on the first day of school, a new girl boldly crosses over to the boys' side and outruns everyone.

That's not a very promising beginning for a friendship, but Jess and Leslie Burke become inseparable. Together they create Terabithia, a magical kingdom in the woods where the two of them reign as king and queen, and their imaginations set the only limits. Then one morning a terrible tragedy occurs. Only when Jess is able to come to grips with this tragedy does he finally understand the strength and courage Leslie has given him.

My Review:

I give this book a 5 out of 5. 

This is a classic and most kids end up reading this in school. For some reason I think I was always in the class that did not read this. I've always known the gist of the story but do not remember ever actually reading it. This is a great story of imagination and a deep, lasting friendship. Definitely worth the read (or re-read), but keep the tissues nearby.

You can purchase Bridge to Terabithia through Amazon in hard copy or Kindle format. 

Have you read Bridge to Terabithia? If so, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts! 

Please note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. It is strictly my opinion.

The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings

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Title: The Yearling

Author: Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings

Genre: Children's Books

Length: 513 pages

Published: 1930

Publisher: Scribner Book Company

Brief Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads) Young Jody adopts an orphaned fawn he calls Flag and makes it a part of his family and his best friend. But life in the Florida backwoods is harsh, and so, as his family fights off wolves, bears, and even alligators, and faces failure in their tenuous subsistence farming, Jody must finally part with his dear animal friend. There has been a film and even a musical based on this story.

My Review:

I give this book a 5 out of 5. 

This was a really good coming of age story about a young boy who is carefree (and whose father permits him to shirk his chores much to his mother's chagrin), and raises a young fawn who was orphaned by his father when he had to use her organs to try to get some of the rattlesnake poison out of his veins. Jody spends the entire book learning how to grow up and eventually having to part with his pet and how to take care of the family's needs. 

Some parts of the story were a little slow and it took a long time before Jody finds the young fawn, but everything was definitely important to the build up of the story: understanding the neighbors, understanding the way his father and mother act, the reasons they do things, etc. In the end, Jody learns a lot of valuable lessons and grows up to be a man.

You can purchase The Yearling through Amazon in either hard copy or kindle format. 

Have you read The Yearling? If so, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts! 

Please note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. It is strictly my opinion.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

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Title: The Graveyard Book

Author: Neil Gaiman

Genre: Fantasy

Length: 312 pages

Published: 2008

Publisher: Harper Collins

Brief Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads) After the grisly murder of his entire family, a toddler wanders into a graveyard where the ghosts and other supernatural residents agree to raise him as one of their own.

Nobody Owens, known to his friends as Bod, is a normal boy. He would be completely normal if he didn't live in a sprawling graveyard, being raised and educated by ghosts, with a solitary guardian who belongs to neither the world of the living nor of the dead. There are dangers and adventures in the graveyard for a boy. But if Bod leaves the graveyard, then he will come under attack from the man Jack—who has already killed Bod's family . . .

Beloved master storyteller Neil Gaiman returns with a luminous new novel for the audience that embraced his New York Times bestselling modern classic Coraline. Magical, terrifying, and filled with breathtaking adventures, The Graveyard Book is sure to enthrall readers of all ages.

My Review:

I give this book a 5 out of 5. 

With every Gaiman book I pick up and read, my love for him grows. His characters and worlds are unique and fascinating. And he finds a way to wrap up every bit of the plot in a more than satisfactory manner. 

While Bod was, of course, my favorite character as he was the protagonist, the ghosts in the graveyard were also high on that list. Each ghost was from a different time period, had different ways of speaking, etc. Probably my favorite ghost was the witch Liza.

Silas was an enigma. You get small glimpses of who and what he is throughout the story, but Gaiman never lets you know the entirety, leaving him just as mysterious as in the beginning. 

Most of the story is filled with various adventures of Bod's as he grows up in the graveyard, and it's not until closer to the end when the danger of the Jacks truly becomes present in Bod's world. With the help of his ghost friends and the young lady, Scarlett, he finds himself having to try to save himself (and Scarlett) from certain death. Will he be successful? 

You can purchase The Graveyard Book through Amazon in either hard copy or Kindle format. 

Have you read The Graveyard Book? If so, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts! 

Please note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. It is strictly my opinion.

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

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Title: Coraline

Author: Neil Gaiman

Genre: Young Adult, Horror, Fantasy

Length: 195 pages

Published: 2006 (original publication date: 2002)

Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks

Brief Synopsis: Coraline discovers a door in her house that is bricked up. The next time she opens the door, it's no longer bricked up. She follows the path and finds...her home, only better. However her other mother and other father have buttons for eyes and they want her to stay with them. She escapes, only to find that her real parents have been taken from her. She sets out to save them and herself from her other mother.

My Review:

I give this book a 5 out of 5. 

This was a really fast read, which is great. I love to intermingle super fast reads and ones that take longer, as it makes the plodding through the slower/longer reads much easier to tolerate. 

This was the harrowing tale of plucky, young Coraline who loves to explore. Her explorations nearly cost her the lives of her parents, her freedom, and her own life. Through her own brand of cunning, she manages to save everyone, including herself from the horror on the other side of the door. 

If you enjoy a really good middle-grade to young adult scary story, then pick up Coraline.

Neil Gaiman is truly a master, and I really enjoyed this delightful tale. You'll be seeing quite a few more reviews on his books in the upcoming weeks, as I have a stack of them waiting for me.

You can purchase Coraline through Amazon in either hard copy or Kindle format. 

Have you read Coraline? If so, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts! 

Please note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. It is strictly my opinion.

Anne Frank, Beyond the Diary: A Photographic Remembrance

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Title: Anne Frank, Beyond the Diary: A Photographic Remembrance

Author: Ruud van der Rol, Rian Verhoeven

Genre: Non-Fiction, Biography

Length: 113 pages

Published: 1995

Publisher: Turtleback Books

Brief Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads) Photographs, illustrations, and maps accompany historical essays, diary excerpts, and interviews, providing an insight to Anne Frank and the massive upheaval which tore apart her world.

My Review:

I give this book a 5 out of 5. 

I haven't read The Diary of Anne Frank since I was a little girl, but it was something that has always haunted me. The Holocaust was a horrific time in world history and my heart has always gone out to those who lost their lives or their loved ones. So when I found this juvenile non-fiction book about Anne Frank and her family, I knew I needed to pick it up and read it. It didn't take long and it's not too graphic in regards to the atrocities that happened in the concentration camps. It's the perfect read for a child between the ages of 8 and 12 who is reading The Diary of Anne Frank or learning about WWII in school.

There are a lot of pictures of Anne and her family, as well as accompanying text to outline their lives. There are maps showing the concentration camps and where the Frank family lived before the war. It was really fascinating to learn a little bit more about the Frank family, as well as what some of the Jewish people in Europe had to deal with during this horrible time.

You can purchase Anne Frank, Beyond the Diary: A Photographic Remembrance through Amazon in hard copy format. 

Have you read Anne Frank, Beyond the Diary: A Photographic Remembrance? If so, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts! 

Please note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. It is strictly my opinion.

Stuart Little by E.B. White

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Title: Stuart Little

Author: E.B. White

Genre: Children's Fantasy

Length: 131 pages

Published: 1945

Publisher: Harper Collins

Brief Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads) This is the first children's book by the distinguished author, E. B. White. Stuart Little, the hero, is a mouse in the family of the Frederick C. Littles and is a pleasantly debonair little character, with a shy, engaging manner and a somewhat philosophical turn of mind. He is a great help around the house, and everybody except Snowbell the cat likes him a great deal. In spite of his small size, Stuart gets around a good bit in the world, riding a Fifth Avenue bus with some aplomb, racing (and winning in) a sailboat in Central Park, teaching school for a day, and so on. His size - just over two inches - does give him some trouble now and then, like the time he was rolled up in the window shade, or when he got dumped in to a garbage scow. But on the whole his life is a happy one. His great adventure comes when, at the age of seven, he sets out in the world to seek his dearest friends, Margalo, a beautiful little bird fern. It is on this search, after several amusing experiences, that we leave Stuart, going North in his little car, sure he is heading in the right direction.

My Review:

I give this book a 5 out of 5. 

There are a ton of classic children's books which I am now realizing (at age 30!) that I have never read. Stuart Little is one of them. I've seen the movies, but never actually read the book. Considering how much I read as a child, I'm really surprised that this one never made it onto my list of books to read.

It was amusing to read about Stuart's adventures. I highly recommend it for the child in your life.

You can purchase Stuart Little through Amazon in hard copy format. 

Have you read Stuart Little? If so, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts! 

Please note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. It is strictly my opinion.

The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo

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Title: The Tiger Rising

Author: Kate DiCamillo

Genre: Children's Fantasy

Length: 116 pages

Published: 2002

Publisher: Scholastic

Brief Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads) Walking through the misty Florida woods one morning, twelve-year-old Rob Horton is stunned to encounter a tiger - a real-life, very large tiger - pacing back and forth in a cage. What’s more, on the same extraordinary day, he meets Sistine Bailey, a girl who shows her feelings as readily as Rob hides his. As they learn to trust each other, and ultimately, to be friends, Rob and Sistine prove that some things - like memories, and heartaches, and tigers - can’t be locked up forever.

My Review:

I give this book a 5 out of 5. 

This was an amazing story about friendship, grief, love, and regaining happiness. Rob has buried the sadness of his mother's death deep inside, and his father refuses to speak about his mother. Sistine is the new girl, who is adamant her cheating father (that her mother left) is coming to get her. She spends her days fighting because she's so incredibly angry.

The two become friends because of a secret they share: there is a tiger in a cage in the woods. Sistine wants to free the tiger, and Rob is worried that by doing so something horrible will happen. The story ends in a way that you may or may not expect. Yet, good comes of it. I'll let you find that out for yourself. 

You can purchase The Tiger Rising through Amazon in either hard copy or Kindle format. 

Have you read The Tiger Rising? If so, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts! 

Please note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. It is strictly my opinion.