THE BOOKWORM
CONSTANCE KEREMES
YOUTH SERVICES LIBRARIAN
It has been said that March roars in like a lion and goes out like a playful lamb into the month of April. What a joy this month, then, for youngsters to frolic through books both fun and fantastical.
Children enjoy fantasies because the stories offer refuge from a care-worn wearying world. As children are swept up in the page-turning enchanting and exciting plots, they forget about their own problems.
As they read how the characters solve their own problems, boys and girls are inspired to tackle their problems. Moreover, as young readers come up with solutions, they are developing their imaginative powers and critical thinking skills.
Leap into these fun and “fantastical” books:
• “The Borrowers,” by Mary Norton.
The Clock family, Homily, Pod and their 14-year-old daughter, Arrietty, are miniature folk who happily dwell beneath the kitchen floor of a human house. The wee Clocks cunningly furnish their home with “borrowed” items such as postage stamps hung as painting.
Their bitty life is blissful until little Pod is spotted by a human upstairs. Now that they have been discovered, will they have to move?
• “The Castle In The Attic,” by Elizabeth Winthrop.
When William receives a magical toy castle from his treasured caretaker, Mrs. Phillips, a knight in the castle comes alive.
Sir Simon, the knight, shares with William his mission to defeat an evil wizard. William shrinks himself to join the battle. Will he succeed — and will he be able to “unshrink” himself?
• “The Doll People,” by Ann M. Martin.
Annabelle Doll is a one-century old porcelain doll who has been living a quiet life in her dollhouse. But things are less than quiet when the Funcrafts, a new and modern plastic doll family, move in next door.
Despite their differences, when Annabelle’s beloved Auntie Sarah goes missing, she teams up with Tiffany Funcraft to solve the mystery. Will they be able to set aside their differences to find Auntie?
• “Katt vs. Dogg,” by James Patterson.
All lifelong, Oscar Dogg and Molly Katt have been told that katts and doggs don’t get along. In fact, they HATE each other.
But then one day, they each get lost in the woods. Every time they cross paths in the woods, their fur goes up. GRRR! HISS!
But teamwork is the only way Dogg and Katt will ever find their way home. Can they do it?
• “Little Shrew,” by Akiko Miyakoshi.
Little Shrew’s follows a very strict schedule all day and night long.
But sometimes Little Shrew’s orderly life is interrupted with unexpected surprises. Such surprises are sweet indeed, including solving a hard puzzle and breathing in the aroma of freshly baked bread.
What will his next surprise be, and will it be a joyful one?
• “Twenty-One Balloons,” by William Pene du Bois.
Professor William Waterman Sherman plans to fly his balloon across the Pacific Ocean.
But a twist of fate lands him on Krakatoa instead. There he discovers a wondrous world of great wealth, oddball inhabitants, and marvelous balloons the likes of which he has never before encountered.
Despite all the marvels, will Professor Waterman ever return home?
• “Welcome To Wonderland,” by Chris Grabenstein.
Eleven-year-old P.T. Wilkie lives at the Wonderland Motel. And what a wondrous place it truly is.
He gets to eat as much ice cream as he wants — and his living room as a free snack machine. Sadly, the one thing the motel does not have is paying customers. Unless P.T. comes up with a plan, the motel will have to close.
Comment
Comments