keenlykept

keenlykept

Book Thoughts: April’s Kittens (Newberry)

Type: picture bookAges: 3-7Author: Clare Turlay Newberry This book was originally published in 1940, but very little indicates that in the story, allowing it to be understood by multiple generations. The father is a bit too short and ungracious in…

Book Thoughts: The Ark (Benary-Isbert)

Type: chapter bookAges: 9-14Author: Margot Benary-Isbert *Regarding the lying: the mother is honest about something the boys found (she reported it to the police) while her kids think she should have kept it. One girl calls her old-fashioned and says…

Publishers and Subjective Revisions of Old Books

Have you ever read a book and wondered if it was properly translated into your language? Have you ever read an abridgment you weren’t satisfied with? Did you feel like something was missing? What do you think about publishers revising…

Book Thoughts: God King (Williamson)

Type: chapter bookAges: 9-14Author: Joanne Williamson *It should be noted that “God” is capitalized each time the pharaoh is mentioned as such. The time setting for this book is a period with minimal recorded history (and, subsequently, less historical fiction),…

Book Thoughts: Old Yeller (Gipson)

Type: chapter bookAges: 10-14Author: Fred Gipson *In case anyone thought this was a spoiler, know that the very first page of the book says, “…later, when I had to kill him…” Hopefully, this softens the blow for your young readers…

Book Thoughts: Mr. McCloskey’s Marvelous Mallards (Smith)

Type: picture bookAges: 4-10Author: Emma Bland SmithIllustrator: Becca Stadtlander If you love Robert McCloskey’s books, you’ll find a special connection with this lovely book. It’s not required, but I’d recommend reading Make Way for Ducklings before this one. It expands…

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