Mooshka, A Quilt Story

 Title: Mooshka: A Quilt Story
Author and Illustrator: Julie Paschkis
Publisher: Peachtree Publishers
Publication Date: March 1, 2012
Rating: 3 Stars

At bedtime, Mooshka always said, "Sweet dreams." First thing in the morning, Mooshka might say, "Pancakes."

This is a story of a talking quilt, made by the main character's grandmother to tell the stories of the generations. Quite a cute idea, I might add. However, I'm sad to say that the storyline simply does not live up to the uniqueness of that idea or the normal quality of books from Peachtree Publishers.

I received Mooshka: A Quilt Story from NetGalley for review. The story's illustrations are made from pieces of quilt fabric and are bright, textured, and cheerful. They would capture any child easily from beginning to end. On the contrary, the narrative starts out well but doesn't carry through.

Mooshka is the name of the quilt, and it is somehow magical because it tells stories that help Karla go to sleep each night. All she has to do is touch a piece of fabric, and Mooshka will tell her the story. Readers enjoy short stories of Karla's grandfather's proposal and her mother's escapades of jumping out of the cherry tree to learn how to fly. We also reads stories about the dog's Halloween costume and Karla's aunt's fortune telling.

Then one day when Hannah, Karla's little baby sister moves into Karla's room, the quilt mysteriously stops talking. Karla feels a bit jealous of her little sister, but one night when the baby is crying, she goes over to her sister's crib tell her stories from the quilt. This is where I took issue with the plot of the book. I understand the thought of wanting Karla to tell the stories to her younger sister, but I was disappointed that Mooshka didn't start telling stories again. I dare say children will be dissatisfied with this conclusion, also. In addition, there is no explanation of why Mooshka stops talking. Is it because Mooshka doesn't like the new baby? Is it because Karla was jealous? There is no resolution.

Despite its closing pages, however, Mooshka: A Quilt Story has a strong Russian flavor and captures the joy of giving to the next generation (or at least, in Karla's case, her little sister).

What items do you have in your house that tell a story of past generations?

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

The House on Dirty-Third Street

Title: The House on Dirty-Third Street
Author: Jo Kittinger
Illustrator: Thomas Gonzalez
Publisher: Peachtree Publishers
Publication Date: March 1, 2012
Rating: 5 stars

All the houses on Thirty-Third Street were old and run down, but the one with the For Sale sign was the worst. I'd call the whole place "Dirty-Third Street." 
"It's perfect," said Mom. 
"It doesn't look perfect to me," I said.

"Hillbilly Heaven" March 2007

As soon as I read these words in The House on Dirty-Third Street, I knew that I was going to love this book. It took me back to the day my parents bought and old, run down foreclosure. They were going on and on about how beautiful it was going to be. They could see it. My six younger siblings and I couldn't; we thought they were crazy.

The Transformation May 2009

The house, which we named "Hillbilly Heaven," ended up being a two-year-long project that we tackled mainly as a family with occasional (much-appreciated) help from friends. We gutted the house and put everything back together. Now, it is beautiful.

But it didn't get that way without a lot of stress and sweat, and that's why this title from Jo Kittinger rang home with me. Kittinger creates a believable tale about the stress of such a huge project and an inspiring message about the perseverance, faith, and community unity it takes to get through such a monumental task. What will it take to cheer up the house (and the neighborhood)?

Illustrator Thomas Gonzalez's watercolor paintings change from dull and gray to bright and colorful, just like the old house and the main character's perspective. I had to smile when I saw the change, because I remember the change in real-life. It's amazing!

Negative elements: None. Great job, Jo Kittinger!

Overall, reading The House on Dirty-Third Street would be a wonderful opportunity for your child to learn about never giving up, being a beacon of light and hope in a community, and the enjoying the reward that comes with good hard work.

What kind of project has your family completed that felt like it would just never happen? What helped you endure?

Up and blogging again and Goodreads account

To my readers,
Last semester was a doozie, evidenced by the fact that I completely disappeared from the blogging world. I'm sorry about that. I'm planning to start back up with blogging again and continue to share books with you that you can share with your children. I've missed this! A new blog post should appear on Monday.

Meanwhile, check out my new Goodread's account. (http://www.goodreads.com/26letterimagination)
Although I haven't written a lot of reviews on there, yet, I do have a bookshelf full of books I've read in the past and have enjoyed. Goodreads is a good way to see what books I love that are not new-releases. Whereas I normally focus only on new releases when it comes to this blog, I have many old favorites. A lot of those are reflected in my choices for my Goodread's shelves, and I'm sure to add more as I realize how many books from my childhood I remember and appreciate.

I'm excited to be back!
Miriam

ZooZical

Title: ZooZical
Author: Judy Sierra
Pictures: Marc Brown
Publisher: Knoff Books
Publication Date: August 9th, 2011
Rating: 5 stars

"Zoo-Zi-cal, n. a song-and-dance extravaganza performed by the denizens of a zoo."

When I opened up the cover of ZooZical and found Dr. Seuss-style poetry filled the pages, I knew I'd found a gem.

Just when the zoo starts to feel  lonely and depressing because of the cold winter weather and lack of visitors, a small hippo and baby kangaroo get an idea.  They can had a hip-hopping and toe-tapping time all over the zoo.  In fact, they can put on a ZooZical!

Positive Elements: The pages are full of humor and references to traditional children's songs. The rhyming words are original and give the poem a more mature sound.  The pictures are bright and very, very detailed; you'll want to stop every page and take in everything that is happening. 

Negative Elements: I did not find anything I felt was negative in this work; three cheers for author Judy Sierra!

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Grandpa Green

Title: Grandpa Green
Author/Illustrator: Lane Smith
Publisher: Roaring Books Press
Publication Date: August 30, 2011
Rating: 4 stars


"He was born a really long time ago..."

Grandpa Green, that is.  The narrator is a young boy frolicking through his grandfather's garden.  The bushes tell the story of grandpa's life, from his infancy through his marriage through the friendship he now shares with his grandson.  The illustrations are largely green (as the title suggests) and make you wish that you could visit a garden like that.  This garden would far surpass Callaway Gardens!

Positive elements: The boy honors his grandfather by telling his story.  Grandpa and Grandma are said to "never argue, at least to hear [grandpa] tell it." Grandpa sets aside his own desires and serves his country in the military.


Negative elements: On page 14, there is a bush statue of his grandparents meeting in France during the war.  I feel that the statue of the grandmother is a bit too curvaceous and defined for a children's book.

Grandpa Green is one boy's sweet tribute to his grandfather. As readers join him in his respect, they will remember different things about their grandparents and wish to talk about them. This would be a great book to read as a family!

What do you remember about your grandfather that endured you to him?

Amazing Animals: Elephants and Cheetahs

Title: Amazing Animals: Elephants
Author: Kate Riggs
Publisher: The Creative Company
Publication Date: April 15, 2011
Rating: 5 stars


This fairly new series of books explores many animals from the world in a way that even young readers will love.  Every few sentences is accompanied by a full-page picture.  Children learn how much the animals weigh, what they eat, where and how they live, who their predators are, and other basics.  There is also a short fable included in the back of the book about some aspect of the animal.  For example, in the elephant title, readers enjoy the Rudyard Kipling tale about how the elephant got his long nose.  Also included at the bottoms of the pages are definitions of big words. For example, in the Cheetahs books, there is a definition of cubs ("baby cheetahs").  Also, there is no discussion of origin, so parents need not worry about the ideas of creation vs. evolution that are presented within the book.

I look forward to seeing more of this series.

Title: Amazing Animals: Cheetahs
Author: Kate Riggs
Publisher: The Creative Company
Publication Date: April 15, 2011
Rating: 4 stars

Did you know that the oldest female elephants are the leaders of the herd? Or that a cheetah' tail is about 30 inches long?

I Had a Favorite Dress

Title: I Had a Favorite Dress
Author: Boni Ashburn
Illustrator: Julia Denos
Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: August 1, 2011
Rating: 4 stars

Every little girl has had a favorite dress that she outgrew.  And her mommy probably remembers the big fuss she made about it.

The narrator of this picture book had the same problem, but her mother had a solution.  The dress is too short?  We'll just make it a long shirt over jeans! Sleeves too tight? We'll make it a tank top! On and on it goes until there's virtually nothing left.  What will happen then?

Julia Denos' illustrations are highly textured and take on the look of a scrapbook. There's also plenty of pink!

Positive elements: The main character and her mother express much creativity.  Readers learn about accepting change with grace; such a small event in this little girl's life opens up the floor for a bigger discussion of handling life's inescapable disappointments. The book is full of alliteration and rhyming words, even though it is not a rhyming text.

Negative elements: There is one logical jump in the text. The girl can't wear the dress because it's too short; however, later, her mom makes a skirt out of it. This would have also been too short.

Little girls of all ages will love this book.  It is full of hope for the future and joy in the present.

What did your favorite now-outgrown dress look like?

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."