2013 Pre-1960 Classic Childrens Books May Wrap Up

 

May Wrap Up!

 

Unfortunately I never got around to any of the books I planned to read for the challenge this month with so blog tours, book club reads and library trips I just couldn't squeeze them in so I better make sure I do next month.

 

I do hope to see some of what you guys have read though so link up below!

 

 

 

2013 Pre-1960 Classic Childrens Books April Wrap Up

 

April Wrap Up!

 

I only got one book read for the challenge but the good thing is that I really enjoyed the book.

 

I read:

 

 

 

Which I gave 2 stars and you can find my review  HERE

and I also read another book for the challenge but didn't review it so I'll have to get to that this month!

 

I hope you all had a great reading month and I can't wait to see what you've read!

 

 

 

 

Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins #1) by P.L. Travers, Mary Shepard (Illustrator)

 

Summary:

 

From the moment Mary Poppins arrives at Number Seventeen Cherry-Tree Lane, everyday life at the Banks house is forever changed. This classic series tells the story of the world's most beloved nanny, who brings enchantment and excitement with her everywhere she goes. Featuring the charming original cover art by Mary Shepard, these new editions are sure to delight readers of all ages.

It all starts when Mary Poppins is blown by the east wind onto the doorstep of the Banks house. She becomes a most unusual nanny to Jane, Michael, and the twins. Who else but Mary Poppins can slide up banisters, pull an entire armchair out of an empty carpetbag, and make a dose of medicine taste like delicious lime-juice cordial? A day with Mary Poppins is a day of magic and make-believe come to life!
Summary & Cover taken from Goodreads.com

Length: 224 pages (Hardcover)

Source: Toronto Public Library

Available Formats: Print/E-book/Audio

Publication Date: 1934

 

Last weekend I participated in a read-a-thon in one of my Goodreads groups and I was choosing to read some children's classics that I haven't read before and of course I just had to give Mary Poppins a try. I vaguely remember my dad reading it to me as a kid but most of my memories are of the movie version of the book so I thought it was high time I give the book a try.

 

Sadly,  my expectations of the fun, bubbly and witty Mary Poppins were met with disappointment. The book follows Mary Poppins from the moment she arrives at Number Seventeen Cherry-Tree Lane to take become a nanny for the four Banks children to the moment she suddenly leaves them in the end of the book.

 

I have to say that I was expecting something altogether different than what I got from reading this children's classic and perhaps it's because as we age the books we read as children lose some of their magic as some of our inherent innocence is taken from us in the aging process. I didn't find the first book in the Mary Poppins series to be an enjoyable read except for the parts where Mary Poppins wasn't in it.

 

I thought that Mary Poppins was a dour brute in a nanny suite. She was rude, unkind and completely self absorbed and thought she was the best at everything. I found that rather than lift the book up and make it a fun and enjoyable read she brought it down.

 

Despite the fact that I couldn't really stand Mary Poppins I did enjoy reading about the other characters in the book and I especially loved the twins as I thought they were little darlings. Of course I also liked the characters that Mary Poppins introduced the children too and they funny, sweet and of course eccentric. Also the writing was very good. Just because I didn't like the main character it doesn't mean the author wasn't talented she was immensely talented in fact and the story flowed wonderfully.

 

Overall, while I did enjoy all but one aspect of the novel I just can't get past my dislike for the literary Mary Poppins and I much prefer the film version to this. However I do plan on adding these to the list of books I keep in case I ever have children because I think this is one that kids will enjoy as long as they haven't seen the movie I think and I still plan on reading the entire series and I just hope I come to like it more as it goes on.

 

I would recommend this to anyone who hasn't read it yet and just because I found it lacking that's not to say that you will. It is one I think everyone should give a chance and prove that just because a book is "old" or written in a by gone era that it should not be forgot and left to collect dust.

 

It Was Okay!
★★

 

 

To purchase the book via Chapters Indigo CLICK HERE

To purchase the book via Amazon CLICK HERE

To purchase the book via Kobo CLICK HERE

To purchase the book via The Book Depository CLICK HERE

To purchase the book via Barnes & Noble CLICK HERE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2013 Pre-1960 Classic Childrens Books March Wrap Up

 

March Wrap Up!

 

I only got one book read for the challenge but the good thing is that I really enjoyed the book.

 

I read:

and gave it 3 stars. You can find my review HERE.

 

I hope you all had a great reading month and I can't wait to see what you've read!

 

The Door in the Wall by Marguerite de Angeli

 

Summary:

 

The bells clang above plague-ridden London as Robin lies helpless, cold, and hungry. The great house is empty, his father is fighting the Scots in the north, his mother is traveling with the Queen, and the servants have fled. He calls for help but only the stones hear his cries. Suddenly someone else is in the house, coming towards Robin. It is Brother Luke, a wandering friar, who takes Robin to St. Mark's Monastery, where he will be cared for until his father sends for him.

At last, a message comes--Robin is to meet his father at Castle Lindsay. The journey is dangerous, and the castle is located near the hostile Welsh border. Perched high in the hills, the castle appears invincible. But it is not. Under the cover of a thick fog the Welsh attack the castle. And Robin is the only one who can save it...

Summary & Cover Goodreads.com

Length: 128 Pages (Paperback)

Source: Toronto Public Library

Available Formats: Print/E-book/Audio

Publication Date: 1949

 

Yesterday I had the pleasure of finally reading a book that qualifies for my 2013 Pre-1960 Classic Children's Books Reading Challenge that I'm hosting this year and since this is the first book that I read for the challenge I'm glad the one I chose to read was a good one.

 

The Door in the Wall is a classic piece of historical fiction for children written by Newbury Award winner Marguerite de Angeli and after reading it I can certainly see why it is held in such esteem. The book takes place in England during the time of the plague in the middle ages and follows the story of young Robin, a 10 year old boy stricken by what I believe (given the symptoms he exhibits) is polio.

 

When Robin is left in the care of a Friar after the plague sweeps through his father's household he comes to terms with the fact that he will never be a knight but he also learns many lessons about humility, patience, and the value of doing something the hard way and also that just because he's disabled that doesn't mean he still can't accomplish great feats.

 

This is further proven when later on in the book our young protagonist is the one who saves the day when the castle he has moved to be a ward of a knight friend of his father has come under attack thus earning the love and respect of all around him.

 

I thought the book held a wonderful message for children that just because you have a perceived disability it doesn't change the fact that if you aspire to greatness you have more chances of achieving it.

 

The historical setting was wonderfully done, and I loved how even though this was a children's book that the author still wrote the dialogue in the way that people during the time actually spoke to give it that authentic feel. The characters were lovely and I especially Brother Luke for the time he took to teach Robin about the things that really matter in life.

 

I would recommend this to anyone who loves classic children's books and those who are teachers, librarians, parents, and whoever else has children in their lives to read this to them. It's a great book for kids to read and the message it has is wonderful. This is one that I would say needs a spot on every child's bookcase.

 

 

Liked It!
★★★

  

 

To purchase the book via Chapters Indigo CLICK HERE

To purchase the book via Amazon CLICK HERE

To purchase the book via Kobo CLICK HERE

To purchase the book via The Book Depository CLICK HERE

To purchase the book via Barnes & Noble CLICK HERE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2013 Pre-1960 Classic Childrens Books February Wrap Up

February Wrap Up!

Sorry this post is a couple weeks late but things have been really crazy around here.

February was a crazy month for me but sadly I didn't read a single book for this challenge but I sure hope you did! This post is for linking your January wrap up for this challenge so just create a post linking your reviews and link that post up in the linky list below.

Also I wanted to clarify (Again) when I use the word "Classic" this can be taken anyway you like. It can be a traditional classic childrens book or a VINTAGE childrens book published before 1960.

Anyways link up your posts here and again sorry for the delay. I can wait to see what you all have read.

January Wrap Up Pre-1960 Classic Children's Books Reading Challenge

 

January Wrap Up!

 

Sorry this post is a few days late but Mr. Turning the Pages is working a ridiculously crazy shift so I have had to re-arrange my blogging to fit around that for the time being.

 

January was a crazy month for me but sadly I didn't read a single book for this challenge but I sure hope you did! This post is for linking your January wrap up for this challenge so just create a post linking your reviews and link that post up in the linky list below.

 

Also I wanted to clarify when I use the word "Classic" this can be taken anyway you like. It can be a traditional classic childrens book or a VINTAGE childrens book published before 1960.

 

Anyways link up your posts here and again sorry for the delay. I can wait to see what you all have read.

 

 

2013 Pre-1960 Classic Children's Books Reading Challenge

 

 

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Hey there folks!

 

After 14 months of blogging I've finally decided to start my own reading challenge for 2013!

When I was a kid I read a lot of books but I ignored some of the oldies that are out there gathering dust on the shelves of bookstores and libraries everywhere because people typically want to read the newer books.

However, I'm standing up and saying enough is enough and I plan on rescuing those classic childrens books from purgatory and even if no one else wants to join me in this little challenge I think it'll be good for me to recapture a bit of my childhood.

But, this is open for everyone to participate in and I welcome everyone to join in!

 

Rules:

 

✰ The challenge will run from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013. Each month will have its own link form so you will be able to share your book reviews. You do not have to review the books you read to participate, but only those who read/reviewed at least one Children's Book a month.will be able to participate in the giveaway (you can track your reading without the reviews with Goodreads, Shelfari etc.).

✰ALL BOOKS MUST HAVE AN ORIGINAL PUBLICATION DATE OF 1960 or BEFORE. Book sites like Goodreads are good sources of genre information.

✰Minimum length is 60 pages

✰ All formats allowed.

✰Re-reads are allowed!

 ✰It does not matter whether it's a series or a stand-alone book. (But hey a series is a good way to read for the challenge)

✰If you are participating, grab the challenge button from above and feel free to use it as a header on your own blogs.st it on you blog.

✰ Please include the link back to this post so others will be able to participate as well.

✰At the beginning of every month post a list of the books that you've read/reviewed for this challenge and link up back here. The post will go live on the first of every month. Your first "Challenge in Review" post will be up on February 1st.
✰If you will participate, put the sign-up link to your blog post (about the challenge) or blog (for the button) directly into the linky below. Sign-ups will be open until December 22, 2013.

✰You do not have to list your books in advance, go and do as you please. Read as many as you want. The purpose is to have fun with each
✰ Share the challenge on Twitter, Facebook and your blogs to help it gain exposure.

✰In December I will be giving away a set of Children's Classics (titles unknown as of  yet) that you will have a chance to win if you reviewed one classic children's book. More information will be available as the date becomes closer.

 

Please don't hesitate to e-mail me (Kimberly) at Turning.the.Pages@hotmail.com (Just copy and paste the e-mail address) if you have any questions, comments, concerns.

 

I hope a couple of people will join me in this year of magical reading!