The Starlight Barking (The Hundred and One Dalmatians #2) by Dodie Smith

 

Summary:

 

Dodie Smith's The Hundred and One Dalmatians, later adapted by Disney, was declared a classic when first published in 1956. The Starlight Barking, Dodie's own long-forgotten sequel, is a thrilling new adventure for Pongo and his family. As the story opens, every living creature except dogs is gripped by an enchanted sleep. One of the original Dalmatian puppies, all grown up since the first novel, is now the Prime Minister's mascot. Relying on her spotted parents for guidance, she assumes emergency leadership for the canine population of England. Awaiting advice from Sirius, the Dog Star, dogs of every breed crowd Trafalgar Square to watch the evening skies. The message they receive is a disturbing proposition, one that might forever destroy their status as "man's best friend."

Summary & Cover taken from Goodreads.com

Length: 155 pages (Hardcover)

Source: Toronto Public Library

Publication Date: 1988 by Puffin (first published 1967)

 

A few months back I read the first book in this trilogy by Dodie Smith and I loved reading the original tale of the 101 Dalmatians. So when I decided to host the 2013 Pre-1960 Classic Children's Books Reading Challenge I immediately put this one on hold. Unfortunately for me the book was published 7 years too late to qualify for the challenge but I read it anyways.

 

This book centers around Pongo and Missis, the main characters from the 101 Dalmatians and a few of their pups plus some other beloved characters that appeared in the first book as well as the Walt Disney animated film of the same name. In this book the dogs wake up to a world filled with silence in which canines are the only animals  awake, well the dogs, and 3 honorary dogs which include two cats and a young boy named Tommy. 

 

I thought the characters were simply delightful. While the book is written at a bit of a hire level for young children nowadays, we simply forget that children's books used to be written a lot different compared to those we see more often. As I said the characters were delightful and it was lovely to see much of the original cast and to meet some new faces as well which included the dog version of the British parliament.

 

What I enjoyed most about the novel was the story itself which takes on a bit of a science fiction slant which I was not expecting at all and since I don't want to ruin it for anyone who may read it let me just say that I thought it was rather unique to have that in a child's book about dogs and I think Dodie Smith did a lovely job incorporating the science fiction aspects into her book in a way that wasn't to high brow for children to understand and like. I think the fact that the book offered something different was wonderful.

 

It's well known that Dodie Smith is a wonderful children's author and this book just adds to her repatoir. I loved the way she created her characters and gave them all different personalities and quirks to go along with them as well and I thought it was one of the most heartwarming novels with a great amount of adventure that I've read in a long and I think this is one along with the preceding book that should be in every child's library.

 

I would recommend this to anyone who has a child to include this in their child's library. While like I mentioned before it may be a little harder for toddlers to comprehend it would make for the perfect bedtime read for older children.

 

I read this book for the following reading challenges:

 

What An Animal Reading Challenge VI

2013 150+ Reading Challenge

 

 

 

Really Liked It!

★ ★ ★ ★ 

 

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The Princess and the Goblin (Princess Irene and Curdie #1) by George MacDonald

 

Summary:

 

Princess Irene's discovery of a secret stair to the top turret of the castle leads to a wonderful revelation. At the same time, the miner's son Curdle overhears a fiendish plot by the goblins who live below the mountain. It will take all of their wit and courage, plus the help of Irene's magic ring, to make sense of their separate knowledge and foil the goblins' schemes.

Summary & Photo taken from Goodreads.com

Length: 241 pages (Paperback)

Source: Kobo Freebie

Publication Date: 1872 by Strahan & Co.

 

When I was a wee little thing I happened to come across the 1994 animated film adaptation of this believed children's classic and fell in love with it. It wasn't until recently (this year) that I realized that it was based on a classic piece of children's literature so when I found out I did some investigating and downloaded the kobo e-book version onto my BlackBerry and before I knew it I was reading it every chance I got.

 

Right away though I noticed that there were of course some key differences. Since the movie I watched was a 1994 film there were some changes made to the story line. It was made to be more accessible to the modern audience but for what it was I enjoyed the book version as well.

 

The story was a fun one and normally I'm not one for the classics but this was a good one. It was enjoyable though I sometimes felt that the story lacked the flow of a more modern novel but that is in part due to the audience it was written for back in 1872.

 

For me, while my tastes are lean towards the more modern I did enjoy the book. I though Irene was a cute character. Her curiosity while it almost lead to her ruin was adorable to see play out on the pages, though I didn't like the demeaning way she treated Curdie the local boy who saved hers and her nursemaid's skin one night. Then again she was a princess and a very young one at that so I suppose I could excuse her attitude.

 

Curdie though had to be my favourite character because of how smart, self reliant and courageous manner. He was the main character for me because much of the book centered around his activities in finding the goblins, and figuring out their master plan.

 

The writing was good, it intrigued me but as I stated before the flow put me off a bit. I think that it was a lovely little children's classic and it deserves a spot on every kid's bookshelf because their a princess for the girls to admire and a hero for the boys.

 

Overall, I would recommend this book to everyone young and old. This would be a good book for a night time read aloud book for kids or to be read by teachers to their classes. I'm a strong believer that though a book is older it should not lose its place on out bookshelves. I plan on reading the sequel to this book in 2013.

 

Liked It!
★ ★ ★

 

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Bambi by Felix Salten

 

Summary:

 

The Prince of the Forest Bambi's life in the woods begins happily. There are forest animals to play with -- Friend Hare, the chattery squirrel, the noisy screech owl, and Bambi's twin cousins, frail Gobo and beautiful Faline.

But winter comes, and Bambi learns that the woods hold danger -- and things he doesn't understand. The first snowfall makes food hard to find. Bambi's father, a handsome stag, roams the forest, but leaves Bambi and his mother alone.

Then there is Man. He comes to the forest with weapons that can wound an animal. He does terrible things to Gobo, to Bambi's mother, and even to Bambi. But He can't keep Bambi from growing into a handsome stag himself, and becoming...the Prince of the Forest.

Summary & Photo taken from Goodreads.com

Length: 192 pages (Paperback)

Source: Toronto Public Library

Publication Date: 1923

 

Once again I had to find a book to read for a BOTM selection in one of  the online book groups I participate in on Goodreads  You'll love this one...!! A book club & more. The November BOTM was if we could not or did not want to read the two selected books we could read any other book that met the criteria for "Books to Movies". I originally had another book planned but seeing as though I just read Bambi yesterday there wasn't enough time for me to read my original choice of Tsotsi by Athol Fugard. However I do plan on working that on into my December reading plans.

 

Anyways, I decided to pick a book that I'm pretty sure I had rad to me by my Dad as a kid but it was one that I couldn't remember. That's not to say I was unfamiliar with the beloved little fawn but lately I've been getting rather nostalgic about my childhood and the books I read or should have read. I think it's because of the holidays but in any case I decided to pick the one book that was the bases of one of my favourite Disney movies as a kid. Bambi.

 

Since I've always had a soft spot for Bambi and his forest friends I was hoping I'd be in for a comical, light hearted read. Boy was I wrong. Then again I probably should have looked closer at the original publication date, and read that the book wasn't originally published in English. Usually I do my homework on my books but, obviously I was lazy so it was really surprising to find that the book wasn't at all as light, fluffy and carefree as I'd hoped. In fact Bambi was prone to being quite a spoiled little fawn with a bit of a streak where he placed himself above his animal friends.

 

While I did still find the book enjoyable, a lot of what I thought would be in the book just wasn't. Often, Bambi would just walk off in the middle of the other characters talking to him and I couldn't help but wish that he was more like the Bambi in the animated film classic. Unfortunately he wasn't and this was a major let down for me.

 

However, I do understand why he wasn't as loveable and carefree as we see him in the movies and that is because it was written almost 100 years ago and the books people enjoyed regardless of their age were much different back then. The writing is superb though and I fell in love with the authors story it was just the characterizations I had trouble with.

 

Still, I liked the book. I thought it was great for me to be able to read the original story and I did get swept up in that nostalgic feeling while I read it so I believe this will be one of the books added to the "Read to Spawn" list I've created if I ever have kids and I can't wait to read the sequel to this beloved children's classic so look out for my review!

 

 

Overall it was a good story, I think kids now may have a little difficulty with the harshness of Bambi's life but then again the book like the movie can be used as a good example as life and death for kids as a lesson. I also think that this is a good book for anyone to read regardless of their age because Bambi has been a movie icon for decades. Plus, this would be a great read aloud book for families with kids and/or teachers. While my rating may seem a little low I do believe that this book is an essential must have a on any young readers bookshelf.

 

Liked It!
★ ★ ★

 

To purchase Bambi via ChaptersIndigo CLICK HERE

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The Incredible Journey by Sheila Burnford

Summary:

Instinct told them that the way home lay to the west. And so the doughty young Labrador retriever, the roguish bull terrier and the indomitable Siamese set out through the Canadian wilderness. Separately, they would soon have died. But, together, the three house pets faced starvation, exposure, and wild forest animals to make their way home to the family they love. The Incredible Journey is one of the great children's stories of all time--and has been popular ever since its debut in 1961.

Summary taken from Goodreads.com

Length: 160 pages

Source: Toronto Public Library

Publication Date: 1961

Nothing feels better than to read an old childhood classic read. Plus I was able to include it in my Around the World in 52 Books Challenge. It's been many years since my Daddy read me this (Hey I may be 21 but Daddy is the only thing I've ever called my father) story. I loved it then and I really loved reading it now that I'm older.

The story of the young lab, old bull terrier and the Siamese cat is one that is timeless and one that appeals to both the young and old as well as new readers and those who just want to revisit the story.

Now I like the variety of children's/juvenile fiction books that are on the market now but I think that it's important that we still expose the young people to these heartwarming tales that have warmed the hearts of readers of decades.

I loved reading about Tao, Luath, and Bodger again it was like I was visiting old friends that have stayed the same as I got older. Now I feel like I appreciate this little gem of a book all the more and though times got tough for the unlikely trio and they had to face starvation and wild animals I enjoyed traipsing through my home province of Ontario in the wilderness with them.

I highly recommend this book to my fellow Canadians and of course to everyone else. Read it to your children, read it again if you've read it and even if you aren't a kid give it a try. You won't regret this tale (pun intended) of adventure and friendship. The best way to read it is with your favourite hot beverage and a pet cuddling you (or a child).

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Night of the Bat by Paul Zindel

Summary:

When Indian workers begin to disappear from an expedition into the Amazon, fifteen-year-old Jake fears that his father, a bat biologist, is in great danger. Against his dad's wishes, Jake flies to Brazil and joins his father's research team, working high in the canopy of a remote stretch of the rain forest. Unfortunately, Jake's first climb up the rope bridges and suspended walkways of the dense forest leads him to discover the mutilated bodies of the missing Indians-and triggers a terrifying, explosive attack by an unknown winged beast. For a while the biologists and workers hunt the savage beast, but when Jake's father is attacked, it becomes clear that the hunters are now the hunted. Jake realizes that it is up to him to find some way of stopping the nightmarish creature before it returns to slaughter the rest of the expedition.

Summary taken from Goodreads.com

Length: 144 pages (Hardcover)

Source: Toronto Public Library

Publication Date: July 1st 2001

Back when this book was first published I must have read it half a ddozen times and Paul Zindel has become one of my favourite childhood authors. His books were spooky enough for me to want to read over and over again without getting tired of them.

Since It's been a decade since I read this one though I really wanted to read it again. Sometimes I just get struck by the feeling that I have to read some childhood favourites every once in awhile. It's nice to sit back, relax and let nostalgia take over.

I really enjoyed reading this book again. I thought that despite all the new books out on the market that this one can still stand up to the competition though I believe it is now out of print. It's got adventure, death and a monsterously large bat that used to be a human that kills people! What more could a kid (boys especially) want in a book?

The only thing I didn't like about the book was Jake's father he really ticked me off. I didn't care for the way he spoke and treated his son. Though Jake is 15 he is still a child and I think that by not even welcoming his son or not even giving him so much as a hello hug really irked me. However I can see how this adds to the story and readers can connect to that sort of relationship if they infact have that sort of strained and forced relationship with their parent(s).

I highly recommend this as a must read for kids 10 - 12 years of age. Especially young boys because they'll really enjoy this story of one boy's triumph over the evil giant bat of the Amazon.

★ ★ ★ ★

The Mice of Bistrot des Sept Freres by Marie LeTourneau

Summary:
Every day, Chef Marcel and his sons recite the recipe for the famous cheese soup of the Bistrot des Sept Freres--the trendiest mouse cafe in all of Paris. But when a culinary judge is due to arrive and Chef Marcel has run out of his secret ingredient, it is Petite Michelle who saves the day. This adorable story and whimsical illustrations of Marie LeTourneau will delight children, while providing une petite lecon on the language and culture of France.
Summary taken from Goodreads.com

Now I don't often read children's picture books but this one caught my eye. What can I say I like mice! I thought that this was a very cute read and I can't get over the illustrations! The illustrator did a fantasic job in doing this book. The artwork is absolutely amazing, I loved the use of colours and I love how it was a little whimsy it reminded me of hw france looked in the Disney movie The Aristocats.

The main reason I don't read kiddie books is because I don't have kids (yet) and even though I'm only 21 my niece is already 15 and my nephew is 14 (my older sister is 15 years older than I am). So I don't really have a reason to read them anymore but in this case I'm very glad that I made the effort to read this one.

I thought the premise was quite good and vaguely similar to the movie Ratatouille (a very good movie). I enjoyed escaping back into the world of my childhood where the books were simple. I thought that the story went perfectly with the artwork and I think that this is a wonderful read for small children to read on their own, or along side their parents. I also appreciate that the author included french in the story.

*I recieved a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my free and honest review.

★ ★ ★

Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne

Summary:
The Bear of Very Little Brain and his friends from the Hundred Acre Wood have delighted generations of readers since Winnie-the-Pooh was first published in 1926.

Back by popular demand, the four full-color gift editions of the original Pooh classics are available again. These elegant books, larger in format than the classic editions, include all of Ernest H. Shepard's illustrations, each meticulously hand-painted in delicate watercolors.

Here are the two great storybooks chronicling the adventures of Christopher Robin and all the inhabitants of the Hundred Acre Wood, as well as the two charming volumes of poems. Bright in color and true in spirit, these are books for giving--To Pooh fans of all ages.
Summary taken from Goodreads.com

I think the last time I read this book was back when I was first learning how to read with my Daddy so that would make it about 18 years ago...I can't believe it's been so long! Returning to Hundred Acre Wood was lovely and despite the fact that I'm no longer 3 years old that silly old bear still makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside.

Reading this book again was like coming home to old friends. The only thing is they stayed the same while I got older. I really loved reading this again and I'm glad I picked it up on a whim. It was nice to slip back into that world of Winnie the Pooh. I was delighted to see that the stories still had their magic for me and I found myself giggling through out just like I did all those years ago.

If you have children and even if you don't I really hope that you'll pick this book up and read it no matter how old you are. Whether you are a new friend or old this book will be like a warm blanket on a cold day enveloping you in the warm scent of nostalgia, This is another book that I will be reading to my future spawn one day and I hope to instill a deep love of reading in them by reading this book to them.

★ ★ ★ ★

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

Summary:
Coraline's often wondered what's behind the locked door in the drawing room. It reveals only a brick wall when she finally opens it, but when she tries again later, a passageway mysteriously appears. Coraline is surprised to find a flat decorated exactly like her own, but strangely different. And when she finds her "other" parents in this alternate world, they are much more interesting despite their creepy black button eyes. When they make it clear, however, that they want to make her theirs forever, Coraline begins a nightmarish game to rescue her real parents and three children imprisoned in a mirror. With only a bored-through stone and an aloof cat to help, Coraline confronts this harrowing task of escaping these monstrous creatures.

Gaiman has delivered a wonderfully chilling novel, subtle yet intense on many levels. The line between pleasant and horrible is often blurred until what's what becomes suddenly clear, and like Coraline, we resist leaving this strange world until we're hooked. Unnerving drawings also cast a dark shadow over the book's eerie atmosphere, which is only heightened by simple, hair-raising text. Coraline is otherworldly storytelling at its best.
Summary taken from Goodreads.com

I had such high hopes for this book but when I started reading it those hopes were quickly dashed and now I regret spending the 2 hours reading this book when I could have been reading something that was actually enjoyable!
And before you ask no I haven't seen the movie so I am most assuredly not comparing it to the movie adaptation in anyway. Though I do still plan on seeing the movie even with not liking the book at all.
I honestly didn't like the book at all and felt that the whole thing was very underwhelming but once again I appear to be in the minority for having this opinion. I don't think that the reason I didn't like this book is because is a children's book because I enjoy reading children's book still.
I'm thinking that it was just a simple case of this not being a book for me but at least I finished it even though I didn't like it and I can say that I have read it and given it a chance. I just couldn't connect to Coraline or the way Neil Gaiman wrote the story. I mean the premise was promising but around 40 pages in I kept waiting to be surprised by something and I wasn't. I honestly can't say that I found anything that wasn't completely predictable so all in all this is not a book that I would recommend except maybe to fans of the movie or fans of Gaiman's other novels.

★

The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DeCamillo

Summary:
"Forgiveness, light, love, and soup. These essential ingredients combine into a tale that is as soul-stirring as it is delicious." — BOOKLIST (starred review)

Welcome to the story of Despereaux Tilling, a mouse who is in love with music, stories, and a princess named Pea. It is also the story of a rat called Roscuro, who lives in the darkness and covets a world filled with light. And it is the story of Miggery Sow, a slow-witted serving girl who harbors a simple, impossible wish. These three characters are about to embark on a journey that will lead them down into a horrible dungeon, up into a glittering castle, and, ultimately, into each other's lives. What happens then? As Kate DiCamillo would say: Reader, it is your destiny to find out.

From the master storyteller who brought us BECAUSE OF WINN-DIXIE comes another classic, a fairy tale full of quirky, unforgettable characters, with twenty-four stunning black-and-white illustrations by Timothy Basil Ering. This paperback edition pays tribute to the book's classic design, featuring a rough front and elegant gold stamping.
Summary taken from Goodreads.com

I honestly had no idea that this book was written by the same author as the  one who wrote the book Because of Winn-Dixie which I loved as a child. I really enjoyed reading this children's book. I thought the illustrations were done beautifully and really went well with the story itself.
I thought Despereaux the little mouse with big ears, born with his eyes open is such a cute little fellow and I really did not like how his family treated him. I really enjoyed his adventure and the author wrote a very likable hero for kids to relate to.
What I didn't like was that the story was so broken up switching from Despereaux, Miggery Sow, and Roscuro and their stories. I felt like it made the story a little disjointed and inhibited the flow of the story and it seemed like the story was rushed in the last half of the book but maybe that is just me.
I do think that this is the perfect gift for kids, it has a cute little mouse for a hero and a nice story.
I can't wait to watch the movie!

★ ★ ★

 

Stuart Little by E.B. White

Summary:

How terribly surprised the Little family must have been when their second child turned out to be a small mouse. Apparently familiar with the axiom that "when in New York City, anything can happen," the Littles accept young Stuart into their family unquestioningly--with the exception of Snowbell the cat who is unable to overcome his instinctive dislike for the little mouse. They build him a bed from a matchbox, and supply him with all of the accoutrements a young mouse could need. Mrs. Little even fashions him a suit, because baby clothes would obviously be unsuitable for such a sophisticated mouse. In return, Stuart helps his tall family with errant Ping-Pong balls that roll outside of their reach.

E. B. White takes Stuart on a hero's quest across the American countryside, introducing the mouse--and the reader--to a myriad of delightful characters. Little finds himself embroiled in one adventure after another from the excitement of racing sailboats to the unseen horrors of substitute teaching. This is a story of leaving home for the first time, of growing up, and ultimately of discovering oneself. At times, doesn't everyone feel like the sole mouse in a family--and a world--of extremely tall people? (Ages 9 to 12)
Summary taken from Goodreads.com

I haven’t read this book in years. In fact the last time I remember reading this book was with my Daddy when I was a tiny tot.  I loved it back then and I love it now. Although, now I couldn’t help but compare it to Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White.

                This is one childhood read that I think may have lost it’s magic for me. It was still a fun read and brought back a whole lot of nostalgia but, I found myself saddened that I didn’t care for Stuart this time around. Maybe it’s because I adore the Stuart Little movies (if you haven’t seen them go watch them people…NOW). Stuart came across as being less cute than I remember. He was more abrupt and rude in my opinion.

I was happy to see Snowbell and Margalo in the book again. I found it sweet that Stuart fell for Margalo and took off northward to find her.  When he decided that he would leave his family was bittersweet and I felt bad for his family.

I loved the illustrations in the  book they were just like I remembered.  I think this is a great book for kids but I think it is just one of those ones for me that I’ll like more when I read it to my own babies. Though it was good for the nostalgia effect.

I gave this book 3.5 stars. I hope to read it to my own babies one day and recommend it for everyone to read at least once.