Read: The Ralph S. Mouse Collection (#63, 64, 65-2022)

The Ralph S. Mouse Collection by Beverly Cleary

(The Mouse and the Motorcycle, Runaway Ralph, Ralph S. Mouse)

I read through these as a series, so I will also write this as a compilation. 

I read these first when I was the target age and I think I've probably read them multiple times since then.  The idea of a mouse who yearned for adventure and a different kind of life somehow spoke to me as a child. I don't relate to it the same way as an adult, but it's still incredibly endearing

(#63, 64, 65-2022)

Read: Bunnicula (#34-2022)

Bunnicula by James Howe, Deborah Howe

I was reading an online forum earlier this week and someone mentioned having re-read this recently and how funny it is.  I remember the book as a child, but I didn't recall it having any particular effect or impact on me.  

So, of course, I had to find it and re-read it myself. Such a cute book. And this version - the 40th anniversary - has a red velvety cover that just makes the reading experience even better. Holding the book makes my tactile self happy. 

(#34-2022)

Read: There's a Monster Under My Bed (#33-2022)

There's a Monster Under My Bed by James Howe

Found this gem when I was looking for Bunnicula.  Such a cute little story for a kid who might be afraid of the monsters under the bed. I remember it from my own childhood - though I may or may not still believe in the monsters. 

(#33-2022)

Read: Falling Up (#21-2022)

Falling Up (Special Edition) by Shel Silverstein

One of my favourite poets, Shel Silverstein has made me smile since the first time I read one of his books in childhood. He's quirky and funny.  Sometimes it's low-brow humour about picking your nose, and other times it's something that makes you really think about the state of the world. 

I'm always amazed at the levels that exist in his words.

(#21-2022)

Read: Everything I Need to Know About Family I Learned from a Little Golden Book (#15-2022)

Everything I Need to Know About Family I Learned from a Little Golden Book by Diane Muldrow

Cute compilation of thoughts and images from vintage Little Golden Books representing what everyone needs to know about family. Love the images because they bring back memories of reading the old Little Goldens when I was young. And yes, they were already vintage then. 

(#15-2022)

I Read: 5 More Sleeps to Christmas

5 More Sleeps to Christmas by Jimmy Fallon

The sweetest thing I read all year - the illustrations just make this perfect. And this year, there was an animated special on television as well.  I might choose to read this on the 20th of December every year. A new tradition of sorts. 

#100-2021

I Read: Esio Trot & Billy and the Minpins

Esio Trot and Billy and the Minpins by Roald Dahl

Finishing up the Roald Dahl box set, with two that I've read before. I really do kind of love Esio Trot, because it's sort of a sweet story. (I also love the wordplay of the title.)

But really, how does he live with all those tortoises?

Billy and the Minpins is kind of a fluffy story for me. There's not much spectacularly interesting about it, though it is an enjoyable read. I'm sure parents don't love the idea that this proves it's not always important to follow the rules, but overall it's also a cute story. 

#95-2021 & #96-2021

I Read: Matilda

Matilda by Roald Dahl

Another Dahl that I remember from childhood. Strangely, I didn't remember as much about this as I thought I did, but something about this story really does catch me in a different way. There's a sentimentality to it, maybe? Or maybe it's the way it wraps up tidily. I don't really know, but I do think I may have to remember to read this again in a few years. 

#93-2021

I Read: The Witches

The Witches by Roald Dahl

This is the Roald Dahl novel (besides Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) that I thought I remembered the most, but it turns out I didn't really remember it at all. This is actually pretty disturbing, and I can't imagine reading this as a kid and thinking it was entertaining. I would have been petrified as a child and would have likely been paranoid about Witches from that point on. 

Thankfully, I didn't really remember it, and it does follow the tradition of Dahl novels where the "bad guy" gets it in the end, in some way or another. And usually not in a way that you would necessarily guess. They always leave you with that slightly weird twist that makes you keep thinking about the story. 

#87-2021

I Read: Strider

Strider by Beverly Cleary

The follow-up to Dear Mr. Henshaw catching up with Leigh a few years later. He's still having some of the same difficulties and learning from each occasion. In this one, he finds a lost dog, which comes to replace the dog and family that are missing in his life. And in looking after the dog, he learns a few things and mends a few other issues in his life. 

I still think any kid could find a way to relate to Leigh.  Even as an adult there are lessons to be found in this book and it's predecessor. 

#41-2021

I Read: Dear Mr. Henshaw

Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary

Still completing the Beverly Cleary re-read. I remember this one well from my childhood. I didn't relate to Leigh, but I knew a lot of kids who could. It's a good story for any kid who feels like they don't really have anyone to talk to but creates a familiar someone through a favourite author, and then by writing in a journal. 

Leigh isn't unlike any kid in a challenging situation. And the character is someone that every kid can understand. 

#40-2021

I Read: The BFG

The BFG by Roald Dahl

Another from the Roald Dahl box set that I'm still working my way through (Beverly Cleary derailed the progress a little bit.)

I'd read The BFG before, I'm sure, but I didn't really remember the story.  I actually didn't really even remember what BFG stood for when I started, though I had it figured out by the time the story told me. 

This is another silly, but teaching, tale from Dahl and I was highly amused by the Queen in the story because it would actually have still been Queen Elizabeth. I'll bet when Dahl wrote the book he would never have guessed that. (He doesn't ever actually name her; she's just "The Queen.")

#39-2021

I Read: Otis Spofford

Otis Spofford by Beverly Cleary

This one pulls in characters we've seen before - Ellen Tebbits - and Otis played a minor character in the book based on Ellen. These ones feel very much like they could just be a highlight on any grade school during that time period.  There's always the kid who thinks he's smarter than everybody else, who does things behind the teacher's back, or things that he might regret instantly but is too cool to admit it. 

It's an amusing story, but I really related more to everyone else in the class. I remember the kids like Otis when I was in school.  It never occurred to me then that they might have their own backstory or even reasons why they were the way they were. As an adult, it's nice to revisit these moments and remember that everyone has a story. 

#38-2021

I Read: Muggie Maggie

Muggie Maggie by Beverly Cleary

Another on the greatest his of Beverly Cleary list, as I work through the nostalgia brought up by her passing. 

I don't really remember this one that well; I do know I read it at some point, but it's not as memorable as others. It's not tied into any of the other stories, so that is likely why. As a child, it would serve a great message on a platter. As an adult, it reminds us of our childhood motivations and expectations. 

#35-2021

I Read: Emily's Runaway Imagination

Emily's Runaway Imagination by Beverly Cleary

I don't think I had ever read this one as a kid. It's set in the past - very past. Cars are a new invention kind of past. It feels like something I would have read as a kid but it also feels as if it would have been memorable. 

As an adult, I don't think the title is as fitting as it could be, but I do see how it fits in. Emily does have a runaway imagination, but it's more about jumping to conclusions and naively believing what adults tell her. 

No matter what, the story is as good as any other Cleary I've read. I'm sure I would have taken very different lessons from the book as a child than I do as an adult. And I'm sure I would enjoy it at any point. 

#35-2021

I Read: Ellen Tebbits

Ellen Tebbits by Beverly Cleary

Beverly Cleary died recently, and in her honour, I am going to reread a ton of the Cleary classics that I read in childhood. I'm sad that she's passed, even knowing that she hasn't written in quite a long time because it's always sad when a wonderful writer leaves the world. I spent so much time in my childhood reading her novels and I can't imagine that I would be the reader or the writer, that I am without having read her work. 

Ellen Tebbits is one of the almost stand-alone novels Cleary wrote, though there is an appearance by Otis Spofford, the main character of his self-titled novel (that I"ll be reading later.)  I remember the name Ellen Tebbits being amusing as a child, but I don't really remember this book as much as the very much more well-known Henry Huggins or Ramona Quimby.  That's likely because Ellen isn't featured in a series of books the way Henry and Ramona were. It doesn't make this book any less enjoyable, nor does it mean that Ellen isn't just as engaging and inquisitive as a character. 

Cleary's style is clear in nearly everything she writes and Ellen Tebbits is no departure from that. The story is amusing, even as an adult, and would convey a thoughtful message or two to a precocious child. 

#33-2021

I Read: George's Marvelous Medicine

George's Marvelous Medicine by Roald Dahl

I do enjoy a good Dahl story, but I'm certainly glad that I don't have children who might be influenced by this one. Most of the time the stories are so crazy, and far-fetched that no one would be able to follow along and replicate the story. This one, though it's impossible that the result would be replicated, could absolutely have a naive kid hatch an insane plan and end up poisoning someone. 

It's still fun, but it's a little scarey to think some kids might not have enough background knowledge to know they should never attempt it. (I will give credit to the warning at the beginning that says not to create George's Marvelous Medicine, but still.) Overall a little cringey.

#12-2021

I Read: The Twits

The Twits by Roald Dahl

Unfortunately, this one may be one of my least favourite Dahl stories. There's a lot to it, with monkeys and birds and really not nice people. And the introduction to the characters is pretty intriguing, but overall it's not a pleasant book. It's funny, but not fun. I like that the meanies get their just desserts at the end, but it's still a tough story to justify.

But it's a super quick read, and worked nicely as a filler between longer, more attention heavy reads. 

#99-2020

I Read: a collection of children's books

Lifetimes: A Beautiful Way to Explain Life and Death to Children by Bryan Mellonie
Grandma's Yarn by Lynne Pickavance
The Giraffe, the Pelly and Me by Roald Dahl
I Don't Mind Being Short by Slavica Popadic
When Will I read? by Miriam Cohen
Revolting Rhymes by Roald Dahl
Little Ones Listen to God

I had a pile of picture type books on my shelf that I finally took a moment to zoom through, with the end of the year on us. I should have done it months ago. No cover photos for these, since there are a bunch of them, but there are things to say for a few of them.  All of them came from my mother's collection of books that we've gone through to find out which to keep or transition into new homes. These represent a small collection of what I couldn't bear to part with. 

I Read: Danny the Champion of the World

Danny the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl

Another wonderfully ridiculous Roald Dahl offering. Ridiculous of course, but with a lesson to be had. I don't know how he managed to make things silly and serious at the same time. His books are a wonderful break from the real world while remaining planted firmly within it. 

#90-2020