"Time!" said Mr Brown. "The unseen enemy! If you want it to pass quickly, the clock seems to stand still. If you want to prolong the moment, it disapp"Time!" said Mr Brown. "The unseen enemy! If you want it to pass quickly, the clock seems to stand still. If you want to prolong the moment, it disappears before you can say the proverbial Jack Robinson."
This is a paragraph from my favourite chapter "Dinner For One, which was freakin' hilarious. Maybe even one of the best Paddington stories yet.
I love the Paddington Series. It is definitely one of my all-time favourites. It is a comfortable read and cheers you up when you are feeling down. Now I have to read How to Be More Paddington: A Book of Kindness and then.. I don't know. Perhaps re-read them all over again....more
"I think", he said, as he stood to attention while Mr Gruber took a photograph, "this guard is so good he doesn't need changing."
Ha ha I think this qu"I think", he said, as he stood to attention while Mr Gruber took a photograph, "this guard is so good he doesn't need changing."
Ha ha I think this quote is hilarious. I really enjoyed this one. Maybe a bit too short but good for very young children who just want to read something quick....more
I really enjoyed Paddington at the Zoo. To me it's funny and adorable. For me Paddington will always be iconic. Something ordinary magical. He makes tI really enjoyed Paddington at the Zoo. To me it's funny and adorable. For me Paddington will always be iconic. Something ordinary magical. He makes the ordinary magical. That's why I love the Paddington series and why it's one of my favourites....more
I really enjoyed Tilly and the Lost Fairytales. I liked it better than the first book in the Pages & Co series. It seemed more fantastical and magicalI really enjoyed Tilly and the Lost Fairytales. I liked it better than the first book in the Pages & Co series. It seemed more fantastical and magical. The pace was better. The story itself had more things going for it. Plus the characters are starting to grow on me more. I'm liking Tilly better as she is thinking more for herself and makes her own decisions. It just shows that she's less naive and gullible than in the first book. The friendship between Tilly and Oscar is adorable, too.
I'm looking forward to reading the next book as I want to know how everything is going to be fixed in the Underlibrary! Overall 4* stars from me....more
"Resistance and change often begin in art. Very often in our art, the art of words." - Ursula LeGuin
What is Children's Literature about and what d"Resistance and change often begin in art. Very often in our art, the art of words." - Ursula LeGuin
What is Children's Literature about and what does it teaches us - all of us?
"Those who write for children are trying to arm them for the life ahead with everything we can find that is true."
"It's not escapism, its findism."
Hope.
That's what I always thought Children's Literature was about: Hope. It teaches us to never give up and believe in the impossible. I think (just realised this!) that's the main reason why I read and love Children Books.
I'm glad to know there are other people who think like me and don't shame Children Books. They tend to have better messages than Young Adult/Adult books I've read so far.
I always thought that there is something to be learned from Children and Adults. I wish both could meet and see what beauty and wonder there is in both!...more
The Moomins and the Great Flood is a sweet and beautiful story.
I like the set of characters and creatures in it.
This story is about Moomintroll and hThe Moomins and the Great Flood is a sweet and beautiful story.
I like the set of characters and creatures in it.
This story is about Moomintroll and his mother and how they journey across land and sea to find essentially Moominpapa (their father). But along their way they meet other creatures - some becoming friends while others are just helping them out (which is a nice thing to do!). I loved seeing their journey and all the things they got to see.
I'm definitely continuing on with the series to see what the Moomintroll's are up to next time....more
Spark is the second Middle Grade book I've read by Sarah Beth Durst. Funny enough I think I liked The Girl Who Could Not Dream a bit more even thoughSpark is the second Middle Grade book I've read by Sarah Beth Durst. Funny enough I think I liked The Girl Who Could Not Dream a bit more even though 'Spark' has more Fantasy in it.
I really enjoyed this story. I thought the relationship between Mina and her lightning beast Pixit was beautiful and cute. They have a telepathic link and it affects them both in good and bad ways. If one of them worries it makes the other one worry but it can go the other way around, too. Both of them tend to encourage each other. I liked the dynamic between all the characters, which I think is rare to see in books.
I also loved the world Aloria in which Mina and Pixit lives.
I just wish it had a bit more story. I felt a bit unsatisfied for some weird reason at the end. Maybe there could have been more insight to what exactly happened to the people behind the Mountains. And perhaps more about the Lore of weather beasts in Aloria.
Maybe there will be a second book in the same world? Hopefully, I've been enjoying all of Sarah Beth Durst books recently. She is becoming more and more a favourite author of mine. I love her imagination!...more
In an Absent Dream was another great book in the Wayward Children series but I felt it had a darker tone and theme than the previous ones. I had the iIn an Absent Dream was another great book in the Wayward Children series but I felt it had a darker tone and theme than the previous ones. I had the impression that there was more at stake because it was so obscure in many parts, and I felt the tension throughout the story.
I loved the idea and the world of the Goblin Market. In that world, If you want something, you have to trade with the people in the Goblin Market, and fair value might not always be what you think it is. I'm not sure how I feel about the children giving fair value, but then maybe it's also good for them to learn about these things. That said I agree with Eilonwyn about that the author should have shown us a quest within the Goblin Market world. It would have made it more exciting and intriguing like the first two books.
I liked the characters in it, especially the Archivist. And again, great writing on Seanan McGuire's part.
Although the ending I didn't expect for Lundy and felt a bit crushed because of it.
And I really want to mention that so far my favourite character is Jack and I like those stories with her the best. I also cannot wait for the next instalment as Jack features in it :) ...more
I'm sure that the end of this book left me with a hole in my heart. It was like a punch in the gut. A kick in the gut.
I wa"Be sure."Be sure of what?
I'm sure that the end of this book left me with a hole in my heart. It was like a punch in the gut. A kick in the gut.
I want more from Jack and Jill's adventures. Adventures? Sorry, I meant dangers and their horrible ordeals in the Moors.
Now I want to know what happened to Jack and Jill at the end of Every Heart a Doorway. I mean, I have questions about this, and there are not enough pages to answer them. I want more! I loved the setting of the place where Jack and Jill land in, after going through the mystery door that had said "Be sure". I even liked the other characters in it. It was eerily dark and amospheric.
As for the writing, it's gorgeous. Seanan McGuire has a way of stringing beautiful sentences together that captivate.
I'm giving this 4 stars as I wasn't completey blown away by this book as I give 5 stars to books that have something special and powerful to them....more
My Neighbour Totoro is one of my favourite Studio Ghibli films, so when I saw it at Waterstones in book format (which I didn't know existed!) I inMy Neighbour Totoro is one of my favourite Studio Ghibli films, so when I saw it at Waterstones in book format (which I didn't know existed!) I instantly had to pick it up. It would be fun to re-watch the film afterwards to see the differences.
My favourite scenes from the film are not in here! How disappointing! That's why I give it only 3.5 stars as I still liked the story for what is was.
I think the translation wasn't always on point. Some sentences were weird to read.
One major thing I noticed while reading was how I really didn't like Satsuki. She always seemed to be embarrassed whatever Mei did. I thought that was horrible. I think Satsuki should have stood up for her sister. After all Mei is her sister! Bah! She made me angry at times especially when she should have spoken up, too.
Mei is one of my favourite characters. She really grows on you. She has quite a character for only being four years old!
Of course I love Totoro and the small totoros. The setting of the story is wonderful. I just wished there was more detail....more
The Little Broomstick is a classic fantasy from 1971 that I mostly read because I saw that it was the inspiration for the anime film "Mary *3.5 stars
The Little Broomstick is a classic fantasy from 1971 that I mostly read because I saw that it was the inspiration for the anime film "Mary and the Witch's Flower" by Studio Ponoc. So, I thought I want to read this before watching the anime and see what the differences are between them.
I enjoyed the story though I thought the pace was a bit slow in the beginning and only starts to pick up between chapter 3 to 4. To me it was a bit short, it could have been better fleshed out and needed more explaining things like 'why is there a school in the clouds?' or 'what is exactly the fly-by-night'? ...more
Du Iz Tak? is a brilliant and cute story that follows a flower growing out of the ground, and the insects that are coming and going to see what this sDu Iz Tak? is a brilliant and cute story that follows a flower growing out of the ground, and the insects that are coming and going to see what this strange plant is about.
I loved the strange bug language and really enjoyed the illustrations, too. 4.5* stars from me....more
Mr Currie appears a lot in this book and he gets Paddington in a lot of mess. I'm still liking Paddington's misadventures but feel this one isn't as fMr Currie appears a lot in this book and he gets Paddington in a lot of mess. I'm still liking Paddington's misadventures but feel this one isn't as funny as the others. ...more
I'm really enjoying listening and reading this series (read by Hugh Bonneville) and the escapade's Paddington always gets into. Definitely recommend tI'm really enjoying listening and reading this series (read by Hugh Bonneville) and the escapade's Paddington always gets into. Definitely recommend this series to younger audiences who want to follow the adventures of a bear who comes from Peru and now lives with the Brown Family in Winter Gardens in London.
2nd time reading: this is just much of a joy the second round! Listening to Paddington has become a comfort read for me. It's a lot of fun, funny and atmospheric. Love Paddington!...more
My favourite short tales of Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats were The Naming of Cats, The Song of the Jellicles and Macavity: the Mystery Cat.
IMy favourite short tales of Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats were The Naming of Cats, The Song of the Jellicles and Macavity: the Mystery Cat.
I thought some tales were funny while others were more delightful to read. In this book you will find all kinds of cats. There are cats that are naughty, a mystery, respectable and others quite more responsible than others. I liked the cat - Skimbleshanks - who works on a train who is respected and responsible.
This is definitely a book for cat lovers and as I'm one of those people I really enjoyed reading it....more
"You're nobody's doorway but your own, and the only one who gets to tell you how your story ends is you."
The very first sentences captured me and suck"You're nobody's doorway but your own, and the only one who gets to tell you how your story ends is you."
The very first sentences captured me and sucked me straight into the story.
This story was different and sounded more unique than other Young adult books I've seen around Goodreads. I love stories that intertwine or are recursive. This one wasn't really like that but it had similar elements to it. I thought the ending was a bit much and too rushed. I would of loved to see more development there.
The thing that bothered me the most was what happened at the end. You know the thing Jack did. It came out of nowhere. There was no foreshadowing for it. Just completely took me by surprise.
Cynthia who was the narrator made the story even better. I highly recommend this book.
Maybe a new favourite of mine? It's definitely close to that! I might want to re-read it - but in book form then....more
"Sie war nicht größer als ein Daumen, und deswegen wurde sie Däumelieschen genannt. "
Däumelieschen war früher auch einer meiner Lieblings filme. I"Sie war nicht größer als ein Daumen, und deswegen wurde sie Däumelieschen genannt. "
Däumelieschen war früher auch einer meiner Lieblings filme. Ich mochte die "winzigen" Abenteuer die Däumelieschen hatte. Das Buch ist ganz anders als der Film. Ich meine wo Däumelieschen entführt wird bei der Kröte ist am Ende des Filmes (korrigiere mich bitte wenn es nicht stimmt, es ist eine ganze weile her!), aber im Buch ist das ganz am Anfang. Vielleicht sollte ich nochmal mir den Film anschauen!
Jedenfalls hat mir die Geschichte von Herr Andersen sehr gefallen; war leider ein bisschen zu kurz und könnte noch mehr Reisen und Wesen haben. 4.5 Sterne von mir....more
What a horrible future George Orwell depicted in 1984...
This is a very important book that I've been meaning to read and now have finished. I will sayWhat a horrible future George Orwell depicted in 1984...
This is a very important book that I've been meaning to read and now have finished. I will say that I personally liked his other book Animal Farm more as a story and his way of telling the story.
1984 is heavy. I did not like the end. Very brutal and horrifying. A classic? Yes. Needs to be read? Yes. To be loved? Nope....more
"But why should it matter if it's all a dream, though? Why wouldn't a dream be able to walk across town? Not if it's as old as the earth and as big"But why should it matter if it's all a dream, though? Why wouldn't a dream be able to walk across town? Not if it's as old as the earth and as big as the world-"
A Monster Calls is a haunting coming of age story about Conor who has reoccurring nightmares, and one day at 12.07 a huge tree monster appears at his window.
From there it's where the story really starts and we get to see what it is like for a young boy (I actually do not know his age) to get through the sickness of his mother and how it affects him.
The story was interesting and had me hooked mostly because of the Huge Tree Creature and Conor but the rest of the characters were a bit of a miss for me. I think it was also a bit too short, it could have been lengthened and a few things could have been explained more.
"There is not always a good guy. Nor is there always a bad one. Most people are somewhere inbetween."...more
"You'd better start believing in the impossible, Alice, for the impossible will keep happening."
I loved the first book, Alice, which blew me away"You'd better start believing in the impossible, Alice, for the impossible will keep happening."
I loved the first book, Alice, which blew me away with it's horrors, characters, storyline and writing.
And mad Hatchers can be gentle fathers, The world is not made of things that are black and white but shades of grey, or, shades of blood.
Here we have less horrors but more illusions and trickery.
The thing is I'm not sure If I love Red Queen as much as I did the first one BUT I still found it very appealing and immersive. In this story we see a lot more of Alice herself, and less of Hatcher, which in a way was good but at the same time also not.
Because Alice is on her own for the first time in her 26 (?) years, she finally finds herself, and grows in maturity and self-confidence. I actually loved that psychological part of finding yourself and reclaiming yourself again. She overcomes many things on her own and realises that she doesn't "need" anybody to tell her who or what she is - because she decides that for herself. She finally becomes a woman and takes fate in her own hands.
I do love Alice as a character here, even though she's having a hard time, she still has funny and silly moments of her own.
Now I'm trying to be a bit obscure here: The reason I'm giving it 4 stars is because the way "Jenny" was introduced here, and that the author never mentioned, or explained, how she got there in the first place. I would of loved to had an explanation for that otherwise I really loved this book and wish I could read the next book of Alice and Hatcher's next adventures (misadventures?).
Lastly what I found very funny and interesting is how Alice remembered certain other fairy tales, and how it was incorporated into the story.
"A bear that would turn into a prince, she thought, and then smiled sadly to herself. Her pince was not a bear, but a madman."
And some passages that I thought were quite funny and made some nice references from the original Alice in Wonderland:
"Soon enough you'll be known as Alice the Tunneler, for you spend so much time underground, or Alice the Traveler, for you've walked all over creation and back and still have far to go."
"I have become a rabbit, Alice thought. I spend all my life tunneling through warrens."
One of my favourite one's: "Adults, Alice reflected, could learn something from the way children bounced back from horror like little rubber balls."...more
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