25.8 (Helen's Task - Talk to the Animals)

[Helen]

Jayme wrote: "Would The Tale of Despareaux work for Part A?"


That will work.

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

I am having a hard time finding a book with an animal narrator.

[Helen]

Jayme wrote: "I am having a hard time finding a book with an animal narrator."

Look at the link Cynthia posted in message 7 of this thread. It gives of a lot of options. Also, read through the messages on this thread. Lots of good ideas.

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

I did read through the messages.

[Petra]

Jayme, have you looked at Waiting for Gertrude: A Graveyard Gothic? It's told from the point of view of numerous cats.

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

i will consider that. I also thought of the Tale of Despareaux.

[BJ Rose]

Jayme wrote: "Can anyone give suggestions for part A. I already read Black Beauty."

Any of Brian Jacques' Redwall series would work

[Jenny]

Good dog. Stay. I think would work for part B.

[Michelle]

How about Charlotte's Web and My Friend Flicka?

[Helen]

Jenilyn wrote: "Good dog. Stay. I think would work for part B."

That is perfect for Part B.

[Helen]

Michelle wrote: "How about Charlotte's Web and My Friend Flicka?"

Both work.

[scherzo♫]

Sara ♥ wrote: "If I can find a copy of Simon's Cat, could I read that for part B? The YouTube videos are HILARIOUS."

Is there a decision on Simon's Cat for part B?

[Angeliki]

I own a book named ΛΑΜΠΕΡΑ ΑΓΚΑΘΙΑ by Γιώργος Μπόντης but unfortunately I don't think there is an English translation. The title's translation could be "shiny thorns". It's the story of a forest narrated by a hedgehog's view. Could I use this book for this task??

[Sara ♥]

Holy Greek, Batman! That is the COOLEST-looking language! ;)

[Helen]

pjreads wrote: "Sara ♥ wrote: "If I can find a copy of Simon's Cat, could I read that for part B? The YouTube videos are HILARIOUS."

Is there a decision on Simon's Cat for part B?"

That was okayed.

[scherzo♫]

Helen wrote: "pjreads wrote: "Sara ♥ wrote: "If I can find a copy of Simon's Cat, could I read that for part B? The YouTube videos are HILARIOUS."

Is there a decision on [book:Simon's Cat|6533...That was okayed."

Thanks ... some kind of blindness on my part, I guess

[Melissa]

I just remembered... New Found Land: Lewis & Clark's Voyage of Discovery is narrated in part by Lewis's newfoundland dog. The dog's POV is substantial and provides context for the other characters. It's a thick book but a fast read and I loved it; but of course it is up to Helen to okay it.

[Helen]

Melissa wrote: "I just remembered... New Found Land: Lewis & Clark's Voyage of Discovery is narrated in part by Lewis's newfoundland dog. The dog's POV is substantial and provides context for the oth..."

That sounds good to me.

[Jon]

Hi Helen

could you check up on Wolf Brother for me, it is basically about a stone age boy and a wolf who considers him to be part of his pack, they communicate to each other in howls etc. anyway, large parts of the book are in 'wolf-person' as it were, so from the wolfs perspective, his thoughts etc etc. so not narrated by as in hes not telling his own story but more wolf thought this, wold tried to tell the boy this..if you know what i mean.


Alternnatively could it be used for relationship between man and his pets - im guessing it has to be a domestic pet rather than a relationship with a wild animal but worth a shot

[Helen]

Jon wrote: "Hi Helen

could you check up on Wolf Brother for me, it is basically about a stone age boy and a wolf who considers him to be part of his pack, they communicate to each other in howls..."

Jon - That sounds like a great book for either Part A or B. The key to A is to have input on the animal's point of view (either in voice or narration) and B is just the relationship to human/pet. In this case, the wolf is like a pet so that is okay also.

By the way, that looks like such a good book that I added it to my TBR list. Thanks for finding it.

[Ashley FL]

Would Stuart Little count for either section of this task? As written, Stuart is their actual son. But we all know he's a mouse? And it's 3rd person, but I believe from his perspective?

[Helen]

Ashley wrote: "Would Stuart Little count for either section of this task? As written, Stuart is their actual son. But we all know he's a mouse? And it's 3rd person, but I believe from his perspec..."

It works.

[Julia]

This may be a ridiculous question, but I was wondering how much the owner/pet relationship must feature in the story line. I just read a romance novel (where the main plot was there love and all that) but I was looking at the characters and Mouse (the heroine's dog) plays a prominent role in that process. They show a lot of her devotion to him and how he adjusts to the new male in his family.

If it doesn't work thats okay, I wasn't planning on using it for this task but as I was reading it I was just wondering.

So I guess really my question is does the owner/pet relationship have to be the main storyline?

[Jon]

Helen wrote: "Jon wrote: "Hi Helen

could you check up on Wolf Brother for me, it is basically about a stone age boy and a wolf who considers him to be part of his pack, they communicate to each ..."

it was so cute! i only read it as it was my nieces favourite, its a series, the wolf relationship is what makes it though

[Helen]

Julia wrote: "This may be a ridiculous question, but I was wondering how much the owner/pet relationship must feature in the story line. I just read a romance novel (where the main plot was there love and all th..."

Works for me.

[Julia]

Helen wrote: "Works for me."

Awesome! Thanks!

[Juli]

I'm planning on doing A Lion Among Men for part a, and am wondering if Tell Me Where It Hurts: A Day of Humor, Healing and Hope in My Life as an Animal Surgeon would work for part b? From what I understand, the part b book is true stories written by a veterinarian, some of the stories document the bond between owner and pet.

Thanks,

[Helen]

Juli wrote: "I'm planning on doing A Lion Among Men for part a, and am wondering if Tell Me Where It Hurts: A Day of Humor, Healing and Hope in My Life as an Animal Surgeon would w..."


That works quite well.

[Rach]

Someone mentioned that Water for Elephants might work for Part B of this task? Did this get approved? I didn't notice a yea or nay above, so I thought I'd ask before I started reading. :)

[Sarah (Mood Reader)]

For part B. Could we read a Chicken Soup for the Soul book as long as it relates to animals?

[Helen]

Rachel wrote: "Someone mentioned that Water for Elephants might work for Part B of this task? Did this get approved? I didn't notice a yea or nay above, so I thought I'd ask before I started reading. :)"

It works.

[Helen]

Sarah wrote: "For part B. Could we read a Chicken Soup for the Soul book as long as it relates to animals?"

There is one that is specifically for animals. That works.

[Sarah (Mood Reader)]

I was thinking something like Chicken Noodle Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul or something to this degree.

[Helen]

Sarah wrote: "I was thinking something like Chicken Noodle Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul or something to this degree."

That fits. Enjoy.

[Rach]

Awesome, thanks Helen!

[Sarah (Mood Reader)]

Would Nose Down, Eyes Up: A Novel work for part A?

[Bridgit]

Is there any reason that a book told from the animal POV couldnt be used for both? Thinking Art of Racing in the Rain is really the story of a relationship between a man and his dog, just told from the dog perspective. So it would fit both part A and B, right?

[Helen]

Sarah wrote: "Would Nose Down, Eyes Up: A Novel work for part A?"

That would work for either part. I read the previous one Walking in Circles Before Lying Down: A Novel. It was cute.

[Helen]

Bridgit wrote: "Is there any reason that a book told from the animal POV couldnt be used for both? Thinking Art of Racing in the Rain is really the story of a relationship between a man and his dog, just told from..."

Absolutely. For the second book, it doesn't matter which perspective it is from. Great book for either part of the task.

[Sarah (Mood Reader)]

Helen, my grandma and I started reading Nose Down, Eyes Up the other day so I am happy to share this with her.

[Sarah (Mood Reader)]

Wait, you can use one book for both tasks?

[Helen]

Sarah wrote: "Wait, you can use one book for both tasks?"

No - still need two books. But both could be written from the animal's POV.

[Wendy]

Can I read a Lillian Braun "The Cat Who..." book for part b? The cats solve all of the protagonist's mysteries.

[Helen]

Wendy wrote: "Can I read a Lillian Braun "The Cat Who..." book for part b? The cats solve all of the protagonist's mysteries."

Absolutely.

[Wendy]

Helen wrote: "Wendy wrote: "Can I read a Lillian Braun "The Cat Who..." book for part b? The cats solve all of the protagonist's mysteries."

Absolutely."

Great thanks!!

[Jennifer]

Would Animal Farm by George Orwell work for Part A? I think it's told in the third person.

Thanks

[Helen]

Jennifer L. wrote: "Would Animal Farm by George Orwell work for Part A? I think it's told in the third person.

Thanks"

It works just fine.

[Dionisia]

Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann seems like it would work well for Part A. I own it but haven't read it. Just throwing it out there.

[Helen]

Dionisia wrote: "Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann seems like it would work well for Part A. I own it but haven't read it. Just throwing it out there."

That will work just fine. I have that one also that I am planning to read for another task. Let me know what you think. Enjoy.

[Erin (NY)]

I just wanted to double-check: would Charlotte's Web work for Part A or B?
Thanks!