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October 2010: Discuss Our "Autumn/Halloween" Club Reads HERE
message 51:
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Cheryl, Host of Miscellaneous and Newbery Clubs
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Oct 07, 2010 10:57AM
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I just recently read Boris and Bella, and I really enjoyed it!! It really reminded me of "The Nightmare Before Christmas" except it was like "The Odd Couple" with a Halloween twist! I just love the creepy illustrations by Gris Grimly and I love how Boris and Bella are so different from each other! The book was really hilarious and I'm definitely looking forward to reading it again!
I read !Pumpkin Soup tonight. My Scholastic version did not have the pumpkin soup recipe! How disappointing. =( I love the illustrations! As a matter of fact, I received this one last to read, but I pushed the others aside to read this one immediately. The beautifully vivid cover lured me in! I wanted nothing more at that moment then to read it! The artwork throughout the book continued the wonderful flow of the cover. I enjoyed the story of the three friends who live together harmoniously making their pumpkin soup, each having their own job and playing their own instruments. One day the Duck decides he will do the job of Squirrel in making the pumpkin soup. I did feel that Duck taking the spoon that was Squirrel’s and telling the others that “Today is my turn to stir the soup,” could have been addressed. Duck repeats a similar action later in the story. Taking things that aren’t yours and telling others you ARE doing something that isn’t yours to do, doesn’t seem like something children should be doing. I think it could have been worked into the story without disrupting the flow. I was intrigued at that the level of arguing that got so heated they began to say cuss words. I looked again at the picture and felt it would have had the same effect without the symbols implying cussing, especially since the expressions captured by the illustrations were excellent. I got right away that they were really mad. I liked the rhythm of the story. All in all, I must say, I enjoyed this reading experience. I would love a hot bowl of pumpkin soup right now to warm me up!
Pumpkin Soup is the one book that's taking its time to get to me. Supposedly, I'm in line for a copy that is due on 10/25. Hopefully, the patron will return it then, or before then, and it will become available.
I hope you all get a chance to read it!
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Crystal, Me too!Kathryn, You're in for a treat.
Gundula, I felt the same way, and the bird treat and how to make it was my favorite part.
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Kathryn, You're in for a treat.
Gundula, I felt the same way, and the bird treat and how to make it was my favorite part."
I think it would have been better for the author to have either written a non-fiction book about maples or told a fictional account, the combination was not executed that well. I also found it hart at first to figure out if the narrative voice was the voice of the maple or the voice of the child who later planted the maple.
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Yes, I think that sums up my thoughts, too. It just felt disjointed and thus not fulfilling for me. I was in the mood for a story and it just didn't deliver. But, it had some great information and I'm glad I read it. I did like the bird feeder instructions, too!
Lisa wrote: "Okay, just a few thoughts:I'm waiting for Pumpkin Soup, a book I'm very eager to read. But I don't want to wait to participate here until I get and read it (I usually wait until I'v..."
I loved Boris and Bella too Lisa!! The characters were so creative and the story was so hilarious!! I'm so glad I picked up this book!!
Cheryl wrote: "Did any of you read Boris and Bella with a child? I don't like monster stories, and I don't like knowing the whole point of the story from the cover, but I was still able to appreciat..."I haven't read this book with a child and I'm not sure if smaller children would enjoy the monsters in this book because they are too scary, but I guess that depends on the child if he or she likes monster books.
Chandra wrote: "Boris and Bella is a HUGE favorite at our house. We've been reading it for about 3 or 4 years and every year it's always been a hit, but each year I think my daughter (now 6 - almost ..."I agree that Boris and Bella is a great Halloween book for children! I especially love the ending of this book!!!
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I loved Boris and Bella too Abigail and I agree with you Chandra about how they combined scary monsters with a simple occasion such as a dance party, which is why I really liked this book!!
I read Boris and Bella and I loved it! It was funny, warm, and gruesome all at the same time! I totally agree with Brenda on the whole old movie monster feel. Those were my exact thoughts as I read it. The book is very well written and really puts you in the Halloween mood. Attention to detail from beginning to end makes this book especially delightful. I love it when you read all parts of a book and the theme continues. For example, the author and illustrators bios were hauntingly fun. I love the message about how two monsters that are complete opposites and absolutely did not want anything to do with each other learn how to become very good friends. For Boris and Bella to make a compromise for each other was a great lesson. I can see this as a made for TV thirty minute Halloween special! One thing I think that makes this book a great one is I thought about it at after I had read it at different times going about my day. A book that does this, in my opinion, is truly magical! Thanks again for the suggestion! Like Abigail, I may not have otherwise picked it up to read.
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That's a good question, Cheryl! I'm not a parent, so I can't really speak to it in terms of saying things to kids. But, I do think that in these compromise situations, if it's a healthy relationship, the people make the compromise because they want to discover other aspects of themselves, because they realize that "the other" is actually helping them become a more developed person, etc. So, even though there is some compromise in one's current behavior, they are still being true to themselves because they are developing more facets of themselves. Of course, simply being neat or sloppy is a rather superficial aspect of that, but even so it seemed like Boris and Bella were no longer happy being the way they had been--they had no friends, etc.--so even though it was a "compromise" to change, it was beneficial and something their deeper selves wanted. Not sure if this makes any sense, but thought I'd give it a try ;-)
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Now my only reservation is that I'm a bit of neatnik myself and I hope Boris is a better influence on Bella re' that aspect than the other way 'round.
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Oh, and regarding the implied cuss words in "Pumpkin Soup"--I'm not sure that I noticed it enough the first time, or that it bothered me. Now that I think about it, though, I don't really think cussing (even implied) has a place in children's books, though I'm not sure kids would get what the symbols stand for anyway. Maybe, rather than cuss words, they are just meant to stand for angry mutterings or something--ala Donald Duck!
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Kathryn wrote: "Pumpkin Soup I think this would be such fun for a read-aloud! Things going KERLPUNK and making cat, duck and squirrel voices! ;-> Though I love the seasonal setting (makes me eager ..."I agree it would make a great read-aloud. Glad you are able to get all 3 would love to hear what you think of "Delicious". I was wondering what you foumd annoying in "A Pipkin of Pepper"? I haven't read it.
I haven't made pumpkin soup, but I do have a question for anyone who might know. We went to the pumpkin patch and picked up a cool white pumpkin. We thought it would be a great ghost. That's what we all said about it because we don't know much about pumpkins. Turns out it is a gourmet white which of course cost a bit more. Anyone made anything with a gourmet white before? We haven't cut into it yet. Wonder what color it is inside?
Chandra wrote: "Maybe, rather than cuss words, they are just meant to stand for angry mutterings or something--ala Donald Duck!I haven't read this one, but when I see that kind of thing that's always what I as..."
I thought "Donald Duck" also. I'm pretty sure that and child would just think of a lot of fussing and fighting.
This ("Pumpkin Soup") is another one that my grandson and I have, but I don't even remember him commenting on the symbols.
We have "The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid Of Anything" also, and that one is really fun to read aloud.
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It was just the duck's behavior--his friends didn't want him to come along to the city because they think he would cause problems and get lost and he promises he won't--and then he does. But, the illustrations are still wonderful and, as Abigail noted, the storyline didn't bother her so you might end up loving this book, too. I would definitely give it a try! :-)
And, I don't know anything about white pumpkins (other than that they are so cute and I think would make a great ghost--you're right!) Most of the recipes I've seen using pumpkin are for the canned variety, which I've only ever seen in the orange variety. I'll be curious to know if you find out more about this--or if anyone else here knows about it!
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I haven't read this one, but when I see that kind of thing that's al..."
I thought about Donald Duck as well (I guess we think alike), and I think it's realistic to assume that during a fight, some nasty words might be said (even by children). I loved the illustrations, but for me the most important message was that one needs to be flexible and open to changes. Duck might have been rude in the way he insisted on being allowed to stir the soup, but the Squirrel and the Cat should have been more open to accept change, to try new ways (and, I can certainly understand why the duck up and left, I mean, the others were not only unwilling to think about trying new ways, of changing, they also made fun of his size, of his abilities).
All this talk of pumpkins makes me want to do some baking. I may need to pull out some recipes for pumpkin bread or muffins. I think they use canned pumpkins as well. I wish I would have been able to read Pumpkin soup though. It sounds like it would have had some nice teaching moments in it.
A ghost pumpkin does sound like fun Crystal.
Pumpkin Soup, the only book this month I've not yet read, is in transit! I assume I'll be able to pick it up within the week. I'm excited.As far as the symbols that adults associate with swearing, unless there's a lot of profanity in the house, I think kids would just take the symbols as strong emotions (anger, frustration, etc. etc.) Very young kids are used to not having an adequate vocabulary to express themselves as well as they'd like; that's more true of some kids more than others, but universal for the youngest babies and toddlers. I can't see be offended by them in a children's picture book.
I love pumpkin. I actually ordered some vegan pumpkin spice? pumpkin? flavored marshmallows that are on their way to me. I like trying new things. ;-)
I would probably agree with Lisa. I don't think my son would pick up on the symbols being profanity but would certainly see it as anger or frustration. pumpkin flavored marshmallows..hmm sounds interesting. You'll have to tell us how they taste.
Abigail and Kathryn, I am interested in reading a Pipkin of Pepper. I will add it to my list of to-reads. Hopefully the library will have it and I can add it to my reserves for next month. Brenda, pumpkin anything does sound good right now! Pumpkin flavored marshmallows sound interesting, Lisa. I agree I don't think small children would pick up the symbols being profanity in Pumpkin Soup. I am excited for you to read it Lisa! Hope one turns up for you, Brenda and Chandra.
Chandra wrote: "Yes, I'd like to know about those pumpkin flavored marshmallows too! Also, I wasn't aware that there were vegan marshmallows! How cool!"Chandra and All, They came today but I haven't tried them yet. I also got chocolate peppermint, new to me too. And ones I've had before: vanilla and "sandiches" s'mores in regular and 1 in peanut butter. Yum. I'll try to report back on the pumpkin spice ones. I have to figure out what to do with them other than eat them plain. For some reason toasting them doesn't necessarily sound ideal.
There is vegan just about everything, which is good and bad. Good because I don't have to miss anything, bad because it's very easy to eat unhealthfully. But, every once in a while, I'm fine with that.
My grandson and my daughter are vegetarian and they have taken the vanilla vegan marshmallows to toast on camp-outs. I'll have to let them know about the pumpkin ones!
Abigail, I love this time of year, it kicks off the holiday fun! I make a pumpkin gingerbread trifle every year. It is a big hit. The recipe can be found here if anyone is interested (I love the foodnetwork). It makes quite a bit. It is great for parties or gatherings. You could always half the recipe if you didn't want so much. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/pa...
That does look really good Crystal. I love the foodnetwork as well. They are my go to place when I need a recipe.
Wilhelmina wrote: "My grandson and my daughter are vegetarian and they have taken the vanilla vegan marshmallows to toast on camp-outs. I'll have to let them know about the pumpkin ones!"There are many flavors, and many companies that make vegan vegetarian marshmallows, but the vanilla Sweet & Sara ones are the best I've found to take out on camp outs.
The pumpkin spice ones are good. There's no pumpkin in them. Just cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves. For those who like their holiday sweet potatoes with marshmallows on top, these would be fantastic! I like mine plain, but these marshmallows are good. I'm going to try toasting a couple on my gas stove.
I'm eager to pick up and read Pumpkin Soup, hopefully next week. I've never had to wait so far into a month to get a book for this club.
Brenda, I use it often myself. Lisa, my family love, love, love sweet potatoes with marshmallows. We may give that a try for a new spin. I have read Scary, Scary Halloween and The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything. I will be back later to discuss them. I am waiting for in-laws to arrive from out of town.
Lisa, I've been wanting to get some good vegan marshmallows to take on a campout for AGES! Do the Sweet & Sara ones toast over the campfire pretty well? Not having marshmallows for camping is the only time I feel like I'm having to give something up because of being veg :)I've been waiting to get my copy of Pumpkin Soup for weeks-- hope I get it in time to use it for storytime. I'm really excited about it after reading the discussion here...
Dora wrote: "Do the Sweet & Sara ones toast over the campfire pretty well?"Many marshmallows work. Dandies might work the best but they're too small. Sweet and Sara's work very well. So do some others. I can sometimes find them in health food stores but sometimes I have to order online. There are many online stores that cater to vegans in the U.S. (and others in the U.K., etc.) Two I order from about once a year each (more often would be too expensive!) are www.veganstore.com and www.veganessentials.com
ETA: We don't really have to give up anything anymore!
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Cheryl wrote: "Lisa, maybe you want to cross-post msg 103 to the Vegan book discussion thread we started a few weeks ago?"Cheryl, There's a vegan book discussion thread here? Can you post the link. I've already forgotten. My brain is overtaxed these days. Thanks. (I"m not sure the post would really fit anyway. If the thread is about books, I'm not so sure members will be that interested in marshmallows. ;-) )
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Lisa, it's a good thread and deserves a bump! Sources of vegan foods would be a good fit imo.
Cheryl wrote: "http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/3...Lisa, it's a good thread and deserves a bump! Sources of vegan foods would be a good fit imo."
Thanks, Cheryl! Hmm. For me, if you want to post it's fine with me, but I feel off topic already here; I'd rather stick to books unless digressions arise naturally. For my personal posts.
Finally I have read the books except Pumpkin Soup, and I'm ready to join in. I liked Boris and Bella for many of the reasons mentioned. As Crystal mentioned, it has also been a book for me that I have continued to think about over the past couple of days... but maybe it also hit close to home... my husband is a perfectionist/neat freak, and while I'm definitely not like Bella I am busy with a full time job and 3 young kids and other priorities than keeping the house spotless (like reading). We have a good, strong marriage, and he does do a lot of the housework... but nearly every argument we've ever had has been about the house not being as clean as he'd like. :) Interesting comments from others about the idea of compromise and yet staying true to yourself. I think compromise is an essential part of strong, healthy relationships. That doesn't mean that you change who you are or submit to someone else's idea of who you should be or what you should do, but I think if you are unwilling to compromise that is a sign of selfishness and immaturity.... Not that I would discuss all of that with my kids at their young ages.... Anyway, impressive that a fun Halloween story would lead to such a great discussion.
In Ehlert's defense, my daughters (ages 5 and 7) have both really liked Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf. Their favorite part is probably the first and last page of the story where the leaf is cut out so you can see how it is red and yellow as you flip the page. They love that and are really enjoying seeing that happen around us right now...As my 7 yo read it to us tonight, she stopped and commented, "Wow. This is a real learning book." She also was a little troubled that people (nursery workers) came and dug up the tree sprouts from the forest, so we talked about that. They both like the illustrations and enjoyed the story as well as the facts about the tree... we've read it a couple of times now. SO while this may not be many of your favorites--or mine either--it does seem to appeal to kids, or atleast my kids. In fact, my 7 yo really likes a number of Ehlert's books.
I love The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything. It is such a great story!!
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I agree, Jenny! I think it's wonderful when a picture book can make us think about our own relationships and marriages and the pros and cons compromise and all that good stuff ;-) I really loved this book and I'm glad it is such a hit with the group!
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I'm so glad to hear that! :-) I think it's a valuable book, I was just looking for more of a story, I guess.
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I'm so glad to hear that! :-) I think it's a valuable book, I was just ..."
I also found the story that was there not particularly good and engaging. And, I don't always need that much of a story, I really enjoyed Looking for Loons recently, even though there really is not much of a story as well, but what there was, was a beautifully described and depicted tableau of a young boy's morning at his cottage, and that beauty, that feeling was simply not present for me in Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf.
I finally got hold of a copy of Pumpkin Soup today. It's never taken me so far into a month to get one of our club's books.It was worth the wait. I did really like it. The illustrations were so unusual, and I just reserved another of Helen Cooper's books at the library.
I was way to "adult" though and it bothered me that a cat, duck, and squirrel were friends, and apparently lived together too, and shared a bed. Ah well, I basically enjoyed it.
Those last pages with the pumpkin soup splattering all over the place were wonderful.
And, I'm glad it's a sunny day. If it was wintery weather, I have no doubt that I'd be craving pumpkin soup.
Jenny wrote: "In Ehlert's defense, my daughters (ages 5 and 7) have both really liked Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf. Their favorite part is probably the first and last page of the story where the leaf is c..."I am glad your children enjoyed it. I had fun with this book last weekend. We made the bird treats. I have pictures I will post to my blog here on goodreads, if I can figure it out. It is just a matter of making time.
Lisa wrote: "I finally got hold of a copy of Pumpkin Soup today. It's never taken me so far into a month to get one of our club's books.
It was worth the wait. I did really like it. The illustrat..."
So glad you thought it was worth the wait, Lisa.
I liked The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything. My daughter just found out what pumpkins are last week so she noticed the giant pumpkin on the cover. I had fun reading it aloud to her. It had simple illustrations and was an easy read so she could relate to the book well. It was fun going through the motions with her as I read CLOMP, CLOMP, WIGGLE, WIGGLE, SHAKE, SHAKE, ETC. She thought that was funny. She also learned to say BOO recently and it tickled me that BOO, BOO was in the book. She made us all laugh at a restaurant this weekend when she saw a little boy walk by her high chair and she said BOO to him.
I enjoyed Scary, Scary Halloween. It is full of all the Halloween staples. The green eyes were intriguing and I was pleasantly surprised to find out who they belonged to. It is a good book to get you in the Halloween mood.
Children's Books
Books mentioned in this topic
A Pipkin of Pepper (other topics)Delicious!: A Pumpkin Soup Story (other topics)
Pumpkin Soup (other topics)
Pumpkin Soup (other topics)
Delicious!: A Pumpkin Soup Story (other topics)
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