I don't remember where I got this book, but it's been on my bookshelves for over a decade. I was sitting looking at my bookshelves and out of nowhere I don't remember where I got this book, but it's been on my bookshelves for over a decade. I was sitting looking at my bookshelves and out of nowhere decided I wanted to read it. So I did.
This was written in the 10th or 11th century in Japan and it has been around since then. It's a classic.
The set up is that Onogoro is the first consort of a famous general in Japan. When he pays a visit to her, she isn't able to reach the heavens on her own, so she has the blind stableboy to hide behind a screen and tell her, basically, dirty stories so she can reach her happy place and it will please the general.
So there are several short stories in the tale. Also, the women of the palace get together from time to time and tell stories and some of them are truly hilarious, usually about some wronged woman getting justice from her man that done her wrong. Some of the stories are erotic, some of them are humorous, some are gross. There are all kinds of stories.
There is a love story in here between Onogoro and someone. It was a quick and enjoyable read. All the Cdramas gloss over what it would be like to have a harem and more than one wife and this goes into the details the shows gloss over.
I want to read more classical Asian literature in the future. I enjoy it and I've seen enough C and K dramas to understand what is going on....more
This pop-up book obviously uses the alphabet for each page. The little lines of verse are cute, example, Z is for the zebra-striped Zigzag Bug. This iThis pop-up book obviously uses the alphabet for each page. The little lines of verse are cute, example, Z is for the zebra-striped Zigzag Bug. This is from the library and that little pop-up was ripped off, so I don't know what it actually looks like, but the verse is cute. There were 2 letters that were ruined, but the rest of the book worked just fine.
This is merely a pop-up book. David throws in all the senses for a music type bug. There are tabs to pull, flaps to lift, fuzzy fur to feel and even 1 scratch-n-sniff along with the usual pop-ups.
Nephew has outgrown this type of thing, but its the sort of book that he would have spent time with figuring out how it works and seeing how everything moves. Plus, he is quarantined now anyway. I don't know what he would have rated it, he was quirky with his ratings, but he would have spent time with it.
It's a cute little book for beginnings with cute bugs and surprising textures and instructions on each page. It's bound to be popular. ...more
Figbash is a little odd character Gorey came up with throughout his stories. He uses the little thing to make the alphabet and numbers with. No story, Figbash is a little odd character Gorey came up with throughout his stories. He uses the little thing to make the alphabet and numbers with. No story, only art....more
This is an odd ball story and one of the better more developed ones in this collection. Two parents have a baby and she vanishes from the cradle. ThenThis is an odd ball story and one of the better more developed ones in this collection. Two parents have a baby and she vanishes from the cradle. Then a dog shows up with the locket around it’s neck of the baby and so they family adopts the dog as their own. It’s very interesting. ...more
I was thinking this might be a story, well it is a story of the winter solstice the world over, but it’s more a non-fiction piece on how different culI was thinking this might be a story, well it is a story of the winter solstice the world over, but it’s more a non-fiction piece on how different cultures around the earth use to think of the solstice. The Romans would trade places for a day and the servant would be attended by the master and the Romans gave gifts. Bonfires were built and feasts were had and people would watch for the return of the sun. Even Stonehenge was built so they knew when the light would return.
They do not talk about what Asian or African cultures did during this time. It’s a good book, but it’s more facts. There is a nice Cherokee legend at the end told as a story. The artwork is lovely and it is about one of my favorite times of year.
The nephew found this mildly interesting. He liked the animals in the story and some of the things people did like sacrifice animals and stand with antlered helmets interested him. The boars head feast grossed him out and he loved that too. He gave this 3 stars and said it could have been more exciting....more
The school library hired a dragon as librarian and she was there to protect the books. She becomes possessive of the shiny books and she won’t let anyThe school library hired a dragon as librarian and she was there to protect the books. She becomes possessive of the shiny books and she won’t let any of them be checked out or even have story time. She was afraid of them being messed up. The PTA, the principal and teachers are all defeated by the dragon. It’s a girl with glasses who can’t see well who melts the heart of the librarian. It’s a very cute story.
I fondly remember my elementary school librarian. She was a world traveler and she seemed so smart. I loved library time. She was no dragon, but she was no push-over either. She was pretty great though.
The nephew loved the dragon and he thought it was hilarious when she burnt the principal’s tie. He said he would love to see that. He gave this 5 stars. The niece loved the librarians new hairdo after she becomes a person. It is a work of art. She thought it was a nice story. She likes her library too. She gave this 3 stars. ...more
I have never heard of this story and I wonder if it is a real tall tale, but I sure liked it. I love stories about Paul Bunyan and Pecos Bill as AmeriI have never heard of this story and I wonder if it is a real tall tale, but I sure liked it. I love stories about Paul Bunyan and Pecos Bill as American myth. This is Swamp Angel. She is about 50 feet tall and she grew up in the wilds of Tennessee and she helped out the settlers. She is a great epic for girls out there. This is female Paul Bunyon.
There was a bear that was huge and needed to be taken care of as it ate up half of all the people’s stores of food in the state and people were starving. The state ordered a bear hunt and Swamp Angel joined the hunt. They fought all over the state and eventually Swamp Angel does best him. She does end up the winner and living in Montana. It’s a rhyming folk tale with some women power in it.
We had a lot of fun reading this. The nephew loved the fight the two had. He laughed at all the silliness of this story. He loved seeing the bear in the stars and his favorite was when Swamp Angel used a tornado to rope the bear. He gave this 5 stars. The niece thought this was funny to and she enjoyed it. She gave this 4 stars. ...more
This is the story of John Henry; I’m sure most people know this one. Julius and Jerry got together to make this their version of the famous folktale. This is the story of John Henry; I’m sure most people know this one. Julius and Jerry got together to make this their version of the famous folktale. I like the tone of the book, it’s bright and happy and larger than life. I even like so many of his word choices. The mountain was as hard as anger. There were wonderful phrases like that.
I don’t know why, but I don’t really care for this version of the tale. It’s not bad, simply not for me. There are several other tellings that I feel are much better.
The kids enjoyed this. The nephew thought it was cool how he could sing and beat stones and rainbows happened. He gave this 3 stars. The niece enjoyed the rainbows, but she wasn’t too into the story. She gave this 2 stars. Something is up with her and I don’t know what it is. Anyway....more
Time Flies is a beautiful wordless book about the wonder of seeing dinosaur bones and imagining them when it was a real creature. Our main character iTime Flies is a beautiful wordless book about the wonder of seeing dinosaur bones and imagining them when it was a real creature. Our main character is a bird that flew into a museum and flies around the dinosaur bones. The bird takes us through an imagination filled tour of then and now.
Even if my nephew has learning to read, he still likes the wordless books and being able to make up wild stories. He and the niece can work together to make it really interesting. It’s funny as sometimes so much is put into the story that they have to undo somethings as the story goes on and they can’t fit it into the pictures. I enjoy the times we do this.
The nephew thought this book was pretty cool. He knows there are dinosaurs but they also look like monsters to him, so he calls them monsters. He loved when the bird was eaten. He gave this 5 stars. The niece thought this was a good book. She gave this 3 stars....more
I love Eve Bunting and she teams up with some of the best in the business - the real up and comers. David Wiesner, who I love his own works, is the ilI love Eve Bunting and she teams up with some of the best in the business - the real up and comers. David Wiesner, who I love his own works, is the illustrator. This is in black and white and beautifully drawn. This sets a mood and a tone. It is a safe kind of darker story, it is somewhat scary.
Gargoyles look like stone during the day, but by night they come alive and they play. They are a little comical and they just want to clean off the bird poop of the day and relax, have some fun and socialize. I love this book. It’s a great book to have for Halloween or just a spooky gathering of some kind.
This gave the niece the creeps, but she still liked the story. She thought the gargoyles looked scary. I told her they are supposed to look scary to keep the evil things away. They are protectors (and waterspouts). She gave this 3 stars. The nephew thought they were very cool monsters. He wanted to go see some. I don’t know of any in Baltimore, so I need to do some research. There might be some on the churches down in DC. He gave this 4 stars for being a good creepy. ...more
This is Eve Bunting. I appreciate her work. This was an intense story. My niece is scared of fire and this is about a riot and the building catches fiThis is Eve Bunting. I appreciate her work. This was an intense story. My niece is scared of fire and this is about a riot and the building catches fire and the people have to leave. This story, which I didn’t pay attention to what it would be about, terrified my niece. We only read this story and she got very upset after. I should have seen how quiet she got and then she asked question after question and she wouldn’t sleep. It is a fairly intense story. I don’t recommend it for sensitive children.
The artwork is a media mix of watercolors, acrylics and a collage of photos and other stuff. I don’t think it’s all that great and I see that the Caldecott awards like these kinds of books.
It’s a well told story, but it’s intense for a young audience. I suggest you know your audience.....more
I enjoy the absurdity of this book. It is wonderful. A girl wants to make an apple pie and her local market is closed and so she does what anyone woulI enjoy the absurdity of this book. It is wonderful. A girl wants to make an apple pie and her local market is closed and so she does what anyone would do. She gets a boat to Europe to collect the ingredients from the source. Did you know that cinnamon is grow from a kurundu tree? I didn’t. The best kurundu is grown in Sri Lanka. This girl travels with a chicken and a cow she picks up, you know, for freshness. Then she makes everything from scratch. That is some industriousness right there.
As I said, this silly story amused me. I’m not sure how to describe the art. Maybe it’s a little surreal and a little impression. It’s ok and it does fit the nature of the story. There is an apple pie recipe at the back of the book and the niece wanted to make it.
The kids thought this was funny. The nephew especially liked the part of the parachuting animals and girl at one point. They gave this 3 stars. ...more
haha. This is the reason all animals fart. My brother had me read this before he got kids. Now that he has them, they love this book and Laugh with ithaha. This is the reason all animals fart. My brother had me read this before he got kids. Now that he has them, they love this book and Laugh with it.
I think these books are so fun. The kids are struggling to see them. I remember when these came out and they were a big deal. One needs 'soft eyes' toI think these books are so fun. The kids are struggling to see them. I remember when these came out and they were a big deal. One needs 'soft eyes' to see them and the creative side of the brain. it's a great practice to get out of the logic brain and into the creative brain.
There is no story or words in this which is why it's not 5 stars. Still enjoyable though. There were a few tough ones I had to really relax to see in here. I could see them all eventually. ...more
This is a nice sequel to Sarah, Plain and Tall. I think this book brings out my own biases. I dream of living in the Northeast and Sarah is from MaineThis is a nice sequel to Sarah, Plain and Tall. I think this book brings out my own biases. I dream of living in the Northeast and Sarah is from Maine. There is a draught on the plains so fierce that everything is burning up and there is no water. Sarah takes the kids to Maine while Papa stays to care for the farm. See, I would have said, that's it, this is our reason to move to Maine. Sarah goes back to the plains. Simply not my part of the world.
Patricia has nice characterization. The draught storyline made good story telling and I'm sure it happened. A town can dry up. What would that be like to run out of water in your well or the river run dry. Scary! ...more
I love the symbol of golden Keys in the story. Keys are given to special people. Janus, Roman god and St Peter were keep of golden keys.
We start out wI love the symbol of golden Keys in the story. Keys are given to special people. Janus, Roman god and St Peter were keep of golden keys.
We start out with a man taking a hot air balloon up in the sky from one city, a storm blows him off corse and then he lands in a deserted looking city. We are in the boyhood memories of Peter Sis of his life in Prague. He runs through the empty city filled with ghosts of his memory collection keys so he may enter his house. We see the city in great details and all the things he used to love about the city and the seasons of the city. The man is lead through the city by his old black cat.
It's an odd sort of ghost story where the ghosts are but memories welcoming you home. It has a hollow, eerie feeling about the story and then such joy at coming home once again. The author does miss his home. It's a fascinating story and I like it. It makes me want to visit Prague.
Nephew loved that black cat, but he thought the empty city was creepy. He enjoyed the mythical figures coming out of the walls in one scene, but mostly he found the story sort of boring. Who wants to be in a deserted city, he asked. He gave this 2 stars. ...more
The Poinsettia came to the US from a Mexican tradition. I didn’t know this. They have a myth about the plant down there and this is the story of that The Poinsettia came to the US from a Mexican tradition. I didn’t know this. They have a myth about the plant down there and this is the story of that myth. The story touched my heart.
It’s similar to the Little Drummer boy. A young girl’s mother is ill and they have nothing to offer the baby Jesus for Christmas. After meeting a fairy godmother who tells her you can give anything if it’s from the heart, she picks a bunch of weeds. The village can’t believe she would bring weeds to church. A Miracle occurs and the plant blooms a bright beautiful red. It’s a lovely story.
It's easy to fall into that trap of "I can't believe that's all their bringing." It happens in churches and every organization all the time. I think it happens at pot-lucks often also. Someone brings a bag of chips and the people who spent hours cooking feel offended. It's so easy to forget that it's what a person brings with their heart because that is so much easier to miss. We can really see that. There are times we can feel it, if it's directed toward us, but I know have have felt a judgement or two. This story is a good reminder that the stuff part is not as important as the heart part and I can't see that part.
The niece has an issue about stories with something happening to mom, so she did not like the story even though the mom turned out ok. She gave it 2 stars. The nephew thought it was an ok story, but no monsters or robots. He gave it 3 stars. I thought it was a lovely tale. ...more
My niece begged to have this book read telling me she loves this book. It is about Tutankhamen growing up seeing his father build Egypt and then afterMy niece begged to have this book read telling me she loves this book. It is about Tutankhamen growing up seeing his father build Egypt and then after his death his older brother is not a good ruler. Eventually it falls to him to bring back the glory of Egypt. I thought it was a little dry and I enjoyed the art. It was a good book. My young nephew wasn't very into the story so I suppose age does matter with this one....more
I hate zombies and this book has zombies. I thought it was a scary book for the age group it was in. John Bellairs started this book and did not finisI hate zombies and this book has zombies. I thought it was a scary book for the age group it was in. John Bellairs started this book and did not finish it before his death. Brad Strickland finished it and I wonder how much of the dialog was finished. At the beginning, Prof. Childermass seems off a bit. He is meaner than normal. I think it still turned out pretty well.
Voodoo was the big bad in this one. I have meet some Voodoo priestesses here and there and it is not all evil as media always uses it for black magic. There is good and white Voodoo and you never hear about that. Still, the evil stuff does exist and it is used here. They link it to a different type of evil Voodoo that an evil dictator of St. Ives is using.
I do wish there were a few new characters introduced here, but John keeps it simple. Johnny is still a bit scared but he always comes through when it is most important. There are Voodoo dolls and Zombies and people possessed and an evil Voodoo priestess. At the center of it all is a drum to call up the devil himself.
A great story for young readers who are into soft horror. You know it's still safe, but it keeps you on the edge of your seat. I have yet to decide if I will finish the series that Brad wrote or move on to other series of John's. Maybe someday.
As Toscanini said of the Mozart requiem when he stopped in the middle of the piece "The master laid down his pen".
I have loved reading these novels finally. I am a month behind and maybe I can catch back up and get another John Bellairs in for the month of August. I have done pretty well this year....more
Well written story about the weirdness of being a teenager in school. Some stuff happens among peers at school. He blends the fantasy world of the booWell written story about the weirdness of being a teenager in school. Some stuff happens among peers at school. He blends the fantasy world of the book he is reading nicely with the life he is living. Our stories can get us through hard times. It also brings in all types of religions. It's a complicated little story....more
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