Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Books for Easter

Looking for some great Easter books?  Here are some of my favorites for kids --

Piggy Bunny by Rachel Vail
Liam is a piglet who wants to be the Easter Bunny when he grows up, but no one believes he can do it until, with a lot of practice and some help from his grandparents, he shows them all.

Minerva Louise and the Colorful Eggs by Janet Morgan Stoeke
When she notices several unattended, colorful eggs in the barnyard, the hen named Minerva Louise worries that they are abandoned and cold.

The Easter Bunny That Overslept by Priscilla Friedrich
Having slept past Easter, the Easter bunny tries to distribute his eggs on Mother's Day, the Fourth of July, and Halloween, but no one is interested. At Christmas time it is Santa who gets him back on track.

The Story of the Easter Bunny by Katherine Tegen
A little rabbit watches an old couple paint eggs, make chocolate, and braid baskets for the village children at Easter, and he eventually becomes the Easter Bunny.

Friday, March 22, 2013

Sorcery & Cecelia by Patricia C. Wrede & Caroline Stevermer

  
I discovered these books after reading Magic Below Stairs by Caroline Stevermer.  When reading the author biography at the back of that book I found that it was a standalone novel set in the Regency Magic world of Wrede's and Stevermer's previous books.
Sorcery & Cecelia, or, The Enchanted Chocolate Pot tells the story of Cecelia and Kate, cousins and best friends through letters.  Kate has been sent to London to come out in Society while Cecelia is stuck in their country home town.  Both think the summer will be exceedingly boring without the other there.  However, that is before Kate is nearly killed by an evil wizard trying to capture another wizard and before Cecelia meets the lovely Dorothea who is being  used by her mother as a pawn to ensnare all the men around her. 
The Grand Tour, or, The Purloined Coronation Regalia is the story of Cecelia's and Kate's honeymoon tour of Europe with their new husbands.  Unfortunately, their Grand Tour of Europe has just started when they are enmeshed into a scheme by some wizards to create a Emperor of all Europe.  They must track down stolen coronation regalia and discover the persons ultimately behind the plot.  This book is told through Kate's diary entries and Cecelia's depositions to the government concerning the plot.
The Mislaid Magician, or, Ten Years Later finds Kate and Cecelia settled down to married life with their husbands and children when Cecelia and her husband James are sent to investigate a missing magician / railroad inspector.  Amazingly enough, Kate and her husband Thomas are also caught up in the intrigue back home when they discover a kidnapped child.  This book is told through the letters of Kate, Cecelia, and their husbands.
All three books are excellent historical fiction novels with elements of magic interwoven in.  I really liked the distinct voices of the characters as they were written by the two authors.  A great series for teens and adults to read.

Thursday, March 14, 2013

I'm Bored! by Michael Ian Black

I'm bored!  There's nothing to do!
If only I had a potato -- then things might be fun.

I am obsessed with this book.  It is absolutely hilarious!
Michael Ian Black (the actor from the TV show Ed) gets the voice of a bored child exactly right.  The frustration shines through, as does the boredom.
This a definite must-read for every adult who has ever had to entertain a bored child.

Also, make sure to check the author's other books Chicken Cheeks, A Pig Parade Is a Terrible Idea, and The Purple Kangaroo.