Confessions to a Diary

Boys and birds. The story starts with a boy and the control of his actions - else where, his friend. There is no slingshot but the damage to the bird yes. At the behest of his English teacher, Julian is required to write of his actions past and as he continues on the assignment, thinking of his everyday life and going back to what he's written to understand what he has done, Julian gets a handle on his life. How many fifth graders can boast of 'Confessions of a ..'
Unwantingly Jillian manages to rub on himself, some of the Shakespeare that he is avoiding.
The book is believable about what goes on within a tween environment, peer and real life expectations (bar Mitzvah, racing).

Observed life

As kids, stuffed toys are our first connection (if you don't have pets) to the animal world. I still remember the weekend in high school, when the local weekly magazine had a center page article about Panda. In our modern life, we can still learn of nature being open to all life that crosses our sight.
Nature conservation - recognition does not have to be limited to long weekends and national parks. The price household leaves no creepy crawlie unobserved in their jar on display. Learning of the pyramid of life and its rare reconfiguration in their little lab of glass.
Alongside the author delves into the history of his ancestry.
The author's connection to Prairie land can be seen in his first book `Not Just any land'.

Fort Dodge, Iowa

The Waltons

half gainer

Gamma camera

Born Free

question mark butterfly

Wolf spider

Cellar spider

Trapdoor spider

Ra : Egypt :: Inti: Peru

I still remember the day I learnt of Ra, Isis and the snake. Myths are so interesting to know. And be ready for one such ride into a foreign land.
Author Leanne Statland Ellis wins the trust of the readers always following native words with common words. In that brief time of a space of a word or two, the reader can imagine what the word might mean, dive and still land in the very pool we know.
I recognized the words chasqui and quipu.
The myths and the stories turn us to imagine red feathers woven into a woolen coat, a man transformed into a stick and so on.
Just like the Chasqui, ever on journey, Micay too takes a journey to the sacred sun city to heal her scars. Instead she learns of her past and the future she is worthy of.
The author's Beyond is believable.
In a brief span of time, the reader is given a primer to Peruvian mythology.

Tell me a story

Doordarshan

After reading Odessa again, I was reminded of a sunday serial on DD India in which a teenager does time travel.
The elements of fantasy in Kahani Chandrakanta Ki.

What place

Learnt of a new city El Centro, CA from a kid in the park.

Benny's afoot

Benny is quite the travel boy with his adventures in the Big foot land, Egypt, Pirates, own room fighting monsters and the treasure island. He is never alone on his trips, either going with his father or uncle or making friends when he starts alone. He is very resourceful in carrying stuff with him that might be helpful in getting out of the troubles he is always landing in.
The simple line illustrations and silhouettes pulsate with the adrenaline of the adventures.
I hadnt heard of Wedgie and Wet Willy.

Willa Cather

I have never read Willa Cather's work before. Her poem on Columbus inspires you to explore without fear.

China is so beautiful in Ah Lie me dead in the sunrise land.

Then Back to the ancient France again. Anjou like Anjou pears.

In Broncho Bills valedictory, the narrator is a male.

grandmither
Kirkland and kirkyard

Endless Mythology. Antinous in Antinous

Observe

I had read The Hidden life of Deer by Elizabeth Marshall Thomas.
So I was interested in reading this book.
The authorsays waterbear : radio :: Humans: universe.

waterbears in The Animal Wife

Jack Londons To build a fire  

Emperor

Why are Emperor Penguins called so? For their height? Looking at the penguin skeleton, I cannot imagine underneath the sea world toy, there is the ivory. An author called cancer

In the body of the world

I didnt know that Chemotherapy is different from radiation. Now I also understand why the hair is damaged after chemo.

Motion driven pictures

I came to know of baton twirlers from the Miss congeniality movie. The front and the back cover of the book with its triptych of Jazmin in action with her baton set you in the mood. We look forward to rain, but what about the plans that they might ruin. Jazmin faced one such situation, but the 'walla walla BOOM' couldnt faze her. Read this book while the laundry is on for the special sound effects.
Join the neighborhood having fun in the rain. The illustrations capture the gymnastic moves very well in spirit.

That fun hour

Like the cover zoomed in on the ball, the scale of the pictures is captivating. The baseball bat looks like the chase of a cannon. The pictures have a bright black and white illustration feel. They almost make everyday play like a cosmic activity.
'In the cage, bat every ball
until the coach has thrown them all'
Theres all the motivation right there to play till the end for any activity the kids take up. The attitude that makes practice fun and develops skills.

Mothers love

I might have heard of Siberian tiger, but even if I did, I hadnt thought that life in Siberia would mean snow.
For the young, predator are always a problem, even if your mom is a Tigress.
This book not only informs readers but entertains them with poetry and paintings of a rare environment.

How Sarah met Mercedes

If you have read Eating Enchiladas, then you know Mercedes. This book back fills how they met. This is my third book in the series. The font type and size, illustrations are nostalgia inducing. The story line of learning big lessons in your backyard, catching the fine moments of spotting bird eggs, baby chicks as they happen, all in such a thin book is a marvel.
Not only do the kids watch nature, they even write a poem in the end for an exquisite corpse(pun intended)