Tag: encouraging reading

Ivan – the Shopping Mall Gorilla

“The One and Only Ivan” by Katherine Applegate is one of my top 10 favorite children’s books. I’ve written about this book before. I still have the same feelings I had then…how many times can I use profound, brilliant, and amazing without it feeling repetitive or unnecessary. Ivan’s story is one of those rare books that touches your heart in a way that profound and brilliant simply can’t be said enough about it.

Visiting the library this past week, I saw another favorite Ivan book that I previously shared here…Katherine Applegate’s “Ivan: The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla.” I haven’t looked at this book since 2015, but I saw it and needed to revisit my old friend, Ivan. Yes, Ivan really did live in a shopping mall for 27 years. My heart hurts to think about this poor lonely gorilla trapped in a cage in a shopping mall for most of his life. The book begins and ends with the same line “In leafy calm, in gentle arms, a gorilla’s life began.” The story follows Ivan’s life from a tropical forest in Africa to a house in Washington, to a shopping mall once Ivan was too big to keep at home, and finally, to Zoo Atlanta where vets and scientists gave Ivan the closest life they could that tropical forest in Africa.

Books like these make the readers feel so many emotions. Readers of all ages feel frustration for Ivan, anger that he is held captive, relief when he ends up in the closest place to the forest (Zoo Atlanta). This is why I love a great children’s book. Initially a reader may wonder how they could possibly relate to a gorilla in a cage in a mall, but Applegate brilliantly shows the reader they can. Gorillas are incredibly intelligent animals who feel emotions like us. It is impossible to read this book and not feel a connection to Ivan.

Children will love that “The One and Only Ivan” is told in first person gorilla. The Ivan picture book is told by a narrator. Initially, I expected first person gorilla to make the book feel more childish, but it didn’t. It made me feel more of a connection to Ivan. It made me feel like I was stepping into his world and seeing it through his eyes. If you are interested in knowing more about the incredible Ivan, these videos show his life in a cage in a mall, his later life at Zoo Atlanta and more about his life.

A great children’s book doesn’t mean it is only written for children. It means the book is written appropriately for children BUT is a great book for readers of all ages. Visit the brilliant (yes, I’m using that word again) Ivan stories through both books and you will understand what I mean. I can’t recommend this book enough and I will definitely revisit my friend, Ivan, again soon.

The Elephant in the Room

I love Holly Goldberg Sloan books. You can visit my past reads here: Counting by 7’s, Short – the passage a friend texted to me, Short (review). One thing I noticed looking back at my previous reads – they all involved photos of a passage that impacted me. This book is no different. I took a photo of my favorite passage while reading (before I revisited those previous articles).

“You had to hope for the best.

You had to keep going even when things weren’t fair.

You had to believe in the possibility of days like this day.

And you had to work to make them happen.”

Let’s dive into this book. Sila’s mother has to return to Turkey to straighten out her immigration paperwork. She expects to be gone for a week but a week turns into a year. Sila struggles through this separation while she waits with her dad for news of her mom’s return. During this time, Sila meets an assortment of characters who change her life in ways she could never imagine. Along with her dad, Sila meets Gio a retired lottery winner who was married to Sila’s favorite teacher (who passed away). She is paired by her school with Matteo who she doesn’t plan to befriend but sometimes the universe seems to have different plans. The failing circus owner who is so desperate to sell an elephant, he will throw in a bear too. The largest character in the book (both in size and impact on Sila) is Veda, a retired circus elephant that Gio rescues who gives Sila a sense of purpose and distraction during the separation from her mom. How do these characters come together? Read the book, trust me. While it sounds like unlikely friendships and scenarios in my description, Holly Goldberg Sloan weaves in incredible tale.

The story combines sadness, loneliness, hope, promise. We find friendship in people we don’t expect. Strangers become not only friends but help in ways Sila and her dad never imagined they could. Her characters are fascinating, frustrating, wonderful humans. She tackles a tough topic, separation due to immigration issues and doesn’t sugar coat it at all but addresses the myriad of emotions in a way that is appropriate for young readers. I can not recommend this book enough.

Flora & Ulysses’ Vacuum

Note: This originally appeared on HamletHub on May 11, 2018.

“This book, more than any other that I have written, belongs to my mother. It belongs to her, in part, because of the vacuum cleaner. My mother had a tank Electrolux that she loved. And in the last year of her life, she worried (aloud and often) about what would happen to the vacuum cleaner after she was gone. I told her (again and again. And again) that I would take the vacuum cleaner, that it would be safe with me. But still, it worried her. She wanted the Electrolux to be loved, appreciated. And so I wrote a story, this story, in which a truly exceptional vacuum cleaner does a truly miraculous thing (i.e., the vacuum cleaner transforms an ordinary squirrel into a superhero).” – Kate DiCamillo, Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech

This past weekend, my husband found this amazing vintage Electrolux vacuum. Knowing I love old things, he knew I would think this is fabulous, but he didn’t expect me to start talking nonstop about a book. He showed me the vacuum, and my response was, “It’s a Flora & Ulysses vacuum!!!!” He was perplexed. It is an Electrolux vacuum. An old vacuum with those shiny letters spelling out Electrolux, and while it was cool because it is shiny and old and has a bit of a space ship feel, for me, it was a magical machine that connected me to a book.

While he saw a cool vacuum, I heard Kate DiCamillo in my mind sharing the story she shared at a recent book talk, the same one in the quote above from her Newberry Medal acceptance speech. Her mom loved her Electrolux vacuum so much that she was worried about what would happen to that vacuum when she was no longer here. And Kate DiCamillo did what she does best; she appreciated the vacuum by giving it life in “Flora & Ulysses.” The truly exceptional vacuum in her story transformed an ordinary squirrel into a superhero. What Kate DiCamillo’s mom may never have imagined is that not only Kate appreciated that vacuum but fans all over the world who love that book, who love Flora and Ulysses, secretly wonder if their vacuum is as magical. Once you read “Flora & Ulysses” you will never looked at an Electrolux vacuum or a squirrel without wondering if each vacuum might have the potential to turn a squirrel into a superhero and each squirrel might have the potential to be one.

So many times in this column, I mention my desire to climb inside the pages of the books I love. I never imagined the stories climbing out of the pages and into my world, but I realized as I looked at this vacuum that sometimes the worlds overlap. While I can’t officially move into a book, and they can’t officially climb out of the pages into mine,  this “truly exceptional vacuum cleaner does a truly miraculous thing”…it brought Flora and Ulysses into my world. While I never knew Kate DiCamillo’s mom, I appreciate that amazing vacuum (and I really appreciate that Kate’s words taught me to see the magic in something simple right in front of me).

If my children are reading this and grow up to write like Kate, please, please honor my vintage aluminum Christmas tree in a book somehow!

My First Library Card

I went to preschool in our local library. Yes, there was an actual preschool downstairs in the library. Although I was only three or four, I distinctly remember climbing the stairs up to the children’s section. I loved when we visited the children’s room. I can still remember exactly what it looked like. I remember how the sun shone in through the giant windows. I remember wandering through the shelves of books. I thought it was the most magical place.

My preschool class would visit the library for a special story time. Those were my favorite days. I couldn’t wait to hear what book would be read on each visit.

I was thrilled when I was old enough to get my own library card. To me, that library card was a key that opened the door to hundreds of different worlds. I could pick any book that I wanted. I could bring home picture books, chapter books, nonfiction, fiction. Anything my heart desired.

My mom recently found my first library card. It’s not the credit card computer scannable library card like the ones we have today. It is paper and has a little metal bar on it. It’s from the days of card catalogs and manually stamped book check out cards. It isn’t fancy but to me it’s still incredibly special.

The thing I loved about the library as a child was being able to pick whatever books I wanted and as many as I wanted (within reason). I felt so grown up when I held that library card. When my children were younger, the thing I loved about taking them to the library was seeing the books they chose. Being able to give them that opportunity to pick whichever and however many books they want gives them such a feeling of empowerment. A library card is so much more than simply a card to borrow books. It is most certainly a key into new worlds. It’s a ticket to travel to visit old friends. It’s a way to explore new places. It’s a passport to other lands.

Happy Birthday Nancy Drew!

93 years ago, “The Secret of the Old Clock” was published, and young readers joined Nancy Drew solving all sorts of mysteries. Nancy Drew was unlike other young women depicted in books at the time. She was a pioneer…one of the first female heroes young readers met. She was, and continues to be, an inspiration to young readers (or readers of all ages). While times may have dramatically changed since the books were originally published, Nancy Drew’s popularity and impact on young girls continues.

I was watching an old episode of Gilmore Girls in which Lorelai says “I know there’s more to the story than you’re telling me. […] I’ve read every Nancy Drew mystery ever written, the one about the Amish country twice.” Still a relevant pop culture reference in the early 2000s. Like Lorelai on Gilmore Girls, I grew up reading Nancy Drew too.

When I was young, my mom searched flea markets and old bookstores to find beautiful old forgotten copies of Nancy Drew. She would keep this tiny list in her wallet with the books we had so she could find them all. I devoured them. Like many young readers who came before me, I wanted to solve crimes, save the world, and drive a super cute convertible.

While the original Nancy Drew books are incredible (and hold a special place in my heart), there have been additions….new books, movies, tv shows, games, and more. Here are a few Nancy Drew options (in addition to reading the original books):

Nancy Drew – a tv show from 2007 available on amazon.

Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew – these books are geared towards younger elementary age readers.

Nancy Drew Files – these books are more appropriate for middle school readers.

Nancy Drew, Reporter – a short movie from 1939. I’ve never seen this before but will be watching it now in honor of Nancy Drew’s birthday.

Nancy Drew – another tv series from 1995 appropriate for young adults.

Nancy Drew Collector Card Game – this fun family game uses logic and deduction and the cards have the original cover artwork.

Hunt A Killer Mystery at Magnolia Gardens – Solve a Nancy Drew Mystery – a murder mystery game for teens and adults.

Additionally, there are many Nancy Drew computer games. While Nancy Drew didn’t have cell phones or computers to help solve her mysteries, her logical crime solving skills and fearlessness when facing the mysteries, she is still a hero to many young readers.

The Magician’s Elephant

I picked up a copy of Kate DiCamillo’s “The Magician’s Elephant” when it was first released but somehow missed reading it until now. My delay in reading is no reflection on the story and simply that of “to be read” pile growing out of control as Kate DiCamillo is definitely one of my favorite children’s authors.

“The Magician’s Elephant” is the story of hope when things seem hopeless. A fortune tellers tent appears in the middle of town and young orphan, Peter Augustus Duchene, knows he must ask the one question that plaques him….is his sister still alive? He was told his sister died at birth by the solider who took him after his parents’ deaths, but he believes she might be alive. The fortune teller gives him a nearly impossible to believe answer…she is alive, follow the elephant.

While there are no elephants here, this answer might destroy all hope, but Peter waits and as luck would have it, a magician uses his spell to drop an elephant on the stage instead of flowers. Obviously, Peter believes this is a sign and knows he needs to get to that elephant to find his sister.

It isn’t easy getting to an elephant, but Peter is determined and even more determined to have the elephant lead him to his sister. Nothing is truly hopeless until one gives up all hope…Peter never does. He truly believes the elephant will help him find his sister. Check out this sweet story to see if Peter finds his sister and how an elephant can possibly change his entire life. Once you read it, check the sweet adaptation on Netflix!

A New Perspective on Old Favorites

I like to reread favorite children’s books because while the story hasn’t changed, I’ve changed dramatically from my original read. Visiting books that I loved as a child is like visiting your hometown that you haven’t seen since you were 11….it’s the same, but it’s different. It’s never exactly as you remembered it. Your house looks smaller than you remember it was, the big hill you raced down on your bike doesn’t seem as scary, and while it all suddenly seems a bit more ordinary than you remember it, you are flooded with memories.

You can stare at what looks like a regular tree and remember planning a tree house with your friends. You remember the time you climbed higher than anyone else and were treated like a rockstar by all the neighborhood kids. It’s the same but you are different, and you see everything through a new perspective that somehow combines with your memories.

Rereading a favorite childhood is similar. You know the story. You remember reading it, but the reread is different. You pick up new details you missed as a child. You see it from a new perspective. You might see characters that you didn’t like as a child a new way….you understand why they act a certain way or the hurt that makes them seem “mean” to a younger reader.

Like life, books are complicated, made up of layers of stories. Depending on our age and perspective we only see part of the whole. Revisiting often shows us a whole new side of things we missed before. While you might remember the basic idea of a book you read as a child, revisiting that book introduces you to those childhood friends in a whole new way. You will see so much more in the story.

If you revisit a childhood favorite, let me know which one and what you thought of it as an adult reader!

Tasha Tudor’s “A Time to Keep”

One of my favorite childhood books that I still revisit is “A Time to Keep: The Tasha Tudor Book of Holidays.” For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to climb inside the pages of this book. The illustrations are beautiful. The story simply takes the readers through the year sharing how each month is enjoyed. Some months have holidays, some months don’t but they enjoy the enjoy traditions that are part of the season.

I reread the February pages this week. They celebrated Valentine’s Day with even the corgis receiving valentines. They made Washington pie on Washington’s birthday. I looked forward through the March pages. It’s sugaring season in the book and everyone is gathering sap from the sugar maples. They make syrup and eat out in the woods by the sugarhouse. The story is simple and beautiful, but I think what draws me in most is how Tudor is so good and showing the beauty in the ordinary, the beauty in the everyday life. I think I’m so drawn to this book because it’s grounding in a way, it shows the reader that their traditions (whatever they might be) are special. In our home, we don’t gather sap, nor do we have a sugarhouse, but we have our own traditions that are so special to us.

A few years ago, I learned that Tasha Tudor lived in Redding (please note this house was up for sale years ago and is not currently listed for sale – Historic Property for Sale: Tasha Tudor’s Childhood Summer Home in Redding (hamlethub.com). Tudor’s tale of “The County Fair” was inspired by a visit to the Danbury Fair (On the Children’s Shelf: Tasha Tudor’s Locally Inspired “The Country Fair” (hamlethub.com). My mom took me to the Danbury Fair when I was small but unfortunately, I was too young to remember it. So my only memories of that fair are through Tudor’s book. Once I learned of Tudor’s time living in this area, her books took on new meaning for me because I wonder about their local roots. I saw trees on my drive yesterday with the sap buckets attached and thought of the scene in her book.

While most of this book could take place anywhere, knowing that Tudor spent so much time in this area, I like to believe the book took place here. The illustrations are how I imagine our town (and surrounding towns) looked many, many years ago.

The Grimm Fairytale Hidden for 150 Years

“Dear Mili” by Wilhelm Grimm existed only in a letter for over 150 years. The letter containing the story was sent to a young girl in 1816. Her family kept the letter for over 150 years before sharing it with the world. The discovery of this unknown Grimm fairytale in 1983 made the front page of the NY Times. It was published and illustrated by Maurice Sendak.

I grew up reading the Grimm fairytales…the versions we know today with happy endings. Cinderella falls in love with the Prince and leaves her wicked stepmother. Hansel and Gretel push the wicked witch into the oven and escape her candy house. Each tale has an element of fear of what could go wrong, but they all ended with the positive outcome. When I studied at Univeristy, I took a class reading Grimm fairytales in the original German. Those tales were darker and didn’t have the neat clean happy ending. They were incredible tales, but they definitely taught lessons…stay out of the woods, don’t talk to strangers…because something really bad can happen.

I recently found a copy of “Dear Mili” and was excited to read this beautifully illustrated, hidden for over 150 years, tale. The story begins with a mother sending her only child into the woods to hide when a war breaks out. She gives her food and tells her to go deep into the woods and return in 3 days. The child does as she is told. As she travels far into the woods, she meets an old man who lives in a hut who offers her food and shelter. She accepts and in exchange, looks for root vegetables for their meals. While searching for roots, she meets a young girl, who looks just like her, who helps her find the roots and is believed to be her guardian angel. After 3 days pass, the old man tells the young girl that she must return to her mother and the guardian angel child leads her back to the village.

The little girl is sad to leave the old man, but he gives her a rose and tells her when it blooms, they will be together again. As the little girl arrives back in the village, she notices how different everything looks. How could things change so much in 3 days? She sees her mother, but she appears much older. Her mother is thrilled to see her, as the little girl has been gone in the woods for 30 years not 3 days. The mother is very old and dying and her one wish was to see her child one more time before she died.

The next morning, the rose blooms. Read this tale to find out what happens when the rose blooms.

While the beautiful illustrations make this book appear to be a story for readers of all ages, I would take the individual reader’s personality into consideration before reading this tale to them. It is incredible but it is dark and far darker than the Disney version of Grimm fairytales we are used to. Not gory but it is a traditional Grimm twisted tale. I finished the book, put it down and just said “wow” while processing it. Definitely worth reading but should be read by an adult in the family first to see if appropriate for your specific young reader.

I wonder if there are any other Grimm fairytales sitting in letters in someone’s attic.

Visiting Bookish Locations

Last week, I shared my visit to the Boston Public Garden to see the “Make Way for Ducklings” statue https://onthechildrensshelf.com/make-way-for-ducklings/. Seeing the world inside the pages overlap with the world around you, makes reading so exciting for young readers (and honestly, readers of any age). So I thought I’d share some other books that take place in real places that readers could visit.

“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving takes place in the small town of Sleepy Hollow in New York. The town embraces their ties to the legend and readers can visit the Headless Horseman’s bridge and the Old Dutch Church. Aside from being one of my favorite stories, Sleepy Hollow is a favorite bookish spot to visit. There are less scary, younger reader versions of the legend.

“Eloise at the Plaza” by Kay Thompson – I read this book when I was little and desperately wanted to live in the Plaza. Eloise is a young girl who lives in the Plaza. She shares her adventures through the hotel, visiting all her friends who work there, and the mischief she gets into. Standing in front of that building, imagining Eloise and her adventures inside, brings the book to life.

“From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler” by E.L. Konigsburg follows Claudia and Jamie who run away from home and stay at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. While I’m not condoning running away or sneaking into a Museum and staying there after it closes, definitely take your reader to visit the Museum after they finish the book. There’s so much to see and so easy for readers to see the book come alive all around them.

“A Bear Called Paddington” by Michael Bond follows the adventures of Paddington Bear after he arrives in London from Peru. Visit Paddington Station and see the bronze statue commemorating the book.

While in London, head over to King’s Cross Station to visit Platform 9 3/4 from J. K. Rowlings’ “Harry Potter” series. Young wizards can jump into the book as they attempt to pass through the wall to the most famous train platform in the wizarding world.

“Anne of Green Gables” by L.M. Montgomery introduces readers to Anne Shirley who has been living in foster care and is mistakenly sent to live at Green Gables with Matthew and Marilla Chutbert. Anne is not the strong boy they wanted, but they realize she is special, and Anne desperately wants to stay with them at Green Gables. I haven’t visited the Green Gables house but a trip to Prince Edward Island to visit Green Gables after reading the book would be incredible for any reader who loves this book.

So many children’s books have direct references to so many wonderful places. When we introduce a young reader to a great book and then (when possible) take them to visit a location from that book, we are strengthening that bond to the story. The reader has then experienced the book both through the words they read, the story they visualized while they read, and the real world location they were able to stand in and look around. Visiting a location from a book gives readers an opportunity to step into that character’s shoes and see at least a small part of the book through their eyes. While we can’t literally climb inside the pages of a book we love, we can visit the places in a few favorite books.