Book Review: The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White

The Trumpet of the Swan 

Written by E.B. White

Illustrated by Edward Frascino

Published by HarperCollins Publishers in 1970

Genre/Topics: Animals, Friendship

Ages: 6+, 210 pages 

 

Louis is a Trumpet Swan, however he was born without a voice. His father and mother are concerned, because without a voice he will have difficulty finding a mate in the Spring. Louis is also worried because he doesn’t want to be different from his siblings. Louis’ father takes a risk and steals a trumpet from a music shop, so that Louis will now have a voice. The problem is that his father is in debt from stealing a trumpet and smashing the shop. Louis is grateful for the trumpet, but knows he must help his father repay the debt. As a young swan, Louis met Sam Beaver who is a kind boy and loves animals. Sam takes Louis to school and helps him learn to read and write. With Sam’s help Louis gets paying jobs to play his trumpet and becomes quite famous to repay his father. More importantly, Louis now has a voice and can woo the swan he loves. Although Louis was born different he is determined to be his best and never gives up his dreams.

E.B. White is most famous for Charlotte’s Web, so The Trumpet of the Swan may get overlooked. The Trumpet of the Swan is a sweet book with many powerful messages. There is a fantasy element, since the animals have human-like characteristics and people communicate with Louis however it can still be used as a tool for discussion. Some possible discussions may include being different, never give up, love what you do, friendship, and animal care.

Weekly Quotation: Jane Austen

I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! — When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.

― Jane Austen

Pride and Prejudice

 

 

Book Review: Open Very Carefully by Nick Bromley

Open Very Carefully: A Book With Bite 

Written by Nick Bromley 

Illustrated by Nicola O’Byrne 

Published February 1, 2013 by Nosy Crow 

Genre/Topics: Humor, Animals 

Ages 4+, 32 pages 

 

The book begins with the story of The Ugly Duckling, but then disaster occurs when a crocodile interrupts the story. The book challenges the reader to turn the pages very carefully, since there’s now a crocodile loose within the story. Throughout the book, the ugly duckling appears on the pages almost interacting with the crocodile. While the crocodile is in the book it eats letters and gobbles sentences. When the crocodile is asleep then a crayon is used to draw a tutu and bow, so it no longer appears scary. Finally, the crocodile eats through the pages until it leaves the book from an actual hole in the book’s back cover.

Open Very Carefully is a humorous book that connects the reader and book, since the writing continually asks if the book will still be read with a crocodile. There are also pages when the reader needs to shake the book to hopefully get the crocodile out. The end was especially fun, because there are holes where the crocodile ate pages and climbs out the back. The first time reading it could be fun to hide the back so it’s a surprise.

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Book Review: Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonson

Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand

Written by Helen Simonson 

Read by Peter Altschuler

Published by Random House Audio on March 2, 2010 

Genre/Topics: Adult Fiction, British, Romance 

13 hours, 358 pages 

Three Word Review: Cute, Humorous, Heartfelt

Major Pettigrew lives in a small village in the English country. He’s now in his early sixties, yet his morals and principles have remained the same. Major Pettigrew’s younger brother just died and he now feels at a lost. The death sparks a new friendship with Mrs. Ali, the older Pakistani shopkeeper. The friendship begins simple with tea and book discussions. Soon Major Pettigrew feels a strong attachment to Mrs. Ali. The small town is filled with humorous characters who think it’s their right to know everybody’s business. Some of the town citizens don’t view Mrs. Ali as Major Pettigrew and only see her as a ‘ethnic diversity’ and ‘low status’ as a shopkeeper. Both Mrs. Ali and Major Pettigrew have personal conflicts in their lives, yet these problems almost pull them together more. Can their relationship survive in difficult situations?

I thought Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand was cute with a fairly simple plot, but it was still enjoyable. You feel for Major Pettigrew as nothing seems to go right for him. Sure this book is romantic  but it’s not an overly gushing romance. I think this is because the entire story is from Major Pettigrew’s perspective and his feelings for Mrs. Ali slowly develop. It’s refreshing to read about a relationship that begins completely wholesome as a simple friendship and moves to something more. I listened to Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand and it was quite enjoyable. It had a ‘British’ voice without being too dramatic. If you enjoy small town humor and a non-gushy romance then you may like Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand. 

Weekly Photo Challenge: Culture#2

Here’s a second inspiration for the weekly photo challenge culture. I saw this woman with her dog dressed in hot pink and thought it looked cute and humorous at the same time. She’s stylish and well dressed ready to go anywhere with her chic dog. I want to know more about this woman and where she’s taking her dog. It’s amazing how people relate to their pets in our culture. In this case the dog is more of an accessory. 

 

View more culture photos: 

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/photo-challenge-culture/

 

Weekly Photo Challenge: Culture

I’m a little late with this week’s photo challenge: culture. I struggled with this theme, since I always view culture as foreign from a different country. I decided to focus upon how our daily culture has gradually changed with technology. The reserved parking spot for hybrid or electric cars shows how our culture’s transportation has slowly changed. The empty phone booth displays how most now carry a cell phone. 

View more culture photos here:

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/photo-challenge-culture/

Weekly Quotation: Pablo Picasso

Everything you can imagine is real.

― Pablo Picasso