Charming with a message
580352
I've never been much of a fan of animated kids' movies. So, when I watched "Up" I was a bit skeptical at the start. However, my attitude quickly changed. This is truly a movie for people of all ages. And it contains a number of important messages. First, take advantage of your relationships while you have them, for nothing on this earth is permanent, as Carl discovers when Ellie, his wife, dies and they have never fulfilled their dream of visiting Paradise Falls. Probably every one of us have wished that we could have done something with a spouse, a parent, a child, or even a close friend who we will never see again. Second, age is no barrier when it comes to establishing a close bond, as Carl finds out when he and Russell befriend each other. Russell is a boy scout in need of a father figure. And Carl, who by now is a crotchety old man and is initially resistant to Russell, finds in him the companion with whom he will finally journey to Paradise Falls, albeit in a rather unconventional way (as he, Russell, and his entire house are carried by hundreds of balloons to their destination). Finally, don't give up your dream. Some day it will be fulfilled, even if it is in a way you never suspect.

This has turned out to be one of my favorite films. I've seen it twice, and I hope to see it again. Adults will resonate with its deeper messages. Kids will love its humorous and more fantastical moments.
1337389
Attractive illustrations and a simple story combine to create a very nice little piece for reading to the little ones. I liked the inclusion of onomatopoeia, and the lesson about the importance of having friends on whom you can rely is a good one.
2174388
I think this book will play very, very well with most people - and for good reasons. The message is wonderful on so many levels: The heroine is humble and generous, and overcomes unfair treatment with kindness. The allusions made in poetic form to beloved classic children's literature (like Ferdinand the Bull, Make Way for Ducklings, Curious George, et al) make for a fun exercise in detection. The illustrations are excellent, nuanced and layered - there is the full-color, cartoon-like illustration of the characters in the story, and then there is a background sort of illustration that is less caricature and more portrait, in monochrome, intended to represent imagination. The story is engaging and the rhythms and rhymes are mostly done very well.

My issue with the book is this....
****SPOILER****
The dramatic tension between our heroine and the others who should befriend her happens as a result of them misunderstanding her use of big words and speaking of things beyond their experience, for which reason they suppose that she is wealthy and snobbish. And although they have shunned her, they can't resist an invitation to go to a party at her home when she invites them. As it happens, she lives in a "ramshackle," broken down house that is filled, floor to ceiling with books. She takes them on literary adventures and they each leave with a stack of books to enjoy.

My problem is this: the kids' prejudice is never actually resolved. They judge Veronica unfairly because they suppose her family has wealth. And while they don't want to be her friend, they accept an invitation to her home, presumably because they want to take advantage of the opportunity to partake of her wealth. In the end, the anti-wealth prejudice is negated not because they realize that people in a variety of circumstances - rich, poor, different heritage/customs/physical characteristics, etc., are still just people, but because it turned out that she wasn't actually wealthy. She was just like them - so it was okay to be her friend.

I feel like this book was THISCLOSE to being awesome, but it missed an important opportunity to teach young people how to actually build bridges in whatever situation they may find. The unresolved assumption that they could have no reason to befriend a child whose family had means, and that it was reasonable to ostracize her, was a little repugnant to me.

That being said, there is much, very much, to redeem this book; and if the parent/adult is wise, the failings it has can be a jumping off point for discussing the subtle, latent prejudice that still remained and talk about how it could have been different with a retelling.
4137717
Frederica is a charming book to read with many wonderful characters, including the responsible, bright, and caring title character, the oldest child of a family of 5 children.  Not having any way to get her lovely sister introduced into London society, Frederica dares to ask a distant relative to "launch" her by pretending to be the family's "guardian."  The relative, Lord Alverstoke (Vernon) is a bored, rich man of 36 who has little affection for his own sisters who constantly ask him for favors.  Why should he help these distant cousins?

Part of the charm of Georgette Heyer's writing is her insight into human nature.  Of course, Alverstoke launches the lovely cousin Charis into London society, but for less than honorable reasons.  Over the course of time, Alverstoke gets to know the whole family better and finds himself slowly embroiled in their affairs.  I won't ruin the story by telling you all the inventive ways Alverstoke gets "caught" by the honorable Frederica and her family, but this book is one of the most charming and realistic of Heyer's work.  She is particularly good at showing the feelings and motivations of Frederica's two youngest brothers as they get to know Alverstoke.

That said, the real story is about the inner life of Lord Alverstoke, and much of the book tells us about his musings on the various members of the family and why he has agreed to help them.  He is the character who changes the most over the course of the novel, so it is particularly appropriate that this book is narrated by an actor as accomplished as Philip Norgate.  His voice for Alverstoke is warm, amused, and maturely masculine, yet he can also produce lighter voices for Frederica, the other women characters and the young boys.  Still, because we so want to "hear" Alverstoke's character grow, Norgate's reading is particularly fine for this Heyer book which gives the male character lots of room to reflect and grow.

As with most of Heyer's books, Frederica has many wonderful secondary characters, colorful scenes of London and its countryside, and sparkling dialogue.  But even more than most of her books, Heyer seemed to put a lot of heart and love of family in this book.

This CD version enhances the book's many enjoyments.
2515521
Any teacher who is familiar with the classic book&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Fortunately/dp/0689716605/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Fortunately</a>&nbsp;will be on very comfortable territory with Jeff Mack's charming and irresistible new book, "Good News, Bad News".

The two main characters of his new book are a rabbit and a mouse, who decide to undertake an adventure together by going on a picnic. The friends then encounter a bevy of trials and tribulations together as they try to enjoy their food. When Mouse finally gets fed up with all of the danger they've been put through (rain, bears, lightening among the many!), he delivers a harsh message to Rabbit who falls apart. When seeing the effect on his friend, and in view of the clouds breaking up, Mouse changes his heart and decides to go on with the picnic, and all is wonderfully forgiven.

The artwork of this book is charming, and the simple text would easily lead to much discussion with a youngster about what is happening on each page. Also, the books charming message of treating people nicely and forgiving a friend is clearly shown and appreciated.

This is a charming, delightful book, great for toddlers and young children, and it would make a perfect, perfect bedtime story!
4082365
This is a charming and well written cambodian folk tale about a clever rabbit that manages to outwit a much larger and ferocious crocodile.  The message is brains over brawn, a theme most children easily relate to.  Adults will also enjoy the intelligence and wit of the prose as well as the  colorful and and detailed illustrations.
3455065
This is a unique and fun story about a ball of yarn, Edmund, who grapples with something that many teenagers face: a desire to adventure outside the comfort of home to see what the world has to offer. This is a coming-of-age story with plenty of string puns to go around.

I wasn't expecting a story about a ball of yarn to be so sweet. The illustrations are bright, bold, geometric, and cheerful. The story is simple enough for children to understand, but Edmunds conflict is one that most (if not all) adults can relate to. As he learns, Of course Edmund continued to journey, but now he was sure to visit home before completely unraveling.

Of course being a childrens book, the younger crowd is sure to enjoy it- but I think it would be well appreciated by teens as well, given the message. I can see this being a cute thinking of you gift for the college-bound offspring as a not-so-subtle reminder to visit home. Highly recommended
747629
A beautifully illustrated book with a wonderful message. Highly recommended.
2700548
Admittedly, I was initially turned off by the title. My cousin lent me her copy during my stay at her house. I purchased my own copy on Amazon the next day.
This was such a lovely fable, filled with relevant life philosophies we all can adopt to make our days more pleasant, beautiful, and fulfilling. Its messages are universal. (Don't let the reference to God throw you. This is more of a "spiritual" than a "religious" text.)
The key to this book is in the quality of the message, rather than the sophistication of the prose. This being the case, you should expect somewhat unsophisticated language and a large typeface. However, I think the book's simplicity is what makes it so charming and accessible.
I can't wait to pass this along to all of my friends.
1046995
Focusing on advice and inspiration for mid-life and beyond, Marsha Sinetar's latest book is a winner. She takes a whimsical new approach, exploring how to live a spirit-filled life through a correspondence between two lively, intellectually curious longtime friends.
The two friends discuss their contrasting viewpoints: one, which should be familiar to Sinetar's fans, looks at a prayerful life, while the other friend has a more secular style. But Sinetar ultimately shows readers how they can age well, with humor and an open heart. "Don't Call Me Old" is a charming, quick read, but a book readers will want to revisit again and again.
60694
There are a few rather gentle messages in this lovely tale... the main two for me were around parenting and the acceptance of diversity. The illustrations complemented the text quite well. I thoroughly enjoyed the use of repetitive text. A fun read.
3153100
This really is a lovely little book to enjoy with the children. The author is a very talented illustrator and the simple message this book gives to you is complemented really well by the quirky and funny pictures. I'd recommend anybody gives this book a chance, I certainly wasn't disappointed.
722821
I agree with all the other reviews that I have read up until posting my own. It's a very charming story that warms the heart. You don't have to be from California to enjoy this book but if you are or are familiar with Cali you will giggle a little at all the familiar references. I also loved the message of how we all have dreams and we should all be free and welcome enough to follow them because our dreams benefit not just us but everyone around us. Thank you Terry for this adorable story I will treasure it and add it to my collection of inspiring children's books.
4708811
I purchased a used edition, which was slightly creased, but that was OK, since I didn't want to spend the money on the hard cover book.  At any rate, I read this classic, because I had not read it as a child, and enjoyed it. Children's books today are written with such simple sentences that I worry that my granddaughter might not have the patience to negotiate it! The story is charming and sends a message that with energy, imagination and sincerity, a young person can overcome disadvantaged circumstances to win the love and respect of those around her.  Rebecca's difficulties do not go away entirely, and her dreams may never be completely realized, but she goes forth with confidence and greater maturity.
3698766
The Boy and the Sea, by Orna Gadish, is a poignant story with a beautiful message for growing children. It is also a message for adults who feel a little down on their luck. Its a story about abundance around us. Its a message about what got us started in life, and what sustains us onward. The ending is a reminder that we never lose touch with who we really are.

I have always believed that stories such as this, especially stories for children, need to contain a moral message. Such messages hidden or woven into the story line sink into the psyches of the young. The messages help children in their decision making processes as they grow and mature.

The sea, the fish, sand castles, and other symbols, as well as the art, will appeal to the young and hold their attention. I can see this story becoming a favorite of children, read time and again.
2526289
I originally picked out this book because of the delightful cover. I was drawn to the beautiful pictures, and inspired by the uplifting message. This is a charming book that will delight readers of all ages!  At this tragic time in our lives, we need more books like this, as we can all triumph from the deeper meaning of the text!
459884
This is a sweet book with a really special message. I have to admit, I enjoyed this book more than my 9 yr old son, but it was clear that we both got the message: good things can come from things that are bad, or things that we don't like. You just have to learn to look at the bright side of things!