Tales from an African Vet by Dr. Roy Aronson

224 pages
Published in October 2010
by Lyons Press
A division of Globe Pequot Press
Guilford, CT

"The longer I live and work as a vet, the more i have come to realize that all creatures have a right to life, and that I should do everything in my power to save them." ~ Dr. Roy Aronson

Tales From An African Vet is a new release (available within the US as of 2011) and the freshman work of Dr. Roy Aronson. In Tales, Dr. Aronson shares from his 25+ years of experience as a veterinarian in both the cities and wild bush of South Africa. From saving a pet monkey, to debunking the myths of rhinoceros horns, to setting up an operating room in the middle of the African bush in order to fix the eyelid of a lioness, these tales are both fascinating, enlightening, and at times even funny.

I must admit, what initially attracted me to Tales was my previous enjoyment of British vet, James Herriot's books (All Creatures Great and Small, etc). When I began reading Tales from an African Vet I half expected Dr. Aronson's writing to be like James Herriot's; complete with the side-splitting humor, but alas Dr. Aronson is no Herriot. Although there are a few humorous moments, Tales reads much more like a journal than it does a story, which makes sense considering Dr. Aronson pulled from 25-years worth of journals to create this book. My only complaint is that I wish he had added more dialogue so that narrative didn't feel so flat. On the other hand, Dr. Aronson's writing is clear and descriptive. Having no background in veterinarian science I could easily become lost in his surgery descriptions, but Dr. Aronson takes care to explain in terms that any laymen can understand, and this I truly appreciated.

Overall I thought Tales from an African Vet was very interesting and definitely a worthwhile read. Through this book I gained a better understanding of the wild life of the African continent and the extreme beauty contained therein. And at 224 pages, Tales was the perfect length for a weekend read. I'm glad I stumbled upon it and I'll be keeping my eyes open for Dr. Aronson's next work, Reflections of an African Vet.



- Recommended 2011 Non-Fiction Reading.


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Related Links:

• Dr. Roy Aronson
• Facebook: Tales from an African Vet
• Twitter: @TheAfricanVet
• Amazon: Tales from an African Vet

That Dodger Horse by Delos W. Lovelace

177 pages
Published in 1956
by New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Company

Note: This is another book that I read in 2010, but I am only now getting around to reviewing. Please pardon the delay.

As regular readers of this blog will remember I am a big fan of Maud Hart Lovelace, so much so that I host an annual Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge every autumn. In the months leading up to the 2009 challenge (and during the challenge) I re-read Maud's popular and well-known Betsy-Tacy series as well as her recently republished Deep Valley series. Then in 2010 I expanded my reading to books outside the familiar and I read Gentlemen From England, a novel Maud co-wrote with her husband, Delos W. Lovelace. This in turn led me to pick up another novel by Delos, one written for young readers titled That Dodger Horse.

I am particularly intrigued with Delos, not only because he was an avid writer (journalist, biographer, and novelist), but also because he was the man that Maud loved. If she were Betsy then he was her Joe. In fact, she makes it no secret that she used many aspects of Delos when she created the character Joe Willard in her Betsy-Tacy books. And so, when I picked up That Dodger Horse and read that it was inspired by some of the adventures Delos had as a child while visiting his uncle's farm, I knew I was going to enjoy the read. It seemed exactly the type of book that Joe Willard would have written.

The Plot:

"A farm in Minnesota sounded like the end of the world to Glen. Any baseball teams there were certain to be small-town stuff, and even rumors of a tricky Morgan horse didn't intrigue him.

It was a big surprise to get out of the plan, meet Uncle Orlando, and find that Minnesota was a pretty nice place. It was a bigger surprise to find he liked the farm, and that it wasn't hard to make new friends. There was even a shortstop berth on the Grassy Point baseball team. it wasn't a bad team, either, though Otto Bolger, its star batter, seemed to dislike anyone he thought was a city slicker. It was Otto who dared glen to explore the dangers Indian Woods and got him into bad trouble.

The best part of the summer came with Dodger. Uncle Orlando bought the Dodger horse, a horse everybody knew you couldn't trust because he was so full of mischief. No doubt about it, Dodger was an extraordinary animal. He proved it that disastrous summer afternoon when the dark, whirling tornado hit.

From start to finish, it was an unusual vacation. By September Glen has changed a lot of his ideas. And those who read this lively, entertaining story will agree with Glen that a summer in the country with that Dodger horse is about the best thing that could happen to anyone." (Summary courtesy of the publisher.)

My Thoughts:
That Dodger Horse is a charming story filled with the innocent and fun loving adventures typical of children from my father's generation. As I read I could imagine my dad, as a young boy in the 50s and 60s, doing many of the same things -- playing baseball or dropping off a rope swing into a fishing hole or maybe exploring nearby woods with one of his friends.

The only drawback is that the book is a little dated, but that is to be expected of a book that is nearly 60 years old. The obvious difference is with the language (i.e. vocabulary, slang, a turn of phrase, etc.) are clearly from a different time, but rather than finding them hokey, I felt they made the story that much more interesting and fun for me to read. The only objectionable scene that I can remember is after Glen disobeys his uncle, which nearly results in some terrible consequences. To some this part of the story may be objectionable, but I believe taken in context of the time and place where the story is set it doesn't darken the story and perhaps a lesson can be learned by more then Glen.

Overall That Dodger Horse was a light and entertaining read and I am glad I tracked down a copy (even if it is a slightly marred library discard). I think, depending on the reader, That Dodger Horse could easily be enjoyed by young and old readers alike. Yes, the clothing styles and turn of phrases have changed, but the love for adventure that is born in every child's heart remains the same from generation to generation.

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Related Links:

If you like the sound of That Dodger Horse then be sure to check out a few other titles that you might likewise enjoy:

* Follow My Leader by James B. Garfield
* A Dog Called Scholar by Ann H. White (reviewed)
* Homer Price by Robert McCloskey (reviewed)
* Henry Huggens by Beverly Cleary
* Smoky, The Cow Horse by Will James (reviewed)
* My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craigshead George (reviewed)
* The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy by Jeanne Birdsall (reviewed)
* Mr. Wilmer by Robert Lawson (reviewed)
* Freddy Goes to Florida by Walter R. Brooks (reviewed)

The Tune Is In The Tree by Maud Hart Lovelace

177 pages
Published in 1950 by
Thomas Y. Crowell Company
New York, NY

The "tune is in the tree,"
The sceptic showeth
"No, sir! In thee!"
~ Emily Dickinson

Most readers who recognize the name Maud Hart Lovelace know it for her stories of Betsy, Tacy, and Tib. But in addition to the ten books in the Betsy-Tacy series, Maud Hart Lovelace also wrote three Deep Valley books, a countless number of short-stories and 11 other novels (ranging from children's stories to novels for adults).

The Tune Is In The Tree is one of these lesser-known eleven novels. Published the same year as Emily of Deep Valley, The Tune Is In The Tree is a children's fantasy story. It tells the story of a little girl named Annie Jo who spends the early months of one summer living with the birds while she waits for her father and mother's return.

The attentive reader will be rewarded by recognizing this story plot as one Betsy Ray decides to write in the final Betsy-Tacy book, Betsy's Wedding: "I think I'll write a story about a little girl going to live with the birds." While it's left to the reader to know if Betsy ever writes the story, Maud Hart Lovelace did in 1930, though it wasn't published for another two decades.

The Plot:
It all begins one evening when Mr. R. B. Robin discovers Annie Jo in the garden outside her cottage crying. Mr. R. B. Robin soon learns that Annie Jo is alone and uncertain of her parent's return. Her father, who earns his living as a pilot, has gone missing and her mother has left to find him. A neighbor was expected to come and take care of Annie Jo during her parents' absence, but a sprained ankle has kept the neighbor at home and now Annie Jo is alone. However with the special assistance of Miss Ruby, a hummingbird and a little magic straight out of a fairy-tale, Annie Jo is shrunk and given a pair of wings which permit her to go and live with Mr. R. B. Robin and his family and friends.

My thoughts:
The Tune Is In The Tree is a charming children's story that weaves subtle lessons in ornithology and nature with a fairy-tale perfect for any bedtime reading. The reader cannot help but cheer for Annie Jo as she learns to fly, or feel badly for the birds as they must face the "perfidious Mrs. Cowbird", and of course readers will wait with anticipation for the Oriel's Midsummer ball. The story's sweetness is only increased by the inclusion of black-and-white illustrations by Eloise Wilkins.

I first became familiar with the works of Eloise Wilkins as a child as she illustrated over 100 children's books, including several Golden Books. Her beautifully detailed and realistic drawings and paintings always seem to capture the essence of the story. And although the pictures within The Tune is in the Tree are all black-and-white they are just as delightful to the eye as any of her other works.

But then there's the bad news. As is the risk that must be run when reading an author long gone there is almost always a book or two that is out of print and difficult to locate. The Tune Is In The Tree is one such book. As far as I can tell it has been out of print for over fifty years and the only copies currently available range from $50-$250 a copy. And the value only increases as sellers realize the value of a Maud Hart Lovelace/Eloise Wilkins book. (Big sigh.) What a shame because this book is a treasure. But thanks to Inter Library Loan I was able to borrow a first edition copy to read. I can only hope the library will hang onto it long enough that I will be able to borrow it again in a couple years when my daughter will be old enough to enjoy it for herself.

In Summary
The Tune Is In The Tree is a delightful story for any young child, but especially those who have a love for fairies, animals, and make-believe. If you are so lucky as to have a library (or ILL) that possess a copy I highly recommend that you add it to your list to borrow and read.

As for me... I'll keep looking and wishing and hoping that one day it can be added to my own personal library. Who knows, maybe one day a publisher will reprint this work of art just as HarperCollins Publishers did with the Betsy-Tacy and Deep Valley books.

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Other Maud Hart Lovelace reviews

Monday Children's Picks of the Week

I am sorry to say I have a bad case of "the Mondays." I'm already behind in my list of To-Do for the week, but I didn't like missing a post about some of our favorite reads of late so here I am for the weekly pick of children's books.

As I've mentioned before, my daughter is 3 years-old. She's not yet ready for a structured preschool, but I thought it might be fun if we started doing something fun each week. You know a craft here, a special trip there, etc. As part of this we joined a casual group of moms and preschoolers who meet twice a month to have a lesson, craft, snack, game and Bible verse followed by a field trip. Each month is planned around a specific theme. September's theme is farm animals with the field trip being a trip to see all kinds of farm animals at the county fair.

We are both enjoying this opportunity to learn more about animals. We've done a few crafts, we've sung some animal songs, we've talked about animals and the sounds they make, and best of all we've read lots and lots of animal and farm books.

Two favorites that I want to highlight this week include:

Cock-a-Doodle-Quack! Quack! by Ivor Baddiel. (Published by David Fickling Books in the UK and by Random House Books in the US in 2007) This book is a great read-aloud for children ages 3-8.

In the story a baby rooster is born. Eager to begin his job on the farm he asks the other farm animals what he should say to wake them up each morning. He tries "cock-a-doodle-oink-oink" and "cock-a-doodle-moo-moo" to no avail. Finally the farm cat suggests the baby rooster go speak with the wise old owl. The wise old owl gives him a mysterious suggestion, which baby rooster chooses to follow. The result. At long last he learns the exact words he has to say to wake up the farm.

We learned about Cock-a-Doodle-Quack! Quack! from another mom/daughter in our co-op. It is both cute and funny, the perfect combination for a preschooler to enjoy. The illustrations by Sophie Jubb add to the delight of this book. Definitely put this one to your library list. A must read.

While browsing for non-fiction books about animals I discovered a collection called First Step Nonfiction Farm Animals by Robin Nelson and published between 2008 and 2009 by Lerner Publications Company of Minneapolis, MN. Each of these little hardcover books run approximately 20-25 pages and highlight a particular animal with photographs and short and simple sentences. "What lives on a farm? chickens live on a farm. A female chicken is a hen. A male chicken is a rooster." and so on and so forth. I picked up the books on Cows, Chickens, Horses, Pigs, Goats, and Sheep. I am hoping the author or publisher will expand this collection to include ducks, rabbits, and some of the other farm animals and pets. They are fun to read and touch upon enough information my 3 year old enjoys them and comes away knowing more than she did before we read. Again, great read-aloud books. I can't wait to refresh by visiting these animals at the fair!

Happy reading!

Emmaline and the Bunny by Katherine Hannigan - A reivew & children's pick of the week

94 pages
Published 2009
by Greenwillow Books
An Imprint of HarperCollins Publishers

As I have mentioned in the past, our library is currently under construction and as such has moved to a temporary location. This location is far too small, but it is better than no library at all. Story time is held in a corner of this new space tucked in between the non-fiction children's books and the juvenile literature. Occasionally while I am sitting with my daughter listening to the librarian read a story or introduce a song I will glance around and see a book I want to examine. Last week Emmaline and the Bunny by Katherine Hannigan caught my eye. I'm a sucker for bunny rabbit stories (but more on that later) so I added the book to our pile to borrow and read it over the weekend, immediately fell in love with the muted watercolor illustrations.

The illustrations are by no means Beatrix Potter-like. They are more dream-like in their depiction than they are real life-like. Still, the fit perfectly with the type of story that Emmaline and the Bunny is and I couldn't help, but have my heart melt at the sight of the little bunny with notch in his right ear and two very big and very dark eyes.

The Plot:
Emmaline and the Bunny is the story of Emmaline, a little girl who lives in a very tidy town called Neatasapin (neat-as-a-pin). Unfortunately Emmaline is NOT a tidy child. She likes to hop like a bunny, jump in water puddles until she's sopping wet, and cry out words like "Hoopalala!" and "Dinglederrydee!" But the trouble all begins when Emmaline decides she would like a bunny rabbit for a pet.

Orson Oliphant, the mayor of Neatasapin is a very tidy, very unhappy man who had banished all things untidy, dirty, or otherwise wild from the town limits including bunny rabbits.

Suddenly one day Emmaline sees a wild rabbit and follows him through a hole, much like Alice in Wonderland, and discovers a place called Untidy where all things dirty and wild live -- be they animals, weeds or dirt. Here she becomes friends with the rabbit whom she names "No More Only" and learns that in order to continue her friendship she must return home and create an "invitation" -- not a card, but a place that invites the bunny to live in comfort and peace. This means dirt, untidiness, and permitting things like weeds and bushes to grow. Is such a thing possible in a town like Neatasapin? What about Mayor Oliphant?

My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this little book and there were several things I loved in addition to the aforementioned water color illustrations.

For starters, I loved the simplicity of this story. It's the type of story that could easily be read aloud to a young child or enjoyed by a new reader (it was published for readers 9-12). There are chapters, but they are all short. For an adult this story could take less than an hour to read, but its brevity and simpleness doesn't detract from creative and almost magical setting.

At the same time the setting of Emmaline and the Bunny is a little bizarre. A town where everything is tidy and dirt is not permitted? A man like Orson Oliphant who yells and stamps his feet and orders everyone around? A place where people want to live, but must remain quiet, unemotional and clean as a whistle? No such place could ever exist in the real-world, but that's what is so magical about this story. It's not supposed to be real to life. Even the writing style doesn't exactly follow proper grammar. The entire story reads as a story one might hear told aloud. It is a story that one might hear a child telling. And it is a fun read.

Perhaps a big reason that I enjoyed this little book has something to do with the fact I have always loved rabbits (as mentioned above). As a young girl, and over the course of ten years, I had my own pet rabbits, five to be exact (Whitey, Snowball, Flowers, Shiner, and Mocha). I loved my bunny rabbits. And even today, decades later I can still identify with Emmaline's love for these little creatures with their long ears, their cute little hop hop hopping, and their and fur so soft and warm it reminds one of "tickles and bedtime hugs" and "summer clouds."

One last thing I liked about this book has nothing to do with the story, but everything to do with the book. Emmaline and the Bunny was published in 2009 by Greenwillow Books whose purpose is to publish only books that are "green." Green meaning not that the book is the color green (although Emmaline and the Bunny does have a green book cover) but that their books are published on recycled paper and with recycled materials. Emmaline and the Bunny is a delightful size (measuring roughly 7"x6"), the paper feels like real paper and yet trees, water, and energy were conserved even in the making of this first edition. What a great idea! I am all for recycling. It is the perfect example of practicing conversation. From the start of time people have been commanded to take proper care of the earth and everything on it -- plants, minerals, animals, and fellow human-beings I love when this is carried out in practical ways.

Emmaline and the Bunny is the second book by author, Katherine Hannigan. Her first book, Ida B... and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster and (Possibly) Save the World is on my "look for" list during a future trip to the library. I enjoy Ms. Hannigan's imaginative story-telling and look forward to sharing her books with my daughter in a few years.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo

200 pages
Published 2006, First Edition
Candlewick Press
Cambridge Massachusetts

I'm trying to remember when I first discovered The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. I think it must have been shortly after the book was published in 2006 and I think I saw it on a shelf at B&N. At any rate I remember the cover art distinctly as it interested me and the plot summary printed inside was very intriguing... And yet, for some reason I tucked the book away as a "I'll check this out another time." And then I promptly forgot all about it.

I was reminded of it when I picked up The Tale of Despereaux last year, but once again I filed it away to read at a later date.

And then... As "chance" would have it one day during story time I looked up at the bookshelf above where my daughter and I were sitting cross-legged on the floor and there it was: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. I remembered how much I had enjoyed The Tale of Despereaux, so I had high hopes for Edward Tulane when I got it home and began reading. I was not disappointed.

The Plot:
"Once, in a house on Egypt Street, there lived a china rabbit named Edward Tulane. The rabbit was very pleased with himself, and for good reason: he was owned by a girl named Abilene, who treated him with the utmost care and adored him completely. And then, one day, he was lost." (Summary courtesy of the publisher)

My Thoughts:
I just loved this book. Perhaps I'm a softy when it comes to anything rabbits. As a child I had several pet rabbits, a rabbit puppet and some stuffed animal rabbits. But I had nothing like Edward Tulane.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane is such a touchingly beautiful tale of love, friendship, sacrifice, and humility. Kate DiCamillo has received numerous awards for her children's novels and from what I've read I believe they are well deserved. DiCamillo is a gifted storyteller. As with The Tale of Despereaux I found Edward Tulane a creative and unique story. It was fun to read and had beautifully corresponding illustrations. It taught morals without being preachy or passe. It was charming and cute and yet also addressed some darker aspects of life in a delicate manner that made the book an appropriate read-aloud even for young children. I find that there's something about DiCamillo's storytelling that make the stories seem to have come from the early part of the last century -- and yet, they don't feel old or out of date. There's something almost magical about this book. It's certainly not Watership Down, but then it's not exactly The Velveteen Rabbit either. It's a fantsy with charm and it's a delightful read.

One thing is for certain, this book is going on my "Wish List" and I am adding it to the ever growing list of books I want to read aloud to my daughter. If you have not given this or any of DiCamillo's books a chance I'd highly recommend you begin with The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. Of course it might also be fun to read The Tale of Despereaux, especially considering there's an animated adaptation available to watch after reading the story, but that... is for another review, which can be read here.

DiCamillo has three other children's novels I have yet to read, but having enjoyed these two so immensely I am adding the others to my TBR list and hope to get to read them within the next year.

The Tale of Despereaux: The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread by Kate DiCamillo

269 pages
Published 2003
Scholastic
New York, NY

I admit I am a little behind the times with this review. I'd heard of The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo at some time prior to the 2008 movie adaptation, but never gave it more than a passing glance. And then after seeing some positive reviews by other bloggers I added it to my TBR list. A few weeks ago while browsing the shelves of my local library I came upon it and decided it was time to read the story.

For those of you still unfamiliar with this children's novel, The Tale of Despereaux is an animal adventure and fairytale that is told through four sub-books within the main book.

In Book 1 the reader meets the unlikely hero of the story, Despereaux, a small mouse who was born with his eyes open and with overly large ears. Despereaux lives in a castle along with his family and a rather large mice clan. Throughout the chapters of Book 1 the reader comes to learn that Despereaux is not your average mouse. Instead of doing as the other mice do, (i.e. chew pages of books and chase after crumbs) Despereaux loves to read books and listen to music. It is because of his love for books and music that he meets the beautiful (human) Princess named Pea. And it is because of this meeting that Despereaux must set off on a great adventure and face many a danger to save himself and the Princess Pea.

Book 2: The story switches to the dungeons of the castle where the reader meets a young rat named Chiaroscuro (a.k.a. Roscuro). Through the chapters of Book 2 the reader learns what role Roscuro plays in Despereaux's great adventure and his sad connection to the royal family.

Book 3: Once again the story switches to another character, this time a young peasant girl named Miggery Sow, who dreams of one day becoming a princess. Throughout Book 3 the reader learns about poor Miggery's existence and what brings her to the castle and eventually leads her to play an unfortunate part in Despereaux's great adventure.

Book 4: The last book within the novel brings Despereaux, Roscuro and Miggery together (as well as some supporting characters) to reach the climax of the story and in time the fairytale ending.

Overall I found Ms. DiCamillo too be a good story teller. She weaves important lessons within The Tale of Despereaux and gives a nice twist on what could have been a run-of-the-mill fairytale by having a mouse play the part of the knight in shining armor.

The Tale of Despereaux is a children's story (intended for ages 9-12), but it can make for a charmingly short read for adults too, or even as a great read aloud to younger children (5-8). Because it is a book intended for young readers there are some things I should mention.

First, Ms. DiCamillo, as the narrator, does interrupt the story at intervals to define difficult words, or in some cases encourages the young reader to go look up a word when they don't know its meaning. For the adult reader this method of narrating can distract from the story, but personally I'm willing to overlook it as the novel is after all a children's story.

And second, there is one word of warning I would give with regards to The Tale of Despereaux. Throughout the book the story touches upon some scary and difficult subject matter (i.e. the death of a loved one, the physical and emotional abuse that Miggery Sow endures, the deplorable conditions of the dungeon, etc.). I would suggest parents take the time to preview the book before reading aloud or giving it to a young child to read, so they can be prepared to answer questions or concerns or hold off on sharing the story with too young a reader.

On a scale of 1-5, 1 being horrible and 5 being excellent I would rate The Tale of Despereaux a 4. I really enjoyed the story and found it to be a cute, charming, fresh, and entertaining read. That said, I didn't run out and buy a copy. I was contented to borrow one from my local library. Although I enjoyed the story it is unlikely that I will re-read the book, at least not until my daughter is older.

As a side note, I still haven't seen the movie adaptation of The Tale of Despereaux, but I plan to borrow it from my library as well, as I'm curious to see if it's as good as the book. And because I enjoyed The Tale of Despereaux so much I am open to reading more of Ms. DiCamillo's works, particularly The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. Watch for my review to appear sometime in the coming months.

Oliver Finds His Way by Phyllis Root

40 pages
Published 2002
Candlewick Press
Cambridge, MA

Oliver Finds His Way by Phyllis Root is currently one of my daughter's favorite stories.

The Plot:
While Mama hangs the wash out and Papa rakes the leaves, Oliver chases a big yellow leaf... all the way to the edge of the woods. Oliver stops. He looks around. Nothing is familiar. "Mama? Papa?" he calls. No answer. Oliver is lost! A small bear looks for -- and finds -- big courage and a way home. (Summary courtesy of the publisher)

My Thoughts:
There are so many reasons that I like this book. For starters, I liked that the story is actually based off a real-life incident from the author's own childhood. Although it's a story about a little boy bear, it's something that any child can identify with.

As for the text, Ms. Root's story is simple, but fun to read, even after the 20th time. The sentences are short and the words are simple, yet the story still contains depth and an interesting plot.

Mr. Denise's illustrations are another reason I like this book so much. They are perfect for this particular story and I just love the muted colors that he used to depict the fall colors of the leaves and bushes and also how adorably cute and roly-poly Oliver appears in his red plaid coat and denim overalls.

My daughter's favorite part of the story is when Oliver roars for his parents. Every time she has the book read to her she roars right along with Oliver. Then the other day I came upon her "reading" the book to herself; she was pointing out various things in the story and saying their name (i.e. yellow, mama, papa, baby, etc.) and roaring when she came to the pages where Oliver is calling for his parents.

Although Oliver Finds His Way was published for children aged 4-8 it makes for great read aloud for those as young as 2 (which is my daughter's age). And with the summer over and the leaves starting to change it's definitely the right season for a story about a boy chasing a yellow leaf. I found my copy in the children's section at my local library, but for those interested in adding to their children's library this might be a good book to consider.

A Dog Called Scholar by Anne H. White

158 pages

Published 1963

The Viking Press

New York, NY

A few weeks back I was browsing the children's book section for stories to read aloud to my daughter when I passed by the Juvenile section and A Dog Called Scholar caught my eye.

Out of curiosity I did a little digging on the Internet, but couldn't find much about A Dog Called Scholar or its author, Anne H. White. Apparently this book hasn't fared as well as other books from the same era, it and its author didn't even warrant a spot on Wikipedia. And because of this I guess I shouldn't have been surprised when I discovered it wasn't even properly listed on Shelfari, someone had posted the book but with the illustrator as being the author! (Yes, I changed it.)

But despite it's near anonymity I really enjoyed A Dog Called Scholar, so I'm hoping to draw some attention to it through this review.

The Plot:
A Dog Called Scholar is set in the present day (of publication, around 1963) in what I suspect to be a rural New England town. As the story opens a litter of Golden Retriever puppies has been born to two of Mr. and Mrs. Woodward Wilson's most prized "Wonder Dogs." Unfortunately while most of the litter appears to carry on their parents beauty and breeding, there is one little ball of fluff that appears different. Not exactly the runt, but definitely a little slow, this puppy is dubbed, Little Moo. It doesn't take long for Mrs. Wilson to decide they must be rid of Little Moo and as soon as possible before he has a chance of clouding the Wilson Wonder Dog name as well as their popularity.

Enter the Tucker family with their two children, Clem and Susie. Some time previous to this story the Wilson's stayed with the Tuckers while both family's were abroad in Europe. It is when Mrs. Wilson considers Little Moo's fate that she remembers she never properly thanked the Tuckers for their hospitality by way of a gift and that giving Little Moo to the Tuckers would be the solution to all her problems.

The Tuckers (excepting Mr. Tucker) are delighted to have their very own dog and it isn't long before Little Moo is adopted into the Tucker family and renamed Cubby... and then later Scholar. The rest of the story follows the comedic adventures of Scholar with the Tuckers and around town. The climax of the story actually comes in the last chapter when the Wilson's return, having learned what a wonderful dog Scholar turned out to be, and try to buy him back much to the distres of everyone, but Mr. Tucker. From this point until the end of the chapter and likewise the end of the book the story becomes a page-turner. What will be the fate of Scholar?

My Thoughts:
From start to finish A Dog Called Scholar is a delightfully charming and funny story about a dog and his family. In some ways it reminded me of a 1960s children's version of the popular Marley and Me (reviewed), but only a little (Scholar is not quite as crazy as Marley). A Dog Called Scholar is a great read for dog lovers of all ages, but especially for children. I would even say it could make for a great read-aloud to younger children and I'm adding it to the long list of books I want to share with my daughter when she gets a little older, as she is a big fan of dogs.

On a scale of 1-5, 1 being horrible and 5 being excellent I would rate A Dog Called Scholar a 4. It is a charming, yet dated story (there are lots of references to life during the 1960s which would be quite foreign to a child of the millennium), still it is a fun read and one that should not be quickly forgotten. Check your local library, they might have a copy. If not, used copies can be found online at a very affordable price (under $5).

As a side note, during my online research I discovered Ms. White published a few other novels, including one that Robert McCloskey illustrated. I definitely want to check that one out.

Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne

161 pages

Copyright 1926, reprinted 1988

Dutton Children's Books

New York, NY

I've always loved Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends in The Hundred Acre Wood. I can remember watching a cartoon episode of his adventures almost every Saturday as a child. So I don't mind that he has become the most loved stuffed toy that my daughter possesses. Currently she loves anything Winnie-the-Pooh and is quick to point out "Pigget", "Tigger", "Owl", "Eeyore" and "Roo."

So I am glad I took the time to read Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne, as I'm not sure I've ever had it read to me.

For those unfamiliar with the book, Winnie-the-Pooh is the first of two children's story books about a young boy named Christopher Robin and his friends who live in The Hundred Acre Wood, including the lovable bear without much brain, "Edward Bear" also known as "Winnie-the-Pooh", also known as "Pooh."

The stories within Winnie-the-Pooh are told through narration, presumably the author (who happened to be the father of the real Christopher Robin). The book consists of ten chapters following the adventures that Christopher Robin, Winnie-the-Pooh, Piglet, Owl, Rabbit, Kanga, and Roo share together. I found it interesting to note that in this first book about Pooh Bear there is no Tigger. Perhaps he'll appear in the next book?

While love, friendship, honesty, sharing and other such honorable traits abound in the stories they aren't really the point of the stories. Rather, the stories are meant to be cute, charming, and comical stories that children will love and which make excellent bed time reading. Between the excellent story tale writing and the scattered pen and ink illustrations throughout the pages Winnie-the-Pooh is a wonderful read-aloud for young children.

On a scale of 1-5, 1 being horrible and 5 being excellent I would rate A. A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh a 5. It is a timeless classic that I can't wait to share with my daughter, perhaps next year after I've had a chance to add it to her personal library collection.

If you haven't read Winnie-the-Pooh be sure to add it to your list. You'll enjoy it as will the children you share it with.

A Bear Called Paddington by Michael Bond

128 pages
Copyright 1958, printed 1976
Dell Publishing Co, Inc.
New York, NY

A Bear Called Paddington is the first of a series of 15 books by English author, playwright, and screenwriter, Michael Bond.

The Plot:
Mr. and Mrs. Brown first met Paddington -- a most endearing bear from Darkest Peru -- on a railway platform in London. A sign hanging around his neck said, "Please look after this bear. Thank you." So that is just what they did.

From the very first night when he attempted his first bath and ended up nearly flooding the house, Paddington was seldom far from imminent disaster. Jonathan and Judy were delighted with this havoc and even Mr. and Mrs. Brown had to admit that life seemed to be more filled with adventure when there was a bear in the house. (summary courtesy of A Yearling Book, Dell Publishing Company)

My Thoughts:
As I mentioned last month, my earliest memories of Paddington Bear date back to my childhood. My family had a short children's book that included a few stories about Paddington Brown, all of which are also included in Bond's first book, A Bear Called Paddington. I distinctly remember Paddington had a blue coat with toggles and a funny hat, that he often got into scrapes, but was always very polite, and that he loved marmalade sandwiches. All those memories pretty much sum up the Paddington stories in a nutshell.

A Bear Called Paddington is a relatively simple and fast read for adults, which is not surprising as the book was originally intended for readers aged 9-12. As a child I remember liking the stories and now as an adult I found the stories contained in the first book to be funny and entertaining. There isn't a chapter where something doesn't go wrong, but a lesson is usually learned, adventures are had, and things are always made right in the end. Paddinton is a sweet, but very curious little bear, whose adventures and antics will continue to win the hearts of readers of all ages through the ages. I look forward to sharing the books with my daughter when she is a little older.

My summary:
On a scale of 1-5, 1 being horrible and 5 being excellent I would rate, A Bear Called Paddington a 4.5. I really enjoyed the book.

Most readers should be able to locate these books at their local library, but in the event they cannot, copies are still available in print at book stores and online. I purchased the first five books in the series at a local library sale for $0.62! And for those interested in the BBC animated television series, The Adventures of Paddington Bear, you can learn more about it by reading my review here.

Friday Finds

It's no secret I love old books. I love the way they smell, I love the yellowed pages and the black and white illustrations. I even love it that discovering them is like finding a lost treasure.

My most recent find is the first in a series of 11 children's books titled Billy and Blaze by C. W. Anderson (Clarence William Anderson).

As you might guess the Billy and Blaze books are about a young boy and his horse Blaze, which he receives as a surprise birthday gift in the first book, Billy and Blaze. The rest of the books in the series follow the adventures Billy and Blaze have together along with their dog-friend, Rex.

While most of the books in the series contain some key lesson along with lessons on the proper care for horses, Billy and Blaze is mainly the setting of the series. The book begins, "Billy was a little boy who loved horses more than anything else in the world..." and continues as his dreams begin to come true. The story is short, sweet, and simple with a happy ending for Billy and the reader.

But it wasn't just the story that caught my attention, it was also Anderson's pen and ink illustrations. Yes, they might be considered dated in nature (what boy today wears a tie and dress shoes while horseback riding?), but they are also beautiful works of art, I just loved looking at them.

Although intended as an early reader book, the writing style is simple enough and the illustrations are frequent and full-page in size, that I decided to read it aloud to my 23 month-old daughter. Apparently she liked the book well enough too as she sat and listened while I read, occasionally pointing to the animals in the illustrations (and making the appropriate animal sound).

Having enjoyed the book I became curious to learn more about C. W. Anderson. I Googled him, and found some details about his life. Like Will James, Anderson loved horses a great deal. He not only spent a great deal of time riding and caring for them, but would also spend hours drawing very detailed pictures, which eventually led him to writing his own books. Altogether Anderson wrote and illustrated over 40 books, including his best known Billy and Blaze series.

Anderson's first book, And So To Bed was published in 1935 and his last, The Blind Connemara in 1971. Readers may also stumble upon his work in other areas as he illustrated a great number of books for other authors as well as a couple covers of the Saturday Evening Post.

Have I pricked your curiosity? The good news is a few of his books, including Billy and Blaze are still available in print for less than $7. As for those that are out of print, I'd suggest checking your local library (you never know) or a used book seller (in person or online).

Smoky, The Cow Horse by Will James

310 pages

copyright 1926, renewed 1954

Charles Scribner's Sons

New York, NY

As I mentioned in my What's On My Nightstand May post, I stumbled upon Smoky: The Cow Horse by Will James while browsing the fiction section of my local public library. As has happened many times in the past, once I discovered the book I was determined to bring it home and read it, not only because the story plot seemed interesting, but also because the book smelled so incredibly good, just as an old book should.

Published in 1926, Smoky was an instant hit. The book was published in September of that year and reprinted ten more times before the end of year! It won James the Newbery Medal for children's literature in 1927. It also caught the attention of Hollywood which resulted in three film adaptations over the next forty years, including a version with Fred MacMurry (a favorite actor of mine) in 1946, a version which was narrated by Will James himself in 1933, and most recently in 1966.

Smoky is the story of a horse, born in the wild and trained by a cowboy to become one of the best cow horses in the western United States. The book, told in the third person, but from Smoky's perspective, chronicles the adventures Smoky encounters throughout his life, as well as the friends and enemies he makes along the way.

I believe what Will James wrote in the preface of the book illustrates perfectly what the story of Smoky is all about: "To me, the horse is man's greatest, most useful, faithful, and powerful friend. He never whines when he's hungry or sore footed or tired, and he'll keep on going for the human till he drops. The horse is not appreciated and never will be appreciated enough, -- few humans, even them that works him, really know him, but then there's so much to know about him... The horse I wrote of in this book is not an exception; there's quite a few like him... Smoky is just a horse, but all horse and that I think is enough said."

Generally I am not a big fan of westerns. I enjoy them, but I don't read very many of them. I guess growing up I saw more than my share of western movies (my family owned the entire John Wayne collection of movies on VHS). For a long time I felt a little burned out when it came to tales of cowboys, horses, and shoot-'em-up westerns. And so, when I began reading Smoky I wasn't sure if I would enjoy it, but I can honestly say I did.

Smoky is an interesting, fast paced, and humorous read. James' writing style is unique -- he wrote as he talked , which means the book includes its share of slang and informal English. Still the book was an easy read and I found the book realistically and beautifully depicted what life was like in the wild west for both man and beast during the early part of the 20th century. I think it's important to note that because Smoky was intended as a children's book there is a lack of extreme violence and language. But it isn't missed. I was impressed, though not surprised with how well the story is told (including the bad), how black the blackguard is depicted, all without spelling it out in a vulgar or profane way.

Overall, I really truly enjoyed Smoky. I learned a lot about horses, cowboys, ranches, rodeos and the like all the while being caught up in the exciting adventures that Smoky encountered. My heart strings were pulled, I laughed, and when I reached the end of the story I was pleased and inspired to imagine what happened in Smoky's remaining days.

Yes, Smoky was a fun read. A true American classic from the 20th century that should not be forgotten. It is a great read for young and old readers alike and a fun read aloud for young children who have an interest in cowboys and horses. On a scale of 1-5, 1 being horrible and 5 being excellent I would rate Smoky: The Cow Horse a 4. I really enjoyed this book and hope to share it with my children one day. While I borrowed this copy, I am on the lookout for any used copies of James' novels. If the others are as enjoyable as Smoky they are books I'd consider adding to my personal library.

As a side note, for those interested: Will James wrote and illustrated 23 books, all of which include his own beautiful pen and ink illustrations. For more information check out the Nevada Writer's Hall of Fame website, the Will James Art Company, and The Will James Society.

One Hundred And One Dalmatians by Dodie Smith

Before it was the 1961 Walt Disney animated film One Hundred And One Dalmatians it was a children's story by Dodie Smith. I never knew this until I stumbled upon a copy of the book at my local library book sale.

For the most part the plot remains the same between the novel One Hundred And One Dalmatians (a.k.a The Hundred And One Dalmatians) published in 1956 and the animated film, though there are several discrepancies between the two when it comes to details. (More on that later.)

For those unfamiliar with the story, One Hundred and One Dalmatians is the story of two dalmatians, Pongo and Misses Pongo (a.k.a. Misses) who live with their "pets", Mr. and Mrs. Dearly and the Dearly's former Nannies, Nanny Cook and Nanny Butler. Not long after the Dearlys and the Pongos both get married Misses gives birth to a litter of 15 puppies. Also around this same time the entire household encounters a former classmate of Mrs. Dearly, Cruella deVil and her husband, Mr. deVil. The deVils are in the fur trade -- Mr. deVil makes fur clothing and Cruella wears it. And it is immediately obvious that the only animals Cruella likes come in the form of a fur coat or stole.

The story takes a sinister turn when the puppies mysteriously disappear after a visit from Cruella. Through the "twilight barking" (a form of communication amongst the dogs of England) Pongo learns the puppies have been dog-napped by henchmen hired by Cruella and they will be made into fur coats.

With the aide of various dogs and cats across the English countryside, Pongo and Misses set out to rescue their puppies only to discover they must save not only their 15, but another 82 puppies of varying sizes.

The rest of the story follows very much the same story plot that the 1961 animated film does, with a few minor variations. The most obvious changes from the book to the film were the details of who made up the 101 dalmatians. In the movie it is Pongo and Perdita and 99 puppies, but in the book the adults are Pongo and Misses (as referred above) with two additional adult dongs, Prince and Perdita, and then the 82 puppies. Another interesting variation from the book to the film has to do with the Dearlys. In the film they are named Radcliffe and Mr. Radcliffe is a musician, but in the book Mr. Dearly is a financial wizard who makes a fortune solving the English government's financial problems.

Overall The Hundred And One Dalmatians is charming and fun and imaginative read. The villains are villainous, but the good guys win and all is put right with a proper happily-ever-after ending. I really enjoyed the story and plan to read it to my daughter when she's older. I would definitely recommend this to readers, both young and old.

At 199 pages it makes for a great read aloud to children, but could be read easily enough by older children on their own. I found the book a relatively fast read that had short chapters and a clear writing style. The only objectionable material would be in the villainous behavior of Cruella, but Ms. Smith makes a point of depicting Cruella in a very devilish way so any objectionable behavior should be able to be excused by the reader as par to Cruella's wickedness.

On a scale of one to five, one being horrible and five being excellent, I would rate One Hundred And One Dalmatians a 4 or 4.5. I really liked this book. I found it a refreshing change from another work I read by Ms. Smith earlier last year.

Readers should be able to find a copy at their local library to borrow, but I think this is one book that readers should consider adding to their personal library, it's that good a read.

As a side note for those who have read One Hundred And One Dalmatians, Dodie Smith wrote a sequel, The Starlight Barking, but from what I can tell it is much more fantastical of a story and not quite up to par with the original.

Charlotte's Web by E.B. White

It may be hard to believe, but until this past week I'd never read Charlotte's Web. Years ago I saw the 1973 animated film adaptation, but that's not the same thing and I am sorry I waited so long; it is such a charming and sweet story.

Charlotte's Web is the story of a young girl named Fern and a spider named Charlotte who befriend a pig and ultimately save his life.

It all begins when a farmer, Mr. Arable, discovers his new litter of pigs includes a runt. Not expecting the pig to survive or amount to anything, Mr. Arable decides to kill it, but his daughter, Fern, comes to the rescue and names the pig, Wilbur. For a few weeks Wilbur lives with Fern, but is eventually sold to her uncle, Homer Zuckerman. It is at the Zuckerman farm that Wilbur meets a little gray spider named Charlotte. It is also on this farm that Wilbur learns that come winter he will be killed and turned into bacon. Fearing for his life Wilbur begins to panic, but Charlotte promises to save Wilbur's life and Charlotte never breaks a promise. The rest of the story and all the supporting cast, both the humans and the farm animals, make this story a delightful children's classic.

Already an editor and writer for several newspapers, E.B. White began to write children's stories in the 1930s for his niece, but it wasn't until the 1940s that any of them were published. The first was Stuart Little, which was soon followed by Charlotte's Web, and later The Trumpet of the Swan. Some readers may also recognize E. B. White's name for his work in co-editing the do's and don'ts of grammar with William Strunk, Jr. in the book, Elements of Style. It might seem unlikely that the editor of a book on grammar could also be successful as a children's author, but nothing could be further from the truth. Charlotte's Web is entertaining and endearing.

As I mentioned above, it's been years since I saw the animated film version. In 2006 another adaptation was made this time as a live-action/computer-animated film version staring Dakota Fanning and Julia Roberts, and many other well-known actors. After reading Charlotte's Web, I borrowed a copy of this movie to see how it compared with the book. The book translates beautifully to the screen and the acting is well done. There are definitely some variations between the book and the movie and the movie and the book, but for the most part the story stays true to the story and I really enjoyed it.

I can't really compare this new film (2006) with the old one (1973) since it's been years since I've seen the latter, but I think for anyone who has read the book and loved it, you can't go wrong with either adaptation.

In my opinion Charlotte's Web by E. B. White, is a book that should be in every reader's collection, especially those with children in the house. I bought my copy as part of a hardcover set that included Stuart Little and The Trumpet Swan, which were on clearance at Borders. The copy of Charlotte's Web is illustrated by Garth Williams and at 183 pages, a very easy read for an adult and great read-aloud to children.

On a scale of one to five, one being horrible and five being excellent I would rate Charlotte's Web a 4.5 to a 5. I loved this story.

In closing, here are a few other recommendations for those who enjoy Charlotte's Web. For the book lover you might consider reading the Freddy the Pig Series. I reviewed the first, Freddy Goes to Florida this past summer. Also, if you haven't already, you might also enjoy The Wind in the Willows, which I reviewed in October. For the reader who is looking for a good movie to watch with their children, if you enjoy Charlotte's Web, you are likely to enjoyed the 1995 film Babe.

Marley & Me by John Grogan

Let me preface this review by stating a fact. I am not a dog-lover. That is to say, I like dogs... just other people's dogs. The only dog I can claim any degree of ownership of was our family dog, Muffin. Muffin came into my life when I was two and lived with our family until I was twelve. Although I am not a dog-lover I cried the day she died. She was a good dog, not a perfect dog, but certainly not the world's worst dog.

No, that title falls to the golden Labrador retriever named Marley in the book Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog. Published in 2005, Marley and Me is the true story of newspaper columnist John Grogan's dog, Marley. The book is more than a story about a dog, it's the story about a dog and his family.

The book begins when John and his wife Jenny are newlyweds living in Florida and considering getting their first dog together. They find a spirited and completely adorable yellow lab and it's love at first sight. John and Jenny have dreams of what their life will be with this new dog and how he will fit into their lives and later be a part of their family when they have children. But when Marley comes home all those dreams change. Marley is "wild as a banshee and as strong as a bull..." the "chewer of couches, a slasher of screens, a slinger of drool, a tipper of trash cans..."

Marley and Me is fun and fast-paced to read. The book is woven with all the threads of life, the highs and the lows; the comedy, tragedy, and the in between normal day-to-day moments. My sister, a dog lover, recommended this book to me on the merits that it was almost as funny as James Herriot's works. I have to agree, this book, while no Herriot tale, is still a very funny book.

One note to the potential reader: Grogan does use some mild to moderate language in the book, which did make me cringe and would probably warrant a PG-13 rating if the book was a movie. Also, there are several references to sex, but (all but once) within the state of marriage and nothing is obscene. Rather, most references are related in humor and tastefully written. However, I felt a warning necessary for some readers.

I picked up a copy of Marley & Me from my local library. Most readers should not have any difficulty finding this book as it will be released as a motion picture this Christmas starring Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson. I'm excited about this and plan to watch the movie... although I'm certain Hollywood will have changed a lot, which is often the case when books convert to the screen.

On second thoughts, because the book is coming out as a movie next month the reader may have some difficulty finding an available copy at their local library, but only because there may be a waiting list, as was the case with one library I checked.

The copy I read was 291 pages (including Author's Acknowledgements) and took me three days to finish. While this book isn't likely to be a read-aloud to your kids, you may find yourself laughing out loud or even wanting to read sections to your spouse. At least, I did. And as a side note, my favorite was the part where Grogan has dressed his son in an upside down "onesie." The choice of words paints a vivid and hilarious picture. I laughed so hard I actually shed a few tears.

And then there were the tears of sadness too. Reading of Marley did bring back some childhood memories of our dog, Muffin. So even though I am not a dog-lover, I still could identify with this book. I think anyone who has had any interaction with a dog -- their own or someone else's --will find this book "a good read."

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Graham

I've known about Kenneth Graham's The Wind the Willows for some time, but oddly enough never took the time to read it until this summer. On a whim I picked up an inexpensive paperback copy at the local B&N bookstore and settled in to read the book at the end of August... about a half a dozen books and over a month later I finally finished it.

For those unfamiliar with the book, The Wind in the Willows is the story of four animals who become friends as they together share their adventures by the banks of the Themes River in rural England around the turn of the last century. The four animals include a shy and mild-mannered mole named "Mole", a clever and loyal water rat named "Rat" or "Ratty", a wise and thoughtful badger named (you guessed it) "Badger", and a self-centered and impetuous toad named "Toad". Other animals figure into the story, but it is these four animals that are the stars of the book. All the animals carry on a rather human-like existence, that is to say they talk, they wear clothing, have furniture in their homes and even drive cars and operate boats.

This is a wonderful story to read aloud to children, but it can also be a delightful story for the adult imagination and will take you down memory lane, if you let it. I found myself reminiscing about many of my childhood haunts in the woods and by streams. It also reminded me of some other great books that I enjoyed years ago, including Rabbit Hill by Robert Lawson.

Generally an adult reader should find The Wind in the Willows to be a quick read, but I allowed myself to be sidetracked by other books, so as I mentioned before, it took some time to finish. The copy I bought is a Puffin Classics and runs to 245 pages, but also includes further information about the characters, the River Themes, the author and even a glossary of terms, which is ideal for the young reader. One should note, however that there is some "language" most notably and probably the most objectionable is the use of "ass" -- however that aside there is much good that can be learned from the characters.

Originally published in 1908, The Wind in the Willows is one of four books written by Kenneth Graham. It originated from bed-time stories Graham told his son. After the premature death of his son, Graham never wrote another story. It was not initially a popular book, but became so over twenty years later when it was dramatized by A. A. Milne (yes, that would be the author of Winnie-the-Pooh).

As an interesting side note, The Wind in the Willows is the third book I've read this summer/fall that was written exactly 100 years ago. The first was The Wizard of Oz and the second, Anne of Green Gables. Apparently 1908 was a big year for classics.

Gossie by Olivier Dunrea

Gossie by Olivier Dunrea is the last of my recent "finds" at while browsing the children's shelves at my library. I'd actually heard of this book before, in fact I bought a Gossie story at Target as a gift for a friend's two-year old, but this is the first I'd actually taken the time to read the story to my daughter.

In this particular book Gossie the gosling is wearing her red boots... she wears them everywhere, until one day.... she can't find them. Where they turn up is a fun surprise for children and in a subtle way teaches about sharing.

Gossie is 32 pages with bright colorful pictures, easy words and short simple sentences. This was a great book to read aloud to my 14-month old before her nap as it did not require too long a period of her attention, but still gave us a fun book to read together. The sentences are sometimes repeated and at times there is a bit of rhyming, but only when it fits well with the story's fun. Gossie and the others in the series (I think there are about eight) are aimed at the Pre-K to Kindergarten age so it's ideal for a toddler as I've pointed out.

First published in 2002 the Gossie series is relatively new and is thus easy to locate both in bookstores, stores (i.e. Target), online, or even at the library. Copies range in price from a little over $1 (used) to $9.95 for brand new. This is a fun book to include in your child's library -- either by buying or by borrowing.

Freddy Goes to Florida by Walter R. Brooks

Freddy Goes to Florida by Walter R. Brooks is the delightful story of Farmer Bean's animals and their adventures as they migrate from rural New York to Florida for the winter.

It all begins when a barn swallow overhears Charles the Rooster and Hank the Horse discussing how cold the barn is every winter and how badly they wish it would be summer all year 'round. The swallow interrupts and tells how she and her fellow birds migrate to Florida and some even as far as South America every fall where it is warm and there is plenty of eat until their return in the spring. This puts the idea into Charles' head -- if birds can migrate, why can't farm animals?

Charles calls a meeting of all the farm animals and presents his idea. The meeting is a success and at first all the animals wish to go, but as wise old Jock the collie explains, they can't all go -- some will have to stay or else Farmer Bean will be in trouble. So straws are drawn and soon the winners are making their plans to leave, including Freddy the Pig, Mrs. Wiggins the Cow, and Jinx the Cat to name just a few of the motley band.

Along the way they encounter many curious sights and exciting adventures, including meeting the President of the United States, discovering hidden treasure, outwitting a swamp of hungry alligators, scaring away robbers, and so much more.

Published in 1927, Freddy Goes to Florida (originally titled To And Again) is the first of twenty-six books in a series about Freddy the Pig, although in this first book Freddy is more of a supporting character than a main star. I came upon the series while browsing my local library and was immediately captivated by the story idea. Extremely popular when it was published, Brooks' character Freddy was even been compared to A. A. Milne's Winne the Pooh, though it appears now Freddy never reached height of fame that Pooh did.

The book I read was 197 pages and a very fast and delightful read. I am definitely adding this book to my list of books I'd like to read to my daughter one day. In the meantime I hope to read some of the other books in this series. If the rest of the books can be judged based on this first book alone I know they will be worthwhile reads.

Freddy Goes to Florida is a great read aloud for children or even a simple story for the child at heart. I can't recommend this book enough to someone looking for a simple, but fun tale told from the farm animals perspective. It's rich with adventure and pure imagination.