Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock

Book cover

We've been busy lately an haven't had time to post so, sorry for the lack of posting.

Today we'll be reviewing an old favorite of mine, Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock. Now, this version is a retelling of an old African folk story about Anansi the Spider. Anansi a master trickster in many old legends from Africa and this is one of his many adventures. The story was retold by Eric A. Kimmel and illustrated by Janet Stevens.

The story starts out with our little trickster, Anansi, walking through the jungle on a very hot day. He stops when he sees an odd moss-covered rock on the path.
"Isn't this a strange moss-covered rock," He says to himself. But then, KAPONG. Down fell Anansi.
Soon he figured out the power of the mysterious moss-covered rock and starts to use it against the other animals in the forest to get what he wants. But little does he know that  he's being watched by an unlikely little hero who will teach him a lessons about playing tricks on people.

Anansi the Spider

The story has a very nice read-aloud flow to it, Kimmel does a great job with keeping the flow. It has a very nice imaginative theme with the thought of talking animals all living in their own houses in a steamy hot jungle. Also, The illustrations really add charm to the book, they aren't flashy, but they have their own detail and style that really fits the story. This is a great book, perfect to read to a child to help them get to sleep and it helps them learn about what little kids their own age in far off Africa might hear before they go to sleep. All together, a very nice children's book.
**** Four Stars!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-Demelza

King Bidgood's in the Bathtub

  Sorry for the delay in reviews, we've all been stuck in summertime laziness. But now we're back.

Cover of the book

  Today we're going to review King Bidgood's in the Bathtub by the wondrous husband-wife-team Audrey Wood (author) and Don Wood (illustrator). The story is about a king and his court in a     faraway land. But one day, the Page calls out in dismay "Help! Help! King Bidgood's in the bathtub and he won't get out! Oh, who knows what to do?" All the members of the court have their own ideas of how to get King Bidgood out. The knight tries by saying it's time to battle, the queen says it's time to lunch, the duke says it's time to fish, and the court all together says it's time for the ball. But the king says to all of them, "Come in, come in". And all the various things happen in the cramped space of the royal bathtub.

  The story is very good in capturing a young mind with the whole "I don't want to get out of the bathtub" theme. And also it adds a very comedic edge with all the court members trying to get their king out of the tub. Audrey Wood does a fabulous job in creating a very good and very silly story. Another key factor in what makes this such a great book are the illustrations by Don Wood. The detail is flawless and the colors blend together very well. Dymphna and I especially love the scenes when the court members are in the tub and then the afterward scene of what the court member looks like after getting out of the bathtub.

The queen having lunch in the tub

Our favorite is with the queen.

As you can see the the left, the queen is having lunch with her husband in the tub. Note the look on her face, it looks as though she's thinking, "My husband is a fool but at least I'll have a good meal."








At any rate, this book is very good and we'd recomend it if you're looking for a good laugh!

***** Five Stars!!!!

-Demelza and Dymphna

Saturdays and Teacakes

Saturdays and Teacakes is a wonderful picture book that depicts a day in the life of a young boy going to see his grandmother.
The story is by Lester L. Laminack and the illistrations are by Chris Soentpiet.

The story starts out in a little southern town in the 1960's with a young boy setting out on a saturday morning to see his grandmother. The book takes you through his bike ride to his Mammaw's house, helping her do some chores, and of course helping her make some teacakes.

The real thing that steals the show of this book are the wonderful pictures. They really catch the feel of the 60's in perfect harmony with the strory. My personally favorites being of the kitchen. My mother, Dymphna, loves them especially because she says that they really capture the way a 1960's kitchen looked from the furniture to the dishes.

I love this book very much, it captures a time period very well and tells a good story without fierce warriors or dragons. It's just a simple day, that is sure to put a simple smile on your face. ***** FIVE STARS!
-Demelza

Welcome!

Hello all! Welcome to Magicsummer! This is the blog where I (Demelza) and my mother (Dymphna) write reviews for various types of literature. This is our first post and won't be the last! The first of our reviews will be up hopefully in a few days time. I hope you enjoy the reviews!


-Demelza