I don't title posts well.

I don't really know what to write about today. I am fighting a headache so as much as I want to I won't be reading any Ella Enchanted this evening. I think it will be ok though because I have read that book many, many times. It's such a light romp and it's very enjoyable. I am excited that we get to watch the movie in class. It makes me sad that as hard as they try it is almost impossible to make a movie that is equal to it's book. My brother and I were talking about why that is. We came to the conclusion that it's because to us, we imagine everything just as it should be. But, how I think things should look isn't the way someone else thinks they should look.
So my computer went all crazy and I wasn't able to push the "publish post" button until now. No, I can't figure out why I'm awake at this hour.

So many books, so little time!!

I have been in a quandry trying to figure out what books to read for this class. So I busted out my collection of childrens books (it is quite extensive, as I have a book fettish) and just started having fun. I found a book that I love and had forgotten about The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. This is such a wonderful book. I began reading it to a child that I babysit and found that I quite caught up in it! I loved the story of this ADORABLE, white, china rabbit and his adventures. We see his heart transfom from a state where it shows love because of what is done fore him, to a point where he is cold and unfeeling, then finally to the point where he truely loves. He comes alive through his loss and hardships. It made me think about how this fact is true in lots of people's lives. We are brought to life through our sorrows. It is only after suffering sorrow that we can more completly understand our joys. This is a concept that Kate DiCamillo captures and imparts to children in a wonderful way. I love Because of Winn-Dixie, that is why I picked up this book. Well, that and because the artwork is astonishing. It's an awesome book to read to children. I would suggest it for a slightly older age group because it does deal with death. I am loving that I get to read these books and call it school! I just have to keep myself from letting this class take over my life. Hehe. Anyway, I would highly reccomend this book!

My Louisiana Sky

OK, So I wrote a post about My Louisiana Sky but it is floating around in here somewhere. So I will write about it again.
I read this book a few years ago after meeting the author. I thought the way she described her writing process was interesting. She said that she was old fashioned because she always wrote her rough drafts by hand. I was impressed by this but I'm not really sure why.
This is a classic "coming of age" book about a young girl named Tiger Ann. There are a few sources of conflict in this great story. The most prominent is that both of Tiger Ann's parents are mentally handicapped. Tiger Ann is a fun tomboyish character that it is easy to like. A few times during the book you see her dealing with issues that come from difficulties surrounding her parent's situation. Her grandmother takes care of her and when she passes away it is a major turning point for Tiger. She is given the opportunity to move with her Aunt Dory K to Baton Rouge. Tiger realizes that while Aunt Dory can give her lots of "stuff" that her parents can't, she prefers her life in small town Saitter, LA.
This is a fun story with a great lesson for all ages. Life is unpredictable, so enjoy it!

I have really been enjoying the fairy tales that we have been reading in class. (Little Red Riding Hood, Sleeping Beauty, and Hansel and Gretel.) My librarian in Amarillo once gave me a Brothers Grimm collection to read and I was shocked, actually, when I saw all the gruesome ways that people were killed off. To be honest I never thought about comparing the different stories. I wasn't aware of how many versions there were of each tale. Because of my limited scope I didn't ever see the sexual aspect of these stories. Then I saw how some people played up certain things and toned down others and a different author would do the opposite. I guess the biggest thing is that I never saw how these stories were open for interpretation. I think that for most people the most memorable version will be the ones depicted by Walt Disney. It's the one we first heard and saw, and we know them so well.