In the Night Kitchen

Sendak, M. (1970). In the night kitchen.  New York:  Harper

Since Brody LOVES Where the Wild Things Are, I thought we would try another book by Sendak, In the Night Kitchen.  I'm not sure that he feels the same about the two books.  In the Night Kitchen has been historically a very controversial book.

Llama Llama Red Pajama

Dewdney, A. (2005). Llama Llama red pajama. New York:  Viking.

Lately I have seen Llama Llama everywhere!  So I had to see what the appeal is.  I'm still guessing at what attracts to young children to Dewdney's tales of Llama Llama.  Brody loves the picture book though.

The plot is simple.  Little Llama is going to bed and suddenly is terrified of being alone in the dark without his mother.  In the end, Llama's mother explains to him that even when she is not in the room, she will always be near to him.  It's a heartwarming bedtime story.

Revenge Wears Prada: The Devil Returns

Weisberger, L. (2013). Revenge wears Prada:  the devil returns.  New York: Simon.

I was extremely excited to read this book.  I immediately placed this book on hold at the library after I finished The Devil Wears Prada.  When the library called, I was every happy and rushed over to get it. I completed the book in less than twenty-four hours (something I can do, but haven't done in quite sometime); yet not for the reason that most probably expect.

Where the Wild Things Are

Sendak, M. (1963). Where the wild things are.  New York:  Harper and Row.

Where the Wild Things Are is considered one of the most powerful children's books.  It has been voted multiple years as the number one book for children and received the prestigious Caldecott Medal.   I must agree with the hype.  The story and illustrations by Sendak truly are inspiring for children, both boys and girls alike.  Sendak's picture book is one that I shared with my brother when we were children; it is one that I have recently shared with my own son.  Even at fifteen-months, he is able to sit and listen to Sendak's powerful language.  Fifty years after its first publication, Where the Wild Things Are still speaks strongly to its audience.

The Devil Wears Prada

Weisberger, L. (2003). The devil wears Prada. New York:  Broadway Books.

My goal every summer is to read as many books as I can.  Sometimes these books are thought-provoking and emotional--The Bluest Eye.  Sometimes they are longer than most--The Help.  Sometimes they are a fun summer read--The Outcast.  The Devil Wears Prada falls into the last category.  I have read Weisberger's modern novel a few times now.  I have to admit that I saw the movie first, several years ago.  But like most, the novel is a hundred times better.

The Devil Wears Prada follows the story of Andrea Sachs, an employee as a personal assistant at the fictional Runway magazine.  Andy is forced to endure some rather difficult and humiliating (to say the least) "tasks" as she hopes to climb her way up the literary world's ladder.  Andy must often make the choice of job or her personal life.  Some of the scenes have the reader dumbfounded at the ridiculousness of the Runway world.

The Book Thief

Zusak, M. (2005). The Book Thief. New York:  Knopf.

There have been many, many books written involving stories of children and adolescents during World War II.  Australian writer, Markus Zusak takes a different approach.  He chooses to write about a young German girl, rather than take a Jewish voice.  This fresh perspective is just what I needed for summer reading.

One of a Kind

Winter, A. (2012). One of a kind. New York:  Aladdin.

With an opening sentence like "Lysander Singleton was the only only child at Twin Oaks Elementary," how could anyone pass up this book?  One of a Kind is definitely a one of a kind read.  Ariel Winter tells the story of Lysander, who is the only child at his school who is not a twin.  Lysander fells very left out, because everyone knows that twins are best friends.  Annually, the school host an event known as Twindividuation, a program meant to foster individuality among the sets of twins.  Since Lysander is the odd man out, literally, he has to participate for both teams.  A surprise turn of events, makes Lysander the most popular boy in school.