Children's Books discussion

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Norman Lindsay’s The Magic Pudding (1918) is one of the most robustly masculine of all children’s classics, full of fussin’ and fightin’ and foodin’ and feudin’. It is perhaps that as well as its intense Australian-ness that has kept it from the global popularity that it deserves (it is scarcely known at all in the United States). There is tutting disapproval of its rambunctious, knockabout Gestalt even to be found in some current Goodreads reviews. SMDH.

The pudding of the title, which is a steak-and-kidney type pudding rather than a smooth dessert pudding, can be eaten over and over by its sailor, penguin, and koala owners without ever diminishing. The pudding doesn’t MIND being eaten, but is grumpy about everything else. He is the perpetual target of two rascally pudding thieves, a possum and a wombat.

The book romps along at a rollicking pace, interspersed with some really funny nonsense verse. I love these two legal bits:

Obey the mandate of our chosen lawyer,

Remove that hat, or else we’ll do it faw yer.

———-

To win your case, and save your pelf,

Why, try the blooming case yourself!

I remember reading that about a decade ago. I'm afraid I didn't get as much out of it as you do, but it's definitely a classic for a reason!

(I put this in a more primary folder. We've nothing like Currently Reading and I like the idea, so thanks for setting it up!)

I just finished Saving Sorya: Chang and the Sun Bear, which I found enlightening and moving.

I'm also working through the ouvre of Kyle Lukoff, which are generally good to excellent for for the target audience, and for parents & other educators. I don't know if child-free adults or empty-nesters would be as interested, though.

And of course I'm working through group reads. See the different 'clubs' for the current Newbery titles and for the various themes.

^ Thank you for placing this appropriately!

Lewis Carroll’s Sylvie and Bruno / Sylvie and Bruno Concluded is not exactly a work you recommend so much as point out, because honestly, one in 500 people is going to care for this level of extreme eccentricity. Melville’s Mardi: and a Voyage Thither and Robert Browning’s Sordello are two other productions in this same WTF? class. However, it should go without saying by now that I am very fond of all these and similar demented creations. 😏

Sylvie and Bruno uneasily combines a daft fantasy with a realistic late Victorian novel, and ladles on the sentimentality in a way that many now find unappealing. But all that said, it is QUITE an experience. I even find Bruno’s oft-criticized baby talk very funny. ("I never talks to nobody when he isn't here! It isn't good manners. Oo should always wait till he comes, before oo talks to him!")

Have you read The Land of Green Ginger? I get the impression it's something like these. And there's Mistress Masham's Repose, too.

I want to like them all, but I just can't get into them.

Those are on my lists, but I haven’t read them yet. Cult classics are right up my alley. 😏

If you want a great reference book regarding children's literature (and yes, this books also shows a lot of books not as well known in Canada and the USA) but is also not of course all encompassing (and one might not always agree with which books have been included), I highly and warmly recommend 1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up.

I just enrolled in NetGalley and read these great 5* books.

Birds of a Feather: A Book of Idioms and Silly Pictures by Vanita Oelschlager is a whimsical picture book that appeals to young children but also provides a springboard tor a Language arts lesson In my opinion it is a must have for school libraries. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I also read an ARC of an upcoming children's book due in October.
Coyote's Wild HomeCoyote's Wild Home by Pulitzer prize winner Lily Hopp Kingsolver this storybook is a gentle lesson in environmentalism with beautiful artwork. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I just read 5 children's books.

I read three books for Netgalley.
Ellie's Deli: Wishing on Matzo Ball Soup! is a middle grade book that features a Jewish kid but the appeal is universal. This heart warming book covers several themes. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Cat Family at The Museumwas a 3.5* rounded to 4 turn the flap picture book intended for older kids. It was interesting but didn't have a clear target audiance.
.https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The Great Race: The Story of the Chinese Zodiac tells the origin tale of the Chinese zodiac, elaborating on the characters that each sign posess. It also explains why Cat and Rat don't get along. This book was 3.5 rounded to 4*
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Out of curiosity I looked at two other books on the same folktale. Another book by the same title The Great Race: The Story of the Chinese Zodiac is reviewed here.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show.... It has additional information in the back and would appeal to middle grade kids.

A variation The Great Race was fantastic for younger kids.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Oh it is fun to compare different books on the same subject, sometimes!

Patrick wrote: "If there is already a topic to this effect, mods, please merge!

Norman Lindsay’s The Magic Pudding (1918) is one of the most robustly masculine of all children’s classics, full of f..."

I recently read The Magic Pudding. I enjoyed the silliness and quirkiness of the characters and situations.

I am currently reading
The Story of the Snow Children
The Story of the Butterfly Children
1001 Birds

I recently finished the series starting with Detective Gordon: The First Case, marvelous.

And for slightly sillier fun, I have almost finished The Magic Shop books by Bruce Coville. The first is very silly, but I think maybe Juliet Dove, Queen of Love is worth recommending.

Bruce Coville was so popular when I was a tween/teen! I have never been into his horror books though. Nephew #1 would probably love them but then he won't sleep!

Well, the Magic Shop books are not horror, but they are stimulating. Your call whether to recommend them. :)

I'm the auntie, I can give the kids whatever I want and pay my sister back for years of torture but I try to respect her wishes!

:smiles:

I am discovering the little gothic book WHERE IS MY RAVEN, a wonderfully loving message - no spoilers here, but let me say this much: adults will benefit from that little reminder, too. Promise.

The Kindle version is for free, but I did order both, the eBook and print version. Where is my Raven?

I am looking for children's non-fiction recs for my bookworms for over the holidays:

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

James wrote: "I am looking for children's non-fiction recs for my bookworms for over the holidays:

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1..."

How old? What interests? My nerdy niece and nephew liked Click magazine when they were younger. I think my 10 year old nephew needs a copy of The New Way Things Work. He might have an older edition.

James wrote: "I am looking for children's non-fiction recs for my bookworms for over the holidays:

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1..."

I added a bunch of science books to your list.

And here is the link to the STEM topic in the Fiction Club

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I see someone added artist biographies, too. I voted for several STEM and Art books. I think kids get too much exposure to sports already (as discussed elsewhere in this group).

Currently Reading for my kids: (English and German version)

Sam and Julia: The Mouse Mansion

We love the short stories about the little mice, Julia and Sam, in this book. 🐭🐭 They live in a big dollhouse, which is shown on the back of the book and in detail within the stories. We also have the figurines too, which make the reading come alive.

Mouse Mansion: Sam and Julia sounds so cute and right up my alley. My oldest niece would have loved that when she was little. She loved "mish."

This is our families new favourite book My Football Journal

An interactive guide and mindset diary for sporty children. The book has kept my twin girls occupied all of this week. I purchased some extra copies for their friends who also love Sam Kerr and the Matildas team. Must-buy.

Currently reading Children`s Book Covers



I have had this book for some time, it is one that I keep going back to for information
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Looks interesting, thanks!

Armistice Runner written by Tom Palmer, anyone else enjoyed it. Aimed towards young teens, however it had me gripped all the way through. Fantastic read joining the past and present together.

Armistice Runner looks interesting, but it's not at any of my libraries. And it's not quite my cup of tea, though I do appreciate that it's about WWI, because I've read too much about WWII.

I'm working my way through the Willow Falls series, starting with 11 Birthdays, by Wendy Mass. They look like fluff and mostly are, but I think the target audience might get something to chew on.

Currently reading, and almost finished with:
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

Just finished reading The Rose Revived

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...