The Bedtime Book Review

Alexander and the Wind Up Mouse

2011-02-17T12:32:00.001-06:00

By Leo Lionni

Alexander is a lonely little mouse that explores a child’s home for food. But instead of the crumbs he was searching for, he finds an unlikely friend- Willy the wind-up mouse. Alexander envies Willy for his comfortable situation in life as the child’s beloved toy. But after a long quest to become a toy mouse like his friend, Alexander learns that he is the lucky one. This is a well-crafted tale with strong plot development and imbedded moral lessons. While it has more written content than most books for this audience, it manages to hold a child’s attention with magical elements, rhyme and captivating images.

The illustrations are in classic Lionni style, with layers of bold patterns and vivid colors. Lionni, who died in 1999 at the age of 89, was the first artist to use this collage technique in children’s art. He originally stumbled onto the technique while entertaining his grandchildren on a long train ride. To keep their attention, he created illustrations using shapes torn from pages of magazines and a newspaper that he had on hand. The children’s delight at such simple and unique illustrations inspired him to create books that would earn him international acclaim.

Alexander and the Wind Up Mouse is best suited for children three and older who can follow the development of a basic plot and have the necessary attention span to make it through over twenty pages of story. However, kids two and younger will still enjoy looking through the colorful pages.

Give the gift of art and literature with this set of four treasured Lionni fables.

Other Lionni books you may like...

Three Little Kittens

2011-02-08T06:00:00.004-06:00

Three Little Kittens

By Paul Galdone

ISBN 978-0-89919-426-4

Three Little Kittens is an adaptation of an old folk song brought to life by the vibrant illustrations of Caldecott-honored artist Paul Galdone. Their musical origin gives the words a fun tempo when read aloud that children are quick to catch on to.

Small kids in particular will relate to these earnest little kittens that just can’t keep their mittens out of trouble. Lost, then found, soiled, then washed- the mittens offer a lesson in honesty and responsibility as well as pages of fun imagery. The sight of bright colored mittens on the paws of kittens will make any pet loving toddler squeal in amusement.

The illustrations are filled with images of warmth, love, and home. By creating a contrast between the cozy indoor scenes and the crisp outdoor pictures, Galdone’s art brings a sense of comfort to young readers as they are reminded of their own snow day experiences and homemade treats.

Such sensory rich details as the mother cat baking in her apron, the background kitchen decor, the leaves falling outside the window, and the sprawling garden (complete with picket fence and wildlife) help to make Three Little Kittens a favorite with small children both at home and away.

Other books you may like...

Olivia, a Modern Classic by Ian Falconer

2010-07-01T08:00:00.000-05:00

Olivia

By Ian Falconer

ISBN: 0689860889

Since her debut in 2000, Olivia has been one busy pig. She’s been to Venice, started a band, saved the circus, and in 2009 she got her own tv show! But it all started with this book, simply titled Olivia.

Many say that it’s Ian Falconer’s brilliant illustrations that have made Olivia a hit, but I think that’s unfair. Yes. The illustrations are singular in style and I personally adore them for their bold simplicity. They also captivate small children and babies who are unable to appreciate the storyline. (It is said that black, white, and red color combinations attract and hold a baby’s attention the best, which no doubt inspired the release of Olivia board books.)

Ian Falconer with Olivia

But I think what makes the book so captivating is the co-dependence of the written words and the illustrations to tell the story. This kind of strategy is seen in some of the best storybooks, and Ian Falconer has certainly perfected it. It encourages children to process what they hear read aloud, relate it to the pictures they see, and draw their own conclusions. This kind of “discovery” is thrilling for a toddler, and makes the story all the more real to them. It’s also an artful way to “show” Olivia’s precocious personality instead of trying to “tell” it. (Ever tried to explain to a three year old what "precocious" means? You may have thought you were successful, but odds are they tuned out after the first sentence.)

While the ideal age for this book is 3-6 years old, there’s something there to amuse children of all ages (and parents too). Olivia bundles all the best of children’s literature into one beautiful book that you and your child will enjoy reading time and again. It also makes a wonderful gift for a new or expecting parent!

Print out this fun activity sheet for your child, made available by publisher Simon and Schuster.

Now available as a Tag Book!

The Adventures of Isabel

2010-06-30T02:14:00.001-05:00

The Adventures of Isabel

by Ogden Nash

Illustrated by Bridget Starr Taylor

The Adventures of Isabel is a whimsical story about a young girl that is fearless. When met with adversity, she devours it- quite literally! The story is simple and on the comprehension level of a mature toddler, but it is also peppered with larger words like “ravenous” and “cavernous” that not only add to the magical cadence when read aloud but also offer learning opportunities for older children. The illustrations are beautifully detailed and fascinating to look at. Every picture is filled with brilliant colors and texture. By including details not given in the story (like Isabel’s canine companion, the jar of cookies she takes from the bear’s house that remains with her in every scene thereafter, and the subtle background hints at the bear’s aeronautical ties) artist Bridget Starr Taylor not only bolsters the storyline with her illustrations but also adds to the fun quirkiness that springs from every page in this book.

First published in the 1930’s, this poem is a classic example of Ogden Nash’s magical verse that has been capturing the imagination of children and parents for generations. Though an additional stanza was written in the 60’s, this edition was illustrated and published in 2008 with the poem preserved just as Nash had originally written it for his daughter Isabel almost eighty years ago. For an additional delight, listen to the story read by the author himself on the CD that comes with the book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book as did my three year old daughter. However, if your little one is squeamish when it comes to child-gobbling witches, bears and giants you may want to save The Adventures of Isabel for when they’re a bit older. On the other hand, if danger and adventure keep your tot turning the pages, this book will never collect dust.