Read Aloud: Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle

The chapter book Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle was a recent gift to add to our collection.  My daughter, age 4 1/2, saw it, and immediately was curious about it and wanted to read it.  The name alone is enticing for a child, let alone the cute cover illustration (though mine is a different edition).  Both of my kids were loving it from the beginning!

Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle lives in an upside down house and is rather lonely, despite her pets.  Then one day she makes a friend- a little girl.  Soon the girl has told others about Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle and children from all over town come to see her.  She bakes with them and the boys dig holes in her yard looking for buried treasure.

As dear as all of that sounds, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle is really quite the clever woman, and soon earns a reputation for knowing children very well.  Moms call her for advice for their children.  She comes up with all sorts of cures.  There is the "Slow Biter Tiny Bite Taker Cure" and possibly what is needed in our home the most is the "Fighter Quarrelers Cure," among many others.  The children's problems in the book are fairly extreme, though really, most families can relate in some way or another.  The cures are just as extreme...and I suspect most moms wish problems could be cured so easily-and creatively.

My daughter really enjoyed this...probably as much as a 4 1/2 year old can.  My son would also ask for the book, though we didn't always read it aloud with him.  In addition to the chapter intro illustration, there is one full-page illustration in each of the chapters.  This is a book that I am thankful for and expect that we will enjoy it again in a few years when the kids can better appreciate the plentiful humor.  My book jacket cover says it is for ages 6-10, and I would agree, though Amazon says ages 9-12 for the reading level.

Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle (and others in the series) will be on our gifts-to-give-to-others list as my children's cousins and friends get older!  This is a book that has been around for years...and will certainly be loved for a long time!

We're always on the lookout for more chapter book ideas for a 4 year old.  Please let me know of any suggestions!

I'm linking up with Read Aloud Thursday!

Emily of Deep Valley

I think this book did it for me.  Really.  I knew I really liked the books I have read by Maud Hart Lovelace.  So far I have read Betsy-Tacy, Betsy, Tacy and Tib, Heaven to Betsy, Betsy in Spite of Herself, Carney's House Party, and Winona's Pony Cart.  (Links are to my reviews.)  I just finished Emily of Deep Valley.  I have to say, I think Maud Hart Lovelace has stolen my heart!  I just love her writing.

Emily Webster is just finishing high school and longs to go to college.  She lives with her grandfather and is fully committed to staying with him to care for him.  She sees all of her friends off to college and is left alone and lonely.  Depression sinks in.  Emily fights it.  She  thinks about others-especially the Syrians.  She reaches out first to the Syrian children creating a Boys Club (that a girl is welcome to be part of), and then by teaching the Syrian women English!  Wow...remember this was in the early 1900's!

Not only is Emily amazing in her love toward the Syrians of Deep Valley, but she also had a deep love and respect for her grandfather, as well as others of his generation.  She sacrificially cares for him.  At first it is hard for her, but then it becomes her joy.

Emily starts a book club as another way to keep her mind engaged and fight the depression.  Friendships grow and her depression lifts.

There is also some subtle history withing Emily of Deep Valley.  I learned that Memorial Day was once Decoration Day-a truly patriotic day.  Emily's grandfather and his friends who fought in the Civil War marched in the Decoration Day parade and visited the local school.  His generation was respected and honored, as they should be!  Emily's home is also called the Hull House of Deep Valley.  Jane Adams had invited the poor and lonely into her home to help them, and Jane did the same.

Emily has a deep crush on a bit of an obnoxious fellow.  Slowly she realizes that his character is lacking, especially when compared to her friend Cab and the new teacher.  Cab helps Emily get to know some of the Ancients-those from the class of 1910, who graduated just two years before her..

I have actually had a really hard time articulating why I love this book so much.  I don't feel that I'm giving this book review justice because I was so emotionally involved.  Overall, the sensitivity and compassion that Emily has is amazing.  The character of Emily is so well developed, and I relate to her on so many levels.  This is why I "am" Emily Webster according to the Betsy-Tacy quiz.  (I wasn't surprised that Emily was followed by Tacy.)

Which Betsy-Tacy character are you? Your Result: Emily Webster Shy and quiet, uncomfortable with the boy-girl bantering that comes so easy for others, Emily is kind-hearted and dignified yet prone to melancholy. She is intellectual and knows the value in serving others, such as the children in Little Syria, and knows how to �muster her wits� in order to conquer her bouts of depression and sadness. Although at first boys don�t see her as the type of girl they�d take on a date, soon they see Emily as a �stunner� who is more interesting to talk to than most girls! Emily ends up with someone who doesn�t care what she was like in high school but who understands her and loves her for who she is!
Tacy Kelly
Irma Biscay
Betsy Ray
Tib Muller
Julia Ray
Carney Sibley
Winona Root
Which Betsy-Tacy character are you? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

I can't say enough about this book from beginning to end.  Not only did Maud Hart Lovelace write about issues such as depression and racism in the year 1950, but she did it well.  I think everything she wrote about in 1950 is still applicable today.  Just like the forward to Carney's House Party/Winona's Pony Cart, the forward to this book read like I was talking to my best friend about another deeply loved friend-Emily.  The notes in the back of the book, "About Emily of Deep Valley" helped the reader to understand that the story of Emily Webster was very similar to the story of Maud Hart Lovelace's friend Marguerite Marsh.  Much is shared about Marguerite's life.  However, she died two weeks after giving birth to a son, in 1925.  Unlike the other books that MHL wrote, she was not able to seek out the real-life friend to help with some of the details of the story.  After reading the notes in the back of the book, it's apparent that Marguerite Marsh was a young lady of compassion who earned my respect.

I can't recommend this book enough, especially if your personality is anything like mine!  Thank you so much to Harper Perennial for providing this book for review purposes.  I also want to let readers know that Library Hospital has the Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge every year in October!  This year when it's closer to the challenge I will have a giveaway for a couple of MHL books to encourage you to participate!

Read Aloud: Raggedy Ann

 My four year old daughter and I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Raggedy Ann Stories!  Raggedy Ann books, written and illustrated by Johnny Gruelle, were first introduced to the public in 1918, and Raggedy Andy just two years later.  I love the idea of reading a book that our grandparents may have enjoyed as children.  The adventures in The Raggedy Ann Stories are inspired by the author's daughter (who died at age 13) and her own rag doll named Raggedy Ann.  The Raggedy Ann Stories contains the best original stories and artwork by Gruelle, but this is not the very first book when Raggedy was introduced to the public.  That book is called Raggedy Ann Stories (missing the article "the" in the original book). 


The Raggedy Ann Stories is by far, the longest chapter book we have read.  Though it is perfect as a read aloud for us, it is not for an early reader to read independently.  The great thing is that there is at least one illustration in each two page spread...with lots of text.  I should clarify that each chapter is a stand-alone story, so it is not a true chapter book.

Raggedy Ann lives in the nursery with many other dolls and a dog named Fido.  Her mistress is Marcella, a kind and loving girl.  (Raggedy actually belonged to Marcella's grandma before Marcella found her in the attic after fifty years!  That was its own chapter.)  Marcella loves her dolls dearly, and even changes them into night clothes before tucking them in at night.  Raggedy Ann is clearly a leader in the nursery and everyone loves her dearly.  She is giving and selfless...and a perfect friend.  She repeatedly tells her friends that she is stuffed with "nice soft cotton" so it doesn't hurt her like it might others to sleep on the floor or fall from a fence post.

Raggedy Ann and the other dolls have fun with Marcella, like when Raggedy flies as a kite!  However, the dolls seem to find the most adventure on their own.  In several stories, they climb out the nursery window!  Somehow it doesn't seem naughty though.  Imagine that!  Even when the dolls have a feast of cornbread, molasses, and jam and make a mess of themselves, Marcella is happy to clean them up and hang them from the clothes line.  (She does say, "Shame on you!" though.)

I actually had a little struggle with The Raggedy Ann Stories.  The illustrations show Raggedy with brownish yarn hair.  The text never mentions the color of her hair, though Raggedy often runs her hand through it.  We all know that the Raggedy Ann dolls are known for their red hair.  I'm sure red heads, especially in the early 1900's needed all the support they could get!  I'm glad red-haired girls could relate to Anne and Raggedy Ann!  I think the Raggedy Ann dolls are adorable with red hair, especially since the red yarn hair distinguishes her from other rag dolls, though it deviates from the original illustrations.  That's okay.  These dolls may have a triangle nose and a painted smile, but I don't think they have shoe button eyes.  I will just accept that these dolls are inspired by a great children's book and let it be.

M and I loved this book.  At the end of a chapter, I would tell her the title of the next chapter.  At the next nap or bed time, she would remember the name of the chapter!  I can't wait to get another Raggedy Ann book from the library-and introduce her to Raggedy Andy!  If our love of these books continues, I think she might like to have a Raggedy Ann doll of her own.  How fun!

 

Anne of Ingleside

 I am definitely enjoying the L. M. Montgomery Reading Challenge hosted by Reading to Know.  Carrie has been posting about all things Maud all month!  I haven't read nearly as much as her, but I did share earlier this month about the  Anne of Green Gables audio book and movie.  (Linked to my reviews.)

Last year I participated in the challenge, too.  I read Anne of Windy Poplars and Anne's House of Dreams.  (Linked to my reviews.)  If you are an Anne fan, you know that the next book is Anne of Ingelside...so of course that was what I needed to read.  I found Anne of Ingleside to be about Anne some, but much about her children and community, too.

Mayflowers
Photo from www.statesymbolusa.org

Very early in the book I had to learn what a Mayflower (the flower) looked like.  Jem, Anne's oldest son, loved giving these flowers to Anne each May.  Did you know?

At the beginning of the book Gilbert's Aunt Mary Maria comes to stay for a short visit and stays for longer than she was welcome.  She stays on even though Anne is about to have another baby.  This particular Aunt Mary Maria is not nice to the family...and yet she stays.  She is incredibly aggravating to read about.  I can't imagine being a gracious host to her!  I actually loved how Anne planned a special birthday party for her, but the results of the party were the best, though I won't spoil it for you!

Anne's children each seem to have one dilemma or another in Anne of Ingelside.  Anne is a very understanding mother, and of course she never laughs at her children.  I really like Susan, the family cook and housekeeper.  She calls Anne "Mrs. Dr. Dear."  It's quite sweet and with a great deal of respect.

Something that I really enjoyed was the mention of an onion sandwich!  I have never eaten one, nor do I plan to, but onion sandwiches were also a big hit with Maud Hart Lovelace in the Betsy-Tacy books.  Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems to reflect the times in the early 1900's.

The focus was certainly not on Anne and Gilbert despite the summary on the back cover indicating marital trouble, or at least Anne's concern that Gilbert doesn't love and adore her as he once did.  This concern doesn't really show until nearly the end of the book, though the back cover summary makes it seem like it should be the most of the book.

To be honest, I found this to be a slow read.  I actually started it last year...and struggled with it.  So when I did not complete it in time for last years LMM Challenge, I figured it would wait until this year.  It did wait, but, once again, I had a slow start.  (Of course I started over again.)  I don't know why the beginning of the book was so hard for me.  Despite all of this, I certainly enjoyed it.

Next year I will read the seventh book in the series, Rainbow Valley for the LMM Challenge.  I still have a few days to share about Lucy Maud and the Cavendish Cat, a picture book that I shared with my daughter!  Thanks, Carrie, for encouraging us to read a great classic!  Speaking of classics, I am also linking this up with Reading the Classics Reading Challenge!  LMM is definitely a classic!

The Movie and Book: Anne of Green Gables

It has been years since I had watched Anne of Green Gables.  I was ever grateful for TWO friends offering to loan both Anne of Green Gables and the Sequel to me!  My friends had read my introduction to the Lucy Maud Montgomery Reading Challenge and my desire to watch the movie...and generously offered to help!  (It is also wonderful to know that a few people I know in real life enjoy reading this blog!)

Just in case you are not familiar with the story of Anne of Green Gables, I'd be happy to share a bit.  Anne is an imaginative, loquacious, red-haired, 11 (13 in the movie) year old orphan girl that has been adopted by Matthew and Marilla (brother and sister).  They had wanted to adopt an boy, but mistakenly get sent a boy.  They decide to keep her after all, and their lives are never the same!  She makes many, many mistakes, but she never makes the same mistake twice!  The story takes place on Prince Edward Island in Canada


Anne the Book and Anne the Movie.  Both good!  What do I love specifically about the movie Anne of Green Gables?  Hmm.  LOTS, since it's so close to the book!  (Unlike many book-turned-movies.)

1. Megan Follows is incredible.  (Pronounced Mee-gan.)  I cannot imagine any other Anne!  I was definitely interested in a recent post about Megan Follows, including casting information.  She played 13-16 year old (11-16 in the book though) Anne perfectly, as well as the school teacher Anne in Anne of Green Gables the Sequel, though she was age 16 when she was acting in the first movie.

2. The producer, Kevin Sullivan kept to the storyline very well.  He also cast the characters marvelously!  All of them!

3. The characters often quoted word-for-word from the book.  It seems that is a rare thing.  There are minor changes from the book to the movie, but they are quite minor.

4. The beauty of Prince Edward Island.  Often Anne and Diana view the beauty of the water surrounding Prince Edward Island.  The movie gives a little peek into PEI.

What do I love about the audio unabridged audio recording of Anne of Green Gables?  Well, it's Anne, word for word, but I can just wash my dishes and chop carrots while listening to the wonderful voice of Barbara Caruso!!  I listen to A LOT of audio books.  Though some books are in the car, most of my audio reading happens in the kitchen!  Barbara Caruso feels like a dear friend, I have listened to so many of her books!  In addition to all of the Anne books, she is also the voice for unabridged books by Karen Kingsbury and Beverly Lewis.  I recognized her voice (and name) when I was listening to Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott last year.

One big difference between the book and movie is that in the book there was no "trial period" for Marilla and Matthew to decide if they will keep her in the book.  I didn't care for the trial period in the movie, because, really, Anne knows how to find trouble!  There seems to be a bit more drama (as in teenager drama) and whining in the movie, but still lovely and wonderful.

There were many minor differences, but another one that stood out to me was Mrs. Allan, the Reverend's wife, had incredible positive influence over Anne's teenage years, but she was barely in the movie.

I love Anne for her imagination, passion, and love of life.  The books are excellent, and this movie is just as wonderful and delightful.  I can't wait to add  Anne of Green Gables to my own movie collection.

This post is for the Lucy Maud Montgomery Reading Challenge!  It's not too late to join in the fun!  I am currently reading Anne of Ingleside while I wait for Lucy Maud and the Cavendish Cat to arrive.

Deep Valley Books

You might remember my fondness of Maud Hart Lovelace.  It was just over a year ago that we were introduced.  Her writing tells the story of a simpler time-the early 1900's, and I just love it!

 The Betsy-Tacy series just wasn't enough for readers, and I am so excited to share about Betsy's friend Carney and a book of her own!  Carney's House Party is not part of the Betsy-Tacy books.  It is one of the Deep Valley books, taking place right in the same town as the Betsy-Tacy books and with many of the same characters, newly republished by Harper Collins Perennials.

Maud Hart Lovelace always wanted to be a writer, and after telling and retelling stories from her own childhood to her daughter Merian, she began writing the Betsy-Tacy books.  These books are fiction, though closely based on her own life in Minnesota.  Since Maud didn't go to college, she wasn't comfortable sending Betsy to college, so instead, she sent Carney!!

In the first book in this two-book volume, Carney's House Party, Caroline (or Carney) Sibley has just completed her sophomore year at Vassar College in 1911.  She returns to Deep Valley for the summer.  Carney hesitantly invites her roommate from back East, Isobel, who will stay with her for a month of summer.  Then her old friends, Bonnie and  Betsy, are able to come visit, too!  So Carney has a house party!

Their summer in Deep Valley is wonderful and filled with parties, fun, and fudge.  Carney's high school sweetheart returns for a visit after four long years apart.  Though they corresponded frequently, they need to see each other to see if marriage is in their future.  In the meantime, a rich, young man named Sam becomes part of the crowd and Betsy and Isobel become quite friendly with him, even though he reminds Carney of a baby hippo!

With Carney's House Party taking place over just a summer, as I read, I felt that the characters were well-developed.  The ending was not what I expected, but I was not disappointed either.  I was happily surprised.

Carney's House Party was enjoyable and gratifying to read.  Really, I didn't want to put it down!  I really enjoyed Carney, Betsy, and the crowd all grown up.  The Sibley family has its own unique values, traditions, and daily life.  They were still fun, and there was plenty of teasing; after all, most of the characters are familiar from the Betsy-Tacy books.  Carney's House Party is not from Betsy's point-of-view, so it is definitely different.

The girls attend college, and despite thoughts of engagements, intend to complete their schooling.   Isobel and Carney don't always understand one another's ways, but they remain friends and get along well enough.  (I never knew that breakfast, lunch, and dinner vs. breakfast, dinner, and supper were regional terms!  We happen to have breakfast, lunch, and dinner OR supper.  Except on Sundays.  On Sundays our noon meal is dinner.)  Carney is truly a sweet character, and I am thankful that Maud Hart Lovelace devoted an entire book to her.

Once again, there is a lot to learn about the early 1900's from reading Maud Hart Lovelace's work.  When I read Heaven to Betsy, I noticed how MHL was able to weave history (especially of the Mid-West...or the Middle West, as Carney prefers to call it) into the story in a fascinating, yet subtle way.  This time, there is a reference to women's suffrage, and even to the Mona Lisa's theft from the Louvre.  "She (Isobel) was too much like that smiling and inscrutable Mona Lisa who had been stolen last month from the Louvre Museum in Paris."  Throughout the book there were references to another book called The Little Colonel, which intrigued me, as well.  


The second Deep Valley book in this volume is Winona's Pony Cart.  Winona Root is a wealthy friend of Betsy and Tacy.  She is also a bit spoiled and about to have her eighth birthday.  She brags to her friends that she is going to get a pony for her birthday.  Winona is able to send out fifteen birthday invitations.  Without talking to her parents, she invites twice as many friends to the party!  When the time for the party arrives, Winona still hasn't told her parents that more kids will be coming.

Though Mr. Root has said no to giving his daughter a pony, he arranges for a pony to come to the party.  It proves to be quite entertaining for all the children.  Winona's Pony Cart gives a bit of a look into another child's life and of course, Betsy, Tacy, and Tib are still a three-some while being friends with Winona, too.

Though I didn't relate to Winona as much as Maud Hart Lovelace's other characters, this was still an enjoyable book.  Winona was a bit of a brat at times, but she did get over herself, too, even if she had her way in the end.


If you are a fan of Maud Hart Lovelace and have not yet explored the Deep Valley books, I definitely recommend them!  I will be reading Emily of Deep Valley very soon and can't wait to share it with you!

Big thanks to Harper Perennial for sending me this volume for review and for republishing them!!