I Wanna Be a Rodeo Queen!

Kylie Jean: Rodeo Queen by Marci Peschke (illus. by Tuesday Mourning). Picture Window Books, 2011.

I'll admit I was a bit skeptical when Pie pulled this off the shelf. It's very pink. But Pie Had to Have it, so into the Library Bag it went.

Somehow it was tossed in with my books by mistake and ended up in my office, amidst books on palmistry and auras (research! for a MG I have going. Even I have my limits.).

The voice of Kylie Jean captured me immediately. A first person, sweet as can be that rings with Texas Twang.

"The sky is as baby blue as a robin's egg, and there is a cool breeze jiggling the new green leaves on the trees. Bright yellow flowers that look like tiny stars are popping up everywhere. Yup, it's springtime all right!"(11)

Who could resist that voice?

Plus, the plotting is tight. Kylie wants something, to become a beauty queen, but she'll settle for Rodeo Queen this time. She faces challenges, and with support from those around her, she succeeds. Three cheers for Kylie Jean!

This book is perfect for little girls; it reinforces a try and try again attitude, practice and persistence, positive everything. Plus the characters are all warm, safe - a reader would feel nurtured and loved in Kylie's community. Not to mention the to-die-for-cute illustrations.

Pie started reading it over breakfast. A few minutes into it she started laughing.

"You like it?" I asked.

"Mom! Ugly Brother is a DOG!" and she proceeded to read the next few pages aloud to me.

Now if that's not sign of a fabulous book, I don't know what is.

On Fairies and Frogs and Such

Rainbow Magic: The Party Fairies, Cherry the Cake Fairy by Daisy Meadows. Rainbow Magic Ltd., 2005.

In my quest to understand early chapter books, I read a handful of the Rainbow Magic series. I enjoyed discovering that strict "logic" isn't so much of a concern for this sort of book. No one is asking in this first chapter how a little frog-man gets in an envelope, or about the origin of little frog-men or why frog-men are involved with the fairy world at all (slaves? A fairy-world underclass?).

In this particular story, the "problem" is fairly small: a ruined cake. But in Ramona the Pest fashion, it quickly escalated. All the cakes in the world will be destroyed! Every birthday party will be ruined! Unlike Ramona, however, the reader's attention is split among different characters with point of view shifts galore. I found myself never quite developing an emotional attachment to any character, although I did worry for poor little frog man.

Interestingly, there's a larger plot thread that unites the series (unlike, say, Babysitter's Club where each volume could stand alone) and a smaller thread for each individual book.

Two Undecodable Books (ok, maybe a little decodable)

Henry and Mudge and the Tumbling Trip plus The Big Sleepover by Cynthia Rylant. 2005.

An adventure story about fun and friendship.

Rylant uses short sentences, though I must say from a reading-developmental level (whatever it’s called), the vocabulary used requires decoding skills a Level 2 might not have. “Knocked” and “enough” are more level 3 or 4, I think, but what do I know? I only taught three kids how to read.

The second of hers (Sleepover) was fun and un-frightening but on a topic that might be frightful for a child. Tender. It does not, however, make me eager to host my kids’ first sleepover (and I don’t even have knickknacks!).

Friends Forever: George and Martha

George and Martha by James Marshall. Houghton Mifflin, 1972.

Very similar to Frog and Toad in that it’s told in short tales, and “adult” characters who act and think like children, yet with a soft, sweet tone similar to Rosemary Wells.

In the stories two happy friends learn how to interact and be better friends though honesty and respect for one another. Valuable lessons for children. Each tale reads almost like a joke with an unexpected punch line at the end.

Interestingly, there are a number of more contemporary "versions" - or series - that aren't retellings, but are based solidly on the George and Martha model.

Silly Old Bear!

Winnie The Pooh by AA Milne. 1926.

Bump, bump, bump on the back of his head. Winnie Ther Pooh. Haycornes and Heffalumps.

How many times have I read these charming stories to my own kids, skipping whole pages so bedtime doesn’t stretch on until 10pm?

The tone is gentle, paternal (without being didactic). And there’s a lesson to writers here: if you write about your own kids, change the names. Apparently Christopher Robin (the real boy) was quite harassed by classmates for having a popular book out about his playtime imaginings. Moral #2: modern authors might not want to mimic the Pooh style too closely. Timeless sensibilities to appreciate: repetition, delightful characters (very Toot & Puddle—rather they are very Pooh), nostalgic prose. But please add a little of today’s characteristics like brevity for a more parent-friendly read.

Like Sitting on a Cloud and Flying

Little Bear by Else Holmelund Minarik. 1957.

Four easy-to-read chapters with engaging pen and ink illustrations (Sendak). Each story uses carefully controlled and repeated vocabulary; many have surprise twists at the end. And as with most books, this one engages the child’s world with tenderness and respect. The importance of a child’s birthday, the tenderness of the mother-child relationship. Adventures are kept small and non-threatening (a very little tree on a little hill), within reach without fear. And the final chapter reviews all the stories to aid in retention and reader participation.

Aside: I didn’t care for Mother telling Little Bear that his wishes were unattainable, but who am I? Just a mom of three getting a graduate degree, which is only a little like sitting on a cloud and flying.

Is there a Doctor in the House? Two by Seuss

Dr. Seuss, The Cat in the Hat, 1957.

Singsong rhyme and controlled vocabulary are great for beginning readers. The story is incredibly imaginative, with the twist that the cat is the “child” who tears up the house and makes a mess, while the children are the “adults.” An early lesson in empathy for ones’ parents, perhaps? St. Nick, Fish, and Pie have all loved this book. And I've loved skipping pages while reading it.





Dr. Seuss, Green Eggs and Ham, 1960.

Every parents’ “must have” for the picky eater. “You don’t want to be like Sam! You’ve never even tried it.” The story mimics the child in a way that can make him laugh at himself. It’s silly to see an adult (creature) being so picky! Again, rhyme and almost exclusive use of short, easy words aid beginning readers in decoding the story.