THE BOY AND THE MOON and other stuff...

James Christopher Carroll is an illustrator and THE BOY AND THE MOON is his first children's book.

To say that Carroll is supremely talented would be an understatement, as it is to say such about a lot of children's book author/illustrators. There is so much imagination and wonder in each and every picture for you and your children to gander at as you sit back in bed and enjoy a cuddle and story time.

THE BOY AND THE MOON reminded me of Sendak's WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE and some of the work of another amazing author/illustrator I recently discovered, William Joyce.

Certainly check this one out from your local library!

When I saw the cover for CLARA AND ASHA I just knew I would love it. I love giant creatures and big imagination and Eric Rohmann delivers both in this, his follow up to the Caldecott winning MY FRIEND RABBIT, THE CINDER EYED CATS and TIME FLIES.

If I had to compare CLARA AND ASHA to another author's books it would have to be David Wiesner. Both capture the wonder and beauty of childhood imagination in a way that just takes you away to amazing places.

I look forward to checking out more Rohmann!

Why don't my kids like Harry Potter? Seriously, someone explain to me how it can be that my two older children (Aidan 10, Dani 7), both avid readers with sparkling imaginations have no interest in Potter? What is up with this?

Twice I have tried to get them to read HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER STONE and twice they have handed it back to me after a couple of chapters. Boring. Not very good. I would rather read something else.


What?

I adore the Potter books. Cherish them more than most of all the books I have ever read.

Something is wrong with my children.

Picked up a cool book today at one of my favourite used book stores today (BMV at Yonge and Eglinton). BREVERTON'S PHANTASMAGORIA (A Compendium of Monsters, Myths and Legends).


This looks like the perfect book for anyone that loves folklore and mythology, as I do. Look for a review sometime in the future! 

Terry Breverton also has another cool book called BREVERTON'S NAUTICAL CURIOSITIES.

RANDOM MUSINGS

I don't write much about the random musing I have about the world of books and movies that take up much of my free time. This is something I would like to change. I think this blog needs a little bit more than simply my thoughts about wether I like a book or not.

So, I'm going to start with two musings I've been...well...musing about lately.

The first is, what the heck is going on with The Underminer? He bursts onto the scene in such dramatic fashion threatening the world and then nothing! It's been eight years!

So, will we ever seen THE INCREDIBLES 2? I really really hope so. The first movie is one of my all time favourite animated feature films and I believe deserves a sequel.

My other random musing is to do with Rob Roger's DEVIL'S CAPE. If you are a superhero aficionado then this is a book for you. A few years ago this was one of my year's best read (I was blog-less at the time so, sorry Rob, no awards for you!) and I still find myself wondering what the heck is going on with the survivors.

Please Rob, if you are out there, you got a fan that is dying to read more!

Oh, and I totally bought this today because I don't know when I'll get the chance to go see it. Figured it's the next best thing:

E. ASTER BUNNYMUND AND THE WARRIOR EGGS AT THE EARTH'S CORE!

That title is, indeed, a mouth-full. But what a terrific book to read.

It's by one of my new favourite writers/illustrators William Joyce. If you have been following along the blog of late, then you know that I am crazy for almost everything this gentleman is contributing to the world of the imagination.

E. ASTER BUNNYMOND AND THE WARRIOR EGGS AT THE EARTH'S CORE is book two of The Guardians series of chapter books Joyce is writing. It also has ties with the children's picture book called THE MAN IN THE MOON and the fall release THE SANDMAN: THE STORY OF SANDERSON MANSNOOZIE. Of course all of these books tie in with the movie coming this november RISE OF THE GUARDIANS.

If you missed my review of NICHOLAS ST. NORTH AND THE BATTLE OF THE NIGHTMARE KING, book one of The Guardians series, you can read it here.

Book two takes place shortly after the climax of book one. It continues with the same characters but delves deeper into who they are and what they are all about. We also meet new faces which add even more rich layers to this wonderfully epic series.

And yes, Pitch, The Nightmare King, is back at it again, desperate to destroy the forces that fouled up his plans in the first book. But who is this strange creature called the Pooka? You must read it to find out!

This is an awesome book. I can't recommend it enough. You and your children (it's shelved in the 6-8 year old readers section of the bookstore) will absolutely love it!

The third book in this amazing series comes out this fall. It's called TOOTHIANA, QUEEN OF THE TOOTH FAIRY ARMIES.

MAN OF STEEL - Official Trailer (2013) [HD]

Of course I can't wait! Zack and Sup!!

BRANDED - Official Trailer #2

Totally can't wait for this. IT LOOKS AWESOME!

THE SPIDER AND THE FLY by TONY DiTERLIZZI

THE SPIDER AND THE FLY is a creepy book by Tony DiTerlizzi based on the cautionary tale by Mary Howitt and it's simply wonderful.

Tony DiTerlizzi is probably best known to bibliophiles for the recent releases of two young adult books, THE SEARCH FOR WONDLA and A HERO FOR WONDLA. He is also one of the duos behind THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES.

Mary Howitt's poem was first published in 1829. Her books include SKETCHES OF NATURAL HISTORY, BALLADS AND OTHER POEMS, and several translations of the work of Hans Christian Anderson, including his fairy tales (yep, I stole this from the back of the book!).

 The poem itself is great, and will appeal to anyone who enjoys a good creepy cautionary tale filled with delicious imagery. This is a splendid book to read to a child who needs to learn the lesson 'you don't talk to strangers'.

As for Tony DiTerlizzi's illustrations, I can't gush enough. They are simply amazing. Stupendous. Each one is filled with gothic delights you will pleasure in looking at over and over again. DiTerlizzi said in the afterward to the book that the drawings were influenced by Ed Gorey, Chaz Addams and his favourite artist, Arthur Rickham.

The Spider and The Fly was originally released in 2003 and is a Caldecott Honor book. Check it out from your local library today!

OZ, THE GREAT AND POWERFUL

Thinking I might get this poster, plac-it and put her up on my wall. Me digs!

Oz the Great and Powerful Trailer [HD]: James Franco, Michelle Williams,...

I love anything these days that takes me away to another world, a place I can escape for a few beautiful hours of imaginative wonderism.
And hey, it's Franco and Raimi! And Oz!
Coming in 2013.

THE LAND OF STORIES (The Wishing Spell)

Here is another one I am looking forward to and it comes out soon. July 17th to be exact. It's written by Chris Colfer of GLEE fame. Check it out!

Alex and Conner Bailey's world is about to change, in this fast-paced adventure that uniquely combines our modern day world with the enchanting realm of classic fairy tales.

The Land of Stories tells the tale of twins Alex and Conner. Through the mysterious powers of a cherished book of stories, they leave their world behind and find themselves in a foreign land full of wonder and magic where they come face-to-face with the fairy tale characters they grew up reading about.

But after a series of encounters with witches, wolves, goblins, and trolls alike, getting back home is going to be harder than they thought.

GEORGE SHRINKS

I am not the biggest fan of the George Shrinks television show. It's probably not fair but the thing that irritates me is George's voice. When I hear it, it bugs me almost as much as Caillou does. And Caillou bugs the shit out of me.

But the book, about a boy who dreams he is small and then is small, is one I liked. Sure, it's not my favourite William Joyce book (author of the Guardians of Childhood series, including THE MAN IN THE MOON and the soon to be released THE SANDMAN: THE STORY OF SANDERSON MANSNOOZIE) but it is fun and a great book to read to your kids at bedtime.

George goes on quite the adventure. He has to complete his daily chores that normally would take not much effort at all, but as the size of a mouse, are quite challenging, even life threatening!

If you or your children are fans of the television show they will certainly like this book. If, like me, they don't like the show, well, who knows? I liked the book, anyway!