5 comments about Over Sea, Under Stone (Dark is Rising Sequence).

1. Simon, Jane & Barney are off on their summer holidays with their mum & dad, to a holiday house in the village of "Trewissick" on the Cornish Coast, where they will all stay with Great-Uncle-Merry in a rambling old house overlooking the sea. They are all thrilled to be going to Cornwall, but none more so than Barney, the youngest, who loves the stories of Arthurian Legend and dreams of stories of King Arthur and his Knights. He can't wait to see Cornwall, the land of the Pendragon, the centre of Arthurian myth.
   
   On a miserable rainy day at the beginning of their holiday, the children decide to make an adventure of exploring the house where they are staying. Locked cabinets, chests and personal papers are out of bounds but they are free to explore the rest of the house as they like. In real Enid Blyton style they soon discover a secret stairway hidden behind a large heavy wardrobe in the boys' bedroom... and off they go to explore.... An ancient treasure map soon emerges & the children have found an adventure for their holiday... secrets to discover.
   
   But are they out of their depth? They don't seem to be the only people chasing after hidden treasure. Soon, they find an ally in Great-Uncle-Merry & Rufus, the dog... but can they reach the treasure before the sour Mr & Miss Withers, the rude ruddy-faced boy, Billy and the man they think is the vicar?!!
   
   A good, innocent, Famous-Five-style adventure story (first published In 1965), with just a hint of Arthurian legend & magic thrown in. From reading other reviews, it sounds as though the magic & legend are developed in the rest of the series, so here I guess just the foundations are laid. The children are all very cheery, optimistic, happy-go-lucky, although individual characters aren't developed at all in the story. Well-written, with more depth than an Enid Blyton story, lacks pace in a few places but overall recommended.



2. I started listening to this story and it sounded so familiar I swore I'd heard the story before - but I hadn't. I think it melds a lot of recent YA together, with a dash of The Davinci Code. This is not exactly a glowing endorsement, but if I am completely honest... it wasn't that bad. It was solidly mediocre.
   
   The main characters were likeable enough, though some of the lesser characters were just confusing. It was hard to really understand them, to get a grasp of their actual character. I think some of this was on purpose, to retain a sense of mystery (this is, after all, the start of a series) but some of it was just baffling. I would have preferred a bit more of a twist at the end of all of that action, and the end felt a bit blah. Still, overall it was easy to listen to, intriguing enough to hold my interest, and I will probably listen to the next book in the series.
   
   If you're a fan of the mysterious treasure map-hunting storyline, don't mind some obscurity and a few cliché characters, and are looking for a fairly light but action-packed read, this might be for you.



3. "Over Sea, Under Stone" is the first book in the "The Dark Is Rising" series, and it's a good start. Having said that, I'm enjoying the second book more; it's worth getting through some occasionally dry sections in this book so that you have the background you need to read the rest of the series.
   
   At first, I was a little worried by some similarities to "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" --- a group of siblings leave home and discover something unexpected hidden in the dusty corner of an old house. But as the story goes on, the resemblance is entirely coincidental. What the two books do share, though, are the elements of enduringly good children's fiction: a struggle to accomplish a goal of more than personal importance (not just growing up to like yourself, for example), narrative language that doesn't "write down" to the reader (and doesn't use slang or pop culture, which sounds too much like an adult trying to be trendy and ends up dating a book --- who can read the Hardy Boys now?), and an emphasis on moving the story forward rather than on hitting "teaching points." "The Dark Is Rising" series has a lot of the elements that make the "Narnia" books, the "His Dark Materials" books, and the "Wrinkle in Time" books so good.



4. Over Sea, Under Stone is about three children, The Drews, that embark on a great adventureous quest while vacationing with their parents and their Great Uncle Merry. These children are protrayed as bright, imaginable, and determined. They eventually find a treasure map and starts looking for this great treasure that supposedly will prove King Arthur existed. These children are racing against evil to get this treasure, with some help from their mysterious Great Uncle Merry.
   
   My favorite character in this book is hard to pinpoint because Susan Cooper really did not go into great detail on how the children looked and how they were. But still if I had to choose one favorite it wouldn't be any of the children, anyway. It would be Great Uncle Merry because he was so mysterious and I liked the fact no one messed with him.
   
   If I had to describe the main characters, the Drew children, my guess would be that the oldest boy Simon is brave and protective. He tries to be a little grown up, but you can tell he is still a child. Jane is cautious and fearful, and tends to jump before she thinks. Barney is really smart, a little sponge for all knowledge and attentive. The children were definitely different in personalities and in some of the things they did.
   
   My first introduction to Susan Cooper's writing has been enjoyable. I was impressed with her writing, and I realized within a couple of pages that this book was not written in the present time. There is a difference between modern writers and writers that have written 30 or so years ago. C.S. Lewis proved it to me with the Chronicles of Narnia and now Susan Cooper does with this wonderful book, as well.
   
   Thanks.



5. It's summer, the Drew Family (Simon, Jane and Barney, along with their parents) take a vacation in a small fishing village in Cornwall, renting "The Grey House" (owned by an eccentric and absent sea captain) and meeting up with their Great Uncle Merriman (who is renting The Grey House). On a rainy day the children set out to explore the house (sheer boredom drives them to explore the house as if they were exploring a distant land...an adventure worthy of a rainy afternoon. Since the various chests and cupboards are off limits (if it's locked, it's out of bounds), the children find themselves a secret door to the attic and begin searching, hoping to discover treasure within. In a dark and forgotten corner, treasure is just what they find...and once they've found that, they are off on a madcap adventure which puts all of them endanger, but which promises a truly amazing prize! What follows is pretty much standard stock for this type of story...parents are called away (in this case meeting up with an old friend), taking off for an unexpected visit, effectively leaving the children sans guardians and free to ramble about in search of adventure. I actually (accidentally) read The Dark is Rising prior to reading this, the first book in The Dark is Rising Sequence, so I was surprised to find this particular volume of the sequence largely bereft of the magic and wonder present in the second volume. To my way of thinking, this is a much simpler, less complex book, more in the vein of Nancy Drew...there is danger aplenty and the children must save themselves and solve the mystery before the "bad guys" do. The only difference is the children have found a map and text accompanying it suggesting it's of ancient origin and related to King Arthur...so it's a slightly more mythic quest than the typical Nancy Drew mystery...but it has that same feel, nonetheless.
   
   This book was first published in 1965 and as such it does seem to hearken back to a simpler time and one wonders what sort of story this would be given all the modern technology available to us these days...still, Over Sea, Under Stone has a rather timeless quality to it and still appeals to a children (and adults) 30+ years later! I particularly like that the children are well drawn, independent and not at all interchangeable (as often happens in this type of story). Additionally, I found the villains here (and they are to be found everywhere, even in the most unexpected places) to be quite, well, villainous! They are cold, calculating and bent on getting their hands on the map and the treasure at any cost...they are charming on the surface, but there is clearly something dark and dangerous seething just under that cleverly polished façade! I found Over Sea, Under Stone to be entertaining, interesting, and quite an exciting little adventure, but also felt that it related very little to the second book and I am wondering how it will all tie together (or if it does at all) as the sequence continues. Overall, I give it 4 stars...at this point in my reading, I don't see how it fist with the continuation of the story but I'm definitely looking forward to reading the rest of the series to find out.

5 comments about I Wonder As I Wander.

1. The Appalachian carol "I Wonder as I Wander" has a haunting melody - and words with staying power. *Perhaps* it came to the attention of American balladeer John Jacob Niles as described in this story. And the sweet, poignant words *may* tell about young Annie wrestling with the loss of her mother and the struggles of an itinerant life that followed.
   
   The author's imagination paints word-pictures that artist Ron Himler shares in watercolor for our delight. Annie questioned God, honestly, with innocence and hope. Today when we hear that song we will feel the beauty of Christmas, while the hope lingers year 'round.
   
   We have many wonderings of our own. Sharing these with our children is important, as is opening their eyes to the values 'grown' during the Depression years.
   
   This is a book all ages will eagerly read together. WHY aren't special titles like this shelved in 'adult fiction' for more readers to discover?



2. I know this song. I have sung it as a solo and directed choirs to sing it. The words and the music combine to make a beautiful sadness...a sense of being alone and yet peaceful. Gwenyth Swain has used her imagination and sensitivity to create a story of the song's beginning and Ronald Himler has added perfect illlustrations. The characterization of Annie Morgan and her Father is written and illustrated without a flaw. It is a lovely book, one to share with a friend no matter what age. It is sure to bring a tear to your eye.



3. 'Ornery' was what Annie Morgan's father called her in "I Wonder as I Wander," the 2003 story (Eerdmans) of an Appalachian carol that has become a favorite at Christmas-time: "...the way Papa tells it Annie was too fine a name for the kind of baby I was -- full of fire and vinegar. So, all of a snap, he took to calling me Ornery." The author, Gwenyth Swain, dedicated the book to a friend of the family who used to call her 'Ornery'.

   The story tells how John Jacob Niles, premier collector of mountain folk tunes, discovered the young girl singing in a village square to divert the local sheriff from insisting that her preacher-father move on. Niles persuaded Annie to sing the verses over and over until he had them written down to his satisfaction, and the words were preserved for generations to come.

   The drawings by award-winning illustrator Ron Himler fit the story beautifully, and coincidentally show Annie's father strongly resembling the Swain grandfather of the author!

   SAVOR THIS STORY WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS.




4. Set during the hard times of the Great Depression, Wonder As I Wander by Gwenyth Swain is the enchanting picture book story of Annie Morgan, a young girl pondering the mysteries of life. Annie wonders how her beloved mother could have died in the spring, when the land was full of life; how her wandering preacher father will pay for gas and food when he gives away so much to the poor; and why a sheriff won't let her father preach on the courthouse square. A haunting, evocative, and emotional story, superbly illustrated Ronald Himler with windswept colors, Wonder As I Wander is especially recommended for young readers ages 5 to 8.



5. I am an Appalachian. My father's people were born in the North Carolina mountains, moving into East Tennessee and I grew up in West Virginia. In my childhood I had a school teacher that played this tune "I Wonder as I Wander" on a dulcimer for us at the holiday times, and I've often heard it played in venues in my home state. Mostly I heard it at the Mountain State Festival's of my life. Then when I grew up I grew to love the work of Langston Hughes the poet and eventually sadly separated from my rural home and went from teaching art in West Virginia to teaching in South Central LA in Watts then a migrant town and now teach in Oxnard CA. Somehow it caught my eye that Langston Hughes titled his autobiography, "I Wonder as I Wander" and I always assumed that he was in some way connecting to this melody I knew from my childhood and the "just plain folks " life of rural people he grew up understanding.And talks so beautifully about in his autobiography. By the way it is an extraordinary book. This beautiful book I ran into just very, very recently and the title caught my eye once more. I thought, "How extraordinary." So I was so pleasantly surprised to read such an interesting story of a song catcher and child. I know my grandmother knew this tune, she was such a mountain treasure , you cannot know just how rich my life is having known so much through these roots. I've heard "I Wonder As I Wander" in Flag Pond, Tenn. More importantly I know from my father so much about the life of song in the mountains. Can you imagine something so fine as the story of a song catcher? And child with a song to sing? This story is a lovely way to bring the life of rural mountain people into your classroom(or child's life) as you quilt, think of the ways you might integrate such a book into listening to dulcimer or Appalachian musicians. I know WAY on out in California I love to bring Almost Heaven roots to the children. I have West Virginia pen pals to share cultures and exchange tales of two very different communities and this book is a perfect one to help set the pace and scene for understanding. I loved the look of the artwork and the truth is I'm a bit stunned by how my life has just truly been a circle. There are many songs about that as well that sound from my Appalachian days of life in the hollers. Buy this and share a world that my Dad knew in Depression days. It'll be such a welcome addition to literature in your child's life. And one day read Langston Hughes book as well. And listen to the tune that inspired so much divergent creativity and connection.

No comments about Who's in My Gingerbread House? (Tabletop Flap Book).

4 comments about Holly: The True Story of a Cat.

1. I like to collect Christmas books with cat themes. I purchased this book based on a parenting magazine review indicating that it was a good Christmas story. While the story is pleasant and the illustrations are lovely, the only Christmas reference is that the kitten was found on Christmas. All in all, if you want a simple storybook that has beautiful illustrations, it is a good choice. But if you're looking for a Christmas story, keep looking.



2. This is a book for cat lovers who appriciate art. It's a simple story of a kitten who grew up to be a mother cat, told with a heart and beautiful sensitive paintings.

   By the way, Ruth Brown was the illustrator of the James Herriot children books!




3. I found this book telling a simple story with a moving intensity. I have had a cat that touched me as much as Holly did. It's a very nice story.



4. This book is so simple, yet so lovely! "Holly" is the story of a stray kitten found at Christmas time (hence the name "Holly"). Through the illustrations and text we see her grow progessively more comfortable and bold in her new home. Eventually she is a happy, adult cat with two kittens of her own. We see her amusing interactions with her kittens as well as her daily life as a settled, adult cat.
   
   This is not a "wordy" book. Each page of this book has a gorgeous, watercolor illustration with a very simple sentence or two. The end of the book features a magnificent two page spread of Holly looking straight at the reader with large, yellow eyes.
   
   My children love this book so much that when we found our own abandoned, black cat in a shopping cart one Christmas, they immediately named the kitty "Holly Holly" (despite the fact that he was male!). He too is as special to us as Holly clearly is to the author of this lovely book.
   
   I highly recommend this book to cat lovers of all ages!

3 comments about Laura's Christmas Star.

1. THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL STORY ABOUT THE ANTICIPATION OF CHRISTMAS AND BELIEVING IN MAGIC.

   THE ILLUSTRATIONS ARE COLORFUL AND THE SPARKLE OF STARLIGHT GIVE CHILDREN SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO PAGE AFTER PAGE




2. Our daughter's name is Laura, so it is extra-special at our house. It is a great addition to our Christmas collection. Always a favorite bedtime story at holiday time!!



3. THIS IS A LOVELY BOOK WHICH WILL GIVE HOURS OF PLEASURE. WELL WORTH BUYING.

No comments about Una muneca para el dia de reyes.

No comments about Jingle Belle: Naughty & Nice.

No comments about Snowman'S Party (A Happy Snappy Book).

1 comments about The Little Christmas Tree.

1. Mercer Mayer, as always, never fails to keep a child's, nor an adult - these are the best books! My children loved these books, now my grand-daughter loves these books - these are great for holding a child's attention and teaching them "good lessons."

4 comments about The Tailor of Gloucester: 3 (Potter 23 Tales).

1. This is my favorite of the Beatrix Potter books, and I probably read all of them as a child. It's ideal for a slightly older child. A very sweet story of a tailor, his cat, and a group of mice who save his business when he is too ill to work.



2. It would be almost impossible to pick a favorite of the Beatrix Potter books, but if I had to, this would be it. The story and the artwork combine to make a perfect children's (or adult's)book.



3. These books are are so beautifully written and create an imaginative world for your child. I have wonderful memories of these tales from my childhood and love introducing them to my children. They are timeless!



4. It's such a sweet story, and the illustrations on this book are particularly lovely. I recommend it for you or a young friend.