Dog lived in the noisiest part of Bialystok. When he could take the racket no more, Dog set off for the country to find a quieter place to live. On his first night in his new home, a gang of howling and yowling, hissing and screeching cats terrorize him, destroying his newfound peace and quiet. Inspired by a Jewish folk tale, how Dog outwits the rascally cats makes for a humorous, satisfying story.

Reviewed by: caroll

Date read: 7/13/2009

ISBN-10: 0618159827

ISBN-13: 9780618159826

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'The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales' by Jon Scieszka is a zany retelling of some of your favorite fairy tales. The young reader will have fun listening to some of their favorite stories expressed from a different character's point of view. If you are looking for a book that faithfully recounts the familiar fairy tale, this is not it. But if you are interested in a book that will thoroughly entertain the reader with its unique stories and illustrations, you will love, 'The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales'.

Similar authors: Fiona Waters; Zoe B. Alley;

Similar books: The Three Silly Girls Grubb by John Hassett; The Three Little Javelinas by Susan Lowell; The Three Silly Billies by Margie Palatini; The Jolly Postman or Other People's Letters by Janet Ahlberg

Awards won: Caldecott Honor book 1993

Reviewed by: mb

Date read: 8/3/2011

ISBN-10: 067084487X

ISBN-13: 9780670844876

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I found this book to be well-written and captivating although my curiosity about certain happenings had to wait to be satisfied. Twelve years after the miller claims his daughter can spin straw into gold, this is a continuation of the fairytale Rumpelstiltskin. Mr. Schmidt has added intrigue and fantasy in the story. Tousle and blind Innes must find the answer to this question posed by the king in an effort to save the rebels, 'What fills a hand fuller than a skein of gold?' They have seven days to find the answer. Their trip to find the queen has many obstacles that must be overcome. Da, the miller, the farmer, and his wife are interesting characters which are well-developed. Reading this book is an incredibly enjoyable process.

Similar books: Trouble by Gary Schmidt

Reviewed by: cj

Date read: 2/22/2010

ISBN-10: 0618056017

ISBN-13: 9780618056019

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The illustrations drawn by Raul Colon enhance the beauty and love in this retelling of the Rapunzel story. Sugar Cane is taken from her parents at one year old by the island sorceress, Madame Fate. She is nasty and envious. She builds a tower for Sugar Cane without any entrance or exit. Sugar Cane's dark hair grows and grows while she is in the tower with a pet green monkey, Callaloo. With the help of Callaloo and the King of Music, Sugar Cane is finally able to escape and end up in the capital of the island. Eventually, will she find her true love, King?

Reviewed by: cj

Date read: 7/12/2010

ISBN-10: 0786807911

ISBN-13: 9780786807918

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This book is a stunning reinterpretation of the classic Norse tale 'East of the Sun, West of the Moon'. The youngest of a large family, the Lass is blessed with the mystical ability to speak to animals. Because of her ability, she does not fear the giant polar bear who asks her to accompany him to his palace for one year. In return, he will grant her family the means to have a better life. The Lass agrees, much to the displeasure of her eldest brother, whose own adventure in the frozen north is something of a mystery. At the ice palace, the Lass is attended on by all manner of creatures. They are all equally surprised to find that she can speak to them. Yet, when she tries to befriend them, they tend to disappear forever. In addition to the company of the bear and the servants, a mysterious man accompanies the Lass to bed each night. In spite of the peculiarities of her situation, the Lass comes to enjoy her new home. When the Lass' father falls ill, the bear allows her to go home for a time with the agreement that she will return with him to his palace. Upon hearing about the night visitor, the Lass' mother convinces her to take a candle with her to see the visitor's face. In spite of her intention not to use it, curiosity gets the best of the Lass and she lights the candle. The beautiful prince that sleeps beside her wakes to tell her that he was also the polar bear, under a spell, and that since she could not wait a year to see him, he must now wed the troll queen. The prince disappears and the Lass is left determined to right the wrong she did by saving him from the troll queen's palace that lies East of the sun and West of the moon. Her encounters in the ice palace are just the beginning of an entire world of magic and adventure that she braves to rescue her enchanted prince.

Similar books: East o' the Sun & West o' the Moon by Gillian Barlow, The Princess and the White Bear King by Tanya Robyn Batt, East by Edith Pattou,

Reviewed by: mlp

Date read: 6/2/2011

ISBN-10: 1599901099

ISBN-13: 9781599901091

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