Books, books, books

Those of you who know us, know that finding good, appropriate, challenging books is a constant quest for me. Keeping up with the boys reading needs is a tiresome but rewarding task. I have come to find some sources of book recommendations are better than others. I treasure the ones I have found to be reliable, avoid the ones that aren't like the plague.

Recently, I happened upon a book, 1001 Children's Book You Must Read Before You Grow Up (http://www.amazon.com/1001-Childrens-Books-Must-Before/dp/0789318768/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1282087017&sr=1-1). This book has led us to doing some author studies. We look up the author using Google. Find out whatever bits we can. I confess, I do this the night before by myself, then with the boys the next day. Why? Anyone know anything about Lewis Carroll? Whew! Wouldn't want that surprise with the kidos!

Anyway, before we research the author, we look in the library and scarf up any and every book we can by said author. It has been quite fun. We compare different stories by the same author, compare one author's style to another. Comment on some literary techniques used. We get to see how sometimes authors and illustrators pair up. We pay attention to copyrite's - why are there copyrites after the author's death? What is a copyrite?

Somehow, this author study approach has led me, and now the boys, to Lloyd Alexander. Lloyd Alexander, author of The Prydain Chronicles(basis for the Disney movie "The Black Cauldron), Time Cat, The Gawgon and the Boy, The Cat Who Wished to Be a Man, and more.

These books are not twaddle. They are well written, full of imagination, adventure, and fun. Alexander does have one book entry in the 1001 Children's Book book mentioned above and four books mentioned in Great Books for Boys by Kathleen Odean. What level reader are these for? Here's my soapbox moment....

I think that good books, the ones that have timeless tales to tell, can be read by all. I think it is a shame when people think a book is below them. There is value in well written picture books. We have "read" books where they were no words, just illustrations, that made us laugh. That said, I think these books can be for just about any level. Whether read independently or aloud, the stories are there for the enjoying.

There is sorcery in several books, and what could be perceived as a ghost in at least one. If these are things you do not want in your children's reading, then steer clear. If these topics do not bother you, may I suggest going on the adventures Alexander provides? If you have read them, know you and your children can share your enjoyment with us!