CHILDREN'S BOOK WEEK: ~ GIVEAWAY HOP ~ MAY 4 - 10.15

May 4 - 10th 2015 
Celebrating CHILDREN'S BOOK WEEK
~

~ Glad to be joining Tressa of Wishful Endings for the  CHILDREN'S BOOK WEEK GIVEAWAY HOP  honouring children and reading - definitely something I support! Part of the longest running children's literacy initiative - since 1919 Find ALL the info HERE Books have played an integral part of my childhood from my earliest
bedtime story ritual memories to books gifted to me from family members. Fondly remembering Nana and an uncle gifting me 101 Dalmatians. And the wonderful walks across town with mom to the library where I could freely choose from those colourful covers and full shelves!  The Borrowers entire series was one fav. A happy Mother's Day memory held dearly now that she's gone...  Definitely a Joy to promote Children's Books and Reading during this week. ~

My GIVEAWAY OFFER?
~

~ An iconic Canadian Classic, ANNE OF GREEN GABLES #1, by Lucy Maude Montgomery! A favourite around the world, Anne is an exceptional character to introduce to a child's library.   Written in 1908 and set in 1878, it is the story of Marilla and Matthew from Avonlea on Prince Edward Island who, deciding to adopt an orphan to help on their farm, are mistakenly sent a girl instead of a boy.  Anne Shirley is the precocious, red-haired 11 year-old that Montgomery introduces - her adventures and misadventures - through nine books as she grows up. I've often shared my love for Anne as posted here ~
 Teaser Tuesdays+Intros
Anne of Green Gables Review -
Fav Quotes

Just for fun, take an online tour of Green Gables Here.

Here's your opportunity to Enter to Win a copy! ~ a Rafflecopter giveaway ~*~ Adding to the FuN , here's a downloadable bookmark, created by Raul Colon, to copy and use  courtesy of Children's Book Week  ~

Have a Fantastic Children's Book Week  celebrating books and reading with the children in your life!
Carry on hopping here:
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AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: ANNE OF GREEN GABLES - LM Montgomery author ~ Colleen Winton narrator

ANNE OF GREEN GABLES by Lucy Maude Montgomery Narrated by Colleen Winton

Anne, a young orphan from the fictional community of Bolingbroke, Nova Scotia (based upon the real community of New London), is sent to Prince Edward Island after a childhood spent in strangers' homes and orphanages. Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, siblings in their fifties and sixties, had decided to adopt a boy from the orphanage to help Matthew run their farm. They live at Green Gables, their Avonlea farmhouse on Prince Edward Island. Through a misunderstanding, the orphanage sends Anne Shirley.

Anne is described as bright and quick, eager to please, talkative, and extremely imaginative. She has a pale face with freckles and usually braids her red hair. When asked her name, Anne tells Marilla to call her Cordelia, which Marilla refuses; Anne then insists that if she is to be called Anne, it must be spelled with an e, as that spelling is "so much more distinguished." Marilla at first says the girl must return to the orphanage, but after a few days she decides to let her stay. Marilla feels that she could be a good influence on the girl and had also overheard that another disagreeable woman in town might take Anne in instead.-publisher

Series: Anne of Green Gables #1
Audiobook Edition
Published: May 30.13
Publisher: Post Hypnotic Press
Length: Unabridged 10 hrs 6 min

My Thoughts?

There's nothing like Anne to inspire laughter and Lucy M Montgomery for atmospheric descriptions of beauty!

Elderly unmarried siblings, Matthew, and sister, Marilla, have sent word to a neighbouring villager, Mrs Spencer, to bring them a boy to help as a farmhand when she visits a Nova Scotia orphanage in the spring. The message gets twisted enroute, delivering them the unexpected 11 year old Anne! 

The joys and tribulations of Anne's addition to their tranquil Prince Edward Island lives are delicious to experience. A girl of dreams and dialogue beyond her years, unlimited ideas and imagination to share with anyone lacking, Anne is quickly endeared to the reader by Lucy Maud's characterizations and descriptions. 

“Isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?” 

The humour of Anne's escapades is effectively and dramatically juxtaposed against the societal expectations of the Victorian era and island culture. 

“It's been my experience that you can nearly always enjoy things if you make up your mind firmly
that you will.” 

It’s easy to immerse oneself into the life of Anne as we cheer her on in pursuit of kindred spirits!  

“Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think. 

It's splendid to find out there are so many of them in the world.” 

An especially satisfying read expressing much appreciation of beauty, a turn of the century girl's journey from childhood to young womanhood, and a realistic cast of characters populating this introductory story of Anne...

This time round I've had the pleasure of Anne on audio via the Post Hypnotic Press audiobook presentation. Narrated by Colleen Winton, the characters of the story were differentiated and personalized with varying voice expression, inflections and range of tone. Ms WInton captured their personalities well. My personal preference would have been the choice of a younger voice to represent Anne, especially as the main character of the story, an essential consideration. Ms Winton was capable and steady in her narration.

Post Hypnotic's recording was clear and uninterrupted by background interference. Dubbing or retakes were seamless, allowing for a pleasurable listening experience. 

A lovely way to enjoy our beloved Anne of Green Gables.

*

Author Bio:

Lucy Maud Montgomery OBE (November 30, 1874 – April 24, 1942), called "Maud" by family and friends and publicly known as L. M. Montgomery, was a Canadian author best known for a series of novels beginning with Anne of Green Gables, published in 1908. Anne of Green Gables was an immediate success. The central character, Anne, an orphaned girl, made Montgomery famous in her lifetime and gave her an international following. The first novel was followed by a series of sequels with Anne as the central character. Montgomery went on to publish 20 novels as well as 500 short stories and poems. Many of the novels were set on Prince Edward Island, Canada and places in the Canadian province became literary landmarks. She was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1935.

LM Montgomery, was born at Clifton, Prince Edward Island, Nov. 30, 1874. She came to live at Leaskdale, north of Uxbridge Ontario, in 1911 after her wedding with Rev. Ewen Macdonald on July 11, 1911 in Prince Edward Island. Her three children were born at Leaskdale, and she wrote close to a dozen books while she was living in the Leaskdale Manse before the Macdonald family moved to Norval, Ontario in 1926. 

Maud died in Toronto April 24, 1942 and was buried at Cavendish, Prince Edward Island.

For more information, please see http://en.wikipedia...more

*

Narrator:

Colleen is a Vancouver actor, singer, dancer, director and choreographer...and now a narrator. Her career has taken her all over the country and  includes the Stratford, Shaw and Charlottetown Festivals, the original Canadian companies of CATS and Show Boat, extensive film/TV credits, and numerous directing/choreographing credits. Her stage work has been honoured with numerous nominations and a Jessie and Ovation award and she received a cultural award given by her local Chamber of Commerce. She recently played Marilla Cuthbert in a production of the musical Anne of Green Gables at Theatre Calgary (Spring 2013).

* Post Hypnotic Press audio of the Anne series is available  for your listening enjoyment online HERE.  * * Appreciation to Post Hypnotic Press and Audiojukebox for providing an mp3 for listening and reviewing without cost or compensation. * Tweet *

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Mama's Going to Buy You a Mockingbird : Review -Canadian author Jean Little

Couldn't resist this Summertime book cover calling me -

* "Jeremy's parents are in the city while he and his little sister go to their cottage at the lake with their aunt; there are strange whispered phone calls between his aunt and his mom; and there's a sadness about everything that puzzles and disturbs Jeremy.There is time, just about, for Jeremy and his father to be alone together before the end comes; time enough for them to give each other one last gift: Jeremy's is a special good luck token; his dad's to him is a special new friend. a young girl whom his teacher father has befriended. It is this very special girl, whose own tragedies have left her strong and compassionate and able to bear her eccentricities with self-confidence, who enables Jeremy to bear the burden of his own sadness as well as that of his mother and sister. The overtures of friends and teachers and the discomfort of grief is borne because of Tess' help and her admiration for his father. Simply told in straightforward prose, the complexities are made comprehensible without diminishing their depth. Both boys and girls will appreciate this novel. It can also open up a discussion of death and dying, comfort, friendship and bereavement at an appropriate level. Grades 5-7" Marjorie Lewis, Scarsdale Junior High School, N.Y. Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. -from School Library Journal * this edition published in 2005 by Puffin of Penguin Books Canada 245 pages * My thoughts? Sensitive treatment of 11 year old Jeremy and his younger sister, summer vacationing at the lake with their paternal aunt, whilst waiting expectantly for their parents' to join them. Father is ill, but they haven't been told more. This is a ya journey through a parent's discovery of cancer and its impact on the family as a whole and on each individual.

Characters are a joy to meet as described by Canadian author, Jean Little. Believable, likeable and true to age depicted, it took me back to my own childhood at that stage. Thoughts, actions, reactions - all the characteristic behaviours with Ms Little's added insights of this threat to Jeremy's life as he'd known it.
Endearing moments between father and son, mother and son; maturing moments captured between brother and sister, Jeremy and a classmate his father had suggested befriending. All work together creating a tender story of loss, growth and understanding of family.

Highly recommended. * My 2nd book reviewed for this year's Canadian Reading Challenge hosted by John Mutford in the NorthWest Territories. Do you read Canadian?  authors, locales, characters?  Why not add your commitment, then post your reviews that introduce us to new titles?   Follow and add your Tweets
*

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Armchair BEA Genre Discussion: YA + Children's Books 1.6.13

Saturday at Armchair Book Expo for Bloggers is all about - * “A children's story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children's story in the slightest.” 
― C.S. Lewis ~~~~~~ * ~~~~~ So what 'children's' stories do you enjoy ? *

I have to say the stories written by

CS Lewis , the author of the quote ,

  are def some ! And include the movies as well.   Brought them to life.
~~~~~~~~ * ~~~~~~~ How could we grow up and live well rounded lives without Anne of Green Gables?

 Forever Thanks to Lucy Maude Montgomery for writing these ! Don't miss this amazing current amazon offer for this Anne eBook set 124 five * ratings !!

The Anne Stories: 12 Books, 142 Short Stories, Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Avonlea, 

Anne of the Island, Anne's... by Lucy Maud Montgomery and Timeless Reads (Feb 4, 2013) - 

Kindle eBook   $1.99 Kindle Edition

~~~~ * ~~~~ The usual fairy tales of Cinderella, Rapunzel, Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs, were all a part of my childhood. * Robert Munsch 

and * Dick Bruna's Miffy for my kiddos. *

~~~~~~~~~~ * ~~~~~~~ I really look forward to that aspect of becoming a NaNa. The opportunity to spend time reading to them.  Total Joy.  At least it was with my kids =) I am anticipating good reading times and new book discoveries along the way! ~~~~~~~~~ * ~~~~~~~~~ So many directions available for YA, but I probably steer toward classics for teaching really good reading material by example. Good vocabulary, dialogue, word usage - all things that add the best to their own development. Obviously our reading influences us, so we need to choose when we know believing affects behaviour.   * One YA series I'll focus on because I totally enjoyed and participated in the online weekly discussions is Lisa T Bergren's River of Time.  Time travel from today back to medieval days. Really fabulous and recommended highly around the book blogging world. *

     

           

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A few fave book quotes from Goodreads -

 “It is a good rule after reading a new book, never to allow yourself another new one 

till you have read an old one in between.” 

“Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again.”  “No book is really worth reading at the age of ten which is not equally  – and often far more –  worth reading at the age of fifty and beyond.” 

― all by C.S. Lewis  Seemed to apply to today's genre discussion !
Hoping you're having a great reading day - whatever your genre !

*

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book covers from goodreads

'The Secret Garden' Party 5/31

Sheila of The Book Journey
posted a Read a Long button
'The Secret Garden'
that caught my attention this month ~

Having enjoyed the various movie adaptations
and live theatre performance while living in Prince Edward Island
it was the perfect timing for reading the real deal
The promise of a Secret Garden Party at the end of the month
clinched my participation!

The Secret Garden
tells the story of Mary Lennox, a neglected child, left in the care of her
Indian ayah and servants while parents choose life as if childless.
When those servants die in a cholera outbreak,
along with her parents, Mary is unexpectedly discovered alone in the home
necessitating arrangements that will return her to family in Yorkshire England.

Thus begins the new life of our young Mistress Mary quite contrary...

I love author Frances Hodgson Burnett's depictions of
Yorkshire characters populating this story ~
Martha and her brother Dickon, key figures of good and influence
on the young and entitled cousins of Colin and Mary.
brought fully to life through dialect and activites ~
realistic and colourful servants such as gardener,
Ben Weatherstaff, and protagonists alike,
kept me interested in the development of  both story
and maturing of the spoilt master and mistress of Misselthwaite Manor.

I can imagine the anticipation of reading the original story,
published in serial format, autumn of 1910,
preceding it's publication as a novel  in 1911.

Descriptions of the Secret Garden itself
allowed for creative and  imaginative visualization
of native plants and the Yorkshire moors


source


alongside the cultivars of the Garden's original owner and gardeners,
piqued my interest in the role of the Garden itself...

Some of my favourite quotes?

"Tha' worlds all fair begun again this mornin', it has."
~ Dickon

source

"When th' sun did jump up, th' moor went mad for joy.."

source

an' i come straight here. I couldn't have stayed away.  

Why the garden was lyin' here waitin'!

source

"They had come upon a whole clump of crocuses

burst into purple


and orange and gold."

"There was every joy on earth in the secret garden that morning..."

"It's part o' th' springtime, this nest-buildin' is," he said.
"I warrant it's been goin' on in th' same way every year since th' world was begun."

source

"Two lads an' a little lass just lookin' on at th' springtime."

"...there'll be peach an' plum trees in bloom against th' walls,
an' th' grass'll be a carpet o' flowers."

"...the plum-tree, which was snow-white with blossoms and musical with bees.
It was like a king's canopy, a fairy king's.

There were flowering cherry-trees near

Source


and apple-trees whose buds were pink and white,
and here and there one had burst open wide."

source

Here's a brief intro to the story from the lovely 1987 movie ~

“When I was ten, I read fairy tales in secret and would have been ashamed 
if I had been found doing so. 
Now that I am fifty I read them openly. 
When I became a man I put away childish things, 
including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up.” 
― C.S. Lewis

a bit of background from wikipedia-
"The walled garden of Great Maytham Hall

 provided the inspiration for one of the most famous of all books for children, 
The Secret Garden. 
Its author, Frances Hodgson Burnett, lived at Great Maytham Hall from 1898 to 1907, 
where she found the old walled garden 
dating from 1721 sadly overgrown and neglected.^[5] 
Aided by a robin, Burnett discovered the door hidden amongst the ivy, 
and began the restoration of the garden, which she planted with hundreds of roses. 
She set up a table and chair in the gazebo, 
and dressed always in a white dress and large hat, 
she wrote a number of books in the peace and tranquility of her scented secret garden."


“You and I who still enjoy fairy tales have less reason to wish actual childhood back. 
We have kept its pleasures and added some grown-up ones as well.” 
― C.S. Lewis

And now it's time to join the rest of
The Secret Garden Party
with our host Sheila ...




“Someday you'll be old enough to start reading fairy tales again.” 
― C.S. Lewis

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