odds and ends
Some quick reviews and comments:
- D and I have been reading The Phantom Tollbooth as his bedtime story. I had great fond memories of this book from my childhood and was eager to share it with D. We both enjoyed it, although not quite as much as I’d hoped. He didn’t get a lot of the puns, which probably means that it might have been better to wait a year or two. And I was surprised in re-reading it to discover the near total lack of female characters. (The exceptions are the Which, the Soundkeeper, and Rhyme and Reason, who need to be rescued, of course.) My recommendation if you’re reading it out loud is to go ahead and make Tock female. Next up is The Champion of Merrimack County.
- I got sent a review copy of Snacktime! the new kids album from Barenaked Ladies. I’m a fan of BNL and am always up for new kids music, so it seemed like a good fit. It’s a fun album, similar in silliness to Here Come the ABCs’. N particularly likes 789, and D likes Popcorn and The Ninjas (although he protests that he’s a ninja and he’s not "unspeakably violent"). I don’t think there’s anything on the album that’s as inspired as If I Had a Million Dollars, but I wouldn’t want to throw it out the window after a long car trip (and that’s actually high praise for kids’ music).
- I’ve been getting Cookie magazine for a few months (I was offered a chance to get it for airline miles). It’s certainly nothing profound, but it’s entertaining, and I think the reviews of kids books, games, etc. are interesting. The fashion layouts are pretty absurd — I don’t spend $70 for a shirt for myself, and I’m sure not spending that kind of money on clothes for my kids. But they’ve decided that if I get this, I must want Lucky as well, which is a total waste of paper as far as I’m concerned.
I’m listening to the political news while I post. I wouldn’t have believed it two years ago, if you had told me that on the night that Obama clinched the nomination, I’d be feeling bittersweet.
June 4th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
I am completely bummed about Hillary’s loss. Thank god the election is not tomorrow because I would go on vacation.
June 4th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
I have copy of the Phantom Tollbooth ready and waiting on my girls’ book shelf, but I think you’re right– so much of the beauty of the book rests in the playfulness with language, so a kid has to get that first to really get the book. I also love the idea of making Tock female!
Have you been reading Shakesville? Melissa McEwan has perfectly summed up the bittersweetness I feel about this whole primary season.
June 4th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
I actually don’t feel “sweet” about it at all. Just disappointed.
June 5th, 2008 at 7:45 am
As a teacher and a mother, I am delighted that you believe it’s good for boys to read books with female characters. I came across your blog while searching for blogs written by people who believe in strong girls. I thought bloggers with these beliefs would most likely have daughters. I am delighted to find a woman who believes in strong girls who has sons. I remember in an earlier post you lamented not having a daughter that you could teach to be strong and powerful. Please don’t feel that way. It is so important that beliefs like yours be passed down to young boys. I actually feel that this is an area often ignored that shouldn’t be. Exposing them to strong female role models in real life and in literature is the beginning of ensuring that they will become the kind of men who correctly acknowledge that women are powerful people. Thanks for that!
June 5th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
We’re reading Phantom right now too. Pony is also missing a lot of it. I think I need to wait until he’s eight or so.
Next up Island of the Blue Dolphins. One of my favorites. And about a very strong little girl.
June 6th, 2008 at 10:05 am
Phantom Tollbooth is one of my youngest child’s favorite books. It’s fun to read aloud because it’s so quirky ….