Friday Spotlight: THE KITE PRINCESS

I like books that show an alternative view of princesses. That is why I am especially fond of THE KITE PRINCESS.  Princess Cinnamon Stitch is not your average princess. She is a bit of a tomboy and has not desire to be the kind of princess that her parents would like her to be.  Instead of standing around looking pretty, she wants to turn cartwheels through puddles and dance with alley cats.

One day, Cinnamon starts working a special project. Her parents think she is finally settling down and working on a special outfit.  Instead, she creates a giant kite that carries her around the kingdom.  When her parents see how joyful it is, they decide that maybe they need kites of their own.

The family lives happily ever after flying around with their kites. 

An added bonus for this book is a CD with the story read by one of my favorite actresses, Imelda Staunton.

I think this book would make a terrific gift paired with a kite or kite-making kit.

Ages 3 to 8 years
Written by Juliet Clare Bell
Illustrated by Laura-Kate Chapman
Narrated by Imelda Staunton
Hardcover with Story CD $16.99

Buy this book here.

Friday Spotlight: HERB, THE VEGETARIAN DRAGON

Whenever I get an order of books in, I like to sit down and go through them and make sure I have read every single one.  In my current batch of books, my son saw a copy of HERB, THE VEGETARIAN DRAGON.  (I include spoilers so you know just what the story is)

My son asked me to please please please read it to him! 

While Herb's fellow meat-eating dragons go around eating knights and princesses, Herb prefers to cultivate his garden:

 

He comes up with delicious recipes like "Herb's Famous Lakewater Veggie Slurp":

Unfortunately, while Herb is busy cooking in his garden, the King's men are making plans to rid the kingdom of the dragons.  All the other dragons hide but Herb doesn't get the message and he is captured by the king's men.  The head dragon gives Herb a choice:  the other dragons will break him out of prison if he agrees to become a meat-eater.  Herb refuses to compromise his principles.  Before the king's men can throw Herb into the castle moat filled with hungry crocodiles, a little girl stands up to protect him.  She convinces the people that Herb is a peace-loving vegetarian dragon. The King then gives the dragons an ultimatum in an attempt to avoid war: the dragons must agree to stop eating people.  With Herb's help, the dragons learn to add variety to their diet and everyone lives happily ever after!

When we finished the book, my son begged me to give it to him for his personal collection.  Guess I'll have to get another copy for my inventory!  

Ages 4 to 10

Written by: Julie Bass

Illustrated by: Debbie Harter

IRA-CBC Children's Choice Award Winner
Parents' Choice Award Approved Winner
Society of School Librarians International Honor Book

Buy this book here.

Personal Favorites: BABUSHKA

As I was unpacking an order yesterday, my son saw a copy of BABUSHKA and asked me to read it to him.  This is such a sweet Christmas story!

Babushka lives a quiet life completely focused on keeping her house clean. She is so focused on this task that she almost misses announcements about the birth of the Christ child.  When she finally gets the message, she sets out from home with a basket full of gifts--a toy, a blanket, and some cordial for the parents.  Along the way, Babushka meets several people in need and ends up giving away all of her gifts for the child.  When she is almost to the stable, she realizes she has nothing to give the baby and turns around to head home in embarrassment. Mary stops her and brings her into the stable to meet the baby. Babushka is shocked to see all of her gifts there in the stable!!!  Mary reminds her that when she gives gifts in love to other people, she is giving them to the child as well.

I love the way that this story combines elements of the Christian Christmas story along with the reminder that Jesus told everyone in Matthew that, "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me."  The story gave us the opportunity to revisit this lovely message while enjoying the charming illustrations within the book.

 This is definitely one of my personal Barefoot favorites!

Ages 3 to 7
Retold by Sandra Ann Horn
Illustrated by Sophie Fatus
$16.99 Hardcover
$7.99 Paperback