Frances Hardinge and Catherynne M.Valente have been in my list for a looong time.I thought I will begin reading Hardinge this year with her "A Face LiFrances Hardinge and Catherynne M.Valente have been in my list for a looong time.I thought I will begin reading Hardinge this year with her "A Face Like Glass " . ***** We have a twelve year old heroine Neverfell ,who is found lost by Cheesemaster Grandible in his tunnels in the underground kingdom of Caverna.Caverna is ruled with an irongrip by the 500 year old grandsteward who is like a spider weaving a web around the courtiers.The fact is that people in Caverna are unable to show natural emotions on their faces and can display only the faces they are trained to display.Every class has access to a certain group of faces .For example ,the drudges or workers are trained to have three faces -1.a face that shows obedience 2.a face happy to take orders and 3.a face that is sorry for mistakes .In addition,no one is allowed to escape to the over ground .The trouble is Neverfell's emotions are clearly expressed on her face at all times and this leads to her falling into a web of deceit.The story is how Neverfell chases her freedom and realises that disillusionment is a part of growing up. ************* I loved the fact that Hardinge's prose is crafty ,witty and wonderfully unique.The world building is exquisite and her characters are all weird and twisted in some way or the other (Anyway ,who isn't 😁😁).It is such a long time that I have read an author writing fairy tales, with an imagination vivid enough to name cheeses as Croakspeckle or Stackfalter Stunton or to include dishes that include jellies shaped like castles with musical birds inside.It brought back memories of Alice in Wonderland.Her description of faces is also amusing with a deep insight like Face 29 -Fawn trembling before Hound .Most of all,her greatest achievement is in showcasing the cruelty of society and how artificial and hypocritical people (that's why the faces )today really are through a fairytale....more
The caldecott awards are presented to the best children's picture books in America and some of the books in the medal list and honors list are gems. TThe caldecott awards are presented to the best children's picture books in America and some of the books in the medal list and honors list are gems. This book "No David " ,by David Shannon was on the honor list and I got it simply because every mischief of David which is beautifully illustrated was a mirror image of what my son does day in and day out....more
I got this for my toddler and ended up reading it more than him because I felt a sense of oneness with Dog.😁. "when dog read books he forgot he was aloI got this for my toddler and ended up reading it more than him because I felt a sense of oneness with Dog.😁. "when dog read books he forgot he was alone and when he completed one adventure he simply took another book and plunged into another adventure " and so it goes.. It got me thinking on why do we readers impulsively,compulsively,obsessively and voraciously read and read and read.Is it because of the simple enjoyment of reading one story after another ,or the thrill of going to unknown and unexplored places sitting at one place or just the contentment and warmth a good story builds in our hearts. I have known readers who carry books everywhere they go ,so that when they have any spare time they can read .I remember packing a book in my bag when I was admitted for my cesarean operation (you know just in case ).😊and we actually prefer books to company..I know it sounds crazy,but that's how it is. TH is a long time sufferer in my case.☺ I know this is a kids books ,but if you love reading and enjoy collecting books ,you will like this simple and wonderful tale....more
Different individuals love different kind of books and this realization has really struck me in the past few months when I started introducing books tDifferent individuals love different kind of books and this realization has really struck me in the past few months when I started introducing books to my toddler.Very often ,the book I would love to read to him is never my choice and so I generally wait for him to look at the pictures and pick up what he likes best to read. This book was an exception.It is his current favorite right now ( I must have read it n number of times in the past two days)because of the lion😂 ,but I loved it too.This is our first purchase from karadi tales and now I am going to check up and see if there is any thing else as interesting in their catalogue.If your kid is the lion type of guy/gal ,go for this ,they will love it....more
I browsed all the his novels and decided to read this first.A warm and wonderful book❤️.Bertie grows up in Africa and makes friends with an orphaned I browsed all the his novels and decided to read this first.A warm and wonderful book❤️.Bertie grows up in Africa and makes friends with an orphaned white lion .However their idyllic life doesn't not last long as Bertie is sent to school in England and the lion is sold to a French circus.Berties swears he will see his lion again .Does Bertie succeed in his quest and who is the butterfly lion ? A heart warming tale with an unexpected haunting twist .My favorite line ,"People can die of heartbreak .It is possible ,you know ".Indeed ,it is....more
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