Chester

Seriously, as part of my job duties I had to sit down and read the 20 books nominated for the Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award. It didn't take me long to find my personal favorite and predicted winner... Chester by Melanie Watts. See, there's already a spot for the medal on the cover.

Ok, I laughed and laughed and laughed out loud. I've been plotting how to read it aloud to the kids for maximum giggles.

You see, Melanie is trying to write a story about a mouse... but her cat Chester will have none of that. He constantly interrupts the story by breaking in with red marker. The text moves back and forth from Melanie in black and Chester in red..."dueling author/illustrators".

I loved this book so much I've convinced a few others to give it as a gift, plus added it to my own Christmas list.

Recommendation: Even if you're not a child, you'll be smiling and giggling as you witness Chester's power plays.

My Own Two Feet

About a year ago when I was working in a library, I picked up My Own Two Feet by Beverly Cleary. Having recently read Clementine, which reminded me of Ramona, I was inspired to track down another copy and finish it.

My Own Two Feet continues her autobiography first tackled in A Girl From Yamhill. In this portion, Cleary tells about her college experience in California during the Depression, her wedding to husband Clarence, her diverse experience as a librarian, and finally the writing of her first book.

Cleary shares a lot about her relationship with her mother, which is very strained. There's nothing like reading about a real-life tense mother-daughter relationship to make me realize how lucky I am. Cleary's mom was a real biddy! Impossible to please.

An aspect of this book I really enjoyed is that you feel like Cleary is simply talking to you. The writing isn't anything fancy. It just is what it is.

Recommendation: If you are as amazed with Beverly Cleary as I am, surely you'll want to know more about her life story.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

I've been wanting to read The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie for like, ever. Ok, so it was only published a year ago... but a year is a long time to wait for a novel of this magnitude. It's only won about a billion awards, or 18 by my count. Impressive. In all, a perfect choice for the Young Adult Reading Challenge.

The novel tells the story of Junior, a 14 teen year old cartoon drawing basketball playing Spokane tribal member. Life on the reservation is bleak. Junior realizes that his only hope is to attend high school off the rez... at the white school. Faced with his tribe practically disowning him and his white peers ostracizing him, Junior experiences some of the lonelist days of his life. Slowly, Junior builds rapport with his schoolmates and eventually experiences limited acceptance. Like he says, he's a "part-time Indian".

The amazing thing about Junior is that he's faced with so many obstacles... brain damage, poverty, his father's alcoholism, the death of 3 very important people in his life, (I could keep going), but he maintains his drive, determination, and sense of humor. Did I mention this book is based on Alexie's life? Good golly.

Recommendation: An easy poignant read that will leave you wanting to give Junior a big hug.

Clementine

I think I may have found a character as delightful as Ramona Quimby, and that's saying a lot considering Beverly Cleary is pretty much my idol. (Portlander and children's librarian!) So you know I'm not kidding around here. Having seen Clementine by Sara Pennypacker in various school libraries, I finally picked it up after I noticed it on the Sasquatch Book Award list.

It is charming. Clementine is having a bad week and it all started when Margaret got gum stuck in her hair and attempted to cut it out. Clementine, being the good friend that she is, helped Maragert even out her new haircut by lopping off the rest of her hair. Of course this lands Clementine in the principal's office... and it's all down hill from there.

Clementine's narration is absolutely adorable. Like this:
"Then I got busy working on my project so I wouldn't have to hear any "Clementine-pay-attention!"s. Except I did anyway. Which was unfair because each time, I was the only person in the whole art room who was paying attention. Which is why I could tell everyone right in the middle of the Pledge of Allegiance that the lunchroom lady was sitting in the jantior's car and they were kissing. Again. No one else saw this disgusting scene, because no one else was paying attention out the window!"

Recommendation: YES!

(Read a really great review: here by E. R. Bird)

Recycle With Earthworms

I've been vermicomposting for about six months now. Lately I realized I hadn't really done much research on the subject other than checking out a few websites and skimming the worm chapters in other composting books. I came home from the library with Recycle With Earthworms: The Red Wiggler Connection by Shelley C. Grossman and Toby Weitzel yesterday and devoured the entire book. It's pretty short.

As you could imagine, this slim little book is all about using red wigglers to put your food waste back into the earth. These ladies offer a very thorough look at worms in general... then provide a tutorial on vermicomposting. There's even a chart to help you problem solve your own bin!

I learned I have a little work to do. My worms were probably due a harvest a few months ago... sorry little buds!

Recommendation: If you want to "feed the earth, starve a landfill," this book is a good start.