Books on Screen

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

This is a book not a lot of people are familiar with (though admittedly the audience is perhaps somewhat limited) and the movie is even less  well known. Starring Asa Butterfield (star of Hugo and Ender's Game, two slightly more well-known movies based on books) this is a truly haunting movie. It's the sort of story you can't say much about without unintentional spoilers (and I maintain that the movie cover is a major spoiler in and of itself) so I won't say much about the plot. I will say that the movie really captures the atmosphere of the book, perhaps even better than the book actually. The movie lacks some of the subtle almost-humor and Bruno's innocent yet self-centered attitudes of the early chapters of the book but does a better job of indicating it's target audience (Bruno may be 9 but I wouldn't be inclined to give the book or movie to a child that young).

WWW Wednesdays

What are you currently reading?
The Girl from the Well by Rin Chupeco
Okiku has been a ghost, a vengeful spirit, for so long that she barely remembers what she once was. She exists only to get vengeance for other victims and prevent them from becoming like her. It is simple. Simple until she meets Tark, the tattooed boy with an evil presence clinging to him.
Only a few chapters in and what strikes me already is that the language is simply beautiful. Even when the description is of a half rotten ghost/corpse it is so vivid, so visceral, that I was more enthralled than creeped out. If the rest of the book is anything like the first few chapters it might well be my favorite of the week.
 
What did you recently finish reading?
Jim Henson's Enchanted Sisters: Autumn's Secret Gift by Elise Allen
Autumn, Winter, Spring, and Summer are each responsible for a section of Mother Nature's realm. They come together for a special ceremony each quarter to change the seasons. In between they explore their magical gifts and avoid the troublesome Weed boys. When Mother Nature asks Autumn to take care of a secret gift she is honored. Until she and the others lose the gift. They must track it down before the Weed boys.
This is very different from what I normally read but I recently resolved to read more outside of my genre comfort zones so I gave this one a try. This is not to say I enjoyed it. I'm not big on fairies. I will say that this one had some decent messages about honesty and valuing each person's strengths.
 
What do you think you will read next?
Kate the Great, Except When She's Not by Suzy Becker
An illustrated novel about a girl navigating fifth grade, friends, and family.
 

What is Zippety wearing?

We frequently dress Zippety, our mascot, in costumes as a way of advertising upcoming program. In preparation for this weekend's annual pet show, Zippety is sporting his favorite cat costume.

What a crazy random happenstance

So, the craft project I'm sharing with you this week requires a little bit of explanation.  If you're anything like me you have a favorite movie to watch when you're sick or really tired or whatever. That movie that you've seen a hundred times so you know pretty much all of the dialogue but can still make you laugh or cry or -insert appropriate emotional response here-. For me that movie is "Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog". If you've yet to experience the awesomeness that is Dr. Horrible, you can watch it here. As I was watching it last week again I couldn't help but think of an action figure that was waiting in a box to go to Goodwill.

This guy

Iceman was pretty beat up when I bought him in a bag of action figures (a bag I purchased for the Batman figure it held) and I had already scavenged his water pack for another project but it seemed a shame to just throw him away. As Penny sang about hope it struck me: Iceman really wanted to be a Dr. Horrible character. When I examined him more closely, I realized that his smirk and body type made him the perfect Captain Hammer. A few coats of acrylic paint later and here he is.

I'm fairly pleased with the end result

Of course, Captain Hammer is nothing without Dr. Horrible, so I found another old action figure and got to work.

Slightly less awesome

Welcome to the Story Laboratory

I'm trying out a new feature. From now on, join me on Saturdays for a look at the programs I ran or assisted with throughout the week.

We're in the middle of summer reading, so that means extra programs. Our mid-week presenter was Scot Cannon, mime and musician.

Yesterday we introduced the Story Laboratory. This was a chance for kids to come in and create their own books using pictures out of magazines and a handful of craft supplies. Here are a few pages from the books that were created.

Yes, this chicken is wearing boots.

 

Book review - Oliver and the Seawigs

Title: Oliver and the Seawigs
Author: Philip Reeve
Genre: Fantasy
Similar Books: Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman
                     Claude on Holiday by Alex T Smith
Rating:

Odd, but surprisingly entertaining

Summary: After ten years of adventure, Oliver's family has settled down to live a regular life. Their very first day in the family home, his parents go out to explore some mysterious islands in the bay and vanish. The islands, it turns out, are alive. Oliver climbs aboard the last island and heads out to get his parents back. He and the island, along with a grumpy albatross and near-sighted mermaid, must track down the other islands at the Hallowed Shallows.
My Opinion: Firstly, anyone who reads through a description like that and decides to read the book is deserving of admiration. I appreciate like-minded odd folk. Being brutally honest, this is a weird little book. But funny and entertaining. Mr. Culpeper, the albatross, is like the curmudgeonly neighbor from any number of sit-coms. Iris, the mermaid, is a little flighty but defies the standard of mermaids. She's decidedly her own person. Actually, most of the main characters are distinct individuals, little caring what others expect from them. Add in greedy villains, green sea monkeys hatching from sea weed, and wigs made out of beach debris and this is a very entertaining read. And my download didn't actually have any of the illustrations. I imagine the illustrations would make it a real hoot.
More information: Oliver and the Seawigs releases July 22.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
 

Graphic Novel Spotlight: Monster on the Hill

Monster on the Hill by Rob Harrell

This book explores monsters in a way you've never seen them before. In a world where each town has it's own monster who regularly rampages through the square and gives the townsfolk something to look forward to, Stoker-on-Avon had gotten the short end of the stick. Their monster, Rayburn, is depressed and hasn't rampaged in years. Plucky orphan Timothy and the slightly-mad scientist Dr. Charles Wilkie must turn Rayburn into a proper monster before the horrible Murk destroys the town. With a great, unique, story, Monster on the Hill also bears an awesome cartoony style with a muted color palate that lends an air of sophistication. This book is clever, funny, and doesn't take itself too seriously. It can be read straight by young readers but there's plenty of nuance for older readers too.

Great levels of verbal and visual humor

Awesome detail and color palatte