119. Anatole

Picture book: Anatole (Anatole #1) Eve Titus. Illustrated by Paul Galdone. 1956. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [Link to cover image]

First sentence: In all France there was no happier, more contented mouse than Anatole. He lived in a small mouse village near Paris with his dear wife Doucette and their six charming children--Paul and Paulette, Claude and Claudette, George and Georgette. 

Premise/plot: Anatole is flustered, to say the least, when he learns that humans think of mice as vermin. He decides to 'redeem' the way things are--mice sneaking human food. He goes to a cheese factory prepared. He brings typed notes (flags, I believe). Extra-'Specially Good, 'Specially Good, Good, Not So Good, No Good. He will stick these flags/notes into each cheese he samples. He'll also write additional notes sharing his opinions. M. Duvall is surprised but ultimately pleased. He listens to Anatole's advice and his sales increase. Anatole has a gift for what makes a great cheese great. M. Duvall invites Anatole to continue visiting the factory and helping out. He even leaves extra snacks and treats. (Of course, he doesn't know Anatole is a mouse exactly). Anatole is therefore honorably able to provide for his family. It's a win-win situation...

My thoughts: I LOVED this one. I loved it so much!!! It is one of those that is practically perfect in every way. I loved the text, the story. I loved the illustrations. What a fun world Eve Titus created! 

I really loved the five categories Anatole uses. I might even use those categories instead of stars. Maybe.

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

104. One Hundred and One Dalmations

One Hundred and One Dalmatians. Dodie Smith. 1956. 199 pages. [Source: Childhood Copy]

First sentence: Not long ago, there lived in London a young married couple of Dalmatian dogs named Pongo and Missis Pongo. (Missis had added Pongo's name to her own on their marriage, but was still called Missis by most people). 

Premise/plot: Pongo and Missis are blessed with a large family: fifteen puppies, and four humans--a married couple, Mr. and Mrs. Dearly, and two Nannies (Nanny Cook and Nanny Butler). But their happiness is interrupted when Cruella de Vil steals the puppies and hides them at her country estate in Suffolk, Hell Hall. Will the Twilight Bark work? Will they ever learn the whereabouts of their puppies? 

I should also mention Perdita. Perdita is a dalmatian dog the Dearlys bring home to help Missis out with the motherly duties of nursing, cleaning, loving. She cares for seven while Missis cares for eight. The three make for one big happy dog family. (Though readers are assured that Pongo only has eyes for Missis and that Perdita is like a sister to him.)

My thoughts: The novel is delightful. There are differences between the classic Disney animated movie and the novel. (The novel came first, of course). Some differences are subtle--others less so. Mr. Dearly, for example, is in finances and is not a song writer--or jingle writer. I've already mentioned the three parents--Pongo, Missis, and Perdita. The names of the pups offer further differences. In the book, there's a pup named Cadpig. Other pups do appear in the movie--Patch, Lucky, Roly-Poly. (In a way, it's sad that the author only names FOUR puppy names when there are fifteen puppies.) But probably the biggest differences are in the rescue and resolution. (AKA the fate of Cruella and how she's taken down.) I can see why some changes were made for the film version.

I definitely enjoyed this one. It was fun. The movie is a favorite. If I read the book, it was in the years before blogging. (Or should that be Years Before Blogging?) I read plenty before 2006!!! I would recommend this one.

 

© 2020 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Thin Ice

Thin Ice. Jerrold Beim. Illustrated by Louis Darling. 1956. 46 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence: Lee and his brother Bobby went to school in the morning. Bobby was in the kindergarten and Lee was in the second grade. Lee liked everything about school except--reading!

Premise/plot: Lee struggles with his reading. It is his least favorite subject in school. Honestly, he's not sure what is all that great about reading. But he changes his mind after a close call on the skating pond. He reads the sign: KEEP OFF! THIN ICE! in time to warn his younger brother, Bobby.

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I bought it at a local charity shop. The first thing I noticed were the illustrations by Louis Darling. (I find vintage illustrations hard to resist.) The illustrations alternate between black and white and color: three colors to be precise: blue, red, and maroon. My favorite illustration is the HUGE smile on Lee's face when he finally 'gets' reading and is able to read a page in front of his reading group.

The story itself is about a boy who struggles with reading. The book provides a snapshot of how reading was taught in the 1950s.

Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 8 out of 10

© 2018 Becky Laney of Young Readers