Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

Eric Carle (Illustrator). Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) 1996, Board book, 32 pages, $4.32

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

This immensely popular toddler book features a procession of animals, introduced by the same chant addressed to the preceding animal: “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, what do you see?” The animal answers, “I see a red bird looking at me.”  Then the page is turned to reveal a red bird, who is asked the same question, and answers that a yellow duck is looking at her.  In this way a blue horse, green frog, purple cat, black sheep, and gold fish are introduced, who finally mention the teacher and children who are looking at them (presumably from outside the book, as well as being pictured in its pages.)

The predictable format, rhymic repetition, pleasing collage illustrations, and systematic introduction of colors with animal names have endeared this book to children and those who teach them since its publication 40 years ago.  It has been translated into many languages and is read around the world.  It is well suited to toddlers, and can also work as a confidence-building early beginning reader.

Bambi

Felix Salten. Aladdin 2010, Paperback, 192 pages, $2.37

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Most of my generation, when they think of Bambi, think of the sentimental Disney movie.  But the original book was a serious work.  Its one-of-a-kind conception and spectacular writing have earned it classic status as the story of a young deer growing to adulthood in his woodland home.  Salten’s writing is compelling, and scenes from the story will stay in the mind long after reading, to be often recalled and savored.  This Bambi lives a grim and dangerous life, his world filled with blood and fear — and most of his troubles emanate from the dreaded Man.

Bambi’s response to his pitiless world is to emulate his distant father, exiling himself from the company of others — even Faline, his mate.  In abandoning these relationships, he chooses a solitary life in which he accepts loneliness (his own and Faline’s) as the price of his safety.

There is a clear sense that Bambi’s coming-of-age is defined by no longer needing to rely on others.  His relationship with his father begins when the old stag rebukes him for calling his mother: “Your mother has no time for you.  Can’t you stay by yourself?”  Later in life, his father befriends him and teaches him to move through the forest so that he is never seen.  The relationship ends when his father leaves him to die alone.  Bambi then passes on the heritage of solitude by rebuking two fawns for crying after their mother.

In contrast to this message of isolationism, the Bible teaches that a solitary existence falls short of God’s plan (Genesis 2:18).  Rather than affirming interdependence as a sign of weakness, Scripture teaches that people are meant to live in community (Ecclesiastes 4:12; 1 Corinthians 12:12; and Hebrews 10:24-25).  Rather than becoming stronger when we withdraw from others, being alone actually makes us more vulnerable to attack.

The romantic appeal of Bambi’s self-chosen exile has an especial attraction in our individualistic culture.  Adults will need to use discernment about when a child is ready for this book.  The reader ought to be mature enough to critically engage Salten’s perspective without being drawn into his isolationist impulse.  Since the message is embedded in a masterfully written story, parents should be cautious about introducing it too early, but at the right time it ought to provide excellent material for discussion.

Curious George Flies a Kite (Curious George – Level 1)

H. A. Rey. HMH Books 1977, Paperback, 80 pages, $1.13

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

This is another of the Reys’ wonderful Curious George series.  In this story, George goes from one adventure to another — losing and finding a baby bunny, learning how to fish, and naughtily flying a kite until he flies high above the town, only to be rescued by the Man with the Yellow Hat.  George has delighted children for generations, and this makes for an enjoyable read.  Unlike the later knock-off George series, this story is characterized by the Reys’ carefully crafted writing and wonderful classic illustrations.  It is appropriate for beginning readers.

The Reluctant Dragon

Michael Hague (Illustrator). Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) 1988, Paperback, 48 pages, $3.98

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

The Reluctant Dragon is a mild-mannered specimen of his breed who, unlike the “active and earnest” fellows who used to charge around battling knights, has survived long enough to develop his passion for poetry.  He is befriended by an intelligent young shepherd boy, who is placed in an awkward position when the villagers discover the dragon’s presence.  Although the dragon has harmed no one, the villagers are so aroused that they call on Saint George to battle this “pestilential scourge.”  When Saint George arrives the dragon flatly refuses to fight, and the boy is left to find a solution to the impasse.

This is a brilliantly written satirical fantasy, lambasting the traditional knight-and-dragon stories and providing a wonderful protagonist that boys of all ages (and many girls) will want to identify with.  The fantastical pleasure of friendship with a dragon is enhanced by encounters with the famous knight, a theatrical battle, and plenty of intelligent wit to amuse both children and adults.  The language is advanced, suitable for reading aloud or for confident self-readers.  Some of the humor will be above young readers’ heads, but there is enough action to make it interesting for younger ages.

The original classic version is charmingly illustrated in pen-and-ink by Ernest Shepard (who also illustrated the Winnie-the-Pooh books), but for younger readers a more colorful version may be more appealing.  There is a visually pleasing paraphrase by Inga Moore, which unfortunately preserves almost none of Grahame’s marvelous prose.  The unabridged edition by Michael Hague has lavish illustrations on almost every page, and it is my favorite version.

A free audio recording of the story is available on Librivox.org.

The Wind in the Willows

Michael Hague (Illustrator). Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) 2003, Hardcover, 216 pages, $16.64

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

A lonely mole, exasperated with Spring cleaning, abandons his home and goes for a long jaunt ending at a river, where he meets a friendly river rat.  The rat invites him to an extended stay at his home, introducing him to all the local animals: the lively otter, stalwart badger, and reckless toad.  Thus follow some of the most implausible and wonderful adventures ever to enthrall a young reader.  The story delights with what C.S. Lewis calls “scandalous escapism,” yet within the animals’ adventures, dangers, and reveries, if you are looking for them, you will find timeless moral qualities: the value of friendship, the beauty of unblinking courage, and the consequences of foolishness.  It really should not be missed.

Parents will need to use discernment when considering whether to read chapter 7, in which Rat and Mole encounter and worship a “wood-god” who resembles the mythical Pan.  This chapter does provide a calming respite from Toad’s breakneck adventures, but some parents may choose to skip this chapter until their children can discern the difference between this creature and the God of their own faith.  In addition, parents may want to discuss a passing reference in chapter 10 to a gypsy (Roma) man as one accustomed to horse-stealing.  This stereotype of Roma, so prevalent in the past century and continuing into the present, has caused much persecution for this people.

Kenneth Grahame’s brilliant prose is full of unusual and enriching words, making it excellent as a read-aloud for early readers, and good as a read-alone for confident readers.  Precocious pre-readers will also be able to enjoy the story, although they will miss many of its complexities.

There are a great number of illustrated versions of the book, many of them abridged.  Michael Hague’s unabridged version depicts the story in exuberant oil paintings, with period costumes and architecture basically consistent with the book’s original publication in 1908.  There are three free audio versions of this book available at librivox.org.

The Story of Ferdinand (Puffin Storytime)

Robert Lawson (Illustrator). Puffin 2007, Paperback, $5.77

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Ferdinand is a mild-mannered Spanish bull who (unlike his peers) has no aspirations to be chosen for a big bullfight in Madrid.  Instead, “he like[s] to sit just quietly and smell the flowers.”  But one day, when five men come to his pasture to choose a bull for the bullfight, Ferdinand sits on a bee, provoking him to act so crazy that the men choose him for the next bullfight.  When he arrives in the arena, he has to decide whether he will give in to the pressure to perform.

The story is rendered in charming ink drawings and is exceptionally well written.  The author makes gentle fun of the strutting bravado displayed by of the bullfight’s participants, while Ferdinand’s gentle response displays a unique kind of courage.  Some parents will see this story as a treatise against the violence and cruelty of bullfights, while others will view it as an example of someone being true to himself.  However you interpret it, this is an undeniably hilarious story that has been loved by children since its first publication in 1936.

It is fairly accessible to older toddlers and will also be enjoyed by early readers.  Since its original printing, a color version has become available, but its blotchy quality obscures the detail in the ink drawings, so I prefer the black-and-white version.

Pronunciation for Spanish words may be heard and viewed by clicking the links: Matador, Picador, Banderillero.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Quentin Blake (Illustrator). Puffin 2007, Paperback, 176 pages, $3.28

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a lighthearted Cinderella fantasy about a sweet little poor boy who is one of five lucky children chosen to tour Mr. Wonka’s mysterious chocolate factory. This factory is the topic of much speculation, since no humans are ever seen going in or out, but it remains the source of the most delectable confections known to man.

The children and their parents discover that the factory is populated by funny dwarfs called Oompa-Loompas, and each room is filled with candy more delicious than the last.  Throughout the tour, Charlie’s good character (an effect of good upbringing by a loving family) strikes a contrast against the four spoiled, unpleasant children, who continually get themselves into hilarious trouble by misbehaving.

The story is wonderfully well written, and although it is lighthearted in tone it is a true moral tale — probably too moralistic for some readers.  Charlie, like the traditional Cinderella, is almost too sweet, and the four bad children are ludicrously obnoxious.  There are some intense moments: Charlie’s family lives in danger of starvation, and in a few episodes the reader is left to wonder whether the bad children will come to real harm.  Parents ought to use discernment when introducing the story to sensitive readers.  And, of course, candy is a central theme, highlighted by Charlie’s real hunger.  Those who are sensitive to sugar or given to gluttony may want to avoid the story for this reason.

Aside from these points, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a rollicking, lighthearted fantasy, full of humor and imagination, which is a delight to read aloud.  If parents decide to let their children watch either of the movie versions, I recommend they read the book first, because the movie interpretations are quite different from the spirit of the original story.

Misty of Chincoteague

Wesley Dennis (Illustrator). Aladdin 2006, Paperback, 176 pages, $2.60

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Paul and Maureen, two siblings living on Chincoteague Island, are rambling together one day when they spot a wild mare.  Transfixed by her beauty, they set about earning money to buy her after the wild pony roundup & auction for which the island is known.

The story of this venture is full of action and suspense (will they succeed or not?) in the context of a secure family home.  The two children live with loving grandparents — no mention is made of their parents, and the children express no anguish over their absence. The brother and sister are polite to grownups and genuinely loving toward one another.

One appealing aspect of the story is the differentiated gender roles the kids take on as they mature: while working as equal partners toward their shared goal, they divide responsibilities according to their natural abilities.  Paul manfully goes off to physically labor at building a pony pen, while Maureen stays home to do his chores for him.  A few times Paul is the first to become aware of danger, and he protectively shields or warns his sister.  It is he who goes away to Assateague Island with the men to capture the mare (a coming-of-age moment), while Maureen awaits the outcome at home.

But Maureen’s stay-at-home choices are clearly an expression of self-sacrificing love toward her brother, rather than resignation to a disappointing fate.  When the two debate over who will ride in a horse race, Paul draws the longer straw, and Maureen graciously accepts this outcome, showing real selflessness and grace.  It takes strength of character to prefer another’s interests above your own (Philippians 2:3-4), and Maureen is a quiet example of this kind of practical love.  And when in the end the pony is brought home, the two of them share equally in her care and ownership.

This story provides a view of a close friendship between siblings, an interesting and challenging goal for both protagonists, healthy family relationships, and respect for authority.  It is romantic, refreshing, and inspiring, full of beauty and life.

Tale of Benjamin Bunny

Beatrix Potter. Frederick Warne 1932, Hardcover, $1.75

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

This is probably the second best-known of Beatrix Potter’s wonderful rabbit stories.  In this one, naughty Peter Rabbit and his cousin Benjamin again sneak into Mr. MacGregor’s garden and get themselves into dangerous trouble with the cat.  They are rescued by Benjamin’s father.  Beautifully illustrated, this classic story has been loved for good reason.  The cat is dangerous, the bunnies foolish and lovable, the father heroic and brave, and the warm home scene allows the reader a sigh of relief at the end.

An audio recording of this story is available for free download at librivox.org.

The Elephant’s Child

Lorinda Bryan Cauley (Illustrator). Sandpiper 1988, Paperback, 48 pages, $2.13

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Kipling’s Just So Stories are literary classics characterized by a wonderful sense of humor and brilliant use of language.  In this illustrated version of one, a young elephant (equipped with an abbreviated trunk “as big as a boot”) is filled with curiosity, although his family and relations try to drive it out of him through much spanking.  He asks endless questions in the manner of small children, receiving many spankings for his trouble, until he hits on a question that provokes a torrent of spanking: “What does the crocodile have for dinner?”  Undeterred with this response, he sets out to find out the answer.  What happens when he meets the crocodile is a surprise, but he gets a long trunk as a result.  He uses this trunk to spank all of his relations upon his return home, and they head off to the river to get their own trunks lengthened.

The young elephant is often confused about why he is being spanked, which provides quite a poor model of adult discipline, since children receiving consequences should always know exactly what standard they have violated.  Later, he returns the favor, providing a deliciously naughty fantasy that may be a little too appealing to children inclined to rebellion.  Parents will need to be discerning as to whether their child can grasp the story’s ridiculous tone.  But for a child who can grasp the humor of this pseudo-folktale, it ought to provide an enjoyable flight of imagination.

The book is beautifully illustrated by Lorinda Bryan Cauley (who also illustrated Clancy’s Coat), with alternating color and black-and-white drawings.  Kipling’s original text is retained in full.  Because the language is difficult, it may be most appropriate for more advanced listeners or readers in the 4-8 age range.

There are three audio versions of the Just So Stories available for free download at Librivox.org.  The volunteer reader in version 1 has a nice British accent and dramatic cadence, but pauses unpredictably and mispronounces some words.  The reader in version 2 has an American accent, but a wonderful, dramatic cadence with accurate pronunciation.  The reader in Version 3 also has an American accent, and a dramatic, precise enunciation.