Another Whole Nother Story (2010)
by Dr. Cuthbert Soup (aka Gerry Swallows)
Dr. Cheeseman and his kids are back in another wacky adventure. This time they’ve traveled back in time to 1668 to help break a curse and save their mom. This sequel is just as laugh-out-loud funny and enjoyable as the first one. I’m ready for the third book of the series!
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A Whole Nother Story
Blue in the Face
Thunder Cake by Patricia Polacco (1997)
This book was published way past my own picture book days, but I came across it somewhere along the way in my adult life. It must have made an impression, because when the summer storms started rolling in when our girl was a baby, I immediately thought of it. Thunder Cake is every bit as darling as I remember it.
The story tells of a young girl afraid of the approaching thunder. Her grandma coaxes her out from under the bed by promising they will make “thunder cake.” As the two gather ingredients for the cake, the girl proves her bravery by facing some of her other fears. The book ends, of course, with some delicious cake and hot tea amidst the rumbling storm.
We’ve baked our own “thunder cake” on many occasions. Sometimes I hide the ingredients in corners of the house or porch for us to go find, just like the girl in the book. (There is a recipe included in the book, but I usually use this one that doesn’t have any shortening.)
Julie and Julia (2005) by Julie Powell
In 2002, Julie Powell wrote a blog about her attempt to make all 524 recipes from Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking. While this book came later, it is Ms. Powell’s telling of her year-long project and what she learned along the way.
I actually saw the movie version of this first—a few times, and I really liked it. I still do. But, I finally decided to read the book. Hmm—what to say? While I didn’t always agree with Julie’s views on life, I certainly did fly through the book fast enough. That’s a good sign, since I —A) do not read books I don’t really enjoy and B) well, I can be easily offended. So, the fact that I did read through some of the “language” and whatnot included in the book speaks well of it.
I feel like many people can relate to Julie. I could, at least. She’s got a good life, but feels like something is missing for her. And when she takes on this project, she realizes that on the surface it doesn’t seem like anything monumental, but to her it becomes something more than just cooking recipes. It becomes a way to connect with herself, to commit to something, to give her hope. I love that she is not a perfectionist in the kitchen and that things do go wrong for her. I actually enjoyed hearing about her breakdowns and tear-fests. It wasn’t that I wanted Julie to be unhappy, but I loved that she wrote about her reality. So many of the blogs I stumble across show photos of perfectly-iced cakes for kids’ birthday parties and wonderful, happy-filled moments. It makes sense. Not many people want to share their moments of frustration or their failed projects. But, it’s actually kind of comforting to read about someone experiencing some of this who keeps going anyway.
from Julie and Julia
“Maybe I needed to…be a part of something that was not easy, just simple.” p. 25
Starry River of the Sky (2012)
by Grace Lin
This is the companion book, a prequel, to Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. In this book, young Rendi has run away from home and ends up working as a chore boy at an inn in a small town. As much as he’d like to leave, he ends up becoming more and more invested in the lives of those who live there and the visitors who stay there. Slowly, Rendi’s story and those of the people around him are revealed, and, of course, all tie together beautifully.
For whatever reason, it took me a little longer to get sucked into this book, but once I did, there was no going back. The format is similar to Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, with wonderful ancient stories sprinkled throughout. I am in awe of the way Grace Lin so seemingly effortlessly weaves together the stories and characters of this book, while also tying into the first one in the series. For me, this a book that begs to be re-read so I can catch all the beautiful work that was put into it. With the gorgeous artwork, unforgettable ancient tales, wise words, and thought-provoking story, it is a must-own, for sure.
The Giver (1993) by Lois Lowry
In this Newbery Award winning book, we are introduced to Jonas’s community where everything appears to be neatly arranged for its citizens. From birth, people’s lives are decided for them, from which family they will enter to who their partners will be. At age 12, Jonas is finally ready to receive his Community position, which he will stay with until he reaches the House of Old. But when he is given the extremely rare job of Receiver, he is suddenly faced with receiving information and memories that nobody else in the community has experienced. As Jonas’s awareness expands, he realizes a change must be made and he must be the one to do it.
I have re-read this book a handful of times, but I always seem to wait long enough between readings that the story is new to me each time. A definite must-read.
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