Tag: Friends

Hooray for Hat!

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Hooray for Hat (2014) by Brian Won

The animals are all feeling grumpy today, but an unexpected gift of a fancy hat and the kindness of friends helps cheer the whole group.

My daughter loves this book right now.  It’s sweet and simple.  I love that it shows that our moods can be lifted by kind acts.  We just celebrated St. Nicholas eve, so we were able to tie that in with the unexpected gift on the doorstep as well.  Kids might like to notice how the order of the hats changes on Giraffe’s hat at the end.

Princess Academy: Palace of Stone

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Princess Academy: Palace of Stone (2012) by Shannon Hale

(second book in the series)

Miri of Mount Eskel is traveling to the city of Danland for a year to help prepare for Britta’s royal wedding and to attend the university there.  Joining her are five other academy graduates and Peder.  Life isn’t quite as ideal as they had all imagined it would be in the big city.  The king has been demanding higher and higher tributes, the people of Danland are hungry and scared, and it seems only a matter of time before a revolution.  Miri is caught between her determination for fair change and her loyalty to her best friend, the future princess.  She also finds herself confused by feelings for a new admirer and her realization that her world has become bigger than her simple life on Mount Eskel.

As with all of Shannon Hale’s books, this novel is masterfully told.  The humanness, courage, intelligence, and humor of Hale’s characters is endearing.  Palace of Stone is definitely a weightier story than the first Princess Academy book.  Our young daughter begged me to read and tell her the first book and was giddy with excitement about hearing this second one.  This book definitely required a lot more edited summarizing, rather than reading.  It’s a wonderful book, and I love how Miri is able to find a courageous balance to hold on to all that is important and dear to her.

Princess Academy

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Princess Academy (2005) by Shannon Hale

Fourteen-year-old, Miri, lives in the small village of Mount Eskel where almost everyone works in the quarry mining a special stone called linder.  Miri, who is exceptionally small for her age, has been forbidden by her father to join in quarry work.  Although she has her insecurities about not being able to contribute, Miri covers them with her funny stories, carefree talk, and good-natured personality.  Life is rough on the mountain, but nobody ever leaves.  That is, until, one day, a delegate from the palace arrives to announce that Mount Eskel was prophesied as the location of the prince’s future bride.  Now a princess academy is being set up at the base of Mount Eskel for all girls of eligible age.  Not many are pleased by this news, but they must obey the king.  An unfair tutor presides over the small academy, but despite a rough start, Miri proves her intelligence, determination, and bravery will change the fate of their village forever.

This book is a beautiful story that hits all the marks–friendship, courage, romance, family, learning, suspense, self-worth, community, and, yes, even a ball.  I have read this book too many times to count, but I will say that when I first stumbled across it many years ago, I was hesitant.  I’m wary of the “princess” culture that has bombarded our young girls in recent years and wasn’t so sure how I would feel about a book with the title, “Princess Academy.”  In truth, it was the lovely folk art style of the cover that drew me to the book (which I cannot find a link to now), and I’m so glad I judged this book by its cover, because everything inside is beautiful and perfect.  I’m delighted beyond belief that this is only the first of a trilogy of books, but I’ll always return to this one as my favorite.  This was also the book that brought me to Shannon Hale, and for that, I am forever grateful.

 

You might also enjoy:
Princess Academy: The Palace of Stone
Princess Academy: The Forgotten Sisters

There’s No Good Card for This

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There Is No Good Card for This:  What to Say and Do When Life is Scary, Awful, and Unfair to People You Love (2017)
by Kelsey Crowe and Emily McDowell

This book is such a gift to society, and I’m wondering if it’s possible to make a book like this required reading for everyone.  I kid myself in thinking that I grew up without anyone close to me experiencing any of Life’s “tough stuff.”  But, the more I think about, the more I realize I was just completely unaware.  I usually consider myself a fairly empathetic person, but, sadly, it wasn’t until quite recently in my life that I woke up and realized how poorly I’ve handled so much.  Being there for others, whether through an illness, a divorce, loss of a loved one, a job loss, or whatever it might be, is so very important.  I keep wondering how I can change the world or “save the world,” and, sometimes, it’s truly just being there for people that counts the most.  It’s all too easy when people are suffering through something to ignore the situation, avoid that person, or offer cliche words we’ve heard far too many times.  I think it wasn’t until I’d gone through some of this rough stuff myself that I realized just how hurtful some of these reactions can be.  And while I realize everyone is stumbling through and doing their best with what they know when it comes to supporting others through awful times, there are now beautiful resources like this one to help give us tools to be a little more graceful in our approach.

I can’t recommend this book highly enough.  The authors are genuine and helpful, without ever being judgmental.  It’s a book that should be read and re-read and taught through example.  Ms. Crowe offers, what looks like, awesome empathy courses, and Emily McDowell has a great and hilarious line of supportive, original greeting cards.

Flora and the Flamingo

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Flora and the Flamingo (2013)
by Molly Idle

This wordless picture book comes from Molly Idle, a former DreamWorks animator, which makes complete sense, as it plays out exactly like a Pixar short.

Decked out in her bathing cap, pink swimsuit, and flippers, Flora begins to imitate an uninterested flamingo.  The flamingo does its best to ignore and dissuade young Flora’s playful antics, until Flora takes a sudden spill.  Flamingo takes pity and soon the fast friends indulge in a whimsical ballet together that ends with a splash.

This lift-the-flap picture book is pure fun and delight.  Flora and the Flamingo is only the first of a series of Flora books.