The Journey that Saved Curious George by Louise Borden

by Carol5 Comments
The Journey That Saved Curious George : The True Wartime Escape of Margret and H.A. Rey by Louise Borden, illustrated by Allan Drummond (Suggested reading level: Grades 3-6) I love Curious George, especially his new adventures and the PBS cartoon. We have two box sets that I'd read over and over with Amber when she was younger, but I never knew the story behind Curious George. I mentioned the other day about author's own experiences showing up in their works of fiction. I didn't realize how soon the topic would come up again, but Hans Reyersbach, who eventually changed his name to H. A. Rey, left his home in Germany in his early twenties and headed to Brazil. It was hot in Brazil—so Hans wore a broad hat, even in the shad of Rio's palm trees and cafés. When he traveled up and down the Amazon River, Hans watched the monkeys and made drawings of them. (pg. 12-13) I can certainly see where the famous...
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The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis

by Carol10 Comments
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis I don't know how many times I've read this book. My copy is from a box set that was bought sometime in the 80s, but this is the first time Amber (9) and I have read it together. The story is always magical. Four siblings, Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy, are sent to a Professor's house in order to avoid the London bombings. While there, they discover a wardrobe that leads to the land of Narnia, which is under the spell of the White Witch. She make sure it always winter in Narnia, but never Christmas. The four children help the mysterious, powerful Aslan defeat the Witch and bring spring to Narnia. They then become kings and queens, fulfilling an ancient prophecy. There is a lot of Christian symbolism throughout the story, which I enjoy and appreciate more, I imagine, as an adult than I did when I was younger. Amber recognizes...
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