Friday’s Tale: Vasilissa the Beautiful

by Carol14 Comments
"Vasilissa the Beautiful" Baba Yaga is a witch-like character from Slavic folklore that I don't remember from the fairy tales I heard as a child. Actually the first picture I have in my mind is from when I was watching the PBS cartoon Arthur with Amber a few years ago. I don't remember the plot of the episode, but for some reason one of the kids was imagining Baba Yaga's hut, complete with its chicken legs. Actually, Baba Yaga is a rather scary old woman. Apparently there are many tales that feature her, but the one I read for today is "Vasilissa the Beautiful." As happens to so many beautiful young fairy tale women, Vasilissa's mother dies early in the story. On her deathbed, she gives Vasilissa a little wooden doll. This wooden doll is magic. When Vasilissa feeds her, she comes alive, listens to Vasilissa's griefs and problems, and offers advice and assistance. Eventually, Vasilissa's father remarries and, surprise, surprise, the...
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The Egypt Game by Zilpha Keatley Snyder

by Carol7 Comments
The Egypt Game by Zilpha Keatley Snyder (Suggested reading level: Grades 4-6) Imagination has brought mankind through the dark ages to its present state of civilization. Imagination led Columbus to discover America. Imagination led Franklin to discover electricity.  -L. Frank Baum Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere. - Carl Sagan The Egypt Game for me is all about imagination. Two sixth-grade girls, unlikely friends, come together because of their love of imaginative play. The girls, April and Melanie, along with Melanie's little brother, Marshall, sneak into the local antique dealer's back lot, and begin the Egypt Game. They set up altars and temples using what they can find. The read all the can about ancient Egypt in the library and base their ceremonies and activities on history and their imagination. The game becomes more and more elaborate as the kids create costumes and two sixth-grade boys join their group. When a girl is...
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The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes by Diane Chamberlain

by Carol6 Comments
The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes by Diane Chamberlain Definitely a gripping story. At sixteen, CeeCee Wilkes is convinced by Tim Gleason, the man she is in love with, to help him kidnap the governor's wife.  She will be in charge of guarding the woman, who turns out to be pregnant, at a remote cabin. As I write those sentences, it seems like a totally irrational thing, but CeeCee is alone, desperate to feel like someone loves her, trusts Tim with her whole heart. As I reader, I knew it was going to lead to trouble, but I could also sympathize with CeeCee. Of course, the kidnapping goes horribly wrong. The woman dies during childbirth and CeeCee ends up keeping the infant. CeeCee felt as if she were being swept along by a current she no longer had the will to stop. (37%) CeeCee becomes Eve, beginning a whole new life on her own with the baby. A life full of lies, but also...
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Back to the Bedroom by Janet Evanovich

by Carol7 Comments
Back to the Bedroom by Janet Evanovich Here's the basic story. When something crashes through Kathryn Finn's roof, her neighbor, David Dodd comes over to make sure she's okay. Of course, they seem to be polar opposites. She's a hard-working cellist, he seems to be a lazy bum, living off his lottery winnings. Of course, there's sparks, misunderstandings, a wacky old lady, some laugh-out-loud moments, and a happy ending. To be honest, this one had me rolling my eyes and saying "give me a break." I enjoy a cheesy romance, but this was pushing it. I did love David though. He was so honest, caring, impulsive, and I had to find out what his real story was. He was quite obviously to good a guy to just lay around the house playing with toys until his money ran out. I liked how he treated Kathryn, teasing and a little pushy, but not too alpha. I can't say I recommend that you go out...
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