Archives by Tag 'Children’s Literature'
Review: ‘Drina’s Dancing Year’ by Jean Estoril
This year I’ve been reading more sweet, warm, comforting books than I usually do. This has resulted in revisiting some childhood favourites, amongst which, as you may remember, are the Drina books by Jean Estoril. is the second installment in this eleven book series and I enjoyed rereading the gentle story as just as much as [...]
Review: ‘Ballet for Drina’ by Jean Estoril
Like a great many little girls, I took ballet lessons when I was younger. I was never particularly good at it and I stopped taking exams when they required that I start pointe work, but I really enjoyed it. As an adult, I still really enjoy ballet but, though I do take the occasional class [...]
‘A Flower Wedding’ by Walter Crane
Since the Old English Thorn and I finally became engaged the summer before last I have acquired a small stack of wedding themed books. Most of it is of the fun and frothy, pastel covered, predictably plotted variety (which I’m actually rather looking forward to reading), but I have picked up a few more unusual [...]
‘The Last Battle’ by C. S. Lewis
One of my aims for 2010 was to read all of C. S. Lewis Narnia books, so it seems appropriate that my final book for 2010 was The Last Battle (I apologise for being so behind with reviews; Christmas and New Year are not terribly convenient times for spending time on the computer). Although I [...]
‘The Silver Chair’ by C. S. Lewis
The Narnia series has a great many things to recommend it to readers, but their chief appeal for me at this particular moment in time is how small and compact they are, thus making them the perfect books to read on the tube. I’ll soon be looking for some new light reading (both literally and [...]
‘The Voyage of the Dawn Treader’ by C. S. Lewis
Back in June of 2010 it came to my attention that, although they may be firmly embedded in my consciousness, I had never actually read all of the Narnia books. This struck me as something of an oversight and I resolved to rectify the situation as soon as possible and read them all before the [...]
‘Five Children and It’ by E. Nesbit
What do you read when it’s dark and cold outside, it’s an hour of day which no diurnal creature is supposed to see and you have to leave your nice, warm, snug bed and venture out into the snow and ice for the pleasure of spending a day at work, that is if the train [...]
Review: ‘The Quiet Little Woman’ by Louisa May Alcott
Title: The Quiet Little Woman: A Christmas Story Author: Louisa May Alcott Published: Honor Books, 1999, pp. 122. Originally published 1870s Genre: Children’s short stories Blurb: “If someone would only come and take me away! I’m so tired of living here I don’t think I can bear it much longer,” Patty cries. Patty’s life in [...]
Review: ‘Prince Caspian’ by C. S. Lewis
Troubled times have come to the magical land of Narnia. Gone are the days of peace and freedom when the animals, dwarfs, trees and flowers could live in absolute peace and harmony. Civil war is dividing the kingdom and final destruction is close at hand. Prince Caspian, the rightful heir to the throne, resolves to [...]
Review: ‘The Horse and His Boy’ by C. S. Lewis
After Shasta learnt from the mysterious stranger that he was not Arsheesh’s son, he decides to escape from the cruel land of Calormen, and with the help and persuasion of the talking horse Bree, he goes north towards Narnia where the air is sweet and freedon reigns. As they set out on their journey across [...]