!"! BOOKS A VERY SUBJECTIVE GUIDE

THE GREATEST" KID BOOKS OF ALL TIME

By Andy Ward who edits books and Jenny Rosenstrach who writes them With help from their daughters who love to read them !"!!"# BOOKS BOOKS Why We Write About Books

THIS INTRODUCTION was hard for me to write. Not only because writing is always hard and there’s a certain amount of staring-at-the-blank page and self-hating that has to happen before you can begin to put something coherent down, but because the books you are going to read about here are more than just books to us. These books are, as Margaret Wise Brown would say, important. They are, in many ways, the story of our life as a family, not all that di!erent in their memory-conjuring powers than a photo album or a diary or, God, one of those old home videos from when the kids were just babies and you had convinced yourself that, as exhausted as you were, you would Caterpillar or The Velveteen somehow be able to preserve them this way forever. The books Jenny Rabbit or Blueberries for Sal or Harry Potter or Pat the and I read to our kids carry that kind of weight for me. I can tell you Bunny because we figured where I was when we read each one of them: in a king-size bed in you don’t need us to tell you our hotel suite (free upgrade!) in Philadelphia, when Abby and I did that these are enduring works of art. You will also note a a father-daughter weekend away, and we tucked into some Lemony disproportionate number of Snicket after hitting the hotel pool and devouring the warm cookies titles by William Steig and they left on our nightstands; on the living room floor of our Roald Dahl, and that is because we are disproportionately in love with the way they see Brooklyn apartment with a Esta Maude’s Secret, a book walk through all 121 of these and explain the world. Lastly, nine-month-old Phoebe, as that belonged to my aunt Jane books, one by beautiful one, you’ll find that we are heavy in we read and reread Moo Moo before it belonged to me; in and let the nostalgia pour the graphic novel department, Brown Cow until one day, the sticky, Cheerio-strewn, forth. But I will refrain. but for a good reason: graphic her first word—duck!—just crime-scene-ish backseat of Reluctantly. novels did not exist when I kind of magically leaped our leased sport utility vehicle I will say, though, that was a kid, and I’m not sure I out of her toothless mouth; (I still have guilt-pangs about any list of favorite books is can ever forgive the world for in our town’s public library, the ways in which we violated inherently subjective, and that. There is, then, a certain as Phoebe brought over a that car), as we deployed The this one is no exception. Our element of vicarious living copy of Meanwhile by Jules Sneetches to stave o! waves of criteria here: we simply picked going on here and of making Fei!er, the book that would Abby’s unhappiness on our first books that we loved most, and up for lost time. Any book list set o! a torrid comic book/ real road trip, as a foursome, that we think have a better- reflects the biases and tastes of graphic novel obsession that to see the grandparents in than-decent shot of turning the people who compile it, and continues to this day, and that, Virginia; in Phoebe’s second your kids into geeked-out I’m afraid ours is no di!erent. with any luck, will endure grade class, reading The Very book-lovers and readers, too. I hope that means you won’t for the rest of her life; in my Persistent Gappers of Frip Because of this, you might enjoy it, or trust it, any less. old bedroom in my parents’ aloud to 21 kids, and getting to note some glaring omissions So: why do we write about house, with all the books from those last transcendent pages and odd, obsessive-seeming books on Dinner: A Love Story, my childhood on the shelves, and watching the weight of tendencies. These are, for the a website about family dinner? as the four of us laid on our that story’s message sink so most part, intentional. We It’s a valid question. All I backs on the bed and Jenny completely into those hungry did not include Goodnight can say is, we didn’t set out and I took turns reading Miss little brains. Seriously, I could Moon or The Very Hungry to do any of this. I distinctly

1 !"!!"# BOOKS BOOKS Why Books? con’t

We picked books that we loved most, and that we think have a better-than-decent shot of turning remember a moment, when as well? The bus ride home? your kids into geeked-out DALS was still in its infancy, Those last moments before that Jenny and I sat at the sleep? Or even the dinner book-lovers and readers, too. kitchen table and debated the table? Yes, we decided. If we idea of writing about children’s talked about these books— books on a site that was all about which TinTin adventure about, you know, dinner. was the best, or whether Kate Finishing The Trumpet of the The cygnets crept under Would it be weird? Would it DiCamillo was in the same Swan when I was a kid. (I their mother’s wings! Such a fit? Would it be true to the league as Judy Blume—at was eight years old. Or maybe beautiful earth! The light that DALS mission? The answers the table, that was enough nine. I forget!) I remember returns with the day! Dear, to those questions, as best as justification for us. Books turning that last page, and not dear God. I would never forget I can recall them, two years would be part of the mission. wanting it to end, thinking this one. The Trumpet of the later: (Also: we needed more stu! this was the best book I’d ever Swan was the book I would to write about. You can only read, and having this vague always think about when I 1. Maybe a little. come up with so many chicken sense that something was thought about books from my 2. Maybe kinda? recipes before a little piece of going on here that I didn’t childhood, the book I would 3. Yes, absolutely. you dies.) quite understand—at least, not use to forge an identity apart Here’s another reason we enough to articulate it—except from the big brother I revered It would be true to the DALS write about books: we like maybe to say that the words (he was a devoted Stuart mission because the DALS books, and believe in them, on the page, and the way they Little guy), the book I always mission, as we saw it, was not, and like it when other people made me feel, were a whole imagined reading aloud to kids in fact, dinner. It was family. believe in them, too. I’m not lot more powerful than what I of my own. Which, thirty years I’m talking family on the so good with remembering the was getting from Strange But later, I did. broadest, most basic level here; everyday details of my life. I True Sports Stories. The last As friend-of-DALS and Jenny’s salmon salad, to take can’t tell you the name of my paragraph still crushes me: writer-extraordinaire George just one delicious example, eighth grade math teacher, Saunders (see page 11) puts is about a recipe that you or my freshman year dorm On the pond where the it, “A minute spent reading can pull o! on a Wednesday room phone number, or my swans were, Louis put his to your kids now will repay night, and that tastes really cholesterol reading from my trumpet away. The cygnets itself a million-fold later, not good, but it’s also—deep down, last checkup, or even who I crept under their mother’s only because they love you realizing that I am in danger of had lunch with last Thursday wings. Darkness settled on for reading to them, but also overstating things here—about (at least without checking my woods and field and marsh. because, years later, when the intensely good feeling calendar first). Compared to A loon called its wild night they’re miles away, those that comes from giving your Jenny, whose institutional cry. As Louis relaxed and quiet evenings, when you kids something they love, and memory for every moment prepared for sleep, all his were tucked in with them, from sitting around the table, and triumph and hiccup of thoughts were of how lucky everything quiet but the sound enjoying it together, maybe her life is downright scary he was to inhabit such a of the page-turns, will seem to even high-fiving each other photographic, I’m like the beautiful earth, how lucky you, I promise, sacred.” Why do because of its excellence. It’s amnesiac guy from Memento: he had been to solve his we write about books? That’s about pleasure and fulfillment I should probably start problems with music, and why we write about books. and, really, isn’t that what a tattooing every inch of my how pleasant it was to look –Andy, April 2012 story, properly executed, does body with the little stu!—i.e., forward to another night too? Don’t stories exist beyond the important stu!—before it of sleep and another day those moments where your fades away forever. You know tomorrow, and the fresh face is buried in the book? what I do remember, though, morning, and the light that Don’t they infect our lives, with almost perfect clarity? returns with the day.

2 !"!!"# BOOKS BOOKS Meet The Reviewers

PHOEBE, age 10 ANDY º Easily the most prolific reader in the º Spends most of his waking hours editing house. Seemed to figure out way before books about things like the Mossad, brain most that the secret to happiness is a good science, and the processed food industry, but book, a comfortable chair and a curled-up is frequently brought to tears by E.B. White dog. (Though she’d also spend all afternoon and William Steig. Decided to have children cozying up with a pharmaceutical pamphlet because it would give him a good excuse to if allowed.) Favorite authors: George re-read The Chronicles of Prydain (#70). Is O’Connor, Jules Fei!er, Sharon Creech, Je! tempted to call b*ll$#t on Curious George. Smith, Lemony Snicket, Pseudonymous Bosch, George Saunders. For reasons we have JENNY yet to diagnose, she refuses to read Harry º Author of two books about dinner. Potter beyond The Sorcerer’s Stone. Would crawl inside any Little House book if she could (except maybe The Long Winter). ABBY, age 8 As a kid, spent 90% of her library time in the º Had first mad love a!air with a book at Jill Krementz corner (#13). Writes bestselling age three (see #19) and despite a generally children’s books under the pseudonym J.G. sunny disposition, gravitates toward the dark Finch. Or at least plans to someday. genius of Roald Dahl, Lemony Snicket, and Phillip Pullman. Frequently wakes up parents PLUS! at 6:00 am with questions like “What’s the Guest appearances by David Sedaris, John name of the second worst town in New Jeremiah Sullivan, George Saunders, Daniel Jersey?” Does a killer cockney accent. Handler and Pseudonymous Bosch!

º This book has º We love all lots of dialogue the books on this and opportunities list but this one for funny voices, so is especially is ideal to be read lifechanging. Key out loud in class- rooms, at birthday º This book is We tried to list the books in parties, and on part of a series. In roughly the same order that sleepovers. other words, you we have read them over the might not see your years. (Emphasis on the word º This book is a child for days— “roughly;” Phoebe started with comic book or a weeks even—if you her TinTin books at age 5 and graphic novel. hand them Book 1. is still re-reading them at age 10.) You’ll notice an age guide º This book is º Art is craaazy at the top of each page, plus a a nice bridge good and would few icons next to each entry. between picture make an excellent This is to help you select books books and chapter gift. for your own kids. Here’s what books when your those icons mean. kid is just learning to read.

3 !"! BOOKS ¼ !$% AGES #$" 6 3 Hush Little Baby by Marla Frazee I am A Bunny by Ole Rison º Our friends Sarah and Jay illustrations by Richard Scarry gave this book to us when Phoebe was just about three. º What You’ll Remember The fable and the song won’t About It: The lush, very un- be new to anyone but the Busytown illustrations from artwork is beautiful and the great Richard Scarry, expressive and I found there and the simple, tender story was something pretty magi- chronicling a year in the life cal (for both parent and kid) The Important Book of a bunny named Nicholas, about ending the day with an by Margaret Wise Brown who sleeps in a hollow tree and old-school lullaby. –Jenny & Sally Goes dreams of spring. –Andy Andy to the Vet by Stephen Huneck º While everyone else 8 is buying (the admit- Moo Moo, 1 º tedly classic) Good- 4 Brown Cow There are six or night Moon, I firmly by Jakki Wood seven in the series, believe that if you’re but this and Sally going to own one º The watercolor drawings of a kitten’s barnyard friends are Goes to the Farm Wise Brown book, this delightful and the sing-songy were the ones we should be it. A range of rhythm of the counting theme everyday objects—rain, (“yes kitty, yes kitty, two wooly happened to own. a spoon, grass, a dai- lambs”) is guaranteed to make Sally, the black sy—are demystified for it a winner with the under Labrador retriever is 12-month set. But it holds a kids in the most poetic, special place in our hearts for a horsing around with heartbreaking ways. di!erent reason: Our firstborn her friend Bingo the –Andy said her first word while read- cat when she trips ing about the “DUCK!” –Jenny on a tree stump and Thunder Bunny hurts herself. She’s 7Barbara Helen Berger rushed to the vet and º There’s an author’s mes- describes various 2 sage here that says everybody’s techniques for Bruno Munari’s ABC special. And Thunder Bunny by Bruno Munari surely is one of those people. getting through the 5 There is one line of this book tough parts (shots) º By the time all is said and One Red Dot that my family treasures and that we employ with done, you’ll probably own by David A. Carter that is “I am THUN THUN a dozen books in the A-B-C THUNDER BUNNY!” –Abby our kids at the doctor genre, but this one from the º What You’ll Remember Parent Note: Thunder Bunny to this day. (Picture legendary artist and designer About It: The joy your child is not a person, but Abby is something you love, sets the bar high. What you’ll takes in this book of insanely right about the treasuring part. remember about it: extremely intricate, three-dimensional, This is such a weird little book, like an ice cream beautiful, graphic watercolors geometric pop-ups…until he told in poetic stanzas that force cone.) The woodcut on a stark white background or she finally gets his grabby a young reader to make leaps illustrations are stark and the little fly that ap- little hands on it and destroys about the story. A bunny is pears on every page. It’s not a it. Until that moment, though, born blue (“Even her mother and graphic, but the coincidence you’ll always find worth every penny. (If you like said ‘oh my’”) and ends up as tone is warm and it in the gift shops at major this one, also check out Yellow part of the sky. Trust us. –Jenny museums. –Andy Square.) -Andy sweet.

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the love of his mother, the Stephanie flying orders from his father. It takes through the air while a brush with death —inside a lion’s stomach, naturally—for auditioning for The him to learn that a total lack of Nutcracker—even engagement is, in fact, no way though I hadn’t seen 11 to live at all. –Jenny (PS: It’s not that we like this the book in 25 years. more than the must-own, I read the other must-read-1000-times, Where books in the series (A Dahlia the Wild Things Are, which we by Barbara McClintock read to Phoebe every night from Very Young Skater… 6 months to 2 years old. But Rider…Gymnast) º A tomboy named we’re guessing you bought that one for yourself the day you but none resonated Charlotte receives found out you were pregnant. quite like this one. 9Click Clack Moo a frilly, lacey little Or received seventeen copies of When I wrote about by Doreen Cronin it as a baby gift during the first doll as a gift and year of your child’s life.) Stephanie on the º A group of cows get their promptly sets about blog, it became clear hands on a typewriter hidden initiating this doll that I wasn’t alone in in a barn and use it to make demands of Farmer Brown. into the messy, non- my obsession. –Jenny “The barn is cold, we’d like frilly world of go-cart some electric blankets!” When racing, tree climbing, 13 he rejects their demands, the cows join forces with the hens and mudpie- Very Young Dancer to coordinate a milk and egg making. What You’ll by Jill Krementz strike. We love the relentlessly Remember About It: logical farmer (“There will be º The real-life story no electric blankets. You are The finely detailed, Cows and Hens!”), the pro- almost Victorian of a 10-year-old girl union stance, and the message: illustrations, the kind named Stephanie There’s power in the written who plays Clara in word. – Jenny of artwork you don’t 14 see anymore. Much the New York City Do Not Open This Book less girly than it Ballet’s Nutcracker, told in first person By Michaela Muntean appears, which is also with large-scale º part of the message. Stricken with writer’s block, –Andy documentary-style a pig implores readers of his 10 photographs. It “unfinished” book to go away, The Giving Tree it’s not done yet! We witness by Shel Silverstein was published in him “building” words out of 1976, and when I letters in a workshop, past- º This book is about a boy ing those words up on a wall who loves a tree. And the tree ordered it for Phoebe to make sentences that add loves him. As the boy grows just before her up to nonsense, and finally, older his relationship with the second birthday, I in frustration, writing a mad tree gets shaky. Every now and lib-type page that readers can then when he’s older he wants remembered every use to build their own story. to borrow something from the photo—Stephanie All along the way, the grumpy tree. And every time the tree author tries to convince us to gives whatever she has to him. Pierre: A giggling with her stop turning the page, which of When he’s really really old, all 12Cautionary Tale best friend in class; course, has the exact opposite he really needs is to sit down by Maurice Sendak the young ballerinas e!ect. –Jenny on her – by this point she’s a stump. This is a very interest- º Poor little Pierre doesn’t standing on their toes ing, inspiring book. I recom- care about anything —what he while fixing their hair mend it. –Abby eats for dinner, whether he in front of a mirror, goes to town or stays home,

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ing a lesson – and in between learn that there is no short- the deep aqua blue covers of cut for earning the trust and this book you’ll get three good love of a good friend. What 15 ones: Treat people equally You’ll Remember About It: and fairly (The Sneetches); Be The inspired story-telling. It’s Sylvester and the Flexible (The Zax); and Don’t hard to make something sound Magic Pebble be afraid of something just original, after all, but Cowell by William Steig because it’s unfamiliar (What makes it look easy here. This Was I Scared Of). –Jenny 18Rainbow Goblins was a huge hit whenever we º A book, in some ways, about PS: See: “Friend of DALS: by Ul De Rico would read it aloud for the kids loss. But with a happy ending. George Saunders,” page 11. on story day at kindergarten. Quick summary: Mama’s boy º What You’ll Remember Funny, unpredictable, creative, donkey named Sylvester Dun- About It: The artwork. And I and whimsical (in the best pos- can (how great is that name?) use the word artwork, as op- sible, non-cloying way). And it collects pebbles. One day, he posed to illustrations, because only sounds better when read finds a magic one: when you these aren’t illustrations. with a bad British accent. hold it and make a wish, the 17 They’re jewel-like oil paintings –Andy wish comes true. Not being on wood panels by a fine Ital- dumb, he immediately sees ian artist, lending the whole the potential for good in this, thing the otherworldly feel of a wants to take it home to show The Paper Bag children’s book as imagined by his parents. Sees a lion on way Princess a Renaissance master. Storyline home and, freaked and scared by Robert Munsch is so-so, but the landscapes of being eaten alive, wishes he alone are worth the price of was a rock. Turns into rock. admission. –Andy Unable to touch magic pebble º A beautiful and wish to be a donkey again, princess named he sits there, inert: a rock. His Elizabeth uses her Cricket in the Thicket distraught parents go looking 21by Aileen Fisher for him. They look for him for smarts to rescue 19 a year. Parents eventually go her fiance, Prince º A collection of for a walk and have a picnic Ronald after a fire- The Great Pie on him. They find the pebble, Robbery poems about nature, place it on the rock, and Syl- breathing dragon by Richard Scarry divided into four vester is reborn. Favorite little kidnaps him for his º parts: Six Legs and moment: “The sun was shining next meal and burns With its dastardly villains, as if rain had never existed.” – gentle, low-level mayhem, and Eight (aka insects), Andy all her fancy clothes. the amazing art of Richard Four Legs and Two Unfortunately, Scarry, it’s the perfect introduc- tion to mystery genre. I think (birds and animals), Ronald turns out this is the only book Abby let Sunflowers High to be an ungrateful us read to her between 2005 and Pumpkins Low loser and Elizabeth and 2006 (between 3 and 4 years old). A classic. –Andy (plants and flowers), rides o! into the Warm Days and sunset empowered Cold (the seasons). 16 and happy anyway. The Sneetches and The poems are so Other Stories Good messages for wholesome it’s almost by Dr. Seuss 20 girls, plus there’s That Rabbit Belongs painful. Take this Elizabeth’s winning º You know how there are to Emily Brown last stanza from “The some days when the bedtime line: “Ronald, your by Cressida Cowell Turtledoves:” “Even story feels like just one more clothes are really thing to check o! on the to-do º A queen will stop at nothing when there’s work list? I never felt this way about pretty and your hair to own Emily Brown’s much- to do, don’t forget to reading any of the stories in is very neat. You look loved stu!ed rabbit compan- nod and coo: ‘Love The Sneetches. And it’s not like like a real prince, but ion. When bribery with jewels I had anything against The Cat and riches doesn’t work, she to you.’ and ‘Love to you are a bum.” –Jenny in the Hat, but for me, Seuss is sends in the army, the navy, you.’”–Jenny most magical when he’s teach- and finally, special-ops, only to

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by dismay—Minnesota, who switched with Florida, gets a sunburn, Hawaii, who was 25 27 stuck with Kentucky and West Virginia, longed for peace and Gorky Rises Meanwhile quiet, Kansas, in Hawaiian by William Steig by Jules Fei!er turf, is lonely out in the Pacific – and pretty soon, the lesson º An exploration of our 22What People becomes obvious: It’s good to dreams of escape, of tran- º In the summer Do All Day seek adventure, as long as you scending our circumstances before first grade, by Richard Scarry remember your roots. Note: and striking out…only to take Phoebe discovered This book set o! a U.S.A. map comfort in home. A frog named º I’m guessing that the obsession with my 5-year-old Gorky mixes up a magic potion this book at our local overlap between kids who nephew. –Jenny in his parents’ kitchen one library. It’s about a like dollhouses and those who day, as any boy frog would like the large-scale illustrated want to do. He drinks it, and boy who loves comic books of Scarry is significant. begins floating up into the sky. books – loves them so In this one, Scarry takes us Up through clouds, through a much that he dreams around Busytown where we rainstorm, into the heavens, see, among other exciting where he is suspended, “like a he is living inside of things, how a letter is mailed, coat on a hanger.” Looks down one, fighting pirates how tonsils are removed, and on the world from whence he and running from where bread and wood come came, ponders life. Comes back from. We even take a trans- down to earth, lands on 10 mil- mountain lions and oceanic voyage involving a 24 lion year old Elephant Rock, floating weightless dramatic rescue at sea. All the Alexander and the which suddenly comes alive. Is through outer space. Scarry signatures are here: Terrible Horrible No reuinted with his loving family. intricately detailed cross- Good Very Bad Day Favorite little moment: “What From there, it was a sectioned buildings, slapsticky by Judith Viorst a magical, cloverous smell!” short trip to Phoebe sideplots unfolding in the –Andy trying to draw her margins, raccoons flying planes º Poor Alexander (“Wrong way Roger!”), and, of own comic books course, Lowly worm turning up is having a rotten (called “Mini Man,” somewhere unexpected. I spent day – the shoe store which drew, um, hours with this one when I was doesn’t have the a kid and I was delighted to heavily from Fei!er), see it had the same e!ect on sneakers he wants and then onto The Abby. –Jenny in his size, Dad gets Adventures of Tintin mad at him when (#39). And Amulet Scrambled he visits his o"ce, (#61). And Amelia States of he gets in trouble 23 America 26Life Story Rules (#50). And for fighting with his by Laurie Keller by Virginia Lee Burton Bone (#54). And brothers even though Calvin and Hobbes º So Kansas is talking to his it’s not his fault. º Any book that begins like best friend Nebraska one day this: “Eons and eons ago, our and Garfield and when he realizes that he’s Instead of turning us sun was born, one of the mil- any comic book she bored sitting in the middle o! with what could lions and billions of stars that can get her hands of the country never going easily come across make up our galaxy, called the anywhere or and never meet- Milky Way;” and, sixty eight on. Five years later, ing anyone new. One thing as whining, Viorst pages later, ends like this: “The Phoebe is still staring leads to another and the two drama of Life is a continuous instead reminds us up at the world states are hosting a party for that for kids, the little story, ever new, ever changing, all fifty states, where, over a and ever wondrous to be- from the bottom of spread of New York cheese- stu! is the important hold”…is a book you’re going to a deep, deep graphic cake, Boston Baked Beans, and want to own. How we came to stu!. The little stu! novel hole. And Idaho potatoes, they all agree is, in fact, everything. be is the eternal question, and to switch places to see a new Burton answers it e"ciently, it all started with part of the country. Excite- –Jenny poetically, beautifully. –Andy –Andy ment follows, quickly followed Meanwhile.

7 !"! BOOKS ¼ FRIEND OF D,A,L,S, John Jeremiah Sullivan

º When Jenny launched Dinner: a Love said it “put me in mind of one of Flannery Story two and half years ago, I sent out a O’Connor’s indelible utterances.” Time had group email to all nine of my friends to help this to say: “He’s the closest thing we have spread the word. She called me at work a right now to Tom Wolfe, and that includes couple of hours later, excited. “John Sullivan Tom Wolfe.” To which I will add: The fact that just registered on the site,” she said. Our first you can buy his book for less than I spent victim! John Sullivan, aka John Jeremiah Sul- on a bunch of Swiss chard at the market last livan, is a writer, a funny person, and a kind weekend is one of the great bargains, and soul. Have you heard of him? In 2011, he pub- investments, to be found on this earth. It’s lished a collection of essays, Pulphead, that hard to put into words just how sublime his got some halfway decent reviews. NPR called stories are. John, in addition to being a Din- it “a collection that shows why Sullivan might ner: A Love Story charter member, was kind be the best magazine writer around.” The enough to o!er up a few of his favorite chil- New York Times Book Review called it “the drens’ books for us. Of his picks, I can only best, and most important, collection of maga- claim to have read The Giant Jam Sandwich, zine writing since [David Foster] Wallace’s ‘A but I’m here to say: if John Jeremiah Sullivan Supposedly Fun Thing I’ll Never Do Again.’” says these books are good and true, I’m going Dwight Garner, reviewing it in the Times, to believe him. —Andy

The Giant Jam Sandwich the cost of ”ditch-digging him. Haven’t seen this book by John Vernon Lord britches,” to another man, who since my own actual childhood John’s and Janet Burroway seems nice at first, but turns but could, if I knew how to Picks A small town (Itching Down) out to be a tyrant. That’s when draw, recreate it page for page. is infested by wasps, to the you get the story: of Shaggy point that folks can’t deal. The Fur Face’s escape from the new Lamont the Lonely townspeople have a meeting, mean master, and his return Monster Here are four beloved books of where it’s decided that they to the old nice family (who are by Dean Walley and Don Page my childhood, possibly out of will build an enormous, field- doing better financially, thank Lamont is sad. He has no print, but worth the while of sized jam sandwich, to trap all you). The line I’ve had in my friends. He’s too freaky looking. parents to hunt down, espe- the wasps. Watching them do head for 35 years now, that sus- And so he searches for buddies. cially if their youngsters are this, page after page… I can tains me sometimes, is, “And But in a twist that turns on its between, say, three and six. still feel the child excitement. he kept paddling south. And he head the whole crap Nick, Jr. Written by an author who has They turn a swimming pool kept paddling south.” narrative of “Just act nice and actually prepared multiple into a mixing bowl. They turn normal, and you’ll be popular DALS recipes (greatly enjoyed the town’s biggest building into Billy’s Balloon Ride and happy!!”, Lamont’s soul- by family in cases where he a giant brick oven. The pictures by R. Zimnik mate turns out to be… an even didn’t burn, mush them up, or are bright but also detailed and A boy is sick. His friends and scarier monster! Who’s named, accidentally serve them raw). subtle. If your kid loves books, relatives keep bringing him in a delightful Dickens nod, P.S. DALS also turned me on it’s a minor crime not to read balloons, which his mother ties Uriah the Heap. Read your to Don Pepino pizza sauce in him/her this one. to his bed. Finally one night, kids this book, and then when a can. It’s all I use anymore. there are so many balloons, he they’re a little older, read them —JJS Shaggy Fur Face floats o! into the sky. Great, David Copperfield. Great way by Virgil Franklin Partch gently suspenseful storytelling. to teach them what “allusion” A dog has a good master–and Strange, haunting, somehow means. mistress, a little girl–but German-looking illustrations. they’re poor, and they can’t The boy has a chubby red face keep him. They sell him, for and glasses. I’ll never forget

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named Estrella—who turns 28 out, naturally, to be the love he’s been looking for. And the daughter of a garbage col- Bread and Jam lector, as well. Favorite little 32 for Frances moment: “Why worry and get by Russell Hoban wrinkles? It would happen.” Amos and Boris Okay, another favorite little by William Steig º I would of course recom- moment: “Madam Tarsal knew mend any book in the Fran- her onions after all.” –Andy º Sea-loving mouse named ces series to young readers 31 Amos builds a boat and sets (especially those who are just The Enormous sail. Destination: the other side growing out of shorter picture Crocodile of the water. (Love that.) One books) but this one seems by Roald Dahl* night, admiring stars on deck, especially right for the DALS he falls overboard. Endures a reader. Frances, the beloved, º This is a book about long night, abob in the “vast beleaguered badger refuses to a crocodile who lives loneliness,” confronts death, eat her mother’s eggs, spaghetti 30 and is rescued and befriended in the muddy rivers of and meatballs, or anything Miss Esta by a whale of “abound- that’s not bread and jam. So Maude’s Secret Africa. So. He decides ing friendliness,” named, of that’s what her mom decides by W.T. Cummings that he wants to have course, Boris. Amos climbs to serve her day after day, a juicy, yummy child aboard Boris’s back and they meal after meal. In addition º Who doesn’t love a secret? for lunch. It’s a little journey home, along the way to teaching a lesson to picky The strange, hidden world bit complicated but not becoming best friends. Years eaters, it contains a back- behind that normal-seeming later, Boris is beached during too much. I’ve read it a 25 and-forth between Frances’s door, the earthbound news- a terrible storm. Amos finds parents that warms my heart paper reporter with the super thousand times. Okay, him there, dying. Amos locates every time I read it: Father: “If powers, the little old lady with that’s it. –Abby two elephants (just go with there is one thing I am fond of the…raging hot rod fetish? it) to help push Boris back to for breakfast, it is a soft-boiled Esta Maude is a prim and sea and save his life. Moral of egg!” Mother: “Yes, it is just the proper school teacher who I am so sick of Roald Dahl. the story: It’s never too early thing to start the day o! right!” putters around town, very very It’s* not that the depth of his to question your existence. Or –Jenny slowly, in a small Model-T-ish imagination isn’t enough to to realize the value of a good black car—the Sunday Driver shame 99% of other novelists friendship. Favorite little mo- come to life. But at night, Esta that have walked the earth, ment: “Morning comes, as it Maude dons a racing helmet but for two years, Abby and I always does.” –Andy have been reading Dahl, and and goggles and climbs into nothing else. We started with what looks like a red Porsche Charlie and the Chocolate Fac- 356 convertible, and races tory and James and the Giant 33 What is God? around town. And as she does, Peach, then The BFG, which by Etan Boritzer the absurdity of her obsession was similarly twisted and both delights kids and also inspired, and then we just… º Until my kids started third keys them into what I think is kept… going. Does it sound like grade math, religion was al- 29 a very crucial aspect of life: we I’m complaining? I don’t mean ways the hardest thing for me Tiffky Doofky are often much more inter- to. I’m sick of Roald Dahl, but I to explain to them. It doesn’t by William Steig esting and complex than we also love him. My only quibble help that I was raised Jewish is that, when you read nothing let on, and even the fogeys— (but celebrated Christmas —my but Dahl for two years, some º What it’s about in a word: people, just look kids—still like patterns and tricks reveal mom is Presbyterian) and Andy Faith. Trash collector dog to have fun. The story is great, themselves. Kids, though: they was raised with no religion. named Ti!ky Doofky stops, but the art is the real star: it’s adore those patterns and tricks, I think I like Boritzer’s book on his daily rounds, to get his that kind of early sixties, really adore those sputtering grown- so much because it makes fortune told. On this day, the graphic, red-black-and-white ups and invented words and sense of our confusion—ex- fortune teller tells him, he will look that you see today and disgusting moles on disgusting plaining the similarities and meet the love of his life. He say, My God, why don’t books faces and the ominousness that basic truths behind di!erent goes on to meet the love of his look like that anymore? The seems to hang over everything, religions and in the process, life. Endures several strange downside: it’s out of print and but that never completely o!ering a blueprint for living descends. It’s been quite a run, encounters, and is almost hard to find, an extremely un- an enlightened, morally-sound this Roald Dahl run. I’m glad strangled to death by a large fortunately situation that some we did it, but I don’t want to do existence. Amazon lists this boa constrictor named Dolores, publisher out there should it again, and I’ll miss it when for kids 9 and older, but we only to be saved by a white rectify. You heard me, publish- it’s gone. read it to the girls starting at poodle and snake charmer ers: Rectify! –Andy age 5. –Jenny

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turn o! her bedside lamp, she lustrations in the 2008 nic) on watercress, quail eggs, would tug on my arm and ask reissued version de- caviar and champagne (Steig for more. Just two more pages! liver. In Abby’s words: loved food), a hurricane blows Is there anything better than “This book inspires me. through (Steig loved storms) that, anything better than that and snatched the scarf from moment when you first realize It teaches me there’s no Amanda’s neck, prompting the hook has been set? Written reason why you should Abel to leave her (you get the 34 by a sweet old grandmother want your writing to be idea re: Steig’s obsessions) and Brave Irene with a crazy talent for inven- long or short. There’s rescue her scarf. He is, instead, by William Steig tion and pure story-telling (and no di!erence between swept away by the storm and beautifully illustrated in grease them because all you washes up on a small island º A parable about persever- pencil by her stepmother, Ruth in a river, where a beautiful ance. And an argument for Chrisman Gannett) this trilogy want to see in your version of kid book Survivor being nice to your mom when of stories about a boy named writing is good.” unspools. Abel is forced, for the she’s not feeling so good. A Elmer Elevator—who sets out –Abby & Jenny first time, to make his own way dressmaker is sewing a gown with a talking feline compan- in life: to make new friends, to for a duchess to wear to some ion to rescue a baby dragon fend for himself, to find a new kind of royal ball. But the from some bad guys who live a home and, at the same time, a dressmaker becomes ill and place called Wild Island—capti- way back to his love. Favorite it falls to her young daughter, vates but never, ever frightens. little moment: “They toasted Irene, to deliver the dress. –Andy 37 each other, and everything Problem: there is an epic, driv- else, with a bright champagne ing snowstorm, Irene is little, which was kept cool in a and the dress is a large thing Trumpet of the Swan bucket of ice.” Favorite thing to lug across a dark forest. An by E.B. White about that little moment: The 25 “ill-tempered” wind batters word “bright.” –Andy Irene, tears into her, but Irene º The story of Louis, a trumpt- is determined. She can’t let her er swan, who was born without mother down. Then the dress 36 the ability to do the very thing is ripped form her hands, and that defines his species: trum- flies away, stolen by the wind. Don’t Bump pet. You already know how I She continues on, through the The Glump feel about this book (see intro), night, nearly freezing to death. By Shel Silverstein but I have one more point She is lost. The dress, you’ll be to make: E.B. White wrote a glad to know, is magically de- º We are going to as- buddy story about a boy and a livered. Irene is hailed by royal sume that you already swan, which is both completely types as a “brave and loving” unexpected and completely 39 person. And she is reuinted own the more famous right. Imagine if Louis had The Adventures with her mother. Favorite little Where the Sidewalk been a dog named Buster. of Tintin moment: “How could anything Ends and A Light in Chances are, he would not have by Herge so terribly wrong be allowed to the Attic. But this been on this list. –Andy happen?” –Andy less-heralded, equally º Whoever likes fun illustrated poetry mystery stories and collection was pub- gangsters and people 35 lished in 1964, before 38 like that should read both of those. All the Tintin. These stories Three Tales of My trademark Silverstein Abel’s Island are about a little boy Father’s Dragon by William Steig who tries to catch a Ruth Stiles Gannett characters show up here—“The Slurm,” and º How I might summarize lot of bad guys. He has º I wish I knew this for “The Slithergadee,” this: You are capable of so a white dog named absolute sure, but I think this and “The Gletcher” much more than you think. Snowy. Ummm. My was the first chapter book and the hat-shaped That, and it’s amazing what favorite one is… I can’t we ever read to Phoebe. She “Ginnet” (“This is the we’ll endure for love. Another pick a favorite. Daddy, was in kindergarten, and I Steig chapter book with a remember reading this trilogy quick-disgusting gin- four-legged protagonist. Abel’s before you write this, —compiled in one beautiful nit. Didn’t he have you a mouse, a trust fund dandy, tell the people that hardcover volume—in bed, at fooled for a minute?”) newly married to a girl mouse I thought of all this, night, and every time I would and the watercolor il- named Amanda. One day, while okay? –Phoebe put it down and reach over to picnicking (Steig loved a pic-

10 !"! BOOKS ¼ FRIEND OF D,A,L,S, George Saunders

º I remember exactly where I was when I tion of being the author of some of my all- read the short story, “Pastoralia,” by George time favorite grown-up fiction (my favorite Saunders: I was finishing lunch at my desk, is the story collection, Pastoralia, but really: back when I had hair and worked at Esquire you can’t go wrong), my all-time favorite kid magazine. As soon as I finished, I copied it fiction (The Very Persistent Gappers of Frip, and—this was 2000, remember—faxed it to a see page 13), and some of my favorite non-fic- couple of the writers I worked with, no cover tion (check out “The Braindead Megaphone” note attached. I thought it would inspire sometime). He’s also a genius. (True story: them. A few hours later, the emails started he’s a winner of the crazy-prestigious Mac- coming in: “I’m never going to write again.” Arthur “genius” grant.) What I’m saying is, “Jesus, man.” “Why would you do that to me?” we love George Saunders, and his beautiful, Would I do this again? I would. Because great generous view of the world. We asked him for writing is inspiring and George Saunders is a his list of favorite kid books, and here’s what great and inspired writer. He has the distinc- he sent us. We bought all of them. —Andy

Let’s start with Kashtanka, by often don’t see kids and don’t Anton Chekhov and Gennady listen to them. The illustrations Spirin (Ages 9-12). I’ve written are masterpieces of 1970s cool, about this at length at Lane by the great Edward Gorey. George’s Smith’s excellent website, but Picks su"ce to say it’s a beautiful, I love The Hundred Dresses simple, kind-hearted story with (by Eleanor Estes, illustrated illustrations that are beautiful Louis Slobodkin, ages 7-9) and realistic with just the right for a similar reason. On this Well, to start with, an apology/disclaimer. touch of oddness. ostensibly small palette of a kid’s book, Estes has told a Our kids are grown and I’ve been away from Speaking of Lane Smith, who deep unsettling truth, one that kids’ books for awhile, although I well re- is, to my mind, the greatest we seem to be forgetting; as member the thrill, on a cold autumn night, of kids’ book illustrator of our Terry Eagleton put it: “Capital- time, I’d recommend all his ism plunders the sensuality of snuggling in with both our girls and feeling books but maybe particu- the body.” Here, poverty equals like: ah, day is done, all is well. Some of what larly an early one, The Happy petty humiliation, which drives Hocky Family (Ages 4-8). It’s a child, Wanda Petronski, to follows may be old news, but hopefully one or funny and arch but at its core lie, and be teased for the lie, two will be new to you. --GS is a feeling of real familial love. and then to create something With Lane, every book has its beautiful—but the great heart- own feeling, and this one is dropping trick of this book is sort of minimal and yet emo- that the other characters in the tive—right up my alley. book discover Wanda’s inner beauty late, too late, and she Back when we were doing is already far away, and never Frip together, Lane turned gets to learn she has devas- me on to The Shrinking of tated them with her work of Treehorn, by Florence Parrry art, and changed her vision of Heide (Ages 6-8). This is one of the world. This is a book that, I those books that stakes out its think, has the potential to rear- claim to greatness by showing range a child’s moral universe something that, though harsh, in an enduring way. is also deeply true: Grownups

11 !"! BOOKS ¼ FRIEND OF D,A,L,S, George Saunders con’t

I also love Millions of Cats, by the poems here are presented Wanda Gag (Ages 4-8), for its in two columns. You take eerie-funny Eastern European one part, the kid takes the illustrations. I always men- other, and you do this sort of tally group this book with the fugue-reading together. This, equally Euro-Weird Caps for I promise, will bond you. Be- Sale, by Esphyr Slobodkina cause even if done correctly, it’s (Ages 4-8). After the latter, you sort of embarrassing. Your kid will never see monkeys the will see what you would have same way again. Well, unless sounded like if you’d gone Total the way you see monkeys now Thespian. But also, the two of as wily acquisitive thieves and you will occasionally blunder plunderers who should all be into moments of real beauty, put in jail forever, no bananas. and look at each other like: Whoa. And then go: MOM! (or I love all Dr Seuss, especially DAD!) Come hear this! The Sneetches (Ages 4-7) and I mean a happy ending is all well the contained masterpiece, best When I was a kid, my grand- if read in a quasi-Bela-Lugosi mother had a bunch of those and good, but many of the books voice, “What Was I Scared Of,” Little Golden Books around I’ve recommended here go at it in a which contains these classic and these left a real impression lines: “I said, ‘I do not fear on me. Whenever I rediscover more complex way, and don’t flinch those pants With nobody in- one, it sets o! this synethesia- at ambiguity, assuming, correctly, side them.’ I said, and said, and like explosion of memories said those words. I said them. of Chicago in the early 1960s that kids can not only tolerate But I lied them.” (Brillcream + lilacs + warm complexity and ambiguity but crave tube TV, etc etc). I especially I also love Seuss’s Sleep Book remember I Can Fly, and The them, because in their hearts they (Ages 4-7) which I believe con- Poky Little Puppy and Mister know the world is big and scary, tains the immortal line: “And Dog: The Dog Who Belonged that’s why I’m bothering telling to Himself (Ages 2-4). There’s and crave sound counsel. you this,” which comes in very something about the design handy as a sort of e"ciency- and colors of these things that mantra in graduate creative you just don’t see anymore – writing workshops, as in: Let’s each one its own little unlikely not forget to always ask, “Why beautiful universe. I think that it in a more complicated way, to any conclusion. And the are we bothering telling us from these I learned that art and don’t flinch at ambiguity, illustrations make me want to this?” does not have to be strictly rep- assuming, correctly, that kids move to Russia. In the nine- resentational to be deeply and can not only tolerate complex- teenth century. I’d also recommend, The Leg- lovingly about the world. ity and ambiguity, but crave end of Sleepy Hollow (on Rab- them, because in their hearts Let me close by saying, from bit Ears books, with audio tape Dear Mili, by Wilhelm Grimm, they know the world is big and the perspective of someone featuring scary-as-heck music, illustrated by Maurice Sendak scary, and crave sound counsel. with two grown and wonder- great moody illustrations by (Ages 4-8), is a sad and deep Well, that and farting cats who ful kids, that your instincts as Robert Van Nutt, and a master- little book about love and wear suspenders. parents are correct: a minute ful reading by Glenn Close) if loss and time—a book that is spent reading to your kids now you want to terrify your kids so not afraid to go toward dark, And finally, in that spirit (the will repay itself a million-fold much that they will never leave nearly intolerable truths. I spirit of sound counsel, not the later, not only because they home or go outside in autumn think one thing I look for in a spirit of a suspender-wearing love you for reading to them, and will totally forevermore kids’ book is an avoidance of farting cat—or, as they call but also because, years later, avoid the Catskills. And pump- a too-pervasive all-is-well out- them in Germany, “Farten- when they’re miles away, those kins. And Glenn Close. look, mainly because it tends Katz”)—Once There Was a quiet evenings, when you were Joyful Noise: Poems for Two to be anti-literary. I mean, a Tree, by Natalia Romanova, tucked in with them, every- Voices, by Paul Fleischman, happy ending is all well and illustrated (again) by Gennday thing quiet but the sound of illustrated by Eric Beddows good, but many of the books Spirin (Ages 4-7). A weirdly the page-turns, will, seem to (Ages 7-12). This is very cool: I’ve recommended here go at Zen eco-tale that doesn’t rush you, I promise, sacred.

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that he lived in a tree? Well, 42 because he snuck out one night and they shot his tail o!, so The Very Persistent that’s how they knew where he 40 Gappers of Frip lived. This book has so many Little House Series by George Saunders interesting emotions. No, no. by Laura Ingalls Wilder So many interesting… parts.” º What You’ll Re- 44 On a scale of 1 to 10? 10. –Abby º I think I have spent my Lunch Lady *Abby says: “If there was a 20, I entire tenure as a parent member About It: by Jarrett J. Krosoczka would give this book a 20.” But attempting to recreate the Everything, really. The you can give it whatever you cozy, happy life of the Ingalls dreamscape illustra- º I totally grew out of this last want. “Then give it a 20!” family—homesteaders mak- tions by Lane Smith, year, but I liked this series. It’s ing their way West in the late the message about em- about a lunch lady who is real- 1800s from the Big Woods in pathy and community ly a superhero but she pretends Wisconsin to the Great Plains to be a lunch lady. She has of the Dakotas. It’s impossible and the importance all kinds of cool gadgets and not to admire their together- thinking beyond your- an assistant who makes the ness, their graciousness, their self, the heroine’s name gadgets and will go in disguise resourcefulness (on page 1 of (Capable—how great is so she can distract the person book 1, Laura is tossing a ball that?), but really: this they’re fighting. Is it funny? made from a pig’s intestines) No, not very. But you always and finally, their family dinners one, for me, is all about want to know what’s happen- followed by Pa’s raucous fid- the writing and the hu- ing next. Boys might like it. It’s 46 dling. In addition to provid- mor. “She soon found probably good for seven-year- The Animal Family 25 ing beautiful storytelling and that it was not all that olds. On the back of each book, by Randall Jarrell can-do inspiration, the series much fun being the it says, ‘Serving Justice and proved to be an endless spring sort of person who eats Serving Lunch.’” –Phoebe º One of our finest poets of teaching moments. You’re doing the storytelling, and a whining about getting more a big dinner in a warm young Maurice Sendak provid- Polly Pockets?! For the first five house while others ing the woodcutty illustra- years of Laura’s life the only shiver on their roofs in tions? Seriously, what could doll she owned was a corn cob the dark. That is, it was be better? A perfect little wrapped in a dishtowel! (Did I fun at first, but then fable, starring a hunter and a say teaching moments? I think mermaid, about the comforts I meant lecture moments.) got gradually less fun, of family. “Below them the –Jenny until it was really no white-on-green of the waves fun at all.” You want a was lined along the white book that gets talked 45 shore—out beyond, the green about at the dinner sea got bluer and bluer till at table? This is the one. Fantastic Mr. Fox last it came to the far-o! blue 41 by Roald Dahl of the island. There were small Deeply wise, generous seals on the seal rocks, and The Magic Finger in spirit. Hard to over- º This is gonna be hard. I love the little gray spot out above Roald Dahl state how much I love this book so much. It’s about the waves was a big black- it. –Andy a fox. A fox who promised and-white osprey waiting for º It’s a long journey in a his wife he would never steal a fish. But no fish came, and short book. The main topic is a chicken or whatever, what it hung there motionless. Ev- a girl whose neighbors like to Owly was it called? Yeah, a chicken. erything lay underneath them hunt, and she so turns them 43 by Andy Runton No no no no no. It’s like a like something made for them; into ducks with her magic bird? Never mind. But then things got smaller and smaller finger. Whenever the girl gets º Well, Owly is a picture book. he secretly goes on a mission in the distance but managed, frustrated or mad at a person, There are no words, only sym- to steal chickens with a mole, somehow, to fill the whole her magic finger automatically bols in a speech bubble. It can Kylie, and they have to avoid world.” Now that’s writin’! begins to work up. She was get a little sad, like when Owly these three mean farmers, Bog- --Andy born with it. At the end, other loses his friend, Wormy. Maybe gis, Bunce, and Bean. One day, neighbors start shooting ducks, like up to second grade would the farmers figure out that the and so it starts all over again. like it. It’s a comic. One of the fox is trying to steal their food, It’s a combination of girls and greatest ones ever. –Abby so they decide to dig up his boys. Both will like it. It’s not home, which is under a tree. like a girly book. –Abby Question: how did they know

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53 Laika 49 by Nick Abadzis 47 º Sad, very sad at the end. It’s Matilda about a dog who goes through by Roald Dahl a lot of trouble and has mean A Barrel of Laughs, A owners but also finds puppy Vale of Tears º Matilda’s a little girl who families and lives with them. by Jules Fei!er loves to read books, but her One day, a dog catcher catches father and mother don’t want 1 her and she goes to this place her to read books. They want 5 where they send dogs up in º You already know her to watch TV allllllllll the Tales of Desperaux space to test the very first how we feel about Jules time. But one day, she feels by Kate DiCamillo Russians to go up into space. Fei!er in our house like, ‘I want to go to school.’ So The grown-up girl really likes (see #27). In addition her mom drops her o! at this º This is one of my most Laika and she doesn’t want to being an iconic New school, and then she meets a favorite books. It’s...sort of like her to go up into space, and Yorker cartoonist and girl who tells her about the a sad and happy book at the she cries when Laika goes. It’s the man who kicked o! principal [scary voice] Mrs. same time. I’d call it adventur- how we treat dogs and how Trunchbull! She’s a really really ish—but it makes you think, they should be treated a lot our daughter’s comic mean person, and she talks too. The plot is complicated. better, cause we treat them book obsession, he in a really mean way. I can’t It’s about a mouse who’s, like, like barking babies. –Phoebe also happens to be the describe it. Mrs. Trunchbull’s di!erent from all the oth- author of some really daughter is Mrs. Honey, but ers—his name is Desperaux. memorable chapter you only find that out at the He’s di!erent because he’s not end. Don’t write that, daddy! afraid of anything and he can books. Chief among You’ll ruin it! This book is read. One day, Desperaux talks them: the exquisitely- about how Matilda has a hard to a human—the penalty for titled Barrel of Laughs, life, but is an amazingly smart that is death in mice laws. So the plot of which is girl. It’s for people who are he’s lowered down to the rats— too unconventional interested in reading. I don’t that’s what happens when you and playful to explain even want to talk about the do something like that, and movie. –Abby the rats eat you. They’re scary. here. (The reader is 54 I don’t want to give it away. part of the narrative, Haven’t I given you enough? Bone I’ll just say that much.) Put it this way: it’s a good end- by Je! Smith This one breaks open, ing. The book is better than for young readers, the the movie, and that’s saying º Bone is about three bones something because that movie who are alive—and no, they endless possibilities of is good. –Phoebe don’t look like those doggie storytelling. –Andy 50 bones. They have eyes and mouths and they walk into Amelia Rules a desert, and then a locust by Jimmy Gownley swarm separates them. Then Glister 52 one of the bones wanders into 48 by Andi Watson º If your kid likes really really a valley and finds a girl who crazy boy characters, get these Baby Mouse helps them. It’s funny because º This book is really hard to books. They’re starring Pajama by Jennifer Holm the other bone is named Pho- describe. It’s a graphic novel Man, Reggie, Kyle, Ed, and a ney and he’s tromping in the about a troll and a little girl little girl named Amelia who º Funny! Baby Mouse likes mud and he eats a stick. Hee who lives in a house. The house just moved into a new town. pink and hearts. She has every- hee hee. That’s good. The art is runs away and gets a di!erent Her parents are divorced, and thing in the shape of a heart. very detailed. Watch out for the room every single day. The bird she lives with her aunt and her She has a clock that’s in the mean guy, the Lord of Locusts. poops on a guy’s head. I don’t mom. Her aunt is a rock star. shape of a heart. But she hates –Phoebe know. It’s kind of complicated Boys and girls will like it. On a dodge ball. She hates fractions. Parent note: The depth of to read at first, but you get scale of 1 to 10? 10. –Phoebe And her best friend is Wilson imagination here is aston- used to it. It’s not scary, just a Parent note: There are a few the weasel because she’s a ishing. These books — nine teensy bit sad. Tomboys would references—and a game of mouse. She wants to be the volumes plus a prequel (see like this. On a scale of 1 to 10? spin the bottle, where Amelia queen of the world. It’s silly #55) — occupied Phoebe for a 10. –Phoebe wants to shake hands instead and Baby Mouse always says good three months. Adults will of kiss—that you might want to “Typical.” –Phoebe like them, too. know about.

14 !"! BOOKS ¼ FRIEND OF D,A,L,S, Daniel Handler

º You should have seen the look on Phoe- ing serious, deep transportation. Second of be’s face when I told her that Daniel Handler all, these books give you faith in the human was going to do a book round-up for DALS. imagination. They’re so beautifully, joyously It’s how I imagine my own face would have done. In some ways, they’re the books that looked if, back in 1981, my dad had walked opened her up to the value of darkness in a through the door and said, “Hi everyone, story, and of the way good and evil, and life yeah, long day at work. I’m just gonna go and death, can coexist. “Imagine lemonade,” upstairs and put my bathrobe on. Oh, and Phoebe said, when I asked her to describe Andy: the Rolling Stones are going to play at what the books are like. “Only with barely your birthday party this year.” Daniel Han- any sugar.” Which is exactly how I would dler—and how many people, other than close have put it, happy as I was to discover these relatives, can you say this about—has had a books, too, after so many years of unrelenting genuine, rock star-like impact on our oldest cheeriness and pointless plot-iness and over- daughter’s life. The thirteen books he wrote, weening cutesiness and, as Phoebe suggests, under the pseudonym Lemony Snicket (see way too much sugar. (I’m not naming names.) #92), are the books Phoebe might well re- You can never accuse Daniel Handler of ever member most when she’s old and forty. First using too much sugar. We are huge Dan- of all, she read them all in about two weeks, iel Handler fans here at DALS, so we were curled up on the corner of our family room honored that he agreed to get on the phone couch, and we basically didn’t see or hear with us and tell us about his favorite picture from her until she was done. We’re talk- books. —Andy

Dillweed’s Revenge I Want My Hat Back these days? All I had to do was by Florence Parry Heide by Jon Klassen go burn another one—but I Daniel’s This one was written a long I assume this book is for couldn’t rest until I knew that Picks time ago, and Edward Gorey children, but I have yet to find it was in my house. It taps into was supposed to illustrate it, a child who liked it. But I like that anxiety, and all it’s comic but he pulled a jerk move and it a lot. It’s about a bear who and tragic possibilites. It ends died. It’s really remarkable, wants his hat back, and my in death, too. This doesn’t the story of a young man with wife and I sit around and read automatically make a story bet- terrible parents who eventually it together. The thing is, no ter, of course, but a little death finds ways to deal with them— matter what your favorite book goes a long way. I think chil- through monstrous acts of is as an adult, you can never dren like death in books for the witchcraft and menace. It was read that book fifty times to same reason adults like death finally illustrated by the amaz- see if its greatness sustains. in books. For some reason, ing Carson Ellis, who’s prob- Try that with Anna Karenina. we’ve developed di!erent rules ably best known for the album On the other hand, you can about what’s appropriate in covers she does for her hus- read this book fifty times, no books for adults versus books band’s band, The Decemberists. problem. And I have. And it for children, and I find that The art has a kind of abstract, sustains. This book taps into tiresome. Do we do that with Rothko-y, wet quality to it. It’s the kind of focused anxiety you nutrition, for example? Then old-fashioned Victorian meets have when a material posses- again, my son is frightened of the dark unplummable depths sion of yours has gone miss- almost everything. He’s seven, of the human soul. For kids! ing. It just happened to me and he’s scared of everything. this morning with a CD—and He asks me once a week what really, how replacable is a CD the Lemony Snicket books are

15 !"! BOOKS ¼ FRIEND OF D,A,L,S, Daniel Handler con’t

about. When I tell him, he just kidnapped in the middle of the looks at me. night, UNLESS when you get there, it was this marvelous Here Comes the Cat! place full of wonder. Is it scary? by Frank Asch and Vladimir I don’t think so, I mean… even Vagin my terrified son loved it. I just I just love picture books that man- This one was re-published by love picture books that manage McSweeney’s. It was actually to capture that hushed quailty age to capture that hushed quality first published in the 80s, and of a child’s view of the night, of a child’s view of the night, that it’s a collaboration between a that feeling when you walk out Rusisian artist and an Ameri- of your room to go to the bat- feeling when you go to the bath- can writer. It’s for very young hoom, and step out into that children—I think there’s only dark hallway… room and step out into the dark one sentence in it. There’s hallway... this relay race of Paul Revere Mrs. Armitage: Queen of mice warning that the cats are the Road coming, the cats are coming, Written and illustrated by but when the cat arrives, he’s Quentin Blake pulling a huge cart of cheese. The majority of Quentin Blake’s I love that. The art has a kind reputation is from illustrating of cool, Russian, Constructiv- Roald Dahl’s books, but he’s a ist feel to it, with really strict splendid talent all by himself, lines. You get to see all these and this book shows it. It’s great locations and city streets, about a woman who’s driving which look Soviet to me, but this ramshacke automobile I’m sure they look American if around, and the automobile you’re Soviet. The theme of the keeps falling apart, and yet, she book is right up my alley, too— remains full of vim and vigor. the idea that the positive and What looks like a story about negative aspects of excitement making mistakes turns out to are close together, opposite be a story about souping up sides of the same coin. Which your car, which I love. I just feels kind of Cold War-y, too. brought a copy of it to an adult writing class, actually, because The Three Robbers the students were suspicious of by Tomi Ungerer my speech about how it can be Unbelievably beautiful book. incredibly liberating to take a If anyone ever makes an odd, hatchet to your work; well, this contemplative movie from illustrates my point, because a picture book again, the as she loses all the parts to her way they did with Where the car, one by one, she gets happi- Wild Things Are, they should er and happier, and more free. start here. The drawings are Visually, it definitely looks like beautiful and dark—I mean the Quentin Blake we all know dark in the light sense—and and love. It’s a great example it’s about three robbers who of a picture book that has no meet to dicuss their heists and scary content in it at all, but operate in the dead of night. it isn’t saccharine, either, so One day, they come across a I’m pleased to have it around carriage and in it is a little girl, the house. It’s a book that has and they decide they’re going no scary things, and yet, it’s a to start kidnapping children. book that I can stomach. It has one foot in terror—and one foot in the pleasure—of kidnapping. Let me explain: Yes, it wold be horrible to be

16 !"! BOOKS ¼ (($+! AGES +$%

holy. En route, he en- named Susan and he throws counters an evil space snowballs and acorns and stu! 60 pirate named Hector like that at her whenever he Hornblower, and falls can. You can read Calvin and Hobbes comic books anywhere. New Brighton for a princess named There are lots of other Calvin Archeological Society Annalunkus. If your and Hobbes books, too, but this by Mark Andrew Smith and kids like Star Wars (or is my favorite. He’s a six-year- Matthew Weldon 55 any other quirky vin- old, but he knows so many big Tall Tales tage space entertain- words. He makes you laugh out º This one is very (the Bone prequel!) ment, like Battlestar loud and inside. –Phoebe adventurous. It’s about by Je! Smith with Tom Parent’s note: This book Sniegoski Galactica), they’ll like kicked o! an epic love a!air four kids who discover this. –Andy with a Gund stu!ed tiger that that the parents have º If you like Bone, you’ll love Phoebe had been given by some club devoted to, this. It’s mostly about Big John- her uncle Nick when she was like, destroying this son Bone, who was a gigantic born…and had never looked at fairy guy who wants hero in Boneville. It’s about twice. Suddenly, she carried it their library. The when Smiley is teaching Boy 57 with her everywhere, put it in Scouts and it’s funny because her school backpack, and it has library has plenty of he’s always taking orders Brain Camp occupied a prime piece of real important information. from a big hat! Seriously! And by Susan Kim, Laurence Kla- estate, right next to her pillow, So they battle all kinds he eats a sandwich that has van, and Faith Erin Hicks every night for three years. of yucky monsters and peanut butter and pickles on it. We’re talking Velveteen Rabbit- stu! and two Chinese It doesn’t have, um, Fone Bone º This one is verrrrry creepy, status. or Phoney. I like the monkey but it’s also cool. I think this vampires who are their named Mr. Pip. He’s fuuuuuun- is at least the sixth time I’ve uncles. Then they find ny. He talks in his sleep about read it. I can’t put it down. It’s out the fairy guy is joining the circus. –Phoebe about kids who go to board- their grandfather. I like Parent’s note: Whoever this ing school and stu! like that. 59 it. It’s impossible to Tom Sniegoski dude is: We like Then a strange man comes one stop reading! –Phoebe you. We were initially skeptical night and takes two of them to The Twits when we saw your name, next a camp called Camp Fielding. by Roald Dahl to the great Je! Smith’s on the One day, while they’re there, cover. But you won us over. We the other kids’ eyes start get- º This book is so funny! You believe! For Phoebe to say this ting weird, like really wide and know how it looks short? Well, is one of the best Bone books strange. Yeah. And they figure it has so many stories in it. yet: the highest possible praise. out that the camp is using It’s about a woman and a man kids to hatch these weird alien who hate each other. First the birds in their brain. It might old man puts a frog in the old sound scary, but it’s actually lady’s bed, but then the old very interesting. Beware of kids lady gets mad. Very mad. So vomiting up birds! –Phoebe she makes him spaghetti, but Amulet Parent Note: When Phoebe she doesn’t use pasta. She uses 61by Kazu Kibuishi 56 says she read this six times, she worms. Then, he gets very mad is being modest. I think she’s at her, and this is funny: every º A real adventure story. Matthew Looney and read this 20 times the week she day when she went to sleep, he It’s about a little girl with a the Space Pirates got it. would take her cane and make very very very powerful stone by Jerome Beatty, Jr. it a little bit longer each night, called an amulet. This stone so it would look like the lady talks to her and warns her of º This was my broth- was shrinking. He said to the danger, but it’s hard to control 58 old lady, ‘Oh no, it looks like it. So far, there are three books er’s favorite book, you’ve got the shrinks!’ But in the series. In the first one, growing up, way back The Indispensable then she’s like, ‘How do I cure the girl is in a car crash. Then in the 1970s. Matthew Calvin and Hobbes the shrinks?’ It’s the kind of they find an old house. Then Looney is an astronaut by Bill Watterson book that has funny fighting the little girl named Emily who blasts o! from his between people. I don’t think finds the stone, which is the home (on the moon, of º Positively funny! Calvin’s a four-year-old would under- amulet. It’s kind of scary. It’ll always getting in trouble in stand it. –Abby give you the chills, but you course) in search of the school and he’s always doing also get excited when you read planet known as Free- bad on tests and he hates a girl it. –Phoebe

17 !"! BOOKS ¼ +"$+% AGES * $ &

out of 10. As Abby says, “I love it because I’m lucky not to have that tooth accident.” This com- 65 ing from someone who had two 62 molars yanked only a few days Wonderstruck Flight Explorer Vol. 1 before this was reveiwed.) by Brian Selznick edited by Kazu Kibuishi Parent note: We realized 67 before it was too late (Abby had º If you liked #64 you’ll like The Unsinkable º There are a bunch already devoured the book 3 this book. I can’t really explain Walker Bean times) that there was a page or it, because this author makes by Aaron Reiner of di!erent stories in two of teen talk (body changes, his books really complicated, here. There’s a story by boy crazy girls, etc) that might but it’s about a deaf boy and º This is a mysterious, Kazu Kib..ish..umm, a have been confusing and a deaf girl. It makes you think strange, creepy book about section from a book he maybe a tad inappropriate about how hard it must be to a little boy named Walker wrote called Copper. for a seven-year-old. So just be be deaf. It’s half pictures and Bean whose father is rich and He’s the guy who wrote warned. half words; the girl’s story is whose grandfather is sick. His all pictures and the boy’s story grandfather would tell him Amulet. One of my is all words. The writer puts so stories about being at sea, favorite stories in here much feeling into his stories. stories from when he was little, is called “Perfect Cat.” And there’s a surprise at the and stories about these sisters It’s about an Egyptian end, which is always good. On who look weird—like lobster cat who gets jealous of a scale of 1 to 10? 9. –Phoebe crab-creatures, in my opinion. Parent note: Why not a 10? The reason his grandfather is another cat her owner Because Phoebe said it wasn’t sick is because he once looked gets, and it’s a little “quite as good” as Hugo Cabret. at a stolen, enchanted skull—if bit funny because it you look at it, you get horri- includes a dung beetle. bly sick and cursed. Walker’s If you like Amulet and 64 grandfather tells him to go out New Brighton Archeo- The Invention Dominic to sea to return the skull to its of Hugo Cabret 66 by William Steig owners, but then…I’m not tell- logical Society you’ll by Brian Selznick ing you what happens next. It’s like this. –Phoebe º The lesson here: Life can exciting, and a little sad. º I don’t know how to do this be hard, but there’s a crazy –Phoebe one. It’s about a little boy who amount of beauty in it, too. uses his dad’s notebook to try This is a chapter book, 146 to make this machine called an pages of pure joy. Dominic automaton and there’s a man is a “lively one,” a dog who across the street who makes sets out on his own – with a 68 toys, and the two things are righteous ensemble of hats and somehow connected. You just his trusty piccolo — to see the The Far Side have to read it. I’m not telling world. Along the way, he runs Gallery 1 you more. The art is AMAZ- into a roving band of bad guys, by Gary Larson 63 ING. It even won the Caldecott known as the Doomsday Gang. Smile medal. It makes me feel like They try to lure Dominic over º These comics are, well, by Raina Telgemeir I’m actually there. And P.S. It’s to the dark side. This gang, it each picture is its own comic. not really a comic book. turns out, has been stirring They’re not stories. They’re º This is a true story about –Phoebe up a lot of bad juju out in the jokes. I understand most of a girl named Raina who has Parent note: Wowwowwow- larger animal world, and Domi- them, but not all. If I have a an overbite and a little bit of wowwow. This book is hum- nic sets out to make things question, I ask my parents, gum damage and she knocks bling and transporting and right. Includes an unbelievably but sometimes they can’t even her permanent two front teeth outrageously beautiful. I want beautiful moonlight serenade figure it out. But the other ones out. She goes through a lot to marry this book. Phoebe is of mice carrying Japanese are really funny. –Phoebe of trouble at the dentist and right: It’s not really a comic lanterns. That’s right. Favor- Parent’s note: Phoebe dis- her friends make fun of her. book. It’s genre-defying. It’s like ite little moment: “One could covered this on the book shelf It takes place a long time ago, the most beautiful flip-book not be happy among the good in my childhood bedroom in when the author was little. In with words that you’ve ever ones unless one fought the bad the house where my parents the book, she’s in sixth grade. seen. (And therefore not sur- ones.” –Andy still live. I didn’t think she’d Boys might like this, but it de- prising that it was turned into be into it. But she now has pends on their style. On a scale an Oscar-winning film directed three volumes and reads them of 1 to 10: 10. –Phoebe by Martin Scorsese.) incessantly and is, as they say, Abby rating: 11 (And, yes, that’s DEEP in the s@&t.

18 !"! BOOKS ¼ FRIEND OF D,A,L,S, David Sedaris

º For seven years, I was lucky enough to trated by Ian Falconer. The simple yet genius have the chance to work with David Sedaris. idea of these books was to pair well-known Those years were some of the best and most writers and well-known illustrators and fun I ever had, professionally—and personal- then…ask them to create something strange ly, too, as David proved as kind and generous and wonderful. The table of contents alone a person as he was talented as a writer. Not o!ers some absurdly high-density creativity: long ago, we had him over for dinner and he Jules Fei!er, Lemony Snicket, Maurice Send- arrived with gifts for the kids: bottle-shaped ak, Neil Gaiman, William Joyce, Richard Sala, candles, magnets that looked like leaves, etc. David’s story is called “Pretty Ugly,” and Japanese note cards, and two books: Strange it is both strange and wonderful. Here’s how Stories for Strange Kids and It Was a Dark Phoebe describes it: “It’s about a girl named and Stormy Night. They’re two parts of a Anna Van Ogre, and she lives in a world remarkable three-part series, called Little Lit where everything is backwards. Like, you’re (see #92), which was edited by Art Spiegel- pretty if you’re ugly. These people don’t look man (of Maus fame) and his equally talented like people; they kind of look like trolls mixed wife, Francoise Mouly. As much as the kids with pigs.” It sounds weird, and it is. And liked their candles and magnets, it was the that’s also why our kids love it. They wanted books that really stuck: particularly since one to ask David some questions and he was kind of them contained a story by David, illus- enough to oblige. —Andy

Phoebe: How did you get the director of The New Yorker, and him that if he didn’t quit, his ter than mine. Ian illustrated idea for “Pretty Ugly?” a co-founder of the group that face would stay that way. I like my last book, Squirrel Seeks David Sedaris: I like the idea put the book together. That it when the girl turns inside Chipmunk, and again, I never of a world turned upside. In said, Ian and I already knew out. It seemed that that might made any suggestions. the U.S., for example, straight each other. He did the sets for be a fun thing to draw. A: What’s the moral? teeth are considered attrac- the original New York produc- P: What kinds of books did you DS: When nothing else works, tive while in Japan a woman tion of “The Santaland Diaries.” like when you were a kid? you need to go that extra mile. is considered much prettier I remember going to his apart- DS: I liked biographies of A: Do you think all kid stories if her teeth are jumbled and ment one day and seeing these famous people. It didn’t matter should have morals? crammed into her mouth at great drawings of a pig. He told who it was, if he was famous, DS: It’s nice when it works out, odd angles. In Africa, it’s con- me that he had a 3-year-old I’d check his biography out but I don’t know that a moral sidered beautiful to have holes niece named Olivia, and that of the library. What always should always be imposed. the size of dinner plates in he was thinking of writing a surprised me was the person Some stories are simply meant your ears while in the US, most children’s book about her. That wasn’t born famous, or born to be entertaining, and not of us find that pretty creepy. It book, of course, became Olivia. knowing he’d be famous. necessarily enlightening. Does all depends on which culture P: What was your inspiration Abraham Lincoln or George Stuart Little have a moral? I you were raised in. In the ogre for this story? Washington of Daniel Boone — don’t remember. culture of “Pretty Ugly,” being DS: I’d never tried anything they were just normal people A: Why don’t you do more kids cute means being hideous, and like this, so when Art invited until lightning struck. books? in ours it’s just the opposite. me to do it I said yes. “Pretty And now, questions from Abby: DS: I just did this one because P: How did you get the famous Ugly” was my third or fourth Abby: Did you tell Ian Falconer Art asked me to. Aside from Ian Falconer to illustrate it? idea. I don’t now remember what to draw,? you and Phoebe, I don’t know DS: It was Art Speigelman’s what the other ones were, but DS: I’d never tell Ian what to too many children. What peo- plan to combine writers with this one ultimately made more do. He’s the artist, and because ple your age want is a complete illustrators. Well, his and sense. When I was young, he puts a lot of thought into mystery to me. That’s why I his wife’s plan. Her name is whenever a kid made an ugly what he does, I can assume gave you those candles shaped Francoise Mouly. She is the art face, his parents would warn that his visual ideas will be bet- like bottles. What do I know?

19 !"! BOOKS ¼ +&$*( AGES + AND UPUP

from Jack and the Beanstalk— Blake and Mortimer and they team up and do all are detectives. There’s sorts of crazy adventures. The lots of other books in 69 kind of people who might like this series, too. It’s like this book are the kind who like stories that show what girls are Tintin because they made of. –Phoebe solve mysteries and Astronaut Academy: Parent note: There’s some pro- use guns and, well, if it Zero Gravity jection going on here, for sure. was a movie, it’d prob- by Dave Roman 71 ably be rated PG. The artwork is pretty good. º This is one of my favorites. Hereville: How Mirka I read it like three times on Got Her Sword –Phoebe vacation. It’s about a school in by Barry Deutsch 73 Parent note: Phoebe’s a tough space and it’s cool: they have Calamity Jack critic! This art is beautiful, very retro-y and noir, and anti-gravity drills and time- º Okay, this is a tale of by Shannon, Dean, bending watches and things and Nathan Hale very—as Phoebe says—TinTin. like that. Everything that’s knitting and pig-chas- If it was made into a movie, impossible on earth is possible ing. Weird, right? It’s º This is the sequel to Rapun- you’d expect to see a young Or- there, pretty much. It’s funny the story of an Ortho- zel’s Revenge, except it’s mostly son Welles starring in it. and adventure-y. My favorite dox Jewish girl named about Jack instead of Rapunzel. character is Miyumi San be- Mirka who has nine It’s about a boy who was born cause she has a watch that lets brothers and sisters to scheme. He stole things, and her travel in time and because thought of plans and did all she acts tough. She’s like a and she’s always want- kinds of stu!. Sometimes he tomboy. On a scale of 1 to 10? ed to fight dragons and would get a little out of hand. 75 Half 9, half 10. –Phoebe trolls. I know all this It’s also about giants who grind Parent note: I assume this sounds really strange, human bones to make flour for Esio Trot means 9.5. but if you read it, it’ll their bread. Jack and Rapunzel by Roald Dahl have to beat the giants and make sense. This is a save the town. It’s definitely º So a boy lives, um, wait… good book for people thrilling, I’ll say that. The end? start over. No, stop. Okay. Well, who like adventure. It Well…you have to read that for an old man lives on top of an makes you want to go yourself. –Phoebe old lady in an apartment build- grab your own sword ing. He likes the old lady. She and start fighting some has a turtle named Alfie and she’s so proud of him, but she trolls! –Phoebe wants him to grow. And the Parent note: Gets our vote for old man thinks of a plan: He 70 best tagline on a cover ever: wants to do something to make The Chronicles of “Yet Another Troll-Fighting 11- her turtle grow, so he goes to Prydain Year Old Orthodox Jewish Girl” the pet store and gets a turtle by Lloyd Alexander that’s a couple inches bigger 74 but looks exactly like Alfie, and º What You’ll Remember The Yellow M: Blake he switches the turtles the next About It: The kind of sad fact and Mortimer day. Anyway, at the end of the that, despite all the Newberry 72 by Edgar P. Jacobs book, the old lady notices that Awards and the covers touting Alfie has grown verrrry big “three million copies sold,” Rapunzel’s Revenge º This will definitely and she’s really happy. The old Lloyd Alexander probably did by Shannon, Dean, lady and the man get married not get the respect he de- and Nathan Hale remind you of Tintin, and he never tells her about served for this richly imag- except it’s a little bit the trick he played. I like this ined, thrilling series—the first º This one I like because it more fantasy-ish. It’s a book because the idea is like series I ever remember tearing shows that girls can be tough, complicated story, and totally unexpected. And the through, the first fictional too. Rapunzel is like half-cow- you may not get it the title is really ‘tortoise’ back- world I remember not ever girl, but she’s also got a little first few times you read wards. It’s like a code.” –Abby wanting to leave. If your kid princess in her. She’s named Parent note: One of his minor likes Tolkien or Rowling, give after a vegetable: rapunzel, it. I didn’t. But when works, for sure, but a total this a shot. –Andy which is a kind of leaf. She you do get it, it’s a real pleasure and can be read in meets an outlaw boy named interesting, cool story. two nights. Jack—who’s a bit like the guy

20 !"! BOOKS ¼ *+$%# AGES * $ !# 79 City of Spies by Susan Kim, Laurence Kla- van, and Pascal Dizin

º It’s about Nazis or whatever they’re called, and a little girl and a little boy who try to figure out who is a Nazi and tell the police o"cers so they can put them in jail. But they 76-78 mess up a lot. It’s a great book. Marvel’s The Wonder- The Marvelous Ozma of Oz I’ve been reading it a lot lately ful Wizard of Oz Land of Oz Book 3 because I love it. –Phoebe Book 1 Book 2 by L. Frank Baum (adapted by Parent Note: I know, I know. by L. Frank Baum (adapted by by L. Frank Baum (adapted by Marvel for Eric Shanower and Nazis? But we promise: it’s kid- Marvel for EricShanower and Marvel for Eric Shanower and Skottie Young) friendly, very Tintin-ish. Skottie Young) Skottie Young) º This is the third book º Well, I bet you’ve º The artwork is very in the series. There’s seen the movie The cool. It’s about a little a chicken who’s a girl Wizard of Oz. But this boy named Tip who and her name is Bill. story might be a little makes a pumpkin Her name is Bill and di!erent. It’s about a head that he names she’s a girl! And there’s girl named Dorothy Jack Pumpkin Head. a robot named Tick who has a dog named Tip lives with a mean Tock, and a little girl Toto and they were witch. One day, the named…Dorothy! You 80 Otherwise Known supposed to help in witch wants to turn know Dorothy. Remem- as Sheila the Great the basement, but Toto him into a marble stat- ber, this is the third by Judy Blume went under the bed. So ue, so Tip runs away book in the Wizard of the tornado came too with his Pumpkin Head Oz series. What else? º This book got us through a near and they blasted and then he meets all sick spell one spring. Abby had Well, look at that. That a fever and we passed the time out into the yard. This these crazy people and artwork is awesome. by on the patio eating Saltines book is special because they go to the Emer- I’d say, if you like good and reading the entire book the pictures are mar- ald City. This is the comic books, you’ll love together over the course of two velous, it’s better than second book in the Oz this. Yeah. The story or three days. I don’t want to the movie, and last of series. It looks like the continues in the next say this is the only way to enjoy the classic (a spino! from Tales all, it’s a comic. –Abby artist just scribbled book, but it isn’t out of a Fourth Grade Nothing), Scale 10. something down with yet!” On a scale of 1 to but it o!ers a perfect illustra- Parent Note: Again, like the a pencil, but it’s cool. I tion of why it’s so damn fun to George O’Connor series (#TK), 10? 10. –Phoebe read Judy Blume: Her words this one is unbelievably gor- tried to draw it, but it’s *Parent note: Such a go down so easy. A five-or six- geous and spooky and cool. impossible to. Kind of cool series, such weird, year old has no trouble getting Capital A art. Both kids loved like Quentin Blake. My otherwordly artwork. I lost (and forgetting about a it when they first picked up at favorite character is the liked, but did not love stomach bug) in the story of ages 8 and 7. saw horse because he’s the L. Frank Baum insecure city girl, Sheila, who funny. –Phoebe books. I love these. spends the summer in the Abby’s review: She likes to country trying to convince her look at the pictures, but claims new girl pals how great she is. that “nothing so much happens Only to realize this isn’t the in it,” story-wise. I don’t want best way to go about making to say our daughter is wrong, friends. –Jenny but… she’s wrong!

21 !"! BOOKS ¼ FRIEND OF D,A,L,S, Pseudonymous Bosch

º Every Saturday afternoon, I go for a long which I think is about, uh, immortality. The run, and Phoebe bikes alongside me, and main characters are named Cass and Max- this is what she says to me the minute we Ernest and… it’s hard to explain.” She’s often hit the trail: “Ask me a question.” Which is still explaining when we stop, forty-five min- really her way of saying: Ask me a question utes later. about a book I am currently reading, and I I first encountered the Pseudonymous will summarize the plot for you while you Bosch books a few years ago, on one of those run, which will distract you from the agony gray winter days when the town library is of exercising. Some of these summaries are closed and you’re sitting in your house, dy- quick, easily dispatched. Family lives on ing of claustrophobia and getting on each prairie, endures terrible storms, long winters, other’s nerves and it’s too cold to do anything and much su!ering, but survives. Girl deals outside, so you end up—jail break!—camping with embarrassing dental issues, gets braces, out in the kids’ section at Barnes and Noble, endures much teasing, but survives. Hand- trying to avoid spending money on Care Bear some man has superpowers, saves world. sticker books. I found a book and picked it up Recently though, things have gotten a little based entirely on the title (The Name of This more involved. “Tell me about this Pseudony- Book is Secret, see #90) and the beauty of its mous Bosch guy,” I say to Phoebe, as we set cover. I flipped to the back flap, to see who out. “What are those books about, exactly?” was behind it: based on the author bio alone, Phoebe pedals for a bit, thinking. “Hmmmm,” I wanted to have it. Or, better, I couldn’t wait she says. “That’s hard.” “Try,” I say. “Well,” she until our kids were old enough to read a book says, “they’re basically about the five senses: this weird and fun. Two and half years later, smell, sight, feel, hearing, and taste. There’s a we finally found ourselves in the summer of lot of chocolate in the third book. And there’s Pseudonymous Bosch. He was kind enough to this group of evil guys called the Midnight take the time to do a round-up of his favorite Sun, who are trying to figure out The Secret, mysteries for kids. —Andy

As my readers well know, I am to my psychiatrist. (I mean, get (the first ninety-nine being of this blog—are most likely a secretive author, desperately my publicist). I have, however, What is your real name?). an adult. Thus, out of sheer afraid not just of the public learned to come armed with Because my books are meant to perversity, and also because spotlight but even the smallest certain provisions to protect be mysteries, I usually recom- it was requested, I am going penlight. (It’s the batteries—I myself against the prying pub- mend mystery books. And to recommend a few children’s have trouble replacing them in lic. They are, in no particular because my audience is meant titles that have lately held my my remote location.) Nonethe- order: large scratch-proof sun- to be younger, I usually recom- interest. One thing that is won- less, I occasionally find myself glasses, emergency chocolate mend adult mysteries. I figure derful about young readers is making appearances at glam- rations, a discreet handheld somebody else has already that they still retain the power orous venues such as elemen- sound-e!ects machine (sirens, recommended The Hardy Boys to be mystified. As an adult, I tary school cafeterias and the gunfire, broken glass, farts, or Harriet the Spy, so instead find that children’s books help backs of chain bookstores, most etc.), and book recommenda- I mention Edgar Allan Poe or restore my sense of mystery. of which seem to close perma- tions. Dashiell Hammet or Dorothy Hopefully, these books will do nently a few days later. Why a Why book recommendations? Sayers (the latter author be- that for you, too. And if you phobic character such as myself Because “What books do you ing a particular favorite of have an actual child by your should choose to expose himself recommend?” is almost always mine when I was a kid). But side, all the better. —PS like that is a question best left the one hundredth question I I fear that you—the reader

22 !"! BOOKS ¼ FRIEND OF D,A,L,S, Pseudonymous Bosch con’t

As an adult, I find that children’s Pseudonymous’s books help restore my sense of Picks mystery. Hopefully these books will do that for you, too.

at night. Who or what the and fantasy that is grounded Something is is the question in “realistic” family life. (If you that animates the book. As in suspect I have been studying all good mysteries, the answer Newbery winners hoping to is at once surprising and inevi- discover a hidden formula, table. well, I’m going to take the Fifth on that.) A multicultural Nate the Great cast of Berkeley, California by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat kids secretly band together to Before there was a middle participate in exotic Ancient grade graphic novel series Egyptian rituals and solve a called Big Nate there was a se- creepy neighborhood mystery. ries of illustrated early-reader What fun! Something for you The Circus in the Mist stories inspired by it was just chapter books called Nate the and your kid to read after your by Bruno Munari (only avail- recently published, but when Great. Sadly, I didn’t know copies of A Wrinkle in Time able used) I discovered it by accident in about Nate the Great until the and From the Mixed-up Files of This almost wordless book a used bookstore I felt as if I’d other day when, to my delight, Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler are was one of my favorites when stumbled on an artifact of a somebody handed me the all worn out. I was very young and I still lost civilization. I don’t want first Nate book. In the book, love to look at it. Written and to ruin the book for you by de- the eponymous kid detective The Sweetness at the illustrated—perhaps the best scribing it in detail, but briefly: endeavors to find his neigh- Bottom of the Pie: word is created—by the Italian it consists of a series of strange bor’s missing painting—this A Flavia de Luce Mystery designer and book-magician and enigmatic drawings with being a painting that the young by Alan Bradley Bruno Munari, The Circus in provocative captions that are neighbor herself painted, you O"cially a book for adults, The the Mist takes the reader on meant not to explain but rather understand. Fittingly, the key Sweetness at the Bottom of the a journey into a “mist,” which to elicit explanation. In a sense, to resolving the mystery lies Pie stars one of the most mor- is represented by translucent the reader is the author of the in knowing what color two dant—and hilarious—pre-teen vellum pages. Spare yet playful, stories that the pictures tell. particular colors make when heroines ever created. Flavia each page teases you into turn- they are mixed. I imagine this is a brilliant, half-mad chem- ing to the next. In the middle The Something would be a perfect first chapter ist bent on revenging herself of the book, you are rewarded by Natalie Babbit (only avail- book for a budding young against all who cross her—most with a circus, and all its fun able used) reader—or maybe a second, of all her own sisters. I loved and familiar acts, but at the Alas, I did not read this one after Frog and Toad. the book when I read it last end you are returned to the as a child, but a friend (whom year. I think I would have loved mist, as if to say that the mys- I will not name for her own The Egypt Game it even more when I was eleven teriousness of the mist itself— protection) gave me a copy a by Zilpha Keatley Snyder years old, although I might not the circus it hides—is the few years ago and I treasure it, The last book I wrote in The have had to open a dictionary true wonder. not least because this particu- Secret Series, has an Egyptian a few times along the way. A lar copy is inscribed by the au- theme; so I read this 1967 great book for a precocious The Mysteries of thor—to somebody else! This middle grade novel very recent- kid whose reading level has Harris Burdick diminutive picture book tells ly, looking for ideas to steal. way beyond kids’ books—but by Chris Van Allsburg the story of a monster who Like many Newbery books (of who still enjoys a little childish Soon this unique picture is afraid of the Something—a which this is a lesser-known mischief. I refer, of course, to book will be very well-known mysterious creature that enters example), The Egypt Game of- myself. because an anthology of through his bedroom window fers a combination of mystery

23 !"! BOOKS ¼ %!$%+ AGES %$!#

mortal girls down on disservice. What’s special here Earth. So one day, he is the dark, moody world that married a lady named Sachar creates, leaving you to Alcmene. Together, always wonder: Is this real or 83 they had a baby named not? –Jenny Hercules. Do you like Hercules? Well, Hera has got a lot to do with 81Magic Trixie and the D’Aulaires’ Book of him. Hercules’s cousin Dragon Greek Myths sends him on twelve by Jill Thompson by Ingri D’Aulaire labors and Hera tells º This is about a little girl º I like Greek myths. This one his cousin what sort of named Trixie, and she’s a witch has every single Greek myth labors she wants Her- but a good witch. She acci- tale in it (pretty much) and the cules to do. She picks 86 dentally turns her baby sister illustrations are really cool, too. really hard, dangerous I Was a Rat named Abby into a dragon. My favorite myths are Artemis by Phillip Pullman Then her sister flies to the and Apollo, because they’re things. One is to defeat circus and then Trixie flies twins and they have these the hydra, a monster º I think that Phillip after her and she and her pet cool arrows. Apollo’s arrows with a lot of heads. Pullman is an unbeliev- cat try to find her sister and were made to cause painful There are many others, turn her back into a baby. First death, like the rays of the sun. ably talented writer. and they’re all in this This book is a very odd to second grade kids would like Artemis’s arrows were made to book. In the end, Her- this. It’s funny because she has be as soft as moonbeams, and book. If you like odd to make the poop in her baby brought painless death. That’s cules is lifted to Olym- books, pick this up sister’s diaper disappear. how they write in the book. pus and Hera grows to from the shelf. If you –Phoebe They make you think. – Phoebe like him. –Phoebe don’t, leave it there. It’s about a boy who is a rat and we don’t know how, but the boy 82 somehow then turned back to a human. What Olympians 85 by George O’Connor kind of story is this? I Holes would call it an “odd- º People who like Greek by Louis Sachar ball” story. He has so myths should read these. many adventures. He They’re very adventurous 84 º Stanley Yelnats, a lonely, gets treated horribly, books. The pictures are great! Hera overweight kid whose family then nicely. Then he’s Hmmm. If I look at the pic- by George O’Connor has been “cursed” for genera- tures before I go to bed, then I tions (thanks to his “no-good- treated horribly again. get good dreams. On a scale of º You just read about dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great- Basically he is a con- 1 to 10? 10 –Phoebe Zeus and Athena, so great-grandfather”) is falsely fused child. But we are Parent note: These are in- know about George accused of stealing sneakers not confused readers. credibly beautiful books and and sentenced to a detention On a scale of 1 to 10, I O’Connor plans to unveil a O’Connor. Well, I center called Camp Green –Abby series of 12, one on each Olym- waited and waited for Lake. Here he is forced to dig would give it a 10. Parent Note: I wish I could pian God. Which means, at any holes from morning til night. this book for about a translate this for you, but I am given moment in our lives these Though the sadistic warden year. It took forever. completely at a loss. All I know days, there is one sitting on our insists the act “builds charac- Anyway, Hera is one of is that after reading this one, Amazon pre-order list, even ter,” Stanley quickly figures out she has declared Phillip Pull- when it’s months and months Zeus’s wives and she he and his fellow prisoners are man a favorite writer. That’s away. At this printing, there has a temper, I’ll tell just pawns in a self-serving, gotta be a good sign. have been four: Zeus, Hera, you that. Hera is a very evil plot to dig up something Hades, and Phoebe’s favorite: jealous wife. She want- mysterious and valuable. Even Hera, which she’d like to give a ed Zeus to only have though the plot moves fast special call-out to. (See#84.) her as a wife, but Zeus and was gripping enough to be turned into a movie, just to would still try to marry summarize it does the book a

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Book is Not Good For You) and Book 4 (This 92 89 Isn’t What it Looks Like). Book 5 was not The Van Gogh Cafe A Series of by Cynthia Rylant. out yet, thankfully. As Unfortunate Events Andy mentioned in the by Lemony Snicket º Abby declared this her Pseudonymous Bosch 87 favorite book recently. (Well, interview (see page 22), º If you think about it, Lem- Walk Two Moons if we’re going to be technical the plots are elaborate, ony Snicket is magical. Because Sharon Creech about it, she said it was actual- but all four of them the way he tells the story, once ly tied for first with The Mouse you read the first word you º This is a book about a girl of Amherst.) I haven’t read the deal with uncovering are praying it won’t ever end. named Sal. Her mother has book but the way Abby tells it, the secret of, well, we This is not like a Rainbow died, and she is driving with Van Gogh Cafe is about all the still can’t quite de- Fairy book. This has meaning. her grandparents to see her magical things that happen in scribe it. As Phoebe It’s like if you take a puzzle mother’s grave. On the way, a restaurant in a small town says, “The Bad Guys and you think there’s only way she and her grandparents are called Flowers, Kansas. “But one way to put it together. But sharing stories. It’s really sad the thing is,” she says, “noth- think it’s immortality.” Lemony Snicket finds a way and that makes it interesting ing really happens. It’s just We’re not saying any- to put the pieces together in a to read. This is my favorite so beautiful. Each chapter is thing else. This series is way you’d get a whole di!er- Sharon Creech book. It’s my a new story about something a natural next step for ent picture. It’s too interesting! favorite because it makes you really interesting like seagulls.” the kid who is feeling [Jenny: Well should we sum- feel something. Inspired. I get She would also like to point bereft after finishing A marize it -- say it’s about three lost in her books when I’m out that Cynthia Rylant (don’t orphans named Violet, Klaus, reading them. –Phoebe make the mistake of calling Series of Unfortunate and Sunny?] No! You don’t her Cynthia Rowley, as I have) Events. –Jenny need to, just read the book! is a Newbery Medal winner. (For Lemony Snicket’s book –Jenny 91 picks, see page 15) –Abby 88 Tales from Outer 93 90 Suburbia by Shaun Tan Little Lit The Secret Series by Art Spiegelman The Mouse by Pseudonymous Bosch º A story collection jammed & Francoise Mouly of Amherst with insanely intricate artwork by Elizabeth Spires º The summer of that a kid (and a grown- º We already sung its praises 2011 in our house will up) could get lost in; lonely (see page 19), but this really is º So there’s a mouse named characters who, in only a few a fearsome collection of talent Emmaline who lives in the forever be known as pages, you end up caring about concentrated in one conve- house of Emily Dickinson, the Summer of Pseud- deeply; and absurd scenarios nient place -- and we’ve sold who’s a very famous young onymous Bosch. At (i.e. a diminutive alien comes more copies of this than any poet apparently. (Well, she was some point during the to stay with a family on earth) other book we’ve sold on DALS. young.) One day Emmaline week school let out, that you accept immediately. If your kid is remotely into gets one of Emily Dickinson’s we handed Phoebe the This opening line from “Alert comics and/or (the good kind poems. She writes her own But Not Alarmed” should tell of) weirdness, look no further poem on the back and she finds first in the mystery you all you need to know: “It’s --Andy out that she, too, is a poet. She series (The Name of funny how these days, when puts the poem outside of her This Book is Secret) every household has its own in- door. Emily Dickinson finds and then pretty much tercontinental ballistic missile, it, looks on the back and sees didn’t see her again you hardly even think about 94-121 the poem! She writes another them.” Tan is an Oscar-winning Please see poem and puts it right next to until September. She short director who we hope to “FRIEND OF DALS” the door. And they keep going came up for air only hear a lot more from. N.B. This sidebars on pages back and forth, back and forth. to request Book 2 (If book should win some kind of 8, 11, 15, 19 and 22. It’s my favorite book because You’re Reading This it’s award for the most mysterious, Picks 122-200: Check back it’s so sweet. –Abby Too Late), Book 3 (This intriguing cover ever. Google with us in 2022 it! –Jenny

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