Bob Hoskins Books

I collect children's illustrated books and within that hobby I
also have a collection of The Bremen Town Musicians. I chose to
make a collection of this particular book because 1) my ancestors
came from the area near Bremen about 150 years ago and 2) I love
architecture and this story lends itself to
some marvelous old German architectural illustrations. I have
discovered, so far, 54 different versions of this story. I have
24 of them, including 5 written in German. This is one
of my favorites. First, the story is better fleshed out than most.
I can't read German so I have never read the original version
but I strongly suspect this comes closer to it than most of the books.

I do have to agree with with the School Journal Library reviewer
that the red and blue discs used in place of eyes is a bit
distracting - at first, but in the end Johnson's illustrations
are among my favorite for this title also.

I disagree with that reviewer that the language is too advanced.
One thing I learned a long time ago is that you do not have to
read every word, if you are reading to a little one,
and sometimes you don't even have to read every page. Highly
imaginative children (such as my 4 year old granddaughter!) are
also very good in filling in the blanks, making up their own
story to go with the illustrations.

Among other favorites are the brand new one illustrated by
Niroot Puttapipat and a 1980's book illustrated by Martin Ursell.

George Ella Lyon's, "Where I'm From," is a wonderful gem for giving teachers of young poets an accessible link to how a writer thinks, imagines, and prepares to write a poem. The collection is perfect for teachers that want to launch a new year with an opportunity for students to do some writing. The signature poem, "Where I'm From," can be used to model student writing that invites everyone to share something about themselves and begin the process of building community in the classroom. Ms. Lyons has a very down-to-earth way of expressing her encouragement to budding writers. There is a poet in all of us, and this book will help students find their writing "voice."

This book teaches about writing poetry and is suggestive of things teachers could do with their students.

George Ella Lyon has been inspiring writers and teachers for years. Her writing exercises and her lyrical way of talking about writing keep her in demand as a workshop leader and speaker at schools. At last we have this book! I have used her exercises for years in my writing workshops, always with results that far exceed the writing that students have have done up to that point. Those same exercises have led me into writing poems I didn't know were waiting to be written. No one is better at evoking the voices of real people or helping a new writer really see what she is trying to get on paper than Lyon. The exercises in this book are wonderful, but a close reading of Lyon's poems is perhaps the most rewarding part of Where I'm From for writers and teachers alike. Highly recommended.

Wonderful, informative book about a very good British actor. Since this is I believe the only biography on him his theater work was something new to me. Also the chronicle of the making of the Long Good Friday was a delight to read since it took so long to be released. Good choice of pictures though the book needs to be updated badly.

I collect children's illustrated books and within that collection
of I have several sub-sets, one of which is the Brothers Grimm "Bremen Town Musicians." There are two specific reasons for this sub-set. One is that my ancestors come from the area in Germany near Bremen (I am also going to start the Pied Piper sub-set for the same reason) and the other is that architecture plays heavily in my decision on whether to buy a particular book. I love the architecture found in past centuries' Germany and many of the books on these two particular fairy tales have great examples of it.

When I discovered that Zwerger had illustrated her version of this story,
I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. I was, quite frankly, very
disappointed. I recognize Zwerger as being one of the world's most
popular and brilliant illustrators of children's books. I own several
books by her. But this one just misses it, particularly in her
offerings of the architecture. There is a windmill that is lovely,
but not Germanic looking at all or even germaine to the story, and then
there is the house of destination that looks like the tool shed sitting
in my own back yard.

The feast of the robbers is done very well, probably the best I have
seen, but beyond that, well, it just doesn't feel like Zwerger at all.

I would have given it 3 stars or possibly even 4 if it weren't Zwerger,
but this book truly was a disappointment to me

I am a huge fan of Lizbeth Zwerger, the illustrator of this traditional fairy tale. Technically, her work is extraordinary, but it is the magic she brings to every book she illustrates that lures me in every time. From The Wizard of Oz to Alice in Wonderland, Zwerger brings something new to even the most familiar children's stories. To me, her illustrations are works of art, but they are never cute and fuzzy. They may have more appeal for grown-ups or older children.