Diary of a Wombat

     Hands down my favorite picture book of all time. Diary of a Wombat is a perfect mix of simple story and words from Jackie French and wonderful paintings from Bruce Whately. The character of Mothball the Wombat is just so lovable because she's drawn from life - Jackie French is involved in rearing orphan wombats to be re-released in the wild. The book uses a very basic vocabulary, so it's a good place ego start kids reading.
     There are also two sequels - Diary of a Baby Wombat (which I have), and Christmas Wombat (which I have asked for for Christmas!) which continue the story of Mothball. And then there's the Shaggy Gully Times, a book in the form of a mock newspaper edited by Mothball. Other lovable animal characters from Jackie French books make appearances - Pete the Sheep, Josephine the dancing Kangaroo, and Emily the Emu who can, and will, eat anything at all. Shaggy Gully Times is aimed at slightly older readers and has considerably more text.

RATINGS:

Diary of a Wombat: NOBLE HOUND (5/5)
Diary of a Baby Wombat: GOOD DOG (4/5)
The Shaggy Gully Times: NOBLE HOUND (5/5)

Of Mice and Men

     Every year for the last six, I've taught John Steinbeck's classic novella 'Of Mice and Men.' And I am far from sick out it. While seemingly sparse, the book has great depth and memorable characters. Despite most of the characters' names beginning with 'c' they are all so clearly defined and different as characters that it's no trouble telling them apart. You really can tell who is speaking every line without being told.
     The book is about two wandering laborers during the great depression, and the strong bond they have formed. One is a smart little guy, the other, Lennie, is a huge, strong, childlike simpleton. George, his companion has always had to look after him. The book follows what happens when Lennie goes to far, and George is faced with an impossible decision.

     The book is also very emotional, and the end always moves me. Actually, the more I read it, the more it seems to move me - possibly because I can see it coming and know it's not possible to escape the end. Which I will not give away because I don't want to spoil it.
     Also worth a look is the 1992 film version with Gary Sinise and John Malkovic.

Rating: 

5/5 (Noble Hound)

The Comic Book History of Comic Books

    Once upon a time, I thought Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud was the best comic ever written about comics. Now I am not so sure. 
   The Comic Book History of Comic Books (by Fred Van Lente and Ryan Dunlavey) is exactly what it says on the tin - a very detailed and very informative book on the history of comics. Written as a comic. Even the copyright notices are written as a comic. It is very readable, and very, very informative. I learned a whole heap I didn't know about the history of Manga (Japanese comics), and the UK Comic Invasion of the late 1980s. 
   A must for comic enthusiasts and other geeks.

RATING:

5/5 (Noble Hound)