Chaquala's Children Corner

       I chose this book because of two reasons: being a Christian the word "Passover" caught my eye, and its Easter time, so the whole religious theme fits!        This story is pretty much about a Jewish family, preparing for their relatives to come over for Passover. The magic comes into play, because of their uncle, Harry, who is a magician with his assistant also being his wife. The children of the story, are amazed by his magic as usual. The story is just a story line, plot , timeline, of the events happenings at traditional Jewish gathering, but having the magic in the family, the kids have to hunt for the sacred bread, matzoh , that they break and partake in after dinner, or sedar . The magician is the one who hides it, and in order for the children to find it, he has them close their eyes, and think of what Passover means to them, what do they see when they think of Passover? and then it appears. Of course en...

       Clara, of course, I kept saying Carla, is a little Spanish speaking, Mexican girl, I believe she is Mexican, because her mother spoke of it a few times. But She is the daughter of a magician's assistant, whom met a famous artist and married. Not that Clara doesn't like him, but she think he looks like a frog.... hence the title. One day Senor Frog/Miguel allowed her to paint with him, now, as a new family, that is something tat they do. She had to learn about art, and paintings, and how it makes you feel, and the differences between realism and what you dream of.        This story, I would put as fictional, because it wasn't based on a real story, you know, nothing from the history books or nothing, BUT!!! I could see it as not fake, because there isn't anything in the story that cant happen. Its about a Mexican family, artists, working, and .... that's it.        I want to say that t...

       Eric Carle! Genius! That's all I going to say...        Well, no it's not, but that's a good start, because these books of his are great for children! Very minimal and simple, but right to the point. The whole series that he has, this one, the caterpillar one, Brown bear what do you see, all of his stories, I love for 2 simple reasons.... His colors in his paintings, and the way he describes beings by what they say and do.        This particular story is just about a busy spider, of course. She has found a spot on a farm yard fence, to spin her web. And many of the farm animals around her, wants to talk and do things, but she is so busy, to even pay attention. Then she is finally done, but once she is, she's too tired to do anything, she falls asleep that night, after catching a huge fly.        As far as what type of genre this is, honestly, I can ju...

              As an adult, I still have those favorite, of all times, childhood stories, those books, that every time I see them, I get excited! I scream and jump up and down like, "Oh my goodness, it's Corduroy! Mom look its Corduroy!" And I get that blank stare back from her, "Quala Ellis, grow up!" Lol!              Corduroy is that book that gives your imagination a run, but also helps your inner child remember what it was like, and how it is about getting what you want.        In the story, there is a stuffed bear, that I first I didn't realize was a live, whom "lives" in this department store, waiting to be bought. One day a little girl named Lisa comes along to buy him, but her mom refuses, and she has to leave Corduroy there, mainly because the mother felt he was damaged, due to his missing button. That night Corduroy ...

       Cultural? Sentimental? Picture book? Relatable? This children's story does it all, from showing compassion and care and love, to showing hurt, pain and sorrow. Edie Colon did an amazing job reflecting her childhood in this story. Based off of what she went through as a child, a young child, the author created a character by the name of Gabriella; a five year old Cuban. The story pertains to her growing up there in Cuba, but during the Revolution, where Fidel Castro is president, and things are turning in a bad direction for Cuba. So Gabriella's parents takes her to live in the Bronx, New York, where she must adapt to "English-American" life, and leave her Cuban past behind her. Along with her former home, she left her grandparents -- Abuelita and Abito. A little later on in the story, her grandparents are reunited with her in the U.S., where they are a family again.        Of course being based off a true story, havi...