Ten writers for children. All with something to say.

9/27/11

Old Books, New to Me


For whatever reason, this summer I read only a handful of “new” books. The rest of the time I spent rereading old favorites. There was a Freddy the Pig book or two in there, of course, along with The 13 ½ Lives of Captain Bluebear, Matilda, Fergus Crane, and The Marvelous Inventions of Alvin Fernald. I picked up the last title at a used bookstore recently, not realizing it was an “old favorite” until I read a few pages and said to myself, “Hey, I read this book when I was a kid! I forgot all about it!” What a great feeling.

I also read half a dozen books in the Horrible History series, and I’m reminded why the series has sprouted a cottage industry: it’s a fun way to learn history, for kids or adults.

Of the new (for me) fiction titles I read this summer, two books stand out: Tucker’s Countryside and Harry Cat’s Pet Puppy—two titles in the series that began with A Cricket in Times Square, which I read years ago, then listened to again this spring on audiobook. Curious about the series, I finally decided to check them out. How did I miss such a fun set of books? Whether it’s Tucker Mouse and Harry Cat helping to save the Old Meadow, or tending an adopted puppy and finding it a good home, I found their adventures enthralling. Tucker Mouse! What a character! And the soothing theme of friendship permeating both books reminded me a lot of the Freddy books—another point in their favor.

I still have a few more titles in the series yet to read. I can’t wait!

6 comments:

Edie Hemingway said...

Mark,
You're so good at reminding us of older books, and the titles themselves make me want to read these!

Lauren said...

Mark, I love coming across books in a used bookstore that I had forgotten from my childhood-- the memories and feelings that well up with the page-turns are like no other feeling. What a rich summer of reading you had!

Christy said...

I'm particularly curious about the book you pictured. I love inventions and I think kids do too. So glad you're a Freddy fan. This makes ANYTHING you recommend resonate for me!

Stephanie said...

I love rereading books I loved as a kid:)

Diane Adams said...

I love the illustration on the cover of the book you posted!

David LaRochelle said...

Growing up, I was a fan of the Alvin Ferdinand books as well (Alvin Ferdinand for Mayor springs to mind).

And the CRICKET IN TIMES SQUARE series was another favorite, although my favorite book by George Selden, the author, is THE GENIE OF SUTTON PLACE. If you liked the Cricket series, Mark, check out this one. I reread it recently as an adult and it brought back many happy memories.