Beezus andRamona

by Beverly Cleary

The Ramona Quimby series was always one of my favorites growing up. This is the first book in the series and intro

duces us to Beezus (age 9) and her "exasperating" little sister Ramona (age 4). Everything Beezus tries to do gets spoiled by Ramona's antics, from going to the library to playing chess to taking painting classes. Ramona doesn't just cause problems for Beezus, she also does crazy things like inviting her whole class to a non-existent party (and not warning her mother about it).

As an older sister, I definitely sympathized with Beezus when she worried about not always feeling good towards her sister. As a younger sister, I could really empathize with the curious Ramona, who just wanted to be grown up like Beezus. By the end of the book, Beezus has gained some insight into what it means to be a big sister as well as learning that even when you love someone, you might not like them all of the time. This is a big lesson for kids to learn, Cleary addresses the feelings of guilt that it can inspire along the way in a very sensitive way through the character of Beezus.

Some of the descriptions in this book are slightly dated, like a reference to going to the "record and phonograph store" or Mrs. Quimby washing everyone's hair in the kitchen sink. However, these old fashioned concepts really don't impact the story at all, and could be a good opportunity to explain how the world changes over time but people are basically the same. The main focus of the story is the relationship between the sisters, and it shines through brightly.

I would read this book to kids starting in first or second grade and older kids could read the later books in the series. While the language and stories would not cause comprehension issues with younger kids, I wouldn't want them to be inspired with Ramona's adventures and try to emulate them. She definitely gets herself (and others) into some scrapes!

Revolting Rhymes

Written by Roald Dahl and illustrated by Quentin Blake

This wonderful book is a collection of fractured fairy tales told in verse. Dahl adds his own twists to change the lessons the stories originally told. For example, Cinderella decides that the prince is too brutal and instead wishes for a good man. Her fairy godmother grants the wish, and she lives happily ever after. Similar twists are added to Snow White, Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood, Goldilocks, and the Three Little Pigs. The pictures that accompany them are done by longtime Dahl collaborator Quentin Blake, whose illustrations perfectly capture the characters as re-imagined by Dahl.

While these stories are basically familiar, the vocabulary would be difficult for younger children. Older elementary students would probably enjoy the fractured nature of the tales as well as the gruesome twists, and this could be a great way to get them to read poetry. While the spelling is British (pyjamas) and so are some of the references (like one to Barclay's Bank), older children would most likely have the strategies in place to handle these challenges. Having students alternate reading these fairly short poems to a partner would get them started reading verse aloud, using stories they would definitely enjoy!