Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Masterpiece by Elise Broach

Masterpiece is the story of an unlikely friendship between and beetle and a boy.  Marvin, the beetle, lives with his family in the cupboard beneath the kitchen sink of the family of James, the boy.   Although the beetle family is well aware of the humans, the activities of the beetles go largely unnoticed - until James receives a pen-and-ink drawing set for his birthday.

Drawn to the ink and paper, Marvin draws a landscape while James is asleep - and the result is mini-masterpiece!   When James discovers that is was Marvin who was the artist, the two become fast friends.  Of course, James's family think James was the artist, and take great pride in "his" talent.

In fact, Marvin's drawing gets James involved in a mystery at the art museum involving the theft of drawings by famous artist Albrecht Dürer.   What ensues is an adventure into the high-stakes world of stolen masterpieces.  With humor, sensitivity, and insight into the emotional power of art, Masterpiece is a terrifically fun book for anyone with an appreciation for friendship, art and adventure.  And beetles.

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

The Chesire Cheese Cat by Carmen Agra Deedy & Randall Wright

It's hard out on the streets of Victorian London, and Skilley the alley cat would like to find a more comfortable living situation.  When word gets out that Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese Inn is looking for a mouser, Skilley launches an outrageous plan to get the job.

But Skilley is a cat with an embarrassing secret.   When that secret is discovered, Skilley forges an unlikely alliance - and friendship - with Pip, the intelligent, literate, leader of the inn's mice.  Just when things are starting to look good for Skilley, intrigue erupts.

For the Inn is also home to a mysterious creature that lives in the attic.  And a tyrannical cook.  And a mouse-hating barmaid.  And - worst of all - the mean alley cat Pinch - Skilley's arch-nemesis who has also been taking in by the innkeeper.  On top of all that, the inn is frequently visited by one of England's most famous writers of the day, Mr. Charles Dickens, who has a serious case of writer's block to deal with.

Rich in humor and historical references, The Cheshire Cheese Cat is a delightful tale of friendship in Merrie Old England.  Skilley and Pip make an unlikely duo as the attempt to right all that is wrong in Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese Inn.