Julie Pici Unmasked

I get asked, so many times, to recommend books for young/general audiences.  Portraying Belle at WDW, certainly started me on the task of reading these type of books, so I could genuinely recommend books to the parents, a fun hobby that is still with me today. So, this is blog 1 regarding the few books that I have just read since Christmas.

Ratings: 1 - 5; 1 being very disappointing and 5 being a book that captured my imagination and kept me hooked from start to finish.

1). “Fairest” by Gail Carson Levine      The gist of it: A magical book about a young girl who proves that she belongs despite her low self esteem.  Rating: 4    Review: It was very entertaining and I could see this becoming a broadway musical.

2). “Mira, Mirror” by Mette Ivie Harrison    The gist of it: A magical tale about sisterly love.  Rating: 4   Review: I was moved by the ending but kept thinking that something bigger was going to happen throughout the story.  It didn’t, but when I finished, I realized that the story was much deeper than magic and fairytales. The love shared between “sisters”  outweighs everything.

3). “The Looking Glass Wars: Book 1″ by Frank Beddon  The gist of it: A unique perspective regarding the “true” tales of Alice in Wonderland.  Rating: 5    Review: I love it when authors take a known story and redo it someway, or write a history regarding the backstory.  This book was full of energy and excitement throughout.  It’s a trilogy, so I can’t wait for the next book to come out.  If Disney were to make a live-action movie regarding a “fairtyale”, this one should be at the top of their list. This book has quite a bit of violence in it, so consider this one for older, more mature audiences.

4). “Just Ella” by Margaret Peterson Haddix     The gist of it: The continuation of Cinderella.    Rating: 4    Review: Again, this author continued the story of Cinderella as she goes to the castle of Prince Charming and is taught to be a true princess prior to her marriage.  This story does not end “happily ever after”, although I kept rooting for Ella and justified the ending. Be careful what you wish for.

5). “The Wildling Princess” by Frances Margaret Fox (1929)   The gist of it: A tale regarding a princess who was never disciplined.   Rating:  3    Review:  This story was written for parents to read to their children during storytime.  The lesson is clear: throwing tantrums to get what you want, is not the way for a proper child to behave.  It’s a cute story, old-fashioned, but sweet.

6). “Charlie & The Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl    The gist of it:  A boy gets his wish to visit the most famous chocolate factory in the world.   Rating: 3    Review:  I never read this story until now.  After watching the two movies made from the book, I was wanting to know more about Willie Wonka.  I wanted a backstory.  But was disappointed when it didn’t have one. It’s a cute tale, lessons learned, and short for those parents who want to read something to their kids just before bedtime. Or watch the movie(s).