A new series and a new reading partner with this one… Bunnicula by Deborah and James Howe was added to our summer reading program (with the rest of the original Bunnicula books) thanks to Gammie. She has enriched our summer learning beyond belief and we are so very very thankful! 

This is a young readers book, but as an adult I had an absolute blast reading it. To get the full experience of the book you MUST read the Editor’s Note first. (and the author write up at the end where you read about how his wife helped with the creation of this series but has since passed away) The main characters are all entertaining animals… pets actually, and their human family entertaining as well. 

This is definitely a great book for all ages. I would think my girls would enjoy it as well, though so far it feels more geared to my sons’ interests (what with the children of the family being all boys). There is a good giggle or two in there, an adventure and the potential of a new friend/permanent family member…

Is Bunnicula more than just a rabbit with unusual markings and features or are we looking at a case of mistaken identity??? Do check this book out if you get the chance! But don’t take my word for it… ask Zander! (beware of spoilers)

Zander: I like Harold because he is so smart. Harold is the dog. I like the story because it was full mystery. I think Bunnicula was the cutest thing. I think the ending was funny (there was a funny part at the end). I think anyone who knows how to read should read this book. I want to read the whole series because I like how it is full of mystery and funny parts. Not a ton of books have a lot of funny parts in them. 

And that is what he said… so check out Bunnicula and the books that follow RIGHT NOW! 

We found, quite by chance, that in 2014 there was a Boxcar Children movie made (cartoon) so of course, on a quiet and COLD Friday afternoon we popped some popcorn and HAD TO have a watch. It was an interesting situation. Myself and the twins had read the first book but the younger ones had not. I think we ALL got some enjoyment out of it.

But here is my review… the kids will follow… BEWARE OF SPOILERS… with theirs of course!

Anyway. The movie does follow much of the main storyline of the book. The characters are the same, the situations definitely familiar. Of course, to save time a lot of the slower bits are removed and some events sped along. I honestly found the voices for all the characters fit the story, the animation was not Disney super slick but fun and the level of suspense did not make any of the kids uncomfortable. For a movie based on a children’s book it is actually rather fun well worth the watch even if you have NOT read the book and if you have… not a disappointment!

ZANDER

It was a good movie. I liked the voices for the people. They sounded like how I thought they would when I read the book. I think the dog (Watch) looked better in the book (illustrations). The book and the movie are both a little different. They were both really good. I think you could read the book first or watch the movie first. You would enjoy both. I read the book because there was a dog in it.

GAVIN

I think it was good. I think they should make more movies about the books. I loved the colours and the animation. I thought it was better than the book because they added stuff not in the book. I think kids would like it. I think it doesn’t matter if you read the book or watch the movie first but if you read the book first you won’t be disappointed that there is stuff in the movie that was not in the book and same about the book having stuff that was not in the movie.

EMANUEL

I liked that they lived in the boxcar. I loved the little doggy (Watch). I haven’t read the book but I still want to when I am 10. I like that it is about kids. I would watch the movie THREE times! I like how they made the boxcar into a very beautiful place using recycled things.

TRINITY

It was cool. The dog (Watch) was cute AND my favourite. I loved the big house. It was not a scary movie. It was a good movie. I would want to watch it again!

You can read our book reviews on Books ONE, TWO and THREE! There are 19 books in the series by Gertrude Chandler Warner. I really do expect that Gavin at least, will want to read them all! 

Novellas seem to be the lucky find this last week or so, though this one is more in length to a full novel (I still found it a shorter read). My Sweet Valentine by Jill Sanders is book 6 in the Pride Series. A contemporary romance based in the town of Pride this story centers on the lead instructor of the Coastguard and a young woman returned to town to open a bakery. 

Running from a serious stalking situation Sara Lander is just trying to rebuild her life and create her dream… her very own bakery full of her sweets and coffee. Coastguard and ex-Navy SEAL Allen Masters is proud of his position in town running the Coastguard school and saving lives locally. 

Be ware… this story does have some overt sexual scenes. The passion is definitely alive in this story as is the mystery of the stalker complete with red herrings! An enjoyable contemporary romance with some history to be unearthed with each of our two main characters. There is definitely some history with surrounding characters that I am sure is explained in the previous books in the series. Something to look into. 

I love the changes you see in both of the characters. While not a story of faith it is a story of growth! 

If you are looking for romance and some adventure this could be the story for you.