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Do you remember these?

I played with these things for hours when I was a kid.
101 Dalmations was my favorite favorite one.
My Mom remembers finding little vinyl Dalmation dogs all over the place; under the couch, in between the cushions.
There were 101 of them after all!



Pee-Wee.
Pee-wee Pee-Wee Pee-Wee. Why didn't you just rent a video? (If you don't know what that refers to, sorry, but I'm not going to go into it here.)
I still choke from laughing at Pee-Wee's Big Adventure.




Na-no, na-no Mork! Mork from Ork.
I always loved the Jonathon Winters episodes on this show.
Too bad about the divorce Robin. And the Sea Cliff house.



Planet of the Apes! Charlton Heston, Dr. Zaius... what's not to love?



And well, who can forget this show?
Even if you didn't much care for it, there it was, hard to ignore. Jethro, Granny, the shotgun. And that hillbilly music.



They still make Colorforms, but of course now they're all about, well, NOW kinds of things. I wonder if kids even play with them anymore though, what with all the other stuff they have? I hope they do.

Kailana of Written World hosted a challenge, the Four-Legged Friends Reading Challenge. It officially began on September 20, 2007 and it ends February 26, 2007.

There are--if I recall--no set number of books we had to have read. So far, I've read Charlotte's Web by E.B. White and Babe by Dick King-Smith. I've also read Animals in the House, a great nonfiction book. I've also read Little House in the Big Woods, Little House on the Prairie, and On the Banks of Plum Creek. All three feature Jack rather prominently so I'm thinking these should count for the challenge.

Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater.
Adam of the Road by Elizabeth Janet Gray.
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert O'Brian.

And here's a picture book I'm recommending for EVERYONE.

Help Me, Mr. Mutt! Expert Answers for Dogs with People Problems by Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel. It will be released April 2008. It is a must-read for pet lovers of all ages.

O'Brian, Robert C. 1971. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH

Mrs. Frisby, the head of a family of field mice, lived in an underground house in the vegetable garden of a farmer named Mr. Fitzgibbon.

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH won the Newbery in 1972. This was my first time to read it. My first impression? Slightly odd, but odd in a good way. A really good way. It took me a few chapters to suspend my disbelief. Talking animal books while aren't completely foreign to me, aren't my norm usually. But once I allowed myself the opportunity to really embrace the story for what it was--fantasy not realistic fiction--then I was more than hooked.

The story is about the Frisby family. Mrs. Frisby is the head of the family. It is winter, and one of her children, Timothy, is sick. She's told by the "doctor" mouse that to move her son would result in his death. Yet move they must if they're to survive. For spring has come. The thaw has begun. The frost is long over. And she overhears the farmer making plans to get out the tractor. Her home--their home--is in the field. Their home is a "slightly damaged cinder block" that is almost completely underground. The story is her search for help. It is this search for help which will lead her directly to the rats.

Mrs. Frisby is afraid of the rats. Almost everyone is afraid of the rats. But when her son's life hangs in the balance...it's a time for a mother to overcome her fears--all her fears--even if those fears are rats and owls and crows.

I definitely recommend this book. It was fun and enjoyable.

233 pages

Gray, Elizabeth Janet. 1942. Adam of the Road.

After a May as gray and cold as December, June came in, that year of 1294, sunny and warm and full of birds and blossoms and all the other happy things the songs praise May for.

Adam of the Road is one of those titles that I most likely never would have read without some encouragement and pressure. I avoided it as a child. Why? Mainly the cover I think. It didn't look like my kind of book. It still doesn't look like my kind of book. A boy in a skirt with a dog? However, appearances can be deceiving.

I am very glad that I read this one. Set in the thirteenth century, it is the story of a young boy, Adam. Adam is the son of a somewhat mostly successful and popular minstrel named Roger. (It's not like Roger is the most famous minstrel of all time with legions and legions of fans clamoring for him. But he's good at what he does and he always finds work.) When the book opens, Adam is at a monastery--an abbey. He's staying with the monks and attending their school until his father returns. His best friend is a dog named Nick, a red spaniel. But his other best friend is a boy named Perkin.

When his father returns, all seems well. In fact, they've never been better. They're reunited. Father. Son. Dog. The father has been hired by a well-to-do man on a semi-permanent basis. He's found a benefactor or sponsor you might say. I'm not really too familiar with the terms and the arrangements of medieval minstrels. And his father has been rewarded with a horse. They are to live for a while with this man on his estate. Adam will be around kids--both girls and boys--his own age. And there are some truly happy times spent there.

However, the good times don't last forever. After the big family wedding, father and son are once again on their own until the next big celebration or holiday or whatever. What's worse? After the wedding, Roger gambled and lost not only his money but his new horse. What's even worse than that? The man who won him doesn't know how to treat a horse? What's even more wore than that? The man has been wanting Nick. He's been watching Nick closely. He's made several offers. He won't be satisfied until the dog is his. And being a true villain, the deed is soon done.

Adam is angry and determined. Determined to follow this man--a fellow minstrel--as long as it takes in order to find his dog and get him back, this father and son team head off on his trail. But tracking this dog down isn't easy. The road is full of danger in more ways than one. It's not long after that Nick isn't the only one that is "lost." Adam and Roger become separated during the chase and have a monstrously difficult time getting reunited.

I was hesitant to say that much. However, the jacket flap clearly states that Adam is on the road alone searching for his father and for his dog.

What the description fails to hint at is that the book is actually interesting. The cover and description don't really do the book much justice. I think sometimes it's easy to assume that kids won't be interested in reading historical fiction. And to a certain degree, I agree. I think it is sometimes harder to sell historical fiction than fantasy for example. But I think for certain readers, Adam of the Road can still entertain even after all these years.

Adam of the Road won the Newbery in 1943.

Atwater, Richard and Florence. 1938. Mr. Popper's Penguins.

Mr. Popper's Penguins is a Newbery Honor book for 1939. It is a completely silly story about a man's obsession with the poles and with penguins. Mr. Popper is a painter and a decorator. He doesn't make much money, but somehow he manages to support Mrs. Popper and his two children. (I think it is because Mrs. Popper is prone to having common sense.) The book opens in late September. The painting/decorating/wallpapering season being at an end apparently, the two are discussing their money issues. It's not a very "exciting" beginning until Mr. Popper remembers that the Drake expedition is going to be broadcasting live on the radio. Mrs. Popper is not really interested in the Arctic or the Antarctic or penguins or famous or infamous explorers. But Mr. Popper, this is what he lives for.

It seems that Mr. Popper wrote such an enthusiastic fan letter to his hero, Mr. Drake, that the man mentions him on the radio and promises to send him a surprise in the mail.

Of course, being a book called Mr. Popper's Penguins...you can pretty safely bet that that something is a PENGUIN.

A few quick changes to the house--turning the ice box into a penguin home for example--the family becomes solely focused on the new pet. They call him Captain Cook.

Never mind that in chapter one and two, Mrs. Popper was saying she hoped they had enough money to buy beans to eat throughout the winter. (With doubt in her voice nonetheless.) And after the penguin's arrival, Mr. Popper notes that he's giving away his last five dollars to the handyman to put air holes and a handle on the icebox. They suddenly, magically have enough to buy loads and loads of canned shrimp and later on fresh fish.

But that might be expecting too much??? Maybe.

Anyway, Captain Cook isn't happy living the bachelor life. He wallows around so much that Mr. Popper pops off another letter in the mail. This time to an aquarium/zoo type place. Then he hears back that they have a woeful girl penguin that they've given up for dead on account of her fierce lonesomeness. They give the penguin to the Poppers.

Of course these two penguins are going to want to have more penguins. And despite the fact that penguins can only lay at most two eggs per year, this penguin pair is going to lay 10 eggs all at once.

Now that there are twelve penguins--and only when there are now twelve penguins--does Mr. Popper begin to consider his wife's concerns that they didn't have enough money for their own family--mom, dad, two kids--let alone twelve antarctic pets. But they decide right then and there that they just need to train these penguins and they'll be rich and happy and live happily ever after.

Anyway, long story short. Very very silly. Very unrealistic. Very over-the-top. But on a positive note, it's quite short and definitely readable. Just don't think Mr. Popper knows his science or his logic.

First sentence: It was an afternoon in late September. In the pleasant little city of Stillwater, Mr. Popper, the house painter, was going home from work.

Pages: 139.

Keenan, Sheila. 2007. Animals in the House: A History of Pets and People.

I loved, loved, loved this book. It is a great example of a great nonfiction book. It is full of information. Some of it is relatively common knowledge, but I'll admit it now, a lot of it was new-to-me, and all of it was just downright fun. This one was just a joy to read. I loved every minute of this one. Why it's so great? Visuals all over the place. Pictures. Drawings. Fun sidebars. Charts. Graphs. Color everywhere. Just a great page design/ page layout. It presents the history of pets through the centuries, through various cultures and continents, but it also presents the fundamental, basic aspects of pets. The different animals. The different breeds. The different needs. The kid appeal is definitely there as well. I think kids almost always fall into two groups. Those that have pets already. And those kids that want pets and are always begging their parents to let them have a pet. This book will serve the interests of both groups. This is a book that kids and adults can easily skim and browse. It's important to realize how nonfiction books work. That for most people, they don't "read" nonfiction the same way that they "read" fiction. They browse. They skim. They read things out of order. They just look at the photos and read the captions. They use the index to find what they need, etc. The book also offers a selected bibliography and index.

King-Smith, Dick. Babe: The Gallant Pig.

I read Babe for the Four-Legged Friend Challenge and it is certainly suitable for the book-to-movie challenge as well, though it's not listed on my original list. I love the movie. It's become so much a part of me, that I really can't remember a time when I didn't love it. It is just so good. So quotable. So true. So perfect. It's one of those meaning-of-life, beauty-in-simplicity movies. Anyway, I could gush for hours. How does the book compare? Well, the movie will always be better in my opinion. (Rare I know.) But the book was good. The plot is less complex. There are fewer characters, fewer conflicts. There is no "Rex" just Fly. There is no Ferdinand the duck to lead Babe into trouble. There are definitely no singing mice. It's good; it's enjoyable. But you really can't get better than the movie.

Sad but true...searching YouTube for Babe...even with "pig" added does not lead to the kinds of results you might expect. I was unable to find any clips of the movie, which I feel is kind of surprising given how popular this movie is.

Charlotte's Web by E.B. White. Illustrations by Garth Williams.

What can I say about Charlotte's Web that you don't already know? Really. It is a must read for each and every person. If by some chance you never discovered it as a child, you really must read it as an adult. Charlotte's Web is all about the wonder of living. The wonder of life. Seeing the world around you in terrifically radiant ways. Of seeing magic in the small things, the ordinary things. Finding miracles in unexpected places. It captures the beauty of innocence, the heartache of loss, and all the finer points of life in between the two. Wilbur, a spring pig--the runt of the litter--is saved by Fern, a girl who sets out to rid the world of injustice. Fern raises this pig for his first month of life. Bottle-feeding him, caring for him, pampering him. But then it's time for Wilbur to learn to be a pig--to learn about farm life. So he is sold to Uncle Homer. Luckily, the farm is within walking distance and Fern can visit her friend regularly. Wilbur has to make the adjustment to life in the barn. And that adjustment isn't always easy. What Wilbur wants more than anything is a friend--a true friend--but the other animals just aren't interested in providing solace and comfort or entertainment to a pig. Just when Wilbur is at his lowest, he hears a voice whispering soft words of hope and promise. With the dawning of the day, Wilbur learns that his new friend is a spider. What can a spider do for a pig? Well, if that spider is Charlotte--anything and everything imaginable. As the two become friends, as they learn and grow together, Charlotte imparts many words of wisdom to the pig who is innocent, naive, and oh-so-lovable. Charlotte's Web is about life and death and everything in between. It is about the ebb and flow of life. The changing of seasons. An illustration that there is a time and place for everything...things must pass away, must change...because that is the nature of things. Fern can't always be a little girl. She can't always be there for Wilbur. Nor can Charlotte. But some things--like love, friendship, and hope--never pass away. Some things are eternal. It is a beautiful, beautiful story.

I had the pleasure of listening and reading to Charlotte's Web in the past week or so. I first listened to it on audio. It was narrated by E.B. White. It was a special anniversary edition, and I presume that the narration had been restored or put onto cd for the first time most likely. I thought that was very well done. White was especially good at rendering the dialogue of the animals--particularly the gander. There was something so touching, so beautiful about listening to the author read his own book. I know that not every author can be talented in that regards. Sometimes it is better to let professionals do the job, but this one was nicely done.

What can I say about the movie? Well, I loved it. I cried. Who cannot be touched by Charlotte's love and sacrifice? Her devotion, her goodness, her compassionate and wise soul? And Julia Roberts did a great, great job in that role.

Kailana of Written World is hosting a challenge, the Four-Legged Friends Reading Challenge. It officially begins September 20, 2007 and ends February 26, 2007.

These are the ones I'll be choosing from. I'm not sure I'll have time for all of them.

Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
Stuart Little by E.B. White
Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White
Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary
Runaway Ralph by Beverly Cleary
Ralph S. Mouse by Beverly Cleary
Socks by Beverly Cleary
Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
101 Dalmations by Dodie Smith
Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
Zucchini by Barbara Dana

Kailana asked that we'd take a bit of time in our posts to write about any of our pets past or present. In my family, sadly, allergies have not permitted indoor pets, but we have had our share of cats especially through the years. We live in the country--a farm--and if cows count as pets, we've always got plenty. Cows, cats, and a few dogs. Growing up, there was never a time we didn't have a cat. While they'd roam everywhere and anywhere on our land...they kept close to the porch a good bit of the time. They'd love table scraps as well. :) (I had one cat who loved ice cream, another that was "brave" enough to want salsa once. Another who loved to eat fried spam.) As far as dogs go, we have had three in my lifetime. Smoky was probably the most *special* of the dogs. He had one blue eye and one brown eye. He could also shake hands. What I most remember about having pets is how my parents would always LIE when they died. They kept Smoky's death from me at least six or seven months. Since I wasn't out playing in the yard and whatnot doing the schoolyear, especially the winter, I didn't notice for months. I just remember being really angry about that. The inside pets we've had include two hamsters--one named Curly, the other Hammy. We didn't have them at the same time. My most favorite "pet" that didn't belong to me was a hamster named Bear. He was a school pet. But I loved him, oh, how I loved him. I was in high school and the teacher's aid for this kindergarten classroom. Before and after school, I'd play with Bear almost every day. I loved feeding him. I loved petting him. I loved watching him crawl around. I loved talking to him. At school, at that age, I didn't have any friends. I was teased and picked on. But Bear was my friend and the highlight of each day. Anyway, when he died, I was crushed.

Right now I just have a cat-nephew. My sister and brother-in-law have a cat named Tossy. He's an old cat--at least thirteen or fourteen years. He is one-of-a-kind. I am his Aunt Cheese. While he hides from Joel's sisters--he loves me. I think he thinks that I come over just to play with him and feed him cheese. He loves begging for food most of the time. Nibbles of ham and cheese...and if it's white and creamy he goes crazy. Ice cream. Whipped cream. Milk. Sour cream. Chicken & Dumplings. My favorite Tossy story is how we sent my sister, Elizabeth, home with a ziploc bag full of ham. She'd been over visiting, and mom had just pulled it out of the oven earlier that day. Anyway, she was taking it home for her and Joel's supper. Anyway, it was in a ziploc bag in a plastic grocery bag. She set it down on a bench for a few minutes. She turned her back for I don't know how long...and all of a sudden she heard this great commotion. Tossy was doing everything he possibly could do to get into that ham. He didn't succeed. But Joel tells a story about when Tossy was a kitten...and he stole a hot dog right off Joel's plate. He looked down and there was just a bun. Anyway, Tossy is quite a cat.