Matilda by Roald Dahl

Image taken from the 5th Grade Literacy Circles website.

Matilda Wormwood is a child prodigy, although her parents don't seem to care or notice. Her father runs a dodgy car sale business, while her mother is addicted to bingo. Her brother is hardly ever at home. While all three would prefer to sit in front of the television all night, Matilda prefers to read books. These are the circumstances we find her in as she attends her first day of school, where her teacher, Miss Wormwood, is the first person to notice how special Matilda really is....

OK. So I'm going through yet another childhood phase, but so what? Roald Dahl's books are amazing, as every child who has ever read them can tell you (as well as every adult who remembers growing up reading them). Packed with adventure, humour and fun, his books have entertained children and grown-ups alike. The new editions of his books that are coming out now all boast on the front cover that he is "The World's no. 1 Storyteller", a title that Roald Dahl very much deserves to have. It has now been over a decade since he has passed away, but his memory continues to live on through his books.

The new editions also come with interesting trivia facts about Roald Dahl and his life, giving children the chance to learn more about this great author. They also explain on the back cover that 10% of author royalties from the sales of his books are now being donated to Roald Dahl Charities, which cares for children with "epilepsy, blood disorders and acquired brain injury". So by purchasing the new editions, you are not only revisiting childhood memories, but you are also making a difference in other children's lives.......

..... Not that I'm trying to promote sales in any way..... :-P

Anyway, "Matilda" is one of those books that you MUST read, either BEFORE or AFTER seeing the film version starring Mara Wilson and Danny DeVito. Seriously. You should. It's very good.

More reviews on Roald Dahl's books to follow soon!

How Mrs Claus Saved Christmas (as told to Jeff Guinn)

Image taken from James Kennedy Public Library website.

I must admit, I have found it very difficult for myself to get into the Christmas Spirit this year. Because we weren't going to celebrate Christmas the way we used to every year, it just didn't feel like Christmas to me. Thankfully I found this book on sale at a book store in the city, and it did help me forget my worries and remind myself what the season is really about.

"How Mrs Claus Saved Christmas" is a book that details exactly what the title suggests. The author takes us back to England in the early 1600's, where the Puritan movement was gaining influence in Parliament. Nicholas (Santa Claus) reportedly travels to the New World, with the hope of establishing Christmas under the colonists that have arrived there. Mrs Claus chooses to stay in England and tries to help sort out the problems that threaten to destroy England's most beloved holiday - Christmas. Because the Puritans believe Christmas to be a disrespectful and irreverent way of celebrating the birth of Christ, it is their intention for Christmas to be banned. In 1647, when the Puritan Parliament decides to pass a law that punishes anybody who dares to celebrate Christmas, it is the final straw for the townspeople, who band together to form what will be known throughout history as the Canterbury March.

Although this book is a work of fiction, it is rich in historical detail. Children and adults alike can learn a lot about the Canterbury March, the events that took place leading up to it, and how Christmas was celebrated in 1600's England. It is a reminder of a period in history where people had to fight to enjoy what we enjoy today. It is very cleverly written, and it helped me appreciate the holiday season a lot more.

Jeff Guinn is also author of "The Autobiography of Santa Claus" and "The Great Santa Search". Together, these books entitled "The Christmas Chronicles", and I believe what I had read was book number 3 of the series. I hope to be able to track down the other two books and read them as well, as the back cover to "How Mrs Claus Saved Christmas" contains exerpts of outstanding reviews of the other two books.

I recommend this book to anybody who feels like they're a bit of "Scrooge" around Christmastime.