Monday, October 3, 2011
Sunday, October 2, 2011
The Story of the Two Little Pigs, Whyman Style
An unforgettable, slapstick story of what happens when two tiny porkers move in on family life.
Paris Hilton carries one around like a Chihuahua, while Posh and Becks own a pair. The mini-pig, for reasons unknown, has become the latest celebrity accessory, but what’s it really like to invite little livestock into the living room?
Matt Whyman, a successful novelist, enjoys a quiet writer’s life in the English countryside … until his career wife, Emma, discovers the existence of a pig said to fit inside a handbag. She believes not one but two would be a perfect addition to the already diverse Whyman clan, which includes one wolf-like dog, a freaked-out feline, their wild bunch of ex-battery chickens as well as four challenging children. In reality, nobody could anticipate the trials and misadventures two riotous, raucous little piglets could bring. From turning Whyman’s office into a literal pigsty, stealing his spot on the family sofa to trashing his neighbour’s garden while drunk on fermented apples, Butch and Roxi swiftly establish themselves as “animals of mass distraction.”
Funny, touching and endlessly entertaining, Oink charts the battle of hearts, snouts and minds between a family man and two mini-pigs. Will Butch and Roxi ever settle down, or could their growing presence put the squeeze on Whyman in ways he never thought possible?
Jackie says:
"This book is about a British family who adopts a pair of mini-pigs, and honestly it is as much about the family dynamics and politics as it is about the critters. Matt and his wife Emma have radically different ideas of what constitutes "acceptable" when it comes to household chaos, especially since Matt works at home and Emma does not. Then there are kids--two teenagers and two kids in the very early primary grades, which makes for some chaos all by itself. Add to that a huge Canadian Shepherd dog, a neurotic cat, some rabbits and some chickens, and you get the picture before anyone utters the word "mini-pig". Matt is already dubious about adding more pets, but caves in to his family's pleas. What he didn't know was that his family expected the two tiny "trotters" to live in the house with them, and that he would lose his place on the couch because of it. And that was only the beginning of his life with the mini-pigs. There is lots of fun, lots of frustration, and lots to learn from this endearing tale. Anyone who has ever had kids and pets with strong personalities will find something for themselves in this book."
This trailer is for the UK version of the book, so the cover and the release date are different, but the pigs are just as cute:
Paris Hilton carries one around like a Chihuahua, while Posh and Becks own a pair. The mini-pig, for reasons unknown, has become the latest celebrity accessory, but what’s it really like to invite little livestock into the living room?
Matt Whyman, a successful novelist, enjoys a quiet writer’s life in the English countryside … until his career wife, Emma, discovers the existence of a pig said to fit inside a handbag. She believes not one but two would be a perfect addition to the already diverse Whyman clan, which includes one wolf-like dog, a freaked-out feline, their wild bunch of ex-battery chickens as well as four challenging children. In reality, nobody could anticipate the trials and misadventures two riotous, raucous little piglets could bring. From turning Whyman’s office into a literal pigsty, stealing his spot on the family sofa to trashing his neighbour’s garden while drunk on fermented apples, Butch and Roxi swiftly establish themselves as “animals of mass distraction.”
Funny, touching and endlessly entertaining, Oink charts the battle of hearts, snouts and minds between a family man and two mini-pigs. Will Butch and Roxi ever settle down, or could their growing presence put the squeeze on Whyman in ways he never thought possible?
Jackie says:
"This book is about a British family who adopts a pair of mini-pigs, and honestly it is as much about the family dynamics and politics as it is about the critters. Matt and his wife Emma have radically different ideas of what constitutes "acceptable" when it comes to household chaos, especially since Matt works at home and Emma does not. Then there are kids--two teenagers and two kids in the very early primary grades, which makes for some chaos all by itself. Add to that a huge Canadian Shepherd dog, a neurotic cat, some rabbits and some chickens, and you get the picture before anyone utters the word "mini-pig". Matt is already dubious about adding more pets, but caves in to his family's pleas. What he didn't know was that his family expected the two tiny "trotters" to live in the house with them, and that he would lose his place on the couch because of it. And that was only the beginning of his life with the mini-pigs. There is lots of fun, lots of frustration, and lots to learn from this endearing tale. Anyone who has ever had kids and pets with strong personalities will find something for themselves in this book."
This trailer is for the UK version of the book, so the cover and the release date are different, but the pigs are just as cute:
Have You Ever Read A Book With Everything On It?
 |
| Everything On It |
A spider lives inside my head
Who weaves a strange and wondrous web
Of silken threads and silver strings
To catch all sorts of flying things,
Like crumbs of thought and bits of smiles
And specks of dried-up tears,
And dust of dreams that catch and cling
For years and years and years . . .
Have you ever read a book with everything on it? Well, here it is, an amazing collection of never-before-published poems and drawings from the creator of Where the Sidewalk Ends, A Light in the Attic, and Falling Up. You will say Hi-ho for the toilet troll, get tongue-tied with Stick-a-Tongue-Out-Sid, play a highly unusual horn, and experience the joys of growing down.
What's that? You have a case of the Lovetobutcants? Impossible! Just come on in and let the magic of Shel Silverstein bend your brain and open your heart.
Who weaves a strange and wondrous web
Of silken threads and silver strings
To catch all sorts of flying things,
Like crumbs of thought and bits of smiles
And specks of dried-up tears,
And dust of dreams that catch and cling
For years and years and years . . .
Have you ever read a book with everything on it? Well, here it is, an amazing collection of never-before-published poems and drawings from the creator of Where the Sidewalk Ends, A Light in the Attic, and Falling Up. You will say Hi-ho for the toilet troll, get tongue-tied with Stick-a-Tongue-Out-Sid, play a highly unusual horn, and experience the joys of growing down.
What's that? You have a case of the Lovetobutcants? Impossible! Just come on in and let the magic of Shel Silverstein bend your brain and open your heart.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
“The character depth, plot complexity, and storytelling in this lyrical, sexual, and scholarly epic would make any novelist proud."--Booklist
At once contemporary and timeless, Habibi gives us a love story of astounding resonance: a parable about our relationship to the natural world, the cultural divide between the first and third worlds, the common heritage of Christianity and Islam, and, most potently, the magic of storytelling.
Read an interview with the author done by our friends at graphicnovelreporter.com.
"The Hunger Games Meets Harry Potter" says Kirkus Reviews
 |
| The Unwanteds |
When Alex finds out he is Unwanted, he expects to die. That is the way of the people of Quill. Each year, all the thirteen-year-olds are labeled as Wanted, Necessary, or Unwanted. Wanteds get more schooling and train to join the Quillitary. Necessaries keep the farms running. Unwanteds are set for elimination.
It’s hard for Alex to leave behind his twin, Aaron, a Wanted, but he makes peace with his fate—until he discovers that instead of a “death farm,” what awaits him is a magical place called ArtimÉ. There, Alex and his fellow Unwanteds are encouraged to cultivate their creative abilities and use them magically. Everything Alex has ever known changes before his eyes, and it’s a wondrous transformation.
But it’s a rare, unique occurrence for twins to be divided between Wanted and Unwanted, and as Alex and Aaron’s bond stretches across their separation, a threat arises for the survival of ArtimÉ that will pit brother against brother in an ultimate magical battle.
It’s hard for Alex to leave behind his twin, Aaron, a Wanted, but he makes peace with his fate—until he discovers that instead of a “death farm,” what awaits him is a magical place called ArtimÉ. There, Alex and his fellow Unwanteds are encouraged to cultivate their creative abilities and use them magically. Everything Alex has ever known changes before his eyes, and it’s a wondrous transformation.
But it’s a rare, unique occurrence for twins to be divided between Wanted and Unwanted, and as Alex and Aaron’s bond stretches across their separation, a threat arises for the survival of ArtimÉ that will pit brother against brother in an ultimate magical battle.
Banned Books Week: Jay Asher on Censorship
Thirteen Reasons Why is the gripping, addictive international bestseller that has changed lives the world over. It's an unrelenting modern classic.
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