A Book on Every Bed: Amy Dickinson’s Proposal for Every Child

Posted on December 16, 2012 at 12:56 pm

It is a pleasure to once again endorse “Ask Amy‘s” program to encourage parents to share the love of reading by putting a book on every child’s bed so that the first thing they see when they wake up is a wonderful story.  The holidays may be filled with things that beep and flash and connect to the internet, but it is a good time to remind children of the power of words.  Some of my favorites:

The Secret Garden A fierce little girl with a new home in a mansion on the moors discovers a secret garden where more than flowers bloom.

The Phantom Tollbooth A boy goes on a journey to a mysterious land where two battling kings have lost touch with rhyme and reason.

Press Here Touch the yellow spot and you will find that imagination can transform even better then technology.

Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch A lonely man gets a mysterious letter with the message in the title.  It changes the way he sees the world — and the way the world sees him.

Z Is for Moose This hilarious adventure through the alphabet has a surprisingly tender finale.

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Books

Return to Middle Earth: The Hobbit and More

Posted on December 13, 2012 at 3:56 pm

This week we return to Middle Earth as Peter Jackson goes back 60 years before “The Lord of the Rings” for the story of Bilbo Baggins and his adventure with a brave band of dwarves who journey to a mountain to reclaim their home from a fierce dragon.  Peter Jackson, director of the acclaimed trilogy of earlier films, based on the books by J.R.R. Tolkien, has returned and much will seem familiar, including the stunning New Zealand locations, the seamless integration of the fantasy characters and special effects, and of course the return of actors like Elijah Woods and Ian McKellen.  But there is something very new in this film, which has twice as many frames per second as standard films, bringing a new depth and clarity to the images.

It may come after the other movies, but The Hobbit is a shorter and more accessible way to enter the world of Tolkien.  I love the version with the Michael Hague illustrations.  And I have some affection for the the Rankin-Bass animated film starring John Houston and Orson Bean.

 

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Books For Your Netflix Queue

Pineapple Pete’s Remarkable Feat

Posted on December 9, 2012 at 9:23 pm

Miniver Press is proud to announce a new children’s book written by my mother! Pineapple Pete wants to make friends with the other fruits in his class but they think his scaly face is scary — until they need help and he saves the day. I have a free copy to give away to the first person who writes to me at moviemom@moviemom.com with “Pete” in the subject line. Tell me your favorite fruit — and don’t forget your address! (US addresses only.)

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Books Early Readers

Contest: Life of Pi Book

Posted on December 2, 2012 at 8:00 am

Have you seen “Life of Pi?”  Would you like to read the book?  I have a copy of the movie tie-in edition of the book by Yann Martel to give away.  Send me an email at moviemom@moviemom.com with “Pi” in the subject line.  Don’t forget your address!  (US addresses only.)  I’ll pick a winner at random on December 8.  Good luck!

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Books Contests and Giveaways

The Amazing Story of the Kids Who Re-Made “Raiders of the Lost Ark”

Posted on November 18, 2012 at 8:00 am

In the 1980’s two boys remade the film “Raiders of the Lost Ark” shot for shot, with no money, no resources, and no clue. And there was another problem — it took them seven years to make, so there was quite a continuity problem as they went through adolescence.   By then, they had grown up – and almost burned down the family home, nearly killed one of them, and stopped speaking to each other.  Twenty-nine years later,  their film “Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation has been praised by Steven Spielberg, Harry Knowles and Eli Roth. It has an obsessive and devoted following of millions and is considered the best and most successful fan film ever created.

Now this book tells the whole story of their odyssey – from two kids with nothing but a dream to recreate their most beloved movie to two seasoned filmmakers with an international cult phenomenon.  It is a great treat for anyone who loves “Raiders,” movies, or stories of people who follow their dreams.  I have one copy of the book to give away.  Send me an email at moviemom@moviemom.com with “Raiders” in the subject line and tell me your favorite scene in “Raiders of the Lost Ark” to enter.  Don’t forget your address (US addresses only).  I’ll pick a winner at random on November 25.  Good luck!

 

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Books Contests and Giveaways
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