Each year in December our book club reads a book that has also been made into a movie. It's fun for the kids to compare the book to the movie, note how the script was changed and adapted, and decide which they like best. This year we read "Because of Winn Dixie" by Kate DiCamillo. This book was a 2001 Newbery Honor winner. It is a lovely story about 10-year-old Opal, her preacher father, and the small Florida town of Naomi. Winn-Dixie is a mottley stray dog that Opal rescues from a wild escapade through the Winn-Dixie grocery story (hence the dog's name!) and talks her father into letting her keep him. Winn-Dixie quickly becomes Opal's best friend and confidante. He is better at making friends than any human and soon Opal has cast of unlikely new friends--Miss Franny Block, the town librarian, Gloria Dump, an elderly and nearly blind woman, and Otis, an ex-con who runs a pet shop and has a magically ability to calm the animals with his guitar playing. Opal's new friends help her cope with lonliness, feelings of abandonment (her mother has left) and her father's tendency to close up his emotions. In turn, Opal and Winn-Dixie bless the lives of everyone they come in contact with because of their irrepressible joy and acceptance. The movie is a delightful adaptaton of the book and really brings the characters of the book to life. We all enjoyed this year's book/movie connection.
Showing posts with label dogs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dogs. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
December Book Club: Because of Winn Dixie
Each year in December our book club reads a book that has also been made into a movie. It's fun for the kids to compare the book to the movie, note how the script was changed and adapted, and decide which they like best. This year we read "Because of Winn Dixie" by Kate DiCamillo. This book was a 2001 Newbery Honor winner. It is a lovely story about 10-year-old Opal, her preacher father, and the small Florida town of Naomi. Winn-Dixie is a mottley stray dog that Opal rescues from a wild escapade through the Winn-Dixie grocery story (hence the dog's name!) and talks her father into letting her keep him. Winn-Dixie quickly becomes Opal's best friend and confidante. He is better at making friends than any human and soon Opal has cast of unlikely new friends--Miss Franny Block, the town librarian, Gloria Dump, an elderly and nearly blind woman, and Otis, an ex-con who runs a pet shop and has a magically ability to calm the animals with his guitar playing. Opal's new friends help her cope with lonliness, feelings of abandonment (her mother has left) and her father's tendency to close up his emotions. In turn, Opal and Winn-Dixie bless the lives of everyone they come in contact with because of their irrepressible joy and acceptance. The movie is a delightful adaptaton of the book and really brings the characters of the book to life. We all enjoyed this year's book/movie connection. 
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
October Book Club: Mallory vs. Max
Our October meeting of the Ashburn Kids Book Club will be on Thursday, October 1, 7-8 p.m. The book we will be featuring is "Mallory vs. Max" by Laurie Friedman. This book is part of the very popular series of books (12 so far) featuring almost-nine-years-old, Mallory McDonald, her older brother, Max, her cat, Cheeseburger, and her best friend, Mary Ann. In this book, Mallory is facing a dilemma--her parents have decided that her brother Max is old enough and responsible enough to get a dog of his own. This worries Mallory who fears the new puppy will take away all the attention from herself and her cat, Cheeseburger. Mallory presents very logical reasons why getting a dog is NOT a good idea--Dogs eat a lot. Dogs drink a lot. Dogs dig a lot. Dogs bark a lot. Dogs poop a lot, etc. But no one is persuaded by her arguments and soon there is a new young puppy joining the family. Everyone has some adjusting to do, especially Mallory who finally realizes that Champ the dog isn't so bad after all. The cartoon-like illustrations by Tamara Schmitz add to the fun. This is a fast-paced easy chapter book that kids are sure to enjoy and, more importantly, relate to.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Shiloh -- A Beagle
Shiloh is a beagle, a member of the hound family. Beagles are medium-sized dogs and have a keen sense of smell and a strong tracking instinct. This makes them especially good at hunting small animals like rabbits. They are also used by police and airport security as detection dogs. They are even-tempered with a gentle disposition and popular as pets.
Does this sound like the dog, Shiloh? What do you think?
What's in a Name? A Dog's Name, That is!
Shiloh, the dog at the center of the story in our October book selection, is named after the West Virginia town of Shiloh. But "Shiloh" wouldn't even make the top-50 list of most popular names for dogs. The #1 most popular name for a male dog in the U.S. is . . . MAX! The #1 most popular name for a female dog is . . . MAGGIE!
Here's the top 10 most popular dog names for male and female dogs.
Top-10 Male Dog Names: 1. Max 2. Jake 3. Buddy 4. Bailey 5. Sam 6. Rocky 7. Buster 8. Casey 9. Cody 10. Duke
Top-10 Female Dog Names: 1. Maggie 2. Molly 3. Lady 4. Sadie 5. Lucy 6. Daisy 7. Ginger 8. Abby 9. Sasha 10. Sandy
What's your favorite dog's name? If you have a dog, what is its name? Post a comment and tell us!
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
October Book Club Selection -- Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
In the book, Shiloh, by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, we read about a boy's love for his dog and what lengths he will go to protect his pet.
Do you have a pet?
How do you feel about your pet?
If you don't have a pet, would you like to have one?
What kind of animal would it be?
Post a comment and tell us your thoughts and ideas about having pets!
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