'Return to the Hundred Acre Wood' - Book Review

  

 "Return to the Hundred Acre Wood" is the story of Christopher Robin's summer vacation with all of his old friends: Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, Rabbit, Roo, Kanga, Owl, and Eeyore.  We are also introduced to a new character: Lottie the Otter.
 I really enjoyed this book.  I know a lot of people probably have a problem with it, because it is Winnie the Pooh, but not written by A.A. Milne.  This fact doesn't bother me in the least.  In fact, I consider it to be keeping the legacy alive, introducing Pooh to a new generation of readers.
 The writing is sometimes very similar to Milne's and other times you can tell it's written by a completely different person, which is fine with me.  I think it's great the writing is not exactly alike.  It helps to distinguish between the old and the new tales of Winnie the Pooh.
 There are ten chapters in this book, and in each chapter we read of some wonderful experiences the animals of the Hundred Acre Wood have.  It is very sweet and lighthearted.  It's witty and quite funny at times.
 The new character of Lottie was not a favorite of mine when I was younger, if I remember correctly, but now I really enjoyed her character and personality and think it was a wonderful idea to introduce her to everyone through this new tale of Winnie the Pooh.
 The illustrations are 'beeutiful' (excuse the horrible pun).  They captivate me on every page, and I just can't help but fall in love with them.  They are part of what makes this book so wonderful!
 The ending to this book made me cry.  I rarely cry (like really cry) over books.  I may shed a tear or two, but this book caused quite a few tears for me.
 So, whether you are a longtime fan of Winnie the Pooh, like myself, or you are just looking for some lovely children's literature, I urge you to give 'Return to the Hundred Acre Wood' a try.

5 STARS FOR IT'S WONDERFULNESS!

"Annie's Stories" - Book Review

Synopsis: 
The year is 1901, the literary sensation The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is taking New York City by storm, and everyone wonders where the next great book will come from. But to Annie Gallagher, stories are more than entertainment-they're a sweet reminder of her storyteller father. After his death, Annie fled Ireland for the land of dreams, finding work at Hawkins House.

But when a fellow boarder with something to hide is accused of misconduct and authorities threaten to shut down the boardinghouse, Annie fears she may lose her new friends, her housekeeping job . . . and her means of funding her dream: a memorial library to honor her father. Furthermore, the friendly postman shows a little too much interest in Annie-and in her father's unpublished stories. In fact, he suspects these tales may hold a grand secret.

I checked out this book at my local library, drawn to it because of its cover. I mean, who wouldn't want to read a book where the character is reading of copy of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" on the cover? I started the book and finished it in about three days. It was so good!

The main character, Annie Gallagher comes from Ireland in hopes of a brighter future. She is a very sweet girl, only looking to continue her work at Mrs. Hawkins boardinghouse and save enough money, so someday she can open up a library and dedicate it to her father. She does doubt that God cares about her throughout this book, but near the end she sees that He truly does care. 

The characters in this book are many and each is so well developed throughout the book. The plot, is really, very, interesting. I enjoyed this book so much, and not just because "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" has so many mentions! If you like historical fiction, then I suggest you try reading "Annie's Stories", by Cindy Thomson!