Anticipating The Magician's Nephew

I am excited to read The Magician's Nephew. I am very familiar with C.S. Lewis and the Chronicles of Narnia series. I know that The Magician's Nephew is the first book in the series, but I know that it was not written first. I have read the children abridged version before but I do not know if I have ever read the actual version. I loved The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. My mom first read that to me in the fourth grade. As for C.S. Lewis, my junior year of high school, I had to read The Screwtape Letters for my Theory of Knowledge class. I know that Lewis was a new Christian when he wrote the series and that there are a lot of underlying Christian themes throughout. I have seen both of the Chronicles of Narnia movies that have come out recently, and my family is a big fan of both the movies and the series. I am anxious to start reading it again and see what we talk about in class.

Analysis - The Phoenix and the Carpet

One thing that I noticed throughout the story was how rude the children were to the servants. The first time this is really talked about is in Chapter 3 when  it says, "No one could be expected to feel very kindly towards the cook, since it was entirely though her making such a fuss about a little foreign mud that the carpet had been taken away." Here, the cook is upset because when the children went on their adventure to the Topless Tower, they got mud all over the new carpet. Over the next week, the children were not especially nice to cook. And then they take her and leave her on the Sunny Southern Shore. Only Anthea is concerned enough to go and check on cook again to make sure she is happy after they leave. 
Later, after the adventure with the cats, rats, cow and burglar, the housemaid, Eliza comes home. She had left the house to go and be with her family and party with her friends while the family was away. When she comes home the children are very rude to her and threaten her with telling their parents. They use their power over her to get her to do what they want which is make them lunch and clean up after their mess. I find it interesting that Nesbit writes about the children being rude to the servants. At this time in London, it was not uncommon for middle class families to have cooks, maids and housekeepers. The fact that Nesbit is able to illustrate that through the eyes of the children shows a lot about how this time period was run and what was acceptable. The children must really think they are superior to Eliza and the cook for them to treat the help this way. In a time that is so concerned with being proper and manners, the children really take advantage of their social position.   

Notable Moment - The Phoenix and the Carpet

In Chapter 7, Mews from Persia, was my favorite chapter in the story. When the carpet came back with the 199 Persian cats, I started laughing out loud. The children ask the carpet to bring them something from its home and the carpet decided to bring cats. I do not really like cats to begin with and the thought of all of these cats roaming around is slightly gross to me. The distress of the children and the candidness of the phoenix was hysterical.
The cats are walking around mewing, the girls are petting them, the phoenix is hiding because he is worried the cats will eating and the whole time I was giggling to myself. How the children decided that the cats were hungry, I am not really sure, but they decided to send the carpet for food. And what does the carpet come back with, rats. 398 of them. Not only is that disgusting, but hilarious. I was trying to imagine what it would be like for 199 cats to randomly show up in the nursery but then for 398 rats to show up too. Those poor children.

Anticipating The Phoenix and the Carpet

I had never heard of this book when I saw it on the list so I decided to look it up. The story sounds really fun and whimsical. Then I was talking to my best friend about the books that we were reading and she had heard of this book. She told me that another author, Edward Eager, who's books we had read when we were younger, was a big fan of E. Nesbit. The books that Eager wrote, my favorite being Knight's Castle, are similar to those of Nesbit. Because I love Eager's books so much I am very excited to read The Phoenix and the Carpet. It seems to me like it will be a more classic fantasy story that people associate with children's literature. 

Analysis - Redwall

Reading this book for the second time in about 10 years, I was a little disappointed at how much I did not like it. I found this interesting because I remember really liking the book when I was younger. One of the things that I noticed, having a more "adult" perspective, was that some of the language seemed really advanced. There were a couple of moments when I was reading the book and I came across words that I definitely wouldn't have known the definition for when I was in fourth grade.

One example was the use of the word pathos. Jacques used pathos in the way it is used in rhetoric, to evoking emotion. I know that when I was in fourth grade, I did not know what this word and I doubt a lot of the general population would unless they had taken an upper high school or college rhetoric course. Another word that I would not have known in fourth grade is leveret. Basil Stag Hare uses it to relate himself to Matthais. A leveret is a young hare in it's first year, but I know that I would not have known that in fourth grade.

I am not trying to condemn Jacques for using the big words, I just find it interesting that he would use such words in a children's book. I feel like reading is the bet way to improve your vocabulary, it just seems to me that some of Jacques' word choices do not seem age appropriate.

Notable Moment - Redwall

One part of this book that really stood out to me while I was reading was the part where Matthais spends time with the Sparra warriors. Compared to the mice of Redwall Abbey, the birds are very barbaric. The environment from the birds is very different from that of the mice who live in the Abbey below them. The birds are very messy and unorganized unlike the mice who are neat and tidy. At the beginning of Chapter 16 in Book 2, Jacques describes it as, "The sparrows lived higgledy-piggledy here in one great untidy tribe." They lived in a very unorganized way, almost the way one might expect a bunch of birds might live together.  
The language of the Sparras is also very primitive. They speak like Tarzan or what I imagine the American Indians spoke like when they were first introduced to the English. This suggested that they are not as sophisticated as the mice or other woodland creatures that live below. However, at the same time Matthais respects and fears these birds. While they may not be advanced in the ways of living as he is, Matthais recognizes that they are very powerful and not creatures to be trifled with.
I really like the parts when Matthais is with the Sparra because I feel like it is one of the few times where the reader could be really concerned if Matthais will back it out alive. And he almost doesn't. Also Warbeak and Dunwing are very likable characters. The relationship that Matthais is able to develop with these birds, to me, shows his true hero quality of being able to relate with those around him. And I just really like Warbeak.

Anticipating Redwall

The first time I read this book was either fourth or fifth grade. I read the first 4 or 5 in the series and while I enjoyed the story, I got bored with the story after a few books. My sister, however, devoured all of the books. I think we have about 30 of the Redwall books at my house. I remember really enjoying the story so I am excited to start reading it again. What I remember of the story is there is a small mouse who lives in an abbey run by mice and he ends up saving all the various woodland creatures from the evil rat, Cluny. It is a sweet story full of adventure. And who does not like a cute, little, under "dog" mouse?

Analysis - The Hobbit

One common theme that is present throughout The Hobbit is that of materialism. The dwarves are the most apparent example of this. The dwarves are driven to reach the Mountain in order to regain their gold. All they can talk about is the glory they once had when they were in possession of the gold and the status they hope to recover by defeating the dragon, Smaug.
But the dwarves are not the only materialistic creatures in the novel. In a way Bilbo is materialistic as well. He continually talks about how he wants to go back to his home. Several times Bilbo mentions missing his fireplace, comfy chair and cakes. Bilbo is so concerned with his stuff at home that I think he sometimes loses sight of the adventure in front of him.
In a way, I think Tolkien was responding to the world around him when he was writing about these materialistic characters. At the time the novel was written (1937), consumerism was as it's height. In my social psychology class, we were talking about a man named Edward Bernays, who in the 1920s started the idea of "consumerism" in America. The economy changed from a need-based society to a want-based society. People were no longer buying only for necessity but for pleasure as well. Through Bilbo and the dwarves, Tolkien illustrates this new phenomenon of materialism. I don't think Tolkien thought materialism was a negative thing, but I think he was finding a way to respond to the world around him through his writing.

Notable Moment - The Hobbit

In Chapter 8, Flies and Spiders, Bilbo and the dwarves are attacked by giant spiders in Mirkwood. Bilbo manages to get away and uses the magic ring his stole from Gollum in the goblin's cave to find his friends being held captive by the spiders. He manages to rescue them all with the aid of his ring. This is an important moment in the story because I feel like this is the first time Bilbo finally gained the respect of his companions. He was able to use his wits and the magic ring to rescue the dwarves from the clutches of the spiders.
When the journey first started out, the dwarves were very skeptical of Gandalf's choice in the hobbit as a burglar. When Bilbo was able to rescue them from what seemed like a fatal situation, the dwarves were very grateful. Unfortunately, Bilbo was forced to reveal the magic ring to the others, which he had been hesitant to do in the past. However, the dwarves were so thankful that Bilbo saved them that Bilbo felt no threat towards him having the ring.
I feel like this is a crucial point in the role of Bilbo in the story. He gains credibility with the dwarves and proves to himself that he has a significant role in the journey.  

Anticipating The Hobbit

I have read The Hobbit before, but it was in middle school. I'm pretty sure that I read it for an AR test in sixth grade. I remember liking the story, but I don't remember it having that much of an impact on me. Also around the same time was when the Lord of the Rings movies started coming out. My parents are huge Tolkien fans, and they told me that if I read the books then I could see the movies. Since the movies came out in the early 2000s, I have seen them a number of times. So I would say I am more familiar with that trilogy than the story that started the whole journey. I actually do not remember a lot of the Hobbit so I am excited to read it again. Bilbo and Gollum were always two of my favorite Tolkien characters, besides Merry, Pippin and Aragorn of course.

Reflections

I am really excited to read some of these books. I have read 6 of them already, and the others I have either wanted to read or sound interesting. However, I do not think of all of these as children's books. When I think of children's books, I think of Dr. Seuss and Nancy Drew. To me, these seem more like adolescent books. When my mom was at Texas A&M she also took a children's literature class and they read fairy tales. I am not disappointed to read these books, it was just not what I was expecting when I signed up for the class.
I hope that this class shows me a new way to look at books aimed towards a younger audience. Maybe it will help me also in selecting books for my children, when I have any. While I am slightly nervous about the amount of reading that has to get done, I think that this will be a very exciting class and I cannot wait to get started discussing books.

Survey of Reading Preferences

What associations do you have with reading?  Do you have any personal history that makes reading seem more or less pleasurable?

I love to read. ever since I was little I have enjoyed reading. My mom always encouraged me, my brother and my sister to read instead of watching television or playing video games. Until high school, I didn't realize that not everyone reads the way that my family did. People were always asking me why I enjoyed reading so much when it's "so boring." Fortunately I loved reading too much to be swayed by their opinions and I continue to love reading to this day.

Why do you read?

For entertainment. And because iI really love it. 

What has been your best experience in a literature course? (high school or college)

In high school, my senior English teachers was one of the best. She taught us all about commentaries and we got to read some really interesting books, including The Grapes of Wrath and 1984 neither of which I had read before. I think she really prepared me for college English. 

What has been your worst experience in a literature course? (high school or college)

My sophomore English teacher was a joke. We had a really good time in the class and everyone loved her, but I really didn't learn anything. 

What college-level literature courses have you taken in the English department?

ENGL 212  and ENGL 241. I am also currently taking ENGL 350. 

Compared to other literature courses you have taken, what do you expect will be the level of difficulty of this course?  Why?

I think this class will be harder than my 212 class because there is so much more reading. However I am really excited to read some of the books on the list. 

What themes do you look for when you read literature for adults?

I look for a good story with a little bit of action, romance and I always love a good twist. 

What are your favorite books written for adults?

I am a big Jane Austen fan. Pride and Prejudice is one of my absolute favorites. I really love to read the classics. I also love Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. This summer I read The Help by Kathryn Stockett, which i really enjoyed. 

How do you determine whether a book you have read is good?

By how much I enjoyed it or how well it was written. 

Do you think it is a good idea to study children’s literature?

Yes.

Why do you think scholars study children’s literature?

In order to understand the social and psychological impacts that stories can have on children. Books are a way for children to learn more about the world around them. 

When you think of “children’s literature,” what comes to mind?

Fairy tales and picture books. I'm honestly a little surprised that we are not reading books in that genre. These books seem to be more older children's books. 

What do you look for when you search for a children’s book?

Generally, a short, light read with fun and interesting characters. 

Why would you look for children’s books?  What do you do with children’s books?

I honestly do not look for children's books that frequently. There only reason I do is to buy them as gifts for others. But whenever I babysit, I love to read children's books to the kids I am with. My mom has actually saved some of our favorite children's books. 

What children’s books do you most admire?

The Harry Potter series. Dr. Seuss. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe series. 

What were your favorite children’s books as a child?

The Giant Jam Sandwich, The Babysitters Club, Harry Potter, Pony Pals. There was also a Royal Diaries series that we historical fiction. They were journals of famous princesses throughout history. My favorites were the ones about Elizabeth I and Cleopatra. 

In what contexts did you read children’s books as a child?

My parents would read them to us. When I got old enough, I read them by myself. And we would read them in school too. 

Are there certain themes that interest you in children’s books?

I loved horse books! And fantasy. Growing up, I would read almost anything that was happy and had some romance in it. 

Are there certain types of books that you think children shouldn’t read?

I think children should read books at, or a little above their reading level. But they need to have appropriate context for the age group. I know that this can be hard in middle school, because children have the reading level for books that are not at their maturity level. 

How do you judge whether a children’s book is good?

If the book educates the child in some way, whether through life experience or in general knowledge. 

What do you think of when you think of fantasy?

Stories filled with fairies and dragons, princesses and castles. Something other worldly that we do not experience on a daily basis. 

Do you like fantasy literature? Why or why not?

I love fantasy literature because it allows you for a time to visit a world that is not your own. 

Explain your reaction when you learned that this course would focus on fantasy.

I was excited!

Rank the following from most to least valuable:

Nonfiction

Poetry
Historical Fiction
Romance
Fantasy Fiction
Science Fiction
Horror

Mystery
Adventure
Explain your choice for #1 and #9 in your rankings above.

Nonfiction

Historical Fiction

Romance

Adventure

Fantasy Fiction

Mystery

Science Fiction

Poetry

Horror

Nonfiction is the most valuable, because it informs the most. However it is on of my least favorite. Historical Fiction is my favorite, which is why I put it second. The rest were really hard for me to rank, so I just tried to do it based on preference. Horror is at the bottom cause I do not like being scared. And I do not dislike poetry, I just like the other stuff more.