Entries Categorized as 'Fiction'

The Big Goose and the Little White Duck

Our rating: *****

A shopkeeper has two pets — a big goose, and a little white duck who can only quack very softly. A big boy wants to buy them for his mother, and because of a misconception that it was to be a present for him, his grandfather helps the big boy buy them. The grandfather is determined to eat the goose, but will the goose be able to prove himself useful before it’s too late?

This is a great book. There are some funny things in it. Please read this book! It’s pretty large print and it didn’t take me very, very, very long to read it. However, it’s probably larger than a normal picture book. Unfortunately, The Big Goose and the Little White Duck seems to be out of print. You can go to our Book Tips page for tips on finding books that are out of print.

The Land of Oz

Our rating: ****

Tip has lived with Mombi the witch for as long as he can remember, and she works him like a slave. One day, to scare her, Tip makes a man with a pumpkin head and sets it up on the road where Mombi will pass on her way home. But Mombi has just bought some powder of life, and decides to try it out. And so Jack Pumpkin Head comes to life! When Mombi decides to turn Tip into a statue and enslave Jack instead, Tip takes Jack and runs away.

Being the second book in the Oz series, The Land of Oz introduces several new characters. There’s The Sawhorse, Mr. H. M. Wogglebug T. E., and many others. This takes place during The Scarecrow’s reign in Oz, which is very interesting. Delightfully silly, The Land of Oz is full of puns, wordplays, and just plain silliness. Plus, the ending takes an exciting twist, which nobody will expect.

Furious Moose of the Wilderness

Our rating: **

Gasp! A furious moose! Actually, the moose is only a side plot. The real story is about Pete Gant the trapper and Casimir Zluski’s daughter, Helen. Pete and Helen barely have time to discover that they love each other, when Pete, believing that Helen doesn’t care about him, leaves — causing Helen to wonder whether he’ll ever come back.

Don’t panic. It ends well. The moose gets shot, Pete and Helen love each other and the story ends abruptly. Again. I suppose it’s good because it leaves you with the option of continuing the story on your own. I really appreciate how Jim Kjelgaard doesn’t “humanize” animals in his books.

Out to Canaan

Our rating: *****

Father Tim is facing retirement, but that certainly doesn’t slow him down. As usual, lots is happening in Mitford. Esther Cunningham, who has been the undisputed mayor of Mitford for many years, faces an opponent in the upcoming election, Miss Sadie’s house is beginning to fall into disrepair and Father Tim has to find a buyer for it, and they’re still trying to locate Dooley’s siblings. And to top it all off, the Sweet Stuff Bakery may be closing!

What can I say? It’s another great Mitford. All the characters, old and new, are just as real as before. Hooray for Mitford!

A Common Life

Our rating: ****

Finally, Father Tim and Cynthia are getting married! But there’s so much to do before the wedding. Will Esther Bolick or Winnie Ivy bake the cake? Can Uncle Billy think of a new joke before the wedding? Will Father Tim and Cynthia even get there in time?

When reading A Common Life, you must remember that it really comes right after A Light in the Window ends. This can be confusing, because some characters show up that have left the series, and you’ll be wondering where certain others are for this whole thing. It’s not your typical Mitford book, as it follows everybody during their preparations, instead of just Father Tim. It’s also much shorter, and only took me a few hours to finish. However, A Common Life is a delightful book with many fun and interesting points.