"The Adventurs of Pinocchio" by Carolo Collodi

     Once there was a block of wood.  It had a life, albeit short, before it came into the hands of a woodcarver, named Geppetto.  This block of wood is nothing but trouble from the start.  As Geppetto carves out the legs and arms of his future puppet, his creation instantly strikes out and hurts him.  No wish or Blue Fairy are necessary here to bring the little marionette to life.  But do not fear, the Blue Fairy does play an important role in the overall story.
     Pinocchio has his share of adventures as he learns to be a good boy.  He is tempted by the Fox and the Blind Cat, kidnapped by Stromboli - the shady entertainer - and goes to "The Land of Toys."  Along the way, he meets many unusual and frightening characters with whom Disney fans will not be familiar.  Pinocchio spends most of his time searching for Geppetto or the Blue Fairy, who raises him as her boy.  For a time he lives with the Blue Fairy and obediently attends school.  Then, a couple of hours before he becomes a boy, he falls to the greatest temptation of running away from home with a bunch of other boys.  There at "The Land of Toys" all the boys turn into donkeys, including our little marionette friend - miserable, mute donkeys.
     After watching Disney's fun, family-friendly 1940 animated version of Collodi's fairytale, I figured I should read the original.  While it follows the basic plot line of Disney's classic, the book has many subplots and characters that did not make it into the movie.  The story is much darker than the film:  Pinocchio actually kills the Cricket who tries to help him, and, when he falls asleep by the fire, his little feet burn off.  Pinocchio is certainly not a character to be admired.  He constantly disobeys and is easily deceived by those who wish him harm.  Certainly most of us can relate to Pinocchio - we've given in to things we know we should not have, gone down the wrong roads, met the wrong people.  We repent and try to make things right, but the damage can already be done and may be pass repairing.
     Published in 1881, "The Adventures of Pinocchio" follows one puppet's journey from "puppethood" to boyhood.  It's a long lesson and a long journey to becoming a real boy, but it is well worth the sacrifice and struggles.    

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

     Have you ever been to Hannibal, Missouri?  I visited this town many years ago.  I do not remember the setting very well, but after reading "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" I would like to return to the hometown of my favorite American storyteller.
     How many Mark Twain novels or short stories have you read?  I have read "The Prince & the Pauper," "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" and, for the first time, "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer."  There are many more that are on my Must Read list (for instance, Pudd'nhead Wilson & The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn).  Very American in tone, Twain's novels ring with independence, adventure, and essential scrapes and misadventures that accompany old-fashioned boyhood.
     Tom Sawyer is the mischievous, curly-haired boy from St. Petersburg, Missouri, who is always on the look out for trouble and danger.  The epitome of the independent, self-reliant American spirit of the early 1800s, Tom Sawyer steals our hearts and our attention from the beginning. He is always one step ahead of poor Aunt Polly, who adores him in spite of his naughtiness.  Quick as a jack-rabbit and as clever as a fox, Tom leaps from adventure to adventure. 
     Yes, Tom Sawyer is white-washing the fence as a punishment, but not for long.  Perhaps the neighborhood boys may be "coaxed" into helping him.  Also, there is the swell from St. Louis to be dealt with, not to mention the pretty Becky Thatcher, who is new to St. Petersburg.  But let's not forget the cemetery . . . at midnight!
     In a superstitious endeavor to get rid of warts, Tom Sawyer and his friend, the disreputable Huckleberry Finn, creep into the local cemetery.  However, warts are the last thing on their minds when they witness Injun Joe murder the town doctor and then lay the blame of the horrendous crime at drunk Muff Potter's door. Terrified of the ruthless Injun Joe, Tom and Huck make a pact never to tell a soul what they witnessed.  But when Muff Potter is charged with the murder and faces the hangman's noose, will Tom and Huck decide to tell the truth, even if it means their safety?
     St. Petersburg may be small in size, but it is not lacking in thrills and laughter.  The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is a perfect read for the spring or summer.  I hope you will decide to pick up this wonderful book and view the world through the imperfect, but strikingly honest, eyes of young Tom Sawyer. 

The Railway Children by E. Nesbit

     Bobbie (Roberta), Phyllis, and Peter have an idyllic home situation: a comfortable house, servants, and loving parents.  In one terrible evening everything changes.  Several men arrive at their London home, and soon the children learn that their father has had to leave home quite quickly on business.  Their mother spends much time away from home, seeing many people, and returning to her children weary and discouraged.  The servants whisper, but Mother does not tell Bobbie, Phyllis, or Peter where Father is.  They try to be understanding and be a support to her.    
     A second great change occurs when Mother announces that they must move from the city and take a home in the country.  They arrive by train late one evening in a small country English village.  From there they walk to their new home, "Three Chimneys."  The children love their new life in the country, even though the mystery surrounding their father hangs over their heads.
     Bobbie is a sweet, understanding older sister.  She is perceptive and tries to lessen Mother's burden.  Peter does his best to be the man of the house.  This duty drives him to commit a felony - but all comes out alright in the end.  Phyllis, like Bobbie, is sweet, but she is not quite as clever or quick as her siblings.  Her literal interpretation of phrases and pictures is humorous and adds lightness and comedy to the children's adventures.
     A train, the 9:15, passes through the village and the land adjoining their house.  They decide to wave to the train each morning, imagining that it will take their love to Father.  They create an unique friendship with one of the wealthy passengers.  They refer to him as the Old Gentleman.  He always waves back, and several times he plays an important role in their adventures and the outcome of their story.
     Bobbie, Phyllis, and Peter also make friends with Mr. Perks, who works at the train station, and decide to help him celebrate his birthday, which has almost disastrous results.  The other adventures of the Railway Children include a houseboat fire, an encounter with danger, a poor refugee, and a paper chase.
     The Railway Children may not take place in an exotic locale, but its magic is in its simplicity of life and characters.  It does not have a strong plot line; its enjoyment is in the little stories and subplots that fill their lives at the "Three Chimneys."  The people the children help and the people who help them, the loyalty and love of the family, and bravery and courage reside in this little story.  I hope you will join Bobbie, Phyllis, and Peter at the "Three Chimneys," wave to the 9:15, and remember the simple joys and hopes of childhood.

     If you're like me, you love great stories but cannot always find the time to sit down with the physical copy of the book. Whether I'm doing chores around the house or driving to school, I love having a good audiobook to listen to. I highly recommend this excellent recording of Edith Nesbit's classic children's story by Tantor.  It is performed by Renee Raudman.