Lisa’s Comments (group member since Aug 16, 2014)

Lisa’s comments from the Once Upon a Time... group.

I have always enjoyed the myths, especially the Greek versions, so I honestly didn't think about how not knowing them would change the interest of these books. I honestly don't think it matters much, as much is explained as you go through them. Otherwise, in my opinion, they are just fun fiction anyway.

I'm fine with almost anything, as you know. This list sounds great. I have read several, and some of my favorites are on it. I am more than happy to read those again.

LOL. For sure!

Actually only 24. Her mom already had her a book for the night of Christmas eve for her to read on Christmas morning before everyone else gets up (she's a major early bird!). This book was the book for the first day, and was the only one I paid normal price for. All of the others I was able to find at a fantastic used book store and only paid fifty cents to $2 each.
River is 9 and is a book "dragon". She reads ridiculously fast. We were afraid that there was no way she could retain any information reading that quickly, but we have informally quizzed her multiple times and she does. In fact, she remembers details from books she has read a few years ago even. She frequently re-reads a book too if she really likes it.
So far, she has opened 15 books (they are visiting friends this weekend, so she didn't get her book yesterday or today) and has read 12 of them that I know of for sure, as well as multiple library books.
My daughter is kind of ready to kill me because River has only agreed to pass three of the books on to other kids. The rest she wants to take back home with her and home is in England!

I'm not sure, but that might be one of the books I got her for her Christmas book advent calendar. If so, she hasn't opened that one yet, so will have to wait and see.

Well, we personally love Baum. River and I are really enjoying it. She is having fun finding the reasons for the Santa tradition and description, such as why he uses reindeer and a sleigh, as we go along in the book.

I don't believe so. I will double check

River has actually decided that she wants me to read it to her for sure. She decided to color while listening, so it is working out well and we have progressed to page 58. She is glad that Claus has decided to stick with other animals because she told me in advance to reading the reaction to the lioness that it would terrify the children.

I am on page 22. I am reading it to my granddaughter, however, we are taking turn about with her mother with her other read alouds as well as sometimes her just wanting to read to herself before bed. The kid is even more of an avid reader than I am. LOL. She reads very quickly (much quicker than I can say words - LOL), and I have a feeling this might be one she wants to read by herself. So I will ask her tonight and we shall see who gets to read our copy first.

Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving. I also hope that you have enjoyed reading Grounded.

I have finished and have many thoughts about it, but will keep quiet for the mean time for the most part.
One thing that did strike me as I was reading the first part (and it continued through to the very end) is just how much Rapunzel is unaware of. She only knows what the witch has allowed her to know.
We learn so much from what we see and hear around us on a daily basis that we just take it for granted. I love that the author used this aspect so richly.

I got the first two chapter read yesterday evening and like Gem says "something is going on in that tower"! I love it when a book leaves me questioning things from the very beginning.

Yeah, that was what happened in the version I read as well this time. The original Grimm versions (there were more than one of this tale) all ended happily ever after too. Although, in several, the witch is the one that ends up in bad circumstances. Definitely not teaching that stealing is wrong. I mean the parents did lose their child, but she wasn't really mistreated in any way, other than to be kept isolated.

I'm sorry. I haven't started it yet! Should start it tomorrow or Thursday.

Gem, I guess I kind of expected something like that at the end. Not exactly how it ended, but close.

You're welcome, Cheryl! I'm not sure if that is how the author intended it - it is just the way I interpreted it. I found that aspect of it totally fascinating.

I finished yesterday and really enjoyed the book.
I found it extremely interesting that the superstitions and beliefs of the residents of Sleepy Hollow were so strong that they actually took a physical form and inflicted harm, thus perpetuating the ongoing belief and fear.
I also loved the fact that Ben was able to change one of those mythical fears into a form of good simply because she had a strong belief that good can conquer evil.

Welcome, Laura!
Sounds like an interesting career!

My copies of Rapunzel and Grounded just came into the library today, so I will pick them up Weds. or Thurs. Hopefully I will have time to finish Horseman by then and will be ready to start right in. My library had Grounded shelved as juvenile, with the projected targeted readers as grade 6-8, so we shall see. Might be kids, might be more YA. Either way, it sounds like a fun read.

Very true.