The Velveteen Rabit, past and present

The Velveteen Rabbit, Margery Williams

This book came to mind when I was thinking about wintery stories, but then I questioned whether this was a Christmastime book or a springtime book (as it takes place during both times, correct?). Middle schoolers might scoff at reading a book like this, but I can't even attempt to give an unbiased review because a beloved comparative drama professor read it to a class of college kids and had us all weeping. Thus, I'd say it's appropriate and timeless. (Does anyone else get the covers of this book and of Rabbit Hill mixed up?)



The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, Kate DiCamillo

I didn't want to like this book. I didn't want to find it charming or heartwarming, probably because I was still grouchy and disappointed with DiCamillo's Mercy Watson (more on that later). The illustrations absolutely make this and give the book an antiquey feel, which seems to make it a little more OK that it's cheesy -- kind of in the same way that it's OK for Prairie Home Companion to be a little cheesy.

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