Author Archives: Editor

President Obama Reads ‘Where the Wild Things Are’

by Editor

He reads the entire book out loud to a group of kids at the White House Easter Egg Roll.  Watch him.  He wings it.  He improvises.  He throws himself completely into what he is doing for these kids.  He knows they can’t all see the pictures so he describes and even performs them.  I know just how difficult this performance really is.  There are few people who can pull this off.  We have a president who is actually an intelligent person and who enjoys reading and talking to people.  I think this is a very good video for Children’s Book Week.

Podcast Novel: A Princess of Mars (Chapter 5)

by Editor

DOWNLOAD MP3 AUDIO

A Princess of Mars

This is the first John Carter of Mars novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, the author of the Tarzan books. It was his first novel, published in 1917 and it’s a work of rip-roaring science fiction that has inspired many of the great writers in the genre.

Chapter 5: John Carter realizes that he has a watcher.  He attempts to test the creature and quickly finds himself in an unexpected struggle for survival.

You’ll find regular podcasts of all the chapters over the next couple of months. Subscribe to our feed.

Duration: 00:9:21
Read by Alessandro Cima

All audio stories are Copyright © Candlelight Stories, Inc., All Rights Reserved.

German Film Directer Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe

by Editor

He’s a German film director named Werner Herzog and in 1980 he made a bet with another filmmaker that if that other guy actually finished his first feature film Herzog would sit down in front of cameras and eat his own shoe. The friend did finish his movie, and so Mr. Herzog sat down to dine upon his footwear. During the strange event, he talks about how deadly television is and how we must fight its influence. It’s an old refrain, but he puts it in a way that I’ve not heard before. He goes on to talk about how we as a culture have not developed adequate images.  I’m not sure he’s right about this, but he certainly thinks he is and that’s always fun to watch. He is deadly serious about what he’s saying, but of course you must not forget that during it all he is cooking and eating a shoe. I always love to see people who are being funny while being totally serious.

Ferdinand the Bull: 1938 Disney Cartoon Based on Book

by Editor

Here’s an Oscar-winning short from Disney that is based on a popular children’s book, The Story of Ferdinand, by Munro Leaf with illustrations by Robert Lawson.  Ferdinand the bull would much rather sit under his favorite tree smelling the flowers than do anything serious.  But he gets caught up in the bull-fighting business and hilarity ensues when he tries to enjoy his favorite pastime in the ring.

Get The Story of Ferdinand

Igraine the Brave: Children’s Book About Saving a Castle Full of Books

by Editor

Here’s a marvelous children’s book for Children’s Book Week. Igraine the Brave is by Cornelia Funke. It’s published by The Chicken House Ltd. Reading ages are 9 – 12.

Princess Igraine dreams of becoming a famous knight just like her great grandfather, but the truth is, life at the family castle is rather boring. Until the nephew of the baroness-next-door shows up. He’s got a dastardly plan to capture the castle and claim as his own the wonderful singing spell books that belong to Igraine’s magician parents. To make matters worse, at the very moment of the siege, her mom and dad botch a spell, turning themselves into pigs! Aided by a Gentle Giant and a Sorrowful Knight, it’s up to Igraine to be brave and save the day–and the books!

The whole idea of defending a castle full of magic books is perfect for a week that celebrates children’s books.

Get Igraine The Brave

Children’s Book Week is May 11 – 17

by Editor | 1 Comment

It’s Children’s Book Week from May 11 – 17, 2009.  It covers everything from picture books for very young readers to teen fiction.  As part of the celebration, the Children’s Book Council is going to list the Children’s Choice Book Awards on May 13.  The award is given to books selected by children as their favorites of the year.  You can print out the official Children’s Book Week bookmark.

This event has been celebrated since 1919 in schools, libraries, and bookstores.  You can celebrate at home by reading to young children each day of the week, buying your kids some wonderful new books, printing out posters for their walls, encouraging them to enter online writing contests, and just letting them know that time spent reading is worth much more than time spent watching television.