Caramel’s reviews – Page 55

Caramel reviews Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White

Caramel’s class has been reading E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web. Quite reasonably, they have been pacing their way through the book, but Caramel just could not wait and is already done with the reading. Today he shares his thoughts on this 1952 classic, which received a Newberry Honor in 1953. As usual, Sprinkles is taking notes and asking questions.

Caramel reviews Charlotte's Web, a classic from 1952, written by E.B. White and illustrated by Garth Williams. — Caramel reviews *Charlotte’s Web*, a classic from 1952, written by E.B. White and illustrated by Garth Williams.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, tell me about this book.

Caramel: This book is about animals living in a farm. The main character is Wilbur, he is a pig. In the first chapter he is just born, and the farmer is getting ready to kill Wilbur because he is the smallest one in the litter. That’s called a runt. That’s very mean, right?

S: Why do you say that?

C: The pig is born and they should not kill him.

S: I see. I agree. But I am guessing the farmer is thinking more like how things are in nature, where the weakest and the smallest in a litter will not usually survive.

C: Yes, but later in the book Wilbur does grow and get much bigger.

S: So the farmer decides not to kill him after all?

C: Yes, the farmer’s daughter Fern stops him.

S: So tell me more. The book title involves someone named Charlotte. Who is that?

C: She is a spider.

S: Is she Wilbur’s friend?

C: Yes, she becomes Wilbur’s friend when he moves into the Zuckerman barn. Zuckerman is Fern’s uncle but he is not very nice. Zucker means sugar in German, you told me, but this Zuckerman is not very sweet.

S: I see. Maybe that is why the author chose that name. But why is the book titled Charlotte’s Web if the main character is the pig?

C: Charlotte does save Wilbur’s life multiple times, and she is very important to him. They are best friends and Wilbur learns a lot from her.

Caramel is pointing to the page where Wilbur the pig meets Charlotte the spider in Charlotte's Web, written by E.B. White and illustrated by Garth Williams. — Caramel is pointing to the page where Wilbur the pig meets Charlotte the spider in *Charlotte’s Web*, written by E.B. White and illustrated by Garth Williams.

S: As you know, I did not grow up in this country, and so this book was not on my reading list at school. When I learned about it, I was already an adult. But I also learned that the book was rather sad, so I never read it.

C: That’s an understatement. It is really really sad.

S: Okay, I won’t ask you why it is sad because I think I actually know. But I also know that you don’t usually like sad books. Did you like Charlotte’s Web?

C: Yes! It might be the only sad book I actually liked.

S: Oh? Why did you like it?

C: The story is really interesting, and I liked Wilbur. He is funny and very likeable. And I also liked Charlotte. She is wise and also very nice.

S: I know you like fiction involving animal characters. You already reviewed a whole lot of them, like Poppy about a mouse and her adventures, The Mouse and the Motorcycle about another mouse and his adventures, and Verdi about a snake. Do Wilbur and Charlotte have some interesting adventures too?

C: Oh yes! They go to the fair, and Charlotte makes an egg sack at the fair. She puts a lot of eggs in it. Let me check. 514 spider eggs.

S: That is a lot of eggs! So the book is fun and joyful to read except the sad parts?

C: Yes.

S: So which three words would you use to describe the book?

C: Sweet, happy and sad. Because it is really sweet and happy until it is sad. But then it is happy again, sort of.

S: Hmm, maybe I should read it after all. Would you recommend it?

C: Yep. But you will have to wait for Marshmallow to finish it first.

S: Hmm, I see I have competition. Okay, I guess I will wait. But at least now, after all these years, I know I should read Charlotte’s Web. In the meantime, let us wrap up our review. What do you want to tell our readers?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel has enjoyed reading Charlotte's Web, written by E.B. White and illustrated by Garth Williams, and recommends it strongly. He already convinced both Marshmallow and Sprinkles to read the book. — Caramel has enjoyed reading *Charlotte’s Web*, written by E.B. White and illustrated by Garth Williams, and recommends it strongly. He already convinced both Marshmallow and Sprinkles to read the book.

Caramel reviews It’s Alive: From Neurons and Narwhals to the Fungus Among Us by Molly Bloom, Marc Sanchez, and Sanden Totten

The book bunnies are fans of Brains On!, a science podcast directed toward young bunnies but, at least in our household, also much appreciated by the older set. When we heard that the amazing Brains On! team, made up of Molly Bloom, Marc Sanchez, and Sanden Totten, had published a science book together, we knew we all had to read it. Today Caramel reviews this book: It’s Alive: From Neurons and Narwhals to the Fungus Among Us. As usual, Sprinkles is taking notes and asking followup questions.

Caramel reviews the Brains On! book It's Alive: From Neurons and Narwhals to the Fungus Among Us, by Molly Bloom, Marc Sanchez, and Sanden Totten. — Caramel reviews the Brains On! book *It’s Alive: From Neurons and Narwhals to the Fungus Among Us*, by Molly Bloom, Marc Sanchez, and Sanden Totten.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, this book is right up your alley, right?

Caramel: Yep. It’s full of fun facts, and illustrations are awesome!

S: I know! It is so colorful! So tell me what the general theme of the book is. What is the book about?

C: It’s about science. There are all sorts of facts about all sorts of living things. There is a part about animals, one about plants, one about humans, and another about microorganisms.

S: That sounds cool! So tell me about your favorite animal fact you learned from this book.

C: There are so many, I can’t choose.

S: Give me one or two then…

C: Okay, let me try. I like the Animal Superpowers part a lot.

Caramel is reading the Brains On! book It's Alive: From Neurons and Narwhals to the Fungus Among Us, by Molly Bloom, Marc Sanchez, and Sanden Totten. Here he is checking out the section on Animal Superpowers. — Caramel is reading the Brains On! book *It’s Alive: From Neurons and Narwhals to the Fungus Among Us*, by Molly Bloom, Marc Sanchez, and Sanden Totten. Here he is checking out the section on Animal Superpowers.

S: That sounds interesting! What kinds of superpowers?

C: There are super-healers for example. Did you know that the axolotl can regrow part of its missing limbs, and even its brain? It is cool, isn’t it?

S: That is really cool, you are right! And that is one cute animal I had not heard about before! Here is a picture from Wikipedia if people want to see one:

An axolotl in captivity, image by th1098, taken from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axolotl#/media/File:AxolotlBE.jpg

S: So would you like to have such a super power, Caramel?

C: Yes, being able to regrow limbs would be awesome!

S: So then how about the plants? Tell me a favorite fact you learned from this book about plants.

C: Shall we visit the Tree Hall of Fame?

S: Okay…

C: The tallest tree is a redwood tree named Hyperion. It is 380 ft tall. That is taller than the Statue of Liberty!

S: Wow! That is tall!

C: It is in Redwood National Park, in California, but the scientists are keeping its exact location secret.

S: The book sounds really packed full of interesting facts Caramel. Just perfect for you!

C: Yep. Exactly. I recommend that you read it too.

S: Yes, I will definitely do that after this review. I can’t wait!

C: But you have to wait! Because I need to tell you about the Mega Matchups!

S: What’s that?

C: There are parts in the book where they compare two things. Like there is one where they pit dogs against cats. I think there is one in each part. Wait, there is the octopuses vs the dolphins. So that is at least two in animals. And then there is another matching porcupine caribou against monarch butterflies.

S: Wait. How do those two compare? Why are they even pitted against one another?

C: It seems random till you read it. These are two creatures that are “long-distance travelers that travel thousands of miles without a map or a compass.”

S: I see. This matchup idea is like the Smash-Boom-Best segment the Brains On! folks used to do sometimes in their podcasts. Did you know that that eventually became its own podcast?

C: No I didn’t know that. Then again I think Marshmallow listened to an episode for her class one time.

S: Yes, I remember. It was pizza vs tacos I think.

C: I think pizza wins for me!

S: I think they both have their time and place.

C: True. Wait, here is another matchup. The durian vs the corpse flower. They’re both stinky! A corpse flower apparently smells like, well, a corpse.

S: I know durian. I ate durian ice cream once. Did you know that?

C: Nope.

S: It tasted like vanilla ice cream, but with a terribly strong garlicky, or onion-y aftertaste.

C: That does not sound too appetizing.

S: I know.

S: So this review is already quite long. Let us wrap it up. What three words would you use to describe this book to someone who is interested in learning about it?

C: Factful, interesting, and very colorful.

S: I agree with all of those Caramel, even before I got to read it fully. I think I’d also add “very fun” to the list.

C: Yes, it is really fun and funny too.

S: Great! So we are done. What do you say to our readers?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel loved reading the Brains On! book It's Alive: From Neurons and Narwhals to the Fungus Among Us, by Molly Bloom, Marc Sanchez, and Sanden Totten, and cannot wait to share all his new facts with friends and family. — Caramel loved reading the Brains On! book *It’s Alive: From Neurons and Narwhals to the Fungus Among Us*, by Molly Bloom, Marc Sanchez, and Sanden Totten, and cannot wait to share all his new facts with friends and family.

Caramel reviews How to Speak Dragonese (Book #3 of How to Train Your Dragon Series) by Cressida Cowell

In these past few weeks, Caramel has been reading the How To Train Your Dragon books by Cressida Cowell. And he has already reviewed for our blog How To Train Your Dragon, the book that started it all, and How to Be A Pirate, the second book of the series. Today he is reviewing How To Speak Dragonese, the third book. As usual Sprinkles is taking notes and asking followup questions.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, you finished the third book of the How To Train Your Dragon series. What is the main storyline in this one?

Caramel: The main character is again Hiccup, but we meet a few new characters. Ziggerastica and Camicazi. The first one is a small dragon and the second is a Viking girl. She is from a different tribe than Hiccup. They are called the Bog Burglars.

S: So there are some new characters. That is interesting. Tell me then: what is happening?

C: There are Romans in this one. They have a hidden outpost called Fort Sinister and they are trying to take all the dragons in the Barbaric Archipelago and turn them into handbags or food.

S: Oh, so Hiccup’s task is to save the dragons from the Romans?

C: Yes.

S: And he does this with the cooperation of his friends and dragons?

C: Yes, Fishlegs and Toothless help him. But my favorite character in the book is Gobber.

S: Who is that?

C: Gobber the Belch is a Hairy Hooligan, from Hiccup’s tribe. His funniest line in the story is in the back of the book:

“THE BOAT SORT OF SANK?” roared Gobber. “YOU CALL YOURSELVES VIKINGS AND YOU SORT OF SINK YOUR OWN BOAT ON A PERFECTLY CALM DAY TWO HUNDRED METERS FROM YOUR OWN ISLAND? WHAT KIND OF HOOLIGANS ARE YOU ANYWAYS? YOU CAN’T BUILD BOATS, YOU CAN’T TRAIN DRAGONS, FISHLEGS HERE CAN’T EVEN SWIM…”
“Saltwater brings out my eczema…” mumbled Fishlegs.

Caramel is reading How to Speak Dragonese (Book #3 of How to Train Your Dragon Series) by Cressida Cowell. — Caramel is reading *How to Speak Dragonese* (Book #3 of How to Train Your Dragon Series) by Cressida Cowell.

S: I know you have loved reading these books not only because they remind you of the animated series or the movies but also because they are absolutely hilarious. Is this book as funny as the first two?

C: Yes. Possibly even funnier.

S: So I bet “hilarious” could be one of your descriptive words for this book, right?

C: Yes definitely.

S: What other words would you add to that to describe this book? We usually give three. So you need two more.

C: Good plot twists and neat illustrations.

S: Hmm, that is more than two more words, but you described the reasons why you liked the book well. So do you see yourself rereading this book?

C: Yes, and you should read it too. But now I need to move to the next book. At the very end there is something like a cliffhanger. So I want to know what happens next.

S: Hmm, then let us not delay you too much. What do you want to tell our readers?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel really enjoyed How to Speak Dragonese (Book #3 of How to Train Your Dragon Series) by Cressida Cowell, and is looking forward to moving on to the next book. — Caramel really enjoyed *How to Speak Dragonese* (Book #3 of How to Train Your Dragon Series) by Cressida Cowell, and is looking forward to moving on to the next book.

Caramel reviews How to Be A Pirate (Book #2 of How to Train Your Dragon Series) by Cressida Cowell

Last week Caramel reviewed How To Train Your Dragon, the book that started a whole franchise, written by Cressida Cowell. Today he is talking about the second book in the series: How to Be A Pirate. As usual Sprinkles is taking notes and asking followup questions.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, tell us about this book.

Caramel: This book is the second book of the How To Train Your Dragon series. And I think you should read this book too!

S: Tell me more.

C: In this book, we learn about a new dragon called a Skullion. They live on the Isle of the Skullions. The Vikings have to go to that island to find the treasure of Grimbeard the Ghastly. But there is a decoy instead of the real treasure.

S: Oh, don’t give away too many clues!

C: And Snotlout finds the decoy, but he still brags about it. He thinks he found the real treasure. And everyone believes him. Until Hiccup finds the real treasure.

S: Oh that sounds exciting!

C: Then there is a new character named Alvin. He is supposed to be an honest farmer but he turns out to be not so honest. But I won’t tell anymore. You must read it yourself.

S: Okay, I agree that you already told us a lot. So let us stop here with the plot.

S: Tell us now about the drawings in the book.

C: There are pictures on almost every other page.

S: Who is the illustrator?

C: Cressida Cowell both wrote and illustrated the book.

S: That is really interesting! Tell me about one of your favorite illustrations in the book then Caramel.

C: There is a drawing of the Skullions and there is all the statistics about them there too. That is where you learn that the Skullion is about ten feet tall, and it cannot fly or see or hear, but it has a very good sense of smell, and is extremely dangerous.

S: Hmm, that sounds worrisome. And Hiccup and the others still have to go to the Isle of Skullions, right?

C: Yes.

S: But the pictures are pretty good, right? There are all sorts of illustrations …

C: Yes, there is one with Toothless doing his poo in Alvin’s helmet.

S: That is pretty naughty!

C: It is! And then there is another one with Toothless trying to look innocent but kind of failing and it says “Does this look like the sort of dragon who would poo in a helmet?” Of course he does!

Caramel is pointing to the illustration of Toothless with the words "Does this look like the sort of dragon who would poo in a helmet?" around him in How to Be A Pirate (Book #2 of How to Train Your Dragon Series) by Cressida Cowell. — Caramel is pointing to the illustration of Toothless with the words “Does this look like the sort of dragon who would poo in a helmet?” around him in *How to Be A Pirate* (Book #2 of How to Train Your Dragon Series) by Cressida Cowell.

S: Okay, I can see why you like the humor in this book.

C: Yes! The book is really funny!

S: Okay, so I am guessing “funny” would be one of your words for the book. Give me two more to describe the book then.

C: Intriguing, because there is a dragon on the cover of the book but I could not learn who that is. And it is amazing, because I had a lot of fun reading it!

S: Okay, I guess those will do. So what do you want to tell our readers as we wrap this up?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel loved reading How to Be A Pirate (Book #2 of How to Train Your Dragon Series) by Cressida Cowell, and recommends it to all bunnies!