My Four Year Old Author: Jack Fell Down and Bumped his Knee

My oldest daughter has decided she wants to be an author when she grows up. So a couple of weeks ago she wrote a Little Mr. Bump story, complete with a zinger at the end (thanks to her playschool teacher). And now she's written her second book, Jack Fell Down and Bumped his Knee (March, 2011). This is a picture of the front cover. Note Jack's sore red knees. Looks like he has a bit of a shiner, too.

As soon as she showed me her story I told her it would make a great addition to this book blog. I think she'll get a kick out of seeing it on here. :)

The Pursuit of Happiness: Magpie's Treasure

When we finished reading this book this afternoon, my eldest daughter asked me if she could become a librarian when she grows up. She said she wants to draw and write books, too.

Magnus Magpie is a scavenger and a thief. Brightly coloured, shiny and glittery objects are particularly fascinating to Magnus and he steals whatever he can and takes it back to his nest in a tree. One evening Magnus is overcome by the stunning sight of the moon. He decides it would make a perfect addition to his collection so he heads off to snatch it. However, Magnus discovers the moon is more gray than golden and more dusty than luminescent. And he is very far from his tree. Soon Magnus is lonesome for his nest. It's then that he realises what he treasures the most: home.

Full of brilliantly coloured collages, Kate Slater's Magpie's Treasure (Andersen Press Ltd, 2010) teaches us a lesson in realising what is truly important in life.