MMGM: The Invention of Hugo Cabret

Today's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday pick:

The Invention of Hugo Cabret, by Brian Selznick

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

Written and illustrations by Brian Selznick

Scholastic, 2007
Ages 8-12, Lexile 820
533 pages, 26000 words


Themes:
orphans, film, history, inventing


Opening:
The opening is wordless. You can find it on the official site.
http://www.theinventionofhugocabret.com/slideshow.htm


Thoughts:
Hugo Cabret is a 12 year-old boy living in France during the magical fin de siecle. His father was a museum director with an aptitude for tinkering and his uncle was a clock-keeper in the Gare de Montparnasse. Hugo inherits his family's gifts plus an iron determination to rebuild the automaton his father left behind. With the help of an adventurous bookworm and the interference of her grandfather, a mysterious old toymaker, Hugo uncovers one family's deepest secrets.

I was blow away by this book when it first appeared and frankly still am. I was familiar with Brian Selznick's picture book work (The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins) and fascinated by the visual nature of the novel (and I use that word loosely.) With wordless, illustrated segments comprising over half the book, it almost feels like a graphic novel, or a flip book, both of which I was fascinated with in my youth. Selznick immerses the reader in the narrative in a way I hadn't seen before. And when the main character began to reveal the book's historical moorings, I was delighted to find links to other people and events I cared about.

Unlock the magic yourself...but do yourself a favor. Invest in the Hardback paper version. The cinematic nature of the book doesn't lend itself to a digital format.

Last Friday I compared the book with the movie version, Hugo.

Bonus: 
1. I love the interview with Brian Selznick on The National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature. You can also find one on Reading Rockets and a bibliography and bio on KidsReads.

2. Brian has built a career out of his quirky taste. Wonderstruck and The Marvels are not to be missed.

3. Brian Selznick lists 20 of his favorite books for kids on Gwarlingo.

4. How Brian Selznick's drawings became a book.



5. The Invention of Hugo Cabret was also reviewed by Jasmine Marie, the Bookish Mama

6. If you liked The Invention of Hugo Cabret, other MMGM bloggers recommend

The Search for Wondla,
by Tony DiTerlizzi

The Search for Wondla, by Tony DiTerlizzi
Reviewed by Shannon Messenger on Ramblings of a WannaBe Scribe, Night Writer, and The Hopeful Heroine

Circus Mirandus,
by Cassie Beasley

Circus Mirandus, by Cassie Beasley, illustrated by Diana Sudyka,
Reviewed by
Geo Librarian
My Brain on Books
Middle Grade Mania

Echo, by Pam Ryan

Echo, by Pam Munoz Ryan, cover art by Dinara Mirtalipova
Reviewed by
Writer in the Rain
Children's Books Heal
Susan Uhlig

The Amulet, book 1,
The Stonekeeper
by Kazu Kibuishi

The Amulet series by Kazu Kabuishi,
Reviewed by Night Writer

I highly recommend Matt Phelan's books including Around the World and Bluffington.
Also check out Rapunzel's Revenge, by Shannon and Dean Hale and Nathan Hale.

Around the World, a pictorial novel

Bluffington, an illustrated book about young Buster Keaton

Check out all the recommended titles for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday for July 31, 2017 available on Shannon Messenger's Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe.

Feel free to leave your MG recommendations in the comments. Thanks!

Now Playing: Hugo

Perfect Picture Book Friday will return in September.

Until then,

Welcome to the Bookish Ambition 

Summer Drive-In

The Circle Drive-In from my childhood. Still open and now with double features on two screens!

Now Playing: Hugo
The Invention of Hugo Cabret, written and illustrated by Brian Selznick
Scholastic Press, 2007
Ages 8-12, Lexile 8200L

Hugo, G K Films, 2011

The Invention of Hugo Cabret,
Written and illustrated by Brian Selznick

 

Highlights from the book? 

• The subtle and emotional art
• The creation of a half-novel-half-wordless book
• Selznick's amazing blend of fiction and reality
• The sequential, cinematic feel of the book
• The re-introduction of art-heavy books for "big kids"

Highlights from the movie?

• Perfect cinematic depiction of the novel
• Ben Kingsley
• Steam, clockworks, and automata
• Directed by Martin Scorsese
• Score by Howard Shore

Opening:

You'll find the opening pages on Brian's website.
http://www.theinventionofhugocabret.com/slideshow.htm

Movie Trailer:


Thoughts:
The book is almost a movie the way it tells a story through wordless art sections and magical prose. Only film makers with a keen eye and dedication to the original novel could pull off a worthy adaptation, and boy does the crew of this movie do just that. Some viewers may find the pacing slow, because it definitely runs at a thoughtful speed, but the careful observer will revel in the details. Fans of the book will notice familiar camera angles and close-ups. Newcomers will be fascinated by the intricate world-building.

This interview with Brian Selznick by Ed Vulliamy for the Guardian compares the book and movie better than I ever could and sneaks a peek at Wonderstruck coming to theaters in October.

Reminisce with intermission commercials
from Captain Bijou on You Tube.

Visit Our Snackbar!

If you fondly recall anthropomorphic food dancing across the screen, then you know this week's snackbar must-have is PIZZA!

If you're ever in Northeast PA, grab a wood fired pizza pie at Big Ten, one of my all-time favorite pizza places. Comet Ping Pong in downtown DC is a must-see. Their balsamic "Dream" pizza is worth driving a few hours out of your way. And if you're "down the shore," stop in at DJ's new location for a personal flatbread.

In the mood for something sweeter?
Hungry Happenings designed a strawberry-kiwi fruit pizza that looks like a watermelon. Confusing, but delicious.


Nostalgic for a drive-in movie? There are over 5,000 drive-in theaters across the U.S. mapped for you on Cinema Treasures.

Buy new-vintage at Lawnchair USA

If you can't see past your dashboard, you can bring your own seating. Remember those aluminum folding chairs from the early fifties? We must have rewebbed our a dozen times over. Shelterrific has posted beautiful step-by-step instructions for a vintage look. Modern DIYers may have more comfotable solutions. Lindsay on Better After posts a clever canvas and rope solution, while both DIY Network and A Beautiful Mess opt for macrame versions.

Have you seen Hugo? What's your opinion?
Reviewed The Invention of Hugo Cabret? Please leave the link in the comments below. Thanks!

Check out all the Summer-Drive-in reviews for 2017.
Tune-in next week for the Marvelous Middle Grade Monday review for The Invention of Hugo Cabret, coming July 31, 2017.

PPBF: Float

Today's Perfect Picture Book Friday pick



Wordless masterpiece Float, by David Miyares

Float
Written and illustrated by Daniel Miyares
Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers, 2015
Ages 4-8, 48 pages


Themes:
wordless, outdoor, exploration


Opening:
This book is wordless, but the story opens with a dad making a newspaper boat for his son on a rainy day.


Synopsis:
From the Amazon description:
"A little boy takes a boat made of newspaper out for a rainy-day adventure. The boy and his boat dance in the downpour and play in the puddles, but when the boy sends his boat floating down a gutter stream, it quickly gets away from him...the little boy goes on the hunt for his beloved boat—and when the rain lets up, he finds himself on a new adventure altogether."


What I Love:
It's difficult to put into words the power of pictures. Simon & Schuster has posted a selection of spreads from the book which convey some of the magic of Float.

The graphic style and use of the bright yellow raincoat to define the character are an homage to Snowy Day, and yet so much more.

Plus-endpapers! Daniel uses his brilliantly, as an invitation to participate in the story, instructions for your own newspaper boat and...well, that would be giving the ending away.


Bonus:  

1. Origami Instructions gives step-by-step photos as well as a video for folding your own paper boat or look on OrigamiPie for a printable chart.
2. You'll find an in depth interview with the author/illustrator on Seven Impossible Things, a radio interview on KCUR, and a podcast on All The Wonders.
3. Reading Rockets features a great post on how to share a wordless picture book with children.
4. Why stay inside? Try splatter painting with raindrops from LittlePageTurner or an outdoor mud pie kitchen from WilderChild.
5. Prefer indoor board games? Mr.Printables invented a Chutes and Ladders spin-off called Rain and Rainbows.
6. This is the perfect time to introduce kids to Gene Kelly: Watch Singin' In The Rain, or at least show them this clip of the famous musical number. While you're at it, why not memorize the steps and act it out during your next downpour?
7. Study the weather with a homemade rain gage from Imagination Tree.
8. Check out these and more Perfect Picture Books at your local library.



 



Reviewed by Clarike



Reviewed by Beth



Reviewed by Kerry

Reviewed by Joanne



Reviewed by Sue

Reviewed by Mary





Link to NPR

Link to Goodreads

 

Have you reviewed a Perfect Picture Book along this theme? Please leave the link in the comments below. Thanks!

Check out all the recommended titles for Perfect Picture Book Friday
for Friday, April 29, 2016 available on Susanna Leonard Hill's blog.

PPBF: The Apple and the Butterfly

Today's Perfect Picture Book Friday pick

The Apple and the Butterfly,
by Iela and Enzo Mari

The Apple and the Butterfly
Written and Illustrated by Iela Mari and Enzo Mari
Reprinted Stern, Price, Sloan, 2013 (original Bompiani, 1969 and Pantheon, 1970)
Preschool-2nd grade, wordless

Themes:
Wordless, Science, Non-fiction


Synopsis:
This wordless picture book takes the reader on the journey of a butterfly life-cycle. In graphic, but realistic style, the author / illustrators beautifully portray how a butterfly lays her egg on an apple blossom, how the egg becomes a tiny caterpillar who eats his way out of the center of the fruit, how the caterpillar feeds on the apple tree, makes a chrysalis, emerges as a butterfly, and begins the cycle again.

What I Love:
When I happened on a modern copy of this book in a book store, I had no idea artist Iela and designer Enzo created it in 1969! That explains the limited use of color, but don't let that stop you from sharing this marvelous book with your young nature lovers. It has a fresh look and a timeless appeal which can teach little ones to appreciate the intricacy of creation even while it informs, all in an approachable wordless package.

Interior illustrations,
Courtesy Babyccino Kids

Bonus:
1. You can find more books by the Maris on The Animalarium.
2. Learn the facts about butterflies on The Children's Butterfly Site.
3. The Butterfly Site offers free coloring pages.
4. The Australian site Nudie has instructions for kids on how to grow an apple tree or find fun facts about apples on Science Kids.
5. KinderCare invented an adorable peanut butter and banana caterpillar.
6. Make your own crafty pasta life cycle on A Nation of Moms or a technicolor butterfly suncatcher from MiniEco.
7. Check out these and more Perfect Picture Books at your local library.

Reviewed by Erik

Reviewed by Laura Anne

Reviewed by Clarike

Reviewed by Sue

Have you reviewed a Perfect Picture Book along this theme? Please leave the link in the comments below. Thanks!




Check out all the recommended titles for Perfect Picture Book Friday
for May 1, 2015 available on Susanna Leonard Hill's blog.

PPBF: Unspoken, A Story from the Underground Railroad

Today's pick

Unspoken, A Story from the Underground Railroad
Written and Illustrated
by Henry Cole

Scholastic, 2012, Historical Fiction, ages 6-9, wordless

Themes:
Civil War, slavery, history, decision-making



Opening: The story begins with the main character watching Confederate soldiers riding past her farm.

Synopsis:
This wordless picture book is based on events in Henry Cole's family history. When a runaway slave hides on the family farm on his way north, a little girl must decide between right and wrong, compassion and duty.

Courtesy Henry Cole

What I Love:
Being wordless gives it a secretive air. Being rendered in pencil evokes not only a historical tone, but a pensive mood appropriate for the moral struggle it portrays. The fascinating back matter explains more about the Cole family history, setting, and the impetus for the books creation. Unspoken is a beautiful book which begs discussion of important subjects: human rights, loyalty vs virtue, moral decision-making.

Bonus:

Visit Loudoun County, VA

1. Visit a civil war or underground railroad historic sites. Don't forget to discuss.
2. Sharpen your non-verbal skills. Tell a story in pantomime or play some charades.
3. Revisit your own family history by rummaging through old photos and telling family stories and legends.



Check out all the recommended titles for Perfect Picture Book Friday for May 31, 2013 from Susanna Leonard Hill.

A more detailed synopsis for last week's pick: Tallulah's Tutu will be posted here tomorrow, but linked from this post. Thanks.