Those magic changes grace our lives in the most unexpected ways. They appear when we least expect them, bringing a sense of wonder and enchantment. Whether it be witnessing the birth of a newborn baby or experiencing the beauty of nature in all its glory, these magical changes never fail to captivate our hearts and minds. One of the most magical changes that grace our lives is the change of seasons. It is a spectacle that unfolds before our eyes, as the vibrant colors of autumn leaves transform the landscape into a breathtaking masterpiece. The crisp air invites us to cozy up with a warm cup of cocoa, while the arrival of spring brings forth a burst of new life and blossoming flowers.
John Holbo 11.30.10 at 5:10 am
Expanding from there, I ve actually been quite impressed with a lot of Scholastic s graphic novel lineup the Bone prequel by Smith and Charles Vess, the Good Neighbors series am a big fan of Ted Naifeh, the artist , Kibuishi s Copper. Kid enters strange magical world, turns out to be The Chosen One With A Special Power, has to fight the Dark Power with the help of a small band of fellow fighters and scrappy sidekicks.
The crisp air invites us to cozy up with a warm cup of cocoa, while the arrival of spring brings forth a burst of new life and blossoming flowers. Each season brings its own unique magic, reminding us of the cyclical nature of life and the beauty of change. Magic changes also happen within ourselves.
Kazu Kibuishi’s Amulet
Here’s my pre-X-Mas best books for kids #1 top recommendation: Kazu Kibuishi’s Amulet series. Volumes 1-3 are out so far. So start with The Stonekeeper [amazon]. How they can sell a 200 page full-color graphic novel for under $7 and turn a profit is beyond me.
You can find preview material here. One word about the prologue to volume 1: it’s disturbing because the dad dies. My daughters (ages 6 and 9) almost gave up because that scene upset them so much (note to self: don’t die in car accident). But then it turns into a ripping yarn with a girl hero. Both girls are now of the considered opinion that the Amulet books are ‘the best books ever’.
Check out the rest of Kibuishi’s site – his gallery gives a good sample of his style. I’m thinking about buying my daughters a print for their wall. Maybe ‘the walking house’. Which is the final page from The Stonekeepers. I’ve enjoyed the Kibuishi edited Flight books for several years already. Here’s the preview page for vol. 7. “Premium Cargo” is the best story! Daisy Kutter was good Old West Steampunk fun, but Amulet raises the bar. Not that the story is new. Kid enters strange magical world, turns out to be The Chosen One With A Special Power, has to fight the Dark Power with the help of a small band of fellow fighters and scrappy sidekicks. But it really bounces along in a clever and good-hearted way. Solid dialogue, distinctive characterizations. Nice mix of humor and seriousness and action and sweeping visual spectacle. Stylistically, and world-design-wise, Kibuishi owes a lot to a lot of folks, from Jeff Smith to Hayao Miyazaki. But he’s got his own style, for sure, and it’s a distinct pleasure just to flip through the pages.
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Dave Maier 11.28.10 at 6:09 pm
Amulet is okay — I’ll check out v.3 when the library gets it — but for my money Flight is the real treat. Of course I’m not 6-9 years old, so ymmv.
grackle 11.28.10 at 9:42 pm
Thanks for the tip! Ordered for the grandchild as soon as I saw this. I’m especially grateful for your kids recommendation.
Helen 11.29.10 at 12:50 am
Does anyone have any good ideas for the mid-teens?
John Holbo 11.29.10 at 1:19 am
Hi Dave. Yeah, “Amulet” is definitely for kids, but I really enjoyed it a lot more than I enjoy most stuff aimed at this age. A lot of little things go right. Example: I read it out loud (6-year old can’t read yet, 9-year old isn’t fully up to speed) and find it’s really easy to do a different voice for each character. Good writing. Somehow it manages to hit that “Raiders of the Lost Ark” sweet spot of genre cliche that feels clean and direct rather than just done-before. (“Bone” meets “Laputa: City in the Sky”.)
Also, it’s unpredictable. I’m going to go out on a limb here and predict the heroine wins through in the end, and saves the world. But, three volumes in, I have no idea how that’s going to happen.
Also, I find it seriously difficult to find enough books with girl heroines. Also, boys will like it fine because, as in any fantasy story, there are plenty of good boy characters, too.
Helen, I don’t really know. I think by the mid-teens it depends a lot on the individual teen-ager.
ArC 11.29.10 at 11:30 pm
Yes, I love Amulet and Kibuishi’s other books. Expanding from there, I’ve actually been quite impressed with a lot of Scholastic’s graphic novel lineup: the Bone prequel by Smith and Charles Vess, the Good Neighbors series (am a big fan of Ted Naifeh, the artist), Kibuishi’s Copper…
John Holbo 11.30.10 at 5:10 am
Haven’t tried “Good Neighbors”, ArC – will have to give it a look-see – but I agree that Scholastic is doing surprisingly well with the “Bone” stuff, as well. I am strangely lukewarm on “Copper”, despite liking everything else Kibuishi does.
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We are constantly evolving and growing, adapting to new experiences and challenges. Sometimes, we may feel stagnant or stuck in a rut, but suddenly, something shifts within us, and we are transformed. It may be a newfound confidence or a renewed sense of purpose that guides us on a new path. These internal changes have the power to shape our lives in profound ways, leading us towards personal growth and fulfillment. The world is full of countless examples of magic changes that grace our lives, both big and small. From witnessing a breathtaking sunset to finding love unexpectedly, these moments have the ability to make us believe in the extraordinary. They remind us that there is more to life than what meets the eye and that magic can be found in the simplest of things. It is important to embrace these magical changes and approach life with an open heart and mind. By doing so, we allow ourselves to fully experience the wonder and joy that they bring. So, let us cherish and celebrate these moments of magic, for they have the power to transform our lives and infuse them with beauty and enchantment..
Reviews for "The Alluring Power of Magic in Grace's Ever-Changing Nature"
1. Sarah - 1/5 stars - I was really excited to watch "Those Magic Changes Grace" because I had heard great things about it, but I was sorely disappointed. The storyline was weak and predictable, and the acting was subpar. The characters lacked depth and development, making it hard for me to care about their struggles. The musical numbers were also lackluster and forgettable. Overall, I found the film to be a total letdown and would not recommend it to others.
2. John - 2/5 stars - "Those Magic Changes Grace" had its moments, but overall, I found it to be mediocre at best. The plot had potential, but it felt rushed and poorly executed. The dialogue was cheesy and cliché, making it hard to take the film seriously. The performances were mediocre, with the exception of a few standout actors. The musical numbers were passable, but they lacked the wow factor that I was expecting. All in all, I wouldn't consider this film to be a must-watch.
3. Emma - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Those Magic Changes Grace," but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The characters were poorly developed, and their motivations seemed unclear. The pacing was off, with some scenes dragging on while others felt rushed. The musical numbers were underwhelming and didn't leave a lasting impression. I also found the film to be overly sentimental, which took away from the overall enjoyment. Overall, I was disappointed with the lack of depth in this film and would not watch it again.
4. David - 1/5 stars - "Those Magic Changes Grace" was a complete waste of my time. The plot was unoriginal and full of clichés. The acting was amateurish, and it was obvious that the cast was struggling to bring life to their characters. The songs were forgettable and poorly performed. I found myself yawning throughout most of the film, waiting for something exciting to happen, but it never did. I would not recommend this film to anyone looking for quality entertainment.