Cozy Classics: Emma

 

Published: December 5th, 2013

Cozy Classics: Emma (Cozy Classics)

By: Jack Wang, Holman Wang

Simply Read Books

ISBN-13:  9781927018378

 

Give a kid a classic!  Cozy Classics is the popular board book series that presents well-loved stories to children aged 0+ through twelve child-friendly words twelve needle-felted illustrations.  Jane Austen's Emma is a romantic comedy about a young woman who makes mischief through matchmaking, and is one of the world's most beloved classics.  Now you can share this classic with children of any age.  www.mycozyclassics.com

 

Review

 

     What to say, what to say.....how much can I tell you about a board book that consists only of twelve pages/words/photo illustration-thingys?  Well, I can tell you that it was absolutely hilarious to read this as an adult!  I adored the felt puppet-tastic illustrations!  They were so well-staged, which I suppose is still difficult even though it does get around working with real people as models like it would in live-action photography.  And while it cuts out the drawing aspect of art it still takes craftsmanship to stage one of these scenes, let alone twelve of them.  The synopsis makes sure to tell you that this book is a romantic comedy.  From the words chosen though, you don't really take away any romantic context unless you happen to know the story of Emma prior to reading this little slice of the original story.  It introduces the reader to Emma and Knightley (lady and man, respectively), shows Emma taking Harriet from Mr. Martin (Goodbye).  Then it goes to Emma trying to set Harriet up with Mr. Elton (Hello), Knightley questioning Emma about her matchmaking (Why), and Mr. Elton's proposal to Emma herself (the surprise on puppet Emma's face, alongside the word 'Surprise!' was especially amusing)!  Next Frank Churchill (Weston? Can't remember) is seen carrying Harriet (Carry), in someone's house with her (Thanks), Emma and Frank laughing at poor old Miss Bates who looks dejected (Laugh). 

     Then the climax of the book happens when Knightley scolds Emma (Angry), Emma admits her wrong actions and they make up (Sorry).  The last page has the word 'Happy', with Emma and Knightley arm-in-arm and Robert Martin behind them with Harriet.  As someone who knows the story in detail, I have the nuances of the story already in my background knowledge and am able to interpret romantic intent.  As such, I don't think a child would necessarily get it unless it was explained a little bit better by a parent/whoever is reading it to them or with them.  The book hits the high points, but the thing with Miss Bates does seem pretty out of place based on the other eleven pages/words included.  Also, when we saw the Frank puppet I thought it was Mr. Knightley and couldn't figure out why he looked different.  It wasn't till his last page (laughing with Emma) that I made the connection.  Other than that, this book was absolutely adorable.  I am truly excited to read more in this series.  I especially want to see how these guys manage to tell Les Miserables in only 12 words!  I highly recommend it for anyone, even adults who don't have kids to use as a reason to read these books - you don't need the justification! :)

 

First thoughts:  OH. MY. GOD.  Absolutely hilarious!  Only 12 words to describe this classic novel, accompanied by pictures of little dolls staged to act things out.  I am in love and need to read all the others in this series.  Oh, the possibilities!  I wonder how in the ever-loving, HELL the people behind this managed to do Les Miserables or War & Peace!  More on this later!

 

VERDICT:  4/5  Stars

 

*I received an Advanced Reading E-book Copy from the publisher, Simply Read Books, via NetGalley.  No money or favors were exchanged for this review.  This book was published December 5th, 2013.*

Mansfield Park, Revisited: All The World's a Stage

Expected Publication:  February 26th, 2013
The Trouble With Flirting
By: Claire LaZebnik
HarperTeen
ISBN-13:  9780061921278

Franny's supposed to be working this summer, not flirting. But you can't blame her when guys like Alex and Harry are around. . . .

Franny Pearson never dreamed she'd be attending the prestigious Mansfield Summer Theater Program. And she's not, exactly. She's working for her aunt, the resident costume designer. But sewing her fingers to the bone does give her an opportunity to spend time with her crush, Alex Braverman. If only he were as taken with the girl hemming his trousers as he is with his new leading lady.

When Harry Cartwright, a notorious flirt, shows more than a friendly interest in Franny, she figures it can't hurt to have a little fun. But as their breezy romance grows more complicated, can Franny keep pretending that Harry is just a carefree fling? And why is Alex suddenly giving her those deep, meaningful looks? In this charming tale of mixed messages and romantic near-misses, one thing is clear: Flirting might be more trouble than Franny ever expected.

Review

 

     Franny Pearson dreamed of being an actor when she was younger, but when she entered high school her parents pushed her to give it up and focus on sports.  But now with a messed up arm, baseball is no longer part of the equation.  Due to bad financial circumstances since her parents' divorce, Franny is forced to get a summer job to start saving for college.  So her Mom sends her to be her seamstress Aunt's apprentice for the summer, working on costumes for the Mansfield College summer theater program.  But sewing isn't the only thing taking up her time and occupying her mind.  Franny is soon torn between Harry Cartwright, a notorious flirt who seems to be all superficial and Alex Braverman, who is always switching between hot and cold (plus he's in a relationship with Harry's friend Isabelle).  Will Franny end up with the boy of her dreams?  And will he be who she expects?  I loved this book quite a lot.  LaZebnik has a talent with Jane Austen re-tellings and this one, as her second, fared even better than the first one in my opinion.  I am a freak of nature among the majority of Austen fans whose favorite novel is usually Pride and Prejudice.  Mine is tied between Mansfield Park and Persuasion.  So when I saw this book on an ARC tour site, I was dying to see how she'd manage to make it at ALL swoonworthy, when the original just barely manages that in any capacity.  I liked that the author developed Franny and lent her a few obvious to the reader character flaws, lacking in the original novel.  Franny is rather shallow at the beginning (not that she realizes this), but she develops a lot by the end.  I also like Isabelle, her sometimes rival, more than in the original book.  She was portrayed more human and sympathetic in this one, at least for me personally.  Julia and Marie were just as horrid in this retelling as in Austen's novel, which was okay with me.  I was impressed with the romantic plot twist near the end.  Did not see it coming AT ALL (though I probably should have).  Overall, really loved this Austen retelling.  I think that even people who are not fans of the original Mansfield Park will enjoy this one.  The theater setting was a very nice idea and it lent something important to the novel overall.  I found it especially funny, as theater was not something that was considered an activity for those in polite society back in the time of the original novel.  They even attempt to stage a play and are scolded by Mr. Price (Edmund's Dad and Fanny's Uncle) when he comes home and finds the girls involved.  My main complaint is that the ARC cut off mid-sentence and seemed to be missing the last few pages.  As a reader, that sucked.   

 

VERDICT:  4.5/5  Stars

 

*I received this book as part of Around the World ARC Tours, run by the lovely Princess Bookie. No favors or money were exchanged for this review. It will be available for purchase on February 26th, 2013.*