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Don't ever give up on your dreams! That's the subject of a very funny, creative and extraordinary picture book, “Captain Arsenio: Inventions and (Mis) Adventures in Flight” , by Pablo Bernasconi. Captain Arsenio is an imaginary person who lived back in the late 1700's and continually strived to conquer flight. His newly found journal exploits his documentation of six of his eighteen unsuccessful, and somewhat disastrous, attempts at striving to conquer gravity. (and you can see all 18 experiments on the back inside covers.) Each of these attempts is strategically documented by text and illustration, which is what makes this ingenious book hilarious.
His first experiment is capturing many canaries and harnessing them. The fully opened two page spread shows the captain gathering the birds, running with the birds, taking off as the birds fly above his head, birds flying in different directions and then ultimately hitting head on into a tree. The text underneath the initial illustrations reads: “The selection process is demanding and exhausting. I accept only those who have wings.” The final step in each of these challenges evaluates his findings. In the case with the “Motocanary” , he writes a 3-step summation: “a). I must choose more obedient birds; b). I must test the design in a field, without any trees and c). I must always carry a ladder with me.”
He calculates the amount of time each machine stays afloat by displaying the time below each diagram and there is the author's notes written below each experiment helping the reader understand the captain a little better. What the reader will undoubtedly gleam from this enlightening and delightful book is that the Captain is continually trying and attempting again and again throughout each unsuccessful trail. “I think that if I concentrate enough birds together, the sustaining force will help me win the clouds. It cannot fail!” Each time he is about to try his next experiment, he continually writes: “It cannot fail!” I really like the portrayal of this ingenious character and his unfailing optimism and willingness to keep trying no matter how difficult the task. Through Mr. Bernasconi's humor, lessons are wonderfully taught and smiles are spread. This is a picture book that can be enjoyed by all!
Unfortunately, the name of my selected fiction book isn't very timely - or perhaps too timely. “The House on the Gulf” , by Margaret Peterson, has nothing to do with hurricanes or the current devastation along the Gulf of Mexico, but rather a very interesting and intriguing mystery. The story is written from 12-year-old Britt's point of view and carries her feelings, anxieties and limited knowledge through this page-turner.
When her older brother, Bran, gets a job to house-sit a beautiful home in Florida near the coast, she's excited to be moving out of a very poor apartment building. But, she begins to notice that Bran is acting very strangely. First, when she meets the owner, Bran practically pushes her away and barely introduces her. Was this owner mean, gruff, and perhaps even frightening? And why was Bran not allowing her or mom to use the air conditioner? And what was he keeping hidden in a locked compartment never allowing her to see its contents. This story is fast-paced, well-written and full of twists, especially near the end.
The author, Ms. Peterson, is a master at suspense and writing for young people. Some of her other books that I've reviewed include “Among the Hidden” and the “Shadow Children” series. I also reviewed her fun and funny “Say What?” book from last year's review. This is a great book for 8 to 12-year olds.