Disguised Literary Classics - with pictures!

The Picture Books:
1.  Saint George and the Dragon, retold by Margaret Hodges, illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman
A retelling of Edmund Spenser's Faerie Queene, this book really helped when I finally sat down to read the original.  Granted, convincing Dr. M. that I really had read it as a child was a bit on the difficult side!



2.  Gilgamesh The King, retold and illustrated by Ludmila Zeman
A retelling of Gilgamesh, and apparently one of a series.





3.  Merlin and the Dragons, by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Li Ming
A King Arthur story, Jane Yolen has (again) created a new story that feels like an old one we should have known. 




4.  Canterbury Tales, selected, translated, and adapted by Barbara Cohen, illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman
A retelling of Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, in clear but poetic language, and beautifully illustrated.  I think she's also published some posters of individual characters, taken from this book.




5.  The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, illustrations by Gustave Dore, editor Anne Rooney
A picture book version of this famous narrative poem, the illustrations are just gorgeous, and quite helpful in providing context. 




6.  The Children's Classic Poetry Collection, compiled by Nicola Baxter, illustrated by Cathie Shuttleworth
It may look like a picture book, but it reads like a Norton!




The Novels:
7.  The Sea of Trolls, by Nancy Farmer
What happens after Beowulf?






8.  The Eyre Affaire, by Jasper Fforde
*Wicked giggles*  When you take getting lost in a book to the next level . . .





9.   Firebrand, by Marion Zimmer Bradley
This is the retelling of the fall of Troy that brought it to life for me - told from Kassandra's viewpoint.




10.  Goddess of Yesterday: A Tale of Troy, by Caroline Cooney
Another story of Troy, this one from a different viewpoint.

Great Book Club Picks

Focus for this List: It seems to me that there is a special flavor to books chosen by book clubs. They tend to be complex, depressing, and bogged down in reality. That said, I do understand that if the primary reaction to a book is, "Wow, what a fabulous book!  What else has the author written?" then there may not be much to discuss. Thus, this list is my take on books that provoke discussion, while also being good reads!  PS: I tend not to like depressing, thus, most of these books are a bit more upbeat!


Fiction:
1.  Children No More by Mark Van Name
Externally, this is about the partnership between a hero and his hyper-intelligent assault vehicle. (Yes, it's great science-fiction.) Internally, however, this is a heart-wrenching story about the rehabilitation of children who are forced to become soldiers. Another reason to read this with a book club? Mark is donating ALL the profits from ALL the sales of this book (regardless of format) to Falling Whistles, a charity that focuses on rehabilitating and reintegrating child soldiers. Look HERE for more details. Help save children while enjoying a good story.

2.  Keeping Faith by Jodi Picoult

I have almost every novel Jodi Picoult has written, and they've all kept me up late, and drained me of tears, many, many times. She has a knack for really exploring an ethical issue, from so many different perspectives. Thus, her novels are ideal for book clubs because there is so much to discuss. This particular book of hers is one that had me up late thinking hard about belief, and trying to decide who in the book I did believe. It's a fascinating book and I think you'll enjoy discussing it with friends.

3. Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

I didn't think I was going to like this book, I really didn't. Then this memoir grabbed me by the heart and wouldn't let go. The hype on this one is right -- go ahead and enjoy!  I just bought the sequel, and will let you know what I think!

4. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

After hearing so many of my book club's members rave about how wonderful this book is, I decided that hey, $4 for the Kindle version wasn't too much to pay. It was fabulous. 1930s circuses, romance, danger, intrigue, historical details, and the best elephant in fiction today. Surprisingly enough, it's also a moving examination of what it is to be old. So, I know this isn't a radically different suggestion for a book club read, but it is a good one! 

5.  The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

When word of this book first started circulating, I assumed it was about anorexia. Wow, was I wrong! Instead, it's my new favorite dystopia, which comments directly on our current culture of reality shows, and the wide divide between the haves and the have-nots. It's thought provoking, and each book in the trilogy kept me glued to the pages well into the morning hours.  There is a LOT to discuss here, and I find myself wandering around, wanting to talk to others who've read it -- a sure sign of a good book-club book! 

Nonfiction

6. My Life as an Experiment: One Man's Humble Quest to Improve Himself by Living as a Woman, Becoming George Washington, Telling No Lies, and Other Radical Tests by A.J. Jacobs

This fascinating and well-written book is a summation of all the crazy odd experiments that the author has written about in his articles and other books, The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible, and The Know-It-All: One Man's Humble Quest to Become the Smartest Person in the World. This amusing book is particularly easy to read in chunks, and leads to some interesting discussions.

7. Deep Survival: Who Lives, Who Dies, and Why by Laurence Gonzales

I've been raving about how amazing this book is for years now. What delights me is how many people come back from having read it, raving themselves about what an interesting and helpful book it is. Granted, there are some really technical bits, but then again, don't book clubs delight in books with difficult bits? That said, the author's journalistic background shows in the fabulous (and true) stories that he tells as ways of making his point. 

8.  The Anatomy of Hope: How People Prevail in the Face of Illness by Dr. Jerome Groopman

It's been a while since I read this one, but I do remember it being a very thoughtful examination of what makes up true hope, and how it can affect you. I gave a copy to a friend who is a minister, and she said it was just full of sermon illustrations. Give it a look!

9.  The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell (or Blink, or Outliers, if you've already read that one!)

Malcolm Gladwell has a very engaging way of writing about ideas by telling stories. Best of all, these books will change the way you think -- or the way you think about thinking -- and you'll find yourself quoting his stories at parties for years to come. 

10. "Why Do I Love These People?": Understanding, Surviving, and Creating Your Own Family, by Po Bronson

I've decided that this fellow is one of my new favorite authors. His newest book, NurtureShock: New Thinking About Children, was particularly thought provoking as my husband and I are both teachers.  Either of these books would make great book club choices. One focuses on telling stories from interviews with various people about what makes up their families. The answers will broaden your understanding of the possibilities and make you reexamine your own family relationships.  The other, NurtureShock, focuses on collating and summarizing all of the most recent discoveries in the field of child development. Most of the research I'd already heard of, as it was announced, but having it all put together in context was amazingly helpful, and helped me rethink teenage arguing, among other things! Check out nurtureshock.com for essays & other tidbits from the book. 

So, what's YOUR favorite book-club pick?

Classics: Lavishly Illustrated Picture Books

Focus for this list: I have a weakness for elaborately illustrated picture books; I also love the classic fairy tales, myths, and legends. This list focuses on the intersection between those two passions. And yes, I do love the Pre-Raphaelite artists.
In this age of Disney and Pixar adaptations, I often wonder if the kids have ever heard the original story. Mind you, these picture books are written as read-alouds, and so your little one probably won't be able to read them independently until late elementary - early middle school.  As read-alouds for 1st - 3rd graders, they're fabulous!

1.  Snow White as retold and illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman
One of my favorite artists, her very realistically drawn scenes draw one in. If you look closely, you'll usually find someone, or something looking back at you!  This is one of my all-time favorite books.


2.  Little Red Riding Hood as retold and illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman
This book won the Caldecott Honor Medal in 1984, and remains my favorite take on that tale. 


3. Rapunzel as retold by Barbara Rogasky, illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman
This is the classic version, with the eyes and the twin babies. Having read some of Jane Yolen's commentary on the story, I see it a bit differently now.


4.  The Sleeping Beauty as retold and illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman
Did I mention that she's one of my favorite artists?  I meant it!  She also does a wonderful job of retelling the stories using language that is clear, and yet complex enough to retain the beauty of the story.


5.  The Twelve Dancing Princesses as retold by Marianna Mayer, and illustrated by K. Y. Craft
See? This isn't just a list of gorgeous books by T.S.H. really, it isn't!  If you've not heard of this story, you're missing out. Enjoy!


6.  Tam Lin as retold by Jane Yolen, and illustrated by Charles Mikolaycak
Of all the fairy tales, I think this one is perhaps the spookiest. It's also one of my favorites as it hinges on the bravery of the female protagonist. Jane Yolen has a talent for breathing life into these stories that few can match.


7. Cupid and Psyche as told by M. Charlotte Craft and illustrated by K.Y. Craft
It's one of those stories that you're supposed to learn, perhaps by osmosis. This book illustrates it powerfully. 


8.  The Mightiest Heart by Lynn Cullen, illustrated by Laurel Long
This is a tragic but beautiful Welsh legend, retold.  Dog lovers, beware, this one will make you weep.


9.  Baba Yaga and Vasilisa the Brave as told by Marianna Mayer and illustrated by K.Y. Craft
This has the most (delightfully) horrifying portrait of Baba Yaga I've ever seen. If you're going to read it to a child, though, keep in mind that the beginning is rather terrifying, and that it gets better. 
 

10.  The Dancing Pig by Judy Sierra and illustrated by Jesse Sweetwater
This retelling of a classic Balinese story is just charming. I'm trying to track down other books illustrated by Jesse Sweetwater.  Enjoy!