Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland: A visual companion

Mark Salisbury

Disney Hyperion

$50.00

March 2010

FTC: I received this book from the publisher with the understanding that I would provide an honest review for no compensation.

Total grade: A

Total rating: 12+

Summary: (Amazon)

Think you know the classic story of Alice and her adventures in Wonderland? Think again. Renowned director and producer Tim Burton (The Nightmare Before Christmas, Corpse Bride, James and the Giant Peach, Edward Scissorhands, Beatlejuice, Batman) has applied his signature stamp to this beloved tale, and will be sharing it with audiences in 2010! This splendid "Making/Art of" will take readers to the world behind Burton’s camera, revealing the secrets of performance-capture technology, the marriage of live-action and CGI technology, and displaying its singular style in a deluxe, artistic format. Fans will delight in reading about Johnny Depp's performance as The Mad Hatter, and Ann Hathaway as The White Queen, to name just a few of the star performances. And, of course, the book will chronicle Tim Burton's unique techniques.

My Thoughts:

I would like start off by saying this book was flat out gorgeous. The pictures were beautiful and it gave such an in-depth look into the making of this movie. It was enjoyable to see how all the actors felt about their characters and how they got in “the zone”. The quotes were awesome and the layout beautiful.

After reading this I can say it was enjoyable. I think this is the perfect coffee table book. The one friends will want to flip through every time they sit on your couch. Go buy this gorgeous book now.

Sing Me to Sleep

Sing me to Sleep

Angela Morrison

Razorbill

$16.99

March 2010

FTC: I received this book from the publisher with the understanding that I would provide an honest review for no compensation.

Characters 20/20

Plot 15/20

Setting 15/20

Cover 20/20

Ending 20/20

Total grade: 90% A

Total rating: 13+

Summary: (Amazon)

This novel is mildly satisfying as a "girl blossoms and meets new boy while leaving behind the faithful childhood friend who has always loved her" story. It has a number of plot threads, most of which are woven deftly together. What makes it different is that the protagonist sings in a girls' youth choir, and a major part of the action takes place at an international competition with an elite boys' choir. Unattractive Beth sings like an angel. When rich Meadow loses her solo to Beth, she magnanimously arranges for Beth to have a makeover that transforms her into a beauty, just before they leave for Switzerland. While there, Beth meets and falls in love with Derek, a member of the Canadian choir (How convenient that she lives so close to the border in Michigan), but it is obvious that there is something he is not telling her.

My Thoughts:

This book was not quite the story I expected when I received it. The characters of this book were fantastic. They were all shown like real people. I felt some strong connections to them!

The plot of this book had the same issue for me as Taken by Storm. It took too long to really speed up. If it would have been a bit faster pace and filled a couple small holes, it would have been superb.

I didn’t feel that the setting was as good in this book as it could have been. It was okay but not fantastic. I do absolutely adore this cover though! I wouldn’t change a thing about it. As for the ending, Angela really knows how to finish things up.

I recommend this book to fans of fairytales and romance.