Nominated for a 2007 Cybil in Fantasy and Sci Fi.

Red Spikes by Margo Lanagan.

This third book of short stories by Lanagan demonstrates exactly how short story collections should work.  I consider Lanagan a student of Ray Bradbury, whose short story collections filled my teenage summers.  Like Bradbury, Lanagan takes a supernatural or science fiction genre and delicately creates stories that within a few short pages create entire worlds.  Lanagan’s stories are surprising, wondrous and at times quite horrific. 

One never quite knows where the story is headed, when the twist is coming, or if there will be a twist at all.  It makes the reading of the stories a very dynamic and engaging activity.  Unlike novels, there is no settling in with characters, no constant narration, no ground to rest on.  Here there is only the whirl of worlds, the dance of planets, and possibilities to explore. 

Lanagan excels at taking complex worlds and distilling them into an instance that speaks to their enormity.  She can create characters you care deeply about within a few paragraphs.  Her skill with this limiting form is astounding as her prose remains light and accessible while revealing so much more underneath.  There is a crystalline beauty to the stories as they chime together to a greater whole. 

Recommended for teens willing to try short stories.  These stories should be offered side-by-side with Bradbury’s as a recommendation. 

Good Enough to Eat by Brock Cole

There was once a poor girl who had no family and was forced to beg her way through life.  The townspeople considered her a pest, so when the evil ogre demands a fair maiden be given to him, the girl is the first choice of sacrifice.  The girl has lived with the townsfolk giving her cruel nicknames, but she uses those nicknames against the ogre and finds her own way out the situation.

I know that first paragraph is vague, but the joy of this sort of story is seeing how it all fits together, rather like a puzzle.  Cole has created a book that will flow off of your tongue as you read it aloud.  It almost reads itself simply because of his skill in creating prose and telling a good tale.  Here he has created a lively adventurous tale filled with traditional touches that begs to be shared or learned as a story to tell.

Cole’s illustrations also contribute to the traditional feel of the story, but the girl being the smart one, the hero is certainly not traditional nor are the message of this tale about individuality, courage and grace.

Highly recommended as a read aloud for 5-9 year olds.  There is a deep enough story here to keep the older children engaged and such a life and flow that younger children will enjoy it as well. 

Go to Bed, Monster! by Natasha Wing, illustrated by Sylvie Kantorovitz

When Lucy doesn’t want to go to bed one night, she decides to stay up and draw.  She draws a series of shapes that turn into a drawing of a monster who comes to life and plays with her.  They play and play, until Lucy is tired and ready for bed.  But Monster isn’t!  So Lucy has to give him a bed, feed him, let him drink, make him a potty, and much more before Monster finally, reluctantly gives in to sleep.

This clever twist on parenting and getting children to sleep will be enjoyed with enthusiasm by all children.  Children will especially like the touch of potty humor and the demands of Monster.  The text of the book is a breeze to read aloud, and Monster gives readers a chance to flaunt their monster voices with great glee.  The illustrations are also very friendly, especially the thick, crayon of Monster.  No child will be scared of this Monster!

Recommended for bedtime storytimes or for use as a bedtime story for your own Monsters.

Fiona Loves the Night by Patricia MacLachlan and Emily MacLachlan Charest, illustrated by Amanda Shepherd.

Fiona is a little girl who falls asleep when the rest of her family does but awakens when the moon is at her window.  So she heads outside because she loves nighttime so much.  She looks at the stars, listens to the sounds, sees night creatures, feels plants, and just engages with the night on many levels.

This is a lovely book.  It offers a child who is not afraid of the dark at all, but revels in it.  The language of the book is rich, evocative and really creates the mood of a summer night.  The addition of the noises of the night on many pages will help children engage with the story even more.  Matching the language in their richness, the illustrations are done with deep color and have a thickness and body that speak to the deepness of night.  There are no murky grays of evening here, just the deep blues and blacks of real night with sudden bursts of color. 

Recommended for bedtime story times though not a great way to settle children for the night.  This book invites exploration of the dark outdoors and you may find yourself outside with flashlights rather than starting to doze.