Marjorie Weinman Sharmat (1928–2019)

I am by nature a textual creature. I never truly appreciated contemporary art until I visited a Joseph Kosuth installation, in which the walls of two connected hallways were completely covered in quotes (it was called Emigrants and Exiles, and the quotes were about James Joyce's sojourn in Trieste, and Wittgenstein's exile in Ireland - simply brilliant!). I once bought a group of Sadza batiks from Zimbabwe, because the abstract animals on them seemed almost like a form of script. I took show more Chinese in college mainly because I thought that the characters were beautiful, and I wanted to learn about a form of writing that was not alphabetic or syllabic. When I was considering learning a Native American language, Cherokee was at the top of my list, because the notion of a created alphabet was so fascinating. I secretly long to be the one who decodes the Phaistos Disk, reads the Voynich Manuscript, or unlocks the secrets of Rongo Rongo...

So you will know, oh fellow reader, when I tell you that one of my favorite books of all time is an early reader with less than a thousand words, that here is a small masterpiece! With not a single wasted or out-of-place word, Sharmat and illustrator Dennis Kendrick have created a gem - a little book both wise and compassionate...

When Scarlet Monster moves to a new house and neighborhood, she is happy and enthusiastic about her new home, and eagerly anticipates meeting her new neighbors. An affectionate and warm-hearted creature, Scarlet does everything that she can think of to appear friendly and welcoming, but all to no avail - her neighbors do not introduce themselves.

Terribly hurt, Scarlet retreats into her house, where she concludes that people do not like her because she is an overweight monster with evil-looking eyebrows. "Nobody knows that I think kind thoughts and have a loving heart," she cries. Progressing from hurt to angry, Scarlet decides that she hates everyone, and wants nothing to do with her neighbors. But when Scarlet eventually learns that her new neighbors do not think ill of her, but are simply shy and insecure themselves, all is happily resolved, and Scarlet learns that this is indeed a "kissing" neighborhood.

I have loved this book since I was a very young child. As someone whose family moved a number of times, it spoke to me, not only about the difficulties of fitting into a new place and making new friends, but about how easily hurt feelings translate into anger (I have always had something of a resentful temperament). It very wisely demonstrates how a loving heart can be hidden behind a rather intimidating face, and that we cannot really know what other people's motivations are.

Dennis Kendrick's humorous and endearing illustrations are a perfect complement to Sharmat's text, particularly Scarlet's cat, who proceeds from contented to concerned. In short, although I generally try to avoid hyperbole in my reviews, this may be the BEST I Can Read Book ever published, and I find it a TRAVESTY that it remains out-of-print. It speaks to me, quite simply, in the language of my heart. show less

The Nate the Great series is......well, great! These beginner mysteries are fun, humorous, and easy for children. Nates serious demeanor and fondness for pancakes make him endearing for readers of all ages. Nates quirky friends add to the enjoyment. A wonderful series for both juvenile sleuths and their adult counterparts.

Nate the Great has his first night case! "Detective work is not fun and games," Nate explains. "Detective work is dirty garbage cans instead of clean beds. Detective work is banana peels, dishrags, milk cartons, floor sweepings, cigar ashes, fleas, and me..."

It's a tough case. Somebody is raiding Oliver's garbage can each night, but who? The list of suspects is long--Rosamond and Esmeralda, the girls down the street; Rosamond's cats; and all the shrews, moles skunks, birds, and racoons in show more the neighborhood. Nate courageously encounters a skunk (nose first) and a telephone pole (head on), but not until he goes under cover of the garbage can lid does he narrow the suspects down to one. show less

Ok, going along, enjoying the fact that ppl like me who do like to be careful and prepared are empathizing, and people who aren't fretful, like children, are giggling.... But then the end, oh my! Wham! Did not expect that. How clever, how funny... why isn't this more well-known?