Owl Things Considered

2015 was the year I started supporting projects through crowdfunding websites. I really like to see the variety of things that people come up with, and every once in a while I find something especially wonderful! Like the Oliba.

This is one for readers with "owlettes" of their own. (Or for children at heart that can also come up with a good and creative (exc)use to still get one!) You should really just check out the Indiegogo page, but here's the bottom line:

Oliba is an owl you attach to your kid's favorite stuffed animal. It serves as a tracker, so you can relocate the plushie if you accidentally lose it somewhere. However, it is also a nightlight that either reads your child a story, or plays soothing music for as long as you've set it to work. The child can also touch the face of the owl to have the sequence go again. Anyway, it all works through an app. Or you can get a few basic things to work without a smartphone too.

There is still time to help fund Oliba, and the Christmas special is running too, if you want to get an extra good deal!

Mixed Shelf #8

Despite -or perhaps because of- the warm weather, I didn't sit down and read a whole lot. I did spend a lot of time in parks lately, but usually with a friend instead of a book. But I'm sure I'll do my fair share of park-reading this summer too.

Wanting: The Owl Service by Alan Garner

Supposedly this is some sort of retelling of an old Welch folk tale. I should probably read that before diving into this, but since there are owls in this, it should come as now surprise that I'm drawn to this book. It's a children's book, but I hear it is actually pretty eerie. It's full of owl-forming magical puzzles, that lead to strange events...

goodreads // available here

Reading: The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo

I have to admit that I already finished this book. It wasn't as great as I hoped, but maybe I just wasn't in the mood for it. I suspect it's a perfect book to read to kids and still enjoy it as the adult doing the reading. Also, the illustrations were really lovely! Anyway, it was a quick read and a magical story with a sweet little protagonist.

goodreads // available here

Waiting: Mariah Mundi and the Ghost Diamonds by G.P. Taylor

Not to be confused with the band Marina and the Diamonds. No, this is actually the second book of a children's mystery trilogy set in a hotel. This one is a whodunnit with kids acting as the detectives. I picked it up really cheap at a sale last summer. I think I'll just start with this one and see if I like it enough to read the other two as well.

goodreads // available here

Have you been reading much now that spring has really sprung? Anything worth sharing?

Lovely Movies: A Monster in Paris

While browsing online and getting myself a few new dvds on a special sale, I came across an animation film I hadn't heard of before. It arrived just as I was coming down with that flu, so the timing could not have been better!

Nor the movie. It might be mostly for kids, but it is a beautiful and very entertaining film for adults as well. Vanessa Paradis is the leading lady and does a lot of singing as well. The music was written for this film and is very magical.

If possible watch the original version, but here's the English trailer.

The biggest advantage of owning the dvd is yet again being able to watch the extras. I loved seeing how different parts of the film were made. Seeing the voice actors, for instance. Or the dance performance as done by the choreographer, next to the same routine by the animation characters. It was all very interesting!

So if you can get your hands on this gem, definitely do watch it. It is visually stunning, the music is amazing, the atmosphere is very magical and the whole thing is set in Paris. Need I say more?

Lovely Movies: Le Petit Nicolas

I saw the sweetest film yesterday! If you're familiar with either French or children's books, you may have heard of the Le Petit Nicolas books. Well, it has been made into a wonderful movie!

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It may be a children's movie, but it is definitely very entertaining for adults as well. It has such a special vibe and a lovely quirky sense of humor. Also, the set and the way of filming are fantastic!

I couldn't find a trailer with English subtitles, but I did find the entire movie on YouTube, you can watch it here.