Top Ten Scariest Childrens Book Characters

Penguin books conducted a survey in which 600 grown-up readers were asked to identify the most frightening literary characters from childrens books.  The list of top 10 scary characters in kids-literature was compiled to celebrate the publication of Mr Toppit, a novel based on childrens writer Arthur Hayman.  Topping the list is the White Witch from “The Chronicles of Narnia.”  I remember not being able to sleep after reading “Where The Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak.

The monsters scared me so much, I didn’t read it again.  In fact, I have avoided reading it to my children while they are little because I don’t want them to be scared.  But that is part of the fun and adventure of reading,  having those intense feelings about a book and remembering those characters for the rest of your life.  A sign of a great book.  In fact, Spike Jonze is filming a movie version of ” Where The Wild Things Are” and just released some pictures on his website of the monsters here. They look as scary as I imagined they would and you can count on me to go see the movie and relive my childhood memories.  The complete list is below.  Do you remember what book scared you when you were a little?

1. White Witch (The Chronicles of Narnia by C S Lewis – 1950)

2. Captain Hook (Peter Pan by J M Barrie – 1904)
3. The Grand High Witch (The Witches by Roald Dahl – 1983)
4. Wicked Stepmother (Snow White by Brothers Grimm – 1810)
5. Cruella de Vil (The Hundred and One Dalmatians by Dodie Smith – 1956)
6. Voldemort (Harry Potter books by J K Rowling – 1997)

7. The Child Catcher (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang by Ian Fleming though in the1968 film not book)
8. Miss Trunchbull (Matilda by Roald Dahl – 1988)
9. The Wolf (Red Riding Hood by Brothers Grimm – 1810)
10. Long John Silver (Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson – 1883)

The Duchess DVD Giveaway!

A young noblewoman marries into one of Britain’s most powerful families and becomes the toast of London in The Duchess, arriving on DVD and Blu-ray fashionably timed for the new year and holiday entertainment on December 28th from Paramount Home Entertainment.  Keira Knightley (Atonement, Pride and Prejudice, Pirates of the Caribbean), Ralph Fiennes (In Bruges, the Harry Potter series, The Constant Gardener) and Dominic Cooper (Mamma Mia!) star in the true story of the Duchess of Devonshire and “Empress of Fashion” who must face an agonizing choice between responsibility and love.  Captivating audiences and critics alike with its gripping and passionate tale of a young woman and direct ancestor to Princess Diana who became a fashion icon, a devoted mother, a voice for the common man and an unforgettable symbol of glamour for the ages, “The Duchess is feisty, cool, and scandalous” (Richard Schickle, Time).  Showcasing rich and in-depth special features, The Duchess will be available for the suggested retail priced of $19.99 U.S./$24.99 Canada on DVD and on Blu-ray for $29.99 U.S./$36.99 Canada.

One of history’s most beguiling leading ladies, Georgiana Spencer (Keira Knightley) was married at 17 to the wealthy and influential William Cavendish (Ralph Fiennes), the fifth Duke of Devonshire — and into a lavish world filled with shocking deceptions, decadent scandals and stifling demands of duty.   As Duchess of Devonshire, she first indulged her considerable energy in high society — outshining most of the aristocratic men around her with her incredible wit — only to become one of the most impassioned political voices in all of 18th century Britain.   Beloved by a nation but betrayed by her husband, Georgiana’s charisma, political savvy and distinct flair for  fashion would make her the “It Girl” of her era… but a chance for personal happiness would remain elusive until she dares to discover love on her own terms.

* (2005): Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role – Pride & Prejudice
** (1996): Best Actor in a Leading Role – The English Patient; (1993): Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Schindler’s List

The Duchess DVD is presented in widescreen enhanced for 16:9 TVs with Dolby Digital English, French and Spanish 5.1 Surround and English, French and Spanish subtitles. Total run time is 109 minutes.  The Duchess on Blu-ray is presented in 1080p High Definition English 5.1 Dolby True HD with French 5.1 Dolby Digital and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround, and English, English SDH, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles.  Total runtime is 109 minutes.  Lavish bonus features on the DVD and Hi-Def features on Blu-ray include:

•    How Far She Went…Making the Duchess – A fascinating documentary featurette explores the life of Georgiana Spencer Cavendish and the era that she came to define.

•    Georgiana In Her Own Words – Amanda Foreman, author of the award-winning biography Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, and producer Gabrielle Tana hold a roundtable discussion at the archive of Chatsworth House—home of Georgiana and her family—reviewing letters, diary entries and artifacts that helped shape the historical landscape of Foreman’s biography, the inspiration for The Duchess.    •    Costume Diary – A darling of high society and a fashion trendsetter, the Duchess was well known for her extravagant wardrobe. Costume designer Michael O’Connor talks about creating the outlandish and beautiful costumes that would become some of the film’s most flamboyant characters.
•    Theatrical Trailers

You can read the review at my movie reviews partner website Movie Room Reviews and buy THE DUCHESS at store everywhere and at Amazon.

I HAPPEN TO  HAVE ONE COPY OF THE DUCHESS TO GIVE AWAY!  YEAH!

TO ENTER:  LEAVE A COMMENT TELLING ME YOUR FAVORITE HISTORICAL FICTION MOVIE. ( I LOVE TO GET MOVIE TIPS!)

FOR SECOND ENTRY: STUMBLE, TWITTER OR SUBSCRIBE AND LEAVE THE LINK IN A SEPERATE ENTRY!

THIS CONTEST WILL CLOSE AT MIDNIGHT ON JANUARY 11TH AND RANDOM.ORG WILL CHOOSE THE LUCKY WINNER!  GOOD LUCK EVERYONE! THANKS SO MUCH FOR VISITING AND KEEP COMING BACK!

Banned Books Week

This is Banned Books Week and according to the ALA website here is the list of the most challenged books of the 21st century (2000-2005)  I am amazed at the list.  But I’m going to discuss Captain Underpants.  Come on.  What is the harm in those books?  My older son has never been a reader but he devoured those books when he was younger and those were the only books he asked to go to the library to check out.  A little fart humor never hurt anyone.  So thanks Dav Pilkey for your wonderful books and for getting my son to read!

In anticipation of the 25th anniversary of Banned Books Week  the American Library Association (ALA) compiled the top 10 most challenged books from 2000-2005, with the Harry Potter series of books leading the pack. The 10 most challenged books of the 21st Century (2000-2005) are:

1. Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

2. “The Chocolate War” by Robert Cormier

3. Alice series by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

4. “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck

5. “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou

6. “Fallen Angels” by Walter Dean Myers

7. “It’s Perfectly Normal” by Robie Harris

8. Scary Stories series by Alvin Schwartz

9. Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey

10. “Forever” by Judy Blume

All but three of these books also were in the top 10 of the most challenged books of the 1990s. The ALA reports there were more than 3,000 attempts to remove books from schools and public libraries between 2000 and 2005. Challenges are defined as formal, written complaints filed with a library or school requesting that materials be removed because of content or appropriateness. See also Challenged and Banned Books. See also Harry Potter tops list of most challenged books of 21st Century.

Tuesday Thingers

It’s that time again! The thought-provoking questions today are what is the most popular book in your library? Have you read it? What did you think? How many users have it? What’s the most popular book you don’t have? How does a book’s popularity figure into your decisions about what to read?

The five most popular books in my Library are:

I have read all of them except The Time Traveler’s Wife.  I guess I do pick some books based on popularity though I do spread my wings but since becoming a book reviewer I am passionate about helping authors who have a wonderful little book get the word out about it.  I find that of all the other blogs I read.  And now on to the most popular book I haven’t read.  It is # 1 on LibraryThings List.  Maybe someday….