For various reasons, I have moved this blog to www.thestorycottage.blogspot.com.
I hope to see you there.
February 5, 2008
January 30, 2008
Happy 50th Anniversary Lego!
Back in January of 1958 Ole Kirk Christansen settled on a design virtually identical to the plastic bricks used today in Lego sets. You may ask, "What do Legos have to do with story telling?" but I think that they have quite a bit.
First, Lego has created sets to help children come up with their own stories in space, cities, the wild west, with pirates, castles, adventurers, vikings, dinosaurs and hosts of other character types in many settings.
Second, they recently have branched out in creating their own worlds with backup and ongoing stories such as their Bionicle and Exo-Force lines.
Third, Lego has allowed children to continue well known stories on their own. These have included Spider-man, classic monster-types (such as a werewolf, a mummy, and a vampire and a Frankenstein's-monster type creature), Harry Potter, Star Wars, and now even Indiana Jones. A couple of years ago they even did a series of sets based on some of Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales as part of an anniversary celebration in Denmark.
I am sure Legos will come up in future posts, but in the meantime, if you haven't seen what they has available currently, visit the Lego website. You can read more about the company's history and this anniversary as well.
Play well!
First, Lego has created sets to help children come up with their own stories in space, cities, the wild west, with pirates, castles, adventurers, vikings, dinosaurs and hosts of other character types in many settings.
Second, they recently have branched out in creating their own worlds with backup and ongoing stories such as their Bionicle and Exo-Force lines.
Third, Lego has allowed children to continue well known stories on their own. These have included Spider-man, classic monster-types (such as a werewolf, a mummy, and a vampire and a Frankenstein's-monster type creature), Harry Potter, Star Wars, and now even Indiana Jones. A couple of years ago they even did a series of sets based on some of Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales as part of an anniversary celebration in Denmark.
I am sure Legos will come up in future posts, but in the meantime, if you haven't seen what they has available currently, visit the Lego website. You can read more about the company's history and this anniversary as well.
Play well!
Daedalus Books
One of my favorite sources for books, DVDs and CDs is Daedalus Books. Selling remainder books, their quantities may very limited on some titles, but their prices are unbeatable. Add to that a flat fee of $5.95 for shipping regardless of the quantity, and it can be hard to pass up their offers.
I just received their latest catalog, and here are some items that fit in the scope of this site. I have included a link to the page on their site if you want to buy it. Unless noted, the books are hardback.
Zathura (2002) written and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg - it was made into a movie in 2005. Van Allsburg also wrote and illustrated Jumanji and many other children's book.
List Price $18.00 Daedalus $4.98
The Ring of Words: Tolkien and the Oxford English Dictionary (2006) by Peter Gillever, Jeremy Marsahll & Edmund Weiner
List Price $25.00 Daedalus $5.98
Shadowplay: The Hidden Beliefs and Coded Politics of William Shakespeare (2005) by Clare Aquith
List Price $26.95 Daedalus $6.98
Shakespeare Well-Versed – A Rhyming Guide to His Plays (2004) by James Muirden
List Price $12.00 Daedalus $3.98
Danny the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl, Illustrated by Quentin Blake - the author and original illustrator of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Witches, James and the Giant Peach, The BFG and many other books.
List Price $15.95 Daedalus $4.98
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – Based on the Original Book by C.S. Lewis (2004) retold for readers and listeners 4 to 8 by Hiawyn Oram, illustrated by Tudor Humphries
List Price $16.99 Daedalus $4.98
The Picture of Dorian Gray (2000) by Oscar Wilde, illustrated by Tony Ross - annotated for readers 12 and up (paperback)
List Price $17.99 Daedalus $3.98
The Wind in the Willows (1969) by Kenneth Grahame, illustrated by Robert J. Lee (paperpack)
List Price $4.99 Daedalus $2.49
C.S. Lewis: Beyond Narnia (2006) DVD
List Price $14.98 Daedalus $6.98
Pinocchio, the Boy (of Incognito in Collodi) (2002) written and illustrated by Lane Smith - the illustrator of The Stinky Cheese Man, The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, The Time Warp Trio series, among others.
List Price $16.99 Daedalus $1.98
The Happy Hocky Family Moves to the Country! (2003) written and illustrated by Lane Smith
List Price $16.99 Daedalus $3.98
While you are there, feel free to check out their other offerings. I bet you will find something else you will like.
I just received their latest catalog, and here are some items that fit in the scope of this site. I have included a link to the page on their site if you want to buy it. Unless noted, the books are hardback.
Zathura (2002) written and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg - it was made into a movie in 2005. Van Allsburg also wrote and illustrated Jumanji and many other children's book.
List Price $18.00 Daedalus $4.98
The Ring of Words: Tolkien and the Oxford English Dictionary (2006) by Peter Gillever, Jeremy Marsahll & Edmund Weiner
List Price $25.00 Daedalus $5.98
Shadowplay: The Hidden Beliefs and Coded Politics of William Shakespeare (2005) by Clare Aquith
List Price $26.95 Daedalus $6.98
Shakespeare Well-Versed – A Rhyming Guide to His Plays (2004) by James Muirden
List Price $12.00 Daedalus $3.98
Danny the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl, Illustrated by Quentin Blake - the author and original illustrator of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Witches, James and the Giant Peach, The BFG and many other books.
List Price $15.95 Daedalus $4.98
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – Based on the Original Book by C.S. Lewis (2004) retold for readers and listeners 4 to 8 by Hiawyn Oram, illustrated by Tudor Humphries
List Price $16.99 Daedalus $4.98
The Picture of Dorian Gray (2000) by Oscar Wilde, illustrated by Tony Ross - annotated for readers 12 and up (paperback)
List Price $17.99 Daedalus $3.98
The Wind in the Willows (1969) by Kenneth Grahame, illustrated by Robert J. Lee (paperpack)
List Price $4.99 Daedalus $2.49
C.S. Lewis: Beyond Narnia (2006) DVD
List Price $14.98 Daedalus $6.98
Pinocchio, the Boy (of Incognito in Collodi) (2002) written and illustrated by Lane Smith - the illustrator of The Stinky Cheese Man, The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, The Time Warp Trio series, among others.
List Price $16.99 Daedalus $1.98
The Happy Hocky Family Moves to the Country! (2003) written and illustrated by Lane Smith
List Price $16.99 Daedalus $3.98
While you are there, feel free to check out their other offerings. I bet you will find something else you will like.
What is Story Cottage About? Part 2
Where does anyone develop their interests and hobbies? Our parents create an environment that helps form and create us, and then we find activities that fit our talents and natural inclinations, which we either foster or ignore.
My mother paints and I remember her adding artistic and creative touches to projects and activities. She also enjoys movies involving King Arthur, and for some reason I associate her with Disney movies and programs in my childhood. My mother encouraged and helped with my artistic interests, which have waxed and waned over the years.
For as long as I remember my father has read. His reading has covered everything from historical fiction to science fiction. It used to be a treat to be able to stay up with him and watch Star Trek after the news. He was also involved in various theater groups, and I even was in a few productions with him as a child.
I learned to read at an early age. Dr. Seuss and his Early Reader books standout in my memory. I loved to read, until school sucked all the enjoyment out of it. I know this concerned my parents. I remember them talking to me about it. They kept me reading with Disney and Boris Karloff comic books, but nothing more substantial. One day they gave me The Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum and my life changed. Suddenly reading became a joy again. I began to devour fantasy and science fiction books.
I also began to notice the difference in illustrations and I developed definite preferences in the type of illustrations I liked. In middle school and high school my reading repertoire expanded to the classics, and in college and beyond I have continued to try to push my reading boundaries to other genres, but I continue to read and see connections with children's books, and speculative fiction (fantasy and science fiction) written for young adult and for adults, (what ever those boundaries or designations actually mean).
Around the same time that I was introduced to Oz, they bought me a Captain America comic by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. For many years I followed many of the superhero stories in mostly the Marvel side of things. Again around this same age, developed an interest in B horror and science fiction movies. Godzilla, the Creature from the Black Lagoon and their kind fascinated me. Being before cable and VCRs, Friday night TV had Midnight Movies and Saturday afternoon had Science Fiction Theater. I remember vividly staying up to watch the original King Kong with my parents (they were afraid it would be too scary for me).
Within a few years another I experienced another major event related to my story preferences - a small movie called Star Wars was released. Among other things, the John Williams score lead me to an interest in movie soundtracks. At this same time, one of my mother's brothers introduced me to a couple of books written by J.R.R. Tolkien.
The only other event that comes to mind that I should probably mention that took place more recently happened just six or seven years ago. I had a commute that took up 90 minutes on a good traffic day. After getting burned out on music and talk radio, I started listening to audio books. Now this is how I "read" most of the longer books, so when I mention reading I may actually have listened to the book instead. I will only mention if I listened to the book if the performance is critical to my experience, either for good or bad.
While my interests have expanded, this brief background probably will help you understand where it all started from and the references and connections I may, or may not, make in these posts.
My mother paints and I remember her adding artistic and creative touches to projects and activities. She also enjoys movies involving King Arthur, and for some reason I associate her with Disney movies and programs in my childhood. My mother encouraged and helped with my artistic interests, which have waxed and waned over the years.
For as long as I remember my father has read. His reading has covered everything from historical fiction to science fiction. It used to be a treat to be able to stay up with him and watch Star Trek after the news. He was also involved in various theater groups, and I even was in a few productions with him as a child.
I learned to read at an early age. Dr. Seuss and his Early Reader books standout in my memory. I loved to read, until school sucked all the enjoyment out of it. I know this concerned my parents. I remember them talking to me about it. They kept me reading with Disney and Boris Karloff comic books, but nothing more substantial. One day they gave me The Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum and my life changed. Suddenly reading became a joy again. I began to devour fantasy and science fiction books.
I also began to notice the difference in illustrations and I developed definite preferences in the type of illustrations I liked. In middle school and high school my reading repertoire expanded to the classics, and in college and beyond I have continued to try to push my reading boundaries to other genres, but I continue to read and see connections with children's books, and speculative fiction (fantasy and science fiction) written for young adult and for adults, (what ever those boundaries or designations actually mean).
Around the same time that I was introduced to Oz, they bought me a Captain America comic by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. For many years I followed many of the superhero stories in mostly the Marvel side of things. Again around this same age, developed an interest in B horror and science fiction movies. Godzilla, the Creature from the Black Lagoon and their kind fascinated me. Being before cable and VCRs, Friday night TV had Midnight Movies and Saturday afternoon had Science Fiction Theater. I remember vividly staying up to watch the original King Kong with my parents (they were afraid it would be too scary for me).
Within a few years another I experienced another major event related to my story preferences - a small movie called Star Wars was released. Among other things, the John Williams score lead me to an interest in movie soundtracks. At this same time, one of my mother's brothers introduced me to a couple of books written by J.R.R. Tolkien.
The only other event that comes to mind that I should probably mention that took place more recently happened just six or seven years ago. I had a commute that took up 90 minutes on a good traffic day. After getting burned out on music and talk radio, I started listening to audio books. Now this is how I "read" most of the longer books, so when I mention reading I may actually have listened to the book instead. I will only mention if I listened to the book if the performance is critical to my experience, either for good or bad.
While my interests have expanded, this brief background probably will help you understand where it all started from and the references and connections I may, or may not, make in these posts.
January 29, 2008
What is Story Cottage About? Part 1
Do we really need another blog? Probably not, but I am plowing ahead any way. For more than 10 years I have tried to work through some ideas for a website and I finally decided that I should at least try out a portion of the concept in one form or another to see if anyone really cares enough to warrant a whole site. Hence, this blog.
Besides that, this gives me a forum to work through some of my thoughts, regardless of the interest others may share.
What is this going to be about, you ask. Well, in a nutshell, stories, characters in stories and the people who create these stories. Mostly stories that originate in books or fiction, but some from TV, movies and other mediums. I'll look at same story in print, film and other formats. We'll discuss the people who write, direct and act in these stories. In essence, those who tell the stories. Sometimes it may be a type of review, other times just a list.
I am sure you can find most of what I present here on other sites, such as IMDB, Wikipeida and Amazon, but perhaps not brought together in this way. I will give you links to follow and make your own connections.
My hope is that you may pick up a book or watch a movie that you either forgot about, or that you hadn't ever seen and perhaps share your thoughts as well. In some instances, I plan on giving links to products if you want to get any of them for yourself or as a gift for someone you know.
I don't pretend to be an expert in much of anything, and I know I definitely don't have the corner on opinions. I welcome any other perspectives.
What is my background that leads me to even want to do this? Well, I will tackle that next time..
Besides that, this gives me a forum to work through some of my thoughts, regardless of the interest others may share.
What is this going to be about, you ask. Well, in a nutshell, stories, characters in stories and the people who create these stories. Mostly stories that originate in books or fiction, but some from TV, movies and other mediums. I'll look at same story in print, film and other formats. We'll discuss the people who write, direct and act in these stories. In essence, those who tell the stories. Sometimes it may be a type of review, other times just a list.
I am sure you can find most of what I present here on other sites, such as IMDB, Wikipeida and Amazon, but perhaps not brought together in this way. I will give you links to follow and make your own connections.
My hope is that you may pick up a book or watch a movie that you either forgot about, or that you hadn't ever seen and perhaps share your thoughts as well. In some instances, I plan on giving links to products if you want to get any of them for yourself or as a gift for someone you know.
I don't pretend to be an expert in much of anything, and I know I definitely don't have the corner on opinions. I welcome any other perspectives.
What is my background that leads me to even want to do this? Well, I will tackle that next time..
January 22, 2008
Robinson Crusoe
While it has been a while since since I read Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe, but it is directly connected to a book I am currently in the middle of so I thought I would start here.
After nearly 300 years (it was first published in 1719) it has worked its way into our collective, cultural conscience. Even people who haven't read the book know that it is about a person shipwrecked on an island. And that is not in just English, but throughout the world in most languages. That is incredible.
Some consider it one of the first, if not the first, "novels" written in English. Not everyone knows it was more than likely inspired by Alexander Selkirk, a real person who survived years on an island in the Pacific off the coast of Chile. In fact, in 1966 the island's name was changed to "Robinson Crusoe Island."
Robinson Crusoe was more accessible than I thought it would be. It has strong religious overtones that are common for the period. I was surprised at the amount of the story that deals with his re-assimilation to civilized society. I guess that never really comes up in spoofs and miscellaneous references - the focus is on the survival aspect.
I didn't realize that Defoe ended up writing two sequels, The Further Adventures of Robinson Crusoe (1719) and Serious Reflections of Robinson Crusoe (1720). I guess even in 1719 the public clamored for, and publishers encouraged sequels that may make money immediately, but they are eventually forgotten. And while I had heard of Moll Flanders and Rob Roy, I didn't realize that Defoe wrote them as well, among many other novels and other books.
I haven't been exposed to many illustrated versions, but you can't go wrong with N.C. Wyeth. I am not sure if this edition is still in print, but you might be able to get a used copy through Amazon. You can also see an entire book with Wyeth's illustrations online.
The story deals with many themes and elements, but the two that stand out in my memory are the survival issue and what is civilization.
A few random stories and characters come readily to mind in relation to Robinson Crusoe as a survival story. First is the book The Swiss Family Robinson, by Johann David Wyss, published in German in 1812. I also remember that the Green Arrow character in the DC Comics universe fine tuned his archery skills and developed his heroic life view (as opposed the millionaire-playboy lifestyle he previously had) while stranded on an island. He first appeared in print in 1941. The movie Castaway (2000) presented a modern version of this basic story idea. Tom Hanks was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role his character in this movie
The Lord of the Flies (1954) by William Golding, and subsequent movies, also comes to mind as a book that deals with individuals being lost on a deserted island and what it means to be civilized is. The TV series Lost (2004 +) on ABC involves some of these same concepts, although not to the same extent and with other story elements and themes covered. In Gulliver's Travels (1726), by Jonathan Swift, Lemuel Gulliver is shipwrecked or lost in different lands, giving him the opportunity to learn about different cultures and reflect on his own culture's state and definition of civilization.
Regardless of your thoughts on the origins or veracity of The Book of Mormon, it does present some interesting stories and ideas regarding what can happen to people that have left their own country and culture and they are left on their own.
As usual, Wikipedia is a good place to start to get information about
While I personally don't remember seeing any movies or television shows based on the novel, there have been several made which are listed on IMDB. It is interesting to note that Douglas Fairbanks Sr., Pierce Brosnan, Michael York and Aidan Quinn have all played Robinson Crusoe. The first movie listed on IMDB was made in 1913. There has been a science fiction version - Robinson Crusoe on Mars (1964), as well a Disney spoof - Lt. Robinson Crusoe, U.S.N (1966) starring Dick Van Dyke.
One of the nice things with Robinson Crusoe is that it is public domain now. If you want a free eBook version, you can see a list of eBooks by Daniel Defoe available through Project Gutenburg.
I am sure you can find several versions at your local library. If you live in or near Davis County in Utah you can view what is available through this link. The Davis County Library collection not only includes abridged, unabridged, illustrated and audio versions, it also includes a children's video from the PBS Wishbone series and a book about Alexander Selkirk.
ADDITIONAL LINKS:
Wikipedia - Robinson Crusoe , Daniel Defoe, Alexander Selkirk, Green Arrow, Lost TV Series, The Book of Mormon, The Lord of the Flies, Gulliver's Travels
Amazon - Lost on DVD
After nearly 300 years (it was first published in 1719) it has worked its way into our collective, cultural conscience. Even people who haven't read the book know that it is about a person shipwrecked on an island. And that is not in just English, but throughout the world in most languages. That is incredible.
Some consider it one of the first, if not the first, "novels" written in English. Not everyone knows it was more than likely inspired by Alexander Selkirk, a real person who survived years on an island in the Pacific off the coast of Chile. In fact, in 1966 the island's name was changed to "Robinson Crusoe Island."
Robinson Crusoe was more accessible than I thought it would be. It has strong religious overtones that are common for the period. I was surprised at the amount of the story that deals with his re-assimilation to civilized society. I guess that never really comes up in spoofs and miscellaneous references - the focus is on the survival aspect.
I didn't realize that Defoe ended up writing two sequels, The Further Adventures of Robinson Crusoe (1719) and Serious Reflections of Robinson Crusoe (1720). I guess even in 1719 the public clamored for, and publishers encouraged sequels that may make money immediately, but they are eventually forgotten. And while I had heard of Moll Flanders and Rob Roy, I didn't realize that Defoe wrote them as well, among many other novels and other books.
I haven't been exposed to many illustrated versions, but you can't go wrong with N.C. Wyeth. I am not sure if this edition is still in print, but you might be able to get a used copy through Amazon. You can also see an entire book with Wyeth's illustrations online.
The story deals with many themes and elements, but the two that stand out in my memory are the survival issue and what is civilization.
A few random stories and characters come readily to mind in relation to Robinson Crusoe as a survival story. First is the book The Swiss Family Robinson, by Johann David Wyss, published in German in 1812. I also remember that the Green Arrow character in the DC Comics universe fine tuned his archery skills and developed his heroic life view (as opposed the millionaire-playboy lifestyle he previously had) while stranded on an island. He first appeared in print in 1941. The movie Castaway (2000) presented a modern version of this basic story idea. Tom Hanks was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role his character in this movie
The Lord of the Flies (1954) by William Golding, and subsequent movies, also comes to mind as a book that deals with individuals being lost on a deserted island and what it means to be civilized is. The TV series Lost (2004 +) on ABC involves some of these same concepts, although not to the same extent and with other story elements and themes covered. In Gulliver's Travels (1726), by Jonathan Swift, Lemuel Gulliver is shipwrecked or lost in different lands, giving him the opportunity to learn about different cultures and reflect on his own culture's state and definition of civilization.
Regardless of your thoughts on the origins or veracity of The Book of Mormon, it does present some interesting stories and ideas regarding what can happen to people that have left their own country and culture and they are left on their own.
As usual, Wikipedia is a good place to start to get information about
While I personally don't remember seeing any movies or television shows based on the novel, there have been several made which are listed on IMDB. It is interesting to note that Douglas Fairbanks Sr., Pierce Brosnan, Michael York and Aidan Quinn have all played Robinson Crusoe. The first movie listed on IMDB was made in 1913. There has been a science fiction version - Robinson Crusoe on Mars (1964), as well a Disney spoof - Lt. Robinson Crusoe, U.S.N (1966) starring Dick Van Dyke.
One of the nice things with Robinson Crusoe is that it is public domain now. If you want a free eBook version, you can see a list of eBooks by Daniel Defoe available through Project Gutenburg.
I am sure you can find several versions at your local library. If you live in or near Davis County in Utah you can view what is available through this link. The Davis County Library collection not only includes abridged, unabridged, illustrated and audio versions, it also includes a children's video from the PBS Wishbone series and a book about Alexander Selkirk.
ADDITIONAL LINKS:
Wikipedia - Robinson Crusoe , Daniel Defoe, Alexander Selkirk, Green Arrow, Lost TV Series, The Book of Mormon, The Lord of the Flies, Gulliver's Travels
Amazon - Lost on DVD
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