Birte MüllerRecensioni

Birte Müller erzählt vom Familienalltag mit ihren beiden Kindern (eines mit Down-Syndrom und eines mit Normal-Syndrom): von Freud und Leid, von nervigen Kommentaren und wundervollen Begegnungen und von den Selbstzweifeln einer Mutter. Mit viel Witz und Selbstironie ist ihr ein Buch gelungen, das eine Liebeserklärung an ihre Tochter Olivia und ihren Sohn Willi ist, die sie das Leben lehren!

Felipa misses her Abuelita, or grandmother, in this simple holiday tale from the Andes, searching everywhere for her departed soul - in the fields and the cemetery, on the mountains - until her father explains that souls cannot be visited in this way, that they live in their own world, except when they return to us, on the Day of the Dead. When the long awaited day finally comes, Felipa joins her family and neighbors in the celebration: enjoying the special dough cookies, helping to clean and decorate the graves, and feeling, for the first time since her death, close to her beloved Abuelita.

Felipa and the Day of the Dead is an outgrowth of German author Birte Müller's research into the observance of the Day of the Dead in Bolivia, and reference to the Andes makes it clear that the story is set in that part of the world. The narrative itself is quite simple, which makes it ideal for younger children, but also means that few culturally specific details and terms are used. It's a shame that Müller didn't give more details, in her brief afterword. What are the dough cookies, shaped like people, called? What other specifically Bolivian customs are practiced on this day? Given that many readers might be unaware that the Day of the Dead isn't just a Mexican holiday - I know I was - further information would have been very welcome.

Still, for what it is, this is an engaging holiday story, and is recommended to anyone looking for picture-books about the Day of the Dead, and its celebration in South America.

In Birte Muller's funny story, Farley has a little gas problem. His parents take him to the doctor, who says that it will pass, but unfortunately it keeps passing. Poor Farley. He experiences embarrassment at school and at home because his gas just won't stop! But one day his tummy swells up so big that a breeze floats him away, high into the sky! Once Farley comes down he feels much better. Although this story may cause some parents to cringe, I think that children will enjoy the humor. It might not be for everybody, but no one can deny that it's pretty funny.

For more books by Birte Muller, visit: http://www.allbookstores.com/author/Birte_Muller.html½

This book is very funny: it's about farts!

This book was a little weird. I think it is strange to have a childrens book about farting. Most parents probably would not want this book read to their children, because when i was growing up "fart" was not exactly what you wanted your child running around saying. The entire book is about a frog that has a stomach problem and can not quit farting. It was a little disturbing.½

NBD|Biblion:
Een van de kinderen van de muizenmoeder, Rudie, is groter dan zijn drie zusjes en ziet er ook anders uit. Hij wordt door zijn zusjes gepest en voelt zich ongelukkig. Op een dag vertelt zijn moeder dat Rudie een vondeling is, en geen muizenkind maar een rattenkind. Vanaf dat moment wordt alles anders: Rudie groeit boven zichzelf uit en zijn zusjes krijgen in de gaten dat je juist leuke dingen met hem kunt doen, zoals touwtje springen met zijn lange staart of het doel helemaal afdekken tijdens een voetbalwedstrijd. Een weinig opzienbarend (oblong) prentenboek over het thema 'anders zijn' dat al vaker op deze wijze is uitgewerkt. De omslag halverwege het verhaal is enigszins ongeloofwaardig, en de flashback naar de tijd dat de muizenmoeder Rudie vond, zal voor te jonge kinderen niet direct duidelijk zijn. Het boek moet het vooral hebben van de kleurrijke olieverfschilderingen, die echter voornamelijk het verhaal weergeven en daar niet veel extra's aan toevoegen, maar wel uitnodigen om over het thema verder te praten. Ze beslaan telkens een of een dubbele pagina; de summiere tekst staat op een effen gedeelte in de plaat. Het boek is netjes vormgegeven en stevig genoeg, waardoor veelvuldig gebruik mogelijk is. Vanaf ca. 4 jaar.

Stunning illustrations. Would be great for young kids who've lost a grandparent, as long as you don't mind the insistence on an afterlife.

This book is hilarious! It never fails to make me laugh. :)

This children’s book tells the story of Felipa, who lives high up in the Andes Mountains. After her grandmother dies, she looks for her soul everywhere. She wanders so far away, her father has to come find her in a field. Her father assures her that her grandmother’s soul will come to her on Día de los Muertos. Felipa waits eagerly for November to arrive, and celebrates the holiday, and says goodbye to her grandmother until next year. This book has a simple explanation of the holiday for younger readers for them to understand and be able to read on their own. It’s illustrations are expressive, interesting, and provide much visual stimulation. This book doesn’t get into too many details of the customs associated with Día de los Muertos, but is a good introduction.