Reveille VII

Today it was finalized and announced that Reveille VII was retiring after being the Aggie mascot and highest ranking member of the Corps of Cadets for seven years. I had been hearing of Reveille planning to be retired for awhile but I didn't know when it would happen or if it actually would. Even though this is only my second semester here at A&M I was kind of sad when I heard this. Reveille and two of her caretakers are in my POLS class on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and I always love to see her! She has never barked before except for one time right as class was dismissed. It was hilarious! Everyone just started laughing. I know Reveille VII will be missed by many people, and I hope she is taken good care of. I think its great that our mascot is able to interact with the Corps and other students, faculty, etc. as opposed to just being someone who is willing to dress up in a silly costume at games. She participates in much more than just games. I love our traditions here at A&M, epecially our lovable mascot and past mascots that we continue to honor each year. A&M really is the place to be!!!

I know this doesn't have anything to do with children's literature, but I thought it had a lot to do with our University and our University's history. And I thought it was rather important to discuss. I'm sure many people can't wait for the next Reveille to join the Aggie family, but Reveille VII will be missed greatly!

Aquamarine

Today I read the "magical tale" Aquamarine by the New York Times bestselling author Alice Hoffman. Before reading this book I expected it to be a little corny and kiddish. I felt this way after remembering seeing previews for the movie that was based off of this book. But, surprisingly, I enjoyed this book. It was a simple, short and sweet story, but it had a good plot and great aspects to it. One thing I liked about this story was how close the two main characters Hailey and Claire were and how they would spend every last moment with eachother, just knowing that it wouldn't be long till Claire had to move away to Florida at the end of the summer. I also liked the fact that this story could be considered a sort of "fairy tale" in a way because it involved a cute boy and beautiful girl (well mermaid in this case) falling in love, a sad but at the same time a happy ending, a character overcoming her fear in the end, and also magic so to say involving the mermaid. In fact, when I read the "About the Author" section at the end of the book it said that Hoffman loved fairy tales as a child, especially from the Brothers Grimm to the folk stories she heard from her Russian grandmother, which just so happens to be what we have been reading this semester. It even said that "Many of the books Alice has written as an adult contain doses of fairy-tale magic. She is known for writing stories that weave the wondrous and unexpected with the commonplace." And I believe that is exactly what she did in Aquamarine.

"Stealing Cinderella"

Earlier today I heard the new hit "Stealing Cinderella" by country artist Chuck Wicks. I hear this song all the time and love it, but my attention was really drawn to it today because we've been discussing Cinderella in class a lot. As I was listening to the chorus I could just picture this happy little girl who loved life playing in the sprinklers (which is basically what the chorus says). And as I thought about this picture that had been created in my mind, I realized that most of the Cinderellas, if not all of them, we have been reading about were not like this "Cinderella." They were poor, unhappy young women who were ordered around and usually dressed in rags and covered in dirt. In the end they were usually happy though. Why is this song called "Stealing Cinderella" if this girl isn't really like the real Cinderella? Is Chuck Wicks perceiving Cinderella just as the beautiful happy women she is in the end of all the Cinderella stories? And if so, why?
Here are the lyrics and music video. What's your opinion on why he casts "Cinderella" as happy and with a great life? Do some people these days just refer to Cinderella as the beautiful girl who marries the handsome prince, forgetting about the unhappy, peasant life she lived before that?


I came to see her daddy for sit down man to man
It wasn't any secret i'd be asking for her hand
I guess that's why he left me waiting in the living room by myself
with at least a dozen pictures of her sitting on a shelf

- Chorus -

She was playing Cinderella
She was riding her first bike
Bouncing on the bed and looking for a pillow fight
Running through the sprinkler with a big popsicle grin
Dancing with her dad, looking up at him
In her eyes i'm Prince Charming
But to him i'm just some fella
riding in and stealing Cinderella

I leaned in towards those pictures to get a better look at one
When I heard a voice behind me say "Now, ain't she something, son?"
I said "Yes, she quite a woman"
and he just stared at me
Then I realized that in his eyes she would always be

Playing Cinderella
Riding her first bike
Bouncing on the bed and looking for a pillow fight
Running through the sprinkler with a big popsicle grin
Dancing with her dad, looking up at him
In her eyes i'm Prince Charming
But to him i'm just some fella
riding in and stealing Cinderella

He slapped me on the shoulder
Then he called her in the room
When she threw her arms around him
That's when I could see it too

Playing Cinderella
Riding her first bike
Bouncing on the bed and looking for a pillow fight
Running through the sprinkler with a big popsicle grin
Dancing with her dad, looking up at him
If he gives me a hard time
I can't blame the fella
I'm the one who's stealing Cinderella

"Cinderella"

A diamond in the rough.

A princess in disguise.

A stepmom with no love.

A family full of lies.

Until a royal someone

holds a ball of fancy scene.

A princess in his arms.

A dance of young love's dream.

Time will tell to end the spell

When hands, they face the sky.

Soon she must run away

in order to preserve disguise.

The prince he finds her slipper;

Orders foot be found to pair.

Many ladies try,

But only one foot fits so fair.

Her royal beauty shines

Between the rags and through her eyes.

A final dream come true

To flee the family she despised.

The prince then takes her by the hand,

They ride away in carriage.

Soon to take her hand again

to join in holy marriage.

"The Perfect Guy"

I just finished reading Ella Enchanted earlier today in my chemistry class. I had trouble putting it down as I got closer to the end. I actually had trouble putting it down at like 2 in the morning right after I read the letter Prince Char wrote to her confessing his love for her, but I knew I had to get some sleep. Later, I got so upset when she wrote the fake letter from Hattie and then the letter about her getting married and becoming wealthy. I wanted to put the book down then, but I knew it would only get better, it had to. And as I predicted, it did indeed get better, much better! I was so happy that she finally broke the curse, not even realizing it at first. It killed me again when she was telling him that she couldn't marry him in the end, but then at the same time I thought it was sweet because it showed how much she cared about him. After she realized she had broken the curse for good I loved the way she basically asked him to marry her saying, "I'm older now, so much older that not only can I marry, but I can beg you to marry me." And as she went to kneel he pulled her up and kissed her. I just melted inside! I thought this was the sweetest thing ever and wanted my future husband to do that to me. They finally got married and it was laughter and love that helped them live happily every after. What a great ending!

This made me think; could this happen in realy life, could something like this happen to me in the future with the guy I end up marrying? Or is it things like this that just happen in fairy tales? Is there a "perfect guy" out there for me? Who knows... I guess I will just have to wait and see.

Ella Enchanted

This weekend before starting to read Ella Enchanted I went and rented it at Blockbuster. I actually read half of the book before I started watching the movie. And as always, the movie is different from the book. However, the movie seemed very different from the book. In the movie Ella doesn't go to finishing school like she does in the book. She also seems to be a little closer to her dad in the movie when she hugs him as he leaves sincerely saying she will miss him. Also, in the movie Prince Char stays with Ella at the giant wedding, but he drops her off in the book. I haven't finished the book yet, but I'm sure there are many more differences between the two. And so far, I'm enjoying the book more than I did with the movie. I love Anne Hathaway, and the prince in the movie was cute, but I thought the movie was rather silly and weird. Its crazy how many different versions of Cinderella tales there are today and from the past; whether they are books, movies, tv shows, short stories, poems, songs, etc. Who knows what type of Cinderella story we will come up with next, .... maybe I could write the next best hit. :)

Goodnight Moon

The classic, all-time favorite "Goodnight Moon" written by Margaret Wise Brown and illustrated by Clement Hurd has been read by many for nearly 60 years. I remember reading this book when I was little. In fact, when I found it recently I said, "Awww...Goodnight Moon."

Most parents will read this book to their children right before bed to calm them down. The short sentences, distinct illustrations, and the colors in the book keep children interested, wanting to read it over and over again. Even though this is a very simple text everyone, especially children, just fall in love with this story. For children it can be seen as a learning device; something simple yet something they can follow along with and remember. After reading some reviews, parents like to go throught it with their children pointing to different pictures asking them what each is and what color. They also like to whisper, especially at the end, to add to the affect of the story and of course to help their children fall asleep. One parent even commented that her child has a hard time falling asleep without someone reading "Goodnight Moon" to him.

I think this is a great bedtime story for all children. Even though it's short, simple and easy to read, it is calming, enjoyable and relaxing at the same time. It's odd to think that a book so old and so basic has become such a favorite for both children and parents. I guess it's hard to explain and to understand unless you've read it yourself. I love this book and can't wait to read it to my children!