The Cheshire Cheese Cat is a delightful story written by Carmen Deedy and Randall Wright with beautiful illustrations by our favorite Barry Moser. Set in a London inn during the time of Charles Dickens and Queen Victoria, this story begins with the introduction of Skilley, the main character and resident mouser at Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese Inn. Skilley must make a pact with Pip the mouse to keep his guarded secret–Skilley does not eat mice. He eats cheese. There are multiple scenes of drama taking place in The Cheese, not the least of which Charles Dickens and his writer’s block. This tale contains so much fun and excitement, and the awesome illustrations of Barry Moser perfectly gel with this historical tale of mischief and friendship.

Barry Moser is a well known illustrator and even better known by those of us who work at Lemuria. A few of my favorite books that he has illustrated are The Blessing of the Beasts by Ethel Pochocki, Ring of Tricksters by Virginia Hamilton, Hogwood Steps Out by Howard Mansfield, and Hummingbird Nest by Kristina O’Connell George.

All this to say, we think Barry is the best. And to top it all off, Barry will be here in the store on Saturday, December 10th at 11:00. Barry’s books, The Cheshire Cheese Cat and Franklin and Winston: A Christmas that Changed the World, are also our Oz First Edition’s Club Picks for December!

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate Dicamillo is a beautiful book that all of us here at Lemuria love. From Bagram Ibatoulline’s beautiful illustrations to the distinct way Kate DiCamillo inspires all of us to be a little better than our original selves, what’s not to love about this beautiful book?

I fell in love with Edward on the first read. For me, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane represents the journey that many of us take in life. At the beginning of the story, Edward has more love than any china bunny, or person, can expect — he is loved selflessly and unconditionally. However, Edward has no regard for all this love and appreciation. Again, as in life, change is waiting to happen, and for our selfish little bunny, this change comes in the form of an accident at sea. This event becomes the catalyst for about twenty years of life adventures — most are full of love and happiness, but a few reveal to Edward all that he had taken for granted. At one point Edward is feeling pretty low and realizes that to be loved you must open your heart, and that to fully be happy you must give love in return. As you all know, opening the heart brings risk. Can Edward open his heart? Get the book and find out!

You will definitely enjoy not only the book but meeting the amazing person who gave us this beautiful story. Kate DiCamillo will be here this Sunday, May 15th at 1:00. We hope you will come out and meet her. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Also, check out Emily’s blog on Kate’s signing here!

The Night Fairy by 2008 Newbery Medal Winner Laura Amy Schlitz is about Flory, a young night fairy loses her wings and must learn to cope in an unfairy like world. She is a determined young fairy willing to do whatever it takes to survive. Come along and enjoy the adventure as Flory adapts to a new life, friends, and compromise. This is a delightful book. (ages 8 and up)

See Emily’s post on The Night Fairy here.

The time and place–Venice, Italy 1602–however, the descriptions are very much like Venice today. Here is a novel with excitement and adventure about pirates, romance, witchcraft, and spies. Come to Oz and check it out for yourself, you won’t be able to put it down. (Ages 10 and up for girls and boys)

These three books are about Christian the lion (a true story), they may seem to be the same, yet they are different.

Christian, the Hugging Lion by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell, Illustrations by Amy June Bates

Children’s Picture Book, Ages 3-6

The true story and the gentle lifelike illustrations make this picture book suitable for the younger child.

Christian the Lion (told from the lion’s point of view) Written by the owners Anthony (Ace) Bourke and John Rendall

Children’s Picture Book, ages 3-8, a true story with photographs

This is the story of their friend Christian, the lion. These two gentlemen purchased Christian, a three month old lion, from Harrods, a department store in London. Christian lived with Ace and John in their London apartment until he outgrew the small space, boarded a plane with his loving caretakers and flew to Africa. This period of time was a serious adjustment for Ace, John and Christian. This is a beautiful story of love, adjustment and beginning of a new life in Kenya. A year after saying goodbye, Ace and John returned to Kenya for joyous reunion with their friend, Christian.

Christian the Lion: Based on the Amazing and Heartwarming True Story by Anthony Burke and John Rendall

Middle reader, ages 8-10, a chapter book, a true story with photographs

The story behind the Youtube sensation.