I loved rereading this children's classic! When twins Laura and James move to the country, they find an old wishing well, and begin to test the magic waters with their wishes. The wishes seem to come true, but in such regular, mundane ways that the children can't be sure... was it magic or not? The eccentric Lydia comes blasting into their adventures, and their neighbor Kip joins in the fun. The wishing well definitely appears to be influencing their adventures, but only when they wish something good for others, never when they wish for themselves. So the four friends attempt a quest of good deeds, with mixed results when the disgustingly spoiled rich kid, Gordy, begins to tag along and pester them. Can the children accept the strange directions that the wishing well sends them, or will they draw the line at including the nasty Gordy in their group?

I just adore everything about this book! The whimsical plot, the endearing characters, and the way the author keeps you guessing... was it really magic? ...or not?
I, for one, believe that it was definitely magic, although perhaps a mild type of magic.

The best part is seeing how the children slowly make friends, and begin to understand one another, forming a close-knit group until the spoiled Gordy comes along. Their friendship dynamic really pushes the story along, and makes every moment delightfully peppery.

2021 Update: Rereading it again is just as delightful and fun!

This graphic novel follows a writer who is struggling to write about "real life" in a tale of zombies, dreadful mysteries in damp dungeons, and evil pacts with the vile powers of darkness.

I loved the shadowy art style in this book! It's so expressive and chaotic. It creates a definite mood for this eerie tale of nefarious deeds.

I am not a fan of horror stories, but this book is not really scary, and it made me laugh so much! It makes fun of typical horror tropes in such a clever way. The story jumps around a lot, but I think that is on purpose to create a disturbing atmosphere. I loved the plot twist at the end!

Mrs. Frisby's son is sick in bed, and cannot be moved. But the farmer is coming to plow up the field where they live as soon as the frost has left the ground. Mrs. Frisby goes to the rats to ask for help, and discovers the secret past of the rats of NIMH.

I just love this book more and more every time I read it. It's so interesting to find out about the rats and how they live and their past history. The whole world-building of the society of all the animals who live around the farm and in the woods is fascinating. I love stories about mice because they are so little. Who doesn't love a good under-dog story?

Mrs. Frisby is such a wonderful main character, because she is timid and frightened, but can also be incredibly brave when she has to be. She does amazing things, and takes risks in order to save her children. She is intelligent and warm-hearted. I just love her personality and her sweetness!

There is something so charming about the writing style. It really draws you in and pulls you into the suspense. With just a few sentences, you truly care about each of the characters, and it really matters to you what happens to them. No wonder this book won a Newberry award!

Danny and his father have a close relationship. They live in a caravan behind their gas station and car mechanic garage. Danny learns to be the youngest mechanic in history. One night he discovers that his father is keeping a delightful secret, and he needs Danny's help.

This is my favorite Dahl book! The connection between father and son is so precious! I love the way that Danny describes his father and their simple life together living in their little caravan. Danny is such a clever and intelligent little boy with a good heart.

There is something so charming about Dahl's writing style. Every time I read one of his books, I am swept away into a world of enchantment and hilarity. There are so many funny scenes in this book! I always laugh so hard each time I reread it.

After her father's death Rose is listless and ill, until her new guardian, Uncle Alec, encourages her to try healthful food, sunshine, and exercise. Gradually, Rose begins to improve both in health and spirits, and soon she is able to join her cousins in their frolics and adventures. She has seven cousins, all boys, who gather around her with energetic fun. But Rose also has a great many meddlesome aunts, who object to Uncle Alec's parenting style, saying that he will make her into a shameful tomboy instead of an elegant young lady. Ultimately, Rose has to decide which path is the best for her own happiness.

This book just gets sweeter every time I read it! What a comfort it is to reread old favorites! I always cry at the sad parts and cheer for Rose when she triumphs.

I just adore the close relationships between the family. The cousins really look out for each other and help each other in the sweetest way. I especially love the friendship between Rose and Phebe! They are so cute and giggly, but their friendship is also strong through tough times.

I always think it's so weird and funny that the characters think it's vain of Rose to want to wear earrings. I guess it was a new fashion back then. They sure make a big fuss about it in several scenes, and everyone tells Rose how silly and frivolous she is. Haha!

I love the charming writing style. It really pulls you into the story, and makes you care about the characters. The plot is very wholesome with dozens of moral lessons, but I like that. It's told in such an emotional and interesting way that I don't mind being preached at.

Mr. and Mrs. Twit are horrible people. They play nasty tricks and kill birds and keep circus monkeys locked in a cage. But one day the monkeys and the birds team up to get their revenge on the evil Twits.

This has never been my favorite Roald Dahl book. The story is very short and simple, and I think I prefer his longer books with a more structured story. But this is a cute one, and it has that sparky Dahl flavor. I do like the funny illustrations!

There is one page that talks about what makes people ugly. It is one of my favorite paragraphs in all of his works. He says that people with ugly thoughts go on getting uglier and uglier, and people with beautiful thoughts can never look ugly. Even if they have a wonky nose and crooked teeth, their beautiful thoughts will shine through on their faces making them look beautiful and pleasant. I have found this to be very true in real life! I love the quiet wisdom in Dahl's books.

Five siblings find a Psammead, a sand fairy, who agrees to grant them one wish every day. They wish for money, beauty, wings, and all manner of foolish things, and every wish somehow goes terribly wrong as the consequences catch up with them.

I always love this book every time I reread it! It's so whimsical and charming. I just love the setting and the time period in the early 1900s.

The siblings are silly and cross and affectionate. They tease each other and fight and take care of each other. In other words, they are just like regular siblings.

The magic is beautiful and imaginative and weird! It's so funny and interesting to read about all the trouble they get into and how they manage to get themselves out of it and find their way home again at the end of the day.

I also love the sequel, [b:The Phoenix and the Carpet|97090|The Phoenix and the Carpet (Five Children #2)|E. Nesbit|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327883589l/97090._SY75_.jpg|1115313]. Edith Nesbit just has such a delightful writing style that never gets old!

Rose has returned from a year abroad to find that most of her boy cousins have quite grown up while she was away. Suddenly, they are all on the brink of adulthood and beginning to think of careers and romance. Rose must choose her path in life carefully while she begins to gradually bloom.

I love this marvelous sequel to [b:Eight Cousins|14570|Eight Cousins (Eight Cousins, #1)|Louisa May Alcott|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328864060l/14570._SY75_.jpg|2905864]! It has a more mature purpose and some darker themes than the first book. There are themes about alcoholism, death, clan loyalty, elitism, philanthropy, and having strong moral principles. This is another Alcott book with moral lessons in every other chapter, but I love it! The morals are woven so nicely into the story, that I don't mind being preached at in this wholesome way.

I love Phebe and Rose's sweet friendship even more in this second book than in the first one! Those two girls are so close and affectionate, and they are fiercely loyal and ready to brave anything to protect their friend. It's so refreshing to read about a strong female friendship!

All the boy cousins have great personalities and fun scenes, but the three with the most depth and development are the three oldest boys, Archie, Mac, and Charlie. I loved seeing how they grow and develop through the story, and especially how Rose herself influences them for good.

Hachiken is drafted to help Sensei make some cheese wheels, and they all learn about the arduous and careful process of making cheese. His friends reveal that their families' farms are in debt, and Hachiken worries because he has no way to help them. He tries to support them and encourage them by just being there for them, even though he can't do anything to save their farms.

This was an emotional volume, as Hachiken starts to feel more confident about showing his true feelings to his friends, and they in turn allow themselves to be more vulnerable with him. I just love all the strong friendships and little flirtations that are developing more and more!

Stuart is a mouse born to a family of people. His parents and older brother are not quite sure what to make of him. They ask the doctor if their new baby mouse is quite healthy, but Stuart proves to them that he is more resilient than they realize. Through all his adventures, Stuart keeps his courage and tenacity.

I just love this whimsical story! There is always something hilarious happening, and I especially love the story line about Stuart sailing a ship in Central Park. Margalo, the little bird, is a lovely character, so sweet and helpless and delicate.

I like that Stuart is dreamy and intelligent, but also brave and resourceful. He doesn't always make the best decisions, but he does have excellent manners.

There are many things in the different plot lines that are not quite explained, but you just have to accept that. It is never explained why a family of humans have a mouse for a son. It is never explained if all humans can talk to animals, or if only Stuart can bridge that gap.

The story can be a little chaotic sometimes, but that is part of its charm. The ending is left hanging as Stuart drives off into the sunset for further adventures, but we don't get a resolution for his quest.

In spite of all that, I do love this sweet and interesting story! It's so imaginative and fun!