Underdog Day

The Bad Beginning is the first book in the Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket. The main characters are Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire, who are, without a doubt, the most unlucky characters ever found in children’s literature. The readers are warned at the beginning if they like tales with happy endings, they should not read this book. The book reads somewhat like a gothic tale, and the troubles the children face seem unending. The three children’s talents–Violet is an inventor, Klaus is a reader, and Baby Sunny is a biter–help them escape the worst. This unusual book with its odd humor and remarkable vocabulary is sure to intrigue middle-grade readers, even those who are reluctant readers. Don’t be surprised if  the middle-grader in your life want to read the entire series – 13 books, of course.  After all, who doesn’t love the underdog, or underdogs, in this case!

Gingerbread Decorating Day aka Gingerbread House Day

The Gingerbread Girl, written and illustrated by Lisa Campbell Ernst, is a new twist on an old story. The old man and old woman decide to bake a gingerbread girl this time since they had such bad luck with the gingerbread boy. The gingerbread boy they made earlier may have been fast, but he was tricked by the fox and was eaten. Read this book to see if the gingerbread girl escapes her brother’s fate. It’s a fun story with many cute rhymes. Young listeners and young readers who already know the traditional story will love the humor and fun in this book.