August 19, 2015

I am thrilled to announce the second Just Anna Book Club meeting! Olaf and I will be discussing two new books this time (and once again there may be spoilers.) Ready to go?

My book was Just Ella by Margaret Peterson Haddix and Olaf's was If You Met Snow White by Margo Lundell.

Me: Why did you pick this book, Olaf?

Olaf: Well, when you read that Snow White book last time I wanted to learn more about her character so I decided to read this.

Me: I can't believe I inspired you, that's so great! Okay, what was your favorite part?

Olaf: I love the picture of Snow wading.

Olaf: What got you to read Just Ella?

Me: MyLittleMegara actually met the author and was very excited about it. I overheard her talking about it and asked if I could borrow it. I'm glad I did!

Olaf: What did you like the best?

Me: I loved the part near the end where Ella realizes how wrong she's been about palace life and decides to take her destiny into her own hands, making the best out of an awful situation.

Have you read either of these books? Do you have suggestions for next time? Answer in comments and remember -- thank you so much for joining us at the Just Anna Book Club!

-Anna

August 4, 2015

It was evening, and Olaf and I had spent a nice day laughing and reading and exploring and playing games. After our wonderful adventures, we had climbed up onto the mantel and were settling in for a nice long chat when I began to gesture wildly while speaking. (I do this sometimes, and often find it embarrassing.)

My motions became too flamboyant and I lost my balance. Rather than stopping my fall, my stand caught my leg and, as I wrenched it away, I fell off of the small ledge.

In the space of one second, I thought that this was what it must be like to be Alice in Wonderland, but without a watch bearing rabbit and a certain destination other than painful splat. No sooner had I thought of said "splat" than my fall was broken by something warm and firm. Actually, two somethings. Like... arms?

My eyes flew open and locked onto a pair of deep brown ones, concernedly watching my face. Preparing to say something witty or intelligent to this strange new doll holding me, I opened my mouth.

"Thanks," I said stupidly, "that was like a crazy trust exercise or something." Was now really the moment to quote Olaf?!?!?

Suddenly, I realized that my arm was around the other doll's neck.

Before I could say anything else ridiculous, I moved my arm.

"Oh!" The blonde doll said, helping me sit on his... his what, exactly? Upon closer inspection, I discovered that I was sitting on a plush reindeer.

"You aren't hurt, are you?"

"No, I'm Anna! Er, I'm fine," I stammered as the Kristoff doll let go of me. In the process our hands met. It was unnerving and wonderful and terrifying and over before I could decide how I really felt about it.

"Well, um, I'm Kristoff and this is Sven," Kristoff said, gesturing to the reindeer who was functioning as my seat. Sven greeted me in reindeer noises so I scratched between his antlers.

"He seems to like you," Kristoff remarked.

"You think so? Well, I like hi-"

"HEADS UP!" A shout broke through my sentence as Olaf jumped off of the mantel and landed next to me, upside down, on Sven.

"Wow, a reindeer," he exclaimed while righting himself. "What's his name?"

"Sven," Kristoff and I chorused, then laughed. I smiled up at him. 

"What do you call the reindeer, Sven?"

"... Yes..." Kristoff said.

"That's so narcissistic, naming a reindeer after yourself. Sven and Sven. Or... WAIT! Do you call him Yes?"

"Wait, what?" Kristoff asked, looking utterly confused.

"Olaf, the reindeer is named Sven. But the blonde guy is named Kristoff," I explained.

"Oh, wow. I really messed that up, didn't I? Sorry, Kristoff!"

"It's fine," Kristoff answered. "Anna, how do you feel?"

"Pretty good, considering I just fell out of the sky," I joked.

"Do you think you can stand?" Kristoff still seemed very concerned.

"Yeah, I think so." The concern was cute and mildly distressing.

He helped me to my feet and kept one hand at my back, supporting me gently.

I was amazed at how that one action had the power to rid me of any normal thought. 

"Thanks again," I mumbled, pulling away.

"No problem."

"I... erm... unh... I should go. I have to, umm, do... things..." I wished I could just stop talking! Wincing, I walked away. I couldn't stop myself from looking back, though. 

Maybe I could get to know this Kristoff doll better...

-Anna

June 20, 2015

Hello, and welcome to the first ever Just Anna Book Club meeting! Today, Olaf and I will be discussing 2 books that we recently finished reading. Just a warning: there may be spoilers ahead, so if that bothers you, you may want to skip this post. :)

 

 

Without further ado... Fairest by Gail Carson Levine and Lovable Furry Old Grover's Resting Places by Jon Stone.

 

Me: Olaf, tell me all about your book!

 

Olaf: In my book, Grover takes us on a tour of all of his resting places.

 

Me: What is your favorite of Grover's resting places?

 

Olaf: I like the ear resting place.

 

Me: But, umm, Olaf... you don't have any ears!

 

Olaf: I can hear you, can't I?

 

Me: ...

 

Olaf: So, obviously, I have ears somewhere!

 

Me: True!

 

Olaf: So, obviously, I can still use the ear resting place.

 

Me: Well, my book was Fairest, which is a fabulous retelling of Snow White.

 

Olaf: What's your favorite part, Anna?

 

Me: Oh, I love it when Aza gets her first kiss!

 

Olaf: Has anyone ever kissed you, Anna?

 

Me (taken aback): How can they have? You're the only boy I know! But I do love a good fairytale romance...

 

Olaf: Oh, okay.

That's all, everybody! Thanks for reading and we'll see you next time at the Just Anna Book Club!

-Anna

June 6, 2015

I had hoped to go outside again today, but it was far too cloudy and gloomy. The sun peeked through the clouds, but those clouds were big and ominous and threatened rain.

I looked out the window and sighed. I'd been cooped up inside for more than a month watching MyLittleMegara study for finals. I'd enjoyed being in the room where the humans spent a lot of time, sure, but there's a huge window in that room where I first glimpsed the outside world with Olaf. Today, I'd ventured as far as the sliding door/ window hybrid. I'm not sure what the humans call it. Still, my trip had done nothing but make me feel more trapped- and bored. I began to walk away.

I still took one last look. I couldn't help it.

As I was gazing out the window, I heard a familiar voice call "Yoo hoo! Anna!"

I looked up and laughed.

"Hello, Olaf!"

There, peeking around the corner of the bookshelf, was my snowman friend.

He was way up at the top (how he got up there, I'll never know!) and I knew I couldn't just climb up to where he was. I looked up at the shelf, trying to come up with a solution.

Before I could think of anything, Olaf jumped. As before, his balance was perfect. I wondered again how he did it.

I caught him easily, the confidence gained from my excursion in April still flowing through me.

He sat up and looked at me. Grinning toothily, he thanked me. "Thanks! That was like a crazy trust exercise!"

"Or something," I laughed.

"I know what we can do today," Olaf abruptly changed the subject.

"What?" I was still laughing.

"That cabinet over there is full of games." Olaf was gesturing to a bit of furniture by the door.

"Great idea, Olaf!" I half shouted while racing over to the cabinet and pulling out two games: Boggle and Tri-Ominos.

We chose to start with Boggle.

Olaf and I sat down with pens and paper and started our game, which I think I won.

Tri-Ominos ended up being a team effort, trying to get all of the numbered triangles to fit in the pattern. We didn't get all of them but we came close!

That evening, after we'd played the games again and again, I turned to Olaf.

"Thank you," I smiled, "thank you so much."

"For what?" he asked.

"For everything."

I started to wonder just how much I had to learn from the little plush snowman.

-Anna

April 17, 2015

This morning I looked out the window to find a sun dappled world waiting to be discovered. At first I was just enjoying the way the dew glittered in the soft green grass, but the world just looked so inviting that I begged MyLittleMegara to take me out there. I suppose I must have taken Olaf's ideas about exploring to heart! Once she did, however, I started to have second thoughts. The world around me was so big and wonderful and terrifying. I was just Anna... how was I supposed to fit in such a large and important place?

Gradually, I started to look around.

There were big, leafy trees around me. casting shadows and filtering in soft light.

I took a breath and stepped out onto the grass. It was so green!

I could feel my courage mounting as I walked forward.

Everything around me was new- but it wasn't scary or bad. It was amazing. For the first time in my life, I felt like I could do anything.

Confidence and courage flowed through me as I stood there in the morning light.

With that glorious feeling, the sun became brighter and the dew sparkled more intensely.

A beam of sunlight fell across my face, temporarily blinding me. But how could I be blind when I was truly seeing for the first time?

Even the flowers seemed to stand taller, as though my joy was radiating onto them.

It was the most amazing feeling. 

Of course, even the best things have to end. My plastic heart began to sink as I headed back to the house. The overwhelming joy began to slowly drain out of me.

But, as I walked, the sun seemed to wink at me again. A flicker of sunlight stayed with me and with it, a little of the confidence and happiness my adventure had given me.

-Anna