From Author Rebecca Grabill

This Joyful Mess

Outfoxing the Fox in Doctor De Soto
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Outfoxing the Fox in Doctor De Soto

Anthropomorphism lightens this harrowing tale. Written in a nursery tale style, the story of Dr. De Soto’s escape from the wiley fox feels like a modern Little Red Riding Hood or Goldilocks and the Three Bears. The husband and wife dentistry team...

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Grandfather’s Journey by Allen Say
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Grandfather’s Journey by Allen Say

I read this book for a children’s lit course way back in college (1997 or so). While I appreciate the family story and love the skilled watercolors, I’m not now and wasn’t then overly enthusiastic about this book.

Artistically, the pictures are very posed (stiff) and though lovely, do not...

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Mike Mulligan, Guilty As Charged
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Mike Mulligan, Guilty As Charged

Am I the only parent who uses the "abridged" bedtime story? What I mean is, I skip parts of longer books. Even shorter books. Like Cat in the Hat - he only spends one page standing on the ball in my version. I just can't take more "cake on the ball on the rake, etc." I abridge quite a bit of Mike Mulligan, too, despite the clever and rhythmic text. But for my purpose here...

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See, Flint Can Be Funny! The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis
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See, Flint Can Be Funny! The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis

One I read in college and several times since, plus heard the author reading at graduation this past July. This is the story of Kenny and his wacky family who, on a trip from their home in Flint, MI, are in Birmingham, AL at the time of a racially motivated church bombing.

The voice is funny, prone to hyperbole, which one might think...

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A Chair for My Mother: Contemporary Fable
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A Chair for My Mother: Contemporary Fable

First person narration and vibrant illustrations combine to build a believable story that is charmingly told. It’s the story of an urban family of Mother, Grandmother and daughter whose home is destroyed by fire. As they work to rebuild their home, their family bonds both with...

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Dirty Dogs - Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion
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Dirty Dogs - Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion

Such a sweet story!

Harry the dog doesn’t like baths so he runs off and gets dirtier and dirtier until he’s no longer a white dog with black spots, but a black dog with white spots. His own family doesn’t even recognize him until he races inside, up the stairs and jumps into, of all places...

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Hi, I’m Rebecca. I write books and I write here at This Joyful Mess to inspire everyone to find JOY in the everyday messes of life. Here you’ll find inspiration, educational resources, and so much more. Please explore and connect. I’d love to hear from you!