BR 2-15: Beauty & the Beast (Stowell, 2006)

"Beauty and the Prince were married the next day, in a church filled with roses." (p. 62)

I have watched the movie, "Beauty and the Beast," created by Disney, so I had known the story before I read the book. However, I expected the story in the book was a little different from one in the movie. I guessed I would enjoy the difference. In fact, it's in the book. I like both the story in the movie and one in the book.

The members of Beauty's family are her father and two sisters. Beauty is the youngest of her sisters. One day, her father arrived at Beast's castle when he was out to get things her sisters want. He ate meal in the castle and walked. Then, he was found by Beast. He ordered her father to give him his daughter if you want to save." The daughters were very important for him, so he decided to give his life to Beast. However, Beauty noticed his problem soon, and she went to Beast's castle alone in order to save him. She and Beast lived together. He proposed her several times, but she rejected. At last, she loved him and his curse was removed and he could return a handsome prince. He and Beauty were married.

The story in the book is different from one in the movie as expected. Both of them are so good stories. The stories are a wonderful love stories. I enjoyed reading the book, comparing the book version with the movie version. After I read it, I like the story better.

Reference: Stowell, Louie. (2006). Beauty & the Beast. London: Usborne.

{276 words}

BR 2-14: Alissa (Moore, 2005)

"Alissa is reading."

I thought, "Who is Alissa?" at first. There is a girl hiding by a book in the book's cover. Is she cute? Is she poor? Why is the girl having the book? The picture of the cover was interesting for me when I found the book. The questions were solved after I read it.

The main character, Alissa, likes reading books. However, her family was so poor, so she was sent to the other people so that her father got money. She worked so hard in her owner's shop as if she had been a slave. However, she liked reading books and had read a lot of books, so she was smart and kind. She could read and write letters. She also treated the customers kindly. Nonetheless, she was treated so cruelly by her owner. One day, one of the customers found that problem and she decided to take care of Alissa. She brought her without paying money because she wasn't a slave.

The story has a happy end. I could know the answers after I read the book. I thought it was terrible that Alissa's father sold her to other people to get money. However, she was saved at last because she was kind and smart. I feel reading makes us smart from the book. Being smart leads us to a happy life. Reading a book is so important.


Reference: Moore, C.J. (2005). Alissa. Oxford: Macmillan Heinemann ELT.

{242 words}

BR 2-13: Saving Tigers (Brown, 2004)

"Tigers are animals at risk."

When I found the book in the library, I saw the title and wondered why Tigers should be saved. I didn't know tigers were animals at risk until I found the book. I was interested in it. I wanted to know the story, so I chose it. I felt it was important.

Cutting down trees destroys places where tigers live. Do you know that? I hadn't known that. I just thought that cutting down trees causes global warming. However, it also causes some animals.

Reading the book has you think of an environmental problem, so it's important. If you want to know the problem or tigers, you should read the book. If you are not interested in them, it'll give you something new. In addition, it has the picture of the cute tiger. I like tigers better after I read it.

Reference: Brown, Cushla. (2004). Saving Tigers. South Yarra: Macmillan Education Australia.

{157 words}

BR 2-12: Stories of Princes & Princesses (Rawson, 2003)

"So Colin lived clumsily, but happily ever after."

I like stories of princes and princesses and songs of Disney princesses, so it's natural for me to read the book. I expected the story was romantic before I read the book. In fact, it wasn't so romantic, but I like it. It's funny and cheerful. I enjoyed reading the book.

The book has four short stories. All of them are love stories of princes and princesses. The main characters are a prince or a princess. They are a little funny. However, they can get a happy end. They are unique, so I could enjoy reading the book. You also will do it, so I want you to read it.

Reference: Rawson, Christopher. (2003). Stories of Princes & Princesses. London: Usborne.

{129 words}

BR 2-11: Prince William (Escott, 1998)

"William is the 'People's Prince'."

I'm interested in Prince William because he is a prince and cool. He married Princess Catherine last year and he got more attention. I watched his marriage ceremony on TV. He looked so happy then. I knew him more, so I chose the book.

He was born on 21 June, 1982. The mother, Diana, gave him the name, "William." The book mainly describes his life with her. He has a lot of memories with her. For example, he often telephoned her from school.

I thought that he had been really loved by his mother after I read the book. Thanks to her, he became a very kind prince. If you want to know him more, you should read the book. It'll tell you Prince William's story easily. Moreover, you'll like him better after you read it.

Reference: Escott, John. (1998). Prince William. Harlow: Pearson Education.

{150 words}

BR 2-10: The Queen's New Seat (Brown, 2004)

"I don't like it here. Put it over there."

When I found this book, I wondered what seat the queen liked. I expected the story was strange because I couldn't imagine how the queen chose her favorite seat.

The main character is the queen. She chose her favorite seat and brought it to her castle. She made the king put it on various places many times. She was so selfish. At last, he was angry at her.

The story is funny. When she put her favorite seat on a place she liked, she didn't use a servant but the king. I felt the king to be weak. However, he was angry at the queen in the end of the story. It was natural. I don't like the queen because she is very selfish. The story is so funny, so you'll enjoy reading the book.

Reference: Brown, Cushla. (2004). The Queen's New Seat. South Yarra: Macmillan Education Australia.

{157 words}

BR 2-09: Marie Antoinette (Daynes, 2005)

 "She had no idea how poor they really were."

 I chose the book because I had heard her name. Marie Antoinette is often written on textbooks we use in a high school. Most people know the name. I wanted to know her more. I found her life much harder than I had expected after I read the book.

The book describes Marie's life. She had been rich since she was born. She moved from Austria to France. She had a good time in France at first. However, the ordinary French people were much poorer than she thought. In addition, she was caused by fraud. The end of her life is very sad.

The book describes Marie Antoinette is innocent. You may like her better after you read it. Moreover, it describes how her life is well. It's very interesting. Try to read it, and you will know her more.

Reference: Daynes, Katie. (2005). Marie Antoinette. London: Usborne.

{157 words}

BR 2-08: The United Nations (Brasch, 2007)

 "The United Nations tries to make the world a fairer, and more peaceful place to live."

I mistook the title of the book for "United States" at first. I had wanted to read a book on U.S. because I'll study in America next year. When I read the book a little, I noticed the title wasn't "United States," but "The United Nations." However, I didn't need minding knowing the United Nations, so I continued to read the book. After all, I feel good because I could know it.

The activities of the United Nations are written in it. They are for peace. If you would read the book, you could understand the United Nations easily.

Reference: Brasch, Nicolas. (2007). The United Nations. South Melbourne: Thomson Learning Australia.

{127 words}

BR 2-07: Making a Cake

"The best cakes are part science and part art."

I chose the book because the cakes in the book's pictures looked delicious. In addition, they have unique designs. They are cute or beautiful. I hardly cook, so I wanted to know a part of cooking when I found the book. I enjoyed reading it because I like cakes.

The book asks, "Is making a cake like making a work of art? Or is making a cake science?" It explains the answer. It is that the best cakes are part science and part art. When we want to make a good cake, we should think how we can make changes of the cake's form we hope. In addition, we should design the decoration for the cake well.

I wished I would have made a cake after I read the book. In addition, I wanted to eat a delicious and cute designed cake. I like the cake in page 15. The book gives a hint about making a good cake. If you often worry about a cake's design when you make it, I recommend the book because the book has a lot of pictures of cute and great cakes.

Reference: Reilly, Carmel. (2007). Making a Cake. South Melbourne: Cengage Learning Australia.

{209 words}

Personal language learning history

BR 2-06: Henry and Mudge and the snowman plan

"It said SNOWMAN CONTEST, SATURDAY AT THE PARK."

I chose this book because I wanted to read a picture book then. In addition, I wanted to read a book connected with winter because it's in winter. A snow scene is described in the cover of the book. I saw it, and I wanted to read it. It's cold in winter, but the story is warm.

The main character's name is Henry, who is a little boy. Henry's big dog Mudge is his good friend. One day, they found a sign in a store window. It's said SNOWMAN CONTEST, SATURDAY AT THE PARK. They decided to join it with his father. In the contest, Mudge was playing with some dogs there while they were making a snowman. After all, they could make a good one. Could they get a prize?

The story is bright and warm. The book describes love for family. I felt achieving somthing with someone was so important after I finished reading it. Doing it makes us warm even in a cold day. The story is simple, but it tells us an important thing.

Reference: Rylant, Cynthia. (2000). Henry and Mudge and the snowman plan. New York: Aladdin Paperbacks.

{206 words}

BR 2-05: A little princess (2005)

"It's just chance that I'm not you and you're not me." (p. 15)

I chose this book because of a simple reason. It's the pictures were cute. The main character, Sara, is so kind and has a lot of cute clothes. The title of the book is called "Shokojo" in Japan. Moreover, the story was made into a drama there. Then the title is "Shokojo Seira."

I'll introduce the story. Sara, who is the main character, was taken from India to a dull brick house by her father and she knew she couldn't stayed in India with him. Then, she lived in the house. She was the richest of the girls living there. In addition, she was so kind and had a pure heart. However, her life changed soon after her father died. She worked as a maid. Miss Minchin and her friends treated her coolly, but she was positive. One day, she saw a person living the next house to her one. 

The story has a happy end. Sara has a really pure heart and is strong, so I like her and want to be a person like her. She treats even a maid gently. I especially like this scene. Her father's friend said to her, "What are you going to do with your money?" She answered, "I'm going to help people." I think the scene really describes how kind she is, so I like it better than any other scene.

Reference: Burnett Hodgson Frances. (2005). A little princess. London: Usborne.

{260 words}

BR 2-04: Titanic (Vicary, 1999)

"The weather was good and there were thousands of stars in the night sky." (p. 4)



I chose this book because I was impressed by the film Titanic. It's fiction and a romance. I remember the story well though I watched it for the first time when I was an elementary school student. I like it, but I wanted to know the fact of the Titanic. I'm interested in the real story. 

The book describes what actually happened to the Titanic. It also described the film Titanic a little. I knew a new thing. When the Titanic hit the iceberg, the radio officer in it, who contacts with radio officers in other ships, tried to contact with them and ask for help soon. However, he can't do soon because radio was very new that time and they didn't listen to it all the time. Nobody in the nearest ship from the Titanic listen to it. Several hours later, the other ship came to it, but it could rescue a lot of people and they died.

After I read the book, I guessed people involved in the Titanic is filled in big regret. I thought more people might have been saved if the radio officer in nearest ship from it had found the emergency message. I'm sad that happy people in it were turned into unhappy that it sank. I wanted them to have a nice trip. If you want to know real story about the Titanic, you should read this book.

Reference: Vicary, Tim. (1999). Titanic. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

{265 words}

BR 2-03: Daniel Radcliffe (Shipton, 2008)

 "He is only twelve, but he is famous" (p. 1)

I like Daniel Radcliffe because he's cool. I knew him for the first time when I watched the movie, "Harry Potter." I really enjoy reading the books of the series and watching them. I really like the series, so I even have Harry Potter's TV game. Anyway, I like them very much, so I wanted to know him more.

I'll introduce the story of this book. It describes Daniel's life. It focuses on his life as an actor especially. His first job as it wasn't "Harry Potter series," but was a BBC television series of Dickens's book David Copperfield. There is one picture of that time in the book. Daniel in it is a cute boy. He grew to be a famous actor.

After I read the book, I knew Daniel wasn't going to be an actor. I wanted him to be it, but I hope that his choice's going well. I'm interested in his future because he became so famous when he was young. I wonder how people like him will live. I enjoyed reading the book because I like him. I recommend to read it if you also like him.

Reference: Shipton, Vicky. (2008). Daniel Radcliffe. Harlow: Pearson Education.

(201 words)

Essay 2-01a: My Favorite Place

I have several favorite places. They relax me. I'll introduce one of them. It's Kumamoto prefectural library. There are my memories there, too.

First, I'll introduce where the library is. It's in Izumi, Kumamoto. There are Kumamoto city's gym, Kumamoto commercial high school, a convenience store and so on near the library. I often go to the convenience store to buy food and drinks when I go to the library with my boyfriend. I often went to the library with him because I didn't remember the route. I often go there by bicycle, but I sometimes do by bus. I wait for bus at the bus stop in front of Nisseki hospital when I go there by bus.

Second, there are most books written by Kiyoshi Shigematsu of my favorite libraries. I'm happy that because he is one of my favorite novelist. I've read some his book in the library. It's also useful to look for books to use when I write a report. It has a lot of books. It's one of my favorite places now, but I didn't like it when I went to the library for the first time. I liked the Kumamoto Municipal library better than it because the municipal library has more novels. I read only them. However, I have read difficult books since I entered the university. Then, I found the prefectural library useful. It has a lot of books I want to read now. In addition, there is a study hall in the library. You can study in the quiet room if you go there. That is why I like it.

Finally, there are my memories in the library. I often went there with my boyfriend when we were high school students. We studied or enjoyed reading a book there. We usually arrive there in the morning when we go. We usually stay there to evening, so we buy food in the convenience store and have lunch together. I have a good time.

As you can see, one of my favorite places is useful and comfortable. It's easy to get to. In addition, there are my good memories there. It is useful when you want to read books or to center on studying in the quiet room. I recommend going there. You will be able to make good use of a day if you go there.

{393 words}

Essay 2-01a: My Favorite Places

 

I'll introduce my favorite places. They are my home, libraries, Fukuoka, and lovely cafes. There are good memories, comfort, or good atmosphere in them. I'll enjoy the places even if I go there many times. I like mainly quite places or places where cute goods sell.

First, I'll introduce my home. It gives me comfort. I like my room the best in my home because I'm not meddled there. I can do things I want to do freely. Then, my home is on 11th floor of the apartment, so the view is wonderful. I'm often on my apartment's stairs with my boyfriend, and we enjoy talking there. That is why I like my home.

Second, I like libraries because I can enjoy reading various books, or study seriously. My favorite libraries are KGU's, Kumamoto University's, and Kumamoto Prefecutural library. I often study alone in KGU's library. The equipment is rich and beautiful. I sometimes go to Kumamoto University's library with my boy friend. I read books or study there. The good point of the library is it is available readily for the public. I sometimes go to Kumamoto Prefectural library with my boyfriend, too. We also read books or study there now. We have liked the library since we were high school students. In addition, there are most books written by Kiyoshi Shigematsu of the three. I'm happy that because he is one of my favorite novelist.

Third, I like Fukuoka. It's the place I traveled with my boyfriend for the first time. I had a very good time then. I like Tenjin the best in Fukuoka. I enjoyed shopping there. My favorite shopping mall in Tenjin is Tenjin Vivre and Tenjin Core. Both of them have my favorite shops. I like shops on the 8th floor the best of shops in Tenjin Vivre. There are some shops of Lolita fashion on the 8th floor. I like LIZ LISA the best of shops in Tenjin Core. I shopped a coat and a bag. I think Tenjin is the city where people enjoy shopping.

Finally, I like lovely cafes. They gives me comfort. Cafes are usually beautiful and comfortable. Nowadays, I'm interested in tea, so I want to drink various kinds of tea, enjoying cafe's lovely atmosphere. My favorite cafes are Caffera and Morozoff. They're in Tsuruya.

As you can see, I like places giving comfort or having pretty goods. I go to such a place and enjoy the atmosphere. That refreshes me, so that's important for me. Then, there are some memories that I spent with my boyfriend in my favorite places. I want to find good places more.

{439 words}

BR 2-02: More Macdonalds (Strong, 2001)

"This house is too small" (Strong, 2001, p.2).

I chose the book because the mouse in the book was cute. I guessed the story was the children want to have more hamburgers in MacDonald's when I read only the title. However, my expectancy wasn't right. MacDonald's, which is a fast hood shop, didn't appear in the book. A family's house appeared.

I'll introduce the story. The father says to his family, "We should increase a room because the house is too small." Then, his children, Jojo and Mouse, talk about the room. Who gets it? One day, Jojo and Mouse found there's something wrong with her pet. They are anxious that it'll die. Is it all right? Who gets the room?

One of the characters' names is Mouse. He is one of the children. His name is funny. In addition, his pet is a mouse, so I felt the situation was complicated at first. However, the story was warm and happy. Mouse's person was good. I want you to read this book because it will make your heart warm.

Reference: Strong, Jeremy. (2001). More Macdonalds. Harlow: Pearson Education.

{185 words}

My New Hobby

My new hobby is collecting Sanrio goods because I found that Sanrio produced very cute stationery. I had liked Sanrio goods since I was a little girl, but I have liked them more since then. I like cute things very much.

There is a mechanical pencil in the left picture. I bought it in September. Its design is so cute and the grip is soft. I rarely find mechanical pens which has those two points, so I like it. A diary is very cute, too. The other Sanrio goods I have are a bag, a carpet, and a ruler. I want to get more Sanrio goods.

This is Sanrio's official page. Let's click it!
http://www.sanrio.co.jp/

{114 words}

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