BR 2-18: Look at me (Randell, 1995)

"I am painting. Look at me." (p.2)

In the book, several children do something. For example, they're painting, counting, or singing. Why do they do it? They do it because they want someone to look at them. They want to look at them any time. After I read the book, I felt we want someone to look at us any time because we try everything. If you read the book, you may want to try something new.

Reference: Randell, Beverley. (1995). Look at me. Albany: Nelson Price Milburn.

{88 words}

BR 2-17: Tom is brave (Beverley, 1996)

"You are brave." (p.12)

The main character's name is Tom. He is a boy. One day, he went to the shop for his mother. He tumbled then and cried. He went back home soon. He stopped crying as soon as her mother took care of his injury. She said to him, "You are brave." When he heard the word, he became happy and he went out to show people his injury she took care of.

After I read the book, I felt the boy was cheerful and cute. He was just said, "You are brave." and he became happy. As people grow older, they don't feel small happiness. When I found that, I was a little sad. I want to notice small happiness, and to live happily. You should read the book, too.

Reference: Randell, Beverley. (1996). Tom is brave. Albany: Nelson Price Milburn.

{144 words}

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}

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}

Essay 2-02b: Two Robin Hood

We will explain about two movies. We watched different movies. One is Walt Disney, and the other is Warner Brothers.

First, we introduce Natsumi’s favorite scenes. She watched the 2010 version. She likes this movie because Robin is so cool. He is brave and strong, and unique. When Robin and Marian rode on house and went taking a walk, Marian was caught in pond to rescue a goat. Then she disliked him because he is her new husband. So, she didn’t want to help by him and Robin also knew that. However, he dismounted from the house and walked to her. She looked expect something on him, but he rescued a goat first! It was a big shock for Marian, maybe. Of course, Robin helped her, too. But she was little angry. I think she is willful woman. The deputy official of Nottingham is falling love with her, but she doesn’t like him. A deputy official shows off her everytimes, and this scene also he appears. When the deputy official came there, she had already helped by Robin, and introduced him about Robin triumphantly.

Next, She can’t forget the scene of Walter was killed by Godfrey. She likes this old man very very much! So she hate Godfrey. She was impressed by the father and son’s family love. It was so beatiful. She cried and was very sad. 

Finally, I enjoyed watching this movie, thanks for the story describes the life of Middle century in Europe. She’s interested in their life style, so it was very charming. Commoners’s life is not only simple but also pleasant. One side, aristocrats are gorgeous.

In addition, we introduce Yuki's favorite scenes. She atched the 1938 version. One of her favorite scenes on the movie is that Robin tests a person who he hopes to make one of his companions. He fights with him and he makes good term with him. They laugh. The other one is a love scene. He knows the princess falls in love with him, but she is dishonest on that. She said that she doesn't fall in love with him, so he makes her say the truth with his clever words. She guesses he is good at romance. 

She enjoyed watching the movie. I'm interested in what Robin Hood is thinking. It's exciting. He often smiles. I guess he always has confidence, so a lot of people put confidence in him in the movie. 

As you can see, these movies we watched were different, but we liked Robin's action because it is filled with courage. Both the movies describe his courage well. They are exciting. In addition, we watched them and was moved. They made our hearts warm.

Curtiz, Michael (Producer), & Keighley, William (Director). (1938). {The Adventures of Robin Hood}. America: Warner Bros.

Scott, Ridley (Producer), & Scott, Ridley (Director). (2010). {Robin Hood}. U.K.: Universal Pictures.

{489 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)

Robin Hood

We will explain about our favorite movie Robin Hood. We watched different movies. One is made in Walt Disney, and the other is made in 2010 one.

First, we introduce Natsumi’s favorite scenes. I watched the 2010 version. I like this movie because Robin is so cool. He is brave and strong, and unique. When Robin and Marian rode on house and went taking a walk, Marian was caught in pond to rescue a goat. Then she disliked him because he is her new husband. So, she didn’t want to help by him and Robin also knew that. However, he dismounted from the house and walked to her. She looked expect something on him, but he rescued a goat first! It was a big shock for Marian, maybe. Of course, Robin helped her, too. But she was little angry. I think she is willful woman. The deputy official of Nottingham is falling love with her, but she doesn’t like him. A deputy official shows off her everytimes, and this scene also he appears. When the deputy official came there, she has already helped by Robin, and introduced him about Robin triumphantly.

Next, I can’t forget the scene of Walter was killed by Godfrey. I like this old man very very much! So I hate Godfrey. I was impressed by the father and son’s family love. It is so beatiful. I cried and very sad.

Finally, I enjoyed watching this movie, thanks for the story describes the life of Middle century in Europe. I’m interested in their life style, so it is very charming. Commoners’s life is not only simple but also pleasant. One side, aristocrats are gorgeous.

In addition, we introduce Yuki's favorite scenes. I watched the 1938 version. One of my favorite scenes on the movie is that Robin tests a person who he hopes to make one of his companions. He fights with him and he makes good term with him. They laugh. The other one is a love scene. He knows the princess falls in love with him, but she is dishonest on that. She said that she doesn't fall in love with him, so he makes her say the truth with his clever words. I guess he is good at romance.

I enjoyed watching the movie. I'm interested in what Robin Hood is thinking. It's exciting. He often smiles. I guess he always has confidence, so a lot of people put confidence in him in the movie.

As you can see, these movies we watched are different, but we like Robin's action because it is filled with courage. Both the movies describe his courage well. They are exciting. In addition, we watched them and was moved. They made our heart warm.

(455 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}

Robin Hood

Curtiz, Michael (Producer), & Keighley, William (Director). (1938). The adventures of Robin Hood. America: Warner Bros.

The main character's name is Robin Hood. He explores with his companions. He fights with John who is a king's younger brother because he is doing bad action to people while the king is out of the country. Robin gathers a lot of companions to win to John and his companions. The fight is exciting.

One of my interests on the movie is that Robin tests a person who he hopes to make one of his companions. He fights with him and he makes good term with him. They laugh. The other one is a love scene. He knows the princess falls in love with him, but she is dishonest on that. She said that she doesn't fall in love with him, so he makes her say the truth with his clever words. I guess he is good at romance.

The movie is exciting. It gives us courage for fighting with evil. The main character and the companions fight with the bad person, John. They fight with him without fearing even if he has his many companions and the power. They have wonderful wisdom. I guess they has believed it. That's also one of appeal of the movie. It tells clever people are profitable. The main theme is courage and wisdom.

Then, I'll introduce the characters. The main character is Robin Hood. He is brave, clever, and cheerful. The man who wears a red hat is very clever and one of Robin's companions. John is the king's brother. He does bad politics while the king is out of the country. The princess was one of John's companions, but she talks with Robin and falls in love with him. She isn't honest. As a result, she and Robin love each other.

The main character's name is Robin Hood. He explores with his company. He gets information that the king's younger brother, John, is doing bad politics while the king is out of the country. He decides to fight with John and gathers companions. He fights with archery. He is good at it. he falls in love with the princess after the first fight. The princess does, too. He makes her one of his companions. They save the king and people.

I enjoyed watching the movie. I'm interested in what Robin Hood is thinking. It's exciting. He often smiles. I guess he always has confidence, so a lot of people put confidence in him in the movie.

The movie will make you positive because it has a cheerful and exciting story. I want you to guess what Robin Hood thinks before he tests a person he tries to make his companion.

{457 words}

BR 2-01: Barack Obama

I wanted to know why Barack Obama could be a president. I guessed I would know the reason if I knew his character or career, so I chose this book.

I could know him more after I read the book. He had various experience. He has lived in some countries. He studied in some universities. The action is great! I admire his spirit of inquiry. In addition, he is considerate. I think he is a great person.

I recommend you to read the book because it will stimulate you.

Reference: Rollason, Jane. (2010). Barack Obama. London: Scholastic.

(97 words)