Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne is one of the classic children’s literature characters who everyone knows, but thanks to Walt Disney. Growing up I never read the original book by the British author, I only knew Disney’s American interpretation of the stories. So in reading this book, I was surprised that while the characters’ personalities are generally the same between both interpretations, Milne’s version really focuses on the shortcomings of each animal. Pooh is the Bear Without a Brain; Piglet is a coward; Owl is pretentious; and Eeyore flips between depression and actual self-loathing. While the stories were friendly and had happy endings, I couldn’t help thinking how children might be influenced by the subtle clues personifying each personality of the animals. In the end, I guess the take-away is that we all have our faults but we can all coexist, accept, and help each other, as Christopher Robin does for Pooh. Overall, I unexpectedly enjoyed reading these stories and experiencing the original versions of these characters.

I went into reading The Tale of Tom Kitten with the mindset that the story would be forgettable and dull to me as a 21-year-old. So I was a little surprised when I found myself feeling entertained by a Beatrix Potter story. I had heard The Tale of Peter Rabbit when I was a kid but all I could remember was that it was a simple story about animals that wear clothing. The same is true for Tom Kitten, but the shenanigans he and his sisters get up to when they are supposed to be quietly playing in the garden were made more complex by the fact that his mother wanted her children to impress the guests she had invited over. The consequences Tom faces when ducks steal his clothes are more interesting to older readers than the simple end to Peter Rabbit. I think I enjoyed this little picture book because Tom’s story reminded me of my own childhood memories and the subplot of his mother wanting to impress her guests with clean children added a humorous side similar to a television sitcom.

Coraline: The Graphic Novel is definitely a reading experience unlike any others I’ve had. The story of the bored little girl who finds a mysterious door that leads to an alternate world of people with buttons for eyes was a little far out there for me to fully enjoy. I felt that this book could be summarized as a creepier version of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. I have never read the actual book, so I did not know the story before I read this version, but the graphic novel jumps around a lot. I felt that the motivations behind many of the characters’ actions (including Coraline herself) were unexplained and random, so it made it hard for me to completely comprehend the story. Usually in fantasy stories like this, the reason for the strange experiences of the protagonist is explained at the end, but I still do not understand why the alternate reality existed. I guess plenty of people like this story since it was made into a movie, but I’m willing to bet that the book is better than the graphic novel.

Boy by Roald Dahl is the closest the famous author ever got (or would ever let anyone else get) to writing an (auto)biography. Written in the same voice as his many famous fictional novels, Dahl casts himself as the hero and recounts stories from his childhood rather than just writing the facts of his life. The book also operates as a sort of history lesson for the reader as there are multiple instances of Dahl using phrases like “back in those days” or “one used to…” followed by explanations of how times have changed. This book was a joy to read because it is written as if the author is sitting in his study, telling you personally stories from his childhood. It definitely does not read like a biography. It is also interesting to note various inspirations for his later books, such as his fear and dislike towards his school headmasters (as in Matilda) and his imaginings about the Cadbury Chocolate Factory (which led to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory). This book makes an entertaining supplement to Dahl’s works of fiction, so I would recommend it to any of his fans.

J.K. Rowling’s finale to the most successful book series of all time is the epic conclusion fans all over the world hoped for. Even though this was not my first time reading about Harry’s final adventure in the wizarding world, the writing still brings great emotion and nostalgia to the experience. As Harry and his friends hunt down the sources of Lord Voldemort’s immortality to finish him once and for all, characters, locations, and past actions are explained, reviewed, and even lost. Eight years after it was originally published, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows still stands as a strong finale that takes new and returning readers on an amazing adventure.