BR:1-08: Babe: The sheep-pig

"I want to be a sheep-pig," Babe said." (p. 13)

 Please look at that lovely animals on the book. Hero character of this book is the pig. He is Babe. His mother called all her young the same name, "Babe".  When he comes to his boss' farm for the first time, and be asked his name by a sheep-dog named Fly, he doesn't know his name. Fly decides to call his "Babe", and he regards her "Mum".  Sheep-dogs are guard dogs, who is trained for their jobs. They keep eyes on their sheep, lead them, and guarded them from human robber or predator like wolves.　Babe's first friend is Fly who is a sheep-dog, so he long for sheep-dog. He wants to be a sheep-dog, however he is a pig, not a dog. He can't be a sheep-dog. That's why he tries to be a sheep-pig.

 

 I like this story because his process of growing up moves my heart. Then I like it because the characters are so unique! And, what is more, this book tells us something important!! It is how valuable being polite is. Fly is a brilliant sheep-dog, and he thinks that dogs are clever animals but sheep are stupid animals. She looks down on sheep, so she teach Babe to "tell" sheep, not to "ask" sheep. Actually, she doesn't know what like pigs are at first, and she thinks that humans eat stupid animals, so she teaches her young pigs as stupid animals. (It's so interesting. Don't we think of  stupid animals as hood?) However, she gets to know Babe is clever, so she tells him to be clever. On the other hand, Babe is very polite to sheep, and sheep like Babe. Sheep hate Fly as a bad wolf.  After sheep meets Babe, they change their attitude to Fly, who is not polite. One day, they ignore Fly's command, and begins to speak sheep language. Fly and human farmer don't know the words, except Babe. However, what is most interesting, it's not only sheeps who change their minds after Babe comes to their farm. Fly is also getting be a changed one, gradually. Fly have watched Babe, and she "asks" sheep about one thing for Babe. Then, she is able to talk with sheep! This tells us that being polite is important. That is, thinking of someone's mind is so precious. Communication with animals might be possible if we have the same gaze as animals.....

Dick King-Smith ; retold by Chris Grant-Bear 　(1999）. Babe: The shee-pig. Britain: Person Education

BR:1-07 Paris: city of light

Imagine you're going on vacation to Paris for a week. What five things do you most want to see and do? (p. 7)

I like learning French and French  culture, so I chose this book "Paris city of light". In this book, a lot of information are provided. Maybe, some people dream of Paris, and are familiar with Paris. The others might have been learned the history of Paris. That is, Paris is one of the most famous cities in the world. Through this book, you can reconfirm Paris, or can know Paris, newly.  Foe example, one of the reasons Paris is called "the city of light"is that Paris was one of the first cities in Europe to have streetlights.  Have you heard it ever before? Do you want to know more about Paris?  I recommend this book to you if you are interested in Paris.

   By the way, do you know a great movie, titled as " Midnight in Paris"?  An American man from today goes back in time at midnight and meets all of the famous artists, writers, fashion designers, and so on.   This book introduces the movie and the fact that Paris has a long history of art , artiste and writers. Hemingway and is one of the writers who came from other countries to live in Paris.

 At the last of this book, author posed some questions to reader. One of them as follow, "What time of year do you want to go Paris? Why?" I want to go to Paris at the same midnight as the movie, if it was possible to realize. It 's like because I like works of Ernest Hemingway.

Beaver Simon.(2014). Paris: city of light. America: Cambridgr University

 

BR:1-06 Just like a movie

'We can get money like that.' (P. 8)

 Many people dream of realizing a movie scene in real life.  Some people succeed like movie  which they yearn for. The others forget themselves because they are traped in the dream. The hero character, Brad who lovws movies is the latter, not the former.

 He has a lover, but he and his girlfriend don't have enough money. One day, he watches a movie where a poor weman killed a old, sick rich who loved her. She married her really lover after that.  She got all his money, so they were happy. When Brad watchs that, he is controled by the nice action. He wants to marry a rich man and kill her for his money to marry lover. Her girlfriend say that it's so stupid! But he doesn't listen to her....

Brad's dream seemes to realize at middle of the story, however, something unexpected happens to him later. He is so surprised because he thinks he has done the same as a movie.  After finishing reading, your mind might be clear.
Reality is not movie!!


Leather Sue . (2000). Just like a movie. Cambridge: Cambridge　University

BR:1-05 Inspector Logan

She thought it was unusual that Grant did not call her 'madam'.(p.8)

 The hero of this book is a female inspector, named Logan.  The sergeant Grant has never called her 'madam'. Sergeants usually call inspectors 'sir' or 'madam'.  She thinks he wants to know how good she is.  I think one of the highlights of this book is whether she can be called 'madam' at last. To be called so, she has to find a criminal of a incident which happens on her first day in her new jop as as inspector.









Another highlight is if readers realize some hints of solving a case. In this book, some clues are given to us. Some previous descriptions are connected with the follpwing descriptions. Therefore, we know who is a real criminal before we finish reading. But, but, I didn't realize it till the end. If this book was written in Japanese, I would notice that! I learned that it's important not to forget the  key pointo of the story when I am reaing a english book!

Macandrew　Richard .(2003). Inspector Logan. Cambridge: Cambridge Univercity

BR 1-04: Journey to Antarctica

 Despite the station's comforts, Antarctica can be a strange and hostile place. (p.16)

I think many people are attracted to beautiful worlds.  Antarctica is one of such loveliest places. The world of ice!  Blue and clear ice reflects sunlight, the world is sparkling all around. Many researches are also fascinated by the splendid world. In this book, a reseacher visits the antarctica, and she writes some email to tell what she have looked. The partner of the mail is her brother.  Therefore, we can know what the antarctica looks like via emails between  a pare of siblings.

More than 30 countries have established observation bases in the antarctica. The all countries have joined the antarctica treaty. According to this book,  the treaty protects the continent's flora and fauna.   Of course, why such a treaty was needed was because of human's mercliess actions. This book refer to it.  Attractive places have always been harmed by humans. The antarctica is so beautiful place. You can have a opportunity to think of the problem through this book.  However,  the beautiful side is not all.  When it comes to living there, a lot of trouble might attac you.  The researcher lives there while his research, so she mention the problems for her brother.  You shoule be her brother when you are reader! Please accept emails from your sister who is a     excellent researcher!!


Haydon.Julie.(2001). Journey to Antarctica. Australia: PM Non-fiction