Ella Enchanted

This afternoon was the first time Katerina's book club met. (Well, we did a little organizational thingy a month ago, but this was the first time discussing a book.) We had chosen Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine.

(Quick confession: Kat and I didn't finish the book. But we WILL! And we still all had fun!)

The girls and the moms really liked the book. It is a fairy-tale re-telling / revision of the classic Cinderella story, but with a few twists. Ella, the main character, was given a "gift" by a fairy when she was born--to always be obedient. Unfortunately that means that any command she is given, be it pick up your shoes or go jump in a lake--she has to obey! Will Ella break her curse?It's a great read.

We first talked about the book; the girls told their favorite parts and then we talked about some of the characters. Then we played a game--which was really just Simon Says, but the girls pretended to be Ella, who had to obey everything they were told to do. They had to twirl, curtsy, stick out their tongues, act like chickens...they loved it! Then they drew pictures of Ella at the ball in the final chapters of the book. I read to them what her dresses looked like (there were three balls) and the girls drew whatever they wanted. Their pictures were really cute! Last, the girls decorated white cupcakes (there is a character in the book who is forever asking for white cake).

All in all it was a fun time, and Katerina had a blast. She was so excited right before book club and it was even better when Jeff took the boys and left so it was just me and her.

The next book we're reading is From the Mixed up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg. Another goody. And this time Kat and I WILL finish by the time we meet!!!