Skip to main content

The Girl in the Castle Inside the Museum by Kate Bernheimer, illustrated by Nicoletta Ceccoli

Image
By Carla Morris

The girl who lives in the castle, which is located in a museum, is lonely. Children visiting the museum can see her in the castle if they look very closely. The castle is a strangely beautiful place, full of music, toys, and fun things to do. But loneliness overrides all of these joys. The ethereal and creamy faces of the museum children match those of the dolls, which adds to the overall surreal and dreamlike quality. Included in the end is a interactive activity which will solve the loneliness problem and compel the reader to return to this magical world over and over again.

Comments

2112 said…
The story was not my favorite part of this picture book. The end could be a little creepy to some young children. However, the illustrations are gorgeous!
February 28, 2008 at 7:17 PM
Unknown said…
That's interesting. I read the story as completely innocent, magical, and really sweet! The end doesn't seem creepy but 'haunting' and gentle. It seems like on the last page the little girl in the museum really is seeing the reader, as her friend. My daughter, who is three, loves it and kisses the girl on that page! Maybe that's what makes this such a good book. It can seem creepy to some (who might like creepy)and to others it can be read at face value. That makes it a classic for me. I was excited to find this one.
March 4, 2008 at 12:57 PM
curlyq said…
I, too, felt the story was lacking in quality. It had potential but felt rather unfinished to me. However, the illustrations are incredible, as all Ceccoli's work is, and I love the ethereal quality.
March 29, 2008 at 9:22 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

De la hora del cuento: La letra "F"

By
Cuentos Gustavo: el fantasmita timido Por Flavia Z. Drago Somerville, Massachusetts : Candlewick Press, 2020. Libro ilustrado. "Conoce a Gustavo. Él es un fantasma y como a cualquier ser paranormal le encanta hacer lo que le es normal: atravesar paredes, hacer volar objetos y brillar en la oscuridad. También le encanta tocar el violín. Pero Gustavo tiene un problema. Él es muy, muy tímido, y aunque su deseo más grande es tener amigos, nunca se ha atrevido a hablarle a ninguno de los monstruos en su pueblito. Con el Día de Muertos cerca, ¿se atreverá Gustavo a dejar que lo vean?" --Editor Cuentitos ¡Yo sola! Por Sumana Seeboruth y Maribel Castells Concord : Barefoot Books, 2023. Pequeño libro ilustrado. "Yo sola. ¡No, no, no! Puedo hacerlo. ¡Vete, vete, vete! Esta niña no quiere que la ayuden ... hasta que su hermana mayor necesita ayuda. ¡El trabajo en equipo es divertido!" --Editor Otros libros sobre la letra "F" El bosque en familia Maisy juega fútbol Lo...
Post a Comment
Read more

Review: Alina in Her Roots

By
Alina in Her Roots Written by Shenaaz Nanji Illustrations by Beena Mistry Toronto, ON : Second Story Press, 2026. Intermediate. 91 pages. Alina is traveling by herself from her home in Canada to Nairobi, Kenya. But it's more than just a vacation to visit her favorite cousin Safi—Alina is on a secret mission to find her roots. Her family history started in India with her great-great-great-grandparents. Her parents were born in Kenya, then moved to Canada where she was born. She's heard stories about Kenya but wants to know where she fits in and to find what she is missing. Nairobi is a welcoming, vibrant, exciting place where so much feels so different. Alina writes journal entries to her Nani about her experiences, finding ways to make her own stories through matatu rides, trips to the market, a safari, and meals shared with new loved ones. This is a really well-written, cheerful and reassuring realistic fiction about the adventure of exploring different places and cultures. 
Post a Comment
Read more

From Story Time: The Letter "F"

By
Preschool Time Family of Friends Written by Varsha Bajaj Illustrated by Ishaa Lobo New York: Nancy Paulsen Books, 2025. Picture Book. Isha can't wait for her birthday party. Nani, her fun-loving grandmother, is coming all the way from India to be there! So when Nani has to postpone her trip, Isha is crushed. She no longer feels like celebrating. Fortunately, she has a whole neighborhood of friends to cheer her up, and they all work together to make her day truly special. This moving intergenerational story shows the impact that chosen family can have and is a wonderful reminder to appreciate all the important people in our lives. --Publisher Preschool Time Found By Salina Yoon New York: Walker Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Bloomsbury, 2014. Picture Book. Upon finding a toy rabbit in the forest, Bear tries his very best to return it to its home but by the time its owner appears, Bear has become attached to Bunny. --Editor Toddler Time On All Fours By Gaëtan Dorémus Brooklyn...
Post a Comment
Read more