I like to read books with Nicholas (formerly my stepsons, too) as a way to generate discussion, spend time together, and promote the importance of reading. Last summer I was checking out a few possible titles for these reasons and found Coraline on my shelf . The cover looked interesting so I read it first to make sure it was suitable reading material for my boys.
I’m glad I previewed it! In my opinion this horror-fantasy was too dark for their minds. It was even a little creepy to me!
Coraline Jones is bored in her new home until she finds a secret door and happens upon an alternate version of her life on the other side. On the outside, this lateral world is hauntingly comparable to her real life and the people in it – only much better. However, when her perfect “other” world turns evil, and her “other” parents try to force Coraline to stay with them forever, she must count on her wits, diligence, and courage to leave this extremely dangerous world – and save her family. Coraline is also aided by a rather clever, arrogant, sarcastic black cat. His lines in the book are hilarious!
Naturally, the “other” mother and father in this story are wicked. The terminology of “other” reminded me of step parents. I definitely didn’t want Ethan and Evan to draw any erroneous parallels between me and Coraline’s “second” mum!
After reading the book I thought it would make a really good movie, and thus was a bit surprised to see a trailer for it on tv a year and a half later. I didn’t quite picture a 3-D animated version, but perhaps this way it will come across more “friendly” to a younger audience.
I am still debating whether we will go see it or not.
Morocco's Bazaar 