g's bookshelf: a series of unfortunate events - a bad beginning

"If you have not read anything about the Baudelaire orphans, then before you read even one more sentence, you should know this: Violet, Klaus, and Sunny are kindhearted and quick-witted, but their lives are filled with bad luck and misery. All of the stories about these three children are unhappy and wretched and will most likely fill you with deep despair."  - lemony snicket

please do heed this warning.  it is entirely true.  the baudelaire children lose their parents in the first few pages of the story and then you will be reminded of their deaths in practically every chapter ever after.  i was hesitant to read this with g.  he has been known to tear up at the thought of leaving me to go to college, so i worried that reading about children who tragically lose their parents would be somewhat traumatic for him.  he seemed to handle it well though and we both thoroughly enjoyed the tale.  if i told you the plot you might think it a rather strange read for an eight year old.  i kinda do.  but it is brilliantly written.  quite perfect for a read aloud.  the words just flow.  and children are never talked down to by lemony snicket.  big words are used and explained in a most charming way.  two thumbs up and we already have book number two on hold.  it's called "the reptile room."  you can see why g is anxious to get it.  oh!  and a shout out to the illustrator as well.  delightful drawings!

here's what g has to say about it:

sad.  and happy.  it's filled with a lot of books and new words that it tells the meaning.  it's exciting.  the man's very scary looking and mean.  and it's sad when their dad and mom burn in their mansion while they're at the beach.  and the man's trying to get the money from the girl.  it was very interesting and i liked it because the kids were all smart and it was really really funny that that little baby bites.  she bites you real hard if she doesn't like you and she bites you soft if she likes you.  and she says words that are funny.  the oldest makes contraptions.  that was cool.  i want to read the next one.