Book Blurb: Everything On a Waffle

Everything on a Waffle, tells the story of an eleven-year-old girl named Primrose Squarp. Primrose's parents disappear in a typhoon, but Primrose refuses to believe they are dead and doesn't attend their memorial service. 

While she defends her family's survival,her custody situation moves around from aging neighbor Miss Perfidy to her preoccupied uncle Jack. The only thing that remains constant is her enjoyment of a restaurant called the Girl on the Red Swing, where each menu item is served on a waffle. Restaurant owner Kate Bowzer takes Primrose under her wing. She teaches her how to cook (recipes are all cited in a notepad) She doesn't question or criticize her, even through her odd predicaments, such as accidentally setting the class guinea pig on fire.

Primrose is taken from the custody of her uncle "Uncle Jack" to an older couple. While she likes them, she is involved in a variety of accidents. Through her oddities and accidents, Primrose becomes a town curiosity, with neighbors questioning her emotional state. But even through all of this, Primrose never gives up hope in finding her parents and being a normal family again.

About the author

Polly Horvath grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She went to college at the Canadian College of Dance in Toronto, studying with the Royal Academy of Dance and later becoming an R.A.D. teacher.
After graduation, she lived in New York City and Montreal before settling  in Metchosin, British Columbia, with her husband, Arnie Keller, and their two daughters, Emily and Rebecca. They have a dog, Andrew, and a horse, Zayda. They live on a hilltop with an assortment of deer, rabbits, two ducks who visit their pond daily—and the occasional cougar and bear.
Polly Horvath has written many books for children that have won awards in both the United States and Canada including a Newbery Honor, National Book Award and The Vicky Metcalf award for her body of work. Her books have been picks of both Rosie O'Donnell and Oprah amd have been translated into over twenty five languages.

Meeting Notes: A Tale Dark and Grimm

A Tale Dark and Grimm was just that, a book that retold some of the Grimm's Brothers grim tales.  It was a great book for discussion.  The way the author wove the stories together created a lot of food for thought.  We discussed Hansel and Gretel's search for new parents and what makes good parents.  We related to Hansel when he was in the forest and kept killing more and more animals and he knew he shouldn't have.  We talked about when we or someone we knew were doing something wrong and couldn't stop and what to do about it.  We also talked about which of the stories told were our favorites.  I personally like the Seven Sparrows.


Before we knew it, it was time to chose the book for the next meeting.  The two books we chose from were:

Everything on a Waffle  by Peggy Horvath.  Primrose's parents have been lost at sea, but she believes without an iota of doubt that they are still alive, somewhere. She moves in with her Uncle Jack, but feels generally friendless. Her only real refuge is a local restaurant called The Girl on the Red Swing, where the owner, Miss Bowzer, serves everything on waffles -- except advice and good sense, which come free of charge and are always reliable.

The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman.  Jemmy, once a poor boy living on the streets, now lives in a castle. As the whipping boy, he bears the punishment when Prince Brat misbehaves, for it is forbidden to spank, thrash, or whack the heir to the throne. The two boys have nothing in common and even less reason to like one another. But when they find themselves taken hostage after running away, they are left with no choice but to trust each other.

After much deliberation, the next book we will be reading is Everything on a Waffle.  Make sure you get your copy soon.  For the meeting, if you would please bring your favorite or an unusual waffle topping, we will be trying everything on waffles!

The next meeting in on November 18, 2011 at 3:00 pm in Community Room A.
Please note that this is the third, not the fourth Friday because of Thanksgiving weekend.  I hope to see you there!