Author: Caryn

Let’s Read Three: Snow Books!

It seems that Winter Storm Juno was not as bad as predicted, at least here in NYC; but we do have a lot of snow! And of course, snow means snow days, and snow days mean playing in the snow. And when we are done freezing in the snow, we warm up with cocoa and books about snow of course! I have written about many wintery, snowy books in the past including my winter list from 2013 and one of my new favorite snow books by Jonathan Bean from last year. But today, for this Let’s Read Three series, I bring three vintage books about the anticipation, excitement, and joy of snow.

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Caryn5 Comments

Let’s Read Three: Inventing Books!

Happy New Year friends! It is that time of year where everyone seems to have some kind of refresh on their mind. Be it resolutions, lists, a determined thought – the new year tends to give us some extra gusto to do something. With these new resolves in mind, I think this set of three is perfect to encourage and motivate on whatever project you long to create.

I toyed with calling these “Perseverance Books,” but it sounded too cheesy. I also realized that adults don’t really talk about “inventing” things, unless that is their actual occupation. Children’s books are full of inventors and inventions of all sorts. I think we need to get back to believing we can create a solution to something, no matter our age. So, let’s read three books celebrating the failures and surprising successes of inventing!

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Caryn6 Comments

Goodnight Moon Animation Narrated By Susan Sarandon

I hope everyone had a lovely holiday week and are ready for the New Year to arrive. While you await, and rest a lot I hope, you must see this sweet video animation of the classic book, Goodnight Moon, by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrations by Clement Hurd, and marvelous narration by Susan Sarandon. Enjoy!

Also, don’t miss this great article from the Opinion section of the NY Times, What Writers Can Learn From ‘Goodnight Moon.’ Happy New Year!

Caryn1 Comment

25 Days – Book 25: The Christmas Story

Merry Christmas! We have reached the end of yet another 25 Days of Christmas picture books. This season went so fast, and yet when I look back at the first books posted this December, it seems like ages ago. How is that possible? As I suspect no one will be visiting today, I will share a simple, vintage Little Golden Book that has sat on my family’s bookshelves for years. It is only appropriate to finish with a Nativity story and what better than a classic Eloise Wilkin styled one. Here is The Christmas Story by Jane Werner Watson, illustrations by Eloise Wilkin, 1956.

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25 Days – Book 24: The Night Before Christmas (Reid)

Now it is truly the night before Christmas, and so I bring the last of the illustrated books in our countdown bearing such a name by Clement C. Moore. I have saved a new favorite for last, as I was astounded to find it and behold its amazing clay illustrations. Allow me to show you The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore, illustrations by Barbara Reid, 2013.

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25 Days – Book 23: The Christmas Pageant

Three more days until Christmas, which means three more books in our Advent countdown! Today we have another fun book by Tomie dePaola, that is an illustrated version of a play about the Nativity story. It is such a fun concept to draw characters having a play and I love all the ways dePaola pictures the set and costumes. Here is The Christmas Pageant by Tomie dePaola, 1978.

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