Monday, I was struggling to decide what book I wanted to feature and feeling very wishy-washy about the whole thing. Then as I hung out our laundry and watched my daughter sort clothespins and my dog chase things around the yard, I was struck by the freshness of the season and the little things of nature and animals and pure imagination. And this book came to mind. Not an exact match for my thoughts, but a perfect book to celebrate the wonders of childhood. This is a cleverly simple book, with short lilting rhymes and stunning illustrations, that follows the vivid imagination of a little girl as she shares all the ways she can be just like her favorite creatures. Here is I Can Fly by Ruth Krauss, illustrated by Mary Blair, 1951.
Continue reading “Book Review: I Can Fly By Ruth Krauss & Mary Blair”Category: Book Reviews
Book Review: Mother’s Day By Mary Kay Phelan & Aliki
In honor of tomorrow’s holiday of celebrating our dear mothers, I was positively delighted to score this sweet, non-fiction vintage book called most simply, Mother’s Day. Quite a bit different than the typical book I like to write about here, I still felt this one was lovely enough to show it off a bit. I fear that it is most likely difficult to find unless you have a really good library that still stocks some old titles like this, so I’ll share and show a bit more than I often do. Not to mention this is a long book, being more of a historical, research-driven book. This is a book that was written while the author searched for the answers to a child’s question about the holiday’s origin. So, if you’ve ever wondered where Mother’s Day originated, or like me, always assumed it was a Hallmark-created holiday, then take a look at this vintage book that details where the idea came from and how it spread around the world. This is Mother’s Day by Mary Kay Phelan, illustrated by Aliki, 1965.
Continue reading “Book Review: Mother’s Day By Mary Kay Phelan & Aliki”Book Review: Cookie’s Week By Cindy Ward & Tomie dePaola
Today’s book is a sweet little gem from the 1980s that just so happened to be one of my all-time favorites when I was little. It generally seems to be true that most little girls go through a love of cats phase. I certainly did, despite my severe allergies, and this hilarious, short, and clever book about a spunky little cat was just the treat for me. Here is Cookie’s Week by Cindy Ward, illustrated by Tomie dePaola, 1988.
Continue reading “Book Review: Cookie’s Week By Cindy Ward & Tomie dePaola”Book Review: Knit Your Bit By Deborah Hopkinson & Steven Guarnaccia
If books like this keep being published, I may just have to permanently change my mind about disliking historical fiction. Previews of this book continually caught my eye and after finally getting my hands on it this weekend, I have to say it has me hooked. And how could it not with a winning combination of elements – WWI, boys, soldiers, competition, and… knitting? Add to that surprising theme twist some excellent cartoon illustrations and you have a stellar, and very touching book. Here is Knit Your Bit by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by Steven Guarnaccia, 2013.
Continue reading “Book Review: Knit Your Bit By Deborah Hopkinson & Steven Guarnaccia”Book Review: Edwin Speaks Up By April Stevens & Sophie Blackall
Perhaps it is because my own little one just turned a year old and we have fully entered the babbling-almost-words phase, but something about this book just tickles my fancy. I had never heard of this one before, but the name Sophie Blackall is enough to make me pick up just about anything and give it a try. And what’s not to love about that sweet little guy in a striped one-piece on the cover? This book is a surprisingly calm but clever story about an absent-minded mother and her crazy ferret brood’s trip to the grocery store that is saved from being completely disastrous by the unassuming sharp eye of the tiniest member of the family. Here is Edwin Speaks Up by April Stevens, illustrated by Sophie Blackall, 2011.
Continue reading “Book Review: Edwin Speaks Up By April Stevens & Sophie Blackall”Book Review: Alice In Wonderland By Jennifer Adams & Alison Oliver
It’s Friday, and as I prepare for a big post next week, I decided to present a short, light-hearted book today. I mentioned this book in my notable list from 2012, so I thought it might delight your day to get a peek inside if you haven’t seen it yet. A simplified twist on a beloved classic, this clever duo has taken on teaching colors through the fantastical story of Alice in Wonderland by Little Master Carroll as they call him. Let’s take a quick look at Alice in Wonderland by Jennifer Adams, art by Alison Oliver, 2012.
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