Mama Says

Leo and Diane Dillon illustrated this multicultural book showing a mother's love and words of advice for her son.  Twelve cultures and languages are represented.  Each page has words of wisdom from Mama, teaching her son to be kind, and strong, and brave and hard working.  The words are also written in their native language (as explained by the glossery in the back).  What a wonderful homage to mothers and how they can teach their sons through words and actions.  A mother's love like this is truely universal.

Mama Says

A Book of Love for Mothers and Sons

Rob D. Walker 

2009

illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon

The Lost Words

The Lost Words

Robert MacFarlane

pictures by Jackie Morris

2017

A book for the words that are disappearing from children's vocabulary and their way of life.  It's a way of life that includes rambling and exploring and nature.  MacFarlane's lyrical acrostic poems are accompanied by the rich paintings of Morris.  It's a beautiful oversized book that we liesurely take our time with.  I loved the concept so much that I even bought the accompanying postcards to send to friends who needed some "lost words" to inspire them. 

A hidden title preceeds each poem.

Children, It's Spring

It's Spring indeed and our backyard is covered in tiny purple violets.  I can never get through this season without Mary Oliver...

Children, It's Spring

And this is the lady

whom everyone loves, Ms. Violet

in her purple gown

or, on special occasions, 

a dress the color

of sunlight.  She sits

in the mossy weeds and waits

to be noticed.

She loves dampness.

She loves attention.  She loves especially

to be picked by careful fingers,

young fingers, entranced

by what has happened 

to the world.

We, the older ones,

call it Spring,

and we have been through it

many times.

But there is still nothing

like the children bringing home

such happiness

in their small hands.

-Mary Oliver