The Westing Game

Somehow I missed this in my childhood and with my kids (though Charlotte is reading it now).  A fun little mystery involving a murder, inheritance and a clever game with millions at stake.  The characters are great and it has a very satisfying ending.  Nice one to add to your New Year's reading list!

The Westing Game

Ellen Raskin

The Mummer's Song

I just love reading about old folk traditions.  We don't seem to live much by tradition these days.  This song is put in picture book form describing the Newfoundland Christmas tradition of having neighbors disguise and dress up almost like Halloween.  They go from house to house knocking to be let in for music and dancing and drinking and general merrymaking.

The Bears on Hemlock Mountain

The Bears on Hemlock Mountain

Alice Dalgliesh

illustrated by Helen Sewell 1952

In this rhythmic folktale little Jonathan is sent over Hemlock mountain to borrow a big iron pot from his aunt.  His mother assures him there are no bears on Hemlock mountain.  But Jonathan, ever the animal lover, isn't so sure.  

I liked this bit of acknowledgement:

The outline of this story was kindly given to me by Colonel Henry Shoemaker, State Archivist of Pennsylvania, who collects "tales told by the people."  He has granted me permission to use it, and I have given it more detail and form.  The central element, however- the story of the boy, the bear and the iron pot, is unchanged.  It is, of course, a small "tall tale."

Wait Till the Moon is Full

We are still pulling out moon books here.  Garth Williams charms us again with his adorable animal pictures (Bulls dancing?  How can you resist!) and Margaret Wise Brown is full of her usual poetry.

Wait Till the Moon is Full

Margaret Wise Brown

pictures by Garth Williams