Pilgrim's Progress

 Two illustrated versions of that wonderful classic by John Bunyan.

Dangerous Journey

Oliver Hunkin 1985

The Dangerous Journey has captivating full page illustrations that lead us through the story.  Retold but still including Bunyan's original words, it's easily understood.

Little Pilgrim's Progress

Helen L. Taylor

pictures by Joe Sutphin 2021

I just bought this version written by Helen L. Taylor that retells the story with animals.  The pictures are wonderful (and remind me a little bit of our version of The Wind and the Willows though it has a different artist).  I started reading this at breakfast this morning to Charlotte and she was immediately captivated.  As she left for the bus she said "Can we read more of that book when I get home?"  And that is exactly why this story, even retold by different writers and illustrators is still such a classic.   

The Easter Egg Artists

The Easter Egg Artists

Adrienne Adams (1976)

Here's a book from the 70's about a family of artist bunnies.  They move south for the winter, painting bridges and buildings and airplanes along the way.  They return home just in time to paint all the Easter eggs.  The illustrations have a neat folk art feel.

 

 

The Lively Little Rabbit

 A Little Golden Book that I couldn't pass up at the thrift store because of the illustrator Gustaf Tenggren.  Best known as an illustrator for Disney during it's Golden Age, his distinctive art always catches my eye.  

The Lively Little Rabbit

Ariane

illustrations by Gustaf Tenggren 1943

In this story a lively little rabbit likes to run and play with his brothers and sisters.  But there is a weasel who would like nothing better than to have a rabbit for breakfast.  After the Lively Little Rabbit gets chased from his home and ends up lost, he meets a wise squirrel and owl who not only help him to get home again but figure out a way to teach that weasel a lesson once and for all!  (I think their plan inspired something similar in the movie "A Bug's Life".)

Hi, Mister Robin!

 

Hi, Mister Robin!

Alvin Tresselt

pictures by Rodger Duvoisin

Tresselt and Duvoisin pair up again for a story about Spring.  A little boy is restless waiting for Spring.  He spots a robin who tells him to just keep watching and listening and that Spring is almost there.  The little boy's mother and grandfather encourage him to be patient along the way.

And little by little the day grew soft as a misty rain filled the air.  The trees lost their sharp winter look, a blur of pale green and yellow spread slowly over the tree-tops, and the young leaves started growing.

More Poems to Read to the Very Young

Another book filled with enjoyable mid-century illustrations, this time accompanying a selection of poems. It was nice to read some that I hadn't seen before. 

More Poems to Read to the Very Young

Selected by Josette Frank

illustrated by Dagmar Wilson 1968

I always appreciate good end pages.