A Child's First Book of Poems

A Child's First Book of Poems

pictures by Cyndy Szekeres 1981

Cyndy Szekeres is a illustrator from my childhood.  She makes pictures of sweet furry animals, cozy homes, flowers, children and homey things.  I was pleased to see more than a few Aileen Fisher poems in this collection too.

Lovely endpages!

Have you ever seen a cuter fox?!

And look at this formal fellow!

I thought this illustration was particularly cute to include the drawing hand of the artist.

There's No Such Place As Far Away

There's No Such Place As Far Away

Richard Bach

illustrated by Ron Wegen 1979

 There is a lot of odd "self realization' and metaphysical philosophies (or 1970's mumbo jumbo) in this book, but somehow the pictures, with their detailed bird's eye view and perspective made this one a keeper!

The BowTie Book

The BowTie Book

illustrated by Milo Winter 1942

This vintage one has a clever bowtie cutout that continues to the end.  But mostly I'm just enjoying the bright full page illustrations! 

The Puppets of Spelhorst

The Puppets of Spelhorst

Kate DiCamillo

illustrated by Julie Morstad 2023

I thoroughly enjoyed this tale by Kate DiCamillo about five puppets left in an old chest marked "Spelhorst".  They don't know where they originated from, or where they are going, but they have their own ideas about the world and who they are and want to be.  Through a series of events they end up at the house of two little girls and separated from each other.  When the elder sister goes about putting on a play with the puppets, DiCamillo expertly weaves together friendship, bravery, love and fate and the story comes full circle.  A very sweet tale with illustrations that are just as sweet.

The Story of Zachary Zween

The Story of Zachary Zween

Mable Watts

illustrated by Marylin Hafner 1967

This book is for all those kids whose last name starts with the end of the alphabet letters and so they had to be last in line.  Zachary Zween learns that being last can have its own advantage.  There's also nice British landmarks throughout the story.

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Wild and Tame Animals

Wild and Tame Animals

Dahlov Ipcar

 This is a reprint of a vintage book and aren't Dahlov Ipcar's illustrations splendid!  (I'm particularly fond of the orange and brown and saffron color palate.)   All about tame and wild animals and man's relationship with them.

Wonderful endpages!

I love love love vintage interior illustrations.

Look at this handsome feline fellow!