This World of Ours

 I got to hold my sister's brand new baby and go to an antique mart with my mom (where I found this book!).  If that isn't a great weekend, I don't know what is!

I thought this would be more of a story book or musings about nature, but it's in fact a kind of science book teaching about weather and how soil is made and mountains and the air around us.  It's a thicker Little Golden Book with more pages, but all the better because that means more illustrations by Eloise Wilkin!

This World of Ours

Jane Werner Watson

pictures by Eloise Wilkin 1959

Bonkers about Beetles

 Beetles are some of my very favorite kinds of insects.  I was thrilled to get my hands on this Owen Davey's book all about them!  

Bonkers About Beetles

Owen Davey 2023

Other books by Owen Davey:

Obsessive About Octopuses

Peter Pan

The Picture Story Book of Peter Pan

J.M. Barrie

pictures by Roy Best 1931

From 1931 comes this illustrated storybook of Peter Pan.  Based on the original play (not the Disney version), it's quite fun to read.  

Isn't this just a beautiful picture?!

Nell Plants a Seed

Nell Plants a Tree

Anne Wynter

illustrated by Daniel Miyares 2023

 A sweet reflection of family and time passing and the nurturing of each other through nature and a hope for the future.  As a group of kids (cousins perhaps?) climb and explore a big pecan tree, we are reminded that it all started when "Nell picks up a seed" and "waters the soil" and "plants a tree".  I've always loved books like this, that center on a place and the generations that pass through it.  Both the author and illustrator share their own family remembrances at the end.

The Midnight Panther

 Gorgeous illustrations accompany this story about a panther who wishes he was like the other big cats- fearless like tiger, blazing like lion, dazzling like leopard.  His attempts to adorn himself like the other cats fail.  But one night he climbs high in the trees and the moon helps him to see his own sparkling beauty.  A nice celebration of recognizing what makes you special and uniquely wonderful.  Each page is a stunning work of art!

The Midnight Panther

Poonam Mistry 2022

Baby, Come Out!

Baby, Come Out!
Fran Manushkin
illustrated by Ronald Himler 1972

 This book was in the waiting room at the Birth Center where I had my babies.  It might look odd but it's ultimately a sweet depiction of a pregnant woman and her family eagerly awaiting the birth of her baby.  The baby is content to stay right where she is while her mother goes about her day taking walks and painting.  Her older siblings and grandparents try to entice her out but it's not until her father shows her all the love that is awaiting her that she decides to arrive.