Elmer Blunt's Open House

Elmer Blunt's Open House

Matt Novak 1992

I recently was reminded of this book and how much my kids loved it.  The pictures are really cute and I can still remember Madeleine and Henry and eventually Charlotte laughing at the antics of the animals.  Elmer Blunt is in a rush for work one morning and leaves the door to his house ajar.  A group of curious woodland animals (look how cute their faces are!) make their way inside.   The ending even has a little nod to the Bremen Town Musicians folk tale

Before Morning

Before Morning

Joyce Sidman

pictures by Beth Krommes 2016

When we had our first snow of the season in December, it was the perfect time to read this cozy snowy book.  A child's mom is an airline pilot and is off to work.  But in the night the snow begins to fall and aren't we all happy when the snow makes us slow down and spend the day together?  Beth Krommes' intricate illustrations capture both a snowy city and a cozy home.  While Joyce Sidman explains how poetry in the form of an invocation can invite something wonderful. 

No Star Nights

 

No Star Nights

Anna Egan Smucker

paintings by Steve Johnson 1989

I had an older friend who grew up in Pittsburgh and described the cloud that hung over the city from all the steel mills.  This book lyrically describes growing up in a town and landscape dominated by the steel factory.  I can't imagine living in a place where I could never see the stars and the sky was always full of smoke.  

Leonce and Lena

Leonce and Lena

George Buchner

retold by Jurg Amann

illustrated by Lisbeth Zwerger 2013

This beautiful picture book by Lisbeth Zwerger retells a curious love story by Georg Buchner from the 1800's.  A prince and princess, both on a quest for freedom and purpose find each other. 

The Jungle Book

No way was I going to pass up this illustrated Jungle Book at the thrift store!  Part of the Golden Press midcentury era of children's books, they are wonderful to find second hand.

The Jungle Book

Rudyard Kipling

illustrations by Tibor Gergely 1963

The familiar Disney story is here, with Mowgli and his adopted wolf family and friends, but I highly recommend reading Kipling's original treatment, it's so much richer and enjoyable.  

One Minute Till Bedtime

 Another great find at the thrift store the other day!  I like this modern collection of short poems,  just right for reading before bed or really any time.  Mostly rhyming, sometimes silly, but purely enjoyable, definitely read them out loud.  The simple artwork by Christoph Niemann adds just the right touch.

One Minute Till Bedtime

selected by Kenn Nesbitt

art by Christoph Niemann 2016

This one especially for Madeleine, my hippo loving girl!

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