From Sea to Shining Sea

 Filled with a wonderful collection of stories and some of our favorite illustrators, this treasury of American Folklore and Folk Songs is a necessary addition to any children's library.  The Dillons, Anita Lobel, Egielski, Cooney, and Trina Schart Hyman are just a few of the artists included.  Spanning centuries and across the country it's a sampling of Native American lore, Gospel songs, tall-tales, and historical stories.  The hilarious skit "Who's on First?" is even included!  It's one of those books that nice to pickup and read here and there.

From Sea to Shining Sea

compiled by Amy L. Cohn 1993

Tight Times

Tight Times

Barbara Shook Hazen

pictures by Trina Schart Hyman 1979

Trina Schart Hyman can make anything look amazing, even a story about a little boy whose dad loses his job and his family is living in "tight times".  

Madeleine and I have a theory about children's books that came out in the 70's and 80's.  The subject matter is often very "real" and deals with hard real life problems.  We wonder if this is a backlash to the books that came out for children earlier, books that only showed a rosy-hued optimistic version of life (not that there's anything wrong with that!).

We are big fans of this woman's outfit-  70's boho amazingness!

Snow White illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman

If you're not a fan of the Disney version, here's a retelling of the original Grimm story.  We've always liked this one that includes the poisoned comb and the lacing corset along with the apple (adhering to that fairy tale tradition of events happening in threes).  How clueless is Snow White that she accepts dangerous presents THREE times in a row!

Everyone knows what a fan I am of Trina Schart Hyman.  Her Snow White rendition is both beautiful and dark, evoking Rackham and befitting of an 19th century German fairy tale.  I particularly like her take on a fair-haired evil Queen.  And truthfully the rugged prince makes a much more appealing romantic hero!

Snow White

retold by Paul Heins

illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman 1974

The Fortune Tellers

Somewhere along the line this book lost it's jacket.  But one look inside the front cover and you know you are in for Hyman's wonderful work.

The Fortune Tellers

Lloyd Alexander

illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman 1997

A rural carpenter wants more out of life and so he seeks his future at the fortune teller.  Of course, the fortune teller's vague predictions all come true!

Christmas Poems

Christmas Poems

collected by Myra Cohn Livingston

illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman 

A rather nice collection of seasonal poems.  Hyman's 3 color illustrations appear throughout and are of course as fantastic as always. 

Ghost Eye

Why not read a book with both cats and ghosts for Halloween.  One that's illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman, even better!

Ghost Eye

Marion Dane Bauer

illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman 1992

Purrloom Popcorn is a cornish rex show cat with big ears and velvet fur.  He's entirely unhappy that his show days are over and he now has to live in a big old house with a lonely little girl.  But Purrloom has a special feature, one blue eye that as he comes to find out, lets him see ghosts!

Star Mother's Youngest Child

Star Mother's Youngest Child

Louise Moeri

illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman 1975

I picked up this odd little Christmas story because it was illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman.  An old woman living all alone grumbles about never getting to celebrate Christmas.  Meanwhile, up in the sky, the Star Mother's youngest child is complaining about not getting to experience Christmas down on earth.  So an arrangement is made and the Youngest Star Child is allowed to go down and spend Christmas with the old woman.  To her he only appears as an Ugly Child knocking at her door Christmas morning (and he's referred to as "Ugly Child" for the rest of the story).  But throughout the day, she is begrudgingly drawn into celebrating Christmas.  A tree is brought in to her little house and decorated, a "feast" of bread and ham soup is made, even a Christmas present is wrapped and put under the tree.  There's a folk tale feeling to it and of course Hymans illustrations are as wonderful as ever.

Other books illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman:

Winter Poems

A Child's Calendar

King Stork

Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins

How Does it Feel to be Old?