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 Borrowers

The Borrowers 

Mary Norton 1953

Another classic I remember from my childhood.  Charlotte loved reading this and was inspired to start making her own little "rooms" from little things she found around the house.  Isn't that such a wonderful thing- when a book stirs creativity and ideas?!  

Charlotte's room inspired by the book.

The Secret World of Arrietty, a very enjoyable film by the Studio Ghibli is also based on the Borrower's story. 

The Wind in the Willows

This was the summer of The Wind in the Willows.  Though it's a classic I confess I had never actually read it before, which is too bad because it's perfectly wonderful!  We had a second-hand hardback copy with less than interesting illustrations.  Though Grahame's writing is so lovely, we felt the pictures were lacking.  So I tracked down a version illustrated by David Petersen (we have a copy of one of his Mouse Guard comics).  When I saw the cover I knew this was the one for us!  (Rackham also did a version with delightful illustrations as well).  

The Wind in the Willows

Kenneth Grahame

illustrated by David Petersen 2016

How could you not love dreamy Ratty and timid Mole, the stern Badger and of course the irascible Toad.  The story meanders beautifully with Grahame's descriptions of the river and English countryside.  We found much of the dialog and hijinks of Toad are laugh out loud funny!    

The Snow Queen

I haven't seen the movie Frozen yet.  Charlotte has and loved it- she's 5, so of course!  I know Disney always changes the fairy tales and this one doesn't even remotely resemble Andersen's classic.  Which is too bad since Madeleine and I have always said that the story of a young girl, "Gerda" facing danger and meeting all sorts of magical adventures to save her friend, "Kai" would make a good children's movie, and a nice departure from the "princess" stories.

We have the original story by Anderson which was mailed to Madeleine by her friend Hayley years ago.  How fun to have a book sent to you this way!

 The Snow Queen and Other Tales

Hans Christian Andersen

A Greeting Card Book 1969

Gerda and Kai are children, and the best of friends.  But one day Kai hitches his sled to the back of the Snow Queen's sleigh and in no time he is wisked away from his home, forgetting all about Gerda.  Gerda then goes in search of her playmate.  She gets help from the river and flowers and animals, she meets an old woman who tries to keep her as her own and a young prince and princess who aid her in her search.  At one point a band of robbers captures her and she is saved and befriended by a little robber-maid.  Off on a reindeer she heads to the most northern place to find the Snow Queen's palace.  When she finally finds Kai, he is like ice and only Gerda's love and kisses melt his heart and bring him back. 

 The Snow Queen

Hans Christian Andersen

translated by Marlee Alex

Illustrated by Uwe Hantsch 1988

 

We also have an illustrated version that uses the story as a basis for teaching biblical values.  There is a "study key" in the back that applies scripture verses to the themes of the story.  And the introduction writes:  "From his early childhood in the town of Odense, Denmark, until his death in Copenhagen, Hans Christian Andersen had a valid Christian faith that manifested itself in many of the approximately 150 stores and tales he wrote.  In one of them, he said:  'In every human life, whether poor or great, there is an invisible thread that shows we belong to God.'  The thread in Andersen's stories is one of optimism which has given hope and inspiration to people all over the world."

I just think the pictures in this edition are pretty wild!

 The Snow Queen

Eileen Kernaghan 2000

In the Young Adult genre is Eileen Kernaghan's retelling of the Snow Queen.  She does a wonderful job of really developing Gerda's character and building a story with the robber-girl that she befriends (Kernaghan names her "Rivka").   And the story becomes about the angst of growing up and finding out who you are, what you are capable of.  It's a bit different in spirit from the original, but still retains the magic and fantasy of the story.  I really loved it and have been trying to get Madeleine to read it because I think she would too.   

For I Will Consider My Cat Jeoffry

Last week our beloved cat, "S'more" died.  She was a pretty white calico who liked to snuggle with you and tickle her whiskers in your face.  Henry took it pretty hard and we spent most of Tuesday crying together.  It's amazing how those furry little creatures get into your heart.  I know I'm not the only one who considers them part of the family.

 For I will Consider My Cat Jeoffry

Christopher Smart

illustrated by Emily Arnold McCully 1984

This poem was written by Christopher Smart in 1757 extolling his cat, Jeoffry.  The biographical information about Smart at the front of the book is quite interesting.  He wrote humorous and sacred verse but ended up in the madhouse (where this poem was written).  He became fervently religious and was praying in the streets, but there is speculation as to why he really was committed to an asylum.

The poem comes from Jubilate Agno.  He writes lovingly of his cat Jeoffry (his only companion in the asylum) and the spiritual, God-loving nature of the animal.  The illustrator Emily Arnold McCully writes this:  "Smart wrote both masterpieces in the madhouse, celebrating God's goodness in all nature.  He never doubted that he was saved, nor that Jeoffry, pure in all his motions, was saved too."

The text can be awkward to read, it is 18th century poetry after all,  but the pictures make it fun to follow and well worth it.