The Frog in the Well

Once there was a frog who lived at the bottom of a well and he thought that it was the whole world.  But when his well dries up and he has to venture out into what he thinks is the "end of the world", he begins to have a new perspective on life.

The Frog in the Well

Alvin Tresselt

illustrated by Roger Duvoisin 1958

A subtle message about expanding your horizons paired with some spot on midcentury illustrations.

Other books by Alvin Tresselt:  The Mitten

Other books illustrated by Roger Duvoisin:  The House of Four Seasons

Our Old House

Our Old House

Susan Vizurraga

illustrated by Leslie Baker 1997

I have always wanted to live in an old house.  Not only do I love the style and craftsmanship of older homes, but I love that they have a story and history.  Susan Vizurraga represents that passage of time and history in a house with her story about a little girl whose family is fixing up an old home.  She paints a dreamy picture of remembrances and finding little clues to the past.  

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!

The Blue Cat of Castle Town

The Blue Cat of Castle Town

Catherine Cate Coblentz 1956

illustrated by Janice Holland

This is such an unusual book.  It's a mix of history and magic all told through the eyes of a most extraordinary blue kitten.  Coblentz managed to weave the artisan crafts and craftsmen of a 19th century Vermont town into the story.  The layout and illustrations are wonderful as well.

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 Hidden House

I love when books come in the mail!  And today brought a particularly sweet one.  In this story, with detailed illustrations, a lonely old man makes some wooden dolls to keep him company.  But when he is gone and the house becomes neglected they're left alone waiting patiently on the windowsill as nature moves in.  A really lovely pairing of story and pictures.

The Hidden House

Martin Waddell 1997

illustrated by Angela Barrett

How the Forest Grew

How the Forest Grew

William Jaspersohn 1992

illustrated by Chuck Eckart

As much as I love walking in the forest I confess I never really thought about how the forest grew.  I suppose I thought that all the trees had always just been there.  This book is very simply written, but describes the quite complex process of how forests grow.  Starting with a farming field left abandoned it traces the various stages and plants and trees that lead to a great New England hardwood forest.  It's really quite fascinating.