A Bear for All Seasons

A Bear for All Seasons

Diane Marcial Fuchs

illustrated by Kathryn Brown 1995

Autumn is my very favorite season, but sometimes I feel like Bear, changing my mind when I think of the fresh skies of Spring, or how the sun is soft and heavy in Summer, or the cozy feeling of waking up to a Winter snow day.  Bear was trying to take his winter's nap when Fox comes in and reminds him of all the different joys to be found in each of the seasons.  In the end Bear realizes that "the company of good friends is what I love best- no matter what the season."

Favorite Nursery Songs

Just the classic Nursery Rhymes we all know and love, this time with music and Marjorie Torrey's delectable vintage illustrations.

Favorite Nursery Songs

compiled by Phyllis Brown Ohanian

illustrated by Marjorie Torrey 1956

One Day Means A Lot

One Day Means A Lot

by Marisa

pictures by Reisie Lonette 1965

 Reisie Lonette sweetly illustrated the poems of her four year old daughter, Marisa.   I love kid poems because they're often so beautiful and have a simple use of language.  Lonette's pictures are lovely.  I think they have a sort of Tasha Tudor quality to them.

My Stars, It's Mrs. Gaddy!

My Stars, It's Mrs. Gaddy!

Wilson Gage

pictures by Marylin Hafner 1991

A nice collection of stories about the silly Mrs. Gaddy who is always saying things like "Oh my stars and garters!" or "Good gravy!".  She lives on a tidy farm with her cow and mule and some chickens, but it seems that there is always something bothering her.  In the first story it's a pesky ghost, then a troublesome crow begins a pranking feud, and in the final story Mrs. Gaddy makes the mistake of planting a fast growing vine that threatens to over-run her house (which reminded me of my mom's wisteria that she has to beat back every year!).  Charlotte did well reading this on her own.

A Kindle of Kittens

A Kindle of Kittens

Rumor Godden

illustrated by Lynne Byrnes

In a subtle cautionary tale (beware of those "love 'em and leave 'em" Tom cats!), a sweet tabby cat finds herself having to care for her four small kittens all on her own.  She selflessly searches the village, finding just the right home for each little kitten.  It bothered Charlotte that she had to give them away, but it showed a mother loving and wanting the best for her offspring.

Sea Witches

Sea Witches

Joanne Robertson

illustrated by Laszlo Gal 1991

There's an old Scottish saying, "When you're done eating, give your eggshells a beating, never leave them whole!"

For if you do, as a young boy learns from his grandmother, the sea witches will take them and make them into boats.  Out on the sea they will conjure storms and havoc and wreck any luckless ship.  An interesting tale told in haiku form.