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.  

A Guide to Nature in Winter

Found this at the used bookshop and it’s amazing! We’ve been identifying all sorts of things we see on our winter walks. Even in these cold and dark months beautiful things are happening!

A Guide to Nature in Winter

Donald W. Stokes 1979

illustrated by Deborah Prince

The Westing Game

Somehow I missed this in my childhood and with my kids (though Charlotte is reading it now).  A fun little mystery involving a murder, inheritance and a clever game with millions at stake.  The characters are great and it has a very satisfying ending.  Nice one to add to your New Year's reading list!

The Westing Game

Ellen Raskin

The Mummer's Song

I just love reading about old folk traditions.  We don't seem to live much by tradition these days.  This song is put in picture book form describing the Newfoundland Christmas tradition of having neighbors disguise and dress up almost like Halloween.  They go from house to house knocking to be let in for music and dancing and drinking and general merrymaking.

The Bears on Hemlock Mountain

The Bears on Hemlock Mountain

Alice Dalgliesh

illustrated by Helen Sewell 1952

In this rhythmic folktale little Jonathan is sent over Hemlock mountain to borrow a big iron pot from his aunt.  His mother assures him there are no bears on Hemlock mountain.  But Jonathan, ever the animal lover, isn't so sure.  

I liked this bit of acknowledgement:

The outline of this story was kindly given to me by Colonel Henry Shoemaker, State Archivist of Pennsylvania, who collects "tales told by the people."  He has granted me permission to use it, and I have given it more detail and form.  The central element, however- the story of the boy, the bear and the iron pot, is unchanged.  It is, of course, a small "tall tale."

Wait Till the Moon is Full

We are still pulling out moon books here.  Garth Williams charms us again with his adorable animal pictures (Bulls dancing?  How can you resist!) and Margaret Wise Brown is full of her usual poetry.

Wait Till the Moon is Full

Margaret Wise Brown

pictures by Garth Williams