Leaf Man

Leaf Man (c. 2005) by Lois Elert remains one of those stories that's just pure-and-tee fun!   If you don't believe me, just try to check this book out . . . there's a waiting list at the library . . . and then once you get it, you'll first notice the love-worn cover of this newer book, just published in 2005.  The story begins on the cover jacket flap: Where does a Leaf Man go when the wind blows?  Do you know?  Follow the fantastical journey of the Leaf Man and his Leaf Friends.

While your children examine the creative and intricate construction of Elert's illustrations, they cannot help but recognize the names of the leaves.  Elert constructed the quirky illustrations in Leaf Man through years of collecting and copying actual fall leaves.  A wonderful book to own, Leaf Man inspires the youngest to the oldest of us.  After reading it, my children and their friends have embarked on a journey of gathering leaves to create their own leaf men, leaf animals, and leaf fairies.  What better way to teach children the beginnings of botany than through this fabulous fall read that Lois Ehlert provides.

If your family had a blast reading Leaf Man, then here's some more Lois Ehlert books to check out:

Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf (c. 1991) explores the life cycle of a maple tree.

Nuts to You! (c. 1993) follows a day in the life of a squirrel.

This First Thanksgiving Day

Dear Readers,

Two years ago, I recommended to my young friends a story entitled This First Thanksgiving Day by Laura Krauss Melmed and Mark Buehner (c. 2001).  Well, I stand corrected!  My elementary friends have quite enjoyed this Thanksgiving story too!

Revisit my previous post here.  Then consider letting the older readers read it to their younger siblings.  And while the younger siblings look for the hidden turkey on each two-page spread, have the older siblings look for that quirky dinosaur on various spreads (we're still not sure just how many).  While the younger siblings count the people on each spread, have the older siblings practice their addition by finding and then adding the various animals (squirrels, rabbits, fish, birds, geese, chickens, etc.) on each spread.  Either way, enjoy the fun activities while celebrating Thanksgiving!

Parents, this would be a great book to check out before that long car trip or while you're trying to get dinner on the table but the Macy's Day Parade ended hours ago.

Over the River and Through the Wood

Y'all know how Brinton Turkle's illustrated version of Over the River and Through the Wood (c. 1974) has been my all-time favorite interpretation of Lydia Maria Child's famous poem turned song.

Well, now there's a fierce competitor!  Take a look at Matt Tavares' illustrated version entitled: Over the River and Through the Wood: The New England Boy's Song About Thanksgiving Day (c. 2011).

One word: BEAUTIFUL!  Tavares cleverly weaves a story using the warm and humorous notes of a good storyteller . . . all through the media of pencil and paint brush.  In fact, I would love to frame the opening title-page spread.

So just in time for Thanksgiving . . . check it out!

Also, (or if you can't make it to the library in time) discover the illustration process through the actions of artist Matt Tavares':

Squirrels

Autumn brings falling leaves and falling nuts.  And falling nuts bring those scampering squirrels.  Kids just love scampering squirrels, and here's a book chock full of them: Squirrels by Brian Wildsmith (c. 1974). 

The kids and I just love this book!  Sigh!  What I especially like about it is Wildsmith's illustrations - perfect to enjoy at this time of year.  Just check out those bushy tales for yourself.

October

Find "October" in A Child's Calendar, a collection of twelve of John Updike's poems that describes a child's journey through the seasons from January through December  (c. 1965).  Caldecott award winning artist Trina Schart Hyman illustrated the collection (c. 1999).

Count Down to Fall

If your child is an animal lover, here's a book with detailed animal illustrations.  Count Down to Fall (c. 2009) with author Fran Hawk and illustrator Sherry Neidigh teaches about various trees, leaves, seeds, and animals.  Note: I love the illustrations but find the text somewhat lacking. However, the end pages presents good natural science information.

A is for Autumn

Welcome autumn with Robert Maass' A is for Autumn (c.2011), a photographic alphabet salute to one of the year's most delightful seasons.  This title is great for preschoolers and great for early readers.  And the photographs make it an overall "feel good" kind of book, perfect for the change of season.

September

My dear reading friends, I apologize for the long hiatus.  We (the Mister, the kids, and I) are back with many books to share with you as we all settle back into the school year.  

My young readers, especially, I have been scouting out books for my early readers and my more advanced readers.  And I hope to have a few more posts from young reading friends.  I'd love to hear your recommendations and comments as we continue to read together!  ~ Emily

Find "September" in A Child's Calendar, a collection of twelve of John Updike's poems that describes a child's journey through the seasons from January through December  (c. 1965).  Caldecott award winning artist Trina Schart Hyman illustrated the collection (c. 1999).

Mountain Brook

"Mountain Brook"
by Elizabeth Coatsworth

Because of the steepness,
the streamlet runs white,
narrow and broken
as lightning by night.

Because of the rocks,
it leaps this way and that,
fresh as a flower,
quick as a cat.





from Snow Toward Evening: A Year in a River Valley / Nature Poems Selected by Josette Frank with Paintings by Thomas Locker.

The First Thanksgiving

I've introduced the magnificent paintings of Thomas Locker to you.  Here's his take on The First Thanksgiving written by Jean Craighead George (c. 1993).

a Pumpkin Moonshine update:

Even though Halloween has passed.  I just have to share this sweet little book by Tasha Tudor with you once again.  You know, we all need our memories refreshed from time to time.  And this little book remains an old friend.  Just as good friends don't neglect each other, the dust jacket of Pumpkin Moonshine (c. 1938, renewed 1966) evidences love worn as its story becomes a familiar one.  I don't think of it so much as a Halloween story as a late fall, November story. AND it's still in print!

So begins Tudor's charm: 

Sylvie Ann was visiting her Grandmummy in Connecticut.  It was Hallowe'en and Sylvie wanted to make a Pumpkin Moonshine, so she put on her bonnet and started out for the cornfield to find the very finest and largest pumpkin.

When they reached the field, Sylvie looked among the shocks of corn for the very fattest pumpkin.  Way across the field she found such a fine one!

Be sure to check out this delightful tale to discover what happens between the previous illustration and the following illustration.  Of course, you'll want to read the ending too!

But worst of all it bumped right into Mr. Hemmelskamp who was carrying a pail full of whitewash!

Wind Has Shaken Autumn Down

Wind has shaken autumn down

left it sprawling on the ground,

shawling all in gold below,

waiting for the hush of snow.

~  Tony Johnston

from Snow Toward Evening: A Year in a River Valley / Nature Poems Selected by Josette Frank with Paintings by Thomas Locker.

Beatrix Potter's Autumn

Beatrix Potter teaches her young audience a few important (and humorous) lessons with her Autumn tales.

First she issues a warning through the example of Squirrel Nutkin (c. 1903).

While the squirrel clan harvests nuts into their storehouses, 

 

Squirrel Nutkin teases and mocks Old Mr. Brown, the owl, with foolish riddles.  We soon find that Nutkin can disrespect his elder only so much before Mr. Brown bites off his tail.

Then we come to Timmy Tiptoes (c. 1911). 

Here Timmy Tiptoes' wife Goody Tiptoes (I'm especially fond of this squirrel illustration) prepares her home for the winter.

Timmy and Goody work hard and fast to store nuts for their hibernation.  Unfortunately, some other squirrels jump to conclusions, suspecting Timmy of stealing nuts.

And they punish Timmy by dropping him into a hollowed tree, unknowingly onto his own storehouse.  While Goody searches for Timmy, Timmy gorges himself on nuts, so much so that he cannot escape through the hole once Goody finds him.  Eventually circumstances right themselves, and Timmy and Goody reunite.

Last, but certainly not least, we have The Tale of Ginger and Pickles (c. 1909).

 This story may be enjoyed by the parents more than the children, for it holds a timely commentary on our present economic atmosphere.  For you see:
                Ginger and Pickles gave unlimited credit.  Now the meaning of "credit" is this -- 
                when a customer buys a bar of soap, instead of the customer pulling out a purse and 
                paying for it -- she says she will pay another time.  (19)

Yes, friends, this synopisis' irony will be lost on the little ones.  We know the outcome of the story because we're living it.  But to hear it so succinctly expressed by the prophetess Beatrix Potter deserves a second glance.  If we had but heeded her warning!  Perhaps reading this little volume to the ones under our care will help prevent similar outcomes in their future. 

Sky Tree

The reason you should purchase or check out Sky Tree: Seeing Science Through Art by Thomas Locker with Candace Christiansen (c. 1995) isn't because it tells such a wonderful story.  There's no reason to turn cartwheels over this text.  The real showstoppers are Locker's illustrations.  I can't think of a better way to tour the season.  And rather than writing about and describing them, I'm going to show you some selections:

William Cullen Bryant

"Autumn, the year's last,

loveliest smile."

William Cullen Bryant

is published in sharing the seasons: A BOOK OF POEMS selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins and illustrated by David Diaz (c. 2010).

Popcorn

Popcorn (c. 1979) is just one of those books that you have to read and experience for yourself.  Written and illustrated by the beloved Frank Asch (of Happy Birthday Moon), it's a Halloween costume party sure to surprise.  Oh, and a quick word of warning, read it before you decide to pop your popcorn.

Leaves

Here's another bear story that I was drawn to by the illustrations . . . that and the fact that it's about fall.  I'm telling you childrens' book illustrators beckon like sirens when their illustrations are stunningly executed!

In Leaves (c. 2007), David Ezra Stein creates his artwork with bamboo pen and watercolors giving the illustrations a unique personality.  This sweet book chronicles a bear's first year.  Imagine his surprise and bewilderment as he witnesses the first leaves fall.

Oliver Finds His Way

Here's a sweet little book about loosing one's way and using one's intuition to figure out how to reunite with Daddy and Mama.  Phyllis Root wrote and Christopher Denise illustrated the cozy family read Oliver Finds His Way (c. 2002).  It's set against the heartwarming backdrop of fall foliage, perfected with pastels and charcoal on paper.  I hope to see more from this illustrator!  Be sure to look for the yellow Maple leaf in each spread.

 October 19, 2011

Dear friends,
The Mister just made me aware of more titles from this delightful illustrator Christopher Denise.  Be sure to check out this website: http://www.christopherdenise.com/books.html with that information.  I should have recognized him from my Redwall fans, with a shout-out to Hudson Lewis!

Harvest Home

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Harvest Home

by Arthur Guiterman

                   The maples flare among the spruces,
                   The bursting foxgrape spills its juices,
                   The gentians lift their sapphire fringes
                   On roadways rich with golden tenges,
                   The waddling woodchucks fill their hampers,
                   The deer mouse runs, the chipmunk scampers,
                   The squirrels scurry, never stopping,
                   For all they hear is apples dropping
                   And walnuts plumping fast and faster;
                   The bee weighs down the purple aster --
                   Yes, hive your honey, little hummer,
                   The woods are waving, "Farewell, Summer."

The Apple Pie Tree

Some folks swear by The Apple Pie Tree (c. 1996) by Zoe Hall and illustrated by Shari Halpern.  We think it's a cute book, but we're not exactly turning cartwheels over it.  Two siblings watch the growth of an apple tree and its nesting robin family through the progression of the seasons.  Come fall, they pick the apples to bake an apple pie.  The younger set seems to particularly enjoy this simple sequencing story.  It's a good precursor to visiting the apple orchard or baking an apple pie with your toddler/preschooler.