Good King Wenceslas

Do you know what I love about this season?  I love:

• packing our Operation Christmas Child boxes
• selecting gifts in the Samaritan's Purse Gift Catalog with the kids
• hearing the Salvation Army bells ring, 
• reading all the charity benefit concerts, dinners, raffles, etc. being held, 
• hearing of opportunities to take dry goods or meals to shut-ins, and 
• discovering different opportunities to donate time and/or funds to help the less fortunate.  

Seriously, if you're not giving something of yourself during this season, it's certainly not from lack of opportunity!

So during this season of "Peace on earth, goodwill to men," King Wenceslas stands out as a model.  You're familiar with the traditional carol, but do you know its origin?  Well, the story of Good King Wenceslas shows us the purpose and the motive behind such benevolent, seasonal giving.  John Mason Neale, an English Anglican priest, wrote the words to the carol "Good King Wenceslas" in 1853, for the feast following Christmas Day called Saint Stephen.  Tradition holds that Neale derived his inspiration from actual events influenced by the just-minded and kindhearted King Wenceslas, ruler of tenth century Bohemia or the present day Czech Republic.  In fact, a statue of King Wenceslas, or now Saint Wenceslas, stands in Wenceslas Square in Prague.  (For photos of that statue, look at http://wemsha.blogspot.com/2010/06/wenceslas-square-prague.html).

Check out this fascinating book Good King Wenceslas (c. 2005), which looks at the story behind the inspiration of the carol.  Tim Ladwig's remarkable illustrations give us a modern peak into the past.  And be sure to take longer than a passing glance at that last illustration.

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':

The Twelve Days of Christmas

Laurel Long leaves her readers with a new, Medieval interpretation of the traditional carol in The Twelve Days of Christmas (c. 2011).  Each majestic spread becomes a beautiful re-envisioning of the traditional carol.  At first glance, this beautiful, Renaissance inspired fairy tale world appears serene.  Yet look for all the movement while finding the hidden images that recapture each verse's previous stanzas.

Christmas Is Here!

I'm looking forward to seeing more from this brilliant new artist, Lauren Castillo.  Check out her webpage: http://www.laurencastillo.com/  and blog: http://www.laurencastillo.blogspot.com/  

My new favorite Christmas book, Christmas is Here! by Lauren Castillo shadows a family taking a winter walk through the falling snow.  Quickly they encounter a Nativity tableau.  Castillo slows the business of the season into a halting encounter of peace.  Feast on her silently striking ink and watercolor illustrations.  Meditate on Luke 2 and the Wonder of this Christmas season.

Merry Christmas, dear readers!

Over in the Meadow

I have another folk-song turned into book for you today.  John Langstaff's retelling of Over in the Meadow (c. 1957) begs to be checked out due to Feodor Rojankovsky's gorgeous, lifelike illustrations.   In fact, I was going to scan more illustrations to share with you.  However, here's the problem: I can't decide which ones to share.  So you'll have to content yourself with the cover jacket until you're able to check this beauty out of your local library.

Since you're familiar with this old counting song, I'll only include the first stanza to jog your memory:
              Over in the meadow in the sand in the sun
              Lived an old mother turtle and her little turtle one.
              "Dig," said the mother, "I did," said the one;
              So he dug and was glad in the sand in the sun. 

Once you check out Over in the Meadow, you'll want to see more of Rojankovsky's illustrations.  I recommend the 1956 Caldecott Award Winning  Frog Went A-Courtin', a familiar Southern Appalachian ballad, originally written over four-hundred years ago in Scotland.

The Fox went out on a chilly night

A perfect read for this time of year especially, Peter Spier brings this folk song to life in his Caldecott Honor book THE FOX went out on a chilly night (c. 1961).  It's a circle of life song not at all for the fainthearted.

After the lively, amusing reading, I recommend listening to Nickel Creek's adaption.  You won't at all be disappointed!

Debra and Jessica, this one is especially dedicated to your families, with love!  I can't listen to this song (or read this book) without thinking of "Mimi" singing it to her children and then her grandchildren, as well as her Shanghai and Horizon audiences.

The fox went out on a chilly night,
And he prayed to the moon to give him light,
For he'd many a mile to go that night
Before he reached the town-o, town-o, town-o,
For he'd many a mile to go that night
Before he reached the town-o.

He ran 'til he came to the farmer's bin,
Where the ducks and the geese were kept therein
"A couple of you will grease my chin
Before I leave this town-o, town-o, town-o
A couple of you will grease my chin
Before I leave this town-o."

He grabbed a grey goose by the neck,
Then he swung a little one over his back
And he didn't mind their quack, quack, quack
Or their legs all dangling down-o, down-o, down-o
He didn't mind the quack, quack, quack
Or their legs all dangling down-o.

Old Mother Giggle-Gaggle jumped out of bed
Out of the window she popped her head
Crying, "John, John, the grey goose is gone
And the fox is on the town-o, town-o, town-o
Crying, "John, John the grey goose is gone
And the fox is on the town-o.

So John, he ran to the top of the hill,
Blew his horn both loud and shrill;
The fox, he said, "I better go on with my kill
Or they'll soon be on my tail-o, tail-o, tail-o."
The fox, he said, "I better go on with my kill
Or they'll soon be on my trail-o."

He ran till he came to his nice warm den
There were the little ones eight, nine, ten
Saying, "Daddy, Daddy, better go back again
For it must be a mighty fine town-o, town-o, town-o."
Saying, "Daddy, Daddy, better go back again for it
Must be a mighty fine town-o."

Then the fox and his wife, without any strife
Cut-up the goose with a fork and a knife
They never had such a supper in their life
And the little ones chewed on the bones-o, bones-o, bones-o.
They never had such a supper in their life
And the little ones chewed on the bones-o.

The Star-Spangled Banner

When I was a little girl, my favorite holiday was the 4th of July.  Looking back, I'm trying to remember if it beat out Christmas, or if it was a neck and neck holiday tie.  Probably both.  I loved 4th of July picnics, eating juicy, beefy hamburgers slathered in ketchup, mustard, and pickles.  I loved spending time with family, singing patriotic songs, waving American flags, and listening to bands play the national anthem.  But the highlight came after sundown, when the sky lit up with the brilliant sparkles and various colors of fireworks.  I sat mesmerized by the glorious sight, trying to decide which showstopper was my favorite . . . each display exceeding the last . . . and all of them magically synchronized to a patriotic soundtrack.

Take all of this, and imagine the inspiration of our national anthem birthed out of heavy shelling and rocketing bombs.  It happened during the War of 1812, when the British bombarded Baltimore's Fort McHenry for a twenty-five hour stint.  Frances Scott Key penned these resonating words when he spotted our American flag gloriously waving out of the smog and battle's fray.  From the unfurling of that "Star-Spangled Banner" raised over Fort McHenry, we Americans gained a national anthem.  Check out Peter Spier's superb depiction of history in his illustrated book The Star-Spangled Banner (c. 1973).  Spier illustriously represents each stanza of the anthem and provides a concise history in the appendix.

You may also enjoy Peter Spier's We the People: The Constitution of the United States of America (c. 1987). And have a happy 4th of July, dear readers!

America the Beautiful

Wendell Minor took my breath away with America the Beautiful (c. 2003).  WOW!  There have been very few books that have left me speechless after I've read them.  This is one of them.  At the same time that it left me speechless, it left my heart swelling with pride to be an American.  Minor's watercolor paintings are breathtaking.  From the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida to Heceta Head, Oregon and Yosemite National Park in California to Falmouth Massacusetts, each spread represents a specific region or state in our country, perfectly paired with each verse in this unforgettable anthem.  Minor also provides the fascinating story behind Katharine Lee Bates' poem turned song, complete with concise biographies.  Minor's book reflects our countries majestic landscape in his masterpieces as well as carefully researched text in the appendices.  A jewel to share with your children, don't neglect to check out this brilliant book.

The Twelve Days of Christmas

In closing out the Christmas season in true traditional form, and since it's the eve of the 5th, Twelfth Night, and most likely you'll be reading this close to January 6th, Twelfth Day, I'd like to share with you our latest.  This year, Nana gifted The Twelve Days of Christmas, and I'm just wild about the edition she chose, the most beautiful one out there, by Gennady Spirin.  Now what I find most fascinating about illustrator Gennady Spirin is not that he grew up near Moscow nor that he received five golden medals (sorry, I just had to) from various artistic societies nor that he is now a U.S. citizen.  Indeed, I find most interesting that Spirin was born on Christmas Day.  Now do you think this detail lends to the brilliant composition of his Christmas books?  I can't help but attribute the likelihood.

What also came as a surprise to me was Spirin's medium: watercolor and colored pencil.  His illustrations reflect the boldness and brilliance of the Renaissance, not at all reflective of typical watercolor scenes.  Unbeknowst to Nana, I had checked out all the editions of The Twelve Days of Christmas that our library offered, without finding a copy that met my expectations.  Gennady Spirin presented a pleasant surprise because what I like best about this edition is that it's how I envision the carol to be illustrated in accordance with it's history.  Thank you Mr. Spirin!  I'm discovering Gennady Spirin's books to be rare gems with illustrations to feast your eyes upon.

Now for a little history on this "Twelve Days of Christmas" song that the kids beg to be repeated but that we parents would personally rather hit "skip" for the rest of our lives.  Hold that impulse!  Before you hit "skip" for the up-teenth time, be forewarned: it appears our predecessors understood the importance of repetition and memory games long before medical research journals informed us of modern day benefits.

• Yes, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" seems to have originated as a memory game that children played on Twelfth Night, wherein whoever forgot the line that fell to them had to forfeit a possession.
• In 1780, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" manifested in print for the first time in an English children's book entitled Mirth Without Mischief.
• Twelfth Night traditionally occurred on the night of December 5th with Twelfth Day following on December 6th.  
• The twelve days following Christmas Day held great festivities during the Middle Ages up until the nineteenth century, with the grand celebration on Twelfth Night serving as the culmination of all preceding revelry (further construing the title of Shakespeare's play Twelfth Night, wherein the festivity serves as a springboard for a comedy aimed at merrymaking, folly, and masquerade).  
• In historical church order, Twelfth Day marks the Epiphany, the day marking when the Magi offered their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the Christ child.  

Whew! and to think I cut out much, much more historical information from that summary, which is clearly more for you parents' benefit.

So the next time the kids want to listen to "The Twelve Days of Christmas" over and over, just plop them down with Spirin's book and consider the activity as memory and counting enhancement without any work on your part.

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

 "Christmas Bells" or

"I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day"

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
(The original poem, complete with all seven stanzas)

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!


And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!


Till, ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!


Then from each black accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!


It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!


And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said;
"For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"


Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men!"

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow experienced great devastation in 1861, but out of that overwhelming grief, he began to pen the words that would lead him to write this unforgettable poem, which he completed in 1864. To read the heart-wrenching story behind the poem -- now Christmas carol -- check out: http://hubpages.com/hub/The-story-behind-I-Heard-the-Bells-on-Christmas-Day 

or check out this beautiful book by Lloyd Newell and Karmel Newell that contains Longfellow's poem and story.  Merry Christmas!

My Favorite Things

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  I just love this holiday time of year sandwiched between Thanksgiving and New Year's!  Fun, fun!

Many of you are familiar with acclaimed illustrator Renee Graef from the very first American Girl books.  Others may have seen her adaptations for young children to the Little House on the Prairie books.

Quite simply, in My Favorite Things, Renee Graef illustrated Rodgers & Hammerstein's popular and beloved song from The Sound of Music.  This beautiful book is a real treasure.  It even includes the musical score in the back.  The only trick is reading the story without singing it!  Usually, we all just end up singing it together.  Graef's My Favorite Things would make a lovely gift this season.  You're familiar with the song, so I'll let the illustrations speak for themselves.

Over the River and Through the Wood

If I had more time and energy, I would review all the many versions of Over the River and Through the Wood that are out there today.  But I have neither.  So, let me share with you two favorites from my personal search last year.

My very favorite is Brinton Turkle's illustrated copy from 1974.  I mean that name alone, Brinton Turkle, is just so much fun to say.  It's a song in and of itself: Brinton Turkle, Brinton Turkle, Brinton Turkle, Brinton Turkle.  Okay, maybe I've been hanging out with my kids too long.  But they (the kids) love this version; so much so, that we had to buy it.  So we have our very own copy of the nineteenth century, New England family's journey "through the white and drifted snow" to read as often as we please.  And we do read it often!  The kids' favorite verse is:

Over the river, and through the wood -- 

Oh, how the wind does blow!

It stings the toes,

And bites the nose,

As over the ground we go.

In Turkle's version, it's "to grandfather's house we go."  He also includes all twelve verses, making the journey palpable, escalating our anticipation to that beloved last line: "Hurrah for the pumpkin-pie!"  There's also music included on the last page, if you'd like to play Child's song for yourself.

I also enjoyed Christopher Manson's beautifully illustrated woodcuts.  Manson takes us on a journey "with a clear blue winter sky" from the perspective of a young boy witnessing the activities of other little boys (sailing on ice, gathering firewood, sledding, ice skating, playing hockey, giving sugar to a horse, fishing, logging, etc.) while on the way to his "grandmother's house."  I think Manson's viewpoint best reflects Lydia Maria Child's intention since she first entitled the poem "The Boy's Thanksgiving." Now, I know I've whetted your appetite to find a version and read up to "the pumpkin-pie!"

I took the following information about Child's poem turned song from Over the River and Through the Wood: A Thanksgiving Poem by Lydia Maria Child illustrated with woodcuts by Christopher Manson.  New York: North-South Books, 1993.   

The song we know today as 'Over the River and Through the Wood' 

is adapted from a poem by Lydia Maria Child.  The poem was first 

published in her popular three-volume anthology for boys and girls, 

Flowers for Children (1844-1846).  During the nineteenth century 

it was reprinted many times under various titles.  Child's poem 

became the unofficial anthem of Thanksgiving after her friend 

John Greenleaf Whittier included it in Child Life (1871), 

his immensely popular collection of nineteenth-century children's 

verse.  The original poem was twelve verse long, but it has often 

been shortened to six.  This book uses the verses that appeared 

in the Whittier anthology under the title 'Thanksgiving Day'.