Christmas Cookies

Thank you Aunt Bonnie for giving us this delicious book with sumptuous lessons that we can really sink our teeth into!

In Christmas Cookies: Bite-Size Holiday Lessons, author Amy Krouse Rosenthal presents an unique way of introducing children to life values by building her vocabulary words around the tradition of baking and decorating holiday cookies.  The illustrations make this book, and we love illustrator Jane Dyer who has collaborated with Amy Krouse Rosenthal in illustrating the vocabulary lessons: anticipation, tradition, disappointed, celebrate, appreciative, prosperity, charitable, responsible, moderation, reciprocate, frustrated, perseverance, selfish, thoughtful, lonely, sharing, gratitude, family gracious, believe, joy, peace, and hope.

The Polar Express

I just love how Chris Van Allsburg captures the magic of Christmastime with a blast of a train whistle and the tinkling of a sleigh-bell.

Many of you are familiar with The Polar Express because of the animated movie released in 2004.  However, check out this book (c. 1985) to discover why author / illustrator Chris Van Allsburg was awarded the Caldecott Medal in 1986 for his breathtaking illustrations.  View his acceptance speech here.


 Here's my cousin's son looking at his favorite Christmas book The Polar Express:

The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree

If you read no other book recommendation from my blog this year, be sure to check out The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree (c. 1988), by Gloria Houston and illustrated by Barbara Cooney, to read to the kids!  It's a timeless story that sings the spirit of Christmas.

Barbara Cooney is not only one of our family's favorite illustrators, she's America's beloved illustrator, illustrator of over one hundred childrens' books and recipient of two Cladecott Medals.  So glance over the illustrations, and you'll find that they speak for themselves.

In addition, acclaimed author Gloria Houston retells this heartwarming Appalachian story as it was passed down from her grandmother and mother.

So what's this perfect tale about?  Let's read what the publishers have to say: "The Armistice has been declared, but still there is no sign of Ruthie's father in their little Appalachian town. So, in accordance with the traditions of Pine Grove, it falls to Ruthie and her mother to bring home the perfect Christmas tree to donate to the town. Ruthie had accompanied her father to the rocky cliff where he marked a tree in the spring, so she and her mother set out to find it again, and haul it home. Their trip becomes the basis overnight of a new town legend; [meanwhile] Ruthie [is] chosen for the role of the heavenly angel in the the church Christmas play . . ."

However, while Ruthie's father is away at war, many of the income earning responsibilities cannot be accomplished by Ruthie or her mother.  So they scrimp where they can, leaving the question of an angel's costume and a Christmas gift for Ruthie an unattainable wish.  Find out what happens to all these dilemmas in the story's joy filled ending.  Just be sure have a tissue ready to wipe those tears.

Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree

I know you'll be tickled to read this charming Christmas story, a true classic with the original copyright in 1963 and thankfully reprints up to 2000.  Fall in love with Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree by Robert Barry.

Let's hear the review from Random House:
Mr. Willowby's Christmas tree is so tall, it can't stand up straight in his parlor.  Mr. Willowby asks his butler to chop off the top of the tree.  What happens to the treetop?  Where will it be for Christmas?  Snuggle up with this story and follow along through a forest full of friendly creatures who get to share Mr. Willowby's Christmas joy.  Robery Barry's enchanting classic holiday tale, here for the first time in glorious full color, will fill readers' hearts with cheer long after New Year's.

Here's an alternate book cover:

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.

Christmas Tree Farm

   

So have you answered all the "whys" yet?  You know . . . "where did our Christmas tree come from?" . . . "Why did it?" . . . "Why did they?" . . . "What about next year?"

David Budbill writes a simple step-by-step account of a Christmas Tree Farm (c.1974) in his book by that title.  Donald Carrick's pencil and wash drawing compliment the simplicity of Budbill's story.  If your child begs to know where his live Christmas Tree comes from, try checking out this out-of-print book from your local library.  But be forewarned, you may start receiving requests to trek to the nearest Christmas Tree farm in order to purchase that next tree.

Make Way for Ducklings

I realized that while I've been featuring some forgotten Robert McCloskey titles, I have neglected to recommend his beloved book Make Way for Ducklings (c. 1969).  Oh this story with Caldecott winning illustrations remains a favorite for many!  And it's another on the MUST list (books you must read to your children to enrich their childhood).  And so our story begins: 

Mr. and Mrs. Mallard were looking for a place to live.  But every time Mr. Mallard saw what looked like a nice place, Mrs. Mallard said it was no good.  There were sure to be foxes in the woods or turtles in the water, and she was not going to raise a family where there might be foxes or turtles.  So they flew on and on.

Take a lovely, and historical, tour of Boston with the Mallard family in McCloskey's unforgettable children's classic Make Way for Ducklings.

And look!  Boston Public Gardens even has the bronze sculpture by Nancy Schön commemorating McCloskey's book: http://www.boston-discovery-guide.com/make-way-for-ducklings.html#axzz1d4yVoFBL   And check out the ducklings in their holiday finest: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dippy_duck/2173283522/  In fact, just Google "Make Way for Ducklings" and view all the images of the bronze brood throughout the seasons in Boston Public Gardens.

While I think that's recommendation enough, I must share a true story . . . that really . . . did . . . happen.  This past summer when we vacationed with the Mister's family, we ate at a Brixx Pizza located near a small pond.  While enjoying our pizza over laughter and conversation, all five cousins spotted a mother duck marching her ducklings past the glassed windows of the restaurant, 100 feet or so toward the pond.  We ALL delighted in the sight, adults and children alike.  Now I ask you, doesn't that spark your curiosity as to the inspiration behind McCloskey's story?  It does mine!

Thanksgiving Favorites

Rush to the library and check out our family's Thanksgiving favorites 

(click on the typed book title underneath the picture to read my reviews):

Thanksgiving Is Here! by Diane Goode (c. 2003)

Over the River and Through the Wood by Lydia Maria Child illustrated by Brinton Turkle (c. 1974 )

The Very First Thanksgiving Day by Rhonda Gowler Greene paintings Susan Gaber (c. 2002)

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!