I love children's books and have been in love with them for as long as I can remember. To this day, it's still a shivery, delightful pleasure to browse the shelves in the children's section at a library or bookstore. I especially love the large picture books with their vibrant illustrations and artwork.
With it drawing near to the time of year when people start thinking more
earnestly about holiday gift-shopping, I'm sharing a few other of my
favourite storybooks in case you need to buy for little ones -- or as
the case may be -- not so little ones, like elderly aunts or
grandmothers who need tickling in their funny bones. And, of course,
what fun to pass along some of our own favourites to our children,
grandchildren, nephews, and nieces, sharing in the delight of stories
that make us giggle or sigh with understanding.
The short list below is not of newly published books. These books have been around awhile now, but as they still remain some of my favourites not only for their stories but their wonderful illustrations, I'm sharing with you today.
Wishing you a bookish kind of day,
Brenda
The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate the Wash written by Trinka Hakes Noble and illustrated by Steven Kellogg. 1992. I was introduced to the book by a dear friend who made me realize it was quite fine to enjoy reading children's storybooks even if I was 25 or 26 or 27. For years now I count this charming story among my favourites.It's an engaging tale about a school field trip gone delightfully awry. Responding to her mother's query about her day, one child says, 'Oh...it was boring...kind of dull...nothing much. Well, until the cow started crying." Why was the cow crying? "Oh because the... ." And the tale spins out from there.
Library Lion written by Michelle Knudsen and illustrated by Kevin Hawkes. 2006. "This story's appealing premise is clear in the first sentence: 'One day, a lion came to the library.' There's the expected uproar as the lion pads through the stacks, but librarian Miss Merriweather only asks: 'Is he breaking any rules?' The lion is not, and so he is allowed to stay." excerpt from Booklist
Cynthia Coppersmith's Violet Comes to Stay Story by Melanie Cecka, Pictures by Emily Arnold McCully. 2006. The first in a series of storybooks about a white cat inspired by Cynthia Coppersmith, Father Tim's wife from Jan Karon's bestselling Mitford Years series. In this story, Violet's search for 'home' leads her to a plant nursery, a bakery, and finally a bookstore—the one place where the gentle cat isn't expected to be a mouse hunter.
Jan Brett's Christmas Treasury Written and illustrated by Jan Brett. 2001. This gorgeous Christmas collection combines seven of Jan Brett's most famous, highly acclaimed, best-selling, beloved books: The Mitten, The Wild Christmas Reindeer, Trouble with Trolls, The Twelve Days of Christmas, The Hat, Christmas Trolls, and The Night Before Christmas. A book of stunning art and endearing characters, Jan Brett draws upon the cultures of the countries in which her stories are set and brings both original stories and classics as charming, lively, and timeless as her art. Info from Amazon.com
A Star for Christmas Written and illustrated by Trisha Romance. 2007. "A gentle old carpenter who has spent his whole life in the service of others has finally begun to build his own home in a quiet meadow, with nothing but a small reindeer to keep him company. Finishing by winter seems like an impossible task, but the carpenter reaps the years of kindness he has sown, and his neighbors return his love by helping complete his new home by Christmas. He has a wonderful surprise in store for them, making this Christmas one that everyone will cherish forever." Amazon excerpt
Brenda, don't know if I answered your question, yet, so I'm doing it now... YES, you can most definitely use the RYOB 2009 Challenge button for your sidebar! By all means! :)
ReplyDeleteMizB
Mizb -- thanks! I'm looking forward to this Read Your Own Books 2009 challenge --- somehow it seems like it will close what feels like unfinished business...ie, an unread book on my shelf feels unfinished.
ReplyDeleteThe book about Jimmy's wash and the Boa Constrictor was always one of our favorties! We also enjoyed "The Gardner"..
ReplyDeleteIt's never been much of a secret with my family and friends that children's books are a favorite with me.
You're absolutely right... they're wonderful for people of all ages. My mom used to love receiving them, as do I.
Oooo, this is fun. Thank you! I am on a mission to find some good books.
ReplyDeleteOur favorite book right now is "Tim and Kim" by Kay Linda Nord. The book is in both english and spanish (mexican not castilian). It is really great with the cutest pictures. I am amazed at how much my little ones are learning - preschool age. Just thought I would pass it along. Here's where I found it: http://kaylindanord.com/
Thanks again for the list. I have not heard of some of these before.
mom/caryn, Another Jimmy fan...yah!
ReplyDeleteI remember a similar sketch years ago on Sesame Street where Bert and Ernie had a similar conversation. Ernie is putting a band-aid on his finger and Bert asks how he got the injury.... at the zoo.... well what happened....must have been when the monkeys (or whatever it was) escaped...well why did the monkeys escape... well, it must have been when...etc. With Ernie ending his account of his day, as 'well, I guess something did happen today...I got a cut on my finger. I always loved that skit.
Rachael, Thanks for dropping by. I was pleased to get your comments and your family's favorite book title... I'll have to look for it. I'd love to pop by your place, but couldn't get in, so hopefully you'll visit again soon. Happy reading.