"Classic" Children's Novels I Recommend To Patrons and Friends
All of A Kind Family
by Sydney Taylor
First in a series about 5 little girls growing up at the turn of the century on the Lower East Side of New York. I learned a lot about Jewish culture from these books, but above all they're great family stories.
Anne of Green Gables
and all other books by L.M. Montgomery
They are aimed at children, but the picture of life in turn of the century Prince Edward Island is a delight for adults!
Ballet Shoes
by Noel Streatfield
Very English and very charming.
Betsy-Tacy
First of the series, by Maud Hart Lovelace
My older daughter(10) loves these too.
The Story of Doctor Dolittle
First in the series by Hugh Lofting.
Don't settle for the movie messes made of these wonderful books!
Heidi
by Johanna Sypri
This is not that easy for a kid to read--and some may find it saccharine. But it's always enchanted me...
Little House in the Big Woods
first in the series by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Another series my daughter loves as much as I do!
A Little Princess
by Frances Hodgson Burnett
There's only been one good version of this on film--a BBC mini series. If you haven't seen that one, you don't know this story!
Little Women
and all other books by Louisa May Alcott.
I read this first in 6th grade, but I didn't understand a lot of it until college..
The Moffats
by Eleanor Estes
A family you'd love to belong to.
Pinky Pye
also by Eleanor Estes
You don't have to be a cat lover to love this, and if you're not, Pinky just might convert you!
Mr Popper's Penguins
by Florence Atwater
The tone is deadpan but the humor is pure slapstick.
A well loved read aloud.
The Secret Garden
by Frances Hodgson Burnett
There have been good films of this, but nothing beats the book, especially with the delicate Tasha Tudor illustrations!
The Trumpet of the Swan
by E.B. White
I love Charlotte's Web , but kids should also meet Louis the mute swan who gains a voice and a love. And if you liked Make Way For Ducklings (another favorite of mine) you'll recognize one of the settings......
The Wind in the Willows
by Kenneth Grahame
Not a young child's book at all,but a beautifully written book about friendship, greed, self centeredness and love.
The best illustrations are by Ernest Shepherd. He was also the first (and only REAL!) illustrator of Winnie the Pooh!
Blueberries For Sal (& One Morning In Maine)
and other books by Robert McCloskey
The Nutshell Library
4 book set by Maurice Sendak
The music to go with the books is on:
Really Rosie by Carole King
Where the Wild Things Are
also by Maurice Sendak!
The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge
by Hildegarde Swift
(A beloved NY landmark!)
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
and every other book by Eric Carle
Caps For Sale
by Esphyr Slobodkina
Madeline
by Ludwig Bemelmans
Beloved by little girls long before the toys or the movies!
Yes, I Read "Grownup" Books Too--When They're Worth It!
And These Are:
Silver Pigs
(1st of the Marcus Didius Falco mysteries) by Lindsey Davis
Welcome To Temptation
(and all other books) by Jennifer Crusie
Breakup
(Kate Shugak mysteries)by Dana Stabenow
And Ladies of the Club
by Helen Hooven Santmyer
The Cazalet Chronicles
(4 books) by Elizabeth Howard
Poldark
(the whole series)by Winston Graham
The Mitford Years
(series) by Jan Karon
Stranger In A Strange Land
(& just about any other book) by Robert Heinlein
It's Not "Jewish Penicillin", But Then I'm Allergic to Penicillin....
Okay, I'm a nice Jewish girl, but when I've got a cold, or my asthmatic bronchitis is flaring up (and it is today), I don't want chicken soup.
I want soupe a l'oignon. French onion soup
So that's what I made tonight.
The pictures on top (just click on the top left picture)give you a step by step how to for this wonderful, essential recipe, which is originally from Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking , one of my favorite cookbooks. I've changed it mainly by omitting the salt, because any kind of commercial broth or bouillon you use in this is bound to provide more than enough salt! I've also halved the recipe--made this way it will make about 6-8 cups worth.
If I have the time, I like to make this in the crockpot. I stick the onions in the crockpot overnight with 1/2 stick of marge and 4 T of oil and cook them on low until the next morning. Then I stir in the flour, mix in the broth and wine and let it simmer pretty much all day.
The stovetop version took me about 2 hours tonight.
I'm still wheezing, but it felt wonderful while I was eating it!
Try some. And,abei gezunt --stay healthy!
FRENCH ONION SOUP (Soupe a l'oignon)
Adapted from "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" (Vol 1) by Julia Child
2-3 large yellow onions, sliced into rings
4 Tablespoons of butter and/or oil (I mainly use oil, but you can use any combination)
1/4 teaspoon of sugar
3 Tablespoons of flour
1 quart beef bouillon or broth (HOT!)
1/4 cup white wine (optional)
Heat the oil/butter in a large heavy pot--I use my beloved 4qt LeCreuset pot for this.
Add the onions and stir. Cover and cook over low heat for 15 minutes.
Sprinkle with sugar (it helps the onions brown), stir and turn heat up to medium.
Cook for 30-40 minutes, stirring often.
The onions will begin to color and turn golden brown. If it takes more than 40 minutes, fine. The onions will not taste as good unless they carmelize!
Stir in the flour and cook for 3 minutes, stirring. Don't worry if the onions seem gluey--they will!
Slowly add the broth, stirring to blend it well and help the flour dissolve. Add the wine if using.
Cover partly, reduce heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
You can put this in an broiler safe pan, cover with slices of French bread and cheese( I use parmesan or swiss)and broil until bubbly.
Or you can do what I did here-- sprinkle some cheese on top and nuke this until the cheese melts.
Or just eat it as is...............
