"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
What Has Congress Got to Do With Terri Schiavo?
I have hesitated to write about this because it is such an emotional subject for so many. And I am not going to talk about the right to die, quality of life or the motives of any of the parties actually involved in this case. Nor am I going to talk about my views on it. Because my point is, this is a private matter.
Can someone please explain to me why the government officials are so determined to legislate into our private lives are the same ones who are so eager to cut programs that HELP us in our private lives?
I have been reading about Terri Schiavo and her family's battle over her for quite some time. There are a lot of well meaning "blogging for Terri" entries on a lot of blogs written by people who would be pretty offended if we walked into THEIR houses and told them how to raise their kids, run their marriages or choose their medical care options. And I am sure that they would ruffle their feathers in righteous indignation if we told them that they had to do things according to religious or social beliefs unlike their own! Wouldn't any of us?
Look, no one (except perhaps Terri, and she can't talk) knows what really happened in the Schiavo case. It's an emotional subject, and that the bloggers are coloring it with their own personal experiences,feelings and beliefs. Their feelings are valid--they have a right to choose up sides and blog accordingly.
But it offends the hell out of me to see people who have no real connection to this family using such a sad situation to further their own goals in terms of imposing their moral standards on us all! And watching a series of government officials including Jeb (My Dad and Brother Were President So I'm Next In Line)Bush, and now Congress (a.k.a. Guardians of Everyone's Morality But Their Own) attempting to pass legislation on such a private matter is even more offensive.
This should never have gotten as deeply into the courts as it has. In the end nobody will be happy with whatever decision is reached. And no one will profit but the lawyers...................
