"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
Saturday
I'm at work even though I'm not working--not unusual, because on Saturdays SC takes an art class nearby, so while she's in class I drop in for an hour or two.
I was out yesterday, so naturally I had 4 messages on the children's answering machine. One lady called TWICE--she wants the full schedule of programs and somehow the machine isn't giving her that line. Why doesn't she just walk her privleged little body into the library and GET it.
Oh, pardon me, that would mean she'd actually come to the library for something OTHER than a program. It wouldn't make sense to come in without a program--then all we've got is books---and CDs---and videos. Of course she doesn't need any of THAT for her kids!
SC decided she didn't want to go to art class today and since she's had a long week and is going to a birthday party this evening, I said okay. But I am here anyway, and am now going out to finish planting out some sunflowers. The kids at my program planted them in paper cups, I have been germinating them at home under my plant light, and now they get to go out in an area under the children's room windows. We did this last year and it worked so well I am doing it again.
Meanwhile my own garden is a mess and my hands are sore from 3 hours out there on my (HA!) day off. I just bought sweet pepper and tomato and herb plants to put out, but between JR's birthday and the heat, I probably won't get them in for days. Happily though, we do have peas--I thought the heat would get them for sure.
Cicada Watch: Lots all over the breezeway, though I think most have hatched. I've found a few in the back yard as well. The sound is getting louder--they DO sound like Star Trek phasers--though the local DJ who noted the fact and said he knows that "though he's not a Trekkie or a geek" is not smart enough to be either. He's just a jackass....................
