"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
Recipe: Sweet and Sour Chicken
This is one of the oldest recipes in my book, dating back to college life. It came from an old paperback edition of the Better Homes and Garden Cookbook, but I don't think it's in the current book. I've adjusted it somewhat anyway:
1)The original recipe calls for a whole chicken, halved, but I prefer to use cut up chicken legs, or even just chicken thighs, which are meaty and easy to serve.
2)You can cook this in the oven, or in the slow cooker, but if you do the latter, I recommend using a rack and keeping the chicken above the liquid, or it will get pretty soggy.
3)When I made this this week, I put chicken, sauce and all in a plastic zipper bag and let it sit overnight to cook the next day. Not necessary, but it's good to know you can do this in advance.
4)Doubling the sauce is a good idea, especially if you do the overnight version. You may want to set some aside to use when serving the meal.
SWEET AND SOUR CHICKEN
The Sauce: You can make this on the stove or in the microwave. If using the microwave, use a glass bowl that holds at least 1 quart--I use a big glass measuring cup.
1T cornstarch
1T cold water
1/2 c sugar
1/2 c soy sauce (we use low sodium soy from Trader Joe)
1/4 c vinegar (white or apple cider)
1/2 t ginger (we use crushed that comes in a jar, but powder is okay too)
1/4 t crushed garlic (HA! I use at least 2x that much--probably even more)
Combine the cornstarch and water and blend well. Mix in the other ingredients.
If cooking on the stove: cook over low heat, stirring often until the sauce thickens.
If using the microwave: COVER with a microwave safe cover, or vented wrap, or something, because if this bubbles over, it will make a mess! Cook on high for 2-3 minutes, then check and stir. Cook again,stopping each 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens.
I freely admit I have been known to just bung it in the microwave and let it go for 5 minutes, but it sometimes erupts all over the place. Hence the cover and the warning!
COOKING: Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Line a large baking dish (9x13 would work) with lots of foil and spray with a little cooking spray. Put in 3-4 pounds of chicken parts, skin side down. Spoon some of the sauce over the chicken and bake for 10-15 minutes. Spoon more sauce over the chicken and cook till chicken has cooked 30 minutes. Turn and spoon more sauce over the chicken and cook, basting every 10-15 minutes.
When the chicken has cooked for 50 minutes, add 1 20 oz can of pineapple chunks (juice pack), drained. Spoon any remaining sauce over the chicken and cook 10 minutes more.
Serve over rice. Yummmmmmmm!
