"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
Two Down, One To Go, So the Man Got A Reward
I am amazed to report that since the Man was off on Friday, Saturday and Sunday he managed to empty 2 of the 3 bookscases in JR's room. The books are still there, boxed up, but the bookcases are OUT OF THE HOUSE!
He was stranded home with the girls on Friday. It was a school holiday and he was off with them. And I had his car because mine is in the shop--that's a story for later. So he had no reason NOT to start the work. Heh, heh, heh...........
As a reward for his hard work, I made one of his favorite foods with dinner--roasted potatoes, and onions. And garlic. Lots of garlic.........
My method comes from Deborah Madison's wonderful Vegetarian Cooking For Everyone . We often use other root veggies such as rutabaga, turnips and parsnips in this in addition to the ones here, so try your favorite combinations.
I am not going to give you a formal recipe. Simply get a large pan (at least 9 x 13) and line it with aluminum foil. Toss in lots of chopped potatoes. You can use red, white or a combination. Don't peel them--just clean the skins thoroughly.
Add chopped onions, or better still, small halved white onions, such as "boiling" onions.
Add PEELED garlic cloves. They are SO delicious when they are roasted and the flavor is mild, so add plenty!
(Fast way to remove the peels--pop cloves in boiling water for 1-2 minutes, then drain. The skins will slide right off)
Pour olive oil over the veggies and toss to coat. Add black pepper to taste. If you like, add a bay leaf or two as well.
Bake in a 450 degree F oven for about 25 minutes. Toss again and continue to bake for 15-25 minutes more, or until the potatoes are tender.
And now, on to the third bookcase next weekend.
I hope..................
