"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
Beach Dinner--We're Actually Going!
We're off to the beach!
SC's fever is gone and her pinkeye is clearing--it may have been partly from the virus she had. So we are packing up and going this afternoon.
The Chincoteague forecast isn't ideal, but it's not in Katrina's path, so we'll count our blessings. And we'll just enjoy being there no matter what!
There'll be more from me this week, because the laptop is coming and there's an Internet cafe.
Meanwhile, here's a recipe for one of our favorite meals to bring to the beach. I got the original recipe for this from All Recipes.com, where it is listed as Seafood Lasagna II.
But I was also inspired by a book on casseroles, which suggested the mushrooms. And I cut the seafood in half and the cheese down by about 5 cups. By doing that and using skim milk, I made this healthier, but it still tastes fabulous.
If you use good real crabmeat, it's extra special, but even imitation crab works well in this!
This travels well as long as you wrap it carefully, we had it at home for Saturday night supper, but the leftovers are coming with us.
Later, 'taters!
SEAFOOD LASAGNA
6-9 lasagna noodles (6 will do for a 9x13 pan)
1/2 lb crabmeat or surimi/imitation crab
1/2 lb salad shrimp (defrosted if frozen)
1 package sliced mushrooms
1 cubed onion
1 T lemon juice
3 T oil (corn or canola)
3T flour
3 cups milk (skim is fine)
1 cup grated parmesan
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Cook the noodles according to package directions and set aside.
Combine oil and flour in a large saucepan. Cook till bubbling, stirring to prevent burning. Slowly add milk, stirring so it mixes in smoothly. Cook until mixture begins to thicken. Turn off heat, add parmesan and set aside.
Cook mushrooms and onion in a small amount of oil for about 5 minutes. Combine with the seafood. Sprinkle the lemon juice over the mix and stir, then add 2/3 of the sauce mixture (about 2 cups)
Place 1/3 the seafood mixture in the pan. Top with 2 noodles. Repeat twice more, then top with the rest of the sauce mixture. Sprinkle cheese over the top.
Bake at 350 degrees (F) for 45 minutes. Let rest 10-15 minutes before serving.
