"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
Bread and Wine--A Bridal Shower
I went to a bridal shower last night for someone from work.
I am not normally much of a party person, but the bride to be is someone I am very fond of and she had commented on how glad she was I was coming, so I was glad to go.
I was NOT so glad when I heard that the "desperate housewives" contingent, who were organizing the party, were discussing the wine for the party.
"Two bottles won't be enough for 16 people.." one of them began.
Another of my co-workers said, "Well, some people probably won't be drinking."
"People who don't drink at parties..." began one of the "housewives".
I cut her off with "Well, I won't be drinking because I don't drink."
Let me explain that I have got nothing against drinking because of my religious beliefs (!) or for any other reason. I simply don't drink because I don't like the taste of alcohol. So why waste it on me?
On the other hand, there are people out there who don't drink because of their religious beliefs, or because of their medications.Or other, more private reasons that are no one's damn business!
Just because I don't drink doesn't mean I can't have a good time at a party. I used to go to my friend Lynne's house for a "hen club" dinner every month. We all helped ourselves to drinks and my choice was ice water. Most of the rest drank wine. Somehow, no one thought I was a party pooper.
Anyway, though that exchange worried me, the party was wonderful. Almost everyone was from the library, and we really enjoyed having a chance to get together outside of work!
We all brought Italian food, and I ended up bringing bread.
This is not the usual long crusty Italian bread, but a braided loaf sprinkled with sesame seeds.I used to buy bread like this in the baked goods section of New York supermarkets--it was just there on the shelf in a paper bag long before "artisan breads" made their way to the stores.
It's crispy on the outside, but soft on the inside. My kids adore it. And it's a snap to make, with or without a bread machine.
Here's the recipe, adapted from one I found on the King Arthur Flour website.
Enjoy it.
Here's to all the brides. May you have wonderful weddings,but more importantly, happy marriages!!
Sesame-Semolina Bread
2 cups bread flour
1 cup semolina flour
2 teaspoons yeast
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup water
1 egg white
1/4 cup toasted sesame seeds
Bread Machine Method: Put all of the ingredients (except the sesame seeds) into the bucket of your bread machine. Program for dough or manual, and press Start. Check the dough after about 15 minutes; it should be smooth-looking. If not, adjust the consistency with additional flour or water. Allow the machine to complete its cycle.
Divide the dough into three pieces, and roll into logs approximately 12 inches long. Braid the logs.
Bake the bread in a preheated 400°F oven for 18 to 20 minutes, or until it's golden brown. Turn off the oven, prop the door open a couple of inches, and allow the loaf to cool in the oven.
