"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
For Garlic Lovers--Recipe For Aglio Olio Pasta Sauce
This was dinner for Friday night. It was also dinner on New Year's Eve. Though preparing the garlic does take some prep time, once it is in the pan, it will be finished by the time your pasta has finished cooking,so it's a great quick meal. The garlic is sweet and delicious when cooked this one--totally addictive.
Of course, the little angels are still barbarians about food like this, so they get pasta with butter and cheese as their dinner. This is ours--all ours!!!
To peel the garlic you can use the back of the knife method, or try putting the cloves into a microwave for 15 seconds(I haven't tried this myself)
Blanching the cloves in boiling water for 1-2 minutes works, but I am not sure if it would effect the flavor of the garlic in this particular recipe. It has worked fine when I've roasted garlic along with a chicken in the oven, so it's worth trying once.
You can often buy containers of peeled garlic cloves at warehouse club stores like BJs or Costco. The Man (as said many times before) LOVES garlic, and tends to peel a great deal of it for the weekends, so often there is some on hand in a plastic container.
AGLIO OLIO (Garlic and Olive Oil Sauce for Pasta)
Start a large pot of water boiling and cook 1 lb of spaghetti (we use thin spaghetti, but other varieties work well too) according to package directions.
Peel AT LEAST 1 head of garlic cloves and slice lengthwise.
Heat 8 Tbs olive oil in a large frying pan over low heat.
Add the cloves to the oil and cook, stirring gently. You want to garlic to cook, but NOT brown--burnt garlic is NOT good. Add black pepper to taste--you can add salt too if you like, but I don't.
When the garlic has softened and turns a bit golden, add a handful of grape tomatoes--sliced into halves or smaller pieces, depending on size. If you have any fresh basil on hand, chop a few leaves in as well.
Let the tomatoes cook just until softened--probably about 30 seconds and then take the sauce off the stove.
Toss with the pasta. Add parmesan cheese if you like and ENJOY!!!
Note: This also makes a GREAT dipping sauce for bread--if you have any left!
