"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
The Workmen Are Here!
They have already removed the hideous wallpaper from JR's room and are doing the same in the upstairs foyer,the stairwell and the "living room" part of downstairs. (our downstairs is basically one big room except for the kitchen)
The Man got MOST of the stuff from JR's room. There are still some things remaining, but they will go before the end of the week.
He is not having a good time with all of this, but I am having fun watching him. (Heh-heh). He had to clear the two bookcases in the "living room" this morning, including one that has blocked a window. And if I have my way (and I will!) the cases are not going back there. He also has to clear up the books piled on the floor next to the sofa that I've been wanting him to take care of for MONTHS (if not years, I kid you not), the junk piled between two bookcases, and the stuff on TOP of the bookcases. And he is going to have to move a lot of stuff out of the bookcases so that they can be moved away from the "dining room" walls.
And then we are going to get new bookcases. Much taller ones which will take more books, and won't allow for him to pile things on top. Preferably with half doors, so more of the books will be out of sight.
Stuff is piled all over the place downstairs. It's chaotic and the cats have fled to the window in the "dining room":
(They're not TOO unhappy, though. The window behind them was opened, something we normally can't do when we're out during the day, and they were busy watching birds and squirrels!)
And despite the chaos, I am enjoying all this.
JR will finally have a room of her own that she can really USE. All of her toys and other things that are floating all over downstairs can get put away--that alone will help make things look a lot better!
The Man's books are going to be better contained. And maybe, JUST maybe, the living room will look more like a living room.
And the old ratty wallpaper is gone. Forever!
Yayyyyyy!
