Tag Archives: katie mauro zeigler

Wednesday: Joseph Had a Little Overcoat

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In a world of disposable goods and overflowing trash barges, it’s nice once in a while to come across a beautiful, award-winning book that touts the merits of saving and re-using. Long before recycling was even cool, the titular Joseph understood that when things become old, you shouldn’t just throw them away. You can create something new and wonderful out of them!  In Simms Taback’s Caldecott Medal book, “Joseph Had a Little Overcoat”, based on a Yiddish song from Taback’s childhood, Joseph wears his overcoat until it gets so old and shabby he must make it into a jacket. When that jacket loses its luster, Joseph makes it into a vest. And so on and so forth until all that’s left is a button which has its own clever uses. Stunningly illustrated and easily singable, Taback’s book is a beautifully crafted fable that will hopefully raise new conversations with our children about the beauty of finding value in something old.

KT Blue Art Class: Museum Masters

Audrey Huettl

Sue and Joe Huettl

(925) 683-3964

(925) 451-3265

sjhuettl@comcast.net

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Tuesday: One of Those Days

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For anyone who has ever had “one of those days” this is the book for you. As grown-ups, those days might be called “Ran out of Gas Day” or “Hair Dryer Broke Day” or even “Toilet Overflowed Day.” But for children, as Amy Krouse Rosenthal so beautifully writes, those days include “Not Big Enough Day” and, even worse, “Nobody’s Listening to You Day.” Like a laundry list of really awful holidays, Rosenthal’s book depicts each potential rotten day with insight and, above all, humor. The book is blessed with Rebecca Doughty’s cartoon-like drawings, which perfectly capture each grimace, groan and “grrr” of the afflicted children. Grown-ups and children alike can both have their days completely derailed by one little thing – like the day my sweater fell in the toilet in 4th grade – and this morning when my toothbrush did. And this lovely little book reminds us that it’s OK to have one of those days. And there’s always tomorrow…

Monday: Henry Hikes to Fitchburg

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First of all, oodles of thank yous to Victoria for recommending this book to me. It is indeed a treasure and one I am so excited to add to my list of favorite books…Meet Henry – a bear who embodies the spirit of Thoreau and who, in his big hat and red coat, decides to walk the long journey to Fitchburg. His friend, a rather sophisticated city-dweller, opts to take the train and from there we are lucky to witness their differing paths. Much like his namesake, Henry admires the beauty of the walk – the creatures, the flowers, the blue sky. While his locomotive-bound friend misses all the wonder of the adventure by just not stopping to see it. Never before has a children’s book author so effectively brought the true meaning of “Walden” to a young audience and D. B. Johnson’s book is the perfect introduction. Sit with your child, savor that moment of closeness and read this book with your eyes wide open. You’ll find the treasures within just as I did.

 

Friday: Diary of a Worm

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There are rare occasions when a children’s book makes me laugh out loud. Roald Dahl does it for me. As does Shel Silverstein. And now Doreen Cronin has added herself to that esteemed list with her book, “Diary of a Worm.” Wanna know the line that literally made me snort? It’s the June 15th entry in the little worm’s diary in which  he writes, “My older sister thinks she’s so pretty. I told her that no matter how much time she spends looking in the mirror, her face will always look just like her rear end. ” You chuckled didn’t you? Admit it. Want more? Go get this book immediately and be ready to giggle the day away with your kids. Love it love it love it. 

Thursday: Halibut Jackson

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Certain people are just shy. Some people would rather just sit quietly in the perimeter. For Halibut Jackson, the reluctant titular hero of David Lucas’ book, shyness manifests in camouflage. He has crafted clothes to match any possible scenario – so he literally blends in with his surroundings…the sun, the grass, the flowers. And he’s quite content to exist in his chameleon-like world until he gets an unexpected invitation to a birthday party at the palace. Determined to disappear into the splendor of the palace walls, Halibut sews an outfit that is both ornate and bejeweled. But when Halibut Jackson arrives, the tables are quickly turned and a lesson in being unique is quickly learned. A wonderful story about overcoming the need to blend in…and the beauty of standing out.

Monday: Clever Jack Takes the Cake

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When poor little Jack is invited to the Princess’ birthday party, he can’t imagine why. What could he possibly bring as a present that would please the Princess? But Jack is a clever, resourceful little guy, and he bakes the Princess the most beautiful, delicious cake the world has ever seen and sets off by foot for the fiesta. Tragedy strikes in the form of crows, trolls, bears…a whole menagerie who eat and ruin his gorgeous cake. So when Jack finally arrives, empty-handed, at the party, he has nothing for her but the tale of the hungry forest creatures and the ill-fated baked good.  Surprisingly, his story, told so vividly and entertainingly, is the Princess’ favorite present. Which just goes to show you that a good story beats out a cake any day of the week. (Unless of course it’s a carrot cake with cream cheese frosting in which case we may have to make some adjustments…) Author Candace Fleming and illustrator G. Brian Karas have created a wonderful tale of the power of the spoken word. A treasure for the entire family!

Thursday: CDB

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We all love William Steig. From “Shrek” to “The Magic Pebble” to “Dr. DeSoto”, dear Mr. Steig can do no wrong. And in the eyes of my two sons, his best work is, by far, “CDB!” – a collection of letter riddles and illustrations that are totally impossible to resist. “CDB” shows two children looking at a bee. Get it? C…D…B? See the Bee? OK. How about this one…a little boy watching a larger boy lick a delicious lollipop says “I N-V U.” Get it? I envy you? Now you’re getting to the brilliance that is Steig and the amazing time you and your children will have figuring out some of the harder ones.  For the adult crowd, the best is “D Y-N S X-L-N.” Let that one breathe for a while…

Wednesday: Christina Katerina and the Box

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Two things I adore about Patricia Lee Gauch’s book, “Christina Katerina and the Box”…1) Miss Christina Katerina has an endless imagination when it comes to old refrigerator boxes and 2) her friend’s name is Fats Watson. Seriously, anyone who has a friend named Fats Watson is alright in my book. You must remember those days when a new appliance arrived and you were so excited to get your hands on that big empty box and turn it into a fort or a castle or a race car? I do…I loved it when my mom would cut little holes for windows and I’d have a new little cottage all to myself. Christina Katerina is just the same – and despite the fact that Fats ends up ruining or collapsing or sitting atop each of her creations, she never stops until the box literally melts as Fats hoses it down. But fear not, Fats makes up for his ways by bringing over his mother’s old washer and dryer boxes. And it’s off to the high seas for Christina and Fats in their cardboard sailboats. A delightful and imaginative romp of a story.

Tuesday: Andrew Henry’s Meadow

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This was a magical book to me as a child. I always gravitated towards books in which the children created worlds of their own – and this 45 -year-old book, may be the best of them all. In it, the titular Andrew Henry is driving his family crazy with all of his inventions – until ultimately, he decides to find a new home just for himself. He creates one in the meadow and soon, other children follow him there, each building their own little homes to escape and dream and imagine. Doris Burn’s tale is utterly whimsical and endearing and any child, like me, who loved to find a little hidden spot to create and draw and invent and think, will truly appreciate its simple beauty. A classic to be read again and again.

Monday: Don’t Let Auntie Mabel Bless the Table

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When I was at summer camp at the age of 9, if anyone put their elbows on the table, the counselors would say “Mabel, Mabel, if you’re able, take your elbows off the table, this is not a horse’s stable, this is a decent dining table.” Trust me, it was awful. And, to this day, if my elbows start to make that climb toward the table, that horrible refrain rings in my ears.  Fast forward more years than I care to admit, and there’s a new Mabel in town. A  better, elbow-free Mabel who LOVES to say grace at the table.  Vanessa Brantley Newton, the author of the wonderful “Let Freedom Ring”, has captured the joy of family and tradition in her hysterical book, “Don’t Let Auntie Mabel Bless the Table.” In it,  the titular Auntie Mabel and her family are sitting down to a big, delicious dinner but before they can dig in, Auntie Mabel must say grace. And for anyone who has ever been at a table where the grace just doesn’t seem to end, and your food gets cold and yet the blessings just keep on coming, this is the book for you. Mabel’s grace stops at nothing…Brussel sprouts, the President, anyone and everything worthy of thanks make it into Mabel’s grace. It’s an adorable and hilarious take on the tradition of grace that will have you giggling into your napkin.