BEATRIX POTTER

An old soul after my heart, Beatrix Potter.  She was and is an inspiration to children, parents and writers.  I wish I could travel back in time to walk with her and look over her shoulder.  This children's picture book is an outstanding summary and tribute to Miss Beatrix Potter.  Beatrix was an exceptional artist at an early age.  Her life's work reflects her love of animals,nature and the gift of storytelling.  A book that both children and adults will love.

The CACTUS HOTEL

The life of a cactus, have you ever really thought about it?  Probably not.  Their usefulness and longevity might surprise you.  It's easy to see from the cover of The Cactus Hotel what purpose the cactus serves.  I was pleasantly surprised at the role the Saguaro Cactus plays in the desert.  It lives a very, very, very long time!  The Cactus Hotel is one of those learning, slash, science, slash, beautiful illustration books. 

The LITTLE RED LIGHTHOUSE and the Great Gray Bridge

A true story embellished and made into a wonderful picture-story.  The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge  is about a lighthouse originally built in 1880, but written in 1942.  The illustrations alone are phenomenal.  The story is just as I would imagine it.  The little lighthouse was once a great help to the boats on the river.  Years go by.  Progress, progress, progress, and the little lighthouse is out of a job.  What's worse than that, is the lighthouse has lost its purpose.  The best part about the book is how the little lighthouse finds its way back to being fulfilled.  A real life benefit is that enough people cared to save this little lighthouse.  It still exists today. 

PEDRO The Angel of Olvera Street

It's a colorful street.  I think I'm in Mexico but I'm not.  I'm walking down Olvera Street dodging pinatas and leather purses.  I can't decide whether to have an enchilada, taco or tamale.  I see a book. A children's book!  Hooray!  And that's how Pedro The Angel of Olvera Street came into my book collection.  A Caldecott Honor Book, written and illustrated in 1946 by Leo Politi.  Pedro a little boy with the voice of an angel wanders through Olvera Street in Los Angeles, California.  His grandfather reminisces about old Olvera Street and not much has really changed.  The author blends history and storytelling about the oldest settlement of Latinos in California and wraps it up with the story of of Baby Jesus. Colorful illustrations gracefully tell their own story.  

The Quilt Story

The Quilt Story is rather predictable, but I like that.  I think kids like that too sometimes.  Although written in 1985, it has the feel of a much earlier written book.  I like that too.  A mother makes a quilt for her daughter.  The quilt comforts the girl through childhood.  Later, the quilt becomes a comfort for another child.  And so the story comes full circle.  As usual, Tommie dePaola  the illustrator, does not disappoint.

The Snow Child

Adorable.  That's what I thought when I saw the cover.  That's what I thought after I read the story.  If you like the story of Tom Thumb, you'll probably like The Snow Child.  Originally a Russian tale, retold by Freya Littledale in 1978 and published by Scholastic.   A couple yearns to have a child of their own and gets their wish.  However, it wouldn't be much of a story without a crisis.  You'll have to read it to find out! 

The Country Cat

Yes, I read this book last night to my adult daughter. Adult daughter, when did that happen?  The Country Cat was published in 1969 by Scholastic Services.  I got this little paperback  at my favorite used book store.  It's puuurfect!
The Country Cat reminds me of Town Mouse Country Mouse a little bit, (which is one of my favorite stories ever.)  I think the illustrations really make the story great.  A couple moves from the country to the city with their cat.  You can imagine what kind of crisis is coming their way.  This is one of those books you will read again and again.  At least I will.