I delight in discovering new and wonderful picture books every summer. Many I find at the Eric Carle Museum’s bookstore, as they’re often the one to have the best books. Some I discovered through a fellow book lover. We share our ‘finds’ every August. We’re like two children on Christmas morning.
Return, by Aaron Becker
I’m a big fan of wordless books, as they spark more language and creativity than books with words. Becker is a master at wordless books, and Return is the latest in his series which began with Journey. His illustrations are glorious and very detailed. They will take you to another world of magic.
The Monster in the Lake, by Leo Timmers
Three ducks do not believe their friend who insists there is a monster in the lake. The book is full of whimsey, with readers rooting for the duck and discovering there actually is a monster, who is a party lover.
The Uncorker of Bottles, by Michelle Cuevas
I knew as soon as I saw the book that the soft illustrations reminded me of the Amos McGee books. Yup, same illustrator. The storyline is lovely. His job was of the utmost importance, to find any bottles at sea and deliver the message. He loved his job but wished there would one day be a message for him. He finds a message in a bottle about a party, but cannot find the recipient, so he goes to the party. The ending is warm and wonderful.
Little Witch Hazel, by Phoebe Wahl.
This delightful story begins with Spring, where Little Witch Hazel finds an orphaned egg. When no one claims the egg, she rolls the egg home. Hazel is very tiny, and when the egg hatches, out comes an owl. As the chapters (seasons) continue, Hazel and the other little witches enjoy summer and fall, until the owl grows and eventually flies away. On the coldest of winter nights, it returns! The illustrations are rich in color and detail, including the endpapers map of the woods.
Goldfinches, by Mary Oliver
If you are a bird lover, this is the book for you. Mary Oliver is a poet, and she won the Pulitzer Prize. This book is her words for children. Not only are the poetic words beautiful, the reader learns about the life of a Goldfinch with lovely illustrations depicting nature and science.
A Walk in the Words, by Hudson Talbott
This is the book for slow readers. Talbott found it difficult to read, as many children do. The story is about a boy who loves stories and loves to draw. The many words in a book could be terrifying. It started with the word ‘overwhelm’, which was exactly how he felt. What if he took away ‘over’ and focused on ‘whelm?’ Yes, it’s a word. Bit by bit, at a slow pace, he learned new words. The illustrations of stepping stones are perfect. And, the end of the book has famous people who were slow readers, like Shakespeare and Einstein.
Wonder Why, by Lisa Varchol Perron
I think I saved my favorite for last. This is the story of a thunderstorm. That alone will be exciting for any child. Each beautifully illustrated page ends with, “How I wonder, wonder why.” It begins with the sky, the sun, the wind, pressure – on and on to describe a growing thunderstorm. The text is rhyming, making the story even better. The illustrations are fabulous, and the book encourages children to ask why.
I was fortunate to see the current Jerry Pinkney exhibition at the Eric Carle Museum. His art is extraordinary both in color and detail.
Some years ago Jerry was a presenter at the museum. I was there! I got to meet him. Lucky me.
What stands out to me as a preschool teacher and a lover of stories are his fairy tales. He is the master of re-telling these classic stories. And his illustrations are glorious. Reading his books to children is a joy.
Here is my beloved collection, which is small in the scope of his many fairy tales:
The Little Red Hen
While hunting for worms and berries for her young ones,
she came upon some strange seeds. Ever so carefully
she scooped them up, then headed home.
In this story, the three animals who live with the hen
are a goat, a pig, and a dog.
The Three Billy Goats Gruff
I love how the troll has his own illustration on the side.
Wordless books are my favorites, because they spark far more language than books with words. The pictures inspire a natural dialogue between the reader and the child. One of the best is Jerry Pinkney’s The Lion and the Mouse. It won the Caldecott Medal. Wow!
The Lion and the Mouse
You can understand what both the lion and the mouse are thinking in these illustrations.
Three Little Kittens
Nursery rhymes are often forgotten, or rarely recited in school. They give children more than rhyming. The storyline is lovely to hear, and it always has a message. Jerry Pinkney must have thought about this.
In Pinkney’s way, he can turn a nursery rhyme into a better story. The kittens didn’t loose their mittens, they wore them to wash the dishes.
Perfect!
His many fairy tale picture books include:
The Little Mermaid
Puss in Boots Little Red Riding Hood The Grasshopper and the Ants
I understand how Monet felt about reflections.
They tell a big story.
He saw the world above
when he painted his water lilies.
I see the world above, deep in my pool
when the sun has set
and allows reflections.
Two worlds looking beautiful,
shimmering.
Monet would smile.
Every visit to the Eric Carle Museum is a new and exciting adventure. I always discover something wonderful. Yes, it’s that good.
When I arrived I headed to the Art Studio. I wish every elementary school teacher could visit and become inspired. Oh, their teaching would definitely change. I’ve always noticed that the art tables are covered in black paper. It makes the art projects stand out. So, I ‘hiked up my big boy pants’ and asked the director if I could have a sheet of their paper. He gave me two, and loved hearing my story.
Then it was on to the exhibits!
I was excited to see the new exhibit, the work of the late Jerry Pinkney. His illustrations are glorious. I choose that word because it means more than fabulous. I have a few of his books, and I was lucky to meet him some years ago. Interestingly, the art displayed at the exhibit was all new to me, and oh so beautiful. Jerry Pinkney is a master at recreating fairy tales, and his story and art of The Little Mermaid is truly filled with beauty.
My two favorite Jerry Pinkney quotes:
Jerry painted to music, and one of his favorite songs was “Respect” by Aretha Franklin.
Oh, to have been there watching him paint to one of the best songs!
The other new exhibit was about Ferdinand the bull. Do you remember The story of Ferdinand? It is a classic picture book.
Here is an original copy. Big wow!
I am, and always will be, amazed at seeing the original art of beloved picture books. As I was looking at the original illustrations to Ferdinand, it was a ‘how can it be that I am here, inches away from these marvelous original drawings?’ moment. I was able to get so close!
My favorite is Ferdinand peeking out of the dark entrance. Children love this book today as much as they did in 1936 when it was published. Ferdinand loves nothing better than sitting under the cork tree smelling flowers. When a bee stings him he reacts like an angry bull, and is whisked away to the bullfights. Poor Ferdinand! The people are upset as he refuses to fight with the matador, so he is taken back home to once again be under his beloved cork tree.
Walt Disney did an animated short based on the book that won an Academy Award. In his heyday, Ferdinand was as popular as Mickey Mouse and the Lone Ranger’s horse Silver.
I have a red Beanie Baby bull which I use when I read the book to children. Add a flower and a bee, and the story comes to life.
It is fitting that the museum displays a bull painting by Eric Carle.
There is a permanent display about Eric Carle and his life in a designated hallway. I always view this display at every visit. Always! Here are my favorite photos from this visit:
Jennie
P.S. I’ll be writing about Jerry Pinkney’s fairy tales. Stay tuned!
Our pool boasts over 50 fish, from hanging on the fence to sitting on the ground, and perched atop fence posts. I’ve posted the fish before. You may not know that we also have fish on the porch.
They’re like our children.
From the pool to the porch, no two are alike.
they come in all shapes, sizes, and colors.
Some need tending to every year,
others are hearty souls.
I’m glad we have such a big family.
The sky went on forever,
looking just like the photo,
spread across my world.
It was ominous.
I couldn’t stop looking, and imagining.
I saw stories.
I saw mystery.
I saw wonder.
Thank goodness I looked up.
Look up and look down, and you will truly see.
******************************************** ~Always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder.~
E.B. White
For my fellow bloggers in London, or close by, I’m excited that my dear friend’s grandson has the part of Billy Elliot. Big Wow.
Over 700 boys tried out, and he was the only American who made it. He is all ballet (so good), and had to learn tap dance. He is loving it!
There are four boys who play Billy Elliot. At each performance one is Billy, one is back stage ready to go if there is a snafu, one is on call, and one has the day off.
Of course meeting Elton John was the big highlight.
If you see the show, let me know. His name is Spencer.
It’s an odd thing to say that a eulogy was inspirational. Yet for Milly, how could it be anything less? And, it’s unusual to laugh out loud at the words the minister says about someone who is deceased. But again, when it comes to Milly…
It happened like this:
Milly’s funeral, a memorial service, was held in an old New England church – 250 years old to be exact – in pouring rain and humidity that felt like I was sitting in the rain. My husband and I arrived quite early, only to discover everyone else had the same idea. The church was packed. Sardines in a sauna. The minister was a young man who didn’t know Milly well. He began by telling the congregation of his first meeting with Milly.
“Where’s my quilt?” Milly asked me. I’ve had plenty of odd questions, but that one took the cake. Here I was, new to the church, and this woman comes right up to me and asks about her quilt. What quilt?
Everyone is laughing! And the minister continues.
You see, Milly had made a huge quilt for the 250th anniversary of the church. I had no idea, but Milly told me all about it. And, where was it? After months of searching, the quilt was found tucked away in a box during renovations. We found her quilt four days after she died. It now hangs again.
I look around and see the faces of many quilters and friends. Milly is at peace. Be sad if you must, but she would want you to celebrate her life. She is at peace.
Peace! Of course. No wonder the Peace Quilts we made together are wonderful. That was Milly. Yup!
A church that was full of quilters knew the story he told. I didn’t. After all, my time with Milly was only in the last ten years. I looked around and thought of all the experiences and quilting she, and they, must have had. I felt like a little girl at Thanksgiving listening to all the stories the grown-ups told. And so, I listened.
Milly’s son gave the eulogy. He pointed out two quilts displayed in front of the alter alongside all the flowers. One was the first quilt he had as a child. The other was a recent one.
Mom made it this year, and I asked her if I could have it. I’ve never asked her for a quilt. She was so happy. So now I have two, one from the beginning of my life, and one from the end of hers.
When Mom first became sick and was rushed to St. Joseph’s Hospital, I spent that night with her. She told me story after story, things I’d never known. She was happy. Afterwards, she had no recollection of that night nor the stories she had told.
I was the last to bloom,
but I’m here.
Can you tell how happy I am?
My leaves are outstretched like arms reaching for the sky.
Winged Victory!
Jennie was the first to see me.
She told me flowers are just like children;
they bloom at different times.
Sometimes the late bloomers are the most precious.
No wonder children and flowers are connected.
Kindergarten means
‘garden of children.’
In Part 9, Milly continued her visits to school. The children and Gloria were always thrilled when it was a ‘Milly day’. At last, after years of quilts that went away to places of honor, Milly made a quilt, “Our Towns” that hangs at school. Declining health continued, yet I summoned the courage to ask Milly to make another Peace Quilt. She was thrilled, and with her renewed energy and enthusiasm, we were off on another adventure.
Part 10 – The Final Curtain.
“Lets make the image with children and their family looking out a big window at their images of peace.” Milly’s idea was brilliant, and that’s exactly what we did. Honestly, that quilt with butterfly wings that moved, real chains for swings, raised and puffy hearts, and striking colors and images, was Milly’s best. It was her crowning glory.
And so, the question of where to hang the quilt lingered… until an old friend and past parent whose child was part of the first Peace Quilt said it should hang at the White House. “The world needs peace more today than ever” she said. Yes. And it needs to hang at our own White House, the State House. Of course it does! The White House may take years to approve and accept the quilt. I wasn’t sure if Milly had years. The Massachusetts State House was perfect. Milly thought so, too.
There were ladders to climb and hoops to go through just to make a contact, someone who would listen to my story, Milly’s story. And one day at school our secretary burst into my classroom to tell me the State House was on the phone and wanted to talk with me. An hour later I was emailing photos of the sketch and the quilt. It was love at first sight, and the wheels were moving. I couldn’t believe how many layers of people and agencies had to approve (and like) the quilt AND the idea of it hanging at the State House.
“Is there a spot for special artifacts?” I asked.
“Yes, but it’s out of the way. The quilt wouldn’t be visible to many people. Wait! There is a bare wall at the entrance of the building. I’ve been trying to find the right thing to hang there. Everyone who enters the State House would see this quilt. Everyone. What do you think?”
What do I think?! I think that would be awesome – and I choose that word in it’s original context. The world needs more peace, and what is better than peace through the eyes of young children – seen by all?
“I think that would be wonderful. Just perfect.”
In the meantime, we made a Peace Book. Children illustrated all their ideas that are depicted in the quilt and wrote the words. One of the best peace books, ever!
We read this book over and over. Children looked through it to find their favorite page and tell others about peace. The book cemented the quilt. A copy remains out front at school for families and children to read. And, it continues to be well loved.
“Jennie, everything is all set.” At last! “When would you like to deliver the quilt? We’d like to have a ceremony with children and families, and of course Milly. The Governor is planning to attend.”
What! The Governor of Massachusetts? Gulp!
“That is wonderful” I said, trying to keep a calm voice. “Thank you”.
We picked a date in June and notified families. Current families and past families were there at the big event, as this quilt was a few years in the making. The director and assistant director of school were there. Milly’s family was there. My husband and I drove Milly into Boston, and we were escorted into the rotunda, a beautiful room with a curved sweeping staircase and stunning architecture. History and beauty at its best.
Milly glowed. She may have been wheelchair bound, but her spirt rose up tall and proud.
The stage and seating was at the foot of the Grand Staircase. I was prepped by a staff member as to what would happen. The Governor and the Lieutenant Governor would make an entrance from the back, then I would give opening remarks and read the Peace Book, then the Governor would speak, and finally the quilt would be presented.
You can do this, Jennie.
When Governor Baker made his entrance we shook hands and chatted, and he scanned the room for Milly. When he saw her he stepped forward, then dropped to his knees and held her hands. They whispered and smiled like two long-lost friends. Everyone stood to watch; you could have heard a pin drop. Not a dry eye in the house.
This was Milly’s finest moment.
And the ceremony began. I had a microphone. That was fine until I had to hold the book while reading. The Governor hopped up, took the book out of my hands, and said, “Here. Let me hold the book while you read.” And he did. And I did.
I barely recall the words I said, yet I clearly remember the Governor’s speech and his words. “Children learn hate” he said. He talked about the importance of peace and children’s visions, much like the image of the quilt. The quilt was presented and displayed for everyone to see.
And then the Governor spontaneously asked all the children to sit with him on the steps of the Grand Staircase. What a great idea!
Milly took with her treasured memories of a lifetime, back to the nursing home, and displayed these photos for everyone to see. In typical Milly humor, she would say to all who asked her who was that man kneeling, “Oh, that’s just the Governor.” On all of my visits to see her the following year – she was now too sick and unable to come to school – there was always a new story of someone asking her about the quilt and the State House. We laughed. We always laughed. It’s what friends do.
And then her granddaughter called. The Call. Milly had a week or two to live. Hopefully. I went to see her right away, and as soon as she saw my face, she said three sentences to me, “Jennie, I’m 88 years old. I’ve lived a wonderful life. What else is there?” Yes, Milly!
I went back to school and made videos of the children singing Milly’s favorite songs. I went to the nursing home a few days later to show her, sat on a chair right beside her bed, and we played the videos over and over again on my iPad. Oh, how she loved seeing the children and hearing the songs. As we watched and listened, I rubbed her arm and we both smiled. A lot.
“Milly, remember all the adventures we’ve had together? I remember that car ride to Philadelphia. You were hilarious. We had the best time. Milly, what do you remember?”
And Milly proceeded to tell the story of the Command Coin being pressed into her hand at the Fisher House. That was her big memory over the years. We continued to reminisce. There were no tears. Milly wouldn’t have had it any other way.
The following day I called, and her granddaughter answered her phone. Milly would probably die that night. I wasn’t about to wait, I left immediately to see her. I needed, wanted to say goodbye. I was driving like a crazy person to get there. And the most remarkable thing happened. When I was about five minutes away, I was struck with an enormous wave of peace. It was the most wonderful feeling of goodness.
I was too late. Milly had died five minutes before I got there – the same time that the wave of peace struck me. She was telling me goodbye in her happy way. And so Milly, I say goodbye to you in my happy way:
Return, by Aaron Becker
The Monster in the Lake, by Leo Timmers
The Uncorker of Bottles, by Michelle Cuevas
Little Witch Hazel, by Phoebe Wahl.
Goldfinches, by Mary Oliver
A Walk in the Words, by Hudson Talbott
Wonder Why, by Lisa Varchol Perron
While hunting for worms and berries for her young ones,
A Teacher's Reflections 