Autumn, Autumn, Autumn...

I love autumn.  It brings back the best days for cuddling up with books. I have gotten into the habit now of splurging on one new seasonal book each season to expand our basket.  My spring basket is full and healthy.  My summer basket is alright for the most part.  My fall and winter baskets both suffer shortages in my opinion.  It's time to remedy that.  Last year's autumn splurge was the lovely, perfect "Woody, Hazel, and Little Pip." You can always count on Elsa Beskow or Sibylle von Olfers for excellent seasonal books.  But I want to get a little variety in my Autumn basket before I start overindulging on just one author.  So, my purchase this year will be one of the following:


Nightsong by Ari Berk. This is new and I don't have much to go off of other than the author's web page... but I like what I see and my only other bat book is Stellaluna . I like when books can demystify bats and Nightsong's hero seems so cute that any creepy bat fears simply HAVE to go away after reading it, right?

Waiting for Winter by Sebastian Meschenmoser. This may be my choice after all. I was so enamored with this book when I first read it, I would really, really like to add it permanently to our collection. My only hesitation is that it's a great late autumn book and I'd really like to see something more early autumn/harvest related added to my stash.

Johnny Appleseed by Reeve Lindbergh. If you know me, you know I'm a huge, huge fan of biographical picture books. Autumn is apple time and what better ways to celebrate apples than to have a book about the man who made them famous across the US. The artwork by Kathy Jakobsen in this book is excellent... reminiscent of Barbara Cooney.

Apple Picking Time by Michele Slawson.  I'm just so eager to get some apple books!  I want to take the children to an orchard to go picking this year and this would make a lovely precursor to that event.  We're Washingtonians for goodness' sake!  We need some apple books!

Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlinson.  I just need to give in and buy this already.  Sweet and gentle... early fall.  I like it.

So you see my dilemma folks.  What will my purchase be?   Ooh, the excitement!  (Before I do anything, I need to get a solid look at the Goodwill's bookshelves first... I might be able to come away with some autumn treasures there!)

Right On The Money

How To Raise Boys Who Read

Read.

Bear Has a Story to Tell: Pick of the Week

Newly released last week is title by one of my increasingly favorite husband/wife duos: Philip and Erin Stead: Bear Has a Story to Tell.

Around here, this would be a great book for early November. In other parts of the country, winter comes earlier or later so if you are particular about acute seasonal timing, know that this is about winter knocking at the doorsteps of fall and animals getting ready for it. All the while Bear is looking for someone, ANYONE to give him some time to hear his story. A tiny little curveball gets thrown by the time his friends are ready to listen.  It's a beautiful book, some books are great to gobble up quickly, others give you a sense of slower pace and savory appreciation right at the get-go... even with the paper its printed on!  This is one of those books.

I am in love with the illustrations by Erin Stead, as per usual. For anyone who still doubts that creating children's books is truly a unique and detailed art form, check these pictures out from her website that show her woodblock printing technique:

and the book trailer: