Posts
Hello Poets,
What a glorious week in my corner of our earth. It's not quite sweater weather but the trees are flashing color. Lovely!
I hope you stop by Salt City Verse for a top-off of wonderful poetry from our Poetry Friday friends. Thank you, Janice, for graciously hosting this week.
Recently, author Karen Rostoker-Gruber asked if I would read and give an honest review of two new books she has coming out this fall. In exchange, I received pdf versions of her books.
Both Ms. Rostoker-Gruber's books are darling. I'm delighted to have had a chance to read both, share them with my students and you!
A Crowded Farmhouse Folktale (Albert Whitman & Co. October 1, 2020) is my favorite of the two books. I couldn't help falling in love with hapless Farmer Earl. His house was so crowded he went to the village wise woman for help. This might have something to do with the fact that I've been hunkered down with my spouse, four older teen and adult children, and pets for weeks (months, years, decades?) during this pandemic.
The wise woman's advice starts out silly and quickly moves to Ludacris but ends up working for Farmer Earl when the reader understands that everything depends on one's point of view.
Best of all this story is delivered in lively verse and soft, whimsical illustrations by Kristina Swarner. A Crowded Farmhouse Folktale is sure to become a bedtime favorite of toddlers to early readers.
In ten rhyming tercets, Happy Birthday Trees! introduced me to the Jewish tradition of planting trees for Tu B'Shevat, Jewish Arbor Day. Holly Sterling's illustrations are lively and full of light surrounded by a generous space to rest little eyes.
A sweet and diverse group of children all take part in planting a tree (getting muddy and all) and watching it grow over the next year. This board book is a perfect gift for a toddler whose family, friends, or neighbors are celebrating Tu B'Shevat Sedar this coming January 27th - 28th.
I also think this book makes a sweet holiday addition to a shelf in need of Jewish literature for young children (as the pdf version has done for my virtual library).
Happy reading through October!
Hello my lovely friend. Look at you, stretching yourself into new directions. Great job with both reviews. Though I confess, I did have to giggle at how well you relate to the first. Oh my goodness. I can only imagine how long this year has seemed. We had our eldest home for many months - but now he is able to return to his hands-on job part time, and we are quite enjoying time of just-us at home again. He still spends stints at home when programming - but it's a nice balance of together and apart. (We haven't seen enough of our youngest. Mostly because of relentless work/assessment pressures. But uni is almost finished for the term, so hoping we see more of him soon!) I will take extra gulps of fresh air, sunshine and space for you, my friend!
ReplyDeleteThese are wonderful books for toddlers like my little Sierra. She will gobble them up just like the little goats did with the clothes. Thanks for spending time reviewing the books and sharing them with us, Linda.
ReplyDeleteAww, these both look delightful! Thank you for sharing them, Linda. I know how hard the crowded house can be (esp. for introverts!)... hang in there! xo
ReplyDeleteI have the farmhouse book, Linda, but haven't shared it yet. It is delightful, and the board book looks like another book just right for the young ones.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to read these! Thanks for sharing these titles. I like to hear about new rhyming picture books on the market.
ReplyDeleteThanks for featuring Karen's new books. Both look delightful. I especially enjoyed learning more about that crowded farmhouse, and the art for both books is so charming.
ReplyDeleteI believe I am going to need both of these books - so compelling. They pull at me for different reasons - rural roots, having a young child in the family again, and TREES. I so appreciate your zestful opening about the beauty in your corner of the world as well!
ReplyDeleteLovely reviews!
ReplyDeleteThese both look delightful! thanks for sharing. Also, I accidently gave you the wrong email over on Instagram. The correct email is rebecca.anne.herzog@gmail.com I'll try to send the book out as soon as I have your address!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing these books with us, Linda. They both sound like perfect gifts for a little one I know. ;-)
ReplyDeleteThese both look delightful. I'm familiar with the folk tale behind the first story as we have performed it in my classroom as a Readers' Theater called "Too Much Noise". A rhyming version sounds like a real treat. I love the sweet verse and illustration you shared from the board book as well. I'm "on board" with anything that celebrates trees. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThese books both look so sweet! Thanks for the reviews. No need to be nervous about reviewing a board book -- you did it beautifully! :)
ReplyDeleteI love that you always give a personal touch to your reviews, Linda. These look like silly, sweet fun for silly, sweet kiddos!
ReplyDeleteLovely reviews Linda, especially like those lively goats–thanks for sharing both!
ReplyDeleteSurprise! I caught up with both your last posts, and what a wild and delightful mix of things you do offer, Linda! I enjoyed these two posts from kind of opposite ends of the spectrum. I wonder if the Farmer Earl's story is similar to "Always Room for One More" and I'm excited to see the news about a poet at the museum!
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting about these books, Linda. Farmer Earl's story made me think of the 80s band, Crowded House! It's great to have new children's books about Jewish holidays other than Hanukkah.
ReplyDeleteThey both look fabulous. We have a new baby joining our extended family in the spring, and the board book would make a perfect shower gift.
ReplyDelete