Review By JESSICA ALMY I love this book the way I love Goodnight, Moon. I love its simplicity. I love that it touches on the metaphysical, but does not dwell. And above all, I love its illustrations. Margaret Wise Brown wrote both books, and in each, her simple prose inspires calming, classical illustrations. Leonard Weisgard, [...]
Entries Tagged as '1940s Childrens Literature'
The Little Island
September 18th, 2011 · 1 Comment · Books
Tags:1940s Childrens Literature·Caldecott Medal·Cats·Early Elementary·Environment·Environmental Children's Literature·Fish·Gulls·Islands·Leonard Weisgard·Lobsters·Margaret Wise Brown·Marine Animals·Natural History·Preschoolers·Seals
The Poky Little Puppy
June 11th, 2011 · No Comments · Books
Review By JESSICA ALMY I have a soft spot for The Poky Little Puppy because it reminds me of my childhood. And since the book was originally published in 1942, my mother probably read it to me because she remembered it from her childhood. Using repetition and simple illustrations, The Poky Little Puppy is both [...]
Tags:1940s Childrens Literature·Companion Animals·Dogs·Early Elementary·Food·Good for Toddlers·Gustaf Tenggren·Janette Sebring Lowrey·Preschoolers
Pippi Longstocking
January 10th, 2011 · No Comments · Books
Review By ROBYN MOORE Pippi Longstocking is an adventurous 9-year-old girl who lives in Sweden. Her mother passed away when she was a baby, and her father was blown overboard at sea (but Pippi feels that he’s still alive), so she lives on her own in Villa Villekula (her Victorian house) with Mr. Nilsson (a [...]
Tags:1940s Childrens Literature·Astrid Lindgren·Circus·Classic Books·Early Elementary·Female Protagonist·Girls·Humor·Older Elementary·Preschoolers·Robyn Moore·Sweden
The Carrot Seed
April 10th, 2010 · 1 Comment · Books
Review By MAUREEN MCDOWELL The Carrot Seed is a board book about a little boy who plants a seed and patiently awaits its sprout. While not pertaining to animals, the book illustrates the sense of awe for and love of the earth natural to children. The little boy ignores his parents and older sibling when [...]
Tags:1940s Childrens Literature·Baby Book·Board Book·Confidence·Garden·Gardening·Maureen McDowell·Natural Living·Nature Books
Horton Hatches the Egg
March 11th, 2010 · No Comments · Books
Review By JESSICA ALMY I’m just crazy about Dr. Seuss’s elephant Horton. Horton Hatches the Egg is quintessential Horton. He’s heroic, true to his word, and unwavering in his commitment to do good. When a momma bird needs a break from her nest, Horton reluctantly takes over, keeping her egg warm over the course of [...]
Tags:1940s Childrens Literature·Bravery·Circus·Compassion·Dr. Seuss·Early Elementary·Elephants·Horton·Hunting·Lesson Plans·Loyalty·Preschoolers
Curious George
December 5th, 2009 · 6 Comments · Books
Review By JESSICA ALMY Revisiting the original book about everyone’s favorite chimpanzee, Curious George by Margret and H.A. Ray, I was surprised by some of the details I’d forgotten as a child. Of course, The Man with the Yellow Hat baits and captures George, removing him from his African homeland and ultimately placing him in [...]
Tags:1940s Childrens Literature·animal rights·Chimpanzees·Margret and H.A. Ray·Monkeys·Zoo
Make Way for Ducklings
November 17th, 2009 · 1 Comment · Books
Review By JESSICA ALMY Published in 1941, Robert McCloskey‘s well-known picture book conveys respect for animals and kindness toward them. Mr. and Mrs. Mallard set up their home in Boston, carefully selecting a safe location, building their nest, and hatching eight ducklings. When they agree to meet in the pond in the Public Garden, Mrs. [...]
Tags:1940s Childrens Literature·Animal Families·Caldecott Award Book·Classic Books·Ducks·Early Elementary·Preschoolers·Robert McCloskey·Wildlife
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