Tuesday, January 28, 2014

More on the Majesty of Squirrels

"The most prestigious award in children’s literature was awarded this year to a book about a plucky girl and her sidekick, a superhero flying squirrel who can type poetry." 
-article by Husna Haq


Earlier this week I was recollectin' my cousin's affinity for squirrels
It's like I have ESPN or something.


Now I know what to get her next birthday:


Flora and Ulysses






Sunday, January 26, 2014

8 Picture Books That Make Us Wish We Were Kids Again

In honor of the 76th Caldecott Award to be given tomorrow, NPR took an informal poll of titles readers thought could receive that shiny circle.   The article, by Nicole Cohen, show lush illustrations that make me want to leap into the story.


Journey by Aaron Becker is being added to my library list stat.





As I was reading the article and drooling over the artwork, Miss C climbed on my lap and read the title. 
"Well, I don't wish I were a kid again.  I already am a kid."


So: 8 titles that make some of us wish we were a kid again. 
Or, 8 titles that make us feel like we're a kid again.
Or 8 books that will make you want to roll around in paint and paper and see what happens. 







Thursday, January 23, 2014

The Majesty that Surrounds

This morning while making breakfast, I watched squirrels spasmodically chasing each other up and down and around every tree.  I thought of my sister, who shudders at sight of the creatures, then I thought of my cousin who came to visit from Ireland for the first time in 12 years.  One morning she looked out the window to our back yard and observed the squirrel activity.


"They're just so...majestic," she'd breathed. 


Say who? 


"They're squirrels," I'd said. 
Same category as pigeons and sea gulls. 
No shortage of them, and no majesty either.


"No, they're just perfect," she sighed.   "I'd like to take them all home."


She also determined that flavored Oreos and root beer are majestic, but only the Oreos got through customs.