Oh to be in Love!

Charles Schulz, The World Publishing Company

United Feature Syndicate, 1968

After watching a PBS special on Schulz I view all his books, cartoons, and comics with different eyes and suddenly they all seem so much more sad. I know that humor often as its roots in tragedy and truly Charlie Brown is a tragic character. This book is great evidence of that.

It's in this story that Charlie discovers his love for the little red haired girl and he's trying to find the words to tell her. It makes him a little crazy and he does insane things like embarrass himself in front of the class by accidentally reading part of his love letter to her. He doesn't want to miss the last day of school so he overcompensates and sets an alarm for 4 am but then is so tired he falls asleep and misses the bus. When he gets to school he tries to impress her with his math skills but he's forced to admit he has no idea what he's doing. Poor Charlie Brown. The book ends with a message of hope, in the form of a note pressed into his hands in the midst of the end of school day, last day before summer vacation chaos.

Charlie Brown tried the old flower method, and as he plucked each petal from a nice white flower, he recited those words that were supposed to give him his answer: "She loves me, she loves me not, she loves me, she loves me not." He never really finished, however, for Linus broke in with a statement that sort of deflated the whole business.

"It is difficult for me to believe that a flower could ever have the gift of prophecy"

The Children's Page.

Joan Walsh Anglund, illustrator and children's book author
Good Housekeeping Magazine, found here.

Beginning in the late 1970s, Joan Walsh Anglund created a quarterly "Children's Page" in Good Housekeeping magazine. The pages often included paper dolls. It was for that one page that I eagerly read through my mother's Good Housekeeping magazines. Later I would read the novel excerpts, often seeking out the full versions in book forms.

Her images all include children with the small pin dot eyes and minimal features. I am pretty sure I have a book of hers somewhere...

Sooner or Later....

Sooner or Later
A novel by Bruce and Carole Hart

I'm not sure which came first for me. The book or the "major television motion picture" starring Rex Smith, Barbara Felden, and Denise Miller. Either way, here's some classic teenage sap from the Wayback Machine.

From the inside cover:

Thirteen-year old Jessie is a romantic, and she and her friends spend hours talking about LOVE. Spin-the-bottle is considered "practice for the main event" and the ideal boyfriend is Burt Reynolds. But Jessie knows if she's patient, the real thing is bound to happen sooner or later. And it does.

Jessie first spots Michael and his band playing at the shopping mall. When they meet, she is shy and nervous. Michael is handsome, charming--and seventeen. Jessie tells Michael she is sixteen, sure that he won't be interested in her if she revea s her real age. Jessie is ready for her first love, and much to her surprise, Michael is ready for Jessie.

I am considering a reread just to see how truly awful this book is. As I skim it, I recall this was the book to introduce me to the wonder that is New Jersey... Englewood, Hackensack. Good stuff. I do remember I also read the sequel Waiting Games but I no longer own that one. And today, I discovered there was a third book Now or Never released about a decade later.

Cranberry Valentine

Wende and Harry Devlin, Simon and Schuster, 1986

While Cranberry Christmas was my first and most beloved of the Cranberryport stories, I have a deep appreciation for all of them. They are books that make me long to visit Maine and seashores and well, eat cranberries.

This holiday story is about how Mr. Whiskers deals with the onslaught of valentines that come his way after a chance remark about how he'd never gotten any in the past. One might think he'd be flattered or glad, but as more and more keep appearing he grows panicky...

"Why me?" asked Mr. Whiskers. Then he reflected, "Why not? I'm the best clam digger in the bog country. I have wonderful whiskers. I sing like a blinking bird."

Seth broke into Mr. Whisker's shining thoughts. "Now, Mr. Whiskers, if some lady gives you a present on this Valentine's Day, you should have a box of chocolates to give in return. A gentleman would."

Mr. Whiskers looked terrified at the idea.

Of course, it's not all as bad as it seems and after dodging some near embarrassment, Mr. Whiskers his true admirers and ends up enjoying the holiday much more than he expected.

Monchichi

Monchichi, Russ Berrie and Co, 1977

These toys originated in Japan much earlier than their 1980s TV cartoon debut in the US. The Saturday morning cartoon lasted only one season.

Monchichis were monkey-like creatures who lived in the forest land of Monchia at the very top of tall trees well above the clouds. The tribe's leader, Wizzar, was a magical wizard who could make up spells and potions to defeat their enemy, the evil Grumplins of Grumplor.

Modern Monday--The Quiltmaker's Gift

The Quiltmaker's Gift by Jeff Brumbeau
Gail de Marcken, illustrator, Pfeifer-Hamilton Inc., 2000

In recent years, I've seen a resurgence in quilting as a hobby and so perhaps it makes sense that Brumbeau and de Marcken would release such a timely book. Within the pages of this colorful tale are quilt block images and later a book was released that had the actual patterns displayed in the book. Even a basic quilt can tell a story, but the symbolic images in the quilt patterns in the book suggest even more.


What I loved about The Quiltmaker's Gift is the fairy tale quality. It features a selfish king who has everything a person could want and more, and a gifted woman who makes her quilts only for the poor and downtrodden. Quite simply, the king wants a quilt and she refuses because they are only for the poor. And the king is anything but. The old woman's skill is legendary, and her generosity isn't limited to people. The kindness she shows to a bear and then to the sparrows saves her from the King's retribution because she remains steadfast in her principles. Of course, the king is a man with a conscience and not entirely bad and finally he gives in to her conditions in order to earn one of her fantastic quilts.

The beautiful watercolor pictures are crammed so full of delicious images that another entire story seems to be happening there. At times the page is one colorful, richly detailed image. At others, the pages are full of panel type images that reflect the action of the story, often adding to the words through imagery. It's a book to hear, sure, but also one that requires "soaking in" before one turns the page.

In 2005, Brumbeau and de Marcken released a prequel in which readers can discover HOW the quiltmaker discovered her mission and found her talent. The Quiltmaker's Journey goes back in time to when our famed quiltmaker was a young woman. It's not quite as wonderful as the first story but true fans of the artistic style, quilts, and the story may want to own this one too.

Must Have Monday -- ABC 3D Pop-Up Book

ABC 3D
Marion Bataille, author
Roaring Brook Press, 2008

I'm already a huge fan of the alphabet book. Many of which I will feature in the days ahead. This book combines that love with another genre of book I am completely ga-ga for--The Pop-up. I've been trying to track down some early Hallmark Pop-ups that started the craze in my life, but I've not been successful. However, I have to recognize the wonder that is Marion Bataille with this post.

I bought this book for my sister's boyfriend for his birthday. He's a graphic artist and a lover of image and typography, and when I saw this book I just KNEW he'd love it. The more I look at it, the more I realize I simply must have a copy for myself.

Here are some images of the various pages:

What's wonderful is how creative the author is in blending one letter into the next. Moments earlier this "Y" was an "X" and the pop-up feature sucks in the red leg that made it an "X"

Q and R were once O and P and then when a transparent overlay is placed over the letters they becomethe next two letters.

On an earlier page C flips to form D, and here I and J share a dot.
I love that! My favorite is V to W, but I'll leave you in suspense.

Or if you just can't handle the curiosity you can view the entire book here in this video:

I've Got No Strings.

Walt Disney Productions, Random House, 1973

The origins of Pinocchio go far beyond the Disney film (1883 by Carlo Collodi). This book is simply a slice out of the film, however. The bit with the puppet show. Of course, that's all I can really remember of the story, and that might be explained by the fact that I have this book which I'm sure I read again and again.

I love the Italian names like Geppetto and Pinocchio and Stromboli (which actually just make me think of some kind of delicious food!) The animals were some of my favorite characters, however--Cleo, Figaro, and Jiminy Cricket.

The more I ponder this tale, the more I want to rewatch the film. I am suddenly remembering all the allusions in that sci fi Steven Spielberg/Kubrick film A.I. and how the blue fairy makes an appearance and how the little robot, David, longs to be "a real boy." It was all very nicely done. Of course, I am a huge fan of literary allusion.

Love the silhouette image of the three of them running home.

Resourceful, Clever, Unappreciated.

The Paper Bag Princess
By Robert Munsch, Art by Michael Martchenko
Annick Press Ltd., 1980

When a dragon smashes her castle and burns all her clothes, and steals her fiancee, Elizabeth doesn't take it lying down. She pulls herself together and heads off to fix things.

She plays to the prideful nature of most dragons and challenges him to show off, and in doing so she effectively renders him fireless and exhausted, giving her the chance she needs to rescue Ronald.

Ronald, it turns out, is no prize and in a truly ungrateful manner he insults her appearance and tells her to come back when she's dressed like a real princess. The last page of the book makes it for me...

"Ronald," said Elizabeth, "your clothes are really pretty and your hair is all neat. You look like a real prince, but you are a bum." They didn't get married after all.

The final image shows her skipping off into the sunset. The copy I have of this book is a tiny 3" square book that I treasured when I was younger. I loved the language of the story, the attitude of Elizabeth and her spunkiness and cleverness. The reference to there not being enough fire left to cook a meatball was a particularly funny line to me as a kid, for some reason.


Perhaps if Elizabeth were wearing a paper bag dress like this, Ronald might have been a bit more generous of spirit. This image was inspired by the book and found here.

I Heart the Stegosaurus.

Dinosaurs by Jane Werner Watson
Pictures by William de J. Rutherfoord
Western Publishing Company, 1959

From Loganberry books,
I'm afraid that I don't know much about Jane Werner Watson (1915- ), but a great-niece wrote in that she is in her eighties and living in California. Werner wrote and edited many children's books from 1944-1978 (mostly in the '50s) and has published under at least three different variations of her name: Elsa Jane Werner, Jane Werner, and Jane Werner Watson. Many of these were for Golden Books, including at least 35 Little Golden Books, and many for Walt Disney Productions. Some are religious in theme, some silly or comic, and some truly magical.

I know that this book was probably my first exposure to the idea of dinosaurs -- that subject that captures most young children's imaginations and sparks a curiosity in what our world was once like. I remember really liking this image:

It has a very "old-school" feel to it.

Woodland Medical Practices.

Mr. Nibble Calls a Doctor by Jane Pilgrim
F. Stocks May, illustrator
Brockhampton Press, Leicester, 1972

There are several books in this series and I can tell I got it from my grandmother since my name is on the inside cover in her handwriting. I wonder if this is something she picked up in Canada because this isn't a series of books I remember being real popular around here. The Potato Press who did the American publishing also lists some books about "Andy Pandy" on the back cover of this one and I seem to recall those as well. Maybe our library did have them after all.

This story is quite simple. It has a a Beatrix Potter feel with the named animals... Ernest Owl, Lucy Mouse, Joe Robin, and George the kitten. The colors on the images really pop and bring the magic to the book. One of the lines when Ernest Owl is inspecting Mr. Nibble reminds me of something from A. A. Milne:

"My leg hurts so much," he told Ernest Owl.
And Ernest Owl, who had once read a book called How to be a Good Doctor, felt him carefully all over and said: "I'm afraid, Mr. Nibble, that you have broken your leg."

I Think I Can.

Retold by Watty Piper
Illustrated by George & Doris Hauman
Platt and Munk, 1954

I have a great love for this book. When life gets tough I often find myself thinking... "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can." If you get close enough to me you might even hear me muttering it under my breath!

According to Wikipedia, the best known incarnation of the story The Little Engine That Could is attributed to "Watty Piper", a pseudonym [a pseudonym? I had NO idea!] used by publishing house Platt & Munk. With illustrations by the esteemed Lois Lenski, this retelling of the tale The Pony Engine appeared in 1930. The first edition attributes Mabel C. Bragg as the originating author. However, Mabel C. Bragg, a school teacher in Boston, Massachusetts, never claimed to have originated the story. Indeed, The Pony Engine, which first appeared in the Kindergarten Review in 1910, was written by Mary C. Jacobs (1877-1970). Fascinating stuff.

I love the pages that describe all the good things on the train meant for the boys and girls on the other side of the mountain. Here are a couple faves:

It's not my imagination, is it?
The milk bottles have legs and eyes, right?
I do love anthromorphic food!

"To Keep"

The Luck of Pokey Bloom By Ellen Conford
Archway Paperbacks, Pocket Books, 1975

Ellen Conford's books were always a hit with me and this one is one of best. In the story, Pokey (aka Charlotte), is always trying to win sweepstakes and contests. She's a pro at filling in the entry blanks and entering everything available (cake mix contests, greeting card selling schemes) in hopes of winning all sorts of goodies (transister radios, dream houses). I went through a stage like that too. Not sure if it was inspired by this book or something I just thought was a good idea. I remember submitting requests for all kinds of free materials listed in the backs of magazines and I even got some dandy religious materials this way too! Power for Living. Remember that one?

In the story, her brother Gordon is also going through a rather sweet crush-inspired health food kick in which he's all about yoga and health shakes with applesauce, bananas, wheat germ and beets! The book is reminiscent of the Beverly Cleary books, but maybe I only think that because I was reading them all at the same time.

On a side note, I borrowed many books in my youth from our neighbor down the road, Andrea. Many of my beloved titles came from her. Some from our annual two family rummage sale. Others because she was weeding out her collection. This book must have been one of hers because there's a small note scrawled on the inside cover. She'd mark the books to indicate if it was one that was meant to be a "loan" or in this case, the book reads "to keep." Thanks, Andrea!

I'd forgotten this book had illustrations.

Oddly enough the cover suggests the illustrations were done by Charles Carroll, but the inside cover attributes them to Bernice Loewenstein. Maybe Carroll just illustrated the cover?

Modern Monday--Zen Shorts by Jon J. Muth

By Jon J. Muth
Scholastic Press, 2005

Zen Shorts, a Caldecott Honor book, offers an introduction to the Zen tradition for young readers accompanied by beautiful watercolor illustrations. I'm also a bit "panda crazy." Thus Muth's book featuring Stillwell, a giant panda bear is an added bonus.

When Stillwell moves next door he shares traditional Buddhist and Taoist tales in turn with each of his three curious young neighbors: Michael, Karl, and Addy. They first discover their unusual neighbor when he appears just outside their door clutching an umbrella.

"'I am sorry for arriving unannounced,' said the bear. 'The wind carried my umbrella all the way from my backyard to your backyard. I thought I would retrieve it before it became a nuisance.' He spoke with a slight panda accent." (the panda accent remark made me smile.)

The curiosity of the children causes each to seek out Stillwater and in turn he offers each of them a story. The stories are actually short meditations from two Zen traditions, Zen Buddhism and Taoism which introduce the virtues of generosity, the nature of luck, and the dangers of anger and materialism. This children's book produces a calm, serene effect on the reader. I love it.




My favorite of the tales is one called "The Farmer's Luck." Here's a version of that one:

There is a Taoist story of an old farmer who had worked his crops for many years. One day his horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbors came to visit.

"Such bad luck," they said sympathetically.

"Maybe," the farmer replied.

The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it three other wild horses.

"How wonderful," the neighbors exclaimed.

"Maybe," replied the old man.

The following day, his son tried to ride one of the untamed horses, was thrown, and broke his leg.

The neighbors again came to offer their sympathy on his misfortune.

"Maybe," answered the farmer.

The day after, military officials came to the village to draft young men into the army. Seeing that the son's leg was broken, they passed him by.

The neighbors congratulated the farmer on how well things had turned out.

"Maybe," said the farmer.

First Prayers

Illustrated by Tasha Tudor
Henry Z. Walck, Inc, 1952

Tasha Tudor is a celebrated illustrator who lived from 1915-2008. Much of her work has an old world feel. The focus of this collection is more about the prayers, some of which I must have really liked as evidenced by the little gold stars pasted in the corners of several pages. I remember my mom having us memorize prayers and psalms as a child. When I look at these pages I realize at one time or another I knew these by heart.