On Story Bent

A prestigious member of the c rème de la crème of seasonal books club, this is another one I remember from my childhood. It's stood the test of time and I'm now so happy to have it on our shelves. It's simple. It's straightforward. And it sticks with you. You remember it, when it pops up like an old traveling companion, years later, and when you have your own small ears to read to.  So yes, brilliantly capturing the nature of autumn and the very feel of the turning of the year, it's definitely a staple and a tip top recommendation for every home library!

"As the leaves fall from his favorite tree, Fletcher worries that something is terribly wrong. But then winter comes, and with it a wonderful surprise. Do you know what it is? Join Fletcher and find out..." Initially, I wasn't sure how much of a hit this one would be, but it's grown on us and actually become rather a favorite. The nature of the conflict (concern over a tree losing its leaves) is a little funny, but I think it's actually improved the Small Person's observation skills and it is interesting to step into sweet little Fletcher's shoes (as representative of a child's perspective), thinking through what the very first experience of fall is like. After one has lived through so many of them all the way to adulthood, it can be easy to forget what's really happening with the changing seasons and, by extension, how unique each leaf is -- like a snowflake -- and that our God knows and has delighted in coloring each one; and how, even though He...

This is one of -- if not the -- most surprising picture book finds I've run across in the last few years. (And, after a year, it's also the first fall title the small person picks off the seasonal book pile, so that's saying something.)  The pictures are sweet, unique, and beautiful. And it's the best little tale I've seen to date about the nature of being created in a very specific way, involving natural limitations, and then learning to enjoy where one is literally planted; plus happy resolutions happening in unexpected ways. All told in a very age appropriate way, in a sweet little story, and with an in-tune and not-too-terribly preachy Mommy and Daddy mushroom present on the scene. (And as a complete side note, the author references lingonberries! Having a Swedish grandpa, lingonberry jam on our pancakes is an Absolute Thing 😍😋 and I'm so tickled they were included in here. When does that ever happen?!?) All in all, it's a fairly darling little story ...

We look forward to pulling this one out each year. The text is straightforward, clear, and engaging, while the pictures are actually quite decent and have always done an excellent job holding the small person's attention. All in all, detailing all the changes of the season, it fills an empty little niche and nicely rounds out our fall shelf. A definite winner!

This is a book I remember from my own childhood and, as such, it's hugely nostalgic. There's a haunting quality to the lilting text that just stays with you. And the illustrations, with all the real leaves and layers of shaped pages, always leave something new to be discovered. It literally forces you to blink and focus on the leaves in a different way. Very ingenious.  Anyhow, as I was flipping through it before writing this up, the Little Princess looked up and said, "Oh, I love that one." So there ye are, it now also has the generational stamp of approval. ;) It's definitely inspired us further on our own leaf foraging adventures so I'm happy to recommend it(!), particularly as a great seasonal read.

"As trees sway in the cool breeze, blue jays head south, and leaves change colors, everyone knows-- autumn is on its way! Join a young girl as she takes a walk through forest and town, greeting all the signs of the coming season. In a series of conversations with every flower and creature and gust of wind, she says goodbye to summer and welcomes autumn."  The book jacket blurb above pretty much sums it up, but I'll add my two cents worth and say that, with its beautiful illustrations, this book is just gorgeous. The text is ever so slightly stiff, but still, from cover to cover, I love the immersive, contemporary, deft, gentle way the whole thing captures the changing seasons. One of our favorites!

Lyrical and sweet, this is Mama's favorite Thanksgiving picture book! (Though I might be biased as it feels very turn-of-the-century to me and that's my favorite time period and I feel like you so rarely see it in picture books that I'm just honor bound to champion it, too. ;D)  All that aside, detailing how the entire family -- parents, children, grandparents, uncle, and aunt -- come together to prepare and cook the feast, to sit down in thankfulness, and, finally, to share the bread... it's really just so lovely! And just look at these illustrations. <3 Yes, indeedy. One of our tip top favorites, I'm happy to highly recommend it. Hoping you can find and enjoy it too!!

"Today was Thanksgiving, Grandmother's favorite day of the year. The cooking was done and her famous cranberry bread was cooling on the wooden board. Every year Grandmother invited a guest for dinner and allowed Maggie to do the same. 'Ask someone poor or lonely,' she always said. But she wasn't happy upon learning that Maggie had invited the unsavory Mr. Whiskers to dinner. Would her secret cranberry bread recipe be safe with him in the house?" While the premise of this one may be evvvvvvvver so slightly silly, and the writing may be ever so slightly choppy, it's also charming; and the Nostalgia is Very Real. I loved reading the Cranberry books years ago (more reviews to come for the rest in the future, hopefully!) and so excited most are back in print at the moment. With the progression of time and since becoming a bit of a true crime buff, I'm now much more cautious of the whole idea of Friendly Gentlemen Strangers Being Introduced and Hanging Roun...

Richly evocative, this is a gorgeous picture book, one that instantly has the feel of a classic. :) It's based on a real upstate New York family who have hosted an outdoor Thanksgiving in the woods for family, friends, and strangers (around 200 of them!) for over twenty years, which is just so hospitable and very inspiring. My one caveat... even though I absolutely love the tune, picky me does take some issue with the Shaker hymn included, but that's just cause I've done a semi-deep dive on the Shakers doctrine and theology / some of their highly questionable origins and practices... But as far as the song goes in this book and as a read-aloud, the words are simple and just sound like an old-timey song. So yeah, mixed feelings on that. Otherwise, it's unique, beautifully illustrated, and one we look forward to pulling out each year. Definitely worth checking out!

Smoothly written and easy to read aloud, this picture book covers the historical facts leading up to the first Thanksgiving. While it doesn't delve deeply into the reasons the pilgrims set sail from England (other than mentioning that the king of England wouldn't let them worship God in their own way) and while it also doesn't elaborate on their direct thankfulness to God at the end, it's straightforward and less abstract than some others I've seen for the targeted age group. It makes an excellent first nonfiction read, neatly encapsulating their ocean journey and the ups and downs of the first year leading up to the great feast. Nice illustrations. Short and succinct, it's our standby, making a great introduction to the topic! Recommend for ages 4-5 & up

This is a cute picture book. It's not intended as an in-depth introduction to the first Thanksgiving, but with short, lilting lines, it captures the action, hard work, and enthusiasm of all the children helping prepare for the feast. It also has a nice notes-from-the-author section that goes into more explanation on what's happening in the illustrations. Altogether, lively and evocative, it does make a great first introduction to the historic event for small people. (Since it's a counting book, it can also become quite animated during a read aloud session. ;)) Definitely worth a look and/or picking up at your local library!