★
REVIEW TEAM FAVORITE
Prayer for a Child
By: Rachel Field
Illustrated by: Elizabeth Orton Jones
Medal Winner
Reviewed by: Sarah Kim
Also read and recommended by: Christine Kallner, Jeannette Tulis, Sandy Hall, Sherry Early
This is one of the earliest books I read with my daughter. The rhyming near the beginning of the prayer is a bit awkward to read aloud but it improves as it goes along. The illustrations of the child's everyday items and playthings are warm and inviting and the illustration of all the children, far and near, is simply beautiful.
The Christmas Anna Angel
By: Ruth Sawyer
Illustrated by: Kate Seredy
Honor
Reviewed by: Sherry Early
Recommended age: Ages 6 and up
Also read and recommended by: Sandy Hall
This book is absolutely beautiful. The story is great, but the text combined with the illustrations make the book a children’s masterpiece. Miklos and his older sister Anna are growing up on a farm during the later years of World War I. The book begins on St. Nicholas Eve, “the day that begins the Christmas time,” and ends on Christmas Day. In between, Anna tells Miklos about Christmases past, before the war, when there was plenty of flour and honey and eggs and fuel for the baking of Christmas cakes to hang on the Christmas tree. And as the children welcome St. Nicholas on his day, celebrate St. Lucy’s Day, and wonder at the marvels of the Christmas Eve celebration, Anna maintains her faith that the angels in heaven, especially her own Christmas Anna Angel, will see to the baking of Christmas cakes in spite of the war conditions and privations.
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★
REVIEW TEAM FAVORITE
In The Forest
By: Marie Hall Ets
Honor
Reviewed by: Jeannette Tulis
Recommended age: 3 and up
Also read and recommended by: Sandy Hall, Sherry Early
This is a book of fancy and delightful details. A young boy takes a walk in the forest and is joined by various animals who are in the midst of all kinds of activities but each one in turn stops what they are doing and make charming preparations to join the boy for his walk. The walk becomes a parade and then ends in a party with games and cake. In the midst of a game of hide and seek, the boy's father appears calling him home which makes for a perfect ending to this lovely imaginative book. The illustrations are very dark green and white pastel or possibly charcoal but perfect for detailing each animal with lots of texture. a perfect read aloud for the very young but older children will enjoy the sly humor and fun details.
★
REVIEW TEAM FAVORITE
Mother Goose
By: Tasha Tudor
Honor
Reviewed by: Jeannette Tulis
Recommended age: 1 and up
Also read and recommended by: Sandy Hall, Sherry Early
This lovely slightly small formatted book contains about 75 carefully chosen nursery rhymes from Mother Goose along with the charming art of Tasha Tudor, on the the most beloved children's book illustrators. Each rhyme has its own illustration, most are color but some are black and white. All are entrancing. I have read that nursery rhymes are an important introduction to how a child appreciates poetry throughout the rest of their life. Mother Goose is preparation to rhyme and rhythm and words of more advanced literature. If so, this book will draw any child into the timeless lines of Mother Goose rhymes.
★
REVIEW TEAM FAVORITE
Yonie Wondernose
By: Marguerite de Angeli
Honor
Reviewed by: Jeannette Tulis
Recommended age: all
Also read and recommended by: Sandy Hall, Sarah Kim, Sherry Early
Another lovely story from the incomparable Marguerite DeAngeli about the Pennsylvania Dutch people she knew so well. Yonie is a seven year old farm boy with an insatiable curiosity about, well - everything! Hence his nickname- Yonie Wondernose even though his real name was Jonathan. One day Pop and Mom go visiting with the oldest children leaving Yonie and his young sister with their Granny. Now Yonie is the man of the house and has to overcome his curiosity to stay focused on getting all the farm chores done. Somehow Granny is mistakenly locked in the chicken house, and is rescued by Yonie just after dinner burns on the stove. That night Yonie proves he is the man of the house when a fire starts in the barn. Yonie has to summon all his attention to rescue the animals which makes for a very exciting story with a satisfying ending.
