Let’s Read

Emmet,
written and illustrated by Leo Politi (a former Caldecott Award winner). New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1971.

Old Mr. Winkel lived in a little house with four stray dogs that just happened to come live with him. They all behaved quite well, except Emmet. Emmet loved to go and return when he pleased. He was called a troublemaker by everyone in the neighborhood.

But one night when everyone was asleep, Emmet heard a prowler and finally had a chance to redeem himself. The beautiful double-page colored illustrations offer much to see and enjoy.

Take Joy!
The Tasha Tudor Christmas Book, selected, edited, and illustrated by Tasha Tudor. New York: The World Publishing Company, 1966.

The best-loved Christmas stories are found in this Christmas book along with Christmas thoughts, poems, recipes, and many Christmas carols. Even some of the Tudor Farm Christmas customs are included.

All of the many beautiful illustrations carry a special Christmas feeling.

The Seamstress of Salzburg,a
stories and pictures by Anita Lobel. New York: Harper & Row, 1970.

Anna was a poor peasant girl in long ago Salzburg, but she was a happy girl. An excellent seamstress, she loved to make beautiful clothes for her family.

The rich women of the town discovered the beautifully embroidered clothes Anna made and demanded that she make similar clothes for them. In return they paid her well.

One day the queen commanded Anna to make a dress for her because the prince, her son, was coming home. What happened to Anna and the women of Salzburg provides delightful reading. The beautifully colored and detailed illustrations make this book a treasure.

The Boy
by Mary O’Neill. New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1970.

All young Jewish men were to go on the pilgrimage to Jerusalem, and so Jesus traveled with Joseph and Mary and their friends and relatives. The pilgrims from Nazareth spent eight days traveling and encountered robbers, wild boars, and other frightening things. But they also found time to play games and sit by the fire each night where they learned many good things about one another. They finally reached the end of their journey—Jerusalem and the temple.

This is a beautifully written novel about young Jesus, his travels, and his meeting in the temple.