Winter Poems

Winter Poems compiled by Barbara Rogasky -- authors included: Shakespeare, Ogden Nash, Elizabeth Coatsworth, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Wordsworth, Robert Frost, etc.

illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman -- one of my fave illustrators

beautiful book combining poetry and art (note: no Christmas or religious poetry included :( )

An Early American Christmas

Another classic by this author.  Brings you back to old time celebrations of Advent and Christmas.  I think we'll be using this book as the basis of our own celebration this Christmas.  We'll Change things a bit and give our preparations a 19th century flavor.  Hmmm.... that's an idea.  Have a different "theme" for each Christmas we celebrate.

Thank You, Sarah

This book is about Sarah Hale.  She saved Thanksgiving by writing letters to presidents, but she didn't get "Yes" until Abe Lincoln was president.  - Yena, 8

Flower Fairies of the Summer

Here you'll find:  the Buttercup Fairy, the Herb Robert Fairy (new to me!), the Forget-me-not Fairy, the Poppy Fairy, the Foxglove Fairy (a favorite), and loads more, several of which I had never heard of before.  Use this book when planning your flower gardens!

Flower Fairies of the Autumn

Another Cicely Mary Barker winner.  See my post on the winter compilation.

Flower Fairies of the Winter

Now who doesn't like fairies?  And who doesn't like flowers?  Well, okay, maybe not my boys.  But this is -- as all Cicely Mary Barker books are -- magnificently illustrated, and such a delight to read.  Ideal for nature journal copywork, art, and to accompany plant/flower identification lessons.  I love this book, especially in the wintertime when everything outside is grey and dreary.  This book helps to put things in the right perspective! - Mom

I love this book! - Yena, 8

Waiting for Wings

So bright and colorful!  A perfect read for spring.  Goes well with a study of butterflies and life cycles, and flowers.  The art lends itself easily to "copywork".  Has a sampling of butterfly and flower identification.

A Time to Keep

This book is beautiful.  I love it for the old-fashioned ideas you can use to celebrate the seasons and holidays in your home.  Tasha Tudor's illustrations, of course, are always lovely.  Makes you want to live *in* the book, if you could :).  A Time to Keep is a keeper.  - Mom

Rechenka's Eggs

This is the book that inspired Aisa to study Pysanky-making.  Luckily we are in Pennsylvania and a local church here has a group of ladies who gather every year for a workshop and some Pysanky making!  They were so nice!  And Ais was the youngest one there, but they were so accommodating and helpful.  Now I'd like to learn how too.  If we didn't have the baby I would have gone.  I'd love to learn how to vinegar-etch as well.... ONE DAY.  Such detailed art!  And as usual, Polacco's story about Babushka and the goose she saved, AND how she is repaid for her gift, touches you deeply.

PS Pysanky is probably a good art/craft to get into around middle school age, a bit earlier with parent's supervision.