For now, at least, the 'what we read as kids' posts are complete and I've been thinking of what might be next for Thursdays. Officially (if it can be called that) it's an extra day for me to post something. Sometimes I have lots of books ready to go, sometimes it's a 'special' day of some sort but sometimes I might just need something 'extra' to put here. :-)

As I was looking for picture books I read when very young I discovered that many of these are no longer in print, some even unavailable. Still, the nice memory lingers on so I thought it might be fun to mention them. Others have smiled when I mention picture books, so I'm sure there will be recommendations coming my way soon, too! And, of course, I will continue to look at new picture books when I visit my favorite book store. ;-)

I'll start with Make Way for Ducklings, by Robert McCloskey. It was published 75 years ago this past April. I read where the author used real ducklings to be sure he got them right. These ducklings were in a large pan in his Boston apartment! And, while I'm thinking of Mr. McCloskey, I'll add Blueberries for Sal here. The little girl was modeled on his daughter.

One of my most favorite picture books was (and is, actually) Red Light, Green Light. It was written by Margaret Wise Brown and illustrated by Leonard Weisgard. (Sometimes you'll see the name Golden MacDonald on the cover, that's a pen name Brown sometimes used). I love the soft colors and the 'view from above' as you look across the country side to see a street light in the city.

Reading Hermit With Dog