More favorite picture books were tucked into emails. From Wandering Reader there was The Snowy Day, by Ezra Jack Keats (See the December 27, 2014 post), A Time to Keep, by Tasha Tudor and Library Lion, by Michelle Knudsen with illustrations by Kevin Hawkes. I had not read this one until now, and it was delightful! WR also mentioned enjoying the picture books by Brian Wildsmith so I will include Hunter and His Dog at this time. I love both the illustrations and the twist to the story here. :-)

County Reader added The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle, The Big Orange Splot by Daniel Pinkwater and The Sea People by Jorg Miller and Jorg Steiner. A (now adult) child said this book was the inspiration for becoming an artist. Looking at the illustrations, I can understand why.

Thanks to Tall Reader who has a grandchild who loves The Shemsu Alphabet (doesn't need an adult to read it anymore)! (This book may be found on the April 1, 2014 post).

One that we all enjoyed to end today's post: Puff, the Magic Dragon, by Peter Yarrow and Lenny Lipton, with paintings by Eric Puybaret. We all admitted to singing along while we read it, too. :-)

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This was just an amazing read! History, nostalgia, and wonderful pictures may be found in Christmas Memories: Gifts, Activities, Fads, and Fancies, 1920's - 1960's, by Susan Waggoner. What a wonderful collection! There are memories of Christmases past, what the holiday season was like during the war, or the Depression. How the Kennedy's influenced how trees and houses were decorated ... all in all just a lovely book.

For a look at how some of the landmark homes decorate for the holidays without having to travel, pay a fee, or stand in line, try Christmas at Historic Houses, by Patricia Hart McMillan & Katharine Kaye McMillan. There's a brief history of each house, plus a bit about how Christmas was celebrated at the time the house was being lived in. Beautiful pictures, too.

I remember, vaguely, hearing about the Berlin Airlift in history classes, but not the 'spin-off' that dropped candy to children. Christmas From Heaven: the True Story of the Berlin Candy Bomber taught me about that! The book includes a dvd from the tv show so the credits look something like this: as read by Tom Brokaw, illustrated by Robert T. Barrett, written for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir by David T. Warner. (Since this was the book form, I would have bumped the author up in that order). ;-) It was Lt. Halvorsen who noticed the children gathered at the fence when he brought in supplies. He wondered what he could do for them. Find out! (There's a hint in the subtitle). :-) Wonderful illustrations are combined with old photos.

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The recent cold weather sparked this post. It could be worse!

Blizzard, by John Rocco, is based on true events ... that actually happened to the author. One Monday in February of 1978 in started to snow. And snow. And snow. It would be one of the biggest snowstorms in New England history. At first it was fun, but when food runs low someone had to figure out how to get to the store that was a mile away from home. (There were drifts up to 15 feet high, and wind, remember). Who went, and how did he get through the snow?

About 100 years earlier, there was another huge storm. (I think it would have been interesting to see this one from a satellite image, there were several factors at work here). This storm stopped everything (or should have). There is an image of a horse hitched to a rowboat in an effort to delivery coal ... carts were of no use, the snow was too deep for a sleigh. Trains were stuck. Sadly people died because they tried to get in to work, only to discover the doors locked. (There were so many people looking for work that someone could be fired for missing work or even showing up late, so many figured they needed to go). Blizzard: the Storm That Changed America, by Jim Murphy is the history of that storm. Compelling! Prior to this cities did not try to clear their streets, there were no emergency plans to follow. That would change.

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Here's a nice introduction to the wildlife in this area: Where Do I Sleep: a Pacific Northwest Lullaby, by Jennifer Blomgren and illustrated by Andrea Gabriel. It's night time and the youngsters of whales, otters, eagles and more are settling down to sleep. Just where do they do so?

What happens when it's bedtime but you aren't sleepy? Listen for night noises! The sound of the house settling down, tree branches blowing against each other, geese on the wing ... The Night is Singing, by Jacqueline Davies and illustrated by Kyrsten Brooker is a lovely read for the end of the day.

What happened at night on the Ark? Noah's wife sang a lullaby, of course! Learn just what she sang in Naamah and the Ark at Night, a lullaby by Susan Campbell Bartoletti illustrated by Holly Meade. Don't skip the author's note at the end, it explains the rhyme pattern (every line ends with the same word), variations on the name 'Naamah' and why the Ark was the chosen subject. Beautiful.

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1930. It started as breadlines and evolved into relief measures to provide food for families. Magazines and pamphlets included recipes for making meals with leftovers and 'unloved' food. Men, women,and children were starving. A Square Meal: a Culinary History of the Great Depression, by Jane Ziegelman & Andrew Coe is an interesting (if sometimes depressing and frustrating) read. Bonus money for WWI veterans had been promised in 1945, but they were hoping to get it sooner. A march to Washington D.C. (with military discipline, no riots, etc.) was planned, but their plea went unanswered, and then all bonuses were tabled indefinitely.(And the president had the Army 'escort' the vets out of DC) (which turned into the Army burning what little shelter they had). Government officials, worried that citizens were 'getting used' to relief monies and foods wanted to cut back so as to "encourage" them to look for work, but there was no work. Children (those who could make it) were fainting at school, but 'statistics showed that there was no hunger'. As I said, depressing and frustrating. Well researched and well written.

Here's a delightful find! Seems Clara, at 93, had a Facebook page, blog and a show on YouTube featuring her life during the Depression and the recipes her mother used to feed the family. They are simple and filling, and Clara used them all her life. Clara's Kitchen: Wisdom, Memories, and Recipes from the Great Depression, by Clara Cannucciari with her grandson Christopher Cannucciari, was an inspiring read.

There are many books out about the Depression but this is the first I've read that explains what it was like to be a minority (or a woman) (or both) during that time. One of the series Perspectives, A Multicultural Portrait of the Depression was an interesting read. We are not always a noble species. Fortunately, some of the programs started then did include African-Americans, women, and so on. (Other titles include a multicultural look at America's Music, World War I and Immigration).

When Our Mothers Went to War: an Illustrated History of Women In World War II, by Margaret Regis. It's a first hand look at what it was like to be a nurse, or pilot, or ammunitions maker, or wife at home with the kids and a Victory Garden. Well written, great pictures, it's almost a one sit read! Partner it with Women Who Wrote the War (February 23, 2016 post) and On Silver Wings (November 12, 2016) for more on these brave women (lots of overlapping names makes for a very complete picture).

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Can you tell when the season is about to change? With her sketchbook in hand, one young girl watches this transition in Winter is Coming, by Tony Johnston, illustrated by Jim LaMarche. Wonderful pictures and story. I loved the views of the girl in her perch in a tree as animals passed underneath. (Just one question, though, would fawns still have spots by this time of the year?)

Winter Bees and Other Poems of the Cold, by Joyce Sidman and Rick Allen is a book I enjoyed on many levels. The art work is rich and detailed, the poem that goes with each drawing is simple but evocative, and then there is a side bar for each entry with factual information on how different plants, animals, and insect survive the winter. Most enjoyable.

The first snow of the season can be magical, as it is for the little girl in First Snow, by Bomi Park. The illustrations are soft and lovely. Be sure to look carefully in the woods.

Even though it would take a lot of snow to make most of the things in this book, it was still a delightful read. (Hmm, and maybe all the better because I was inside where it was warm)! ;-) Snow Play: How to Make Forts & Slides & Winter Campfires Plus the Coolest Loch Ness Monster, and 23 Other Brrrilliant Projects in the Snow, by Birgitta Ralston has ideas for all kinds for snowy winter days. (yes, brilliant is spelled that way in the title). Compared to the ones here, my snowmen where really, really lame! Loved the snow lanterns. I think this would go well with a cup of cocoa.

Will we get our first snowfall in the next few days?

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Here is a sweet, soft lullaby all about nightfall as a Mother Mouse puts her wee one to bed. Lullaby Moon, by Rosie Reeve is the perfect way to end the day.

Lullaby Moons and a Silver Spoon: a Book of Bedtime Songs and Rhymes, illustrated by Brooke Dyer might be just the thing to read at the end of the day (or am I showing my age with that comment)?. Familiar poems, nice pictures.

Just what happens in a pet shop after dark? After all, not all animals sleep at night. Pet Shop Lullaby, by Mary Ann Fraser addresses this very problem. I have a feeling some pet owners would find this all too familiar. :-)

Daddy gets home very late. The cat greets him, but the rest of the family is asleep. Or are they? Daddy's Lullaby, by Tony Bradman and illustrated by Jason Cockcroft is just a beautiful story, wonderful illustrations, and a sweet lullaby.

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