Signed, Sealed, And Ready To Be Delivered

This afternoon I finally got my Christmas cards all signed and sealed, ready to be delivered out into the wild, wild world!

The journey these cards will make and the Christmas playlist that I've been obsessing over lately reminded me of a charming Christmas picture book I got for my grandchildren: The Queen's Present, by Steve Antony. 

I'm pretty much an Anglophile, even more so at Christmastime.  My happy place right now is listening to my Christmas playlist of English carols. There's just something about the Choir of King's College, Cambridge that sets a festive, yet majestic mood!

Maybe that's why I love Antony's "Queen books"! In addition to The Queen's Present, there is The Queen's Hat, The Queen's Handbag, and The Queen's Lift-off.  

My daughter had already discovered and given her kids The Queen's Hat - which is a windy tour of London, with it's fun and majestic landmarks. I think it's my favorite.

The Queen's Handbag is a wild goose chase across the UK, and The Queen's Lift-Off is a lightning tour through space! Each book features pages of famous landmarks and lots of fun-to-find details (like the butler, for example). My grandchildren pretty much have a giggle-fest when we read these books!

In the The Queen's Present, the Queen sets off on a global search to find the perfect present for her grandchildren.  Who helps her?  Father Christmas! (And of course the Queen's butler and her Corgi, who are always somewhere to be found along the way)!  There's a sweet ending, as you see what they deliver to the prince and princess.  

A Blue Christmas...

It is with a touch of sadness (but not despair) that I type my first post for December 2017. Yesterday our priest's wife, my dear friend Kh Lynn Wilson, passed into God's loving arms after a long, brave fight with cancer.

Prepare O Bethlehem by Niko Chocheli
The Nativity, illustrations by Ruth Sanderson
The Christmas Angels, by Else Wenz-Viictor
Hans Brinker, retold by Bruce Colville; Lauren Long illustrator
When It Snows, by Richard Collingridge
Woodland Nutcracker, illustrations by Francis Tyrrell

As a lover of all things Scandinavian, Lynn's cozy home became a kind of Christmas cottage during Advent, when she added  all the bright touches of red that she could to her lovely blue and white home decor.  This post is dedicated to her.  May her memory be eternal!

As we await the coming of our Lord, let us reflect: "Behold the dwelling of God is with men.  He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be with them; He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more."  (Rev. 21:3-4).

source

Pigs and Rabbits in the Snow: Two Adorable Christmas Picture Books

Book #1...Pigs

What's a pig to do? Two pigs, actually.  They don't know what to get each other for Christmas.  But don't worry, they go through this every year, and they will figure it out!  (In spite of the suggestions they get from Opal.)

Because they do care about each other and are the very best of friends, even though they like different things.

Toot and Puddle's Let it Snow, is an adorable story, written and illustrated by Holly Hobbie.  Perfect for preschoolers and up.

Book #2...Rabbits

It's been snowing for hours, it's almost Christmas, and Squirrel and Hare are waiting in the little house at the end of the wood for Little Grey Rabbit to return from market with the Christmas fare.  But where is she?

This is a book you will want to look at again and again.  The pictures by Margaret Tempest are reminiscent of Beatrix Potter.

 

The sweet narration harkens back to all the elements of an old-fashioned Christmas and friendship...

sledding, carol singing, evergreens, presents, and a party.

The author of Little Grey Rabbit's Christmas, Alison Uttley, whose own childhood Christmases were spent in the countryside, has written a story full of warmth that you and your children will love!

Little Angels Doing Good Deeds

This sweet book might inspire your little angels to be helpful to others!

For a culture that couldn't be more devoted commercialism and materialism, this picture book is a good reminder to our children of simple acts of kindness that should be at the forefront of our Advent season.

On a cold Christmas Eve, ten little angels quietly fly through the night. They've come to the aid of the lost, lonely, and weary - even assisting Father Christmas with his heavy sack full of gifts.

Your young ones will enjoy counting each consecutive angel on the top of each page. On the last page, the tenth busy angel lights the tree and reveals the singing cherubic faces of all ten angels. 

Originally published in Germany in 1933, The Christmas Angels is a simple, yet clever Christmas counting book with timeless appeal - written and illustrated by Else Wenz-Viëtor. A unique design of cut-out angel heads running across the top of the book will enchant young readers, especially when each black and white illustration is transformed into color with every turn of the page.

BOOK COVERS REVEALED: SOME OF THE NEWEST ADDITIONS TO MY CHRISTMAS BOOK RESOURCE PAGE

Artwork by Ruth Sanderson

Tomorrow, November 15th, marks the first day of Advent for those of us who are Eastern Orthodox Christians.  Remember to comment on any blogs I've posted since November 12, 2012 to enter my Advent Calendar Give-away. Enter as many times as you'd like - by commenting here, or on my facebook page.

Here are some picture books I'm adding to my Christmas Book Resource Page this year. I highlighted pictures from the books on yesterday's post, so if you couldn't guess which books the illustrations were from, I've revealed the book covers below...

#1 - Olivia with the Nutcracker from...

#1  Olivia Helps With Christmas, written and illustrated by Ian Falconer.  Everyone's favorite little Pig helps out Mommy and Daddy with Christmas - or does she?

#2 - St. Lucia, from...

#2 The Story of Christmas, by Barbara Cooney, illustrations by Lorett Krupinski.  Cooney relates traditions from around the world that have led us to the Christmas celebrations we have today.

#3 - Writing postcards, from....

#3 Aunt Olga's Christmas Postcards, by Kevin Major, illustrated by Bruce Roberts. (my review here)

#4 - Romantic Christmas scene, from...

#4 A Star for Christmas, written and illustrated by Trisha Romance.  If you love all things Scandinavian, you'll love her old fashioned Carl-Larsson-style illustrations. (read about the book here)

Valerie Greeley Interview and Book Give-away!

Cheshire, England is a long way from Orange County, California, and if it weren't for blogging, I probably never would have "met" British author and gifted artist, Valerie Greeley.  

Every time I visit her blog, I am treated to a quick peek into her latest projects or wanderings around England! (Besides writing and illustrating children's books, Valerie is a textile and surface pattern designer.)

I'm delighted to tell you that one of Valerie's books White is the Moon has recently come back into print.  To celebrate, I'm doing an interview with Valerie, as well as a review and give-away of the book!  Leave a comment on this post today through midnight Thursday - for a chance to win the Give-away on Friday, April 20, 2012. (If you're not the lucky winner, you can find her book here on Amazon.) Update 4/20/12: Give-Away over - watch for my new post today.  As soon as I've made contact with the winner, I'll post her name.

White is the Moon is a poetic circle of text and color that takes us on a journey from forest, to sky, to sea - all in one day.  Beginning in the dark, with an owl and a full white moon, we are drawn into a day full of different colorful creatures and their habitats.

Title page.

Each of Valerie's perfectly detailed illustrations shows a peaceful scene as one animal encounters another, while her lyrical text leads us to the next creature's surroundings. The moon sees an owl, the owl sees a fox...

Red is the fox

Sly and fast

Sees a frog

Hopping past

The fox sees a frog, who sees the rising sun, which shines on a bird, who finds a crab...

Pink is the crab

Crawling up

Sees a seal

With her pup

The book ends after coming full circle, as nightfall returns with a full moon being gazed upon by a Puffin seabird.  A perfect bedtime story for ages 2-6. Remember to leave a comment at the end of this post, for a chance to win the Give-away of White is the Moon, on 4/20/12 - Friday! (shipped to an address within the U.S. only, please)

You can visit Valerie Greeley's website, which links to her portolio, Etsy page, and information about her other children's books.  Now that you've been introduced, let me help you get to know this very talented lady a little better...

Valerie, all your artwork is so beautiful.  What inspires you?

I have always been inspired by nature and in particular the sort of environment I am surrounded by. The lanes and woodlands around my home provide endless references, plants, flowers, birds, and bees that all appear in my illustrations.

    

How did you get started illustrating children's books?

I had some Camden Graphic's greeting cards in several high street shops in the UK in the eighties. A young lady with small children liked my cards and thought they would look good in the nursery. She happened to be Rosemary Lanning, the children's book editor at Blackie and Son ltd. She contacted the greeting card publisher and they very kindly forwarded her letter to me. (no email in those days!) 

She invited me down to London to discuss the possibility of illustrating a series of wordless baby board books. The office was in High Holborn, I remember it like yesterday. I waited in the board room, a library style room with a portrait of a kindly Cicely Mary Barker on the wall. I felt she was smiling at me, fortune certainly was that day!

Who are your favorite illustrators?

When I was a little girl my father introduced me to the world of books, and they were few but precious in our house. I particularly remember a Children's Treasury of Classics which he gave me as a Christmas present. There were illustrations by many of "The Golden Age" illustrators like Arthur Rackham and  Edmund Dulac and Heath Robinson. They were my earliest influences. Later I discovered the Pre-Raphealites and fell under their spell and tried to paint every leaf and blade of grass.

I also admire the work of Angela Barrett, Nicola Bayley, Gennady Spirin, Frances Tyrrell, Una Woodruff - and many more.

What keeps you busy, these days?

I am now working with my husband Tony Corrigan, a retired English teacher. We are creating new titles for young children, not only for print but for Apps also. We have been contacted by a publisher in South Korea and are in the process of finalising the contract for a new baby book which we have written together. 

We recently created our first children's App with Mobile Children's Books called The Bird with the Rainbow Tail and are looking at getting a print version to market, whilst working on a new calendar for 2013 and a range of greeting cards. I am also very involved with the study of traditional print making techniques, bookbinding, and hand bound books which is a whole new world of discovery.

Well, I'll look forward to reading about that world of discovery on your blog! Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions, and good luck with all you do!
With all good wishes from a very warm spring day here in England! 

CHRISTMAS MEMORIES OF LITERARY LESSONS

I remember the first time I read Little Women, and the impact I felt while reading Louisa May Alcott's description of the March sisters bravely celebrating Christmas, struggling to be happy though their father was away at war.

Jessie Wilcox Smith's Little Women

I'm a bit choked up even now as I re-read the opening words of Chapter Two:  about how Marmee, with her steadfast determination, is wisely trying to raise her girls to become generous and loving human beings.  I recall wondering if I could have given up my Christmas breakfast the way these Little Women did...

Jo was the first to wake in the gray dawn of Christmas morning. No stockings hung at the fireplace, and for a moment she felt as much disappointed as she did long ago, when her little sock fell down because it was crammed so full of goodies. Then she remembered her mother's promise and, slipping her hand under her pillow, drew out a little crimson-covered book. She knew it very well, for it was that beautiful old story of the best life ever lived, and Jo felt that it was a true guidebook for any pilgrim going on a long journey. 

She woke Meg with a Merry Christmas, and bade her see what was under her pillow. A green-covered book appeared, with the same picture inside, and a few words written by their mother, which made their one present very precious in their eyes. Presently Beth and Amy woke to rummage and find their little books also, one dove-colored, the other blue, and all sat looking at and talking about them, while the east grew rosy with the coming day...

"Merry Christmas, Marmee! Many of them! Thank you for our books. We read some, and mean to every day," they all cried in chorus.

"Merry Christmas, little daughters! I'm glad you began at once, and hope you will keep on. But I want to say one word before we sit down.  Not far away from here lies a poor woman with a little newborn baby. Six children are huddled into one bed to keep from freezing, for they have no fire. There is nothing to eat over there, and the oldest boy came to tell me they were suffering hunger and cold. My girls, will you give them your breakfasts a Christmas present?"

Other childhood favorites that come to mind are O. Henry's Gift of the Magi (which I blogged about HERE last year) and the family Christmas recollections penned by Laura Ingalls Wilder.  I was about five when my mom read aloud Little House in the Big Woods to me, and I remember Laura getting her first doll, made of rags, who she named "Charlotte".  In subsequent books, Laura was always given simple, yet greatly appreciated gifts, such as something homemade by her mother and a candy stick, or copper penny.  It made me thankful for my own presents, which seemed fit for a princess in comparison to Laura and Mary's gifts!

Here are a few more Christmas stories with beautiful messages.  Did I leave out your favorites?

The Story of Holly and Ivy by Rumer Godden with illustrations by Barbara Cooney, is about expectation, love, generosity, and finding a home. A little orphan girl wishes for a family, and for a doll like the one she sees in a shop window. The doll, in turn, wishes for a little girl who can take care of her. There is also a sad couple who wishes for a family. You can probably guess what happens in this sweet and sentimental story, ages 5 and up



The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey (click title to read my post), ages 5 and up.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever! by Barbara Robinson (click title to read my post), ages 9 and up.