LEO LIONNI, WRITER OF MODERN FABLES

Happy Birthday to Leo Lionni!  After reading about Mr. Lionni's life, I understand the yearning for peace and acceptance that comes across in all his stories...

Known internationally as a designer, author, illustrator, and graphic artist, Leo Lionni (1910-1999)  lived in Italy until coming to the United States in 1939. Many of his stories are a reflection of what he had witnessed during the rise of fascism in Europe. 

With SWIMMY, his third book (published in 1963), he discovered a talent for creating original animal fables - with life lessons that delighted young children. His gentle characters are cute and endearing; and his collage art influenced later artist-authors like Eric Carle and Ezra Jack Keats. In all, Lionni wrote and illustrated 40 children's books.


Some tales are so poignant, and gently told, they almost make me cry. That's how I feel about Leo Lionni's storytelling. For example, in TICO AND THE GOLDEN WINGS, a wingless bird, "Tico" wants a pair of golden wings more than anything so he won't be different from the other birds. When his wish is granted, his friends become envious of the wings of gold and turn against him. Finally, by helping others, he earns real wings and the friendship and respect of his fellow birds.


My kids' favorites:
INCH BY INCH (Caldecott Honor)

SWIMMY, (Caldecott Honor)

FREDERICK (Caldecott Honor)

GERALDINE, THE MUSIC MOUSE

ALEXANDER AND THE WIND-UP MOUSE (Caldecott Honor)

A COLOR OF HIS OWN

TILLIE AND THE WALL

FISH IS FISH


Leo Lionni died in 1999, at the age of 89.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT LEO LIONNI'S LIFE AND BOOKS, GO TO "100 YEARS OF LEO LIONNI": www.randomhouse.com/kids/lionni/gallery.php (great website!)

Giveaway Over

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Thanks to all who participated in my giveaway of The Ascetic Lives of Mothers.  I really appreciate you sharing my links and spreading the word about this wonderful new book!

Ancient Faith Publishing kindly donated three copies, which will go to my winners:  Adriel, Sophia, and Chris.  Happy Mother's Day!

Mother's Day Giveaway (Times Three)!

Ancient Faith Publishing is offering to send three of my lucky readers Annalisa Boyd's The Ascetic Lives of Mothers!  In case you missed my review of this brand new book, you can check it out here (on yesterday's post).  UPDATE: GIVEAWAYS OVER

To enter the giveaway, leave a comment on my review posted yesterday, here at the end of today's post, or on my Facebook page link to these posts (sorry, "likes" don't count).   You can also send me an email (found in my profile info) - I'd love to hear why you'd like this book.

Already ordered yourself a copy?  Enter to win a second - this book would make a perfect Mother's Day gift for a mom, wife, daughter, grandmother, or godmother!

Enter as many times as you'd like until Friday (May 3, 2014) by midnight. Giveaway winners announced on Saturday, May 4, 2014.

One for the Mamas

Just in time for Mother's Day - Annalisa Boyd has put together a beautiful collection of devotional thoughts, prayers, and saints' stories, for you Mamas, in her newest book The Ascetic Lives of Mothers. [Update:  I'm giving away THREE copies - leave a comment to enter! Winners announced 4/3/14] 5/3/14 - Giveaway now over.  Winners: Sophia, Chris, and Adriel.  Congratulations!

 Annalisa opens the first chapter with this reflection:

"I heard it said once that motherhood is a type of asceticism.  Like the ascetics, mothers find themselves in a situation that requires their utter devotion, self-denial, daily emotional exercises, facing extreme challenges, and much prayer."

A Quick Note About the Title:
What is asceticism?  The word comes from the Greek word for "training" or "exercising"; but pursuing an "ascetic lifestyle" is not just for monks and nuns!  As Orthodox Christians, the purpose of disciplining our minds and bodies through prayer, reading of Scripture, and fasting is to help us draw closer to God and bring us back into communion with Him.

The fruit of asceticism is something all Mothers strive for, in themselves and their children: the fruit of the Holy Spirit... But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. [Galatians 5:22-23]

What You Will Find in this Practical Book:
After a discussion in Chapter I of the Virtues - or "good spiritual habits" - taught by the Church, Annalisa moves on to a frank look at despair in Chapter III, "Tea Time at the Abyss: Prayers in Times of Trouble".  She offers Scripture verses and prayers about everything from anger, anxiety, and difficult pregnancy to envy,  financial strain, and infertility.

I especially appreciated Chapter VII, "Prayers Through the Stages of Motherhood" (it included prayers for Grandmothers),  and Chapter VIII, "Prayers for Godchildren and 'Bonus' Children" (with lots of good tips regarding the responsibilities of Godparents.)  She includes an honest look at Stepmothers and "bonus" children, asking: "Did you ever think of the fact that the Theotokos was a stepmother?"

This prayer book would make a perfect Mother's Day gift for Mothers, Stepmothers, adoptive or foster Mothers, Grandmothers, and Godmothers.  These Mamas would all benefit from the Orthodox treasures found in this wonderful new offering from Ancient Faith Publishing - here.

Annalisa Boyd knows motherhood!  Married for 21 years, she and her husband have 8 children (through birth and adoption) and have fostered 31 (so far.)

Bright Week Treasures With My Grandson...

“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. 

But for children, play is serious learning. 

Play is really the work of childhood.” 

- Fred Rogers

"Somebunny" is learning to be careful with precious things...his small 18-month old hands love holding, digging, clapping, and "being gentle".  I love this age!

Yesterday I got out a few Easter decorations for my grandson that his mommy used to play with.

I also took out a book to blog about...next year my grandson will be ready to sit and listen to The Paintbrush Bunny, (published in 1976 as The Easter Egg Artists) by Adrienne Adams.

The story is about Orson Abbott, a young bunny - "These Abbotts are rabbits. The rabbit Abbotts make the designs on Easter eggs." 

Orson learns the importance of hard work by doing what he loves...when he shows an interest in being an artist, his parents let him develop his own style. He starts painting practically everything in sight!  

By the end of the book he surpasses his parents' talent, designing his own line of comedic Easter eggs.  

His mother calls him an "Easter Egg Artist", and Orson helps his parents paint over 1200 eggs - just in time for Easter.

I've had fun displaying the book in my cloche with a cute father and son bunny I found - could it be Orson and Mr. Abbott?  Do you have any special treasures you bring out every Easter?

A Blessed Pascha (Happy Easter)!

CHRIST IS RISEN!
I hope you like my version of the beautiful Russian painting below.  (I gave my photo an antique setting for effect.)

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Now, about the Lemon Ricotta Almond Flour-less cake I mentioned here...

It turned out beautifully, even though I realized halfway through the recipe that the sugar should have been divided (adding the second half to the beaten egg whites),  and halfway through baking it that the 325 degree temperature was for a convection setting!  Thankfully I have a convection setting, and was able to switch it over and up the baking time a little bit.

It made it safely into my Pascha basket, and we'll be enjoying it today with coffee and half-and-half for dessert!  Christ is Risen!

You Won't Believe These Easter Eggs!!!!

Easter Egg Labyrinth Vajdahunyad Castle Budapest, Hungary
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Giant Easter Egg near La Scala Opera House
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Mosaic work of the Virgin Mary by Ukrainian artist
Oksana Mas, on a wall of the St. Sophia Cathedral in Kiev
The panel was made with 15,000 traditionally painted Ukrainian eggs.
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Easter Egg Museum in Kolomyya, Ukraine
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Decorating Easter Eggs in Old Town Prague
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A fun book by Jan Brett...Which bunny can make the most beautiful egg for the Easter Rabbit?

If a little bunny named "Hoppi" can make the best Easter egg, he will get to help the Easter Rabbit deliver the eggs on Easter morning. But it is not so easy. 

Discouraged, he goes into the woods to think when a blue robin’s egg tumbles out of its nest.  What happens in the end may surprise you!

Listen and watch as Jan Brett talks about the making of her book, The Easter Egg...