I Am An Owl

Rather like a book of riddles, part of the fun of reading through the pages is to guess what animal is featured as you watch their eyes disappear into diminishing concentric circles. At the very end, guess which animal falls asleep?

This book can be a nice interactive diversion when you want a break from toys but your child is still in a playful mood. Alas, this is an out-of-print book, and I can't even remember where I picked up my copy. This type of book never claims perpetual reprintings yet often ends up as a perennial favorite if part of your home library. A friend's daughter has something similar, where you can turn different pages to guess different animal heads and bodies as well as mix and match them to create new animals. It was another thrift shop find at $1, but it was her FAVORITE book. Books like these are more or less rarities nowadays, so keep your eyes open when perusing garage sales or thrift shops.

We live in water, in rivers and seas,

Blowing out bubbles, not making a sound.

Men try to catch us with nets and with rods,

But we flick our tails and swim round and round.

What are we?

Fishes.

I am an Owl

words by Yvonne Hooker

pictures by Giorgio Vanetti

© 1983 Grosset & Dunlap, Inc.

The Longest Journey in the World

This book was one of those accidental finds in a pile of used books at a resale section of a baby store. While this book is certainly not considered an antique yet, I love how the title page credits a Ray Barber for doing the "handlettering," which means the words were actually drawn (rather than printed or typeset by mechanical means) on to each page along with the illustration.

In our modern day when cursive writing is considered an elective and practically on its way out of schools, I am so amazed at Mr. Barber's skill. I looked up hand lettering on the web and there is relatively sparse information about it—it's sad to see that hand lettering is practically an obsolete art form, though I did encounter two distinctive sources on hand lettering here and here.

In this simple story, a little caterpillar begins his day by going on a long journey. He crawls and crawls and crawls, encountering all sorts of interesting landmarks along the way.

Such as a high mountain

and a deep valley

Some parts of his journey are arduous, like when he has to go across a wide river or a high wall.

While other times he coasts past a castle or a sleeping dragon.

At the end of the day the little caterpillar marvels at his accomplishment of having traveled his many steps as he enjoys the sun set.

It is in this story's simplicity that a child's imagination will be sparked to see the world for more than it always is. This book is a perfect beginning to transition toddlers from board books. The words are minimal but laden with poetic meaning. And of course, the gorgeous illustrations! There are also important themes to explore with your young reader here: perseverance as well as recognizing one's accomplishments, even for small creatures as a caterpillar (or children).

All in all, a beautiful and sophisticated children's book, one that does not insult the intelligence of budding readers and is engaging for the parent too. There are days when Wa-wa wants this book read to him over and over again in one sitting!

The Longest Journey in the World

words by William Barret Morris

pictures by Betty Fraser

handlettering by Ray Barber

© 1970 by Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc.

A Day on the Farm

With the exception of that initiation period into parenthood when we couldn't manage anything beyond the diaper changes and feedings, I am happy to realize that my husband and I have made reading together with our little boy a household tradition since he was two months old!

A Day on the Farm is a favorite read that started since Wa-wa was in fact, in utero. Our copy is a bona fide vintage Little Golden Book as it belonged to my husband since he was a little boy. This book has been so loved and well-read that the cover is long gone and the title page had to be taped back in place.

Follow Farmer Brown around his farm as he feeds the animals in the morning.

"Cluck, cluck, cluck!" says the old red hen.

This happens to be Wa-wa and Baba's favorite page: The pig likes to have his back scratched with a stick. "Oink, oink," he grunts. He is very pleased.

While Farmer Brown works outside, his family gets ready for a full day ahead too. Sally and Sam go to school while Mrs. Brown bakes a chocolate cake because Aunt Alice and Uncle Tom are coming over to supper. 

The cake is so delicious that Uncle Tom eats three pieces!

After everyone goes home it's time to go to bed. Tomorrow is another busy day.

This book is a gem in our collection for its sentimental value more than anything else. After all, there are lots of farm and country living tales out there to choose from. I do admit, however, to an almost obsessive penchant for Little Golden Books, especially the ones that depict wholesome stories from the days of yesteryear. I would love for my little Wa-wa to enjoy such an idyllic childhood as Sally and Sam, and we try in our own way here in sunny urban paradise (beach, anyone?)

A Day on the Farm

words by Nancy Fielding Hulick

pictures by John P. Miller

© 1960 by Western Publishing Company, Inc.