Absolutely Aggie

 Use what talents you possess;

the woods would be very silent

if no birds sang there

except those that sang best.

 

~Henry Van Dyke

When reading picture books, some are pure fun, some are touching, and some are educational. And they all have an important role in boosting an early love of reading. Add in a positive and affirming message of self-worth, and the picture book takes on another level of meaning.

Dust Fairy Tales: Absolutely Aggie (2015) is the second book from author-illustrator team Michelle Eastman and Kevin Richter. It tells the story of Aggie -- a loud, brassy, disheveled dust fairy who loves to play the bagpipes. But she doesn't fit in with the other fairies. They are graceful; she is not. Their wings shine; hers -- well, perhaps they manage to hide her slouching socks. No matter how Aggie tries, she just can't change, and it is defeating.

She takes to hiding away at night, sad and alone. But, she still plays her bagpipes -- she loves her music, even if it isn't perfect.

One night, her music catches the ear of another fairy (and his companion snail -- so cute!), who invites her to join his band. They love her. And even though they don't hit every note, Aggie absolutely gets to be herself. It's a perfect fit.

This book has such an important message to share with children. Aggie wasn't happy when she was trying to be anything other than herself -- and I want my kids to know that their true happiness and meaning will come when they are being who they are meant to be. People will come into our lives who complement our true selves, and that is true friendship.

In addition to this big message of self-worth, Eastman has created a mythical fairy world that is enchanting. She urges young listeners to pay attention at night to see if they can hear Aggie and her band, which adds to the magical ambience of the book. Her rhyming, lyrical meter paired with Richter's vibrant and detailed illustrations create a world that children will want to visit again and again.

I hope you will read this one with your kiddos soon!

For more on Michelle and Kevin, click the links below:

Michelle's website

Kevin's website

Picture Book Pass It On

All the Wonders (Let's Get Busy) podcast interview with Michelle

Happy Friday!

~Jen

Come in!

Invitation

 

If you are a dreamer, come in,
If you are a dreamer, a wisher, a liar,
A hope-er, a pray-er, a magic bean buyer…
If you’re a pretender, come sit by my fire
For we have some flax-golden tales to spin.
Come in!
Come in!
 

~from Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein

In honor of National Poetry Month and Rhyming Picture Book Month, I wanted to share a short but dynamic poem by the beloved Shel Silverstein. I remember laying on the floor for hours as a child with Where the Sidewalk Ends or The Light in the Attic -- books that my mom had brought home from her 2nd grade classroom -- and reading the poems over and over. I had many favorites, and they still have such value to this day.

Happy Sunday!

~Jen

I Am With You

"It's going to be all right, sir," Harry said over and over again, more

worried by Dumbledore's silence than he had been by his weakened

voice. "We're nearly there. . . . I can Apparate us both back. . . .

Don't worry. . . ."

"I am not worried, Harry," said Dumbledore, his voice a little stronger

despite the freezing water. "I am with you."

 

~from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J. K. Rowling

My very, very favorite lines from the whole series! I have not forgotten them since I first read them, and they are part of what makes book six my favorite. The mutual admiration that Harry and Dumbledore have for each other, despite their difference in age, made stronger by their shared trials and triumphs and sacrifices, make this moment so powerful. I just love these books.

Happy Sunday!

~Jen

Happy Un-birthday!

"They gave it to me — for an un-birthday present."

"I beg your pardon?" Alice said with a puzzled air.

"I’m not offended," said Humpty Dumpty.

"I mean, what is an un-birthday present?"

"A present given when it isn’t your birthday, of course."

Alice considered a little. "I like birthday presents best," she said at last.

"You don’t know what you’re talking about!" cried Humpty Dumpty. "How many days are there in a year?"

"Three hundred and sixty-five," said Alice.

"And how many birthdays have you?"

"One."

"And if you take one from three hundred and sixty-five, what remains?"

"Three hundred and sixty-four, of course."

~from Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll

 

Well, we are having a busy birthday/unbirthday weekend around these parts. My husband and my oldest share a birthday on Monday, and my baby, Vivian, turns two on Tuesday. So in addition to the regular busy-ness of basketball, soccer, and choir performances, this weekend has also featured an 11-year-old slumber party and a family gathering to celebrate the multitude of early-March birthdays. Good times!

 

Happy Sunday,

~Jen 

Unawakened Earth

Be through my lips to unawaken'd earth

The trumpet of a prophecy! O Wind,

If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?

~from Ode to the West Wind by Percy Bysshe Shelley

We don't have any blooms yet, but the daffodils are starting to peek through the thawing ground. St. Louis weather is always unpredictable (which I like) -- we had a snow day on Wednesday, but this weekend has been warm and mild. Spring is close!

Happy Sunday!

~Jen

Rest in peace, Harper Lee

"An' they chased him 'n' never could catch him 'cause they

didn't know what he looked like, an' Atticus, when they finally saw him,

why he hadn't done any of those things... Atticus, he was real nice..."

His hands were under my chin, pulling up the cover, tucking it around me.

"Most people are, Scout, when you finally see them."

~from To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

We learned this week that Harper Lee -- author of the beloved To Kill a Mockingbird -- passed away. Her one and only published novel has held significant meaning for generations of readers. For me, the soothing descriptions of the streets of Maycomb, the hilarious exploits of Scout, Jem, and Dill, and the gentle, assured presence of Atticus -- at home and in defending Tom Robinson -- made a book worthy of rereading and emulating and appreciating with fresh eyes each time.

When my husband and I had been married six months, we got our first pet -- a reclusive, mysterious cat -- and named him Boo Radley. Boo is aging, but still as ornery as ever, and he continues to remind us of a favorite literary character. It's probably time I read this wonderful book again -- it's the best.

Happy Sunday...

~Jen

How to Be a Wildflower

Do you know artist Katie Daisy? Do you love her as much as I do? We have three of her prints in our house already, and I would love to add more. Her art captures the beauty of nature, with eye-pleasing images and color combinations, and is often accompanied by a quotation. This print and my favorite quote by author Henry David Thoreau hangs in Vivy's nursery:

More of Katie's art in our house:

Well today, her first book is being released! How to Be a Wildflower: a field guide (Chronicle Books) is filled with 200 full-color pages that inspire discovery of the beauty in the world through meditations, adventure prompts, recipes, identification charts, and quotes. Divided into sections to Wander, Gather, Savor, and Ponder, she encourages each of us to reflect on where we feel most alive.

How to be a Wildflower Book Trailer from Gabriel James on Vimeo.

Katie has a beautiful spirit that I'm just sure is captured in these pages. She is a nature lover through and through, and her use of color, lettering, and placement is something I adore. Her book looks so centering and inspirational.

This book would be a wonderful gift for a friend or loved one who seeks out the beauty of nature or who wants to reconnect with some lost simplicity. After all, "the more you search, the more you find."

Enjoy!

~Jen

Bleak Mid-winter

"Whenever I find myself growing grim about the mouth; whenever it is a damp,

drizzly November in my soul; whenever I find myself involuntarily pausing

before coffin warehouses, and bringing up the rear of every funeral I meet...

then, I account it high time to get to sea as soon as I can. This is my substitute

for pistol and ball. With a philosophical flourish Cato throws himself upon his

sword; I quietly take to the ship. There is nothing surprising in this. If they but

knew it, almost all men in their degree, some time or other, cherish very nearly

the feelings towards the ocean with me."

 

~from Moby Dick by Herman Melville

Oh, winter. I imagine many of us are feeling a "damp, drizzly November" in our souls and could use a good dose of the sea. Luckily, we've had a lovely Spring-like weekend here -- a nice break in the middle of winter.

Happy Sunday!

~Jen