Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Nursery rhymes

I've kept a book journal since 2007, writing down all the books I read and the dates I finish them. Somehow I managed to keep up a good pace when Edmund was born, but since Lavinia entered the picture, my yearly average has plummeted - though in all fairness, it's not that I'm not reading every day, it's just that these books don't have, ahem, chapters. I've decided to embrace this stage and share more of the gems I find to read with my children.

Nursery Rhymes

Every child's library should have some nursery rhymes in it. I've found two beautiful but out-of-print books by famous illustrators that are a joy to look at -- A Pocket Full of Posies: A Merry Mother Goose by Marguerite de Angeli (author of The Door in the Wall, a wonderful children's book I'm looking forward to sharing with Edmund in a few years) and Kate Greenaway's Nursery Rhyme Classics.

Nursery Rhymes

Marguerite de Angeli's book has a variety of rhymes on one side of the page, and then a full-page illustration on the opposite side, with small pencil illustrations scattered throughout the text. Since there is not a picture for every rhyme, this one may be best for older toddlers who have a longer attention span and enjoy listening to meter and rhyme.

Nursery Rhymes

The Kate Greenaway book has a picture and a rhyme on every page. Babies will enjoy the shorter rhymes, even if it is being read upside down. :) If you are fond of her illustrations, I recommend seeking out this book! Then find a soft old quilt and spread out under the shade of a maple tree to enjoy reading time with your children.

5 comments:

  1. Same here! My reading isn't near what it was at one time...that is, with more than say, 20 pages and no pictures. But I'm too, making a list of our favorite children's books! There are some really cute ones, with darling illustrations out there. I love the looks of that last one!

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  2. Oh, "The Door in the Wall" - what a lovely story!

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  3. I always look forward to your posts! I have our library website open whenever I read your book recomendations so I can put them on hold :) I just finished An Enchanted April. Delightful!

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  4. I love reading in the garden with my girls or all bundled up in our bed together :) Just found out we're expecting a boy in November so i'll be needing to expand my repertoire soon - I want classic & gentle boys books with positive male role models like Christopher Robin - not hoodie Henry or Thomas the Tank engine books! all recommendations gratefully receivedJust :)

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  5. I'm so looking forward to discovering (and rediscovering) good books with my children someday, God willing. I remember having a little Kate Greenaway book when I was small. I love her illustrations!

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