Sat 11 Feb 2006
Reposting for the Carnival of Children’s Literature.
After 21 years of collecting children’s picture books, many of them are in tatters. Today I labored on the picture book reorganization project. If I got rid of all the books with torn covers we would have a lot more room around here. If I only kept the pristine books then our library would be mediocre. There is a reason some books look so nice on the outside. Perhaps I should throw away the immaculate books and keep the tattered ones. That just might work.
I will spend the afternoon taping books for our reading pleasure. Very few of our children’s books have resale value. I think we are the bottom of the food chain for many items…toys, clothes, books, music….
We rate just below Goodwill. Still it makes me sad to throw away wonderful books many of them replaced several times already.
In going through the books I was struck by how many of the better books were written by husband and wife teams:
The Lobels
The Hobans
The Petershams
The Provensens
The Haders
Edgar and Ingri D’Aulaire
Someday Tim and I would like to collaborate on a picture book. I already have one unpublished manuscript and he, if he ever gets the time, is a wonderful artist. He also has a few ideas for a series based on the oral stories he made up for the children called The Lovable Knights.
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I remember the book you wrote and think it is beautiful! If I remember correctly, it seems like something the Bluedorn’s would publish. (Of course, I can’t speak for the Bluedorn’s, and I don’t even know if they publish other folks’ books, but…just a thought.)
Comment by Linda (August 1, 2005 @ 11:51 pm )
Would you be my agent?
Thank-you for such kind words. Since you are only one of about 5 people who have ever read it I am blessed by your words.
I never thought of the Bluedorns. Tim could never give up on the idea of Tasha Tudor illustrating it but we never sent her a copy and time is short
Comment by Cindy (August 2, 2005 @ 6:23 am )
I just love the Hobans book. It brings back memories of my childhood.
Have you ever thought of asking Peace Hill Press to publish it? It’s the publishing company run by Susan Wise Bauer.
Comment by Kim in ON (August 2, 2005 @ 4:25 pm )
Yeah, Tasha Tudor’s illustrations would be perfect for it; but I think the Bluedorn girl’s have the right look, as well. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen Tim’s drawings. I’ve heard him sing, play, and I’ve seen his beautiful woodworking. Is there no end to his talents??
Comment by Linda (August 2, 2005 @ 6:20 pm )
Tim is very…what is it left-brained?
He especially likes to draw birds and he even sometimes keeps a nature notebook.
Comment by Cindy (August 2, 2005 @ 6:43 pm )
I am comforted that God judges us on our availiblity and not our talent. Cindy has been very gracious, even generous, not to share any of my many faults with y’all. (BTW Linda, I have another check in the mail for you). Tim
Comment by Anonymous (August 2, 2005 @ 9:04 pm )
Great, Tim, keep those checks coming! Wow, and I even KNOW all your faults!!
(kidding)
Comment by Linda (August 3, 2005 @ 12:45 am )
have you ever heard the record form of “Birthday for Frances”
I believe there are other books in this series too. We had one about a tea set growing up. (I taped the record onto a cassette tape before getting rid of the record — but that was a decade ago now…)
Comment by My Boaz's Ruth (August 3, 2005 @ 12:45 am )
I have never heard of that, Ruth. I remember listening to lots of old stories on record when I was a child, too.
Linda, I can’t do a post on Tim’s faults or I would lose my Titus 2 standing. But he has asked me to quit saying nice things about him. I’m embarrassing him.
Comment by Cindy (August 3, 2005 @ 2:37 am )
The tea-set Frances book is ‘A Bargain for Frances.’ It’s one of our favorites. But then, we also liked Bread and Jam for Frances. All of your husband and wife team books are some of our favorites, too.
Comment by DeputyHeadmistress (August 20, 2005 @ 12:45 pm )
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0808531484/ref=ed_oe_h/102-2610673-0290559?%5Fencoding=UTF8
This is one of my favorite toddler/baby books, and it is coincidentally by a married couple, the Ahlbergs. It was a baby gift from Kristy K. when I had Gil, and I’ve been waiting patiently for it to come back in print so that I can give it to other new parents. Have you seen it?
Comment by Sandy (February 11, 2006 @ 8:44 pm )
That is a new one for me, Sandy.
I will keep my eyes open for it!
Comment by Cindy (February 11, 2006 @ 9:19 pm )
Also: Martin and Alice Provensen A Peaceable Kingdom (and others)
Harlow and Anne Rockwell.How My Garden Grew
Your picture book collection must look a lot like mine, and a lot like the Velveteen Rabbit, old and loved.
Comment by Sherry (February 13, 2006 @ 8:48 am )