Who's that tripping over your bridge? It is I, your humble newsletter writer

Can we read? No. 56

Nov 10, 2021

Good morning, and happy Tuesday!

Thanks to everyone who took my survey last week — the giveaway is closed (congratulations to Melissa and Elle!) but it’s still possible to leave me feedback, if you’re so inclined. I listen to everything you tell me and use the information to keep iterating on this newsletter, so I could really use — and I really appreciate — the help!

One thing I learned is that a lot of you — a surprising number, actually — have babies and toddlers in your lives (3yo and under). As of today, I’ve reviewed 426 total books in this newsletter since its inception in May 2020. Plenty of those have been titles for the littlest littles, so going forward for awhile, at the end of each regular issue (that’s what you’re reading right now), I’m going to highlight a few reviews from my archives — all of which will be available to all subscribers, free and paid — for those of you who haven’t been here since the beginning. I will also renew my focus on titles for the under 5 set — in many ways they’re my favorite books (though my favorite age group turns out to be whatever age my children are currently, something that has been an unexpected but utterly welcome surprise of parenting).

I also want to say to you folks in the thick of those parenting years that you are doing the absolute hardest work — and, you’re managing to read to your kiddos during the most formative time. Hear me when I say this: it gets easier. And: you are doing a wonderful job. No matter what it feels like today, no matter what mistakes you think you’ve made, you are the right parent for your kids, and you are doing a wonderful job.

(Those of you with bigger kids — between 4-7yo like mine, older than that, and a few into the tween/teen years already — don’t worry, I won’t forget you! Chapter books take more time on my end but I’m still doing my best to include at least one every few issues, and there will always be options for older kids in all of my special editions and Spotlight On issues. If there is something particular you’d like to see for older kiddos, hit me up! Feel free to reply to any of my messages at any time.)

Onwards in solidarity no matter the age of your children, friends 💛

The Three Billy Goats Gruff by Raina Moore, illustrated by Thea Kliros (2003)

This one goes out to all of you who have toddlers in your lives at the moment (though I encourage those of you with older children not to overlook this one, since its themes of warning against greed as well as overcoming obstacles are just as applicable — come to think of it, some adults need to revisit this one as well).

I love two things about this board book, which remains our very favorite version of this tale (my children are now 5 and 7 and yes, we still read board books, so if you have some sort of hangup about board books for whatever reason, here is your permission to let it go): first, it stays absolutely true to the original version most of us know and know well; and second, Kliros’ warm watercolors are full of energy and spirit, bringing all the wonderful action of this old tale to life. (The troll in this version is particularly fascinating for toddlers, which you can see below — I often caught my girls intently scrutinizing him when they pulled this one off the shelf to sit and look at that age.)

If you have little littles, don’t miss this one.

(If you would prefer a version for older children despite my recommendation, check out The Three Billy Goats Gruff by Jerry Pinkney. There is a lot more text and he adapts the story with a bit more freedom than I’d like but, as to be expected from Pinkney, he has created another fabulous troll.)

Borreguita and the Coyote by Verna Aardema (1991)

This classic tale from Ayutla, Mexico is retold here by Aardema with her usual degree of excellence.

When Señor Coyote comes along, Borreguita (“little lamb”) tries to convince him not to eat her: “I would not fill you up. I am as thin as bean pod,” she pleads, explaining that when she has eaten all the clover in the field, she will be fat, and he can eat her then. Coyote — not always the smartest beast despite his trickster nature — buys this ruse and leaves Borreguita alone for a bit. But he returns, of course, intending to eat her again, and again Borreguita talks him out of it — convincing him instead to try to eat some of her master’s cheese (cheese being a universal temptation, I suppose). The “cheese” is really the reflection of the moon on a pond, so once again, a point for Borreguita, zero for Coyote.

The story continues in this way, full of Coyote’s aggression and Borreguita’s clever tricks to outwit him, until a surprise show of physical strength (and courage) brings about most satisfying ending in which the smaller, less powerful animal — much like children in a world of grownups — prevails. This trope is a classic one and endures for a reason — who doesn’t love an underdog, and furthermore, seeing an underdog win?

Mathers’ folksy, richly-hued colored illustrations are comical and endearing — I particularly like the drool from Coyote’s mouth and the way his tongue hangs out from exertion when he is swimming to get the “cheese” — and adds a lot here. This is a surefire hit with preschoolers, who have a natural love of schadenfreude (and why shouldn’t they? We all do; they’re just honest about it) but is just as pleasing to older kids, who enjoy it for the same reasons. They’re human, after all.

The Gates of the Wind by Kathryn Lasky, illustrated by Janet Stevens (1995)

Everyone who lives in the protected “folds of a deep valley” is content with their peaceful home, convinced it’s the best place in the world… except old Gamma Lee. So she decides to leave, to seek the place up in the mountains that her great-grandmother had told her about long ago, a place called the Gates of the Wind.

Upon arrival Gamma Lee sets out to do things her way: she builds her house with wood, but the wind blows it down, and Gamma Lee sees it would be better built with flexible grasses. She plants a garden in neat rows, but the wind rips everything out, and Gamma Lee sees it would be better sowed with flowers and supple plants that can wave gently. In this way — accepting what is rather than forcing her will upon her surroundings and that wild, untamable force, the wind — Gamma Lee makes a comfortable life for herself, happy that it’s not the best place in the world but not the worst place either.

This is nothing short of a modern-day fable, with its subtle-yet-lovely message about the flow of life — how one can choose to fight it or go with it, like a river — as well as high entertainment value (that owes much to Steven’s vibrant watercolor, acrylic, pencil and pastel illustrations, which is true of any book that features her outstanding work). If you’re one of those grownups who likes books to have meaning — but also want to read something your kiddos will enjoy — this is a perfect fit.

Because of You by B.G. Hennessy (2005)

“Each time a child is born, the world changes.” So begins this poetic book, perfect for toddlers, all about the importance of one person — you.

“Because of you, there is one more person who can love and care for others.”

“Because of you, there is one more person who will grow and learn and one more person who can teach others.”

“Because of you, there is one more person who needs help and one more person who can help others.”

The message that relationships between people — and indeed, the energy of the world — are reciprocal and generous is a tender, welcome one for people who have been here only a few shorts years (though I would argue it’s a message that those of us who have been here far longer need more than we know). Nakata’s watercolor and ink illustrations that showcase caring, sharing, and the simple joy of being with one another add to the gentle tone of this book.

This is a quiet and reassuring read that teaches, essentially, that every person — and every action — matters, even the smallest ones.

Storytelling with Children by Nancy Mellon (2000)

The first time I read this book I finished it in one sitting — a situation that surprised me, because I’d expected it to be a dry read. It was, obviously, the opposite, and that’s one — among the many — reason I recommend it.

Mellon writes,

“Young children cause us to reach into our deepest selves to overcome resistance to expression; they want everyone to be lively creations like themselves. Your unique creative warmth, the playful light in your eyes, everything about you is potential grist for their growth. Your unique imagination is important to your child. If you go only to published sources for stories, you are teaching your children to do the same.” (page 53)

In other words: she had me at hello.

What makes this book such a valuable resource — and I encourage you to think of it that way, as a supply of ideas and strategies to help you become a storyteller for the children in your life — is how actionable it all really is. You could sit down and read this straight through — and I do think that’s the way to get the most out of it — but it’s also entirely possible to read one chapter and learn a handful of techniques that will help you as you develop the storytelling skill and to support your children in what Thomas Moore writes in the introduction, “discovering how to be in this life with imagination.” (I just love that.)

Chapter topics run the gamut — from “the storyteller’s treasure trove” of memory, imagination, and play, to stories for specific times, ages, seasons, and rhythms. This is not so much a book of stories — if you’re looking for that, I recommend Therapeutic Storytelling: 101 Healing Stories for Children by Susan Perrow, which I reviewed in issue No. 33 and continue to rely on regularly — but rather about them: the what, how, when and why of them.

The back of this book states:

These methods, exercises and tips will enable you to:
Create a listening space
Use the day’s events and rhythms to make stories
Transform old stories and make up new ones
Bring your personal and family stories to life
Learn stories by heart using pictures, inner theatre, walk about
Build your own rich storycupboard

Indeed, it does all these things (and isn’t “storycupboard” just the best word?) as a manual, if you will, as well as encourages the nervous grownup to release perfectionism:

“Do you doubt your voice is adequate to your child’s needs?
Make your voice an instrument of love, truth, courage, joy. Attend to every word you say, especially during a story, and enjoy the deep commitment and the spirit of adventure this inspires. Through stories we discover the faithful creative powers in which we live and speak, and the vastness of our hearts.” (page 94)

And to keep trying:

“The only way to become the storyteller you are is to practice this art. Your heartfelt storytelling activities will promote health, happiness and love. If you are convinced of this, you will achieve your goals.” (page 169)

Highly recommended.

That’s it for today, folks. Thanks for reading, always.

Sarah

Some of my previous reviews of books for babies and toddlers

Feast for 10 by Cathryn Falwell (issue No. 1 — because it’s our all-time favorite book)
Mama Zooms by Jane Cowen-Fletcher (issue No. 2)
Mommies Say Shhh! by Patricia Polacco (issue No. 3 — probably my most-recommended book for littles)

I’ll add this little roundup for the smallest crowd to future issues for awhile, so keep an eye on this space!

Can we read?