Oooh, really? All of the copyrights on the panels themselves say 1989, so I know they are old, but the pub date in the front says 2020, from Drawn & Quarterly. (And now that I look it up on Bookshop.org, it does say it's a reprint -- thanks for pointing that out! I will edit this post.)
If I can help with further recommendations for your eldest (or anyone else in your fam), let me know!
You're welcome! (I often write a preamble to my reviews that is more personal, but end up deleting it because I feel like, who cares about what I am up to, people are here for books! I do this all the time with my Tuesday posts for my paid subscribers -- write much more about myself and what I'm up to -- so I don't know why I hold back on Wednesday with everyone 🤷🏻♀️)
My youngest children have mostly moved on from picture books and sometimes I get super sentimental about missing that age and stage with them that I almost can’t read some of your posts. You always have great selections.
The excerpt of Grandmother and I reminded me of On Mother’s Lap by Ann Herbert Scott and the sweet illustrations by Glo Coalson. I enjoyed reading that with my children and bet we would have liked Grandmother and I too.
Thank you, ZM. I don't think you're alone in this -- I've heard from several people lately that they miss the picture book stage/age with their kids so much it hurts. I'm sorry my newsletter brings this up for you... and I'm also grateful to you for sharing this because it helps me stay present, not take for granted where we are at in our reading life right now, and to soak it up as much as I can.
On Mother's Lap is so wonderful -- I reviewed it this past May. I read it a lot when I had a 2.5yo and a new baby -- it was the perfect book for that season of our life, when my toddler needed help navigating all the complex feelings a new sibling can bring. It has stood the test of time as well -- it's 50 years old this year, and it's still basically perfect. (You're right to draw a parallel between the two books -- they are very alike! That has never occurred to me.)
Absolutely no apologies necessary Sarah! I don't think I'll ever completely stop buying and appreciating picture books. We still read them together but they compete now with audio and chapter books and graphic novels and manga. I love that they are readers. Also picture books make wonderful gifts. I almost always only gift books to children for birthdays and holiday (and adults too, lol).
I want my children to have books from childhood that they cherish and then bring with them to the libraries they build in their own homes when they move out. And if they choose to become parents they'll be able to share them with their own children.
I readily admit, I look forward to being a grandma - years and years from now! But still :-) So thank you for your thoughtfully curated lists and yes enjoy this time with your little ones! It really is special and fleeting! But rest assured there is much to love about them at every age and stage!
I am so thankful my mom kept many books from my childhood (and housed them safely when I was moving too much in college to keep track of such precious things). Your kids will love that you did this for them!
This selection looks excellent, and is coming to me at just the right time for what my eldest kid is working through. Thank you!
Lynda Barry fan here — FWIW, Come Over, Come Over was first published in 1990. It’s awesome! I’m curious; who is publishing this new edition?
Oooh, really? All of the copyrights on the panels themselves say 1989, so I know they are old, but the pub date in the front says 2020, from Drawn & Quarterly. (And now that I look it up on Bookshop.org, it does say it's a reprint -- thanks for pointing that out! I will edit this post.)
If I can help with further recommendations for your eldest (or anyone else in your fam), let me know!
Thank you for sharing your bookstore adventure and purchases. Definitely going to check out at least one of those.
You're welcome! (I often write a preamble to my reviews that is more personal, but end up deleting it because I feel like, who cares about what I am up to, people are here for books! I do this all the time with my Tuesday posts for my paid subscribers -- write much more about myself and what I'm up to -- so I don't know why I hold back on Wednesday with everyone 🤷🏻♀️)
I'm here for books, but connection is in the story! :)
That's such a great point. Thank you.
My youngest children have mostly moved on from picture books and sometimes I get super sentimental about missing that age and stage with them that I almost can’t read some of your posts. You always have great selections.
The excerpt of Grandmother and I reminded me of On Mother’s Lap by Ann Herbert Scott and the sweet illustrations by Glo Coalson. I enjoyed reading that with my children and bet we would have liked Grandmother and I too.
Thank you, ZM. I don't think you're alone in this -- I've heard from several people lately that they miss the picture book stage/age with their kids so much it hurts. I'm sorry my newsletter brings this up for you... and I'm also grateful to you for sharing this because it helps me stay present, not take for granted where we are at in our reading life right now, and to soak it up as much as I can.
On Mother's Lap is so wonderful -- I reviewed it this past May. I read it a lot when I had a 2.5yo and a new baby -- it was the perfect book for that season of our life, when my toddler needed help navigating all the complex feelings a new sibling can bring. It has stood the test of time as well -- it's 50 years old this year, and it's still basically perfect. (You're right to draw a parallel between the two books -- they are very alike! That has never occurred to me.)
Absolutely no apologies necessary Sarah! I don't think I'll ever completely stop buying and appreciating picture books. We still read them together but they compete now with audio and chapter books and graphic novels and manga. I love that they are readers. Also picture books make wonderful gifts. I almost always only gift books to children for birthdays and holiday (and adults too, lol).
I want my children to have books from childhood that they cherish and then bring with them to the libraries they build in their own homes when they move out. And if they choose to become parents they'll be able to share them with their own children.
I readily admit, I look forward to being a grandma - years and years from now! But still :-) So thank you for your thoughtfully curated lists and yes enjoy this time with your little ones! It really is special and fleeting! But rest assured there is much to love about them at every age and stage!
I am so thankful my mom kept many books from my childhood (and housed them safely when I was moving too much in college to keep track of such precious things). Your kids will love that you did this for them!