1) Children's Books
THE READING MOTHER
by Strickland Gillilan
You may have tangible wealth untold
Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.
Richer than I you can never be.
I had a Mother who read to me
These two books bring back wonderful memories of my mother reading to me and my sister. I'm certain it's where my love for beautifully illustrated children's books started.
I just loved the little stories of Uncle Wiggily and all his friends (the stories and references seem so dated now, but I love them still!)... And my mother was never able to get through The Little Match Girl without tearing up a bit. So strong are the memories of these two books that I bought them for my girls when they were little. (And like my mother, I cannot make it through to the end of The Little Match Girl without my throat catching before I'm able to continue on to finish the book)… I wish I had the actual books that my mom used to read from, but I’m afraid they may have been ruined years ago when my parent’s basement flooded, claiming many cardboard boxes of stored childhood memories...
2) Not all was lost!
2) Not all was lost!
I was so excited to find these books just last year in my dad’s basement. We thought all our childhood items had been lost in the flood, but three of my childhood books survived! There’s The Adventures of Jimmy Skunk (c 1941), Daniel Boone (c 1945), and Freddy and the Ignormus (c 1941). They now have places of honor in my home!
3) This is how I learned to read!
And speaking of childhood memories, I purchased this old (copyright 1951) Dick and Jane Basic Reader book on eBay many years ago. It’s just like the Dick & Jane books I learned to read from…
Just looking at these old illustrations brings me right back to my old classroom, sitting at my little wooden desk…
4) James Kavanaugh Poetry Books
I treasure my small collection of 4 James Kavanaugh books. My sister introduced me to his poetry when she gave me “Will You Be My Friend?” in the 70’s and I loved so many of his poems that I've picked up several more of his books over the years, all ranging from copyright 1970 to 1982.
5) Mary Higgins Clark
I love a good mystery and Mary Higgins Clark is my absolute favorite! I own every one of her books in hardcover (this is just a small sampling here in the bookcase)… I look forward to her new book every year. (Her next one, Just Take My Heart, is being released April 7, 2009!)
6) Little Women
I love a good mystery and Mary Higgins Clark is my absolute favorite! I own every one of her books in hardcover (this is just a small sampling here in the bookcase)… I look forward to her new book every year. (Her next one, Just Take My Heart, is being released April 7, 2009!)
6) Little Women
Okay, this is really embarrassing. I own several beautiful old hardcover copies of Little Women (copyrights 1926, 1935, and 1980). I've seen the movie a gazillion times (one of my favorites), but I've yet to read the book!!! I think that will be my next book after I finish Elsie Dinsmore [which is the actual copy that belonged to my mom when she was a girl - her name is even written on the inside cover in her penmanship - so special!!]...
I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Orchard House in Concord, MA, where Louisa May Alcott wrote Little Women, many times. If you ever get the chance, go! When the tour gets to her bedroom, and I’m standing right next to the actual table/desk where she wrote Little Women, I swear I get chills up and down my spine… (They duplicated Orchard House perfectly in the Winona Ryder/Susan Sarandon movie version of Little Women.) Okay, back to books!
7) Saving the best for last...
These two books are always close by in my office, and close to my heart...
My girls gave them to me for Christmas, 11 years ago, knowing how much I love quotations and poems. Courtney gave me Teddy Bear Quotations and Amanda gave me "for MOTHER... a gift of love." I am truly blessed...
Okay, I know this is a busy, busy month, so rather than naming specific people, I’m going to open this up to anyone who would like to share 7 Weird or Random Book facts about themselves! If you do, let me know so I can read yours!
Donna