Off the Bookshelf ~ A Time to Keep

A Children's Book Recommendation

A Time To Keep, Tasha Tudors Book of Holidays

Captured by the striking cover.

Mesmerized by the beautiful illustrations.

Dreams of living the life of a beloved character.

Does this describe your memories of the books you favored as a child and the emotions you felt reading those special stories?

Characters like Betsy & Tacy, Mary & Laura.
Stories like Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry and Sarah Plain and Tall.
Illustrations of Tasha Tudor and Robert McCloskey.

I could chat about a different book every day for the remainder of my lifetime, and barely make a dent in the wonderful world of classic children's literature.

But that shouldn't stop us from trying.

So, let's try.

I am going to dust off the covers of some of my favorite titles, and start a regular post sharing these treasures with you.

I hope you are blessed to have a little or two, or maybe a classroom full, that you read to on a regular basis. Reading to children is one of my favorite things to do. When you read to a child, you broaden their vocabulary and enrich their artistic appreciation.

When you read to a child, you feed their soul.

There are a few things in life that when you spend time doing them make you feel like a richer human being. Reading is one of them.

For our inaugural installation of the Children's Book Recommendation series, let's visit the pages of A Time To Keep, the Tasha Tudors Book of Holidays. Tasha Tudor is an American author and illustrator with over 2 dozen published texts. Her stories are timeless and her illustrations are exquisite. My girls bought this book for me a few Christmas' ago. They know I love Tasha Tudor, and they know you are never too old for a new children's book.

A Time To Keep is a simple storyline. Each page focuses on a separate holiday in calendar order. It is a great choice if you like to have some back and forth with your little while you're reading.
Can you find the duck on this page? What do you like about Spring? Why is the mommy wearing an apron?

When you are reading simple text stories like these, it's fun to have a chat throughout the book which gives you a little insight into what your little is comprehending.
Don't be surprised if your little asks for this one to be put on repeat.
Happy reading.

A Time To Keep

Comments

Swedish Shortbread

Swedish Shortbread My mom has made these every Christmas that I can remember. Her's are always shaped perfectly and turn out every time. Mine, not so much. In fact last year, my dough was too warm when I baked them so they came out of the oven like melted snowmen. But I keep trying and remember that baking requires a healthy dose of patience. This year, my Swedish shortbread turned out much better. Ingredients 1 C Butter, softened 1/2 C + 2 T sugar 2 C flour Mix well till dough is consistency of play dough. Divide into four sections, Shape into small oval logs, refrigerate 20 minutes. Roll each log to 2-3" wide. With your thumb, make well down center of each piece. Fill with raspberry jam. Bake at 325 degrees 15 minutes till light brown around edges. Glaze & Cut while still warm. Glaze 1 C Powder Sugar 1 t almond flavor 2-3 t water Mix well to drizzling consistency, adding water 1 teaspoon at a time.

Faux Chihuly

A Faux Chihuly and what Pigs have to do with Valentines Day Let's start with the later. Pigs have nothing to do with Valentine's Day. But when you go for your box of said holiday decorations and find a pink pig in the process. Pig + Pink = handy dash of love color. Certainly, not every holiday calls for full-fledged trims & decorations. But a handful (and by handful I mean 6) of touches in your living space will make your kids smile; and that is a worthy goal. So there sits the pig, on the kitchen shelf with a card I saved from years ago, and a darling print out. On the opposite side, I've used my red heart-shaped cocotte, and a watercolor I snagged from E.M.H.'s early years. That's it - a few items that give a charming holiday spirit to my earth tone shelves. Now for the former. A number of years ago I snagged these leftover glass ornaments at a boutique. I never intended to use them for my Chri...

22 Dinner Menus

We are into week 10 of Coronacation and here in North Georgia, we have been eating very well for all 10 weeks. In spite of the meager selections of certain grocery store shelves, we have not been left wanting for anything. And the baking. Intentions of sharing warm goodies with neighbors led quickly to doubling or tripling my recipes so no one would feel short-handed in our own house and we could also deliver little packages of sugared happiness. Back in March when all my mice began their at-home schedule I recorded the dinners we were having. I ended up with a list of 22 dinner menus. Of the 22, there was a mix of new recipes and family favorites. Some of the dinners have been repeated, but each one has been tested and approved. So, with the Memorial Weekend coming up, maybe you need some fresh ideas. I hope you have a picnic planned. Even if it's in your own backyard, even if it's just with the loved ones under your own roof. Either way, take a moment to plan some ...

just jenn

Search This Blog