Stars and Chickadees

 

The director of the International Dark Sky Assocation, Dr. John Barentine, says of author Mary Stewart Adams that her “grasp of night sky lore is second to none.” Nevertheless, this book is one for the whole family. As the images above suggest, there are illustrations and rhymes for the young fry, along with plenty of textual detail for teens and adults. 

 

Now, late summer under dark northern Michigan skies, is a perfect time to pick up your copy of The Star Tales of Mother Goose (“For those who seek the secret language of the stars”), but it would also make a fantastic Christmas present for the whole family to share and enjoy

 

The Star Tales of Mother Goose

By Mary Stewart Adams

Illustrated by Patricia DeLisa

Hardcover, 97pp.

$29.95

And speaking of Christmas, Bill O. Smith from Traverse City has a new book out, Chickadees in December, another collaboration with Traverse City artist Charlie Murphy. Fun! And if a child has an opportunity to open one single book before Christmas, let this be the one. When you read it, you’ll understand why.

 

Chickadees in December

By Bill O. Smith

Illustrated by Charles R. Murphy

Hardcover, $19.35

Always a Treat -- Cake? In a New Book from Lynne Rae Perkins!

It’s a lot of work to bake a cake from scratch, but even more effort is involved in making amends for having misjudged someone. When Lucy realizes she has jumped to a wrong conclusion, though, she overcomes her natural feelings of foolishness by creating a beautiful gift. And, as generally happens in a story by Newbery winner Lynne Rae Perkins, adventure takes shape along the way. 

A perfect book to go under the Christmas tree — or to be read by the whole family after Thanksgiving dinner.

Wintercake

by Lynne Rae Perkins

Hardcover with dust jacket

$17.99

Have You Met Roger Duvoisin?

One of the pleasures of having children is that the parents have the best possible excuse to revisit favorite books from their own childhoods. Another is discovering new children’s books. When my son was little, he and I fell in love with Roger Duvoisin’s Petunia books. All the Petunia books are delightful, but in this first one the silly goose’s discovery of a book and her adventures and misadventures with the strange object are guaranteed to warm hearts and bring smiles to booklovers young and old.

Favorite Stories of Roger Duvoisin presents three different stories new to me, while White Snow, Bright Snow is illustrated by DuVoisin but written by Alvin Tresselt. White Snow, Bright Snow was awarded the Caldecott Medal (“most distinguished American picture book for children) in 1948.

If you have children or grandchildren and have not yet been introduced to Roger Duvoisin, this holiday season could be your perfect opportunity.

Petunia, written and illustrated by Roger Duvoisin

Hardcover with dust jacket

50^th anniversary edition

$16.99

Favorite Stories of Roger Duvoisin

Paper, 122pp

$14.99

White Snow, Bright Snow

By Alvin Tresselt

Illustrated by Roger Duvoisin

Hardcover with dust jacket

$17.99

Looking Ahead to Holidays

A new book from Bill O. Smith is available this season, certain to be one of this year's must-have Christmas books. What is happening at 4 a.m. on December 25? Bill’s gentle rhymes lead readers -- and children being read to -- around the world, through page after page of beautifully illustrations by artist Glenn Wolff.

Bill Smith of Traverse City is already well known in northern Michigan as the author of two earlier children’s books, Chickadees at Night and Chickadee Spirit (both of those books illustrated by Charles Murphy). Smith is donating all profits from sales of Four a.m. December 25 to veterans’ groups, specifically: Air Force Enlisted Village; Air Warriors Courage Foundation; Our Military Kids, Inc.; and Cherryland VFS Post 2780 Relief Fund.

Four a.m. December 25

by Bill O. Smith,

illustrated by Glenn Wolff

Sleepytime Press, hardcover, $19.95