Pages of Parenting | Favorite Books From Year 4

Every October I celebrate another year of parenting by sharing our top reads from the past twelve months. This year I uncovered some absolute classics, top notch series, quirky stories, and clever illustrations. Here's my tailored selection -- the ones I want others to know about!

Favorite Author Discovery

Tomi Ungerer

Best of the Best: The Mellops Series

Favorite Illustrator Discovery
Julie Paschkis



Best of the Best: Apple Cake

Illustrations Only
Archie by Domenica More Gordon

The Red Book and Red Again by Barbara Lehman 

Best of the Best: Thirteen by Remy Charlip & Jerry Joyner

Playful Fiction
Fancy Nancy by Jane O'Connor

Lots of Cats by E. Dee Taylor

Six-Dinner Sid by Inga Moore

1,2,3 Off to School by Marriane Dubuc

What's Cooking at 10 Garden Street by Felicita Sala

Counting Crocodiles by Judy Sierra

Best of the Best: A House in the Woods by Inga Moore

Construction & Trucks

Diggersaurs Explore by Michael Whaite

Over at the Construction Site by Bill Wise

DIG! by Andrea Zimmerman and David Clemesha

Old MacDonald had a Truck/Boat by Steve Goetz

Best of the Best: Aphabet Trucks by Samantha R. Vamos

Preschool Central (Simple/Rhyming)

How Will We Get to the Beach? by Brigitte Luciani 

Brave as a Mouse by Nicolò Carozzi

The Giant of Jum by Elli Woolard 

Cat Dog by Mem Fox & Mark Teague

I'll Catch You if You Fall by Mark Sperring 

Dozens of Doughnuts by Carrie Finison 

What Grandmas/Grandpas Do Best and What Brothers/Sisters Do Best by Laura Numeroff

Best of the Best: Lovabye Dragon by Barbara Joosse

Seasonal

20 Big Trucks in the Middle of Christmas by Mark Lee

'Twas the Fright before Christmas by Judy Sierra

P. Bear's New Year's Party by Paul Owen Lewis 

Green on Green by Dianne White

Best of the Best: Big Pumpkin by Erica Silverman

Series

George and Martha by James Marshall

Mercy Watson by Kate Dicamillo

Best of the Best: Chirri & Chirra by Kaya Doi

Favorite Favorites 

Miss Mink: Life Lessons for a Cat Countess by Janet Hill

King Bidgood's in the Bathtub by Audrey Wood & Don Wood

Emily and Albert by Jan Ormerod

The Giant Jam Sandwich by John Vernon Lord

Animal Supermarket by Giovanna Zoboli

Animal Cafe by John Stadler

My Pick of the Year

Miss Moon: Wise Words from a Dog Governess by Janet Hill

Mr. Fleece's Pick of the Year 
Red Panda's Candy Apples by Ruth Paul 

NLW's Pick of the Year
  20 Big Trucks in the Middle of the Street by Kurt Cyrus

EDW's Pick of the Year
Plume by Isabelle Simler

CCW's Pick of the Year
Tip Top Cat by C. Roger Mader

Books upon books upon books,

- SJW 

Previous favorites below!
2021 -- Favorite Books From Year 3

Garden of Books | My Springtime Reading

My springtime reading is in full bloom with a variety of genres sprouting up. In April, I enjoyed revisiting poems for National Poetry Month, discovering novels in verse, and exploring short stories and short story collections. For May, I'm ready to dig into some literary fiction soil and am already planting seeds for June's romance reads. It's been fun to cultivate "headers" for each month and harvest my reading life in that way! Today I'm sharing a little bouquet of recent reads:
I liked...

- hearing this funny and poignant poem for the first time -- just in time for Mother's Day. 

- the format and spoken word vibes in this audiobook.

- the themes, writing style, and way race was explored in this collection.

- seeing what Edith Wharton can do in 11 pages and listening to this commentary afterward. 

- seeing what Ray Bradbury can do in 4 pages and listening to this commentary afterward. 

- thinking about womanhood as portrayed through metaphor, parody, and poetry. 

Most looking forward to...

- a "shocking ending"

- trying out magical realism 

- seeing if I agree with my friend's high praise of this book

- Randall Pearson's current read :)

Green-thumbing through pages,

- SJW

Miniskirt Murder & Fashion Forensics

Several years back, I was glued to the screen for the fun and fashionable cast of characters of Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries. It wasn't until a recent visit to the library, where a colorful DVD cover caught my eye, that I learned the creators had made a spin off! 

The show sticks to the script of a lady private detective and eye-catching period piece; but this time we're following Phryne's niece, Peregrine Fisher, in 1960's Melbourne. As I mentioned in this post, the pacing drags a bit in Season 1, but her wardrobe and spunky personality were a big enough hook for me. Plus, the show is backed by a mostly female creative and production team which helps authenticate the various feminist topics covered throughout the season. But to be honest, I mostly watch for the fashions and Geraldine Hakewill. 

And my absolute favorite look -- the purple plaid pantsuit!

Headbands, bangs, and blue eyeshadow,

- SJW

February Feature: MODHome Ceramics | Potter

The story behind this featured artist starts with a walk and ends with book club:

One damp evening I decide to take my youngest children on a walk through the neighborhood. With the weather gloomy, the streets damp, and the skies dreary, it might not have been the best choice. But I need fresh air and more importanty, something to fill the window between nap and dinner! While walking, I notice a cardboard box at the end of a driveway, a surefire sign of something free for the taking. I peer in and discover a beautiful set of artisanal mugs that look like they belong in a hip boutique shop on Farmer's Market Sunday. 

Stunned and curious, I decide I better check if these are actually one man's trash -- soon to be my very own treasure. I scamper up the steps, knock on the door, and confirm with the artist's husband that these are indeed rejects. Excited as a lark, I rescue the loot into the bottom of my stroller and make my way home. Certainly I do not need eight additional mugs in my cabinets, so I share the joyful discovery with friends and bring them as gifts to that night's book club. 

Afterward, I look up the shop on Instagram and am mesmorized by her latest blue and white collection. I've always admired ceramics, but these intricate earthy designs are particularly striking! I hope to meet the artist one day; in the meantime, I'll keep an eye on the curb. 

Shop
Instagram
Website

Rejects? No way!

Worth the wet,

-SJW

February Feature: Sheri McCulley Studio | Stationary Designer

I couldn't let February come to a close without posting a few February Features -- my annual nod to the work of artists and creatives. 

My mother introduced me to today's artist and it's no wonder why! As a fellow vintage lover, she was immediately drawn to PinkAndHank's Instagram feed full of cheerful eye-catching collections. Sheri McCulley, the artist behind the shop, terms her design aesthetic #avintagespectrum. The pops of color are simply feel-good yummy -- like eating cotton candy while swaying on a porch swing at the tail-end of summer. 

Many of Sheri's vignettes incorporate her own artwork and my mom and I were taken with her unique chalkboard-style prints featuring provincial scenes, birds, and farmhouse charm. We purchased a set of 12 cards and split the goods in half. I found a home for them in my six-paned window. They make me smile and remind me of my mom whenever I look at them :) 

I captured some of my favorite images below that better feature her work. I just love her style!

Instagram
Etsy

Country Mouse living,

- SJW

P.S. You can find Past February Features series here:

2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2016 | 2015