A few months ago I picked up a picture book/CD combo at our library. It’s one of those follow-along-and-turn-the-page-when-you-hear-the-tone-things. There were only a few CDs to choose from (most of them were tapes. remember those?) so I randomly picked up Imogene’s Antlers by David Small.
We hunkered down in the car to drive home, popped the CD in and were MESMERIZED. The book tells the story of a cute little girl who wakes up with antlers on her head. Her family is completely freaked out but she rather enjoys them. It is hilarious and has adorable illustrations. The kind you want to look at for several minutes—they add such depth to the story.
We listened to Imogene’s Antlers about 25 times before we returned it. I finally bought it for my daughter, Lydia for Christmas. She was disappointed that the CD didn’t come with the book. I am apparently not as entertaining of a reader. Hmph.
A few weeks later, I found another CD/book combo called The Journey
As I was looking at The Journey‘s cover, I realized it was illustrated by David Small. The same man who wrote Imogene’s Antlers. How fun! That made me like The Journey even more!
{Let’s keep going because the story is just getting started…}
Last week I picked up yet another CD/book combo called The Gardener. I didn’t even read the back. I just liked the picture on the front and it wasn’t a casette tape. We pop it in the CD player immediately. It reminds me a lot of The Journey. The story is told via letters written by the main character. She’s a young girl who has to leave her family’s farm to help in her uncle’s bakery in the city. It’s during the Great Depression, so it’s got a sad undercurrent to it. But it’s also upbeat and positive. At the end of the first letter, the little girl signs her name, “Lydia Grace.” Well, my daughter could not contain herself! She thought this book was written just for her! A book! With her own name?!!
Lydia listened enraptured on the way home. Then we took the book inside to read it again and look at the pictures. Well, lo and behold, who wrote the book? Sarah Stewart. And the illustrator? David Small. Apparently I am drawn to them like flies on butter!
Let’s fast forward to this morning. We go to storytime at the library. Which we rarely do because they are always during my son’s naps. But today, it was raining for the third day in a row and I had to get out of the house. Anyway, I picked up Not a Box. Lydia grabbed The Way Mothers Are
We read the book as soon as we got home and loved it. It’s a delightful story about a girl who loves to read. Like really really loves to read. She collects so many books that they take over her house. So, she…well. If you’re a bibliophile, it’s a must read.
After these four “random” selections of David Small, I had to do some googling! David Small is married to Sarah Stewart. They have written five books together (that means I need to find two more!!). David has written seven. He has illustrated over twenty. I’m officially smitten with him (and her). I am now on a mission to read any and everything they’ve touched!
You will fall in love with all the books I mentioned above. They are sweet, full tales that leave you wistful for the time and setting. The illustrations only add to the story. Please check them out right away! (And hey, don’t forget to look for those CD/book combos. So fun!)
You’ve got one more day to win No Time For Flash Card’s new ebook, Alphabet Crafts!
For more fun book suggestions, click over to Feed Me Books Friday and What My Child Is Reading! And check out more great stuff at the Other Mama’s Friday Favorites, Amy’s Finer Things Friday and Simply Sweet Home’s Friday Favorites.
Oh yes the illustrations can make or break a book and I love the husband wife teams!
Learning authors and illustrators you love is such a fun way to discover new books.
I’m ecstatic to have you link up and I just subscribed by email b/c as you know a feed reader can get grossly neglected:)
.-= Janna @ The Adventure of Motherhood´s last blog ..Feed Me Books Friday: Spring Fever =-.
Oh wow – Imogene’s Antlers sounds so unique! I will have to check it out!
.-= laura´s last blog ..worth repeating =-.
These books look fantastic!
Books on tape are so much fun, especially for long car rides. My Dad transferred a bunch of my old Disney books-on-tape to CD, so now my daughter loves listening to them and flipping through the books.
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I’ve never read any of these!! Do you still have them in your possession or can I run to the library NOW and get them?! 🙂 I have seen the Gardener before, but never checked it out. I’m so excited to read it! And I LOVE that Lydia found a book with another Lydia in it!
.-= vanessa@silly eagle books´s last blog ..juliet’s house in verona =-.
So excited to check these out. I think we might head to the library tomorrow. Thanks Amanda!
.-= Trina´s last blog ..Fifty-Two New, Week 10: Kids’ Workshop =-.
we have always loved those read along books and seems like you found a coupld of great reads
I am such a sucker for illustrations and we always read who the author and illustrator are of the book- to the point that O-man asks if I’m in a hurry and skip it.
I can’t wait to search for these!! YAY!
Love the sound of those books, gonna have to hit up the library this week.
.-= Rachel @ Crazytown´s last blog ..Glazed Please!! =-.
Thanks for sharing your favorite books! I love adding to my library lists with all the great suggestions from FMBF!
.-= Ashley´s last blog ..Good Morning (uh.. Afternoon), Company Girls! =-.
Crazed Update: Went to the library this morning and got Imogene’s Antlers and the Library. We listened to them an hour ago and LOVED Imogene the most. I told Juliet that Lydia loved these books and she was very excited about that. 🙂
I’ve never tried this with my little guy yet. Thanks for the idea, I’ll check it out the next time we’re at the library!
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Aw, we love “Imogene’s Antlers,” too! 🙂
Excellent selection of books! <3
Come on over and visit us when you get a chance.
Oh, wonderful recommendations! Thank you! We have a book right now “When Dinosaurs Came With Everything” illustrated by David Small. I’m glad to have a list of others to look up as we all like his illustrations. Thanks.
.-= Chrissy´s last blog ..Scooter & Chewy Read – Dinosaur Books =-.
I am following you from Friday Follow! I followed on fb if you want something different let me know, You have a great blog and I am sure I will be back to visit soon. Hope you have a terrific weekend!
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Hi,
Happy Friday Follow.
Have a great weekend.
http://www.lisasglutenfree.com
http://misc-oceansky.blogspot.com
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I am here from Friday Follow and am your newest follower. Looking forward to impressing my kids. Looks like a good blog for a homeschool mom like me.
So… we still have some books on TAPE!!!!!!
Thank you so much for linking to me! I love discovering new series like this. How neat it is that you also discovered the book with your daughter’s name in it. We will definitely look for Sarah Stewart and David Small next time we are in the library.
.-= Natalie´s last blog ..Point of Failure =-.
I love the old book/tape combos. I actually had some book/record combos. Those were the days!
Thanks for linking it up at my party! Hope to see you again this week!
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I am curious to find out what blog platform you’re utilizing?
I’m experiencing some small security issues with
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Do you have any recommendations?