Family

The Mummer’s Song

Don’t seem like Christmas if the mummers are not here, Granny would say as she knit in her chair. But on a cold, clear Newfoundland night shortly after Christmas, several outlandishly costumed mummers do appear and Granny’s house suddenly erupts in a burst of joking and tomfollery, raucous singing and exuberant dancing. Granny and her two young charges are instantly caught up in the merriment,  When the evening’s festivities come to a close, the mummers are bid a fond farewell until next year.

Popular singer Bud Davidage wrote “The Mummer’s Song” as a tribute to a centuries-old custom in danger of disappearing.  Since its publication in 1973, it has fostered a revival of mummering, as noted author and Newfoundland son Kevin Major points out in his afterword.  The sparkling illustrations in this picture book adaptation are by the well-known Canadian artist Ian Wallace.

The Umbrella Queen

When Noot is finally allowed to paint umbrellas like the other women and girls in her village, she secretly hopes that she might be chosen as this year’s Umbrella Queen. Carefully, she creates serene flowers and butterflies- exactly as she has seen her mother and grandmother do for years.

But soon her imagination takes over, and Noot finds herself straying from the old patterns to the dismay of her family, who depend on the traditionally painted umbrellas for their livelihood.

Her parents tell her she must go back to the old designs and Noot obeys, knowing that the King is coming soon to name the one who has painted the most beautiful umbrella. After all, the King would never choose a queen who breaks from tradition…would he?

Zoo-Looking

Flora loves looking at all the animals in the zoo, but what a surprise–she isn’t the only one doing the looking! Flora looks at the giraffe, and the giraffe looks back.  She looks at the ostrich, and the ostrich looks back, too.  But when Flora looks at her dad, she gets the best surprise of all.

Beloved storyteller Mem Fox has created a lively rhyme for zoo-loving children to read and chant out loud.  Candace Whitman’s enchanting torn paper pictures add to the joyous fun of the story.

The Goblin and the Empty Chair

In a time long past, in a land far away, a family has suffered an unspeakable loss.But a lonely goblin has been watching. And he knows what to do to help them heal.From internationally acclaimed picture book masters Mem Fox and Leo and Diane Dillon, here is a rich and moving original fairy tale about family, friendship, and the power compassion has to unite us all.

Sophie

Sophie loves her Grandpa. And her Grandpa loves Sophie. They are best friends. And then one day there is no Grandpa. . . . Family love and the natural cycle of birth, life, and death are tenderly portrayed in this moving story. Foxs spare text distills complex life passages into emotions so clear even a child can understand and perhaps draw comfort from them.

Shoes from Grandpa

Jessie, an active girl of nine or so, is growing out of her clothes, and all of the members of her large and loving family get carried away in their eagerness to provide her with a new wardrobe. As each of Jessie’s relatives gets into the act, the rhythmic cumulative tale builds momentum. Finally she tactfully speaks her mind: ‘You’re all so kind that I hate to be mean, but please, would one of you buy me some jeans?’ Youngsters will enjoy seeing Jessie’s free spirit gently triumph.

A Bedtime Story

Polly and her friend Bed Rabbit have lots of books, but they don’t know how to read, so Polly’s parents interrupt their own reading for a bedtime story.

Harriet, You’ll Drive Me Wild!

When a young girl has a series of mishaps at home one day, her mother tries not to lose her temper–and does not quite succeed.