| Mom's View:
Children's Book Reviews by Paula Behr Weaving the Rainbow, by George Ella Lyon, illustrated by Stephanie Anderson (Atheneum) Ages: 4 to 8 Watercolor paintings of sheer wonder make this tale of a weaver raising sheep, showing them at the state fair, and turning their sheared white fluff into colorful woven magic on her loom a treat to behold. The sheep look like puffs of touchable cloud and the weaver's face holds a palpable sense of joy for her work. From tending little white fluff ball lambs to shearing grown sheep, spinning the fleece and dying it into a rainbow of colors with hand-gathered plants, we see a textile artist's step-by-step method of creating her art. An appreciation for the amount of time, energy and skill that goes into her craft grows with each turn of the page. By the time the woven rug's picture of sheep in a meadow begins to appear on the loom, a rainbow of ideas such as the value of both joy-filled work and an artisan's efforts are woven into our awareness. Saturdays and Teacakes, by Lester L. Laminack, illustrated by Chris Soentpiet (Peachtree) Ages: 4 to 8 Open this book to encounter a dance between artist and author that has children wanting a repeat performance. Both the lavish watercolor paintings filled with light and the author's descriptive words will let your mind meander deep into the warm memories of a boy's special relationship with his grandmother. Each Saturday morning he hops onto his bike and rides through a small town over to his Mammaw's house where she is waiting just for him. Her focused attention on his presence is his biggest life present. Whether they are outside together, baking goodies in the sun-dappled kitchen or munching tomato sandwiches on the porch, Mammaw shines her present-moment awareness on her grandson and he basks in the glow. This idyllic childhood relationship of love with a family member is served up just as warm and sweet as one of their homemade teacakes that you'll imagine yourself munching. Paula Behr is a journalist and mother of two. She is dedicated to finding and sharing children's books with gentle and loving messages. Contact her at cyberbehrs@earthlink.net Copyright © Paula Behr 2004 |
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Sept 2004 |
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