my vintage book collection (in blog form).

You read to me, I'll read to you

2012-03-02T04:00:00.000-05:00

You read to me, I'll read to you - written by John Ciardi, illustrated by Edward Gorey (1962).

Whenever I read an even remotely scary book I always feel like there's a "polar bear" behind me... that's why I almost never ready with my back towards a door or window. Paranoia: I've got it. Although I normally just try to think of it as "a good and active imagination".

A few of my favorite stanzas from the poems in this book:

Daddy fixed the breakfast. / He made us each a waffle. / It looked like gravel pudding. / It tasted something awful. - from "Mummy Slept Late and Daddy Fixed Breakfast"

At eight he kicked up such a fuss / His parents put him on a bus / With eighteen cents, a ball of twine, / And transfers to another line. / They went home feeling rather fine. - from "About Jimmy James"

Chang McTang McQuarter Cat / Is one part this and one part that. / One part is yowl, one part is purr. / One part is scratch, one part is fur. / One part, maybe even two, / Is how he sits and stares right through / You and you and you and you. / And when you feel my Chang-Cat stare / You wonder if you're really there - from "Chang McTang McQuarter Cat"

Homes, illustrated by Virginia Parsons

2012-03-01T04:00:00.000-05:00

Homes - written & illustrated by Virginia Parsons (1958).

Gravity is a Mystery, illustrated by Don Madden

2012-02-29T04:30:00.000-05:00

Gravity is a Mystery - written by Franklyn M. Branley, illustrated by Don Madden (1970).

The Little Wood Duck, illustrated by Brian Wildsmith

2012-02-28T04:30:00.000-05:00

The Little Wood Duck - written & illustrated by Brian Wildsmith (1972).

If you're worried about the fox's welfare - you can stop: he isn't dead, just dizzy.

Picture Dictionary, illustrated by Janet La Salle

2012-02-27T04:30:00.000-05:00

Follett Beginning to Read Picture Dictionary - written by Alta McIntire, illustrated by Janet LaSalle (1959).

Betty Crocker's Parties for Children

2012-02-24T04:30:00.000-05:00

Betty Crocker's Parties for Children (1964).

Stuart Little, illustrated by Garth Williams

2012-02-23T04:00:00.000-05:00

Stuart Little - written by E.B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams (1945).

The Best Nest, illustrated by P.D. Eastman

2012-02-22T04:30:00.000-05:00

The Best Nest - written & illustrated by P.D. Eastman (1968).

The Quarreling Book, illustrated by Arnold Lobel

2012-02-21T04:30:00.000-05:00

The Quarreling Book - written by Charlotte Zolotow, illustration Arnold Lobel (1966).

I'm prone to watching random action or thiller movies on Netflix Instant, and recently I watched Fallen. This book reminds me of Fallen. I think I can safely say that I'm the first person to make this connection. Maybe not. But. Maybe. MAYBE.

In Fallen, this demon (Azreal) keeps transferring from person to person - thus turning each person into a diabolical creature bent on besting Denzel Washington's character.

In The Quarreling Book, a bad mood keeps on passing from person to person.

Okay... so that's not so many similarities and obviously the screenwriters of Fallen were not inspired by this book - but there's a connection! Seeing each member of the family in this book get all peeved due to another's behavior and then passing the crummy mood onto the next person just made me think - "FALLEN!". So I'm sharing that with you. Aren't you glad?

Adventures with Color, illustrated by J.P. Miller

2012-02-20T04:30:00.000-05:00

Adventures with Color - written by Seymour Reit, illustrated by J.P. Miller (1963).

Little Toot, illustrated by Hardie Gramatky

2012-02-17T05:00:00.000-05:00

Little Toot - written & illustrated by Hardie Gramatky (1939).

Lion, illustratedby William Pene du Bois

2012-02-16T04:30:00.000-05:00

Lion - written & illustrated by William Pene du Bois (1955).

Dooly and the Snortsnoot, illustrated by Jack Kent

2012-02-15T04:00:00.000-05:00

Dooly and the Snortsnoot - written & illustrated by Jack Kent (1972).

I like Jack Kent's bio for this book (and the story itself, obviously) -

Jack Kent is a high school dropout and a self-taught artist, which he says, "explains a lot and excuses nothing." He had a syndicated comic strip for fifteen years and still contributes cartoons to several national magazines. Mr. Kent is also a popular children's book creator, having done such titles as Mr. Elephant's Birthday Party, Jack Kent's Book of Nursery Tales, Mr. Meebles, and The Wizard of Wallaby Wallow. He and his wife, June, a retired journalist, live in San Antonio. They have one son, Jack, who says his father is the best cartoonist in the country.

The Valentine Cat, illustrated by Leonard Weisgard

2012-02-14T07:30:00.000-05:00

The Valentine Cat - written by Clyde Robert Bulla, illustrated by Leonard Weisgard (1959).

Jennie's Hat, illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats

2012-02-13T04:30:00.000-05:00

Jennie's Hat - written & illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats (1966).

Spotty, illustrated by H.A. Rey

2012-02-10T04:30:00.000-05:00

Spotty - written by Margret Rey, illustrated by H.A. Rey (1945).

The Frog Prince, illustrated by Paul Galdone

2012-02-09T04:00:00.000-05:00

The Frog Prince - adapted from the retelling by the Brothers Grimm, illustrated by Paul Galdone (1975).

Calvin and the Cub Scouts, illustrated by Tom Hamil

2012-02-08T04:30:00.000-05:00

Calvin and the Cub Scouts - written by Patricia Miles Martin, illustrated by Tom Hamil (1964).

The Bear Scouts, illustrated by Stan and Jan Bernstain

2012-02-07T04:30:00.000-05:00

The Bear Scouts - written & illustrated by Stan and Jan Berenstain (1967).

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, illustrated by Art Seiden

2012-02-06T04:30:00.000-05:00

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs - illustrated by Art Seiden (1955).

Lord Rex the Lion Who Wished, illustrated by David McKee

2012-02-03T07:30:00.000-05:00

Lord Rex the Lion Who Wished - written & illustrated by David McKee (1973).

The Curious Chipmunk, illustrated by Georgi Helms

2012-02-02T07:30:00.000-05:00

The Curious Chipmunk - illustrated by Georgi Helms, written by Muriel Laskey (1946).

Gordon the Goat, illustrated by Munro Leaf

2012-02-01T07:30:00.000-05:00

Gordon the Goat - story & pictures by Munro Leaf (1944).

The King's Wish and Other Stories, illustrated by Leonard Shortall

2012-01-31T07:30:00.000-05:00

The King's Wish and Other Stories - written by Benjamin Elkin, illustrated by Leonard Shortall (1960).

Dookola Chmurek, illustrated by Jozef Wilkon

2012-01-30T07:30:00.000-05:00

Dookola Chmurek - illustrated by Jozef Wilkon, written by Anna Przemyska (1974).

The Little Old Man Who Cooked and Cleaned, illustrated by Seymour Fleishman

2012-01-27T07:30:00.000-05:00

The Little Old Man Who Cooked and Cleaned - written by Irma Simonton Black, illustrated by Seymour Fleishman (1975).

Come Over to My House, illustrated by Richard Erdoes

2012-01-26T07:30:00.000-05:00

Come Over to My House - written by Theo LeSieg, illustrated by Richard Erdoes (1966).

White Snow Bright Snow, illustrated by Roger Duvoisin

2012-01-25T07:30:00.000-05:00

White Snow Bright Snow - written by Alvin Tresselt, illustrated by Roger Duvoisin (1947).

N is for Nursery School, illustrated by Vladimir Bobri

2012-01-24T07:30:00.000-05:00

N is for Nursery School - written by Blossom Budney, illustrtaed by Vladimir Bobri (1956).

Cannonball Simp, illustrated by John Burningham

2012-01-23T07:30:00.000-05:00

Cannonball Simp - written & illustrated by John Burningham (1966).

Too Many Mittens, illustrated by Florence & Louis Slobodkin

2012-01-20T07:30:00.000-05:00

Too Many Mittens - written & illustrated by Florence & Louis Slobodkin (1958).

The Animals' Playground, illustrated by Art Seiden

2012-01-19T07:30:00.000-05:00

The Animals' Playground - written by Virginia Stone Marshall, illustrated by Art Seiden (1964).

I Know an Old Lady, illustrated by Abner Graboff

2012-01-18T07:30:00.000-05:00

I Know an Old Lady - written by Rose Bonne, music by Alan Mills, illustrated by Abner Graboff (1961).

Janie and the Giant, illustrated by Jack Kent

2012-01-17T07:30:00.000-05:00

Janie and the Giant - written by Sarah Barchas, illustrated by Jack Kent (1977).

Donkey-donkey, illustrated by Roger Duvoisin

2012-01-16T07:30:00.000-05:00

Donkey-donkey - written & illustrated by Roger Duvoisin (1940).

Hello Henry, illustrated by Ilse-Margret Vogel

2012-01-13T07:30:00.000-05:00

Hello Henry - written & illustrated by Ilse-Margret Vogel (1965).

Benjy and the Barking Bird, illustrated by Margaret Bloy Graham

2012-01-12T07:30:00.000-05:00

Benjy and the Barking Bird - written & illustrated by Margaret Bloy Graham (1971).

My Holiday Story Book, illustrated by Arnold Lobel

2012-01-11T07:30:00.000-05:00

My Holiday Story Book - written by Morris Epstein, illustrated by Arnold Lobel (1952).

Cecily G. and the 9 Monkeys, illustrated by H.A. Rey

2012-01-10T07:30:00.000-05:00

Cecily G. and the 9 Monkeys - written & illustrated by H.A. Rey (1942).

A Child's Garden of Verses, illustrated by Alice & Martin Provensen

2012-01-09T07:30:00.000-05:00

A Child's Garden of Verses - by Robert Louis Stevenson, illustrated by Alice & Martin Provensen (1951).

The Films of Marlene Dietrich

2012-01-06T07:30:00.000-05:00

The Films of Marlene Dietrich - by Homer Dickens (1968).

Films pictured - The Garden of Allah, Knight Without Armour, Angel, Destry Rides Again and The Lady is Willing.

The Fabulous Firework Family, illustrated by James Flora

2012-01-05T07:30:00.000-05:00

The Fabulous Firework Family - written & illustrated by James Flora (1955).

Cinderella, illustrated by Alan Suddon

2012-01-04T07:30:00.000-05:00

Cinderella - retold in story & collage by Alan Suddon (1969).

"Alan Suddon is head of the fine-art section of the Metropolitan Toronto Central Library. Like other fathers, he has often told the story of Cinderella to his children and for them he made the collages reproduced in this book."

W Wojtusiowej Izbie, illustrated by Olga Siemaszko

2012-01-03T07:30:00.000-05:00

W Wojtusiowej Izbie - written by Janina Porazinska, illustrated by Olga Siemaszko (1968).

Sloth's Birthday Party, illustrated by Diane Redfield Massie

2012-01-02T07:30:00.000-05:00

Sloth's Birthday Party - written & illustrated by Diane Redfield Massie (1976).

Today is Story Day, illustrated by Charles Payzant

2011-12-30T07:30:00.000-05:00

Today is Story Day: A Tale for Every Day in the Week - stories by Terry Shannon & Charles Payzant, illustrated by Charles Payzant (1954).

Monster Looks for a Friend, illustrated by Quentin Blake

2011-12-29T07:30:00.000-05:00

Monster Looks for a Friend - written by Ellen Blance & Ann Cook, illustrated by Quentin Blake (1973).

The Fireside Book of Children's Songs, illustrated by John Alcorn

2011-12-28T07:30:00.000-05:00

The Fireside Book of Children's Songs - collected & edited by Marie Winn, musical arrangements by Allan Miller, illustrated by John Alcorn (1966).

Mr. and Mrs. Button's Wonderful Watchdogs, illustrated by Roger Duvoisin

2011-12-27T07:30:00.000-05:00

Mr. and Mrs. Button's Wonderful Watchdogs - written by Janice, illustrated by Roger Duvoisin (1978).

Oxygen Keeps You Alive, illustrated by Don Madden

2011-12-26T07:30:00.000-05:00

Oxygen Keeps You Alive - written by Franklyn M. Branley, illustrated by Don Madden (1971).

The Witch's Christmas, illustrated by Norman Bridwell

2011-12-23T07:28:00.000-05:00

The Witch's Christmas - written & illustrated by Norman Bridwell (1970).

See also - The Witch Next Door.

The Bun, illustrated by Marcia Brown

2011-12-22T07:30:00.000-05:00

The Bun: A Tale from Russia - written & illustrated by Marcia Brown (1972).

A story similar to The Gingerbread Man.... only with a bun. I think I prefer the bun.

A Crocodile's Tale, illustrated by Jose & Ariane Aruego

2011-12-21T07:30:00.000-05:00

A Crocodile's Tale: A Philippine Folk Story - written & illustrated by Jose and Ariane Aruego (1972).

Schnitzel the Yodeling Goat, illustrated by Bill Giacalone

2011-12-20T07:30:00.000-05:00

Schnitzel the Yodeling Goat - written by Bil Baird, illustrated by Bill Giacalone (1965).

Schnitzel must be related to the goats from The Sound of Music...

The Story of Rocks and Minerals

2011-12-19T07:30:00.000-05:00

The Story of Rocks and Minerals - by David M. Seaman, illustrations by L. Oviatt Welcome and Lewahl Studios (1956).

Hoddy Doddy, illustrated by Jack Kent

2011-12-16T07:30:00.000-05:00

Hoddy Doddy - written & illustrated by Jack Kent (1979).

Our Country's National Parks

2011-12-15T07:30:00.000-05:00

Our Country's National Parks: Book One - by Irving R. Melbo (1941).

Mary Poppins from A to Z, illustrated by Mary Shepard

2011-12-14T07:30:00.000-05:00

Mary Poppins from A to Z - written by P.L. Travers, illustrated by Mary Shepard (1962).

Mr. Picklepaw's Popcorn, illustrated by Kurt Werth

2011-12-13T07:30:00.000-05:00

Mr. Picklepaw's Popcorn - written by Ruth Adams, illustrated by Kurt Werth (1965).

Alice in Wonderland, illustrated by Marjorie Torrey

2011-12-12T07:30:00.000-05:00

Alice in Wonderland - written by Lewis Carroll, illustrated by Marjorie Torrey (1955).

Animals I Like, illustrated by H. Guertik

2011-12-09T07:30:00.000-05:00

Animals I Like - written by Louv'a, illustrated by H. Guertik (1934).

The Curious Cow, illustrated by Mel Pekarsky

2011-12-08T07:30:00.000-05:00

The Curious Cow - written by Esther K. Meeks, illustrated by Mel Pekarsky (1960).

Katy the cow is my favorite cow in all of literature. The book ends with her deciding to be less curious (because she fell in a hole), but I hope she eventually gains her curiosity back: it was endearing and awesome.

At the end of the book Esther K. Meeks writes - "Curiosity may be bad for cows. But most of the time curiosity is good for people. Curiosity makes us want to read and find out about things. Curiosity helps scientists to make discoveries."

I think curiosity is good for cows too, Esther! Let Katy explore! Come on.

Three Bedtime Stories, illustrated by Garth Williams

2011-12-07T07:30:00.000-05:00

Three Bedtime Stories - illustrated by Garth Williams (1958).

I wish I could magically bring one of Garth Williams' pigs to life and hug it forever more.

Sir Orfeo, illustrated by Errol Le Cain

2011-12-06T07:30:00.000-05:00

Sir Orfeo: A Legend from England - retold by Anthea Davies, illustrated by Errol Le Cain (1970).

You and Space Neighbors, illustrated by Joe Phelan and Winnie Fitch

2011-12-05T07:30:00.000-05:00

You and Space Neighbors - written by John Lewellen, illustrated by Winnie Fitch and Joe Phelan (1953).

Little Dog, Dreaming

2011-12-02T07:30:00.000-05:00

Little Dog, Dreaming - written by Edith Thacher Hurd and Thacher Hurd, illustrated by Clement Hurd (1967).

What Makes an Orchestra, illustrated by Jan Balet

2011-12-01T07:30:00.000-05:00

What Makes an Orchestra - written & illustrated by Jan Balet (1965).

The Owl Who Hated the Dark, illustrated by Earle Goodenow

2011-11-30T07:30:00.000-05:00

The Owl Who Hated the Dark - written & illustrated by Earle Goodenow (1969).

Few things are cuter than the owl in his sunglasses.

A Child's Good Morning, illustrated by Jean Charlot

2011-11-29T07:30:00.000-05:00

A Child's Good Morning - written by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Jean Charlot (1952).

Pajaro-cu-cu, illustrated by Ingrid Wolf and Gertraut Fuchs

2011-11-28T07:30:00.000-05:00

Pajaro-cu-cu: Animal Rhymes from Many Lands - illustrated by Ingrid Wolf and Gertraut Fuchs

Giants Come in Different Sizes, illustrated by Jolly Roger Bradfield

2011-11-25T07:30:00.000-05:00

Giants Come in Different Sizes - written & illustrated by Jolly Roger Bradfield (1966).

The name of the kingdom in this story is Dingleburg. Which is awesome.

Also - owning a hamburger garden would be a delight.

Feast of Thanksgiving, illustrated by Anne Siberell

2011-11-24T07:37:00.000-05:00

Feast of Thanksgiving: The First American Holiday - written by June Behrens, illustrated by Anne Siberell (1974).

The Secret Three, illustrated by Arnold Lobel

2011-11-23T07:30:00.000-05:00

The Secret Three - written by Mildred Myrick, illustrated by Arnold Lobel (1963).

A charming I Can Read book including an undeniably handsome gent. Is it weird to have a slight crush on a character in a children's book?

Half-As-Big and the Tiger, illustrated by Leonard Weisgard

2011-11-22T07:30:00.000-05:00

Half-As-Big and the Tiger - written by Bernice Frankel, illustrated by Leonard Weisgard (1961).

The Plumber Out of the Sea, illustrated by Marc Simont

2011-11-21T07:30:00.000-05:00

The Plumber Out of the Sea - written & illustrated by Marc Simont (1955).

THE COLORS.

I LOVE THE COLORS.

I just needed to say that.

Sweet Betsy From Pike, illustrated by Roz Abisch and Boche Kaplan

2011-11-18T07:30:00.000-05:00

Sweet Betsy From Pike - adapted and illustrated by Roz Abisch and Boche Kaplan (1970).

"Roz Abisch and Boche Kaplan have used colorful fabric collages of burlap, calico prints, felt, rick-rack, ribbons, and beads to lend an air of early Americana to Betsy and Ike's amusing adventures... [they've] collaborated on many books for children, but this is the first time that they have worked in a collage technique. Their respective backgrounds as fashion artist and textile designer served them well in the selection and sewing of the variety of materials used in Sweet Betsy From Pike."

The Troll Music, illustrated by Anita Lobel

2011-11-17T07:30:00.000-05:00

The Troll Music - written & illustrated by Anita Lobel (1966).

Fossils Tell of Long Ago, illustrated by Aliki

2011-11-16T07:30:00.000-05:00

Fossils Tell of Long Ago - written & illustrated by Aliki (1972).

Noah's Ark, illustrated by Miche Wynants

2011-11-15T07:30:00.000-05:00

Noah's Ark - written & illustrated by Miche Wynants (1965).

Maxie, illustrated by Virginia Kahl

2011-11-14T07:30:00.000-05:00

Maxie - written & illustrated by Virginia Kahl (1956).

Beatrice and Vanessa, illustrated by Quentin Blake

2011-11-11T07:30:00.000-05:00

Beatrice and Vanessa - written by John Yeoman, illustrated by Quentin Blake (1974).

I love goats and I love Quentin Blake illustrations so obviously I'm a huge fan of this book. It makes me want to purchase a duo of goats and name them.... well, you can probably guess.

Arthur and the Golden Guinea, illustrated by Jean Berwick

2011-11-10T07:30:00.000-05:00

Arthur and the Golden Guinea - written & illustrated by Jean Berwick (1963).

The Ice-Cream Cone Coot and Other Rare Birds, illustrated by Arnold Lobel

2011-11-09T07:30:00.000-05:00

The Ice-Cream Cone Coot and Other Rare Birds - written & illustrated by Arnold Lobel (1971).

Benjy's Boat Trip, illustrated by Margaret Bloy Graham

2011-11-08T07:30:00.000-05:00

Benjy's Boat Trip - written & illustrated by Margaret Bloy Graham (1977).

Also - Benjy's Dog House.

The Fable of Profitt the Fox, illustrated by Bill Sokol

2011-11-07T07:30:00.000-05:00

The Fable of Profitt the Fox - written & illustrated by Bill Sokol (1964).

Eric and the Little Canal Boat, illustrated by Anne Rockwell

2011-11-04T07:30:00.000-04:00

Eric and the Little Canal Boat - written by Lillian Bason, illustrated by Anne Rockwell (1967).

Rumpelstiltskin, illustrated by Jacqueline Ayer

2011-11-03T07:30:00.000-04:00

Rumpelstiltskin - by the Brothers Grimm, illustrated by Jacqueline Ayer (1967).

The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes, illustrated by Marjorie Flack

2011-11-02T07:30:00.000-04:00

The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes - by Du Bose Heyward, illustrated by Marjorie Flack (1939).

The Laughing Dragon, illustrated by Kenneth Mahood

2011-11-01T07:30:00.000-04:00

The Laughing Dragon - written & illustrated by Kenneth Mahood (1970).

This tale is of the lovable yet infuriating sort. Like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: where the misfit character is ostracized yet eventually is let back into the fold and returns without bearing a grudge.

I am not so generous in my forgiving.

You throw me out of your reindeer games? Fine - but don't expect me to come and save Christmas.

You leave me all alone on a rocky island in the middle of the ocean because I'm a dragon that breathes fire when I laugh? Fine. Don't expect me to come and use my fiery giggles to help you out of a snowy grave.

C'mon Rudolph and Hojo (the dragon) - have some self-respect! They ditched you! Leave them to their own devices!

A Woggle of Witches, illustrated by Adrienne Adams

2011-10-31T08:00:00.000-04:00

A Woggle of Witches - written & illustrated by Adrienne Adams (1971).

Happy Halloween!

And on the topic of witches...

The Witch Next Door, illustrated by Norman Bridwell

2011-10-28T08:39:00.000-04:00

The Witch Next Door - written & illustrated by Norman Bridwell (1965).

The illustrations of the witch at the grocery store and moving furniture into her house remind me of Merlin's object-moving in The Sword in the Stone. Of course, everything seems to remind me of The Sword in the Stone.

It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

2011-10-27T07:30:00.000-04:00

It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown - by Charles M. Schulz, illustrations from the Bill Melendez-Lee Mendelson television production (1967).

So, these aren't "traditional" illustrations as much as stills from a film... but they are from a book & it is almost Halloween, so I thought they'd be worth a post.

What's That Noise? illustrated by Allan Eitzen

2011-10-26T07:30:00.000-04:00

What's That Noise? - written by Lois Kauffman, illustrated by Allan Eitzen (1965).

The father's snoring nose in the last picture is pretty amazing.

Handmade Houses, photographed by Barry Shapiro

2011-10-25T08:00:00.000-04:00

Handmade Houses: A Guide to the Woodbutcher's Art - written by Art Boericke, photographed by Barry Shapiro (1973).

So far I've been posting images from my vintage children's books, but today I thought I'd feature one of my "adult" books. I'd seen images from Handmade Houses floating around on blogs / pinterest (particularly the first image - with the bed), so I was excited to find a copy of the book they came from.

Floating and Sinking, illustrated by Franklyn M. Branley

2011-10-24T08:00:00.000-04:00

Floating and Sinking - written by Franklyn M. Branley, illustrated by Robert Galster (1967).

Mommies at Work, illustrated by Beni Montresor

2011-10-21T08:00:00.000-04:00

Mommies at Work - written by Eve Merriam, illustrated by Beni Montresor (1955).

Giant John, illustrated by Arnold Lobel

2011-10-20T08:00:00.000-04:00

Giant John - written & illustrated by Arnold Lobel (1964).

Another less friendly giant (but with a very similar circular nose)....

Hide and Seek Fog, illustrated by Roger Duvoisin

2011-10-19T08:00:00.000-04:00

Hide and Seek Fog - written by Alvin Tresselt, illustrated by Roger Duvoisin (1965).

Benjy's Dog House, illustrated by Margaret Bloy Graham

2011-10-18T08:00:00.000-04:00

Benjy's Dog House - written & illustrated by Margaret Bloy Graham (1973).

Margaret Bloy Graham is one of my very favorite illustrators, so I thought I'd post another one of her books today.

A brief plot outline - Benjy likes to sleep in beds. He does not like to sleep in dog houses made from barrels. Benjy runs away to avoid sleeping in his dog house. He ends up moving in with a baker. He eats many meat pies. Then the baker's cat comes back - bye Benjy. Benjy goes home to his barrel where a bad meat pie gives him nightmares (resulting in my favorite illustration). Benjy's family decides to let him sleep in a bed and not a barrel again. Happy ending.

The Meanest Squirrel I Ever Met, illustrated by Margaret Bloy Graham

2011-10-17T14:37:00.000-04:00

The Meanest Squirrel I Ever Met - written by Eugene Zion, illustrated by Margaret Bloy Graham (1962).

And - just for kicks - the best squirrel moment in cinema.