Elisa Klevin

We have enjoyed Elisa Klevin's artwork in many books but it was just recently that we discovered that the books she has written herself are truly extraordinary. They are filled with characters who live art and you get the sense that it must have been a pretty interesting time growing up with Elisa's family. Must-have books for a family that is trying to foster craftiness.

The Puddle Pail is a story about Ernst, a crocodile whose brother encourages him to begin collecting things (stones, feathers, bottle caps...the brother is truly compulsive!) Ernst is every bit as interested in the world around him but he doesn't want to lock it up, he delights in watching things change and interact. He finally decides to collect puddles but he quietly refuses to do it "the right way". An astounding story about a beautiful dreamer. Lena has been asking to read it again and again and I've been happy to oblige.

The Apple Doll is the story of another dreamer who spends her time playing alone in her apple tree until it's time to start school. Lizzie picks the best apple and makes it into a crude doll to take to school with her but the kids tease her and the doll begins to go soft. One of the noteworthy things about this book is that Lizzie's family is very supportive of her - even her older sister who suggests that she could plant her aging doll and let it grow into a new apple tree. Together they think of a way to save Lizzie's doll and she is able to share it with her classmates and begin to make friends.

One last book that we've read but she has many others which I know we'll be keeping our eyes out for. I think we jumped into this one mid-stream as I see now that there are other Paper Princess books, but it didn't matter. The paper princess is a paper doll lovingly created and treasured by a girl who is now growing up. She puts her on the dresser for safe keeping but the paper princess does not want to be shelved. The Paper Princess Finds Her Way is the story of her journey to find a new home.

The Island of the Skog by Steven Kellogg

A group of mice set sail in search of a peaceful island but are unsure what to do when they read in the atlas that the island they find is populated by one skog (no one knows what a skog is). Bring it a present or fire the cannons?

I might need to start a new tag called 'mythical creatures'. This is definitely one of Lena's favorite genres. I think she really likes to be surprised by a story. And she loves stories that are a little bit scary but have funny endings. We took this book to school to read after nap and she got very animated telling the other kids about the skog but she didn't spill the beans about the surprise ending! All the kids loved it. Parents will appreciate the Utopian premise of the story and the sarcastic comments that go along with it: "here we can all *feel* like kings, and that's the most important part of being king, as everyone knows."

Robot Dreams by Sara Varon

Sara Varon's wordless graphic novel about the experiences of two friends (a dog and robot) has been a mainstay for our family for over a year. This story is so rich and full of humor, beauty and melancholy. It is one of only a few books we have that doesn't have words and it is the only one in that vein that we reread frequently. While not written specifically with children in mind (I don't think it was, at least), it has definitely been a hit with our 2.5 year old daughter as well as us. We have checked out one of Sara Varon's other books (Chicken and cat) and that was also great.

Ladybug Girl by David Somar and Jacky Davis

Ladybug Girl is all about a little girl and her adventures. "Feeling as BIG as the whole outdoors, Lulu stretches out her arms and flies down the hill with her wings bobbing behind her" - has got to be one of my favorite lines! Very sweet and beautifully written. I know we are going to enjoy the rest of the series...

The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds

My husband reminded me that we LOVE this book too. I had completely forgotten about this book. It is all about a girl who doesn't think she can draw. Her teacher asks her to just start with a "dot" and see where it takes her.

The Princess Knight by Cornelia Funke and Kerstin Meyer

The book, The Princess Knight was an interesting find. It is a book about a girl who fights against the traditional "classic" princess role that her father wants to play and shows her family that she can make decisions for herself.

Friendship Valley by Wolo Von Trutzschler

In future posts, I promise I will contribute recommendations about books that feature strong female human characters.But I would be remiss in not mentioning this book - all about a group of animals (male & female) who come together as a family to thrive and flourish after a terrible fire destroys all of their homes. The lead character, Dorinda the squirrel is the one who saves them all and brings them together.