It’s still much too hot in Sarah’s neck of the woods for her to even think about putting on a fall Spotify playlist. She’s dutifully holding off, because, as we all know, fall doesn’t officially begin until the 22nd, but it is difficult at times. And her desire for apple pie grows more intense each day. These desires and digressions are neither here nor there, however. You, dear reader, came for the books, not the forecast. Read on for a little-known picture book suggestion from Patience Bradford, biblical stories retold as fairytales, and proof that a doll can be a girl’s best friend.
Beautiful routines
, over on her Substack, has a lovely reflection on the pictures-only books of Jan Ormerod. Sarah hadn’t heard of these charming tales, and appreciated the way Bradford carefully laid out why these books were important to her and how they can engage readers:These aren’t books about dramatic adventures or fantastical journeys. These are about the texture of daily life—how it feels to transition from sleep to wakefulness, from private play to public engagement, from the energy of day to the quietude of night. This is a recurring theme in books I find myself drawn to: while fantastical stories certainly have their place, children often delight most in seeing their own daily experiences reflected and honored. The normal is extraordinary to them—getting dressed is an accomplishment, bath time is an adventure, bedtime stories create entire worlds. Ormerod understands that these transitions deserve careful attention, that the rhythms we often take for granted contain their own beauty.
Apple pie time
Okay, maybe it isn’t quite apple pie time, but surely we’re close, right? If you’re like Sarah and absolutely can’t wait for the weather to match her desired menu, take a deep breath and pull out Marjorie Priceman’s How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World (1994). Once you read it . . . you’ll still want to make an apple pie. Lucky for you, she included a recipe. Bon appetit!
What the kids are reading
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