Listen Some More to What Lindy Says

The very versatile Lindy Michaels, whose passion is to inspire young minds through children’s literature, is back again today to tell you about some books she adores.

Lindy owned L.A.’s first children’s bookshop, OF BOOKS AND SUCH (1972-1987) where she did storytelling, taught drama to children, had art and poetry contests and the like. According to Lindy, “It was truly a ‘land of enchantment.” She also spent years lecturing on realism in children’s literature at colleges in the state. For close to five years Lindy has worked for Barnes and Noble in the children’s section and does storytelling every Saturday at 10:30 a.m. where we first met. I think she might even be more gaga over kids’ books than me, if that’s possible!

And don’t forget this upcoming event at BOOKSTAR, 12136 Ventura Blvd., Studio City 91604, (818) 505-9528, on Sept. 4th. Ted Jacobs has set children’s poetry to Celtic music, has two CDs out and he and his group will be doing a concert at BookStar on Sept. 4, during Lindy’s regular Sat. 10:30 am storytelling. “It’s going to be fabulous!!”

In today’s post she’s chosen to share some more of her particular personal favorites:

YOU ARE MY I LOVE YOU
Written by Maryann K. Cusimano Love and illustrated by Satomi Ichikawa

“I am your parent. You are my child.
I am your quiet place. You are my wild…”

And so begins a love letter from a parent to their child. With sweet and gentle illustrations, this is the perfect gift for new parents and later, such a lovely sentiment to read to little ones to show how much they are, indeed, loved.

“… I am your dinner. You are my chocolate cake.
I am your bedtime. You are my wide awake…”

There is no doubt that this book will be treasured
and touch your heart for a very long time. Simply beautiful.

“… I am your lullaby. You are my peek-a-boo.
I am your goodnight kiss. You are my I love you.”

THE THREE LITTLE WOLVES AND THE BIG BAD PIG
Written by Eugene Trivizas and illustrated by Helen Oxenbury

Of course, we all know the story of the three little pigs and the big bad wolf. But trust me, the Big Bad Pig makes that wolfy seem like the nicest guy on the block.

No matter how strong the little wolves build their houses: brick, then cement and finally with armor plates and barbed wire, the Big Bad Pig uses everything from a sledge hammer, to a huge pneumatic drill, and finally TNT, to ‘blow’ their houses down.

But then the little wolves have an ingenious idea, however unlikely, for their fourth and hopefully last house!

Would there be a happily ever after for the three little wolves? This very funny and delightful story ends with a message both children and parents will get a kick out of and ultimately, even learn a life’s lesson.

JOSEPH HAD A LITTLE OVERCOAT
Written and illustrated by Simms Taback

The story, the Caldecott winning illustrations, the message, oh my!

“Joseph had a little overcoat. It was old and worn… So, he made a jacket out of it and went to the fair…”

And then continues the saga of Joseph the tailor’s much loved overcoat that keeps getting smaller and smaller. Not being able to give it up, after the jacket, he makes a vest out of it, then a scarf, a necktie, a handkerchief and finally, a mere button he uses to hold up his suspenders. And then, oy vey, he loses the button.

Okay! I won’t keep you in suspense.

“… So Joseph made a book about it. Which shows… you can always make something out of nothing.”

LOST AND FOUND
Written and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers

One morning, a boy finds, of all things, a sad looking penguin at his front door. Since the penguin say nothing, the boy asks the birds in his yard and even his rubber ducky, when he takes a bath, where the penguin might have come from, since it must be lost.

Then, after researching the subject, he learns that penguins come from the South Pole… so very far away. But wanting to take the penguin back to his home, the boy, with the penguin’s help builds a boat and they start off on their long voyage. Although the penguin never says a word, the boy tells him stories to pass the time.

Finally arriving at the South Pole, the boy drops off the still silent penguin with an umbrella, in case the weather gets bad. On the way home and with no one to tell stories to, the boy thinks. And thinks. And then he realizes something very important. The penguin wasn’t lost at all. He simply was lonely.

The satisfying ending to this incredibly lovely book will stay with children and adults, alike. Without a doubt, this is one of my very favorite children’s books.