Virginia Wolf by Kyo Maclear; ill. Isabelle Arsenault Kids Can Press, 2012 32 pages Fifty years ago, Maurice Sendak published Where The Wild Things Are--and all hell broke loose. Parents, educators, and politicians alike were horrified that anyone would produce a picture book centered around children's deepest, darkest emotions and fantasies. Most didn't want to … Continue reading Virginia Wolf
Jessica
Jessica by Kevin Henkes Greenwillow Books, 1989 24 pages Kevin Henkes is one of my favorite author-illustrators for children. His perceptive, sometimes sly and snarky heroes and heroines are among the most engaging characters in picture book land. And his lovely little jewel-like illustrations beautifully capture the simultaneous limitations and limitlessness of a child's world, … Continue reading Jessica
Charlotte’s Web
Charlotte's Web by E.B. White; ill. by Garth Williams HarperCollins, 1952 192 pages Growing up, I read very little contemporary children's literature. Instead, my personal syllabus was full of Victorian and early 20th century authors: Dickens, Alcott, Montgomery, Lewis, Tolkien. I loved their flood of words, the historic texture of their stories, the feeling of … Continue reading Charlotte’s Web
Read Like a Girl 