🧵 Most children’s books in 2022 are overly puerile, postmodern or political. Here’s a thread of wholesome tomes that emphasise intergenerational friendship, family harmony and community. Feel the WARMTH.
1. First up, the Pettson & Findus series, by Sven Nordqvist. 1/n
2. The Sorcerer’s Apprentice by Gerda Muller
A gorgeous retelling of Goethe’s classic tale. Are we agreed that the small glass of red wine in this picture completes it?
3. I don’t think there’s any beating the Oxcart-Man by the master, Donald Hall. I can’t be the only one who can smell that shop.
4. Katie Morag by Mairi Hedderwick.
Set on the fictional Scottish island of Struay, every single page is crammed with community. Gentle stories with a powerful sense of place.
5. The Tomten and the Fox by Astrid Lindgren and Eva Eriksson
The Tomten, who guards the farm at night, reprimands the sly fox with kindly bonhomie, offering him his own porridge after denying him the chickens.
6. Two Elsa Berkows for you here: Christopher’s Garden and The Root Children. Love how the first picture captures the fulsome generosity of an apple tree in blossom.
7. One of my all time favourites: Peter’s Old House by (the one and only) Elsa Berkow.
The mysterious master-builder Peter who arrives off the boat one day is a beautiful archetype who helps everyone: mending clocks, building toy boats, and telling stories.
8. Last but not least, a winter beauty: The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston ill. by Barbara Cooney
H/t to @rosary2battle for this one, my wife saw this recommended and snapped it up. Wonderfully tender tale set in the Appalachians & cozy to the core. 8/8
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