goodbye summer, hello autumn

The transition from summer to fall is palpable in Kenard Pak’s Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn. I'm loving the book's gentle beauty, its strong visual narrative and how the seasons are protagonists in the story.

We're savoring the last weeks of summer here but are looking ahead to fall (which in our case, still has its fair share of searing days). However, the evenings bring hints of autumn as the air bears a little more dryness and a kind of electricity, an alertness; an anticipation of something to come. I love observing the seasonal transformations—as small and gradual as they are—and the feeling of change. We are moving forward. We are shaking off the depleting, soporific heat of summer. Is anyone else more productive in the fall?

nothing but fun in noisy village

It’s Thursday and time for another edition of #classicchapterbooks with @the.book.report.  Nothing but Fun in Noisy Village is Astrid Lindgren’s third book in her Children of Noisy Village series.  It was originally published in 1952 but this edition was published last month.  Set in the bucolic Swedish countryside, this collection of stories follows the goings-on, mischief and adventures of Lisa, her two brothers and their friends who live on three farms in a row dubbed “Noisy Village” by their neighbors.  Whether they’re celebrating midsummer, exploring the caves across the lake or sleeping in the forest under the big night sky during a crayfishing trip, one thing is for sure—the children of Noisy Village are resourceful, resilient, imaginative and will have fun wherever they are.  They are brilliant at being kids.  A read-aloud of Nothing But Fun in Noisy Village would make a great close to your summer.

maxwell the monkey barber

Maxwell is in the business of taming wild hair (and fur) and there's no mangled mess he can't coif.  However, when Elephant comes in with an unusual and woeful request, the monkey barber goes back to the proverbial drawing board, dons his thinking cap and pulls an all-nighter.  That's devotion!  The solution he comes up with is nothing short of genius.

Cale Atkinson's jovial and spirited style is a treat, and is sure to turn around even the darkest of gray mornings.  Maxwell the Monkey Barber was published by Owl Kids.