As I mentioned in a previous post, we are gearing up for a study of Japan with our co-op friends. I like to use resources that will wrap the younger ones into the fold, and picture books are always at the top of my list. I found a few that look like fun:
Last weekend, I noticed Yoko's Paper Cranes (above, left) by Rosemary Wells in our library's display cabinet. Origami was the theme, and though I 
hate to ruin the lovely display, I'm going to have to ask our librarian to open that cabinet up! (Is this considered proper library ettiquette?) Well, I suppose, after all, her intent was to entice us to ask!
I found The Badger and the Magic Fan (above, right) during that same library trip. Anything by Tomie de Paola is bound to be a hit, so in my bag it went. It would be fun to have the children decorate paper fans while we read the story aloud.
For years I have looked longingly at Japanese Children's Favorite Stories (left). There it waits, on a shelf at Barnes and Noble, and I leaf through it every now and then, soaking in all the soft colorful illustrations. It is lovely to look at for sure, but the stories all sound wonderful as well. The collection includes well known stories such as Peach Boy, The Magic Teakettle and the aforementioned Badger and the Magic Fan. It will be fun to compare de Paola's version of the same story!
Fortunately for bibliophiles (otherwise known as homeschoolers), all of these gorgeous books, and really almost any book we desire, is available at our local libraries.
In our family, when we've taken a book home at least three times (and returned it late at least twice), I know it's time to consider making room on the shelf for yet another literary treasure ...
