From: Robin Smith <smithr>
Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 10:39:59 -0600

I am so enjoying the lists of people's favorites of the year. It makes me rethink some books that I had pushed to the side.

        I would like to put in my two cents for How are you Peeling? Foods with Moods by Saxton Freymann and Joost Elffers. This delightful volume has amused me and my students over the past few weeks. The bright and colorful vegetables and fruits, cut into expressive faces, elicit amazed gasps and sighs from the young children in my school. It may not be Caldecott material, but it sure has lightened the mood around my neck of the woods!

        I was glad to see The Birthday Room by Kevin Henkes on someone's list. I loved the spare language, serious but believable story line and the character development. I read it in one gulp. I am often amazed at Henkes' gift at finding just the right voice for his various characters. Words of Stone is one of my all-time favorite books for middle readers.


I find myself looking at publication dates of some "older" favorites and being surprised to find they were published earlier in this year. I had forgotten that Horace and Morris, but mostly Delores by James Howe came out this year. I bet I have read it aloud 20 times! A number of first graders cited it as the first book they could read all by themselves. One girl said, "That was the first book I could read all by myself. I think I am just like Delores." The lively text and joyful illustrations were perfectly joined.

I wonder what other books came out in the early Spring that are memorable?

Thanks again for adding to my mental list of books to get to over vacation.

Robin Smith
Received on Wed 15 Dec 1999 10:39:59 AM CST