Ever

Coming in May: a new book by Gail Carson Levine! So very exciting. Read more at Sarah Miller's blog and go wild.

The Willoughbys

Lois Lowry, author of The Giver and Number the Stars, among others, has written a new book. The Willoughbys are an old-fashioned family: four children, neighbors to a mysterious man on whose front steps they leave the baby they found on their stoop--with the addition of a ransom note... The book is basically a parody of children's classics. Think Hansel and Gretel combined with Mary Poppins and The Bobbsey Twins, with references to Heidi, James and the Giant Peach, and Jane Eyre, just to name a few. It comes complete with a tongue-in-cheek glossary and bibliography. The entry for Mary Poppins states:

Mary Poppins is not at all like the cheerful, spritely movie person played by Julie Andrews. She is a stern, cross, vain and mysterious nanny who arrives on the wind at the home of the Banks family in London to care for their four children... Ms. Poppins does not sing, ever, and would not like being portrayed as someone who did.

So true.

For the Parents Who Are Best at Everything!

Mom and Dad are no longer left out of the fun. Written in the same style as The Boys' Book and The Girls' Book, we now have The Moms' Book and The Dads' Book! These books claim to have "gathered the most essential tricks of the trade from some of the world's best [parents]. The result: a humorous handbook full of wisdom and wit."

For moms: You'll find sections on everything from waking kids up in the morning and putting them to bed at night to "things not to do to your kids," as well as party planning, cooking, shopping, and finding time for yourself.

For dads: Sections such as "How to Change a Diaper," "How to Avoid Changing a Dirty Diaper," "How to Teach Your Child to Ride a Bike," "Ten Best Threats," "Pocket Money--What it Will Cost You!" and "Ten Best Bribes."

These would make great Mother's Day, Father's Day or baby shower gifts.

What Are You Reading?

I am not reading this year with nearly the momentum I had last year (college seems to have cut down a bit on my perceived reading time), but Daddy-Long-Legs, by Jean Webster, only took me a day to finish. The whole book is written in the form of letters from an orphan girl to her anonymous benefactor, the man who is paying her way to college. She only caught a brief glimpse of him once, so all she knows of him is that he is tall. And rich. And she has been told he doesn't like girls. As her repayment for his generosity, she is ordered to write him a letter every month, to which she should not expect a response. Knowing so little of him, least of all his name, she has some trouble coming up with a name to address her letters to:

I suppose I might call you Dear Mr. Girl-Hater. Only that's sort of insulting to me. Or Dear Mr. Rich-Man, but that's insulting to you, as though money were the only important thing about you. Besides, being rich is such a very external quality. Maybe you won't stay rich all your life; lots of very clever men get smashed up in Wall Street. But at least you will stay tall all your life! So I've decided to call you Dear Daddy-Long-Legs.

It is a very enjoyable book, witty and sweet. We don't currently have it in stock here at The Alphabet Garden, but we can order it and have it in a few days if anyone is interested.

What are you reading these days? Anything good? Feel free to share in the comments section.

Hardcover Discount

Just wanted to let you all know that ALL adult hardcovers are now 10% off at The Alphabet Garden! Come on in and treat yourself to a good book to curl up with during tomorrow's snowstorm.

Pigeon Plush!

The Alphabet Garden now carries a stuffed toy of everyone's favorite Pigeon! And when you squeeze him, he yells, "Let me drive the bus!" in true Pigeon style. (Pigeon books are written and illustrated by Mo Willems and include Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late!, and The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog.)

We also now have plushes of the unicorn from Claire and the Unicorn, by B.G. Hennessy; Pretzel from the book of the same name by H.A. Rey; and Maisy from the books by Lucy Cousins.

Valentine's Day Books

Looking for a book to give your valentine? We have several options for you.

A few of my favorites:

Pat the Bunny: Bunny Kisses is a touch-and-feel board book, with a button that makes a kissing noise when you press it. Very sweet!

Fancy Nancy Loves, Loves, Loves!, by Jane O'Connor, is a reusable sticker book featuring everyone's cherished (that's a fancy word for favorite) fancy girl, Nancy.



Hug Time, by Patrick McDonnell, was just published in November. It tells the story of a kitten who was "so filled with love he wanted to give the whole world a hug."


Another one I like is I Like You, by Sandol Stoddard Warburg, an ode to best friends of all ages. "I like you because..." the book begins, and lists reason after reason, ending finally with "I guess I just like you because I like you."