The Little House

by Virginia Lee Burton

Copyright 1942

1943 Caldecott Medal winner

 

The passage of time – 

      Hour to hour

      Day to night

      Season to season

      Decade to decade

The beautifully detailed watercolors and charming story of a sturdy little house with a soul tells the story of the passage of time.  

A man builds a house way out in the country.  He builds it so well that he expects many generations to live there.  This house is very happy while watching time go by.  She watches the children play in the brook, swim in the pool, go off to school, and sled on the snow-covered hills.  Far off in the distance, the little house sees the lights of the big city and is curious about what it would be like to live there. 

Over the years, the little house senses change in its country setting.  First the city lights appear closer.  Then a paved road is built in front of the house.  Other houses start appearing nearby.  These changes are gradual, but eventually, the little house finds herself surrounded by tall buildings and the noise and lights of the city.  Soon, an elevated train appears and the little house can even feel the rumble of the subway. 

  

Don’t worry, though… a happy ending is in sight.  The sad and lonely little house is discovered by the great-great-granddaughter of the original builder who realizes the house belongs in the country.  As the house was built so well, it can be lifted from its foundation and moved by truck many miles away until it is once more sitting on a hill, surrounded by apple trees and green grass.

This book is a perfect example of an important truth.

Hour by hour, season by season, year by year – our world changes.  Whether or not we view these changes as progress or decline, the change will come.  Don’t let these changes allow you to forget the past.  

This is one reason why I have a passion for old books.  Sure, I appreciate my Kindle at times.  But walking into my home library, I can pick up and hold in my hands memories and knowledge of years past and even generations past.  When the literal or figurative noise and lights of the city get to be too much, I can transport myself back to the beauty and peace of the countryside. 

I will not let progress allow me to forget the past. 

No Flying in the House

By Betty Brock

Original copyright 1970

A few years back, little snatches of this book started creeping into my mind.  I remembered stumbling upon it as a young child while browsing the stacks at my public library.  At the time, I loved the idea of not only being able to fly around the house, but also having a tiny talking dog of my very own.  What little girl wouldn’t?  

When I started thinking about the book, I had no recollection of the title – just that it involved a girl who could fly and a little talking dog.  I went to my favorite database that many public libraries offer access to, Novelist Plus.  With a simple keyword search of “flying girl talking dog”, I was able to rediscover No Flying in the House.  

Rereading this many years later, I can still see the wonder in the story.  Annabel, a very young girl, cared for by Gloria, her three-inch tall canine guardian, learns a secret.   Annabel is actually half human, half fairy.  One proof of her fairy ancestry is that she is able to kiss her elbow.  

(Anyone who reads this book stops reading to attempt to kiss her own elbow – go ahead – try it.)

Eventually, Annabel learns to fly and is thrilled with her new-found ability.  The catch is that by the age of seven, she has an important decision to make.  She’ll have to choose between the fairy world and the human world.  However, if she chooses the fairy world, she will never meet her parents or belong to a family.  The choice:  the excitement and prestige of being a fairy, or the companionship and love of family and friends.  
 

Annabel, who has grown up without parents, longs for a mother to love her and a father to playfully toss her up in the air.  Her loneliness guides her choice, and leads to a joyful reunion with her human father and fairy mother.  

In some ways, I guess this is a choice we all make, every day.  Relationships with others vs. money, prestige, or thrills.  Which is more important to you?

I Capture the Castle

by Dodie Smith

Original copyright 1948

This copy printed 1998 

 

“I write this sitting in the kitchen sink.”

So begins one of my favorite books of all time.  

Cassandra writes on to “capture” her unusual family and living situation on paper.  Besides 17-year old Cassandra, the cast of characters includes her older sister Rose who is desperately waiting for a wealthy man to sweep her off her feet; her father Mortmain who, after one brilliantly successful novel is now struggling with endless writers block; a step mother, Topaz who is a former model who likes to “commune with nature”; Simon, a hired boy who stays on even though the family can’t pay him because he is hopelessly in love with Cassandra; and Thomas, her younger brother, who never gets enough to eat.

Enter the Cotton brothers from America, Simon and Neil, the wealthy landlords who have arrived from the states and are curious about the castle’s inhabitants.  The story takes us through the many encounters these two families have with each other.  Many are humorous.  I laughed aloud during a part of the novel involving Cassandra and Rose, a train ride, the Cotton brothers, and a case of mistaken identity involving an old bear fur. 

This is the first novel of Dodie Smith, written prior to her more popular children’s story, 101 Dalmations.  In short, it is a coming of age story of a girl growing up in England in 1930 in a poor, but eccentric family.  Look deeper and it’s an insight into the mind of a bright, sensitive, witty young woman growing up in an unusual environment, learning about love, disappointments, and the imperfections of herself and those around her.  

As Cassandra’s story shows, life is not about “happily ever after”.  Life is about looking at people, situations, and events with an open mind and a sense of humor.  Learning from our embarrassments as well as our triumphs – fully embracing both pain and pleasure that is thrown our way.  That is how we “capture” our lives. 

Mud Pies and Other Recipes

By Marjorie Winslow

With illustrations by Erik Blegvad

copyright 1961

“Doll cookery is not a very exacting art.  The time it takes to cook a casserole depends upon how long your dolls are able to sit at table without falling over.  And if a recipe calls for a cupful of something, you can use a measuring cup or a teacup or a buttercup.”

This delightful cookbook is full of recipes perfect for a summer day.  With dry humor, the author provides just enough guidance to give confidence to the youngest cook to use her imagination to embellish the recipes.    

From the most basic Dollypop – a fluffy dandelion for your doll to lick – to a Sawdust Cake made of clay and sawdust, frosted with moss – you will find a delicacy for even the pickiest guest.  

It was a beautiful day for an outdoor party, so we decided to try out a few recipes.  After an appetizer of chips and dip, we moved on to a lovely flower petal soup.  A delicious pine needle and mint roll-up made for a perfect dessert.  Don’t these dolls look like they had a great time?

chips and dip - with a garnish

flower petal soup

mint and pine needle roll-ups - yum

Who needs expensive toys?  We had fun with just a little mud, some leaves, stones, and shells, and a little imagination.  And a book, of course.

The Trumpet of the Swan

By E. B. White

Pictures by Edward Frascino

Copyright 1970

I’ve had this set of three E.B. White books for almost as long as I can remember.  While I read both Charlotte’s Web and Stuart Little many times, The Trumpet of the Swan never caught my attention.  Last week, I decided to give it a go.

Louis is a trumpeter swan who was unfortunately born without a voice.  His parents worried that this disability would prohibit him from living a full life.  Louis was befriended by Sam Beaver, a boy who loves all wild animals.  In an effort to help his friend, Sam decides to bring Louis to school with him.  Being a very intelligent swan, Louis quickly learns to read and write.  Before flying back to his family, Louis is given a slate and chalk that hangs around his neck so he can always communicate in writing.  Of course, when he returns to the pond, he finds that none of the other swans can read, so they have no idea what Louis is doing. 

 

In an effort to help his son, Louis’s father flies to the city, crashes through the window of a music store and steals a trumpet for his son.  Louis learns to play beautifully.  And not just a honking swan call, but taps, reveille, and full songs!  The trouble is, Louis feels guilty about his father stealing from the store so he sets off to raise money to pay back the debt.  Along the way, he has many adventures and meets the love of his life.  Although he does question at first whether or not his beloved Serena really loves him, or is just attracted to his possessions.

After many interesting jobs, Louis not only flies around with a slate and chalk and a trumpet, but also a life-saving medal from camp and a very full money bag.  He sometimes questions the wisdom of being encumbered by so many possessions, but keeps working hard so he can pay off his father’s debt.

Being a swan, Louis is apparently unaware of the cost for the trumpet and repairs to the store, and ends up with much more than is necessary.  What does he do with the extra money after paying the debt?  He donates it all to the Audubon Society of course.  

This book contained more lessons on money and material possessions than I realized.

• It’s not right to steal. 

• Work to pay off your debt. 

• Earning lots of money but giving up your freedom isn’t worth it.

• Possessions can weigh you down.

• Give away what you don’t need.

All so very true!