We did get as far as to read the book and initial pages with pictures we most wanted to mount. Sure, I knew about Curious George as a kid. Somehow, I didn’t realize how terrible the story was.

Now, I don’t mean to sound extreme. Lord knows my views are extreme enough for this small town I call home. And my husband says some of my liberal views are a bit over the top even for those in the distant state from which I was born, the land of fruit and nuts. But still, as much as I love animals, I’m not giving up red meat, which I think evens me out a bit, right? But have you read Curious George lately? I’m talking about this one, the one I presume is one of the first, which tells the story of how The Man in the Yellow Hat meets George. It goes like this: Yellow hat man is in the jungle and sees George and says, “What a nice little monkey.” He throws down his hat and when George comes down off his nice tree in the jungle he calls home where, presumably, his mother and father monkey parents live and have raised him, yellow hat man grabs George and throws him in a bag. He then whisks George on to a ship and they sail to the big city and George wreaks havoc on the town because he is curious. I’m thinking The Man in the Yellow Hat gets everything he deserves for snatching George out of his happy jungle home and moving him across the pond to a”better place.”

Because I don’t believe in banning books, and the PBS show is cute and entertains my son, I am willing to oblige when my boy pulls that book from his bookshelf and asks me to read it. But I do point out as we read that although George seems happy with yellow hat man now, it sure isn’t nice to snatch animals – or people – up from where they happily live just because you want to play with them.

I also point out that even though George smokes a cigar to relax in that book, my son might not want to light up one himself. My, how stories have changed over the years …

What do you think? Do you have a problem with the origin of that cute little monkey story, or am I just being a bit too extreme?

Photo, my Curious George book

Post from: Blisstree

Is This Kid’s Book Sending a Bad Message?

Image:sxc.hu

I thought I’d pass this information along in case parents, grandparents and others would find this list of interest for reference.  Some books deal with death of a family member or friend; others are about the death of a pet.

• Remembering Mrs. Rossi by Amy Hest
• Love You, Soldier by Amy Hest
• Because of Winn Dixie
• Each Little Bird That Sings
• Sarah Plain and Tall
• The Higher Power of  Lucky
• Carolina Harmony
• Julia’s Kitchen
• The Tenth Good Thing About Barney
• Blackberries in the Dark by Mavis Jukes, about a boy visiting his grandmother after the death of his grandfather
• Sun & Spoon by Kevin Henkes
• Saying Goodbye to Grandma by Jane Resh Thomas
• Some of Us Survived: The Story of an Armenian Boy by
  Kerop Bedoukian,  an eyewitness account of the Armenian Genocide
  written from the author’s point of view when he was 8 years old.
• The Road from Home by David Kherdian  is the true story how Kherdian’s mother and  family were annihilated and driven from their historic homeland during the Genocide.

Do you have any to suggest that you think are particularly good at helping youngsters…and adults?

Post from: Blisstree

Books for Youngsters About Death

I’m also writing in the Arts and Crafts section so will have occasional information about book and writing related topics there.  Browse around BlissTree.  I’m sure you’ll enjoy what you find here.

Post from: Blisstree

One Book Two Book Now on BlissTree

Over at One Book Two Book, I’ve posted a list of books about the Obamas and the United States Presidency, Childen’s Books About Obama & the Presidency.

Perhaps you’ve discovered some you consider helpful.

Post from: Blisstree

Obama Books for Children & Adults

After reading my post, 5 Favorite Posts Regarding Story Books, Carmen commented,

I am trying to find the fabric for “The Quiltmakers Gift” or any other children’s story…where to I go about finding the fabric….it’s been quite challenging. Your assitance is greatly appreicated..

Does anyone know where to find fabrics that represent story book characters? 

 Have you made quilts from story books?  Perhaps you’ll share your experience with us or point us to a link on your blog where you explain this.

Post from: Blisstree

Fabric to Represent Story Books, Particularly “The Quiltmaker’s Gift”

It’s fun to see how excited the youngsters become when it’s Book Fair Time at school.  Yesterday I was substitute teaching and took children to the area in the library where the books were displayed.

Even though there were few books for adults, unless you were looking for teacher instruction and activity books, it also was fun to browse with the youngsters.  This reminded me of the lure of bookstores, whether I’m searching for fiction or quilt books, adult or children’s books.

I also was pleased to discover that there were many fewer gimmicks and gadgets for the youngsters to buy at this book fair.  I don’t think there were any posters of movie or tv celebrities either.

I’ll admit, I’m disappointed when I see the students spending their money on these items that, yes, make money for the book company, but don’t promote reading.  Thus, I often also see students playing with something in which they lose interest quickly or toss into the trash.  So the concentration on books was delightful.

Do you have any favorite places for book browsing? 

(Amazon image; click on book for details)

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Do You Enjoy Book Browsing…for Quilting & Other Books?

I’m featuring a drawing/giveaway for a copy of my children’s anthology,Tales of Adventure & Discovery, described in the post, Mary Emma Allen Publishes a Children’s Anthology .It contains fun stories for youngsters, ages approximately 6-10.  I also illustrated the anthology. 

Quilt book authors may find ideas in it to use for a book project they’re considering publishing.  Parents and children like the stories. Teachers also use this book in their classroom, and I include it when giving author presentations and teaching writing workshops for children and adults.

Incidentally, the story, “Visiting Grandma Can Be Fun,” involves  Lisa making a quilt with her grandmother.

Check out the guidelines for this giveaway at Home Biz Notes.  The drawing ends Tuesday, August 5, at 11:59 PM (eastern).

(Amazon image) 

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen 

Post from: Blisstree

Drawing for Mary Emma Allen’s Children’s Anthology at Home Biz Notes

 Periodically I go through my Quilting and Patchwork posts and come across some that are favorites. 

Here are five quilting posts that caught my attention tonight.

The Rag Quilt by  Lauren Mills

The Keeping Quilt by Patricia Polacco

The Lure of Sunbnnet Sue

Quilting With Grandma (a poem)

Can You Write a Quilting Story?

Do you have some favorite posts here at Quilting And Patchwork?  I’d enjoy having you tell me what they are!

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

5 Favorite Quilting Posts Including Story Books

 My love of children’s and young adult books has flowed over to One Book Two Book, a blog for book lovers and readers at here at b5media.  As a children’s author as well, I find writing this blog with Karen Weideman very fulfilling. 

At One Book Two Book, I can share my love of reading and writing and hopefully inspire youngsters and adults to enjoy the same.  I also share my stories with youngsters in schools through substitute teaching and author visits, as well as writing workshops.

Here at Quilting and Patchwork, I’ve mentioned children’s books involving quilting as the story theme and hope you’ve enjoyed them if you had a chance to read them.  In some of my writing for children, I include the craft of quilting, and have a quilting scene in my book-in-progress, Papa Goes to War.  (This is a Civil War era middle reader loosely based on my family history.)

Stop by One Book Two Book and let me know what you’d like to find there.

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Quilting & Patchwork Blogger also Co-Blogging at One Book Two Book