It's Milking Time by Phyllis Alsdurf & Illus by Steve Johnson

This sweet little book is mostly just a nostalgic delight for me. Dairy farms were my childhood. 

Cow hide! 

A little farm girl heading out to get the cows.

Coming into the barn. 

We had one machine like this at some point, but it wasn't the typical kind. 

One thing I loved about farm life was working with my dad and brothers and sisters. We didn't always have deep conversations at 5 AM. But there is something about working together, being part of a team that makes you close somehow. We didn't dwell on that, since we weren't prone to heart to heart chats, but it just was. And I think it is part of the reason we are still close today. 

This book works through all the different parts of farm life, but older farms. Living in Amish country, we see those cans still in use everyday, but most non-Amish hasn't used them in ages. 

Feeding the calves was generally my job as the milker. Sometimes it was really obnoxious and dirty, but sometimes, it was calm and delightful. 

Calves are rather lovable. Or at least some are. There were a lot of dumb cows that came through our barns, but calves are so big eyed and excited it is hard not to love them. 

Swooping swallows and sunsets.

The washing up

And the heading back in. 

I loved walking from the barn to the house. The lights on, knowing there was supper, warmth, a shower, and bed. 

Over the River and Through the Woods Illus by Christopher Manson

The next one had woodcut illustrations which creates a vintage feel. 

This also had simplified lyrics, omitting some of the lesson known verses.

Iceboats!

For some reason, this version feels the most authentic. For no reason except the woodcuts look vintagey. 

I have to say, I love woodcuts.

I loved this one! 

Over the River and Through the Woods by Matt Tavares

Students love singing books, so I decided to get a copy of Over the River to sing to them. While searching for a copy, I found several different versions with very different illustrations. So I had to get them all. Because, who did it best? 

We must know. 

The first one I found, up in the top left has the most conventional illustrations. 

Period appropriate and attention to detail

We will not stop for doll or top 

For 'tis Thanksgiving Day

Conventional or not, I enjoy these illustrations! 

This is the only copy that had this particular stanza in it

Over the river, and through the wood, 

With a clear blue winter sky

The dogs do bark,

And children hark,

As we go jingling by. 

This is definitely an idealized version of a New England back in the day, but hey, I am not one to argue with a dollop of nostalgia. 

So I like this one. 

Kate, Who Tamed The Wind by Liz Garton Scanlon & Illus by Lee White

I was all set to fall deeply in love with this book, but it wasn't quite what I was expecting. I think I thought this disproving girl was going to tell the wind a thing or two, but really, this book is about the benefits of creating windbreaks. Granted, it is told in a charming and interesting way, but it was definitely different from what I thought I was going to get. 

We start out with a farm on the tip top of an outrageous hill. I would like to see the farmer who decided that was an ideal farm....

And here he is, doing laundry and losing laundry. 

Surprisingly at the tip top of the hill, the wind was very whippy. 

It even stole his hat. 

What to do?

Fortunately for Farmer Bad Choices, Kate lives in the town at the base of his hill. She knows a thing or two about the wind. 

So she applies her knowledge to this problem and comes up with a workable plan. 

And up she goes to the tip-top to share her plan with the farmer

Together they planted trees all around the hill.

Over time, the trees grew and grew until they were grown up. 

Kate and the farmer got older as well. 

And with the cleverly designed wind break, they could eat outside without any bother from the wind.

I should love this book more. I mean, trees, problem solving, nature, weather., ecologically responsible solutions.. but somehow I am just not crazy about it. It is a useful book that I will definitely read to school classes, but it isn't a book I am going to buy so I can treasure it on my bookshelf at home. 

Anne Arrives by Kallie George and Illus by Abigail Halpin

I was a little skeptical of this book. I mean how can you distill LM Montgomery into a short little picture book? 

BUT it really only handles a chapter or two per book (because other books are in the works!), so it isn't wildly condensed.

And it is illustrated by Abigail Halpin who happens to be a favorite of mine.

End papers

Floral borders are the best.

Wild roses and Mrs. Lynde puzzling over Matthews unprecedented trip to Carmondy in the middle of the day. 

Rachel Lynde going over to grill Marilla about circumstances. 

Anne waiting patiently.

The thing about favorite books being turned into illustrated versions is things do not always look exactly how they look in your head. The White Way of Delight looked differently. And it wasn't sunset yet. 

I feel like I need to reread this just so I can see if I was missing some details. Because that is entirely possible. 

Discussing the burden of red hair.

Disappointment.

Communing with the Snow Queen outside her window.

Anne determined to be happy even though she was being sent back.

The red roads of Prince Edward Island

And then the delight of staying and getting to name the geranium on the window sill.

Mrs. Lynde receiving mortal offense. 

Anne in high dudgeon. 

Anne, crowned and boqueted with wildflowers.