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. 

Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora

A generous woman with a yummy pot of red stew discovers the joys to be had in giving in this sweet book. 

And just so you know, you pronounce Omu like Ah-moo. Omu means queen in Oge Mora's parent's Nigerian. Omu is what Mora called her grandmother--Queen. I love that!

The collage illustrations are vibrant and fun

Omu makes a lovely pot of red (calico) stew. She is quite sure this will be her best ever dinner.

While it cools, she sits down to read her book. I love her. 

While it cools, the delicious smell wafts out to the neighborhood. 

(You might not be able to see it, but her potholder is made out of a scrap of a map. Which I love)

Throughout the afternoon, she shares her best ever dinner with a boy, a police officer, a hot dog vendor and many others. 

Until finally, Omu has nothing left to share. Just when she is feeling a bit down about this situation, there comes a knocking on the door. 

And all the grateful recipients of Omu's generosity have returned bearing gifts of food for Omu's dinner. 

Generosity takes center stage here, but I love that a sense of community and the ten fold return on that generosity are also bit players. 

Through sharing, Omu has enriched the lives of her neighbors and that has enabled them to be generous as well. 

Pigs Love Potatoes by Anika Denise & Illus by Christopher Denise

I am at my sister's for Thanksgiving. As I was nosing through her books, I discovered this one. Since we are pealing about 15 pounds of potatoes for tomorrow's dinner, it seemed apropos. 

My kids are little piggies when it comes to potatoes. SO MANY POTATOES IN OUR LIFE. But honestly, I am okay with that. Peeling potatoes, throwing them in a pot, adding a little butter, cream, and salt to create something fluffy and yummy that my kids devour? It is kind of like magic. 

Anika and Christopher Denise are a husband and wife team. I like husband and wife teams.  

I went way overboard on pictures for this book, but I really enjoy fat little piggies. 

SO ADORABLE. 

This is basically a counting book.

One little pig is helping

Another comes to peak.

TWO little get a scolding. 

Helping in the kitchen, playing in water, bright colors, and a pig in a tutu. 

My heart. 

In case you did not see exactly how cute that dancing pig is, here is a closeup! 

Joyful peeling! 

Then, DADDY'S HOME!

Oh the excitement!

Bright red front porch swing... Happy sigh! 

A neighbor drops by. I love the red and striped piggy's excitement! 

And I like the subtext of Mommy and Daddy pig here. Clearly Mommy was not keen on having company tonight. 

But then a few more friends drop by.

Happy piggies with tummies full of potatoes! 

In November by Cynthia Rylant & Illustrated by Jill Kastner

This is a simple, sweet little book about what November is. 

I love Cynthia Rylant. And you should too. 

JIll Kastner's illustrations are beauteous. 

Little Mousie, skittering across leafy snow. 

Bare branches lifted high against the blue.

Birds fluttering away

But some stay.

In November, animals sleep more. The air is chilly and they shiver. 

Dogs know what is up! No drafty barn for them. They plunk down in front of the cozy fire. 

In November, the smell of food is different. It is an orange smell. A squash and a pumpkin smell. It tastes like cinnamon and can fill up a house in the morning, can pull everyone from bed in a fog. Food is better in November than any other time of the year. 

Favorite lines!! Although, I do not entirely agree with them. Food is cozier in November, but summer and spring have pretty awesome food as well. 

Togetherness in November.

Goodbyes. 

And driving home by the light of the moon.