The Enormous Turnip

Image via WikipediaThe Enormous Turnip written by Alexei Tolstoy and illustrated by Scott Goto is a great book beginner readers who need a little help. Are you familiar with the story? It's one of our favorites.


"They pull and pull, but will they ever pull that turnip up?"

The book begins with...


"Once upon a time, an old man planted a little turnip. "Grow, grow, little turnip - grow sweet! he said.

"Grow, grow, little turnip - grow strong!" And the turnip grew up sweet and strong and... enormous.

What I especially like are the end notes about activities in the back. The book is for ages 5-7; Grades 1-2.

* Write a story like The Enormous Turnip.


1. Choose a vegetable or fruit.
2. Think of five characters who will help each other.
3. Use your imagination to write a story about these five characters working together to pull up or pick the vegetable or fruit.
4. Draw pictures to go with your story.
Share your story with a friend!


* Play a memory game with friends!


1. Sit in a circle.
2. The first person says, "I pulled up the turnip with 
help from a _." Fill in the blank with something, such 
as dog.
3. The next person repeats what was said and adds someting else. That person might say, "I pulled up the turnip with help from a dog and a cat."

Paperback $7.99 and w/CD is $9.99

The Gigantic Turnip

Find out what happens when the old woman, the old man, and all twenty-one animals on the farm try to harvest a rather large root vegetable. This well-loved Russian tale uses humor, counting and repetition to appeal to beginner readers. Book with CD editions include story read by Ellen Verenieks.

Ages 3 to 7 years
Written By: Aleksei Tolstoy
Illustrated By: Niamh Sharkey
Narrated By: Ellen Verenieks

I love this story because it is solid in the message, entertaining and educational. Plus, the theme helps kids to 
understand that their actions can make a difference.  


Learn to tell The Gigantic Turnip in a lively and
entertaining way using these storytelling tips!
 

Activity by Linda Evans:

Show the children the bag of vegetables. 
Ask them if they know what is in the bag. 
Get them to guess. 
Take out the vegetables one by one. 
Finally, ask if anyone knows which one is the turnip. 
They usually won’t know, so make sure to point it out. 
Read the story aloud. 
Ask the children to listen carefully. 
They will be acting out the parts of the story the second time around, so they need to pay attention!
 
Now you should assign roles to each child. 
You will need 6 yellow canaries, 5 white geese, 4 black cats, 2 pot-bellied pigs, 1 big brown cow, 1 old man, 1 old woman and one mouse. 
And of course you’ll need to ask another adult or teacher to play the gigantic turnip! 

Next, get the rope and line up the children in order of the story.
They will pull on one end of the rope and the gigantic turnip
will pull on the other. 


Materials
 
1 group of children
1 enthusiastic adult
1 rope (six feet or longer)
1 bag of vegetables
(preferably the ones in the
book)

Read the story for the second time. As each child’s character is called, he or she will make his or her
way up to the rope and help pull. Eventually, all the children will pull at the rope and finally succeed
at uprooting the gigantic turnip.
Sit down with all the children and discuss the story. Ask them who it was that pulled up the turnip? Was it the old man? The big brown cow? Was it the mouse? No! You can explain that it was everyone working as a team that succeeded in pulling up the gigantic turnip! 


To order the book and see more images, visit my marketplace.

Happy Reading,

 



“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.” — C. S. Lewis

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

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Star Power of The Potato and The Gigantic Turnip

 A great picture book for kids that comes to my mind around this time of year is Barefoot Books "The Gigantic Turnip" by the author, Aleski Tolstoy and illustrator, Niamh Sharkey.

Here's a little bit about the book:

The Gigantic Turnip

Find out what happens when the old woman, the old man, and all twenty-one animals on the farm try to harvest a rather large root vegetable. This well-loved Russian tale uses humor, counting and repetition to appeal to beginner readers. Book with CD editions include story read by Ellen Verenieks.

 

Ages 3 to 7 years


Written By: Aleksei Tolstoy
Illustrated By: Niamh Sharkey
Narrated By: Ellen Verenieks

Paperback Book $7.99 My Book Store

  
This popular picture book is available in Spanish as well for the same price. 


Starting Thursday (weekend special offer) enjoy 20% off, plus get free shipping on orders of $60 or more at http://ladyd.barefootbooks.com

Photo credit: http://www.foodista.com

Nana's Mashed Turnip

Ingredients

• 1 large turnip, peeled and cubed
• 3 white potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1/4 cup milk
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. Place turnip and potatoes in a large pot with enough water to cover, and bring to a boil. Cook 25 to 30 minutes, until tender. Remove from heat, and drain.
3. Mix milk, 2 tablespoons butter, and sugar with the turnip and potatoes. Season with salt and pepper. Mash until slightly lumpy.
4. Transfer turnip mixture to a small baking dish. Dot with remaining butter. Cover loosely, and bake 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove cover, and continue baking about 8 minutes, until lightly browned.

Turnip Recipe

As I was gathering up some ingredients for our Thanksgiving preparations, I wrote this article about the "humble potato" and called this a befitting ode to the "lowly spud".

For many centuries now, the potato has been nominated in its supporting role shared with the spotlight on the main bird, the turkey, celebrated during Thanksgiving meals everywhere around the world. 

The potato comes in the form of over 5,000 varieties to choose from. I once planted the tubers and grew the potato in my garden and I have seen many varieties at our local farmer’s markets such as Brown Russets, Yukon Golds, white fingerlings, tiny egg-shaped new potatoes and red, purple, even blue potatoes. They all taste good and can easily be gobbled up but watch out for the green ones, especially those that have been sitting in the sun for quite awhile because they tend to have a bitter taste.

Goodness of the Potato 

Yes, a potato comes power-packed with lots of good nutrients, mostly more potassium than a banana to keep your heart and all of your cells happy. Potatoes are high in fiber to help with digestion and support your immune system with Vitamin C. You will find the potato is high in Vitamin B6 for your metabolism, plus the iron gives you needed energy. The potato is a good carb and is low in fat. Keep in mind that most of the nutrients are just under the skin so scrub lightly and enjoy.
The Russet Burbank potato is a large brown-skinned, white-fleshed variety of potato. It is commonly used in French fries in fast food restaurants. When used for making potato chips, it results in a dark-colored chip due to caramelization, its sugar content being higher than that of the Maris Piper potato, more commonly used by chip makers. It is also of high antioxidant activity, which is rare for starches.

Potato Power Types 

I thought of some of my favorite ways to prepare potatoes and maybe you would like to add to the list as well.

1. Smashed-Mashed Potato 

Have you ever mashed a potato and added sour cream? Tasted mashed potatoes with caramelized shallots or scallions? Then there’s mashed potatoes with a kick, adding Horseradish!

2. Cheesy Cheddar Potato Boat 

If you are on a diet or perhaps you are board with a plain baked potato and would like some suggestions in entertaining kids with a new recipe, the toppings for a baked potato are endless. Beginning with a fluffy oven baked potato adding sour cream and green onions to bacon bits and cheddar cheese shredded and melted on top. This is a meal of its’ own. Some dieters prefer cottage cheese and mustard in place of all the butter. Also, there is the Twice Baked Potato with Horseradish.

3. Pan-fried Potato
 
Whether you cut the potato in thin rounds, French-fry sticks or grated for hash browns, with a little bit of oil in the skillet you can serve up a hot dish that is satisfying with a choice of catsup or salsa for dipping. How about those garlic fries?

4. Grilled Potato
 
5. Oven-Roasted Potato and Scalloped Potatoes


6. New Potato (with lemon-butter) 

7. Potato Pancake , Potato Hash and Potato Bake Casserole with Bacon topping. 

8. Latkes 

9. Spanish Potato Tortilla 

10. Potato Salad, German Potato Salad, Nicoise Salad with Yukon Gold Potatoes adding Fennel. 

Being Greek, one of my favorite Mediterranean dishes is roasted vegetables in olive oil. Adding a cubed potato or two along with bell peppers, onion, garlic, zucchini, and carrots is a delicious, healthy meal to serve, with or without meat. Remember to add the oregano and I guarantee everyone will be drawn into your kitchen by the wonderful aroma and gathered around your table, family and guests will be complimenting and thanking you for this one.

Creativity with the Potato
 
If you are a “Potato Picasso” and enjoy making crafts with children, undoubtedly you have experimented with block printing. Perhaps you have added carrots and cut out paper feathers for your funny looking character, Mr. Spud Turkey. Do you remember placing toothpicks around your potato and standing it upright in a glass jar or vase in anticipation and joyful expectation of having your very own “sprouted potato” vine or bush? I do!

History and Origin 

Do you remember going to the root cellar to gather up some winter squash or a potato or two to bring up to the house? I was thinking about the starchy, tuberous crop called the potato, also belonging to the nightshade-family and its origin. Perhaps our story should begin with, “Once upon a time a lowly, tuberous vegetable growing wild in the Andean Mountains became the amazing, powerful potato. It seems the early beginning of the potato has genetically tested origins from Southern Peru, where potatoes were first domesticated between 3000 BC and 2000 BC.

The birthplace of the "Irish" white potato that we eat today is in the Andean Mountains of South America, at heights of 4,000 to 6,000 feet. The potato was cultivated more than 6,000 years ago near Titicaca Lake, on the border between Perú and Bolivia.

Once established in Europe, the potato soon became an important food staple and field crop. The potato was brought to Ireland, in 1565 as one story goes while others say Sir Walter Raleigh first grew it there in 1585. But lack of genetic diversity, due to the very limited number of varieties initially introduced, left the crop vulnerable to disease. In 1845, a plant disease known as late blight spread rapidly through the poorer communities of western Ireland, resulting in the crop failures that led to the Great Irish Famine. Approximately 1,500,000 Irish people died, while another 1,000,000 emigrated, primarily to the United States.

The potato remains an essential crop in Europe. The potato is the world's fourth-largest food crop, following rice, wheat, and maize. China is now the world's largest potato-producing country, and nearly a third of the world's potatoes are harvested in China and India.

What is amazing to me is that the easily-grown plant has the ability to provide more nutritious food faster on less land than any other food crop, and in almost any habitat.
Potatoes have been one of mankind's most important food staples for the past millennium. Throughout Latin America, the potato still goes by the Quechua name PAPA.

So, for this wonderful holiday with grateful hearts and thankful for so many blessings, may you eat and enjoy the power of the potato, while perhaps later on towards the end of the day, turning into that “couch potato.”
http://www.qondio.com/star-power-of-the-potato

I have been gardening for 37 years. I enjoy eating from the abundance of the land and sharing good, healthy fruits and vegetables with family and friends. 

Wishing you many blessings around your Thanksgiving table!


-- Love, LadyD

“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.” — C. S. Lewis

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

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The Barefoot Book of Knights by John Matthews and Illustrator Giovanni Manna

 Such a marvelous turn out we had at the Friday Market. I was pleased to see so many special Grandmother's shopping for books and puppets for their Grandchildren's Easter baskets!


To prepare for an upcoming event, I've already started making bean bags from soft, green corduroy. You know, it's a cotton-filling pile fabric with lengthwise cords or ridges.

Sewing with all different shades of green fabric for book bags reminded me of another Barefoot Book:

The Barefoot Book of Knights

Embark on medieval adventures with the seven stories in this multicultural, knightly collection. The stories emphasize the importance of bravery, cooperation, humor and recognition of weaknesses. Book with CD editions include stories read by actor Anthony Stewart Head.

Ages 8 and up
Retold By: John Matthews
John Matthews Website 
Illustrated By: Giovanni Manna
Narrated By: Anthony Head

 Wonderfully well written tales about Knights from seven different countries, all linked together by the story of Tom, the Page. As Tom learns the values and skills of the knights, he is mentored by Master William, who tells him the stories in this book. Each story is adventurous, clever and highlights the good values and chivalry of the knights.

Great art by Giovanni Manna... love his work! See more  of his illustrations:
You and Me

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The Barefoot Book of Knights by John Matthews, illus. by Giovanni Manna, a collection of seven stories from as many nations, is framed as a series of anecdotes told to a young page. Full-page and vignette ink-and-watercolor illustrations resurrect a bygone era, offering a glimpse of landscapes and architecture from Russia to Japan.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. 

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-5-This book introduces Tom, a 10-year-old who is beginning his training at a castle, gives some historical information about knights and knighthood, and then returns to the boy. There is almost no real story line to his experiences. Certain events, such as disliking kitchen work, prompt Master William to tell a story to assist him in understanding the role and behavior of knights. All of the tales are adaptations of knight tales from around the world and all of them teach a lesson. This is not the best introduction to chivalry, knighthood, or the folklore surrounding it. The author does give sources but these are not the best adaptations available. The illustrations are quite stylized. In color, with some good detail, they often have an odd perspective. Characters seem to be always looking out of the corners of their eyes and their faces are a strange shape. Too many angles create an uncomfortable feeling. There are many great books on knighthood and many great collections of folklore representing this period in history, making this one unnecessary in most libraries.
Susan Lissim, Dwight School, New York City
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
Wonderful news regarding the hardcover version of this book:  On sale from $19.99 now $4.99 
Yes, as you know, I have my own portable book store. I love doing fundraisers for local schools in my community and hosting book parties as well. If you are interested in becoming a Barefoot Books Ambassador, just send me an email. Also, you might want to stop by my market place, click on the pages and order a book. Yes, I will get credit... thank you!
Shop Barefoot Books
Watch out for dragons blowing fire. Hide your treasure and lock up your princesses! Wait a second, what are we scared of? Barefoot book of Knights will save us! :) 
Thanks for stopping by.

I hope you enjoy your stay at Barefoot Books-LadyD
Take off your shoes and go barefoot!

Book Review: Fireside Stories by Caitlin Matthews

Fireside Stories

Tales for a Winter's Eve

Gather round the hearth to share these wintry tales. Drawn from countries and cultures all around the world, these eight stories express the magnificent and unique aspects of the winter season, and each story is preceded by an introduction with background information on its origins. 

Ages 5 and up
Retold By: Caitlín Matthews
Illustrated By: Helen Cann
About The Book:
Well-written, Educational, Multicultural, Stories, Great illustrations

When the wind starts howling and the days are noticeably shorter, it is time to stay inside and snuggle up with your children and read a good book! Starting around Halloween, Fireside Stories is the perfect book to read. The stories are well written and tell both young and old of holiday traditions from around the world. Children will love learning about other cultures and the stories act as a springboard for you to discuss your family's own holiday traditions and beliefs. 

A collection of stories woven into this beautiful hardcover book express the magnificent and unique aspects of the winter season. Caitlin Matthews lifelong interest in folklore and storytelling shows brilliantly through Fireside Stories along with Helen Cann's beautiful winter wonderland pictures. I especially love the colorful border designs that go with each special story!

By The Fireside begins with:
"When the nights grow long and the days grow short, when summer is a distant memory and the cold and darkness of winter an ever-present reality, it is good to sit by the fireside and tell stories." 

The Stories:
A Story for Halloween
The Lonely Boatman
Scotland
A Story for the First Snowfall
The Winter Cabin
Russia
From "The Animal's Winter Home" in Alexander Afanasiev's collection The Three Kingdoms: Russian Folk Tales, Raduga Publishers.
A Story for Christmas Eve
Schnitzle, Schnotzle & Schnootzle
Austria
From Sawyer, Ruth, The Long Christmas, Viking Press.
A Story for the New Year
The Cantor Of The Trees
Russia
From Eisenberg, Azriel & Leah Ain Globe, The Secret Weapon and other stories of Faith and Valor, Soncino Press.
A Story for Midwinter
The Twelve Brothers
Czech Republic
From Williams, Harcourt, Tales from Ebony, Nattali & Maurice Ltd, London, 1947
A Story for Twelfth Night
Babushka
Russia
From Robbins, Ruth, Baboushka and the Three Kings


A Story for the Return of the Sun
The Bag of Warmth
Canada
From "Legends of the Slavery Indians of the MacKenzie River" in The Journal of American Folklore
A Story for the Coming of Spring
The Cailleach Of The Snows
Scotland
Mackenzie, Donald, Wonder Tales From Scottish Myth amd Legend, Blackie & Son Ltd, London
Matthews, Caitlin, King Arthur and the Goddess of the Land, Rochester IL., Inner Traditions.
Book can be purchased at my market place for $19.99
http://ladyd.barefootbooks.com
So tell me, do you have a favorite? Although our nights here in California may not be as chilly as where you are, still it is an enchanting evening for me to gather around a warm fire and read to my Grandson. So very difficult to choose a favorite because each story is unique and special in its own way... I suppose just like snowflakes!
Happy Reading,
LadyD

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Babushka: Classic Russian Folktale

I had a fabulous time at the Grace Presbyterian Holiday event that was held last Saturday. When I first arrived, all the vendors were busily preparing their tables and I set up outdoors. Barefoot Books received a very warm reception from the people and I was so pleased to have introduced these wonderful children's books to the community of San Diego North County.



One particular sale that stood out in my mind was meeting a darling woman from Poland who was attracted to the book, Babushka. All of my hardcover books were placed on one side and paperback books with story time CDs on the other. I believe the customer was attracted to the size of the book, its shape and definitely its bright, colorful cover.
This sweet Grandma opened up the book and started immediately reading the books contents.



* About the book:

Meet Babushka, a woman who is so busy focusing on the little things, that she hardly notices the miraculous events going on around her. This touching Christmas story shows that the more you give away in love, the more you will receive.

Ages 3 to 7 years

Retold By: Sandra Ann Horn

Illustrated By: Sophie Fatus

* Product Details:

Pub. Date: September 2002
Publisher: Barefoot Books
Format: Hardcover, 32pp
Age Range: 5 to 7
ISBN-13: 9781841483535
ISBN: 1841483532

* Annotation

While traveling, Babushka gives her gifts for the Christ child away and thinks she has nothing left to give the baby, only to discover that everything she gave away, she also gave to him.

* School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1-Babushka is so obsessive about cleanliness that she tells an angel who comes heralding Jesus's birth that she'll have to wipe her feet. When the three kings invite her to join them, she says she does not have time. "What about the washing up?" she asks. She finally decides to make the journey alone and packs some gifts for the baby, which she gives away to needy folks along the way. When she realizes that she's empty-handed and starts to return home, she hears someone call her name. It's Mary welcoming her into the stable, and Babushka finds the baby surrounded by all of her gifts. She decides to hold him instead of tidying up. Based on a Russian folktale, this version is charmingly told but it is hard to see how Babushka's cleaning mania is connected to her generosity, or what lesson she is supposed to have learned at the end. The richly colored, stylized acrylic paintings feature Russian-style clothing and buildings as well as palm and fig trees. An attractive but flawed retelling.-E. M

* Step Behind The Story:







* About The Author

Sandra Ann Horn is the author of several children's picture books and storybooks, among them The Dandelion Wish and Babushka. The Dandelion Wish follows two young preschoolers as they discover that their wishes come true when blowing on a dandelion. School Library Journal reviewer Judith Constantinides commented that Horn's "imaginative and lyrical text is paired with lovely impressionistic illustrations radiating light and sunshine," and will no doubt "captivate readers with its rhythmic words, as the pictures do with their beauty."

http://www.answers.com/topic/sandra-ann-horn

* What I Like:

Babushka is a story filled with love and warmth. It will teach children to not only be kind to others but as well to take time and appreciate the beauty that the world is filled with. The story is very well written and will teach its young readers the invaluable lesson of kindness and gratefulness. Sophie Fatus' illustrations are marvelous as well.

Babushka is an endearing Christmas story, a classic Russian folktale. It helps readers recognize the big picture-- to forget about the little things like tidying up the house or polishing the silver. Instead, Babushka learns a wonderful lesson of love and appreciation that everyone can benefit from. Celebrate life, not the gifts. A book to add to your holiday favorites!


Happy Reading!
~ LadyD

The Real Princess A Mathemagical Tale by Brenda Williams

Enjoy a special price for a limited time (through August 21st) on this delightful princess story! This paperback with story time Cd was $9.99 now $7.99
Short Description: Introduces basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, and includes a 'Test Your Maths Skills' section.
# ISBN 10: 1905236883
# ISBN 13: 9781905236886
Pages: 40
Reading Level: Ages 4-8

A classic with a twist, this number-crunching take on The Princess and the Pea features not just one princess, but three, not to mention four horses, five dogs and six grooms, seven gardeners, and all kinds of chances for young mathematicians to put their adding and subtracting to the test!

Practice your math skills while enjoying this quirky take on "The Princess and the Pea." The King and Queen and their three sons are on the search for a real princess, but it is only the Queen who knows the secret. After the story, there is an opportunity for readers to test their counting skills with fun number games. Book with CD edition includes story read by actress Juliet Stevenson.

Ages 5 to 9 years

Written By: Brenda Williams

Illustrated By: Sophie Fatus

Narrated By: Juliet Stevenson

Theme: Children's Books / 4-8 Years, Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction, Children: Kindergarten, Concepts - Counting & Numbers, Concepts - General, Fairy Tales & Folklore - Adaptations, Fairy tales, Fiction, Juvenile Fiction, Kings, queens, rulers, etc., Preschool Picture Story Books, Princesses, Royalty (kings queens princes princesses knights etc.), Science & Technology - Mathematics
About The Author:

Brenda Williams has written:
Home for a Tiger, Home for a Bear

Amazing Birds
Reach for the Stars: Ancient Egyptian Pyramids

About The Illustrator

Sophie Fatus is one popular gal in my book. I love her illustrations. I am a huge fan of her artwork! I especially like Sophie's stripey and spotty fish prints:

http://www.art.com/gallery/id--a3222/sophie-fatus-posters.htm?CrID=3222
Here is a list of her Barefoot Books she has brought to life with her beautiful, colorful illustrations:


From Booklist
PreS-Gr. 3. Baptiste is an internationally known yoga instructor who has written several guides for adults. His debut yoga title for children uses a clever fiction framework to introduce basic poses. In class, a young narrator sees parallels between what the other students' parents do and what his father, a yoga instructor, does: "Niki says her mommy's a gardener," reads one page. "Sometimes my daddy's a tree." The following spread features a man in tree pose along with step-by-step illustrations demonstrating how to move in and out of the posture. Other poses--the dog, the airplane, the pretzel, and so on--follow. The cheery, tropical-colored paintings reinforce a sunny mood; the simplified, naive-style images may not have the clarity of photographs, but they still offer adequate demonstrations. Although kids will need help with the positions and the hints about yoga's more spiritual benefits, they'll easily be drawn into this upbeat introduction, while their parents will connect with Baptiste's motivational introduction. Pair this with Thia Luby's excellent nonfiction Children's Book of Yoga (1998) for more instruction. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Review
This deck of activities for a greener world is divided into the elements of Air, Earth, Fire, Water and Space. Each element inspires five kinds of activities: breathing, individual and partner poses, games and action. The series also includes kiddie tips for no-waste lunches and building focus, as well as ways to use force and finesse to deal with frustration. --UrbanBaby Daily Picks
Yoga Planet is a great way to get kids (and adults) moving, laughing and most importantly thinking about the world around them. --Tobey and Jennifer Maguire


From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 1-Babushka is so obsessive about cleanliness that she tells an angel who comes heralding Jesus's birth that she'll have to wipe her feet. When the three kings invite her to join them, she says she does not have time. "What about the washing up?" she asks. She finally decides to make the journey alone and packs some gifts for the baby, which she gives away to needy folks along the way. When she realizes that she's empty-handed and starts to return home, she hears someone call her name. It's Mary welcoming her into the stable, and Babushka finds the baby surrounded by all of her gifts. She decides to hold him instead of tidying up. Based on a Russian folktale, this version is charmingly told but it is hard to see how Babushka's cleaning mania is connected to her generosity, or what lesson she is supposed to have learned at the end. The richly colored, stylized acrylic paintings feature Russian-style clothing and buildings as well as palm and fig trees. An attractive but flawed retelling.-E. M.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
K-Gr. 3. Babushka is too busy to accompany the three kings on their way to see the Christ child. Later an angel appears in her dream, singing about "a baby born in a stable, with nothing but a swaddling cloth to wrap him in." Troubled by the image, Babushka sets out to find the child, bringing a warm shawl and other presents. Along the way, she meets several people in need and generously gives away her gifts. Imagine her surprise when she reaches the stable and sees the baby wrapped in her shawl with the other presents nearby. Mary's simple explanation is the key to the story: "Everything you gave with love, you gave to my son, also." This is a departure from the traditional Russian folktale, in which Babushka becomes a Santa Claus-like figure, never finding the baby she seeks but leaving presents for other children. Fatus' acrylic illustrations burst with interesting details, patterns, and textures. Their figures resemble miniature dolls with such exaggerated features as heavily lashed almond eyes set in perfectly round heads. A lovely Christmas story with a wonderful message about the joys of selfless giving. Lauren Peterson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved





http://ladyd.barefootbooks.com

The Gigantic Turnip by Aleksei Tolstoy - Book Review

One of my favorite paperback books that you will find on my bookshelf is called The Gigantic Turnip written by Aleksei Tolstoy. I am a farmer and delight in harvest time
because my pantry and freezer are filled with canned fruit and frozen vegetables. To share my lovely garden with my Grandchildren is a wonderful teaching time on how seeds grow. Here is a look at my abundance of green beans and tomatoes this summer!







What I especially like about this children's book is that the story is fun to read and look at. The illustrations are beautiful as well as the story being entertaining and educational. It's a great way to practice memory skills! The children enjoy counting the characters, the sing-song lilt, and of course finding that the "hero" of the story is the smallest creature on the farm!



This story can be enjoyed over and over by children of all ages. The illustrations alone are exceptional and captivating. The various themes of this tale can be incorporated into many areas of study. This book not only helps with counting, but delivers a message of working together to get something done. Share some laughs while reading how everyone on the farm (including the animals) help to harvest one hefty turnip.



* Product Details:


The Gigantic Turnip
Find out what happens when the old woman, the old man, and all twenty-one animals on the farm try to harvest a rather large root vegetable. This well-loved Russian tale uses humor, counting and repetition to appeal to beginner readers. Book with CD editions include story read by Ellen Verenieks.

Ages 3 to 7 years

Written By: Aleksei Tolstoy

Illustrated By: Niamh Sharkey

Narrated By: Ellen Verenieks

* Paperback w/ Story CD $7.99
Hardcover w/ Story CD $16.99

* Spanish Edition- Children's Book



The wonderful thing about Barefoot Books is that they provide children's books in Spanish and in French. I have a great idea for my winter garden this year... I think I'll grow turnips! :D


http://ladyd.barefootbooks.com