Old and New Storybooks

Owl Moon by Jane Yolen todays’ children storybook summary is Owl moon By Jane Yolen Illustration by John Schoenherr Storyline: One late night a girl and her father go owling. It is winter and the snow is covering the ground and the girl is all bundled up. They walked through the still forest without a word because, said Pa, when you go owing you don’t need words, just hope. They stroll through the dark woods, cold air creeping up the little girls back. But she says nothing because when you go owling you have to be brave.

The Farmer and the Clown by Marla Frazee today’s children storybook summary is The Farmer and the Clown By Marla Frazee Storyline: It was a hot summer day and the farmer was out, working on his land. He was an tall, old farmer, black boots, pants with suspenders, a large brim black hat and a long white beard. On the horizon, the circus train was just happening to pass by when something fell out.

Ginger and Petunia by Patricia Polacco today’s children storybook summary is Ginger and Petunia by Patricia Polacco Storyline: Ginger is an accomplished pianist and teacher, with a great love for clothes. Her fashion style is very sophisticated and she often says “you are what you wear”. She also has a pig pet, called Petunia, to whom she dedicates all her love and attention. One day, Ginger has to attend an out of town musical event, on a short notice. It is the first time that she must leave Petunia alone.

The Village of Round and Square Houses by Ann Grifalconi today’s storybook summary is The Village of Round and Square Houses by Ann Grifalconi Storyline: This story comes from the village of Tos in Cameroon and it is narrated by a girl that left the place when she was almost a grown up. The village has, indeed, two kind of houses: square houses for men and round houses for women, and the girl tells us why.

How Martha Saved Her Parents from Green Beans by David LaRochelle today’s children storybook summary is How Martha Saved Her Parents from Green Beans by David LaRochelle Illustration by Mark Fearing Storyline : Tuesdays, Martha’s family used to have  green beans for dinner. Martha, a girl about 5 years or older, didn’t like green beans and never ate them in spite the fact of being left alone at the table. She did not believe that green beans are good for you, as her mother said, or that they make you strong, as her father put it.

Honestly, Red Riding Hood Was Rotten by Trisha Speed Shaskan today’s storybook summary is Honestly, Red Riding Hood Was Rotten by Trisha Speed Shaskan Illustration by Gerald Guerlais Storyline: This is the classic plot of the old Red Riding Hood story but narrated by the wolf itself. We get to see the world through this bad wolf’s eyes. From the beginning he has an excuse for his actions: he is hungry.

A Bad Case of Stripe by David Shannon book cover today’s storybook summary is A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon Storyline: Camilla Cream is a school age girl that loves lima beans and wants to please everybody. But she cannot admit to other kids that she likes the beans because nobody like them and she is afraid they might laugh at her. Also she cannot decide what to wear to school because she cannot find an outfit that may please everybody.

My Mom is a Foreigner, But Not to Me by Julianne Moore today’s children storybook summary is My Mom is a Foreigner, But Not to Me by Julianne Moore Illustration by Meilo So Storyline: This book doesn’t have a particular storyline but more of an idea, a perspective, that the author wants to clearly share with her readers:a mother’s love is above race, nationality or place of origin.

The Sleeping Lady retold by Ann Dixon today’s children storybook summary is The Sleeping Lady Retold by Ann Dixon Paintings by Elizabeth Johns Storyline: This is retold a legend of the Inlet People of Alaska and their legacy. It is said that, long ago, there lived some giant people on the shores of Cook Inlet. The weather was warm, the natives had flower, fruits, and wild animals roamed the forest. The Inlet people were living in harmony with the land, in peace and happiness. But soon, this will come to an end.

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig today’s children storybook summary is Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig Storyline: One day, Sylvester Duncan, a donkey youngster, finds an unusual looking pebble, small and red, that he takes it to add it to his collection. While studying it, he discovers that the pebble has magic powers, precisely that it fulfills any wish as long as you hold it. Excited, he runs home to tell his parents. But on his way home, just about Strawberry Hill, he meets a hungry lion and because he panics and cannot think clear, he wishes he was a rock (so the lion won’t see him and eat him). And so, his wish comes true.