Dear Reader

I’m not reading like I used to (curse you, Internet!) so I’m having a little reading festival with these books I picked up recently. Starting with a lovely picture book of a Shaker sampler.
This is my favourite page: washing and a quilt on the line, a Durer-like rhinoceros plus a dear little kangaroo.I don’t remember ever reading Heidi so I'm starting here. I love the randy goats in the background; I’m sure they are just being friendly. I’m pretty sure I read Tom’ Midnight Garden when I was young but don’t remember the plot at all: Tom discovers something magical and adventurous when he is sent away from his sick brother. I love stories about children having to leave their families (during the war, because of illness) and the magical and strange people they discover (Carrie's War, Bedknobs and Broomsticks).
Rosemary Takes to Teaching, bought purely for the scary Rosemary on the cover. She doesn’t look like any teacher I know! No-one could have a waistline like that without drugs either. This is from a series called ‘Career Books’ for girls to give ‘a glimpse into the life of a school teacher'. Books in the series include Linda Learns to Type, Ann Hudson Apprentice Hairdresser, and Susan Kendall Qualifies (I'm not sure what Susan qualifies at, hopefully something like Assassin or Kickboxer).I love that Penny goes home again. Crikey, we send her away but the little blighter keeps finding her way home.

6 comments:

joanne said...

ha that made me laugh - as if teachers look like rosemary!!!!

Anonymous said...

my only memory of Hedi is watching the movie and crying my eyes out, so I've never read it! apparently it has a happy ending?! love your last comment about Penny too - what happened to it being ok to send your kids away to school?!

Cosy said...

God, I hope Heidi isn't sad! I cry over anything.

Yes, I think Rosemary is the devil himself. Probably a hockeystick through the heart is the only solution.

Poor Penny. I shouldn't joke. I think she's actually being sent to school in England from South Africa!

Victoria said...

I loved reading Tom' Midnight Garden (as an adult, or, sort of adult). Nothing much beats looking at illustrations in kids books I reckon.

Stacey said...

I actually did have a teacher that looked sort of like that. Same pointy boobs and similar hairstyle. Her name was Miss Batten (St Louis primary 1978).

lazy cow said...

Don't tell me you bought the abc book second hand? I've been looking for it everywhere, it's gorgeous.