The Cloud Spinner by Michael Catchpool; illustrated by Alison Jay - Hardcover - Random House

The Cloud Spinner by Michael Catchpool; illustrated by Alison Jay - Hardcover - Random House is a wonderful new book that teaches children  to not be greedy.   I love this story of a a little boy who weaves beautiful clothes out of clouds but never uses too many clouds until he is asked to do more.  This is a wonderful story of how excess can be destruct.  Michael Catchpool weaves (pun intended) a magical new fable that teaches without being preachy. As for the illustrations  I have  said this before but I am a huge fan of Alison Jay.   I just love her illustrations and these do not disappoint.   I really love her color palette and the way she complements the text.   This is a must have new classic ----for everyone.

Flashback Tuesday: Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories by Dr Seuss

My sister Ann and my brother-in-law Marc go every year to volunteer at Camp Takumta in Vermont.   It is children's camp for kids with cancer.  Every year they come back with stories of these amazing and resilient kids.   It always makes me cry.  There is always a theme for the week....this year's theme is Dr Seuss.   All the counselors and cabin leaders are reading a Dr Seuss book they even dress in costume, which is always fun.    My niece Celia helped my sister make little awards for he cabin of little girls.....they came out really cute with a seusian flare about them.   My sister's story comes from today's book....which makes it perfect to talk about.  



Dr Seuss always wrote stories that have some sort of message in them...even if the message doesn't always seem clear.  Yertle the Turtle is the same way....although the message in each of the three stories seems clear as  the proverbial bell.   The second story entitled "Gertrude McFuzz" is the story my sister is reading.   It teaches us that sometimes envy is can cause more trouble than it's worth and that we should be happy with who we are.  These stories are a great way to teach children without being preachy.   These books aren't read as much as the more common Dr Seuss books but they come in handy when a point needs to be made.   A must have book for all children....and some grown ups too!