I started reading Honk: The Moose by Phil Stong this afternoon to second graders. The book's copyright is 1936, and one child said, "If a book is that old, people could call it china." Why? I asked. "Because it is fragile," he told me, with a voice that indicated it should be obvious!
Incidentally, the children were instantly engrossed in the story of Ivar and Waino, two boys who discover a real moose in Ivar's father's livery stable. Timeless fears and surprises kept their interest and made them gasp and laugh. They all want to go to Biwabik, Minnesota to see the statue of Honk there.
It is comforting to know that some books never grow old, even if they might grow "fragile." It reminds me of another favorite from the 1930's, MR. POPPER'S PENGUINS.
ReplyDeleteYour photo looks like the hoarfrost we had recently, which--like Honk--never fails to enchant.
ReplyDeleteWhat another good china book to mention, David! Kids still love that one as well.
ReplyDeleteIt is the recent hoarfrost, Joyce. I LOVED how spiky and lovely everything looked that morning.