How to use this Page

By Nicki Richesin, The Children’s Book Review
Published: May 24, 2012

I love the nostalgia of rediscovering books with my daughter I had nearly forgotten from my childhood. I remember her exact expressions (of laughter or surprise) as I read about Ferdinand as he’s stung by a bee; baby ducks strut across a busy Boston street in Make Way for Ducklings; and when Madeline proudly displays her appendix scar to her friends and poor Miss Clavel.  I think you’ll find these classic books recently reissued will enchant the next generation of kids too.

Taka-Chan and I

As told to Betty Jean Lifton (photographs by Eikoh Hosoe)

This is kind of a cuckoo idea for a book: a dog named Runcible digs a hole in Cape Cod that tunnels to a Japanese beach where he meets an adorable little girl named Taka-Chan. An evil sea dragon agrees to free Taka-Chan if they can find the most loyal creature in all of Japan and place a white flower at his feet. Hosoe’s breathtaking black and white photographs blend seamlessly with Lifton’s compelling story. The heroic duo’s devotion, friendship, and determination make this book one you’ll treasure always.

Ages 5-9 | Publisher: New York Review Books| April 3, 2012

The Little House 70^th Anniversary Edition

By Virginia Lee Burton

This little house is not on the prairie, but resides in a peaceful setting with green fields full of daisies, apple trees, and happy critters all around. That is, until the builders and town starts to slowly encroach upon the little house’s surroundings. Winner of the 1942 Caldecott Medal, this is a sweet testament about how to appreciate the slower pace of life in the verdant countryside. The new edition comes with a bonus audio CD. For more details on Burton and her award-winning books, check out this film about her life and work.

Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt | April 17, 2012

Andrew Henry’s Meadow

By Doris Burn

As a child, I first fell in love with Burn’s detailed illustrations. Then, of course, her story inspired such a sense of creativity as Andrew resourcefully takes care of himself and builds his own village of houses and nutty inventions. It gave me an inkling of life’s possibilities

Recently I did a post on a book illustrated by Doris Burn, Christina Katerina and The Box. I came across another book illustrated by Burn, (that I forgot I had) while looking for a book to post today called Hudden and Dudden and Donald O'Neary. 


This story is about about two greedy farmers who want to steal a cow and land away from a penniless man named Donald O'Neary. But of course, greedy is bad, the poor man out smarts the farmers and though they gloss over it, I believe they drown in the lake. Hooray! (Just kidding) This story was adapted, which leads me to think it's most likely a very old story. 


Burn was in top form for this book. Her illustrations in Hudden and Dudden and Donald O'Neary remind me of The Story of Ferdinand, illustrated by Robert Lawson. Just really well executed pen and ink illustrations with great character development.

1 Comments on Hudden and Dudden and Donald O'Neary, Doris Burn, last added: 2/17/2012

Display Comments

simonsterg said, on 2/17/2012 10:27:00 AM

I have this tale in Idries Shah's World Tales. In his commentary, Shah says it was taken down by Alfred Nutt in the 19th century, and indeed I see this here:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/75672342/6/VI-HUDDEN-AND-DUDDEN
Doris Burn's illustrations are just right!

Add a Comment