It’s been a rough week. We’ve all had colds, and Sweetpea’s had croup, and yet the winnowing and packing for the big move can’t wait. Our paper shredder has overheated half a dozen times this weekend alone, and although the attic is finally more-or-less clear, we hardly dare think about what awaits us in the cellar. David and I wander the house in a daze once Sweetpea’s asleep, mumbling to ourselves about visas and freight costs and realtors.
So comfort food’s been on the menu. And comfort music. And comfort books, of course.
I’ve always gotten such deep pleasure and reassurance from books. But what’s made me especially happy this week is seeing how books comfort my daughter. Arnold Lobel’s been a big help to us this week (not just with Frog and Toad, but with Small Pig, and The Frogs and Toads All Sang). Millions of Cats is a reliable winner, too, even after a long morning of coughing. And thanks to lovely Molly O’Neill, editor at HarperCollins, we have a brand-new animal book that’s made Sweetpea very happy: the gorgeous and clever My Heart Is Like a Zoo, by Michael Hall.
Picture us gazing at a lion made of hearts, laughing at Toad in his bathing suit, and hoarsely but enthusiastically chanting, “Hundreds of cats, thousands of cats, millions and billions and trillions of cats….”
And picture Sweetpea smiling.
Anonymous said:
There is something so magical about those lines in Millions of Cats. Maybe it’s just because I loved that book so dearly as a kid. And yes, I can picture you reading and Sweetpea chanting along with you. I’m glad to hear it helped her through her croup, and I hope both of you are feeling better by now.
And wow, you’ve got so much going on. When do you actually move? I hope you are still finding some time to write.
Amy Butler Greenfield said:
I’ll think of you next time we read Millions of Cats, Lorraine! And yes, we have too much going on. We still have a few timing issues to work out, but it looks like we’ll be moving in late March.
Wish I had more time to write, but that will come. And I am making a little progress here and there, as I can.
Hope your own writing is going smoothly, and that you’re feeling better! xo
lorrainemt said:
There is something so magical about those lines in Millions of Cats. Maybe it’s just because I loved that book so dearly as a kid. And yes, I can picture you reading and Sweetpea chanting along with you. I’m glad to hear it helped her through her croup, and I hope both of you are feeling better by now.
And wow, you’ve got so much going on. When do you actually move? I hope you are still finding some time to write.
Amy Butler Greenfield said:
I’ll think of you next time we read Millions of Cats, Lorraine! And yes, we have too much going on. We still have a few timing issues to work out, but it looks like we’ll be moving in late March.
Wish I had more time to write, but that will come. And I am making a little progress here and there, as I can.
Hope your own writing is going smoothly, and that you’re feeling better! xo
lorrainemt said:
There is something so magical about those lines in Millions of Cats. Maybe it’s just because I loved that book so dearly as a kid. And yes, I can picture you reading and Sweetpea chanting along with you. I’m glad to hear it helped her through her croup, and I hope both of you are feeling better by now.
And wow, you’ve got so much going on. When do you actually move? I hope you are still finding some time to write.
Amy Butler Greenfield said:
I’ll think of you next time we read Millions of Cats, Lorraine! And yes, we have too much going on. We still have a few timing issues to work out, but it looks like we’ll be moving in late March.
Wish I had more time to write, but that will come. And I am making a little progress here and there, as I can.
Hope your own writing is going smoothly, and that you’re feeling better! xo
susanwrites said:
I am picturing you laughing and hugging and just enjoying your family time which makes the chores goes easier.
Amy Butler Greenfield said:
Thanks, Susan. Laughter makes both the colds and the move easier to bear.
susanwrites said:
I am picturing you laughing and hugging and just enjoying your family time which makes the chores goes easier.
Amy Butler Greenfield said:
Thanks, Susan. Laughter makes both the colds and the move easier to bear.
Anonymous said:
Ohhh, I love when a picture book can conjure a smile from a sick child. Sending warm wishes for Sweetpea’s quick recovery (and yours!). Jeni
Amy Butler Greenfield said:
Thanks, Jeni! Sending warm wishes your way, too.
jeniwrites said:
Ohhh, I love when a picture book can conjure a smile from a sick child. Sending warm wishes for Sweetpea’s quick recovery (and yours!). Jeni
Amy Butler Greenfield said:
Thanks, Jeni! Sending warm wishes your way, too.
Anonymous said:
I am adding all of those books to my wishlist for MrD-when-he’s-older. Thank you! 🙂 (I grew up with Frog and Toad but hadn’t even heard of any of the others.)
Amy Butler Greenfield said:
Lovely! When we’re finally settled in the UK, I’m hoping you and Mr. D will come and peruse Sweetpea’s collection for yourselves. I *love* how the pb world opens up in those 2nd and 3rd years!
stephanieburgis said:
I am adding all of those books to my wishlist for MrD-when-he’s-older. Thank you! 🙂 (I grew up with Frog and Toad but hadn’t even heard of any of the others.)
Amy Butler Greenfield said:
Lovely! When we’re finally settled in the UK, I’m hoping you and Mr. D will come and peruse Sweetpea’s collection for yourselves. I *love* how the pb world opens up in those 2nd and 3rd years!
stephanieburgis said:
I am adding all of those books to my wishlist for MrD-when-he’s-older. Thank you! 🙂 (I grew up with Frog and Toad but hadn’t even heard of any of the others.)
jeannineatkins said:
Hope there are more smiles and less coughing this week. Glad to hear you are finding comforts together. That Sweatpea’s humor keeps you from obsessing about some of what can’t be changed.
Amy Butler Greenfield said:
Thanks, Jeannine. This whole period of upheaval is very trying, so it’s a help to all of us to have these books — yours among them! Sweetpea just picked out Robin’s Home for me to read to her at breakfast.
jeannineatkins said:
Hope there are more smiles and less coughing this week. Glad to hear you are finding comforts together. That Sweatpea’s humor keeps you from obsessing about some of what can’t be changed.
Amy Butler Greenfield said:
Thanks, Jeannine. This whole period of upheaval is very trying, so it’s a help to all of us to have these books — yours among them! Sweetpea just picked out Robin’s Home for me to read to her at breakfast.
Amy Butler Greenfield said:
Thanks, Jeannine. This whole period of upheaval is very trying, so it’s a help to all of us to have these books — yours among them! Sweetpea just picked out Robin’s Home for me to read to her at breakfast.
Anonymous said:
Comfort books are the most important kind. I still have the ones I return to, and my guess is that, as an adult, Sweetpea’s either going to still own these favorites or grab them up in delighted surprise/nostalgia when she finds them in a bookstore! Hope you all feel better soon & good luck with all that packing. 🙂
Amy Butler Greenfield said:
Lovely to think of Sweetpea coming back to these books as an adult! Thanks for that thought, and all the other good wishes, Becky.
(Love the new userpic!)
beckylevine said:
Comfort books are the most important kind. I still have the ones I return to, and my guess is that, as an adult, Sweetpea’s either going to still own these favorites or grab them up in delighted surprise/nostalgia when she finds them in a bookstore! Hope you all feel better soon & good luck with all that packing. 🙂
Amy Butler Greenfield said:
Lovely to think of Sweetpea coming back to these books as an adult! Thanks for that thought, and all the other good wishes, Becky.
(Love the new userpic!)
Amy Butler Greenfield said:
Lovely to think of Sweetpea coming back to these books as an adult! Thanks for that thought, and all the other good wishes, Becky.
(Love the new userpic!)