For the Love of Lupine & Literature (and a little bit of news)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each year, Thetford Elementary School in Thetford, Vermont celebrates reading, children’s literature, and favorite authors with Book Character Day!  And every year I worked there in 2nd grade, I dressed up as the same character in the same children’s book….. Miss Rumphius, otherwise known as The Lupine Lady.  The children’s book, Miss Rumphius, is written and illustrated by award-winning Maine author, Barbara Cooney. It tells of a little girl named Alice Rumphius.  At her grandfather’s knee, Alice explains ” when she grows up she wants to travel and see far away places, and then come home to live by the sea.”   Her wise grandfather tells her that is wonderful but there is a third thing she must do… Alice must also “make the world a more beautiful place.” This proves to be the most difficult of all.

I have been entranced by the words and illustrations of Miss Rumphius forever. My daughters have probably heard me read it to them at least 100 times.  Of course, a big part of my love for the book is I am a Mainer too!  But also, I love the ocean, lupine flowers, the call for social action, and have always dreamed of living near the sea, all of which are entwined into this book. It’s a beautifully written Spring story (lupines blossom in late May, early June in Maine) with gorgeous and whimsical water colors of lupine, the ocean, and Maine.

As a collector of children’s books, I often find photography inspiration from re-reading my favorite children’s books, “listening” to their words, and enjoying the illustrations. Miss Rumphius is one, if not “The One,” of my very favorite children’s books. Well worth the read, even if you no longer have little ones in the house to read to! And… you will need to read it to discover how Alice was able to fulfill her grandfather’s important wish. (Probably at this point you have an idea!)

What is your favorite Springtime children’s book?  Do you love it for the story, the illustrations, the message or all of the above? I would love to hear about it! I am always on the lookout for the next great children’s book to add to my collection.

And a little news…beginning next month, I will be writing a monthly column for Model Life Magazine! It will be a children’s literature book review article, each month focusing on 5 children’s books relating to the magazine’s monthly theme! And of course, I will be adding my own images to each article! The opportunity to combine my two loves of photography AND children’s literature has me a little on the excited side!  If you would like to follow along on my magazine writing journey, please add your email up there on the right hand-side of this page. I will let you know when the articles are published!

Happy Springtime!  Until next time….

Creatively yours,

Nanette

Keeping his eye on me as I enjoy the lupine!