September 05, 2008

Seasonal Book Basket
Ever since I found out I was going to be a Nana I have been searching for the perfect books to read to my new grand baby. Along with the classics, I have also been collecting seasonal books. Y'all know how much I love celebrating the seasons and I can't imagine a more perfect way to do it! What special memories I have of reading to my own babies, and now I'll have the pleasure of reading to our soon-to-be little blessing.

As a Nana I don't plan on buying lots of toys for my grand babies, BUT, books are a different story. (no pun intended:o) I think good books are a wonderful investment because they can be enjoyed for years and years to come. Old books become just like old friends that you can revisit over and over again. Don't get me wrong, I'm a big advocate for the library, it's just some books I feel are worth having on our bookshelf here at home.

As you can see by the picture, the basket is resting on a little stool. That stool is very special to me because that was the stool I would sit on when I would go to Grammy's house. Grammy didn't read out of story books, instead she made up her own wonderful stories. She would always include me as a character in the story and I can vividly recall one story that involved the two of us going on a picnic in the woods and there we met some beautiful fairies. She went into great detail about how we shared our lunch with the fairies and afterwards we all sang and danced! Such magical moments for me, and one that certainly, in my opinion, could never be recreated with the most expensive of high tech toys. So, long story short, you can see why that little stool is so special to me and why it is the perfect spot for the books to rest on!
I wanted to put bookplates in each book and found some here. As you can see by reading the bookplates, these books belong to Nana and Papa and will be here for all our future grand babies to enjoy.

My favorite book in the seasonal basket right now is "The Pumpkin Patch Parable," by Liz Curtis Higgs. It tells how a loving farmer can turn a pumpkin into something beautiful, just as God's transforming love makes us beautiful, too!

Sorry, I know I am way, way too long-winded, I just get really excited about things and wanted to share with you! Thanks for putting up with me:o) In a few short months I will be back with my favorite Christmas and winter picks so stay tuned.

11 comments:

Karla Cook @ Roads to Everywhere said...

What a great idea! I'm going to tuck that away in the back of my mind for my (hopefully) future grandchildren!

When my children (now teens) were little I did something similar at Christmas time. I collected Christmas picture books and kept them in a basket under the Christmas tree, and then packed them away with the Christmas decorations. That way they were "new" at the beginning of the Christmas season each year and gave the children something to enjoy under the tree during the seemingly endless wait for Christmas to get here.

Brenda@CoffeeTeaBooks said...

As soon as I found out Elizabeth was on the way (our first grandchild), I started searching Amazon for the Brambley Hedge books. Just SO cute!

Most I had to get used but in very good condition.

Another favorite was a tall cardboard book called I Am A Bunny. It starts out, I am a bunny, my name is Nicholas, I live in a hollow tree... Yes, I can still read part of it from memory. :)

At Stephanie's wedding reception, she had the words to her favorite preschool book in pretty lettering and in a silver frame (at our place setting). They were from Goodnight Moon. J. did the same for his parents.

You are going to have so much fun. :)

Heather Anne said...

We just love the Pumpkin Patch Parable too - it is quite a favorite! I hope your grandbaby loves to hear you read it too! My Mum and Dad live far from us and one of our special treasures are the tapes they have made reading various books to our children - a good idea even if you are close geographically, I think! I know that when I'm missing my mum hearing her reading to the children tapes playing in their rooms brings such joy to my heart!

Adrienne said...

Hi Susan -
I don't think a grandma can ever buy enough books for their grandchildren. I bought the Pumpkin Patch Parable for my soon-to-be six-year-old grandson's birthday. It's such a cute book. I bought more books today. I love to send them home when they visit and keep special ones here.
~Adrienne~

Anonymous said...

What a great idea.

I loved this book. http://booksforkidsblog.blogspot.com/2007/10/cant-scare-me-little-old-lady-who-was.html
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything. I have fond memories of the librarian reading it to the kids during storytime at this time of the year. And I bought a copy so that I could read it to them at home.

Essential Oil Premier University said...

Oh I loved to read to my girls when they were little too. Our oldest, 21, still loves to read. Our youngest 14, hates to read. Go figure!!

Blessings,

Sher

Happy@Home said...

Hi Susan,
Thanks for your recent visit to my blog. It is so nice to meet another blue and yellow girl.

How exciting that you will soon be a Nana. I love your idea with the book basket and the story behind your little stool is precious.

Have a nice weekend,
Kim

Aunt Ruthie said...

Hi Susan! So glad you stopped by my blog...from reading your blog I can see that we have a lot in common....a love for home, family and celebrating the seasons!! To answer your question...the illustration of the family coming home from a picnic is from the book The Happy Family...it's a Little Golden Book. Inside on the front page it says, story by Niclole, pictures by Corinne Malvern. It's funny that it does not note the authors last name. The copyright is 1947, 1955. Publisher is Simon and Schuster. The front cover is mainly red with a "happy family"...mom, dad, brother (Tony), sister (Peggy) and a dog (skipper) a cat (Kiki).It has the cutest illustrations of the family doing all kinds of things together..cleaning...mowing the lawn...cooking..storytime...
brushng teeth...mom tucking kids in bed....shopping...having a birthday party..bike riding...going to the beach...picnic...saying goodnight. It's so cute.... the handwritten inscription says...This Golden book belongs to Larry Bowman for perfect attendance, Vacation Bible School June 6-17 1955. I wasn't even born yet!
Congrats on the package from heaven that is soon to bless your family....I can't wait for that day myself...I keep hinting to my two married kids! God Bless you dear Susan, I hope you can find this book on Ebay, let me know if you do!
God Bless!
Ruthann

Kelli said...

You are going to be such a wonderful and sweet Nana! I love your little seasonal book basket and stool!
~Kelli

Unknown said...

Books are a wonderful gift for a child. You get to enjoy a cuddle and all the love in the world.

God bless.

Anonymous said...

My first visit and I love the idea of having the seasonal books in a basket set out for the kids. I have two boys and that is a very good idea. They enjoy those seasonal books so much. Thanks for sharing. Dana