Witty Words:
They say that you should make lemonade when life hands you a sour one, but if that's the case I can't help but wonder what Evelyn Ryan would do. No doubt come up with a witty limerick or two. She is the true character of a daughter's loving memoir titled "The Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio-How My Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words or Less". During the 50s and 60s, with an alchoholic husband, ten kids to raise, and the wolf constantly scratching at the door Evelyn uses her wits and flair for writing to drum up money in her own unique way: winning writing contests for products, be it jingles or why said product is superior in twenty-five words or less. Her joie de vive and pluck help to keep despair at bay, and the resulting story is one of laughter, delight and miracles amongst what could be the dark storms of life.
Cackle, Cackle Mother Goose:
There is a reason why nursery rhymes have endured for as long as they have, and it's because despite the passage of time, these lilting bites of poetry from Mother Goose never lose their appeal to delight. Shockingly, too few youngsters get the chance to meet this wonderful grand dame, and that is a great pity. While books with these rhymes are plentiful, one of the best I've ever found is "My Very First Mother Goose", a collection compiled by Iona Opie and illustrated by Rosemary Wells. Do not deny your kids or yourself the pleasure of this delicious compilation. There were well-known favourites like "Humpty Dumpty" as well as new friends like "Blanket Fair". Like all her books, Rosemary Well's talent for sublime illustrations make this book literary perfection. Here's a new one we discovered and loved on making it's acquaintance:
Davy, Davy Dumpling,
Boil him in a pot.
Sugar him,
And butter him,
And eat him while he's hot.
Boil him in a pot.
Sugar him,
And butter him,
And eat him while he's hot.
To all you fellow book nuts, I say "Happy Reading!"
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