Margaret Hillert (1920–2014)

Brownie the cow decides that she wants to jump over the moon in this beginning reader inspired by the classic nursery rhyme. Her concerned friends advise her that she is in for some bumps if she pursues her dream, but she tries anyway, crashing to earth again and again. Finally, Raccoon shows her the moon reflected in a body of water, allowing her to jump over it and get her wish...

Originally published in 1982 with artwork from Krystyna Stasiak, and then reissued in 2016 with illustrations show more by Linda Prater, The Cow That Got Her Wish is the second beginning reader from Margaret Hillert that I have read recently, following upon her The Witch Who Went for a Walk. I read the original edition, having sought it out specifically for Stasiak's artwork, which I find beautiful. I was not disappointed, as the visuals here are lovely, with a gorgeous color palette and wonderfully stylized, almost folk-style figures. The story itself, although every bit as simple as one would expect in a title aimed at beginning readers, is fairly engaging, and I liked the clever solution found by the raccoon. Recommended to beginning readers, and to fans of Stasiak's charming artwork. show less

Part of a series of beginning readers that offer classic fairy-tales with simplified text, this book no doubt works well as a teaching tool. It is not, however, a storybook, and I think that outside of reading teachers, it will hold little interest for the adult reader. For their part, children will probably never encounter it, save in a scholastic setting.

I was curious about this book because I saw that it was illustrated by Kinuko Craft, whose work I greatly admire. I quickly discovered show more however, that the illustrations in this book bear almost no resemblance to Craft's more well-known work, as exemplified in picture-books such as Cupid and Psyche and The Twelve Dancing Princesses. They are of a different style altogether, with a cutesy, faux-Victorian feel to them. I was at a loss to understand it, until I looked at the publication information, and discovered that this was a reprint of a book originally released in 1978. This Hansel and Gretel must represent an earlier stage of Craft's evolution as an artist, one which she - happily - has left behind.

So beware, fellow Kinuko Craft fans, and don't waste your time with this one... show less

Using a lexicon of sixty-seven words - helpfully listed at the back of the book - Margaret Hillert spins the tale of a witch and her cat who go on a Halloween walk, seeing the spooky sights associated with that time of year. From ghosts to bats, cats to jack-o-lanterns, the witch likes everything she sees, until she encounters three trick-or-treaters and gets spooked...

The Witch Who Went for a Walk was originally published in 1981 with the artwork of Krystyna Stasiak, and then reissued in show more 2016 with illustrations by Mernie Gallagher-Cole. I myself read the original edition, and am so glad that I did! Although the text here is a little too simple and repetitive to be that interesting - hardly surprising, given that it is intended for beginning readers - the artwork from Stasiak is just lovely. The color palette she uses is simply gorgeous - beautiful, vibrant hues - and the stylized figures appealing. Recommended to beginning readers looking for witchy fare. show less

A purple stuffed cat comes to life at night in this early reader utilizing fifty-eight distinct words, all listed at the back of the book. As she explores the world outside her little boy's house, the cat encounters many different kinds of animals, and after observing them all night long, returns home just in time for her boy to wake up...

Originally published in 1981 with artwork from the talented Krystyna Stasiak, and then reprinted in 2016 with new illustrations by Kate Cosgrove, The show more Purple Pussycat is the third beginning reader I have read from author Margaret Hillert in the last few days. I sought it out specifically for the Stasiak illustrations, which I greatly enjoyed. The text itself is very basic, and although the story idea here has interest, the narrative leaves a bit to be desired, sometimes feeling rather choppy. Fortunately, the visuals are just lovely, with a beautifully vivid color palette and an almost folk-art sensibility. Recommended to fellow Stasiak fans, and to anyone looking for (very) beginning readers featuring magical toy adventures. show less