Diane Muldrow

Meowl-o-ween is about the neighborhood cats that move around the carved pumpkins and decorations in preparation of spooking the trick-or-treaters out on the streets. A lone kitten is overwhelmed by the crowds and gets separated from their mother.

Okay, this is just adorable. I couldn’t help myself.

A Halloween book with cats.

Adorable cats - with facial expressions and silliness.

I loved it.

Nice change of pace from the older books I was reading. Saw this in a librarian’s newsletter and show more immediately went and found it on our shelves.

Possibly going to buy myself my own copy - even though I don’t have kids, that’s how much I love it. show less

We Planted a Tree is a moving story that shows young families in different parts of the world planting a tree, and follows the positive growth of the families and the trees. The plot weaves together lessons on the endless benefits of planting trees such as enriching our soil, filtering our air, creating precious shade and fruit and supporting new habitats.

I think this is a story that should and could be read to many ages and used to support many cross-curricular applications, especially show more early science lessons. Because it is such a tale of hope, united humanity and care for our planet it would be a great narrative to celebrate earth day or any beautiful day. I plan on reading it to my child and pairing it with a gardening activity.

The message behind the story reminds me of Lady Bird Johnson’s philosophy that teaching children how to grow plants builds better citizens. The cartoonish illustrations also support this idea as they depict children from different backgrounds cooperating and collectively admiring the beauty and benefits of the natural world. I think this would be a fantastic book for any library to teach the importance of caring for our environment today, and the direct effect this has on our tomorrow. show less

This was so fun!!! I half expected it to be snarky or sarcastic, but it was actually quite nice and sweet--just aimed more towards adults and the things adults deal with as Christmas nears.
The cool thing is that the pictures are all from various other Little Golden Books throughout the years, and, in tiny print on each page, those originals are referenced. (I've never read the previous "Everything I need to know...." book like this, so I didn't know that's how it was done.)
This is a great show more trip down memory lane while addressing some of the wonders and challenges of Christmas as a grown-up. I loved it!!! I'm going to get my hands on others by Muldrow!!! show less

The classic folk tale of The Little Red Hen comes to life on the pages of this Golden Book. As always the Poor mother hen slaves away planting, sowing, preparing, and baking while the other characters keep to their straight line of, Not I... when asked to help. The classic proverb you reap what you sow applies quite literally to this age old tale. In the end the mother hen certainly gets the last laugh as she and her chicks enjoy the spoils of a job well done while the other farm animals show more look balefully on. A wonderful moral tale for the ages.
Personal Response: I grew up reading the Little Golden Books so the nostalgia of it gets me every time! I hope my own daughter keeps this tradition alive by someday reading classics like this to her own children.
Extension: 1) Teaching children the value of working hard instead of hardly working by doing a class garden you could literally teach the kids you reap what you sow. 2) Ask them to make a list of things their own moms do around the house and have them come up with ways they could help out. show less