Patricia Miles Martin (1899–1986)

With the help of a little girl named Suzu, grandmother's Japanese Bride Doll is released from her paper house--her paper prison--to go find her Bridegroom Doll.

In order to release the doll, who cries out to her, Suzu must directly disobey her grandmother's request that Suzu not touch the doll. The Bride Doll promises she will return...with her husband. Then she flies off on a bronze crane to the shop where her Groom sits patiently, a price sticker dangling from his very dusty silk kimono. show more

How does the doll know where to find her groom?

Suzu wonders the same and asks: "But how can you know where to go, when Japan is so big?"

"I was told by our parakeet, who heard it from a a sparrow, who heard it from a house mouse. Husband is in Mr. Yamamoto's shop on the Street of the Shops. He sits high on a very dusty shelf between a big, black dragon and a small lute. Sometimes he plays the lute and sings of me. The house mouse heard the song. I shall go there." show less

This 1972 Newbery honor was yet another Newbery that deals wisely, astutely and beautifully with a difficult subject.

Young, Navajo Indian child, Annie loves her grandmother with all her heart. When her grandmother tells her that she will pass away when the last thread is woven on a rug that Annie's mother is weaving, Annie results to extreme measures to ensure the rug is not finished.

Like so many of us, the inevitability of death is a difficult concept. Loss, grief, fear and pain are show more emotions we want to avoid. Which one of us wouldn't go to extreme measures if we could save someone we love?

In this heart felt tale Annie slowly learns that death is both another cycle.

Recommended. show less

Absolutely lovely, just as I expected. Not for children who are struggling to master the alphabet, as the letters are presented in rich context, not out and bold. I do love Parnall's art, even when he's not doing the southwest with [a:Byrd Baylor|36067|Byrd Baylor|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/f_50x66-9e23bac89f169d02e43709e42b361705.png], and I'm keeping this.

This little early reader has got me thinking. It seems as if small rabbit's parents are a bit neglectful, but these are rabbits after all, not people. It'd actually be a good story to discuss with your children or students. Arnosky's drawings are perfect.