| Storm captures the comings and goings of a thunderstorm in rural America. Thanks to illustrator Michael Hays, the focus is on both the farm family's response to the ensuing storm and on the sights and sounds of the changing landscape. Hays masterfully employs washes of blue, green, and yellow for a very satisfying effect. For the most part, it's out-of-print, but still available through third party sellers. Click the link at the bottom of the page and you might find a copy.
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| Learn about the agrarian calendar in medieval England as you travel month-by-month following the traditional "Labors of the Months" as your guide. The double text in Till Year's Good End provides a read-aloud couplet at the top of each double-spread and a block of information text at the bottom. Hard to get, but still out there. Click the link at the bottom of the page, you may find one in good condition. It's really a sweet book.
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| Hallelujah: A Christmas Celebration tells the story of Christmas through the eyes of an unlikely—though, realistically, a very probable—holy family. The story leans heavily into the use of collective nouns, a rich color palate, and a rhythmic refrain that creates an almost prayer-like text. Technically, it's not out of print (not in the digital age), but it is hard to find. Try the link at the bottom of the page and look for a vibrantly-colored edition by the incomparable Cynthia St. James.
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| Strap yourself in and go for a ride—where policemen hide acorns, squirrels parade solemnly by, socks dangle from a clothesline, and rats douse a huge cigar. Tangletalk is just that: a bit of topsy-turvy in the English tradition. Beautifully illustrated by Jessica Clerk. Hard to find. There's one on Amazon, but it looks like it is low-quality. If you find a copy, I'm sure you will love it (my kids did). Try having your local bookstore order a copy for you, or see if your local library has a copy. You can also try the link at the bottom of the page. Who knows, you just might track down a copy.
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| My first book, Night Is Coming, remains one of my favorites, as it marks both my starting point as a published author and taps my early childhood experiences growing up in the rural South. And all with splendid illustrations by Jamichael Henterley. A real winner, at least that's what Smithsonian Magazine said about it. As I said, it is still one of my favorites, unfortunately it's out-of-print, but still available through third party sellers. Try the link at the bottom of the page—good luck (and if you find it, good night).
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