Favorite New Find: Scout Books

Rebecca and I met for a coffee yesterday at our little local coffee shop, Sagebrush Cafe, to catch up, talk about the blog, and to relax.  We both have pretty busy schedules, so it was nice to be able to sit down and talk with no interruptions (except for the somewhat nosy customer next to us who kept eavesdropping every time Rebecca opened her mouth!).
Anyway, while we were there, while I was waiting to order (a delicious salami, pesto, and artichoke panini, by the way), I poked around their little book section.  That is one of the things I like about this little cafe, besides that it is locally owned and operated- it also sells works from local artists and has a small (read: bookcase!) selection of literature for sale.  So while I was in line I spotted these tiny little books for $4 each.

available at Scout Books

How cute is that?!  From the back of the book:

"American Shorts pairs ten must-read authors with ten contemporary illustrators in the pocket-friendly Scout Book format, breathing new life into classic stories.  Each volume is a perfect fit for literature lovers, design connoisseurs  or anyone who could use a good read on the go."

illustration from the book; by artist Tom Neely

I am a fan of Poe.  I loved studying him under the tutelage (not a big fan of that word, but it works well here!) of my favorite professor, Dr. Frye.  I used to have a class with Dr. Frye in which we would study some of the works of Poe, and then I would go to my own class and share the insights I had learned with my own students.  They were only 6th graders, but I do believe I introduced quite a few of my students to a master of literature, and got them to appreciate his work!    They would beg me to bring in copies of his work to read in class.  They especially loved "The Pit and the Pendulum."  (That is a great short story if you haven't read it yet!)  This little book would be a perfect way to introduce some great literature to a younger audience.  The artwork makes it really fresh and fun.

Scout Books seems like a pretty cool little publisher.  They have other titles under this series; Sagebrush was also selling "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman.  

OR you can order their box set of 10 American classics.

Vol. 1 “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” by Ambrose Bierce

Illustrated by François Vigneault

Vol. 2 “Rip Van Winkle” by Washington Irving

Illustrated by Bwana Spoons

Vol. 3 “The Jelly-Bean” by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Illustrated by Vanessa Davis

Vol. 4 “The Story of an Hour” and Other Stories by Kate Chopin

Illustrated by Gemma Correll

Vol. 5 “Eve’s Diary” by Mark Twain

Illustrated by Meg Hunt

Vol. 6 “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Illustrated by Aaron Renier

Vol. 7 “Young Goodman Brown” by Nathaniel Hawthorne

Illustrated by Zack Soto

Vol. 8 “The Fall of the House of Usher” by Edgar Allan Poe

Illustrated by Tom Neely

Vol. 9 “To Build a Fire” by Jack London

Illustrated by Michael Hsiung

Vol. 10 “The Gift of the Magi” and Other Stories by O. Henry

Illustrated by Kate Bingaman-Burt

I will fully admit that I just got a little bit lazy there and copied that straight from the Scout Books website.  But take a look at that list!  I really want the Hawthorne book.  I love that story.  (Rebecca did a post about Hawthorne here.)

from "Young Goodman Brown"
buy it here

You can also buy regular, lined notebooks.  You get to add the big ideas inside.  I always have a little notebook with me to jot down ideas.  Size is key.  It has to be small enough that I can easily throw it in my purse, but not so small that it is hard to write in.  Scout Books to the rescue!  They have cute printed notebooks just waiting to be written in.

Of course I love this animal print notebook!

Lovely Lace Notebook

Or if you are feeling super creative, you can create your own little book!  You can create your custom notebook (and choose the paper that goes inside, like lined or blank), or you can make a real book.  That option is pricey, but how cool is that?!

~Lori

Little Miss and Little Master

I need a close pregnant friend who is either a literary snob or an English major.  Or maybe just a huge fan of classic British authors.  Why?  Because I need an excuse to buy these board books for babies.

Little Miss Austen?  How cute is this?!
available at Barnes and Noble

Little Master Carroll!!!!
here it is

Little Miss Bronte!
buy it here

Little Master Shakespeare!
available here

How adorable is this?!  This is from the Jane Austen book.  I Adore.
image via

Ahh, so darn cute.

Art by Allison Oliver.
Books by Jennifer Adams.

These are images from the Alice book and can be found on Alison Oliver's Sugar website here.
Alison Oliver is the amazing illustrator of these board books.

Just too much cuteness!

~Lori

Herself the Elf

Spring time makes me think of these adorable books I had as a child called "Herself the Elf."  I also had one of the figures and a record of the stories too.  The illustrations are pretty and pastel and the books have little pop- up flaps with pictures underneath.  My daughter loves these because she can lift them up as I read.The books were published by the Hallmark brand, like "Strawberry Shortcake," but they were not as popular.  I really wish they would be brought back.

The images are so delicate and pretty.

 

I have all the season books for my daughter.

The record that I still have. I just love the cover image.

I like to use old record covers as art.  Here it is in my hallway, perfect with its pastel shades to welcome spring!  It would be so sweet in a nursery, don't you think?

I would love to get this wrapping paper.

Herself the Elf doll

 

I would love to throw a "Herself the Elf" party for my daughter sometime.  Hmmmm.

Brambly Hedge

by Jill Barklem

As a child I loved these "Brambly Hedge" books (written in 1980 by Jill Barklem, born in Edding,UK). I must say that the stories themselves are not memorable or striking, but the images and the feelings they evoke are.  The illustrations are incredibly detailed and creative.  This time of year I am reminded of the cozy, sweet pages of these books.

There are the seasons books as well as a few other tales of the "Brambly Hedge"mice.

quietrebel

mcclellanclan

flickr.com

prouds.nf

tumblr.com

chuchena

Beautiful play things that bring to life the "Brambly Hedge" world.

 

via apartmenttherapy

How perfect is this?  

Woodland harp...we like cultured rodents!

 I had to share this dollhouse I recently saw at a local antiques shop.  Isn't it just so sweet!  There is tons of detail on this Tudor style cottage.  If my daughter didn't already have a dollhouse, I would have snapped this one up.

Look at the little hedges!

Gwenna enjoying her dollhouse.  I think I might paint it white...what do you think?

"Calico Critters" dolls my daughter collects.

From my past...

My mom made me this "Primrose" doll from the "Brambly Hedge" books.
This doll means--and meant-- more to me than any fancy toy I might have had.
Not that I have anything against fancy toys!

Now that Spring is just around the corner I thought I would add to this post with some of the images from the books that obviously inspire us all!

Little Brambly mice tucked in their cribs.

resource for this adorable teacup here

beingamummy

Happy Spring in Brambly Hedge!