Hi, I’m Calli
Welcome! If you enjoy your visit, be sure to follow me:
Oh My Stars!
Canning Day Quilt

Bedtime Stories

I really love children’s books.  I had a collection of them even before I had children.  While going to school at the University of Utah, I worked at the most delightful children’s book store in Salt Lake City called “The Children’s Hour.”  You should drop by there if you’re ever in the neighborhood- http://www.childrenshourbookstore.com/.  I especially like children’s books that teach something valuable…  like one’s that have a “Make it Do” attitude.  One book we’ve enjoyed reading lately is called Fanny’s Dream (Picture Puffins) by Caralyn Buehner and Illustrated by Mark Buehner.img_0526

It’s the story of a sturdy farm girl named Fanny Agnes.  She works from sunup to sunset on her daddy’s farm, but she’s got her dreams… She wants to go to the ball and marry a Prince.  One night she dresses up in her best calico and goes out into the garden to wait for her fairy godmother.  The fairy godmother doesn’t show up, but Heber Jensen does.  He’s a cheerful, pleasant guy but as Fanny says, “Heavens, He’s so short!”  She tells Heber she’s waitin’ on her fairy godmother and she wants to go to the ball.  He asks if she can dance and she says no “But I know how to harness a horse, plow a field, and shuck corn.”  He finally tells her that he is no Prince Charming, but he has 160 acres, a little log house and dreams of his own.  He needs a wife who will work beside him through sweat and joy and good food and company.  She finally decides to give up her dreams and marry him.  The book sweetly describes how they work hard together, have a family, overcome hardships and build a good life together.  At the end of the book, Fanny goes out into the garden at night to pick a watermelon and her belated fairy godmother finally shows up to make her “dreams come true.”  When Fanny hesitates and her fairy godmother impatiently says “Well are you comin’ or not.”  Fanny looks at the at her little house where Heber is in reading to their kids and says… “Not.”

This lovely little tale really typifies how good the simple life can be.  I just wish I could read the darn book one time without getting choked up….

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Google Buzz
  • Yahoo! Buzz

4 Responses to “Bedtime Stories”

  • Dad:

    One of the greatest wishes any parent has is that his children will exceed them. When I read your comments and think about your observations and insights, I know that my daughter has. But then again, I already knew it!

    I’m sorry for the personal note, but I couldn’t help myself.

  • Awww. That’s a sweet post from your Dad…now I’m choking up!

    I’ll have to get this book to read to my grand kids. I haven’t seen it before. I, too, love childrens books and I still have the ones from my childhood.

  • Jeri Peart:

    Calli, I love your website & blog! Have you looked for sponsers? You could make some money here.

    • Jeri, that is so nice of you. I have so many ideas and things I want to write about, it’s hard to sleep! I hope all is well with you and your family. It has been snowing all day today and Alta has at least 30 inches with more coming! Wish you were here.

Leave a Reply

Archives


Virtual Quilting Bee