Many Moons by James Thurber c1943 Illustrations this edition c1990 by Marc Simont

This post dedicated to Mary Harrington, librarian and well read friend of great intelligence and imagination who once looked up at the mention of James Thurber and said, ” Ah, a surfeit of raspberry tarts.”

The princess Lenore has taken to her bed due to the above mentioned overindulgence in raspberry tarts. Her father, the King is summoned to her bedside and promises her the moon if she will only get well again. How is this promise to be kept? The Royal advisors and experts have many lists of facts and statistics that are mostly unbelievable and not in the least helpful. Their suggestions will only make matters worse for the princess. Fortunately, there is someone in the castle who knows how to solve problems, and it is not who you might expect….

This book is best appreciated by listeners and readers ages 7 to adult. It is a tad longer than most picture books, and there needs to be enough life experience in the audience to get the cleverness and humor James Thurber provides. I read it to students in grades 3-5. You can find editions with the original illustrations by Louis Slobodkin, which is the one I knew as a child. Marc Simont knew and worked with James Thurber, and his wonderful artwork for this story was approved by Rosemary Thurber. Both artists got it right!

Now for younger listeners:

May I Bring a Friend? by Beatrice Schenk De Regniers. Illustrations by Beni Montresor c1964 This edition Aladdin Paperbacks c1989

The authors words:

“The King and Queen Invited me to come to their house on Sunday for tea.

I told the Queen and the Queen told the King, I had a friend I wanted to bring.”

And what friends turn up! There is much merriment and fun each day of the week at the castle as all sorts of animal friends come to the party. This rhyming story will amaze and happily entertain preschool children. Suspense keeps young listeners eyes glued to the book as each page turn reveals the next surprising visitors. This story was always a hit with the 4-year-olds in the story time circle.